I want an Ofo bike lock!

[horizon]

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyl ... s-to-taxis

According to this article in the Guardian, Ofo bikes don't get stolen (or at least not much). After all, you have to download an app to unlock the rear wheel. The normal bike the article compared the Ofo to was covered with chains and padlocks - all ineffective as we know.

So I want one of these magic Ofo bike locks!

[Redvee]

Looks to be the same lock as fitted to YoBikes in Bristol and other dockless bike schemes. I did pick up the locks once on a Bluetooth scan on my phone but nothing showing now so can't help with a name.

[PH]

The company was represented at event I went to on Sat, the speed they've grown is a bit incredible, there must be some big backers and they'll have factored in a few thefts. The bikes are sturdy, even by hire bike standards, there are some designated parking areas, and of course bikes left anywhere without the landowners consent can be removed (Apparently the Royal Parks have some hostage) The article gives the impression you can leave them where you want, but it has to be within an agreed area, you get messaged if they're not (Users have a points system for disobedience)
It's a new idea, still in development, there's been problems in China with saturation and one of the big players has already collapsed. I like the idea, but am a bit unsure of the commercial model. Time will tell. And of course there's an electric version on the way.

[kwackers]

And of course there's an electric version on the way.

A couple of hundred quids worth of batteries in an easy to access form. What could go wrong?

Who knows, it might work. The City Bikes here get vandalised a lot. The scallies have figured out that by running and jumping on them they can break them free of the dock and then ride them around for a larf before abandoning them.
That means the docks get damaged, the bikes get damaged and occasionally they just disappear.

So just perhaps if there's no chance of riding them the same fate won't happen to the Ofos?

[thirdcrank]

I presume the key here is some sort of tracking. While that might not solve all the problems it would help recover most that had been played about with and dumped à la shopping trolley and it should reveal trends eg roving tranny vans collecting them for scrap, especially when they have batteries and motors. I'm assuming in my uninformed way that the app-based hire comes with tracking.

There cannot be much of a second-hand market for the complete bikes, with or without locks.

[RickH]

And of course there's an electric version on the way.

A couple of hundred quids worth of batteries in an easy to access form. What could go wrong?

From the presentation I was at late last year, you have to buy/rent your own battery so there isn't one left on the bikes when parked.

[horizon]

And of course there's an electric version on the way.

A couple of hundred quids worth of batteries in an easy to access form. What could go wrong?

From the presentation I was at late last year, you have to buy/rent your own battery so there isn't one left on the bikes when parked.

I suppose ideally you would bring along your own frame and wheels for the other bikes.

I was looking at a pair of Donkey Republic bikes in Plymouth the other day. Nice bikes (brake levers reversed left to right, V brakes a bit dodgy) and I'm amazed that such bikes remain on the street at all - they really are nice bikes IMV for what they are for:

https://www.donkey.bike/

I'm not a bike hire fanatic but I am impressed at how you get good bikes out there on the streets.

[kwackers]

From the presentation I was at late last year, you have to buy/rent your own battery so there isn't one left on the bikes when parked.

How bizarre. I'd assumed the bikes docked somewhere where they could charge.

That means not only have you got to carry a battery but also own a charger and have somewhere to use it.
I guess the upside is the battery can be much smaller since I suspect the target market will only ever want to do a few miles so a ten mile range battery is probably more than enough.

[PH]

And of course there's an electric version on the way.

A couple of hundred quids worth of batteries in an easy to access form. What could go wrong?

From the presentation I was at late last year, you have to buy/rent your own battery so there isn't one left on the bikes when parked.

That would kill it, there was no mention of that an Saturday, it seems to go against the ethos of keeping it simple. The thing that is holding them back is making tamper proof. They don’t want any modified to go twice as fast...
I think it’s partly that simplicity they’re relying on to keep thefts down. While there’ll always be some who do it for the mischief, if it’s cheap and easy enough to use one, why go to the trouble of stealing if you just want to ride somewhere?
Apparently in Manchester nearly all the damage to dockless bikes is the locks being broken, so at least people want to use them!

[Psamathe]

....There cannot be much of a second-hand market for the complete bikes, with or without locks.

I would agree. Is it the type of bike or the lock that is stopping them being stolen.

And is a app supporting phone cheaper than an angle grinder?

And arrive in a van, wrap the lock in kitchen foil, bike in back of van .... but who'd but the bike?

Ian

[[XAP]Bob]

....There cannot be much of a second-hand market for the complete bikes, with or without locks.

I would agree. Is it the type of bike or the lock that is stopping them being stolen.

And is a app supporting phone cheaper than an angle grinder?

And arrive in a van, wrap the lock in kitchen foil, bike in back of van .... but who'd but the bike?

Ian

Don't need the foil if you're in a metal van.

[RickH]

A couple of hundred quids worth of batteries in an easy to access form. What could go wrong?

From the presentation I was at late last year, you have to buy/rent your own battery so there isn't one left on the bikes when parked.

That would kill it, there was no mention of that an Saturday, it seems to go against the ethos of keeping it simple. The thing that is holding them back is making tamper proof. They don’t want any modified to go twice as fast...

I think the comment about the batteries was in response to a specific question about charging because there are no docks. If there is no fixed infrastructure the only alternative would be like the Emmy Scooters in Berlin where they have centrally charged batteries & roving staff (in an electric vehicle) swapping them out as needed (video).

[mercalia]

I wouldnt like to have the service contract hunting them down - one here one there drive 5 miles to the next one, one up an alley way, one on a bridge, one tucked away behind some loos you name it

[Mick F]

I was looking at a pair of Donkey Republic bikes in Plymouth the other day.

Just next door to our favourite coffee shop. Barista Brothers on Armada Way probably call in there once a month or so. The bikes are stacked up outside the Greedy Pig.
I've often looked at them, but never ever seen anyone riding one of these bikes.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.37189 ... 426108,19z
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.37190 ... 312!8i6656

[atlas_shrugged]

The Ofo bike locks use GPS/GPRS to provide position information and to allow unlocking. The lock unit is powered by batteries which need changing every few months. I can not understand why the dynamo is not used to recharge the battery. The unit comes from China and it is not easy to purchase 1-off lock quantities because the company is looking to sell for fleets of cycles. Some fleets use solar cells in the baskets to charge the batteries (but maybe not in the UK).

Most cycle rental companies have figured that the rental bike has to be as incompatible as possible with other bikes to make it of little value to steal a rental bike. The Ofo bike has solid tyres and unique hub brakes for example.

Ofo do send people round to 'knock on doors' to get their bikes back. They also incentivise customers to fetch wayward bikes by giving them cheap deals or free rides.

I was given a free Ofo ride because I rescued one of their bikes from an underground car park (GPS needs to see the sky).