In this blog we'll outline some helpful tips & advice to help you make the most of Bleeper's public bike service. This blog is kindly supported by Payzone, the sponsor of Bleeper public bikes.
Some of the topics we'll cover in this blog include:
1. What to do if a lock doesn't open
2. Finishing a trip, and parking rules
3. GPS Drift
4. Parking on Private Property
If you have any issues when using the Bleeper public bike service, please use the 'Contact Us' function in the Bleeper app, or contact our Customer Care Team.
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1. What to do if a bike doesn't unlock?
On occasion, a parked bike may have a spoke lodged against the locking bar. This can cause the locking bar to become jammed, preventing the lock from opening.
To resolve this issue, rotate the wheel slightly to release the spoke and then check that the lock is still closed. In the Bleeper app, tap "Pause" and then tap 'Unpause' and the lock should spring open.
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2. Finishing a Trip, and Parking Rules
If you have any issues finishing a Bleeper trip, such as the trip not stopping in the app or the lock not closing properly, you should always contact us to let us know.
The best way to notify Bleeper about a trip finishing issue is via the Bleeper app, where you can use the 'Contact Us' function to notify us about your issue.
It is very important that you tell us about an issue when it occurs.
When finishing a Bleeper trip, please ensure that you park the bike at a public cycle parking stand. Do not lock the bike to fences, lamp posts, trees, or other pieces of street furniture. If you do, you may be issued with a parking fine.
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3. Understanding GPS Drift
What is GPS Drift?
GPS drift is the difference between your actual location and the location recorded by a GPS receiver. All GPS systems have some amount of drift, including the GPS-enabled smartlocks on Bleeper bikes.
The amount of drift a GPS system has is dependent upon several factors, including the number of satellites detected, and how much of the sky is in clear view from the ground.
Tall buildings, especially in dense areas like Dublin city centre, can have a big impact on GPS drift and this tends to be where most Bleeper bikes are affected.
What should I do if my Bleeper isn't in the map location?
If the Bleeper bike you are trying to hire isn't in the location shown on the map, our best advice is to check the nearby public cycle parking racks.
You can find the location of all public cycle racks across Dublin using the Dublin Bike Parking map, and there's a link to this map in the menu of the Bleeper app.
If the Bleeper bike can't be found at any nearby public cycle racks, please report the issue to us via the 'Contact Us' function in the Bleeper app.
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4. Parking on Private Property
What is the problem?
We have received multiple reports of Bleeper bikes being locked inside private premises such as gated apartment buildings or secure car parks.
When this happens, other users are unable to access the Bleeper bikes and it takes these bikes out of public circulation, causing inconvenience and frustration.
It is not permitted to end a Bleeper trip on private property and we will be targeting this offence over the coming months.
What are the solutions?
We are undertaking the following initiatives to clamp down on users who park Bleeper bikes on private premises, including:
A new feature in the Bleeper app which enables users to specifically report bikes that are parked on private property.
Users who park bikes on private property will receive a fine and a warning of termination of their Bleeper account.
Repeat offenders will be banned from using Bleeper.
How can I report bikes on private property?
We have added a section in the 'Contact Us' feature in the Bleeper app which enables customers to report inaccessible bikes on private property.
Tap the 'Contact Us' button in the app menu and choose the 'Message' option.
When you see the screen below choose option E to report a bike on private property.
Once a report is received, our mobile Bleeper mechanics will attempt to retrieve the bike and to ascertain if it has been parked on private property.
