Blue Bikes Nola

I am in NOLA for the week and decided to use Blue Bikes. Even bought a 30 day pass. Initially, app and bike access was easy but immediately started getting charged fees for ending a ride outside a “service hub”. I was within the service zone but each time I ended the ride a notice pops up stating that if I choose to end the ride outside a “service hub” I will be charged an extra $2.00. I contacted the company but only have email as an option. They initially sent back a generic copy and past response about the service zone and hub but didn’t mention what the service hub is or where they are located or designated on the app. They then sent another reply after several back and forths that the hubs are where bikes are located on the app. So, seems they are charging customers for riding in the proper service area but not ending rides where other bikes are parked. This makes little sense given you are free to ride anywhere within the service area. I use bike share apps and programs when I travel and this app and company should reassess this practice which essentially make this program limited in terms of practical riding area.

We have used bine share systems in NYC for more than 10 years and used various systems throughout the country and the world. This is by far the worst app and system that we’ve ever used. It is very hard to see where you are in the app. The app makes you scroll through these various rules every time you use it. When you’re done, you have to submit a photo and all of this is while you’re still being charged, eating up your minutes. The locking and unlocking is very temperamental. Numerous times the bike did not unlock or lock and we were being charge minutes the whole time. It takes awhile for it to finally reset. The customer service email is very lacking and unsympathetic. The bikes themselves need to be better maintained. Several times we experience bikes with brakes that were lacking and dangerous. The bikes actually go too fast when you’re not peddling, so you always have to break in crowded areas. They also need better shock absorption for the bumpy French Quarter roads. Another frustrating app feature is when you try to submit text feedback in the app, the submit button disappears once you start typing comments. We finally figured out you had to change the review to a different star level and then back in order for the submit button to reappear. We love to bike and wish there was a better option than this in New Orleans as it really negatively affected our experience there.

Me and my husband tried this out today for the first time. We were weary because of the two reviews it has. But neither of us had issues downloading the app or locking the bikes back up. It was a pretty easy system. We also didn’t realize that they were electric bikes! So it helps speed you through New Orleans without any issues! It’s very fun and made our day more enjoyable. I say try it before worrying about any reviews. Self experience is better than missing out on a potential fun experience. We both rode around for an hour and a half and only spent $24. It was much more enjoyable to be able to speed through the streets not in a car. Stop when we needed you to go inside stores, and not have to worry about annoying tour guides lol