Predatory company operating Harwell campus bikes

Paul Cross seems to be championing active travel at RAL. I would speak with him:

https://ukri.sharepoint.com/sites/thesource-stfc/SitePages/ActiveTravel-bikes-20230724.aspx

I should add that the one time I went to hire an ebike, the battery was flat!

Yes fortunately my experience wasnt as bad as yours Ettore i can sympathise, the bikes i had were either flat battery or a very loose seat (which you can report on app), another didnt unlock as expected at Didcot station – i did talk to a donkey republic rep who said the bike company bainton is responsible and aware of the status of the bikes and should act accordingly. I did have one successful e-bike ride but that was it. I’m not going to use them on a regular basis which is a shame really.

I raised the (un)safety of the hire bikes at the STFC site Safety Management Committee meeting last week, and this concern should get escalated to the campus through STFC management.

Just to add, my colleague had the same problem and was issued a £600 charge for non return of the bike, despite being hired out to other users in the meantime. It was the same back and forth to resolve the issue.

This is such a shame to hear. I was wanting to use the ebikes across site and maybe home and back as I live near the station but I think I will stick to other forms of transport for now. I am put off using them at all right now. Let’s hope matters improve fast.