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I've been sad about this sale for a few weeks -- was a pretty heavy Jump bike user in DC and they've just been sitting on the streets disabled -- vanished from
by waterfowl 6y ago
I've been sad about this sale for a few weeks -- was a pretty heavy Jump bike user in DC and they've just been sitting on the streets disabled -- vanished from the apps overnight. They were/are well built machines and I hope Lime or someone reactivates them. They also feel much more practical and safe than the cheap bird/etc scooters(having eaten shit on a bird before going over a curb) -- bigger tires for bump tolerance, more stable position, etc.
We have another dockless ebike entrant in town called Helbiz and they're pretty nice, plus have an unlimited subscription option -- hoping they get traction and stick around - I have already noticed some of the bikes being seemingly vandalized on purpose(pedals ripped off and strapped in the basket) which is sad.
It feels that the timing could be right with very limited Metro and Bus service(and widespread virus related public transit anxiety).
edit: I could also see this business model as being self cannibalizing -- I'd never ridden an ebike pre JUMP and now would consider buying one myself for 1-2k. How many people who really enjoy the JUMP experience would similarly leave the platform for a nicer model, long run cheaper experience. Introduces other tradeoffs like security, having to take the bike home(so you can't really ride it out if you're going to be drinking), etc.
- heyitsguay 6y agoSame here! There was a brief golden time in Mt. Pleasant when it was starting to get nice out and there were Jump bikes everywhere. So convenient, so nice for doing socially-distanced wanderings of neighborhoods. What a waste! I hope something like them returns.
- Xavdidtheshadow 6y agoFor me, the biggest value prop was that I could leave them anywhere and didn't have to maintain them. I could buy myself one, but then I'd need to take care of it and make sure it doesn't get stolen. I'm not sure I'm interested in that.
- asdff 6y agoYou can buy renters insurance or something similar for your bike. Mine is covered for a few bucks a month.
- ouid 6y agoA few bucks a month is a lot of money. Try buying an annuity for a few bucks a month over the lifetime of the average bicycle and you're probably doubling the cost of the bike.
- adrianN 6y agoIt's not like bike share renting is cheap compared to owning a bike either.
- Xavdidtheshadow 6y agoIt is if you only use it periodically. If I was commuting daily on a bike, I'd buy one. But I was mostly doing ~1 ride / month for tourist-y reasons.
- kjs3 6y agoYeah...that's kinda the problem. People who leave them anywhere. The scooter thing is a great example of how thoughtless people can be when offered convenience.
- partyboat1586 6y agoThe JUMP bikes were the best ride for sure. Much smoother than Lime. If Lime downgrade the bikes then I'm getting my own electric bike. Just sucks I have to think about locking it up, riding it home etc.
- eganist 6y agoThe biggest loss here for me personally is that Uber allowed you to pair AmEx Uber credits to scooters, which meant I could often do 5-10 free rides a month.