New Obike user here; thought I’d share my experience.
I’d read this thread and had seen a few around Taoyuan, but when I tried to sign up my phone number wasn’t accepted for some reason. I gave up and figured I’d never use the service.
Over the 10/10 holiday I went to Singapore for the first time and noticed that it’s quite a biking culture there, with at least three different types of rental systems. After renting a bike from a shop on the first day, I figured I’d give Obike another try. This time I was able to sign up without a problem.
Renting the bikes was easy. I didn’t have to pay a deposit as was mentioned on this thread. I don’t know if it’s because I initiated it in Singapore or what. After my second bike ride I had like a -SN$1.61 balance. It seems like my first ride was free, and then it allowed a slight negative balance after the second ride. In order to rent again I simply had to add funds to my account in NT$30 increments, using my Bank of Taiwan debit card. Seemed to work very much like the Easy Card.
Convenience: Extremely convenient for my purposes. I was using public transportation in Singapore and used Obike to get from the MRT/bus stations to my final destinations if it seemed too far to walk. There was almost always a bike available within a block of where I was.
Bike quality: Adjustable seats were good for me. No gears so I wouldn’t want to use them for long rides or on hilly terrain, but for a casual tourist they were fine. Brakes, tires, bell, lights all worked on the ones I used. Very flimsy plastic fenders and such.
Parking: Yes, I did see some bikes that looked discarded in a ditch, but the majority were upright and in convenient places, not really blocking sidewalks or anything (but Singapore seems to know the purpose of a sidewalk, unlike Taiwan). This is all from my very limited time in Singapore, and mostly in touristy areas.
Since coming back I’ve used Obike in Taipei as well. I personally like it because it serves me well for my circumstances. If riders end up leaving them to look like a junkyard I don’t think that’s the company’s fault. However, if Obike doesn’t maintain the bikes and/or takes zero interest in where they’re ending up, then that’s on the company.
So I think it fits a need. Just my two cents.
EDIT: Forgot to add, one negative I encountered in Taipei, but not in Singapore, was a bike appearing to be available on the app, but when I walked the block or so to get it, it was nowhere to be seen. This happened about three times the other day. I’m not sure if it’s due to a lag in the system or what.
