London Bike: Specifically designed for use with the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme offered by Transport for London (TFL).

“I have tired all paid and free iPhone apps for the London Cycle Hire scheme and personally prefer London Bike App by Bid Ted Ltd. It has the cleanest, fastest and easiest to use interface and a built in timer that works even when the phone is in standby”. Chris Skitch, Boris Bikes Community Forum

Rent a cycle from any Barclays Cycle Hire docking station, return it to any Barclays Cycle Hire docking station: Use London Bike to find one of the 6000 cycles at the 20 docking stations closest to where you are.

“If you are a Boris Bike user this app is a must!” – Simon, BBC – *****


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London Bike supports all current iPhone devices – 3G, 3GS and iPhone 4. It will work with iOS4 (the new one), or iOS3 (the slightly older one). It will work on an iPod Touch, however the mapping and nearest bike functions may not be as useful without a WiFi connection. Also works on an iPad, but to be honest, do you want to lug one around on your bike?

Quick News – 29/Aug/10

The app is now available in the App Store! If you download it, please rate it and leave a comment! If you have any feedback, please use the comment form on the about page.

Version 3 is now in the AppStore. The Realtime updates work great so far, and are as up to date as TFL can do. v3 includes a handy Trip Log, as well as a pop-up compass. See below for more details.

Coming in the next version: More handy features – more information once the application is in approval. Will be in the store before mid-September. Also, I did a guest post on the CycleStreets blog, with some comment on the motivation behind the app.

Thanks!

Happy cycling!

Nearest Bikes

  • NEW (v3): Popup compass showing you which direction you are facing (3GS and 4 only).
  • Using the iPhone’s built-in GPS, see the 20 docking stations closest to your current location in an easy-to-read list view.
  • Details include docking station name, postcode, approximate distance from your current location, heading and number of docking points. If the docking station is not available (usually not yet built) the application will show this.
  • Shows the number of bikes and free docks at the location (subject to TFL data)
  • Tap on any location in the list of Nearest Bikes to see docking station location on a high quality Google Map.
  • Note: like any GPS application, leaving the GPS on will use the battery quicker than normal; so once you have finished using London Bike app, we suggest you exit the app and turn the screen off on your phone (i.e. press the power button).

Map

  • NEW (v3): Tap the “distance and time” area at the top to remove the route.
  • NEW (v3): Routing can now use CycleStreets (balanced, quietest, fastest) or CloudMade, meaning you are never without a possible route. Options are set in the iPhone Settings screens.
  • View a high quality Google Map of your location and see the Barclays Cycle Hire locations nearest to you.
  • Tap on any pin on the Google Map to show docking station address and total number of docking points.
  • Shows the number of bikes and free docks at each docking station (subject to TFL data)
  • Use the Routing button to get a cycle-friendly route from your current location to the selected docking point. Routing thanks to Cycle Streets.
  • Use the Locate Me button to show your position on the Google Map relative to the Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations.
  • All of Barclays Cycle Hire’s 350 locations are included in the London Bike app and can be viewed on the map.
  • Zoom in or out to view more or less detailed information.

Timer

  • Timer shows current Barclays Cycle Hire pricing estimate, with approximate number of minutes remaining until the next price increase.
  • Timer continues when London Bike app is closed, or your phone is turned off and remains in use until you press Stop or you have not used the London Bike app for two days. (Note: this does not use battery power)
  • You will be alerted when the free period of your cycle hire is about to end – even if your phone is off or you are using another application (iOS4 only)

Trip Log – NEW in V3

  • Handy trip log adds cycle rides as you use the timer. Provides a record to compare with your TFL account.
  • Uses the GPS to work out the closest docking point to your start and end location.
  • High quality Google Map shows the start and end location.
  • Distance shown is based on straight-line distance. Time is based on the timer.

Disclaimer

This application is not endorsed by TFL or Barclays Cycle Hire. In fact, they may not even know it exists. However, thanks to TFL and London Data for publishing all the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme locations in an easily usable format.

Disclosure

London Bike collects and reports some statistical data during it’s operation. This includes (and will include in the future):

  • Searches performed (ie, “Near Me”)
  • Routes performed.
  • Journeys taken (time and distance – not in v2.0, will be in v3.0)

No personal or identifiable data is recorded. No location data is recorded or transmitted. Literally “one search was performed”, “one route was calculated”, “one journey was done, it was 1.2 miles and took 20 mins”. There is absolutely no way to identify any user or user location from this data. More over, I dont want to know who – I just want to know if the app is being used and is useful to people.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Credits

Some toolbar and tabbar icons came from Joseph Wain / glyphish.com. Thanks for releasing them CC-A.

Header image by Simon Pearson. Used with permission.

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