Bicycles built for many

A human-use analysis of Hubway, Boston's bike share system

Experiencing Hubway

I'm ready to go home to Somerville from MIT. Looks like there is a dock near my apartment - let's take a Hubway!

  1. I need to by a pass, so at the Vassar street station I approach the kiosk (above, right). I use the touchscreen to purchase a pass. I am led through a series of 14 hard-to-see, low contrast screens:

    2. 1. Multiple option first screen, including changing the language! I select "Rent a Bike".

    2. Payment - the only option available for payment is credit card.

    3. I must agree to the extra charges incurred after 30min to proceed.

    4. Only two types of passes availble and I select "24 hours". Would be nice if they had additional options based on number of trips.

    5. This screen is pretty worthless, other than confirming that I have chosen the pass that I wanted. But this layout makes it seem like I've chosen two 24 hour passes...? Nevertheless, I proceed by "Ok".

    6. It's only me riding today, but it's nice to have the option of renting two bikes with one card swipe.

    7. I don't have a discount pass.

    8. A summary screen! Does this mean I can unlock a bike now?

    9. Not so fast. They need my phone number as well?

    10. This option would come in handy if I was renting a bike for someone else. I select "Yes" anyway.

    11. There is an age limit for riding Hubway

    12. This liability waiver has 69 pages! Do they expect customers to even get past page one on this tiny screen? I don't read it and select "Okay".

    Total time taken to obtain unlock code: 4 minutes

    13. Another agreement screen, this one with 104 (!!) pages. Not reading this one either.

    14. Finally! I select to print my receipt so I have a physical copy to bring to a bike.
  2. With my 24hr pass comes an unlocking code for a bike, which I enter on the key pad next on the bike I want to rent. A series of beeps and colored lights communicate the status of the bike to me.

    Key pad to unlock bike with ticket showing code. The slot beneat the numbers is for membership keys.

    Sounds and lights during bike unlocking

  3. I pull the bike back from the dock. These bikes are heavy! I note a few control features on the bike:

    Side view of bike

    A - Basket for carrying small items

    B - Docking latch, secures in dock

    C - Adjustable seat

    D - Kick stand

    Bike handle bars

    E - Bell (upside down!)

    F - Directions about docking, time limits and traffic laws

    G - Gear shifter
  4. I hop on the bike and am on my way home. Although Hubway promotes helmet use and lists places to buy helmets, the proximity of a dock to a place to purchase a helmet depends on dock location.

    5. Look out world! No pictures or videos were taken during riding for safety reasons.
  5. At the Cambridge Street station, I push my bike into an empty dock and wait for a green light. Success! I am free to be on my way.

    6. Cambridge Street docking station has significantly less docks than MIT Vassar Street.

    Sounds and lights while docking the bike. You really need to slam it in there to engage the mechanism!

My experience