Anywheel Reviews 1

First of all, beware if you are a tourist. Think thrice, not twice, before using Anywheel. The listed fee may seem cheap upfront but the catch is, you need to deposit a non-refundable minimum credit before you can start using their bikes. If you are not able to fully utilize those credits, your fee per trip will become outrageously expensive.

Now, back to my story. I begin using Anywheel since early last year. Had my fair share of issues with this company but last week, my account was suspended for one month by LTA (another useless government agency in Singapore alongside NEA). This broke the camel's back to make me write their very first review.

You see, this company has many ways to make money out of you. One of which as mentioned above; and one of which is the $5 penalty for indiscriminate parking. I had been penalized several times for indiscriminate parking but only one time was genuinely my fault which they were kind enough to waive. I give credit for that. But for all the other cases, it is not even my fault and only after going back and forth with their CSO, they relented and waived them. Let me list each scenario below.

1) P sign moved
I had been parking at this particular spot many times without problems. It is a small area for parking 3 or 4 bicycles and not in the way of pedestrians. However, it does not have a QR code though it is a P sign and a proper parking space. The last time I parked at this spot, I was penalized because the P sign is no longer there but moved to about 20 meters away. I was caught unaware but the best part is whoever designate the new P sign obviously did not personally assessed if that spot is suitable. Not sure if this is decided by LTA but anyone with a sound mind will not designate a parking spot in the middle of a pedestrian walkway.

2) Parked at P sign but caused obstruction
With the previous experience, I make sure I always park at a P sign in case they shift the goal posts overnight again. So another time, I needed to visit the toilet and cycled to the nearest community center. However, the only P sign there was actually right in the middle of a two-persons wide sloping walkway. Again, some smart aleck decided that this was the best possible spot in the entire complex. There was absolutely no other place I could park the bike without being outside the effective radius of the P sign. So parked the bike thinking I should be safe since I am at the epicenter of the P sign. Took the usual photos since obviously there won't be a QR code for scanning. Got penalized again for indiscriminate parking causing obstruction despite it being at the P sign.

3) Bike with missing ID
My most recent penalty happened when I parked at a P sign with proper bicycle rack but without QR code. Did the usual by locking the bike and taking one photo of locked bike and one of surroundings. Some time later, received a notification saying that I parked indiscriminately. Checked with the CSO and he/she mentioned the photo did not capture the bike ID. Went to check the bike and only then did I realized that the ID label on the back wheel fender has peeled off. First, how can this even be considered indiscriminate parking when I parked it properly. Second, you fail to maintain your bikes in proper conditions and put the blame on user. Many of their bikes especially those with manual locking are either in lousy working condition where the tab is gone or bike is totally out of service. Yet, they do not bother to service or replace them. HelloRide on the other does not seem to use these manual locking bikes. At least, I have not seen any.

I managed to get them to waive the above penalties but each time, I had to argue with them over multiple Whatsapp messages and emails. Their CSOs are programmed to reply from scripts and not helpful at all. So this time again, they mentioned they cannot do anything at their end since it is a suspension from LTA. Why is there a suspension if you accepted my explanations and even waived the penalties. Doesn't that mean those violations are not valid?

Now I cannot use my annual pass for one month and I doubt they will give me an extension for the duration I can't use the pass. Once my pass expires, I will switch to HelloRide and you should too.