Always allow a low-assist option and measure the miles, not the time
Hi there, as a daily heavy CitiBike user I keep running into some issues which can be solved by a few adjustments to the eBike settings:
Issue 1: Sometimes there is no classic bike available in the rack anymore due to a recent pick of the last one. The 'system' has not yet recorded that and if you then pick an eBike there is no low-assist and you are charged (happened to me twice last week).
Issue 2: The lights on some classic bikes are not always functioning well but you only discover this while you drive. This can lead to dangerous visibility issues. I prefer the lights of an eBike on some very busy Brooklyn roads after sunset for my own survival between always crazy car traffic even if I don't need full throttle.
Solution to 1) and 2): why not always allow the option to pick low-assist?
Issue 3: When I am on an eBike (full assist, especially when 'involuntary' see above) I tend to get very impatient with traffic lights because "the meter runs as time runs". I would feel a lot less pressed to take risks if the charge would be per mile instead of per minute. This will lead to my (and others'?) safer behavior.
Solution to 3): charge for the distance and not the time on an eBike. Of course, you can keep the 45-60 mins limits.
Thanks for listening.