Like any piece of software, London Bike App isn’t perfect. However, here are some common issues people have, and possible solutions.
If you are having any issues with London Bike App, please email me . I’m happy to help, unlike the AppStore, where I can’t reply or help you.
Regarding the new TFL data feed, please read this post for more info. Short version: it’s live and available for use with London Bike App – no changes or updates needed. Both the latest (4.0) and previous (3.2) versions uses the new data feed automatically.
Pro Tip: If you can’t find new docks (eg the new Waterloo Station ones), kill the app, and restart it. (to kill the app, double tap the home button, then find London Bike App, tap-and-hold on it, and hit the red – icon). Once it’s restarted, it will show all new, available docks.
Argh! LBA said there were 5 free docks, but there are none!
Yup, sadly quite common. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, sometimes my scraper (which is actually this one, but I run it on my server) has to use TFL data, which is based on their map. It appears the map is updated once every minute, but the map is often not accurate, so…. neither is my app. Neither is any other app, because we all have to use the same data.
Sadly, unless TFL decides to do a proper API (please!) which reflects whats actually happening on the ground, there is nothing I can do about this. And now they have! only the quality of the data is still AWFUL.
Recently (around 16/Sept) I had some issues with the scraper, hence why I now use my own “copy” of it. It’s been a lot better since then.
So, assuming a few things (TFL’s map is right (uncommon), the scraper works (common), and my distribution system works (has done so far)), the data will be at most 2 minutes old. However 2 mins at a busy dock is a long, long time. I’ve seen 20 or more bikes move thru some of the docks around Waterloo in 30 seconds. There is no way that any system can handle these updates, least of all how the TFL system is setup.
So, unfortunately, it’s an indication of availability, not gospel, and there is very little I can do about that. I’d love it to be super accurate (eg, the same as the docking computers are), but that data is simply not available.
Thanks!
