These bikes look cool. Well, maybe “cool” is a stretch depending on your style.  But they certainly stand out.  Reasonably the most striking thing about the program it’s unique visual appeal.  We’ve seen countless pictures on our social media over the past weeks of a full long line of these bikes, sitting, awaiting riders.

The handlebars feature a super funky, curved U-shape unlike anything we’ve seen before.  The frame is unique, and asymmetric with a single, fat tube substituted for your standard “triangle”.  Furthermore the front and back where the wheels mount are mono-stay, meaning there is only one tube of the frame on one side to connect with the wheels.  It looks futuristic and as though it defies balance.

The wheels too are pretty neat.  They’ve got a special blade design, doing away with the traditional spoke and rim of classic wheels.  They’re also painted an eye-catching orange which means trying to spot one of these bikes on the roadside when you’re looking for a bike to hire should be no big deal.

Compared to its competitors, Mobike strikes the imagination as thought-out and special.  Nothing is more frustrating about the other two bikes (especially 1 Step Bike), than how little the designers did to put any effort into the design of making their bikes look like anything other than they are: cheap crap.

Finally there are a few things about Mobike that aren’t all roses and chocolate.  For instance, regarding the app, the program readily docks a deposit from your WeChat Pay or Alipay accounts, but requires a longer time for return.  Additionally, a rider must maintain a balance within Mobike.  It would make more sense to simply charge per trip.

For the end user agreement of the bicycles, there’s a few grey areas.  Mobike has done a wonderful job covering itself from any liability in the event of accident or injury, but this leaves some questions.  The rider is responsible for any and all damages or destruction of property, however, there’s no clarification for damages or destruction not within rider fault.  For instance, if you get hit by a car and the bike is totaled, the rider appears to be on the hook.  We’ve reached out for an answer to this problem but haven’t heard anything back.

As for the bikes there are a few simple and cheap design features Mobike could have incorporated.  Integrated front and rear lights could insure the bikes would be safe for use during day and a more attractive option for people looking to get around at night.  Light systems that use the motion of the wheels to emit electricity and power such lights are cost effective and easy enough to make part of the finished bike.

The fenders with the bike are simple and durable but in our experience are pretty useless at keeping you dry.  They certainly fit the style of the bike, but functionally speaking don’t really do much.

The lack of adjustability is also a bit frustrating.  Granted removing this choice prevents common mechanical issues, a little extra thought could have gone into how to incorporate some degree of saddle adjustability to make the bikes better fit for taller riders while maintaining ease of use.

Naturally, what we’ve to say about the program is mostly positive.  We look forward to see how such a bike share program will benefit cycling.  Or how many more people will be readily introduced to the benefits of riding a bike.  Hopefully use of the bikes will remain consistent, even after the initial buzz and fad begin to fade away.  Most importantly we hope that Mobike takes its new role in bicycling and the shaping of transportation in the city seriously and offers the continued support and ingenuity needed to become a transformative part of the modern urban landscape.  Because bikes shouldn’t just be seen as a way to make money, but more so a way to change the world.