Donkey Republic 4+

Idea is great, but app needs work.

If you are lucky enough to get a good bike or two on the first try, I’m sure it’s a great app. The problems arise when you get a bike with low tire air pressure or some other problem and need to change it. After walking over to find a replacement bike, the app didn’t allow me to switch them because it never acknowledged the existence of the replacement bike. Also, the app does not allow you to add new rental bikes after your initial reservation, which presents problems for a family of four or more, for example, if you can’t find enough bikes in one spot.

Took 40 minutes to drop off bikes

I used this app in Berlin and when we began the app actually seemed to work well well. We got the bikes because they were slightly cheaper than the others. Once we actually began to bike, we realized that the app was very poorly designed and near impossible to use. The locking function has to be used several times before actually working.

Somehow, getting rid of the bikes was even worse than locking them. It took us over half an hour to get rid of four bikes, and this was compounded because some of the bikes had to be taken to a separate drop off site. The app also tried directing me to a singular drop off site (3 miles away) instead of the dozens directly around. I tried this on several phones, and even reinstalling the app but the problem continued. Very faulty app and not worth saying .5 euros over a day. Just use jump bikes.

Developer Response ,

Hey Steven,

Thanks for the feedback, we'd like to have a look at the issue and fix the problem. It would be terrific if you could send us an email at support@donkeyrepublic.com then we can investigate and send you the necessary refunds. Sometimes bluetooth and GPS issues between the phone and the lock can affect the app, we're sorry that you experienced these issues and we will do our best to address them as quickly as possible. Thanks.

Looks like a rip off

Me and my son both rented the bikes in Berlin and when we finished riding after around 30 minutes, we locked it and left.
Day after, when we’ve already left Berlin, I recived sms “are you still using the bike”? It appeared that I was “using” the bike more then one day because app didn’t register that I lockef the bike. Also, got the warning that I will be charged with 10 eur because I left bikes unlocked and if they don’t find them on location they will charge me for 180 Eur! This is outrageous. How can I be sure that this is true what they say? I locked bikes and it was ok, they can now say the bikes are not on location and charge me, I cannot prove anything, I’m thousands kilometers away. Don’t use this app, there are many more other, even Uber for bike rental in Berlin.

EDIT: After 2 e-mails, I got kind response from customer support that they will end the rental and that they will refund the money for the time I didn’t use it. Yes, extra money is back on my account, but I was still charged 15eur per bike for only 30 minutes ride. So definitely I cannot recommend this app because is way to expensive and glitched.

EDIT no.2: DON’T USE!!!

This is absolute theft!!!
3 months after I used bikes for only 30 minutes, they still charge me every month for 15 eur!!!
This is outrageous and criminal!!
Are you guys real??

Developer Response ,

Hi there,

We're so sorry for the inconvenience. When you rent a Donkey, you can lock and unlock it as many times as you like, wherever you like. Locking the bike, whether inside or outside a drop-off location, won't end the rental automatically. You can always end your rental, even if you aren't with the bike, but the app will show you the warning you mentioned. If we find the bike outside a drop-off location, the relocation fee is only 10€, not 30€ or 180€.

If you rental is still ongoing, please just send us an email at support@donkeyrepublic.com and we will fix the issue straight away.

Thanks and have a great day.