iBiker for iPhone review

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Aladinsaneuk
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iBiker for iPhone review

#1 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:46 am

iBiker - possibly the app that brings the biker community to to web.

http://www.ibikerapp.com/

(This review could be read with https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=7983 - tims review of the android version)

The actual premise of iBiker is fairly straight forward - to enable bikers from all over the UK to share experiences and routes, in a simple portable way. The knock on effect of this is to also make a social network presence for bikers, but rather than creating a specific biker social network it is integrated into the most popular social network - facebook.

Before I write about the app itself, lets look at some pertinent links - http://www.facebook.com/ibiker?sk=wall&filter=1 is iBikers own facebook page - even though the app has not been out for long, I am pleased with the openess that the developers are showing there - some people have had problems with posting/sharing routes via facebook - not many, but enough to ensure that it is publically listed and also being worked on. iBiker can also use a twitter feed - that makes it even easier to share things - more on the value of shared data later.

So - what does the app do, and how does it feel in use?

First thing to comment on is that this app has had involvement from the Department of Transport - the first thing you get when you start the app is not to use it in transit... a no brainer but.... still worthwhile reminding folk! That involvement also shows in the links section - BikeSafe, the national police led initiative is there with each seperate county initiative's website as a link - personally I think more bikers should use these courses so that alone gets a good thumbs up. The Enhanced Rider Scheme is also linked so all bases should be covered.
So - the routes section - this allows you to look at routes that are already in the app, and routes that others have created - you can look at a straightforward googlemap view or at the satellite view - a nice touch
Last edited by Aladinsaneuk on Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.


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#2 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:58 am

The routes you can choose from also allow other people to comment/rate them - and if you create a route, then you can set the difficulty of the ride - I suspect that different people's standards may skew that but - it is likely to be useful.
Route creation is easy - really easy. On the routes selection screen, click on the + sign - the app should know where you are so the map should be in the right vicinity if you are adding a local route. then move the red cross hair to the next junction or point of interest and add it as a way point - once completed you can then save it - you choose the name and then share it via facebook. (I am one of the folk who cannot currently share via facebook, but i have tried the system on a friends iphone and it does work very well and quickly).
Other people - as stated before can add comments and rate the route.

From a group or organisational view point, there is a marketing or branding opportunity here - a wise forum may well list its routes using tghe forum or groups name - i have already noticed that some groups are doing this. Personally I love this idea - the individual communities can publicise themselves and add to a larger community. I suspect that some large companies may well start to sponsor competitions for routes etc
Last edited by Aladinsaneuk on Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:24 am, edited 1 time in total.


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#3 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:58 am

The video section is good. The videos work on a small iphone screen well, with good picture and sound quality.
The short video of James Toseland talking about pre ride checks is useful and acts as a general reminder to all riders.
The myth busting section, again featuring JT is very interesting - the DFT involvement is clear but is good.
One thing that I would like added to the first aid section is a link, in the links section, to the "First bike on Scene" scheme so interested folk can access information about how to do it.

The POI videos are very useful - they say a picture paints a thousand words, but a video showing an accident blackspot beats any amount of words.
In time I would hope that other videos will be added or linked to via the web site.

The route videos are interesting - and would certainly be a discussion point for any wanting to do a certain route.

I have discussed a few other possible additions to the video section with the app developer - it may well be that some other video sections may be added - it would be rude of me to say exactly what but I think that the app will continue to develop - as the app is well supported on facebook/twitter, i would encourage folk to post their thoughts and additions/ideas for the future.
Last edited by Aladinsaneuk on Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:33 am, edited 1 time in total.


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#4 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:59 am

The last section or choice that folk have is a place to keep their favourites - routes, POI's and Videos - i am pleased to see that as it would help localise something for people.

Before a final summary, this app is aware of your location - and this use of technology, and the way that it works with google maps makes it useful for route planning. I just started the app and went to the routes section - the app listed the routes in a proximity list to me - so I knew i was 7.8 miles from one route - and that the route was 15.9 miles long and was rated at 4 stars - the next route was 31 miles away and was 20 miles long - this kind of choice can only help the average sunday afternoon rider out with some friends, playing with the app while having a brew - in other words, there some choices, lets go ride rather than posing around in leathers at the local coffee shop....
Last edited by Aladinsaneuk on Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:39 am, edited 1 time in total.


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#5 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:59 am

So - the summary

I guess this app is as good as you want to make it. Is it worth the asking price - yep - for a few quid we have a tool that will help us to have fun on our bikes. It does have a few good safety measures in it as well - and anything that helps with biker safety is a good idea in my book. (NB - i do not include income generating speed cameras in that comment!)

On a personal view, I think this is a great app - and I think it has the ability to become an exceptional app - it needs a couple of bugs sorting out - the facebook linking being the biggest culprit, and a couple - in my opinion - of additions. (An example - i do not knw if it is possible, but an overlay to the map - not on any specific routes, but generally, over biker friendly coffee shops, pubs stops etc). The other thoughts I have had I have shared with the developer and it would not be appropriate to steal his thunder if any of them come to pass. (And I also know my learned colleague here - Tim/aka kwackerz has also made some suggestions).

I can already see that there is likely to be international versions of this app - i have heard rumour that a USA version is planned, and I have noted on the iBiker/facebook page that a few other foreign nationals are asking about it for their country - for their sake I hope that happens.

I guess if i had to score this I would give it 9/10 - would I buy it - yes, would i recommend it to others, yes.Will I use it - yes, i will.

do I think this will make the biker community more web savvy - possibly not - but will this be the springboard to an online biker community - quite probably


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#6 Post by Kwackerz » Thu Apr 28, 2011 1:22 pm

Nice review! I wondered how the app would fare in Iphone guise, glad to hear it's come out as a positive experience.
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#7 Post by ibikerapp » Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:46 pm

Really appreciate the review. It's an honest and fair assessment of the app. We hope that bikers will really take ownership of the app and populate it with information that can be shared across the biker community. In terms of our plans for the app, we are very open to suggestions on how the app can be improved and what new features users would like to see. This app is for bikers and to remain a biker app it's important that the community tells us how it wants the app to develop. We will listen to all ideas.

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Out of the closet . .

#8 Post by MartDude » Sun May 22, 2011 9:01 pm

. . and into the mainstream

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-li ... e-13225601

That's if you regard Lincolnshire as mainstream, though
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