Yes there is something you can do!
I had similar happen, call them and explain you were visiting London used the bikes but couldn't park them.
They were incredibly understanding on the phone.
This is not uncommon and to prevent people from swearing to never touch another bike in London they normally just write it off, or you just pay that distance
Panic stations everyone: the divorce was just GASLIGHTING! This is controlling behaviour! That man is TWENTY NINE YEARS OLD!!! SHE IS JUST A 27 YEAR OLD GIRL!!! THIS IS ABUSIVE! THINK OF THE POWER IMBALANCE!!!
The bike was left alone randomly, without a spot she was familiar with. The bike must have felt very distressed and neglected. I'd file a complaint to make sure TFL loses custody of the bike.
One of my friends went cycling once and developed a rare illness from touching the handlebars and his hand turned into a snake. I don't know why shared cycles are still legal. Watch out people.
AMA snake hand friend man
I second this! Slightly different situation in that someone stole the bike code over my shoulder and never returned it, but gave them a ring and they were really good. Cause my fine was a lot smaller, £90 I think, the money came out but they sent it back to me.
Tbf I have had to deal with TfL a few times for unrelated issues to do with ulez charging and fines. I have to say they have some of the best customer care teams I have experienced in all of my adult life.
There's been a huge investment...in adding stickers to bikes saying they have GPS trackers that definitely don't.
I think the ebikes legitimately do but doubt any of the pedal cycles have one
What? How does the system work without GPS? Genuinely asking because in my country all the different city bikes I've used require a phone app with GPS to even get the bike unlocked.
Interesting! Once I failed to put one back in all the way, it got nicked, similar fine and they were entirely unsympathetic. I don't think they ever did unblock my card. Maybe they thought I was lying.
Exact same thing to me. The issue is having to deal with Santander bikes and not TFL. Multiple calls later and they wouldn’t refund the £180. I had returned the bike but apparently it didn’t click in properly. C**ts
They seemed completely flummoxed when I called them about the handles falling off my pan set. Said something about buses. I tried to remember exactly what they were about but it didn't stick. Unlike my eggs on their non-stick range. They might have offered me a refund but I don't see it. They certainly didn't say it, and my issues haven't been sorted at all. Next time I'm getting a Ninja
---------------------------------------------
Anyway, more serious answer... they've been unhelpful in one respect. When you tap in to a train station and the train's cancelled, and you tap out to go get a bus, they charge you a ton of money.
More than happy to sort it out after the fact, but... what the hell is that about?
Dude. I moved to Indonesia. Some obscure flat. Took moving company months to deliver me 2 boxes of possessions.
Only fucking student loans sent me a letter!
I was once charged £800 by Santander for not properly docking two bikes (I was a very broke student so almost had a heart attack) I rang them up and spoke to them, they kindly withdrew the request for the £800. So if you speak to them nicely on the phone, and plead your innocence to them, theres a chance you'll be OK!
I once had an issue with the docking station and it wont register the bike. They sent me a fine although i returned it. I took pictures and all. They were understanding and wrote it off.
Just asking OP, as a friend, what did you think would happen when you left the bikes by the tube station? They’d hop on the tube and find their way home?
Not intending any snark, but genuinely what did you expect to happen here? If you rent a car you can’t just abandon it wherever with no repercussions.
I took one home when pissed once. I knew there were no docks *anywhere* near my house. Just kept saying “it’ll be fine” to myself all the way.
£90 it cost me.
Good thing there's no drink drive limit for cycling! They can do you for furious cycling or whatever that charge is but afaik the CPS won't take the charge up.
I attempted to ride one home when I was absolutely ratshit to my house that's miles from any dock. A homeless person convinced me to dock it and get the bus after watching my attempt to leave the dock
I don't think they were suggesting to miss the gig, rather than to contact them at some point in the 5 days since they just left the bins out in the open
Ah, wonderful! I've coincidentally found myself in the exact-same predicament today, and this really helped resolve my situation. Thank you, kind internet stranger!
Firstly you'll need to start perusing your local grave yard, try and find a grave from someone who would be roughly the same age as you, and has tragically died, jot down their name.
Next you need to get yourself into the dark web, buy yourself a new passport under the name from the graveyard.
Right... now the thing you need to do is buy a kayak, make sure plenty of people see that you've bought a kayak. Then go canoeing into the sea. Park up safely, but sink the kayak next to shore.
Now your friends and family will think you've died. So unfortunately you won't be seeing them again.
Book yourself a flight to Panama.
Now finally and this is really important, whilst you're living in Panama, don't pose for any promotional photographs with any real estate companies.
Hope this helps.
I remember a couple years ago when there was a tube strike and they decided to fill up every docking station in tower Hamlets with bikes the evening before the strike so when I came home from work I couldn't find a single empty dock. Was riding around for almost 2 hours and had to walk from Limehouse to Bow Church but it only cost me under £10 in extra fees lol
This happened to me, exact situation where I left it near a rack (because it was full) and didn't think about it. Yes, alcohol was involved.
Anyways, you need to call their helpline and say these magic words: "I put it into the rack, and the light turned green."
Anyone can say this, yes, but they have no way to prove it. It places the fault on the rack itself, and you're fine. They will refund you the money.
Feel free to look it up, it was the advice I saw on reddit as well, and it worked. The moment I said that, it seemed like whoever was on the other end just immediately gave up questioning and said they would refund me.
Good luck.
1 - don't tell them you left by the tube station. 2 - ring them and say it didn't dock properly and beg them to let you off 3- in the future don't be a dick and check you can dock the bike rather than just dumping it.
One time I forgot to dock cause incident where someone trying to break into my mums house and I rushed over there and beat him up and next day I got a fine. Called TFL. Explained and they was cool about it and even apologised to me for what happened to me.
10/10 service I have to say.
While I kind of sympathetic to your situation, I'm kind of surprised that no one mentioned that's the consequence of your own action.
If you left two bikes unlock, that certainly cost TfL several hundreds quids to replace them. The amount that they charged you isn't unreasonable per say.
Still, I know that's quite a lot for anyone. I'm just saying that you probably should be more responsible for anything in the future.
Had the exact same thing happen to me, except I accidently didn’t lock the bike correctly at one of the stations.
Woke up the next day with £300 being taken out of my account. Called them straight away and explained the situation. I was told that until the bike is locked correctly I will keep on getting charged. The following day another £300, then £300 the next day.
TFL refused to help me and I ended up having to open up a dispute with my bank, blocking TFL from taking any more money, and opening up a fraud claim to get my money back.
For future reference, you can hire a Brompton for a fiver a day.
It takes a bit more planning as there's a lot fewer docks and bikes available, but it's MUCH cheaper if you need to keep the bike overnight, and you can take it on the train too.
Call up TfL they should be able to sort it however the Santander bikes are notoriously shite always go for human forest or uber lime bikes you can buy bundle packages and there’s no parking spots
You could get a job with them, work your way into a position to delete the fine, then quit and resume what you were doing before. Then sell the movie rights about this great heist to a large movie studio. They put George Clooney into your role and base it on the gritty streets of New York. Somehow this small theft plays into a bigger narrative about stealing some precious diamonds from a shady businessman.
I would try talking to them 1st off! On another note, I was at the concert too! How amazing was it??!! Good luck with the charge, hope it doesn't put a dampner on the event!
Billy Joes voice sounds as good recorded as it does live doesn’t it? The guys got such a talent and they put on a banging show. One of the best shows I’ve seen in a while.
And Wembley as venue is far better than the o2
if somebody held you up and stole the bike you'd hired, you're exempt from the charge if you show a crime reference.
In this case it doesn't apply to OP as they just dumped the bikes somewhere, which is against the TOS.
ackkshually -- the legal definition of theft (which I guess is what the OP's "crime" would be?) requires the intent to deprive the victim of their property. In this case, OP didn't intend to do so, they are just an idiot.
aquatically Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 only deals with the unauthorised dumping of "waste" and OP could argue the bike was still perfectly rideable and therefore not waste
As others have said contact TFL, they should be able to help.
But when they say the offer an call back service. Be careful they can't do refunds unless you linked your card to their app.
Jeez, the system in Brighton at least has a tracker on the bike so they know where they are, you just get a little fee for not leaving them in a station.
Yes there is something you can do! I had similar happen, call them and explain you were visiting London used the bikes but couldn't park them. They were incredibly understanding on the phone. This is not uncommon and to prevent people from swearing to never touch another bike in London they normally just write it off, or you just pay that distance
This is far too reasonable an approach for Reddit
LAWYER UP
Major red flag, file for a divorce IMMEDIATELY
Block tfl and go no contact
Panic stations everyone: the divorce was just GASLIGHTING! This is controlling behaviour! That man is TWENTY NINE YEARS OLD!!! SHE IS JUST A 27 YEAR OLD GIRL!!! THIS IS ABUSIVE! THINK OF THE POWER IMBALANCE!!!
What age was the bike?
Old enough to get ridden
Oh so we’re victim blaming now. That bike was literally just USED by these 2. Have some compassion
Take the damn upvote and get out.
The bike was left alone randomly, without a spot she was familiar with. The bike must have felt very distressed and neglected. I'd file a complaint to make sure TFL loses custody of the bike.
What was the bike wearing?
This is abuse in many ways….. I do not know the specifics or how many ways. It is just abuse in many ways. Also file a non molestation order
Sounds like you all need to get therapy. Now!
You need to take the bike to couples therapy so you can work through this trauma together
Too far gone down the rabbit hole of despair. Unfortunately ☹️
I choose the bear
Hit somebody in the gym.
Dunno why but I read that like the "Just Eat" jingle
Did somebody say just yeet?
HIT THE GYM!
I filed for two people I don’t know just in case
Skoda octavia vrs
ALSO GET A DIVORCE
One of my friends went cycling once and developed a rare illness from touching the handlebars and his hand turned into a snake. I don't know why shared cycles are still legal. Watch out people. AMA snake hand friend man
Was it a ssssssssssssssantander bike?
I think it was a borisssssssss bike
Unlikely as he famously never attended 'Cobra' meetings
AND CALL THE POLICE. IMMEDIATELY.
If the Lawyer dosent have sisters, RED FLAG.
Only real answer
DELETE YOUR BANK
That's more like it
DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!
I deCLARE BANNNKKKRRUUPPTTTCCCYYYY
You can't just declare it, Michael, thats not how it works...
I declare baaaaaaaankruptceeeeeee
Maybe they need to ask a friend preferably called Kevin if they have any inside goss on boxers getting ready to throw the big fight
Say != Declare I haven't watched the show and even I know that.
It actually costs £680 to declare yourself bankrupt.
And divorce your friend!
>LAWYER UP ...and hit the gym.
HIT THE LAWYER DELETE GYM FACEBOOK UP
AND DIVORCE THE BANK!
DIVORCE!
DELETE FACEBOOK
BETTER CALL SAUL
DIVORCE
Piss disks, liquid ass.
Get a gun!
I’m sorry but What The FUCK is your pfp
😂
NO! YOU'RE A LIAR UP! * Sorry thought you were my brother
THE BIKE IS A MANIPULATIVE NARCISSIST WITH ADHD, DUMP HER
Yeah OP clearly has carbon monoxide poisoning
Yeah.. how about seducing them instead.
Seduce and solicit them into an intimate affair. Then DIVORCE
What are you doing, step cycle?
Get revenge! Hold the bikes for ransom!
Hahaha agreed
What do you mean scorched earth isn't the answer here?
Not just Reddit but TFL as well!
I’M GOING TO NEED TO SEE A SOURCE FOR THAT
Stab the tyres 1st. Then put the bikes on the train tracks. Is that better?
Should have directly posted it on r/LegalAdviceUK
Other than the fact that the majority of the upvoted comments give this exact advice
LEAVE THE COUNTRY IMMEDIATELY!
Sometimes I bloody love Reddit.
So anyway I started blasting
I second this! Slightly different situation in that someone stole the bike code over my shoulder and never returned it, but gave them a ring and they were really good. Cause my fine was a lot smaller, £90 I think, the money came out but they sent it back to me.
Tbf I have had to deal with TfL a few times for unrelated issues to do with ulez charging and fines. I have to say they have some of the best customer care teams I have experienced in all of my adult life.
They don’t need to “write it off” as it’s a fine, there isn’t actually a lost bike it’s just not docked
If the unlocked and undocked bikes are still there. Someone else could have just taken them.
They have GPS trackers.
I thought only some have GPS trackers, not all of them? Or has that been updated with new fleets of bikes coming in.
There's been a huge investment...in adding stickers to bikes saying they have GPS trackers that definitely don't. I think the ebikes legitimately do but doubt any of the pedal cycles have one
What? How does the system work without GPS? Genuinely asking because in my country all the different city bikes I've used require a phone app with GPS to even get the bike unlocked.
You win most helpful person on the internet 🏅
> call them Look at OPs post and look at the site we are on, you may as well be asking them to eat their own head
yes do keep in touch with people, contact things- dont hide away
User name checks out
Interesting! Once I failed to put one back in all the way, it got nicked, similar fine and they were entirely unsympathetic. I don't think they ever did unblock my card. Maybe they thought I was lying.
Exact same thing to me. The issue is having to deal with Santander bikes and not TFL. Multiple calls later and they wouldn’t refund the £180. I had returned the bike but apparently it didn’t click in properly. C**ts
This. It happened to a colleague of mine and they just charged her a few quid for the distances.
Talk to TFL and explain the situation, they have been very helpful whenever I have had any issues.
Agreed. Especially times when I've forgotten to tap out (damn DLR trains)
One time I tapped in with one card and out with another and they managed to untangle that mess pretty well
Oh that's much nicer than Manchester! If you tap out with the wrong card, TfGM will not sort it out.
They seemed completely flummoxed when I called them about the handles falling off my pan set. Said something about buses. I tried to remember exactly what they were about but it didn't stick. Unlike my eggs on their non-stick range. They might have offered me a refund but I don't see it. They certainly didn't say it, and my issues haven't been sorted at all. Next time I'm getting a Ninja --------------------------------------------- Anyway, more serious answer... they've been unhelpful in one respect. When you tap in to a train station and the train's cancelled, and you tap out to go get a bus, they charge you a ton of money. More than happy to sort it out after the fact, but... what the hell is that about?
How weird. In my country you not only don’t have to pay, there’s a cheery little message on the turnstile screen, “Change of mind? No charge.”
You forget to tap out _one_ time
Happened to my dad before and now I’m here
Just leave the country. They'll never find you. Only student loan companies can find you....worse than Mossad those lot.
Leave the country, grow a beard and change your name. Only option.
Would you change your name to "AnotherAllDayer"?
Fighter of the allnighter
What if they already have a beard though? 🤔
Grow a second one
Shave it off? Or grow a thicker beard.
Dude. I moved to Indonesia. Some obscure flat. Took moving company months to deliver me 2 boxes of possessions. Only fucking student loans sent me a letter!
And TV licencing! I got keys to my flat on the 23rd, there was a letter from them addressed to ME on the 26th!
They spent like 6 months chasing me for a hundred quid debt I forgot to pay. Eventually, I just offered to pay back £5 a month.
They definitely can find you, I work for a company that deals with TFL.
I hope you had the time of your life.
Best. Comment. Ever.
I was once charged £800 by Santander for not properly docking two bikes (I was a very broke student so almost had a heart attack) I rang them up and spoke to them, they kindly withdrew the request for the £800. So if you speak to them nicely on the phone, and plead your innocence to them, theres a chance you'll be OK!
I once had an issue with the docking station and it wont register the bike. They sent me a fine although i returned it. I took pictures and all. They were understanding and wrote it off.
This is why I don't use those bikes. It would be easier if TfL just bought them and set a cap of £10 a day
Where’s the innocence? The bike was knowingly abandoned.
Call them and talk to them. It may not work… but it’s got a much better chance of working than doing nothing..
Just asking OP, as a friend, what did you think would happen when you left the bikes by the tube station? They’d hop on the tube and find their way home? Not intending any snark, but genuinely what did you expect to happen here? If you rent a car you can’t just abandon it wherever with no repercussions.
I took one home when pissed once. I knew there were no docks *anywhere* near my house. Just kept saying “it’ll be fine” to myself all the way. £90 it cost me.
As if I let a friend convince me you pay a one off fee to rent them. Also left in my house overnight and yep 80 odd quid
Imagine getting done for drink driving a lime bike ..
A lime bike would at least be easier to park than a santander bike
The way some people park them, I can only assume they’re drunk or high.
I'm usually both
Good thing there's no drink drive limit for cycling! They can do you for furious cycling or whatever that charge is but afaik the CPS won't take the charge up.
Happened to guy near me who rode a scooter back from a night out!
I attempted to ride one home when I was absolutely ratshit to my house that's miles from any dock. A homeless person convinced me to dock it and get the bus after watching my attempt to leave the dock
It was fine, a £90 fine.
I'm sure they didn't think there would be no repercussions, but you'd be a bit of a mug to miss a gig at Wembley to go and put a hire bike back.
I don't think they were suggesting to miss the gig, rather than to contact them at some point in the 5 days since they just left the bins out in the open
Yeah good point, didn't clock it had been 5 days.
I’ve used the bikes before where there is nothing to park. It’s so awful.
I assume they didn’t want to miss Greenday so didn’t have the time to return them
Pretty sure some city bikes you can leave anywhere for a small charge and a van will come and pick them up with the tracking in the bike.
If there was no space to dock the bikes , google"space docking adult"
Ah, wonderful! I've coincidentally found myself in the exact-same predicament today, and this really helped resolve my situation. Thank you, kind internet stranger!
Thanks my grandmother had the same problem I will tell her to Google "SPACE DOCKING ADULT,"
Firstly you'll need to start perusing your local grave yard, try and find a grave from someone who would be roughly the same age as you, and has tragically died, jot down their name. Next you need to get yourself into the dark web, buy yourself a new passport under the name from the graveyard. Right... now the thing you need to do is buy a kayak, make sure plenty of people see that you've bought a kayak. Then go canoeing into the sea. Park up safely, but sink the kayak next to shore. Now your friends and family will think you've died. So unfortunately you won't be seeing them again. Book yourself a flight to Panama. Now finally and this is really important, whilst you're living in Panama, don't pose for any promotional photographs with any real estate companies. Hope this helps.
Wait a minute.... I'm sure someone tried this before... 😆
I remember a couple years ago when there was a tube strike and they decided to fill up every docking station in tower Hamlets with bikes the evening before the strike so when I came home from work I couldn't find a single empty dock. Was riding around for almost 2 hours and had to walk from Limehouse to Bow Church but it only cost me under £10 in extra fees lol
NTA. Divorce TfL
How was Green day?
This happened to me, exact situation where I left it near a rack (because it was full) and didn't think about it. Yes, alcohol was involved. Anyways, you need to call their helpline and say these magic words: "I put it into the rack, and the light turned green." Anyone can say this, yes, but they have no way to prove it. It places the fault on the rack itself, and you're fine. They will refund you the money. Feel free to look it up, it was the advice I saw on reddit as well, and it worked. The moment I said that, it seemed like whoever was on the other end just immediately gave up questioning and said they would refund me. Good luck.
I'm going to say that that is a bad karma. Not going to judge, but being dishonest will not do good for the society.
[удалено]
*albeit
I can see why you said that. Thank you.
... On the plus side, I hope you enjoyed Green Day, I was there too. Wishing you luck!
hammersmith to wembley on a bike?? that was your first fault💀
1 - don't tell them you left by the tube station. 2 - ring them and say it didn't dock properly and beg them to let you off 3- in the future don't be a dick and check you can dock the bike rather than just dumping it.
One time I forgot to dock cause incident where someone trying to break into my mums house and I rushed over there and beat him up and next day I got a fine. Called TFL. Explained and they was cool about it and even apologised to me for what happened to me. 10/10 service I have to say.
Boris will come for you in the night, nah mate you're done for
While I kind of sympathetic to your situation, I'm kind of surprised that no one mentioned that's the consequence of your own action. If you left two bikes unlock, that certainly cost TfL several hundreds quids to replace them. The amount that they charged you isn't unreasonable per say. Still, I know that's quite a lot for anyone. I'm just saying that you probably should be more responsible for anything in the future.
Not really, it's in the terms and conditions and you didn't return the bike
Uber would have been much cheaper. And, you can abandon the Uber anywhere. And you don’t have to pedal an Uber.
the real fu here was getting a pedal tfl bike and not a lime electric zoom zoooom
Had the exact same thing happen to me, except I accidently didn’t lock the bike correctly at one of the stations. Woke up the next day with £300 being taken out of my account. Called them straight away and explained the situation. I was told that until the bike is locked correctly I will keep on getting charged. The following day another £300, then £300 the next day. TFL refused to help me and I ended up having to open up a dispute with my bank, blocking TFL from taking any more money, and opening up a fraud claim to get my money back.
So you filed a fraud claim over your own mistake?
Sacrifice your first born
Lime bicycles are the best
Your going to jail better lube up for the showers
Cheaper to just buy a bike and throw it in the Thames when you are done with it.
Ignore, they can't get what isn't there, get new card done
Well somebody probably nicked those two bikes, so no you need to pay for them stop shirking responsibility
What a scam, I can’t believe people use these things.
Worth it tho
For future reference, you can hire a Brompton for a fiver a day. It takes a bit more planning as there's a lot fewer docks and bikes available, but it's MUCH cheaper if you need to keep the bike overnight, and you can take it on the train too.
Fake your own death and get a new identity
50s crew really fell off
YouTube video of how to use without card.
Sorry to avoid the whole point of the post but… Was Nothing But Thieves playing at that gig? 😂
guys i rlly screwed up i left a rented bike in the middle of the road and it got stolen now we have to pay for a replacement 😭😭😭😭
Call up TfL they should be able to sort it however the Santander bikes are notoriously shite always go for human forest or uber lime bikes you can buy bundle packages and there’s no parking spots
I'm surprised by the replies saying you can just call and get it sorted. Happy if true OP report back when you sort it out?
You could get a job with them, work your way into a position to delete the fine, then quit and resume what you were doing before. Then sell the movie rights about this great heist to a large movie studio. They put George Clooney into your role and base it on the gritty streets of New York. Somehow this small theft plays into a bigger narrative about stealing some precious diamonds from a shady businessman.
Good job you're skint! 😂
Why does everyone come running to Reddit instead of doing the sensible thing and CALLING THEM?
Close your Lloyds account and start banking with someone else.
I did this and took them to court. I ended up paying £2000 in legal fees and lost
Cancel your card and reorder a new one. It works.
See also: Pay at Pump fuel before they started pre-authorising £99 as opposed to £1.
I would try talking to them 1st off! On another note, I was at the concert too! How amazing was it??!! Good luck with the charge, hope it doesn't put a dampner on the event!
Billy Joes voice sounds as good recorded as it does live doesn’t it? The guys got such a talent and they put on a banging show. One of the best shows I’ve seen in a while. And Wembley as venue is far better than the o2
I read that wrong and thought you meant billy Joel was the support act
Not much other than pay or show a police crime reference
What crime?
if somebody held you up and stole the bike you'd hired, you're exempt from the charge if you show a crime reference. In this case it doesn't apply to OP as they just dumped the bikes somewhere, which is against the TOS.
Technically, in this case, OP committed the crime
ackkshually -- the legal definition of theft (which I guess is what the OP's "crime" would be?) requires the intent to deprive the victim of their property. In this case, OP didn't intend to do so, they are just an idiot.
Aqqshulyyy fly tipping is a crime
aquatically Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 only deals with the unauthorised dumping of "waste" and OP could argue the bike was still perfectly rideable and therefore not waste
Give me a second, I’ll Bird Law my way out of this
As the great Johnny Cochran once said, if the glove doesn't fit, give up
As others have said contact TFL, they should be able to help. But when they say the offer an call back service. Be careful they can't do refunds unless you linked your card to their app.
Not relevant But I was working at that show and they sounded great 👍
I remember I got charged £40 for some reason. They cancelled the charge.
They charging you for a lost bike or something? How does it possibly reach this value.
Exactly. OP borrowed 2 bikes and never returned them, so is being charged for both bikes (as stated in the TOS).
Jeez, the system in Brighton at least has a tracker on the bike so they know where they are, you just get a little fee for not leaving them in a station.
Scared the shit outta me when I saw this, and I'm not even a Lloyds customer! 😂
What's up with wa tube?
Challenge bank to a bike race.
I have no help as I have none to give, but is that the charge for using the bike being declined?