> why put up with the extra hassle of having to return the bikes for no user benefit?
What about the extra hassle of finding and walking with your map to your dockless bike? (if you are lucky enough to find one close to you)
Also in both cities I lived, docking stations are everywhere, it has never been a problem (maybe once or twice a year when my usual docking station was full. Still, I just needed to go the next one, 5 min from there).
The system in Hamburg (StadtRAD) is an hybrid: you have to bring it to a dock, but if the dock's full, you can just lock the bike standalone near it.
Although, last time I mentioned it here someone said they've had problems with the position detection, such that they kept being charged despite leaving it near a dock.
You might have to hunt for one, but then you can leave it right at your destination so it should even out somewhat. That said, dockless bikes are everywhere in Seattle right now. Docked bikes never took off here, but I see people on the dockless ones all the time.
What about the extra hassle of finding and walking with your map to your dockless bike? (if you are lucky enough to find one close to you)
Also in both cities I lived, docking stations are everywhere, it has never been a problem (maybe once or twice a year when my usual docking station was full. Still, I just needed to go the next one, 5 min from there).