why not bicing station finder - now LIVE!

Table of contents

Why I Built why not bicing

Living in Barcelona has its perks; beautiful architecture, Mediterranean weather, and an eco-friendly bike-sharing service called Bicing. As a developer and cyclist, I’ve been using Bicing for a long time to get around and explore the city. However, my experience with the official Smou bicing app has been very poor, prompting me to create my own solution eventually: why not bicing - barcelona bicing station finder.

Why Smou Fails as a Bicing Station Finder

Bicing is an amazing service that offers both mechanical and electric bikes across hundreds of stations in Barcelona. Despite its convenience, the official Smou app has consistently frustrated users like me:

• Slow loading times: Station data often takes up to 30 seconds to load.
• Frequent errors: A few times a week, the app fails to load entirely or displays incomprehensible error messages. Or it decides to randomly log you out when you are already late to a meeting.
• Limited functionality: The app doesn’t allow filtering stations by bike type (electric vs. mechanical) or availability.

Most days, I carry my physical Bicing card and rely on it to unlock bikes directly at stations. But when I need quick information about nearby stations with electric bikes available, the Smou app simply doesn’t deliver.

why not bicing : The Fastest Bicing App

After the frustration mentioned above, I decided to take matters into my own hands and build an app tailored to my needs—and hopefully others! I have been working on why not bicing; a very fast and user-friendly alternative designed with one purpose: to help you find nearby Bicing stations quickly and efficiently. It is finally publicly available now!

Key Features of why not bicing:

1. Lightning-Fast Station Data: Forget waiting; this app loads real-time station data in seconds.
2. Advanced Filtering Options: Easily filter stations based on:
   • Electric bike availability
   • Mechanical bike availability
   • Empty parking slots
3. Minimalist Design: A clean and intuitive interface ensures you get the information you need without unnecessary distractions.

Try it yourself:

Tech Stack

Here is a small commentary about my decisions on tech stack:

• Frontend and API: Next.js

  At first, it was a plain Vite SPA React app, and I had a separate Node.js backend server. Recently I moved it to Next.js to combine API and frontend at a single place. Additionally, with Next.js I was able to implement better SEO practices.

• Components: Chakra UI

  When I started the project, I just wanted to get it out ASAP so that I could use it. That’s why I just chose Chakra UI which I already used before. It had some compatibility issues with Next.js SSR but in the end seems to be working just fine.

• Map view: Leaflet.js / OpeenStreetMap

  For the map view I am using OpenStreetMap which is a open-source free version of Google Maps. Leaflet.js helped me render and control the map. The library is not designed for react, that’s why there was some workarounds I had to implement, but there was no other alternative. I didn’t choose Google Maps or Apple Maps because I wanted something free.

• Data Storage: Firebase

  The project is not data heavy but for some data (like feedback and waitlist), I needed an easy to implement free service. I chose Firebase. Honestly it’s not the best choice for my use case, but it was just easy to implement and the app won’t have many users anyway.

• Async State Handling: SWR (useSWR)

  For handling async data, I have used swr library. It’s a good and smaller alternative to react-query. It helped me to implement polling, retry on error etc. very easily.

• Deployment: Vercel It’s the best option for small projects. One click deployment.

Benefits of Using why not bicing:

• Save time by instantly locating stations that meet your needs.
• Reduce frustration caused by unreliable apps.
• Enjoy seamless urban mobility with accurate real-time data.

The Future of Cycling in Barcelona

As cycling continues to grow in popularity as a sustainable mode of transportation, services like Bicing will play an increasingly important role in reducing traffic congestion and pollution. My goal with why not bicing is to complement this vision by improving accessibility and usability for residents.

Whether you’re commuting to work or exploring the city’s neighborhoods, why not bicing is here to make your journey smoother.

Try It Today!

If you’re also tired of slow and clunky smou app, apps and limited functionality, give it a try. Let’s make cycling in Barcelona faster, smarter, and more enjoyable!

Happy cycling! 🚴🏻‍♂️