Citi Bike expansion reaches East New York and Brownsville, drawing mixed reactions from residents
The Lyft-owned service is adding more than 230 stations and 3,700 docks across seven neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, bringing bike-sharing options to more residents in communities including East New York and Brownsville.
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Citi Bike is expanding deeper into New York City neighborhoods that officials say have lacked access to the bike-share system.
The Lyft-owned service is adding more than 230 stations and 3,700 docks across seven neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, bringing bike-sharing options to more residents in communities including East New York and Brownsville.
Officials say that the rollout began in Bay Ridge and concluded in East New York. Since the first stations opened last September, riders in Bay Ridge alone have taken more than 75,000 trips.
For some residents, the expansion is a welcome addition to local transportation options.
"It's a good thing, because if I didn't have a bike, I'm going to take a city bike and ride it around," said East New York resident Harold Roudette.
While the expansion aims to provide another way for New Yorkers to get around, some residents say they have not seen widespread use of the bikes in their neighborhoods so far.
"I think it's something that was implemented just recently," said Brownsville resident Claire Anderson. "They just started bringing those bikes here. So I think, as anything else, change takes time, and I think they should just give it a little time and see if people will utilize it."
Others have raised concerns about how the service is being regulated.
"I've seen them just leave the bike here," said East New York resident Constance Guity. "Even down where I live, not too far from the 75th Precinct. They just leave them, somebody else picks up the bike. I thought if you pay for a bike, you have to lock them back into a station. No, it's just a free-for-all."
Lyft says there is a $1,200 fee for any stolen or missing bike.
Cost is another concern some residents say they’d wish the city would weigh in on.
"It’s either ride this bike to get me to work. But if I get to work, then I can use this $25 to feed myself," Guity said. "That’s a steep price."
Others say the pricing is understandable.
"It's not too bad," Roudette said. "Everywhere you go, all businesses need to make a profit. So that's what it is."
According to Lyft, a single Citi Bike ride on a classic bike costs about $5 for up to 30 minutes. A day pass costs $25, with an additional 41 cents charged for each minute after the first 30. Annual memberships start at $239 per year.
Despite the mixed reactions, city officials say the expansion means that 62% of New Yorkers will now live within the Citi Bike service area.
Residents and officials alike will be watching to see whether the new stations become a popular transportation option in the neighborhoods now joining the network.
