Citibike: good or bad for your apartment

Bad. Very bad.

I'm not going to use it, but almost any additional service provided for my area in downtown brooklyn is a plus in my book.

Kind of thing everyone wants next door but not in their back yard. There was an article recently in the NY Times about a lawsuit filed by the owners of 99 Bank ST (used to live there - cobblestone street with cars definitely prettier than the bike racks)

Perhaps the real-estate boom will end when the hipsters are revealed to be an alien invasion? Bottom line is the face of the city has been inexorably altered (for good and bad) by the rise of bicycle use, bike lanes, increased pedestrian plazas and now the bike share.

Maybe it is really a way to get more PR for the NYC Housing Authority: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nycha-residents-33-citi-bike-annual-fee-article-1.1359912

I'd like to bike to some destinations but it's not going to happen with all the crazy, aggressive drivers around here. And every time I see those asshat bikers riding through red lights and weaving around pedestrians crossing the street, I "almost" wish for more white ghost bikes on street corners.

If a bicyclist on a Citibike hits a pedestrian, is Citigroup responsible?

onewon - there does seem to have reached a time where bicyclists and pedestrians stopped worrying about autos - probably not going to be a happy ending

Anything that reduces the presence of automobiles and increases the presence of anything else is good.

I say eliminate all streetside parking and turn that valuable space into bike lanes. Then the cyclists have their own space and pedestrians don't have to worry about them.

^^

although you are a fucking idiot when it comes to laundry, you are right on the car issue. I wouldn't cry if I never saw a car on a manhattan street again that wasn't a taxi. I only use mine to get in and out on the weekends.

Trip:
Manhattan already has bus lanes. Next time you're in town check out the taxis and cars using those lanes, driving and stopping to pick-up/drop off passengers.
If all street-side parking was eliminated where would trucks and vans unload their deliveries to retail stores, restaurants...?

get rid opf the stoopid chariot bikes--useless tourist ripoff devices that are very dangerous and create traffic--surprised no one has been killed or parlyzed in what would be a mere fender bender in a cab.

wuttup with no helmets on the citibikes?

good for you building

your*

The absence of docking stations above 59th Street makes Citi Bike pretty irrelevant for intra-borough commuters on the UWS and UES. Riverside Park seems like a natural area for expanding the program, and I think a lot of people who live west of Broadway and work downtown would sign up for the annual membership. I guess the problem, for Citi Bike, is that those bikes would only get used twice a day.

Right now bike riders are limited to 45 minutes, so that's a limitation on the commute.
Not for expert rider Jim Hores though who likes to ride around Central Park and hit pedestrians.

Due to CitiBikes, we are losing parking spaces. Also, I dislike their annual membership.

What do you dislike about their annual membership?

>wuttup with no helmets on the citibikes?

Agree

The lack of locations north of 59th Street just goes to prove that (a) the UWS and UES have way more political sway in this town, and (b) the bike share program is not and never was intended for people who actually live in this city and have a day job.

This type of program only works if the stations are very concentrated. If there is only one isolated station, it is either full or empty. You need to have stations every few blocks to work. So that is why they are not sprinkling them around neighborhoods. Here you also have to remember that Sandy made them scale back the program, which sucks for those who can't benefit right now. In terms of helmets, what exactly do you expect? Shared helmets? And they were actually handing out helmets for free today at union square. Rather impressive the amount of criticism and whining. Have any of you whiners actually tried it out? And these aren't the type of bikes that you would commute for 45 minutes. These are like Dutch style "Grandmom" bikes.

>The lack of locations north of 59th Street just goes to prove that (a) the UWS and UES have way more political sway in this town

Must be some sort of reverse environmental racism: http://streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/discussion/35385-what-does-she-mean-by-environmental-racism

>In terms of helmets, what exactly do you expect? Shared helmets?

We were expecting the city not to promote a dangerous activity. Bicycling, particularly on NYC streets, is dangerous without a helmet.

I saw a T.V. news report tonight about the first day of citibike service (the full-year members got a preview until today.) Looked like mostly mid-west tourists huffing along on those bikes.
No helmets, except for one lady who must be a New Yorker.

The bikes aren't sleek light-weight racing bikes, not even "Dutch-style grandmom bikes". (Many bikes in Holland are equipped with baskets and other practical additions.)

The lack of helmet requirements points out the lack of safety planning by Mayor Mike.
Mayor Mike wanted bikes for public rental. He got bikes.
Just don't get caught drinking from a big cup while on a biking break. Stop-and-frisk refreshments.
"But Officer, I'm drinking unsweetened iced-tea!"

With the annual membership, the renter has to return the bike in 45 minutes. Hello Truth and greeensdale.

>With the annual membership, the renter has to return the bike in 45 minutes. Hello Truth and greeensdale.

Do you know how that compares to DC?

Sorry HB, I forgot how much New Yorkers enjoy having the Mayor determine what is safe to do/consume. I'm going to go google where bike accident rank in causes of death in America and consider the potential net safety benefits.

But what people should really be concerned about is their chins. In Holland most people can show you a scar they have on the chin, which is the result of a drunk biking accident. Very, very common; although no one wears helmets. Maybe police will start having ride programs for bikes - which no joke - they do have in Holland.

2nd time. It is for transport, not lolly gagging around. If you want to cruise around for four hours rent a bike from a shop. This can help explain it. (And note the nice Expos jackets - Damn Yankees): http://vimeo.com/12424651

"This type of program only works if the stations are very concentrated." I do not even begin to understand this idea. Yes, everything is going to be more popular if it it ubiquitous, whether because it is more utilitarian, or simply because of the herd mentality. People will do anything if it is made close to free, from a cost and convenience perspective. Microsoft and Apple have made billions premised on the notion of ubiquity is better than sporadic saturation. But nothing is free, nor should it be. Subway stations are (for the most part) every 10 blocks north and south, plus whatever east/west travel it takes to get there. Has that been a failure this past 100 years? Just think how those folks along second avenue would feel of there was a new subway stop being built on every corner.

Regardless of who is paying for this (and Citi's contract will run out and everyone will be left with a lot of Bloomberg bikes), it has imposed horrendous eyesores on our neighborhoods, and I know not one actual owner of property in Manhattan who has an interest in biking but does not have his or her own bike, or has any interest in this service. That said, I do not think it is a bad idea or should be banished, but the idea that these things should be everywhere to make it successful just means that it is a poor use of resources in the first place. If you aggregated the square footage of Manhattan real estate that has been devoted to this trial balloon, it is probably worth several billion dollars. That is money poorly spent.

You don't have to return it in 45 minutes. You have to check in at a station. Will be great if you need to get crosstown., always difficult. IF you don't like it don't use it. Plenty People do in my neighborhood of Greenwich Village.

>Sorry HB, I forgot how much New Yorkers enjoy having the Mayor determine what is safe to do/consume.

Nothing to do with the Mayor.

>I'm going to go google where bike accident rank in causes of death in America and consider the potential net safety benefits.

Ottawa, do Canadians wear helmets when they play hockey or just wake up in the morning?

>But what people should really be concerned about is their chins. In Holland most people can show you a scar they have on the chin, which is the result of a drunk biking accident.

This isn't Holland or Canada. Not that NYers don't drink, but drunk biking is not likely to be an epidemic here.

secondtimearound: Hello.
You only get one-time-around the block if you rent the bike per-day.
Pedal to the metal, watch out for lolly-gaggers.

>If you aggregated the square footage of Manhattan real estate that has been devoted to this trial balloon, it is probably worth several billion dollars.

You could assume that each station is equivalent to 4? parking spaces, and do the math frm there - I'd be curious to see.

NYC Sports: it is like that because you need to be able to have confidence that you can basically bike anywhere and there will be a station relatively close by to your destination. If you have to search out stations then it is a pain in the ass and it doesn't work. In Ottawa they tired it and had hardly any stations, so it was useless. In Montreal there are stations everywhere, so people use all the time. Is perfect for going out as you can bike to wherever and don't have to worry where you parked your bike or how you are going to get it home. Again, this isn't for cyclists. It is public transport circa 21st century.

I do think it will work better in Brooklyn than in Manhattan, but it will definitely link well with things like the ferry.

And yes, the bikes and the stations are fugly. The free helmets they were giving out were also branded and blue.

HB if you're playing pick up you don't. Otherwise it is considered proper etiquette to remove your helmet prior to fighting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGhtPP_4_WE

This citibike program is for tourists. The Mayor wants them to feel free to lolly-gag around town.
Most tourists can't even walk on the streets without getting distracted by the sights.

Here's a waste: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324866904578517742861137724.html

Truth,

I agree: citibikes are for tourist. Last year when I went to D.C., citibikes was stationed there.

Since citibikes takes up parking spaces, it is bad for apartments.

Supporters of this program can talk self-righteously about it until they're blue in the face. I can't wait until a new mayor gets rid of this and every other ill-conceived idea foisted on us by the gang at Transportation Alternatives. I will vote for anyone who will paint over the bike lanes, pull out the goddamned metal racks and melt down those precious little bicycle traffic lights. Chalk up another gigantic expense for the elitist few that's paid for by the rest of us who will never use it. Commercial traffic has been increasingly impeded in Manhattan by all these DOT initiatives. How do you think your morning latte gets delivered to NYC -- by freaking bicycles? The money the City has used for this and all the other stupid ideas put into place by DOT would have gone a long way towards reversing years of neglect at city parks in the outer boroughs. And, as I've said here before, I'll never support these programs until bike riders start obeying the traffic laws. Just another crack pipe dream by The Little S**t and his crew of demented social engineers. I'm counting the days now until he's gone.

> I'm counting the days now until he's gone.

Who are you supporting?

Re: I will vote for anyone who will paint over the bike lanes, pull out the goddamned metal racks and melt down those precious little bicycle traffic lights.

OK Robert Moses, so you'd rather have, lets say, Eight Avenue in Chelsea revert back to the 4 lane freeway it used to be, instead of the beautiful park-like pedestrian friendly street it is now? Oh wait let me guess -- you own a delivery business based in an outer borough that uses trucks????

I USED Citi Bike for over 3 hours yesterday and it f'n rocks! First bike from Hell's Kitchen down to Union Square. Next bike from 14th street to Chinatown. Handpulled noodles then 3rd bike from Chinatown to Soho. 4th bike Soho back to HK.

The process is easy. The bikes are fine -- surprisingly nimble easy to ride tanks. Only problem -- WE NEED MORE BIKE LANES! (and fewer generalagouns -- what's the matter general, old fat man who cant ride a bike?).

If I lived in a small apartment in Hell's Kitchen, and my job were below 14th Street near the river, I'd seriously consider using the blue tanks to commute down the Hudson path. No matter how slow the bikes are, that's only a 20-30 minute ride.

Even for people who own a bike, pulling it out of storage every morning and locking it up at work can be more hassle that it's worth for a short commute.

Free country to express your opinions, but why so much ire against the mayor and Sadik-Khan? Can't we try something new here in New York that works in other cities so well? Get a life Generalogoun. I don't really care who you are supporting for mayor.

West81 the bikes aren't slow. I was riding in 3rd gear with traffic no problem at all. If you're fit they fly.

West34: Thanks. From the description on the website, they look fine for urban use. Three speeds seems like plenty in the city if the ratios are spaced properly. I hardly ever drop below fifth gear on my seven-speed anyway. I'm also intrigued by the nitrogen-filled tires.

What I noticed about the program in Montreal was that it led to a surge in bikers, which then necessitated more bike lanes. It will be a bit of a process...

>What I noticed about the program in Montreal was that it led to a surge in bikers, which then necessitated more bike lanes. It will be a bit of a process...

Interesting because bicycling isn't know to improve fertility.

And to answer the question posed by OP - I'm betting that pretty soon buildings will be lobbying to get Citi Bike stations installed nearby, and they'll be noted as a convenience amenity.

Perhaps the best use is when there's something a bit too far to walk to, but you'd rather blow it off then spend money on a cab -- like "I wish I had some good maple bacon and wheat beer right now but I really don't feel like schlepping to Whole Foods." With Citi Bike and some good weather that becomes a much more enticing trip.

I'm loving Citibikes everyday. Savings from taxis and subway has already paid for most of my membership

Nice that some of them are set up right in front of bike stores. Let's kill off more local businesses. Go citibank. Free advertising - actually we pay for your advertising.

I love it. In a very flat city with very congested automobile traffic like NYC, a bicycle can be a great alternative to the subway or bus when you don't have time or the distance is a little bit too far to walk comfortably. Distances shrink on a bike. I do have my own bike, but don't really use it for transportation because of the "gear" I need to carry to keep it safe (heavy chain, lock, removable seat, unlocking front tire, etc.) I like that with Citibike I am able to just carry a helmet, hop onto a bike and then drop it off. During the first week there were times when I needed to go to up to 4 docking stations in order to get a bike - my neighborhood seems to be pretty dense with them. But, that being said, my bike trips were all just a little be faster door to door than taking the subway, and much much faster than trying to take a taxi.

I live in Shanghai half of the time and have for 10 years, and there biking is really much more of a way of life for people since not as many people can afford private cars and taxis and the subway stops are very far apart. Living in the developing world and seeing how many people can be crammed onto a bike, motorcycle or moped, you almost feel like a fat greedy resource user being the only person to sit in the back of a car when it could easily fit 5 people.

I understand that many people think that the docking stations are ugly, or that people parking rights are being impinged upon, and that the mayor and his cronies are foisting some sort of devious communist plans on them, but in the end something like this can transform the city into a more more enjoyable place.

^Too bad SE won't let us edit our typos. Sorry. On mobile.

West34, West81st and Tommy2tone must be in good shape. Did you guys see a lot of other fit New Yorkers riding
citibikes?

shny gets extra credit for actually wearing a helmet.

West34, West81st and Tommy2: Were you wearing helmets?

I saw a report about the Sanitation Dept. complaining about having to haul garbage bags over the parked bikes.
My guess is that bramstar's sister-in-law wouldn't ride a citibike without spraying the seat and handlebars with copious amounts of Lysol. Pack some Lysol-to-Go or Lysol wipes, along with a helmet.

What a riot!

^^What a drunken troll-moron!^^

BYO helmet and seat cover.

greensdale: a plastic hotel shower-cap would be a good seat cover. Spraying/wiping the bike down with Lysol is better.

Re: a plastic hotel shower-cap would be a good seat cover. Spraying/wiping the bike down with Lysol is better.

What exactly are you trying to avoid?

By happily employing the "5 second rule" since childhood (and occasionally actually getting dirty) many of us are pretty much immune to any and all surface bugs. But if you're actually freaked out by the thought of touching something that another human being just touched, feel free to send me all your cash.

Oh, and what's a helmet?

Ride without a helmet and seat cover at your peril:

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/06/03/michael-douglas-oral-sex-gave-me-cancer/

West34: You're a NYC daredevil on wheels.
When you were a kid did you actually count to 5 and then eat food that you dropped on the floor?
Do you wipe off the equipment after using it at your local gym?
Do you wash your hands after returning home from being outside?
Do you wash your hands after you go to the bathroom?
Do you even wipe?

Truth:
- Every kid knows you can eat dropped food UNTIL it's been there 5 seconds
- Only because other uptight people expect it - after a lifetime of soccer, rugby, boxing and sex I understand that being slathered in other people's sweat is part of being human
- No, only germophobes or OCD weirdos do that
- Yes because mommy taught me that poopy is dirty (and if you leave poop on a Citi Bike you have serious issues)
- See above

West34: It's only a matter of time before a T.V. news reporter goes around taking samples from the citibike seats and handlebars. Even trace amounts of "poopy" from your hands can be left on the handlebars.
When you touch your face, wipe your eyes/nose whatever, eat a peach, the germs are spread and ingested.

Do you poop and then not wash your hands before having sex?
Ugh! West34!

Dorothy Rabinowitz of the WSJ came down very strongly against citi-bikes (http://live.wsj.com/video/opinion-death-by-bicycle/C6D8BBCE-B405-4D3C-A381-4CA50BDD8D4D.html#!C6D8BBCE-B405-4D3C-A381-4CA50BDD8D4D) It's a new program, there will be hiccups but people eventaully adjust to new things, the city will learn to accommodate the new bikes and riders. The rent-a-bike gives people a great option for touring, traveling, or running errands an introduces a whole new generation to biking.

so...you like it despite the WSJ?

Riversider: Manhattan traffic won't adjust to this program and the "introduction" of "a whole new generation to biking" should not be made on busy city streets.

so...you don't like it?

Maybe they'll add sanitizing stations to the bike areas. WTF? Just pour scalding water over yourself. Seriously.

Wsj? I thought that was a respected newspaper. That corpse lady is a moron. What exactly was her criticism? And was that other lady supposed to be doing? interviewing her? Or giggling like a stupid little girl? Sad if that is the level of public debate. If people are worried about current bikers breaking laws, then enforce them. Don't denigrate something unfamiliar based on silly stereotypes and extreme anecdotes. And wtf are people talking about sanitizer? Just don't leave your house if the big bad world is so scary with people on bikes and shared public space.

WSJ is quite a different animal under Rupert Murdoch.

so...you don't like it?

According to the citibike blog in its first eight days it has seen 75,000 trips. There is no denying it will be popular. I think the tide will soon turn from nimby to please put one on my block.

As noted in a real deal post, in other bike share cities proximity of a station is listed as amenity in apartment listings. I think we will start seeing this very soon.

Thanks riversider. I had not realized. Now the level of debate makes complete sense.

columbiacounty
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so...you don't like it?

C0C0, do you like Murdoch?

Trashed: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/bike_share_is_wasted_space_LlrwGjHwMxqyzgTgl6GXKJ

On the long term it s good for everybody. The city will start to get accustomed to bikes. More bike paths, more green spaces, less cars who run red lights and pollute (noise and emissions). This is New-York, nobody needs to own a car.

You think that Citibike will reduce the number of cars?

Of course not.
But it could bite into MTA revenue a little.

Ottawanyc confuses my caring about items shared by the public, as "places" and "people on bikes" as "the big bad world being so scary..."
"WTF?"
I leave my house all the time and travel to many cities around the world, Ottawanyc. I prefer to ride my own bike. Why do you care?

West34 doesn't wear a helmet, he doesn't care about that. How clean the bikes are isn't something he cares about. At least he and I can have a good-humored chat about it.

Of course, the alkie housewife who stays home ranting on her computer wants me to "pour scalding water over (myself). Seriously."

Re: You think that Citibike will reduce the number of cars?

Probably. Bike power!

West34: Are you biking to work today?

Hey, GREAT question, trUth!!!

Walked past a bike rack today with many biked parked in position. Was surprised (though not completely surprised) to see several flat tires already!

uwsbeagle: La Résistance!

http://gothamist.com/2013/05/30/second_attempted_citi_bike_theft.php

A 24-year-old Bronx man tried to make off with an improperly docked Citi Bike early Thursday morning, only to be promptly stopped by cops, the Daily News reports. Anthony Jones allegedly tried to filch one of the pricey blue behemoths from the W. 40th Street station in Midtown after a legit renter failed to securely anchor the bike in place.

Riversider: Oh, the details involved in "renting" citibikes.
What's next, citibike rental brokers?

I heard from a neighbor in my former neighborhood: Even before/after business hours (let's say: 7-7:30am, when he walks his dog and 8-8:30pm when he takes Farfel out for an evening walk) the citibikes are parked in place across from the Citigroup building, on East 54th Street.

Also the same at one of the Mayor's public pedestrian islands: Fifth Ave./23rd St.

West34: Are you O.K.? Anybody see West34 since this morning when he took a citibike ride to work?

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/06/venn-diagram-why-conservatives-hate-citi-bike.html

Citibike will be a huge success and will raise property values especially in fringe neighborhoods that lack easy subway access.

It is also 100% privately funded. Zero cost to taxpayers. Zero. Compare that to the 2nd Avenue subway line or building a new highway / bridge / tunnel. Mayor Mike would have to be a fucking idiot to refuse a 100% privately funded program that provides add'l mass transit throughout the city.

The program is already a huge success. The ridership stats are insane.

I am a big WSJ guy but listening to that "editorial" was really eye opening...I lost a ton of respect for that newspaper if that's the type of person sitting on the editorial board. I always figured they had more fiscal conservatives and fewer absolute fire breathing morons working there.

Does anyone know if the program will expand to other parts of Brooklyn?

Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Prospect Heights etc. Right now it seems to stop around Brooklyn Heights and Fort Greene/clinton Hill.

Thanks

There are no citibikes north of 59th street either. I suspect they are still launching it.

Just chiming in to say how much I love Citibike! I live part-time in DC and when that bikeshare program started a couple of years ago, there was similar hysteria. Now it's beloved and it's made the city much, much better for everyone on bikes, shared or not.

I feel sorry for people like Dorothy Rabinowitz, so resistant to change and unwilling to enjoy the dynamic nature of urban life.

Citi-bike is doing really well already I'm personally so happy to see anyone get involved in riding a bike at all...

Hopefully we will quickly see the program expanded more area UWS, UES and Brooklyn queens ect.

Truth: I'm just waiting for my Citi Bike key to arrive. And no bike commuting required for me.

But based on your input I've order one of those industrial strength back-mounted tanning lotion sprayers and a 40 gallon barrel of Purell. Let me know what bike station you're considering and I'll hose it down for ya.

Thanks for posting that link HB. I have found it really strange why people are so irate about this program.

Sam: It is delayed in some areas because the place where they were storing the bikes got flooded during Sandy. But they will come. Still waiting for them up in Bburg as well.

West34: Your key to the Citi Bike is in the mail.
I won't be back until August and then I'll be riding my own bike out at the beach.
However, don't let that tanning lotion sprayer go to waste. You can make good money with it at the beach:
a buff boxer/soccer/rugby-player could charge by-the-spritz.

When I come into Manhattan on a cloudy weekend day, I'll look for a guy without a helmet riding a Citibike with a Whole Foods shopping bag. (How could you carry a bag full of maple bacon and wheat-beer on a citibike?)

http://dailycaller.com/2013/06/06/chris-hayes-and-msnbc-prez-phil-griffin-the-secret-emails-revealed/

Citibike, not for the poor:
New York City’s Bike Share Skips Many http://on.wsj.com/14Hsqy7

You might want to be near citibike, but you don't want it under your window or in front of your building.

how close is too close?

how close is good?

Is C0C0bike coming soon?

how come you always respond for riverdouchebagger?

Now C0C0, would you like it if Riverside changed YOUR name to C0lumbiadOuchebagger?

No, I don't think so.