On Your Bike, Get Set....................

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 5/29/13 at 10:32am

I see New York is starting a new bike rental scheme, great way to see the city. Also a good way of shifting those pancakes and is green too.

I be more than interested in doing this when I come over, would this interest other posters? Have you used this already? Do you live on Manhattan and use this now?

When does the scheme start? How much will it cost? How many bike stations are there?

I sure be packing my cycle helmet.



Updated On: 5/29/13 at 10:32 AM

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 5/29/13 at 10:40am

Hm, did you mean to post this on the Broadway board? I thought there was a new show about bicycles!


Anyway, yes. It's very exciting. America is finally starting to catch up to Europe. I haven't checked in the city, but I live in a coastal community and we have the bike rentals. I tried it once, just for fun. You need to use a debit or credit card (for insurance purposes) and if memory serves me right (which it may not) it was about $30 for a day. Prices could be higher in the city. I was vey nervous as to what would happen if you got a flat while riding, but the bicycles are of pretty good quality.

Bike riding in the city has always made me nervous, but we have had bike lanes for quite some time. It's also beautiful going for a ride in Central Park.

Updated On: 5/29/13 at 10:40 AM

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 5/29/13 at 10:53am

Yes meant to post this on the Broadway site, I know it isn't theater related, but people need to get to the theater and also a lot of people visit Manhattan, so ideal.

Just read the official website and the scheme costs $95 = tax for annual membership which allows you to ride for 45 minutes or $10 + tax for a day, which is reasonable or $25 + tax for a week, which I would go for and is great value.

http://citibikenyc.com/pricing

There is also a interactive map of the website, that tells you where all the bike stations are and availability at each station.

http://citibikenyc.com/stations

[D2]

Posted: 5/29/13 at 11:23am

"It's also beautiful going for a ride in Central Park."

Stay off the paths.

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 5/29/13 at 11:31am

^
Well yes, they'll ticket you in a minute; but the park also has bike lanes.


Yeah, those are the same bikes! They're great bikes. Have fun!

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 5/29/13 at 4:01pm

From what I've read and heard of the pricing plans these are not really going to be of much use to the standard tourist/sight-seeing trade. They are meant more as an alternate for public transportation. For example, you are up in Columbus Circle and need to get down to Chelsea for a meeting but don't want to take a cab or the subway, so you use one of these bikes to get down there instead. The system doesn't seem to be set up for somebody who just wants to grab a bike and ride around Central Park for an afternoon. Notice on the pricing page that Phantom linked to once you go over the initial ride limit (30 minutes for those not on the annual membership) it starts getting pretty pricey.

They even have this disclaimer on the bottom of the pricing page:

If you would like to use a bike for an extended period of time, we encourage you to rent a bike at a local bike shop or rental business. Please visit our list of local bike shops and rental businesses on our Resources page.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/29/13 at 4:06pm

I have been a member of the DC bike sharing program for a little over two years now. I love it! The only time I've had to take the metro to work is during inclement weather. I've even managed to ride throughout the winter months. DC has continually added bike lanes throughout the city streets. Granted I'm not sure how I'd feel riding in NYC.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 5/29/13 at 4:09pm

Yeah, the fees make it look like it is more for commuting than anything. Plus, it doesn't look like there are any above 59th street, so if you are going past there, it would make no sense to take one.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/29/13 at 4:20pm

I just read that they weigh 40 pounds, which seems incredibly heavy for a bike, and not very conducive to very long rides.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 5/29/13 at 7:02pm

The Central Park option is not very viable, as the only docking station is at the bottom of the park, so you would have only 30 minutes for a quick ride round the park, which probably give just enough time to get up to the open air theater and back. What is needed is several docking stations on the park. But I understand you can rent bikes in the park already, which are very expensive.

The bike are heavy, they are similar ones to the ones used in my home city of London, the whole scheme is similar to the one used in London the bikes need to be heavy, so not easily damaged, but are good for ridding and New York from memory is pretty flat. Also heavy bike more calories burnt.

I am a tourist and hope to use these in New York.