Whether for daily commutes or weekend escapes, New Yorkers across the city have incorporated Citi Bikes into their daily routines. Since 2013, when 6,000 bikes first appeared in Manhattan and Brooklyn, the branded bikes have made over 250 million trips. Today, over 35,000 bikes can be found across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Hoboken and Jersey City, making up the largest bike-share program in the United States. 

Since moving onto campus a little over a month ago, I have racked up 16 hours and 80 miles of travel on Citi Bikes alone. From getting honked at by an MTA bus to being heckled by an elderly woman enforcing traffic laws, I’ve seen a lot of the city’s natural beauty in just a few weeks — and you can too. Here’s everything you need to know to navigate the city in one piece.

Safety first

Once you take your first bike for a spin, you will realize that riding in the city can feel overwhelming. For even the most experienced cyclists, New York City’s streets are renowned for being chaotic and clogged. While efforts like congestion pricing, political attention to public transit and public-private partnerships like Citi Bikes — I’ll come back to this — have reduced some of the clutter, there are still plenty of obstacles on the road. Always be aware of the cars, buses, other bikes and pedestrians that surround you. To ensure you’re paying full attention, it is strongly recommended to ride without headphones or earbuds. While Citi Bike strongly recommends the use of helmets for all riders, a 2019 study found that only 40% wore helmets. When it comes to short, infrequent commutes between classes, some students may see the risk as negligible. But wearing a helmet reduces risk of serious head injury by 60% — and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

Dock it and dash

The Dazzling Blue bikes are a constant around NYU’s campus, and with all the demand, it can sometimes be hard to find an open dock for your bike. According to Citi Bike’s official map, there are only six docks “on campus,” with several more on adjacent blocks. Bear in mind that Citi Bike issues a $1,200 fine for lost bikes, so leaving it on the corner of the Paulson Center is not an option. It can be difficult to find a free spot between classes, so knowing the second closest dock pays dividends.

Maybe the real adventure was the bikes we rode along the way

A crowded subway is no way to tour your neighborhood, and neither is sitting in traffic. While walking invites fresh air, it’s limited in its range. After the initial hurdles of riding around campus, the rest of the city will feel more in reach than ever before. Bike rides offer a healthy way of boosting serotonin and dopamine, and the exercise will improve your mood and self-esteem for the rest of the day. While cycling through New York City’s 1,550 miles of bike lanes, you’re sure to gain a greater appreciation of local life and neighborhood architecture while familiarizing yourself with new boroughs.

What even is a public-private partnership?

Citi Bike was founded through a collaboration between the city government and private capital from several firms, which sought to establish a program allowing members to access bikes all around the city. It was initially launched in 2013, with Alta Bicycle Share overseeing daily operations and a primary sponsorship from Citigroup. In 2018, Lyft acquired Alta Bicycle Share and has continued to grow the program. Critics question the private involvement in a company that is meant to give all residents bikes, many continually calling for the city to take over operation of the bike network.

An imperfect reflection of the city

Since Citi Bikes first hit New York City corners, equitable access has been a well-documented problem for the ride share. Two years after the bike’s introduction, a report from NYU’s Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management found that 77.7% of member rides were taken by men, a number that has since gone up to 42%. More recently, a 2019 report from the New York City Comptroller found that Citi Bike members from the Bronx are 89% more likely to find unusable Citi Bike stations compared to other boroughs. The report found that the service provided by Citi Bikes is typically worse in low-income neighborhoods, and that in 2018, there were 11,000 instances where stations remained unusable for at least one hour. The disparity in access to Citi Bike stations has been a frequent criticism of the bike share since its inception. 

Understanding your options

In the early days of Citi Bike, costs were kept low to encourage a hesitant public that the bikes were a worthy addition to New York CIty’s transportation options. The price of a yearly subscription was $95 in 2013, a number that has since ballooned to $219.99 for the typical membership or $199 for Lyft Pink All Access. Both plans still have unlimited bike unlocks and rides under 45 minutes. The largest area of expansion for Citi Bike has been the investment into electric bikes, now numbering over 15,000. For members, these bikes cost $0.25 per minute once unlocked. If a membership feels like too big a jump, know that bikes can be unlocked for $5 for non-members. Students eligible for SNAP benefits can also receive memberships at reduced rates. At the end of the day, you could always choose to ride your own bike in the city, though that comes with its own set of considerations. NYU’s campus boasts over 400 bike racks across its Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses, with the NYU website additionally offering New York City-specific tips for owning a bike in the city. Upon request, NYU dorms offer bike storage to full-time residents, however, they don’t guarantee every student a spot.