Citi Bike stands as New York City’s premier bike share system, and proudly holds the title of the largest in the United States. Since its launch in May 2013, Citi Bike has evolved into an indispensable component of the city’s transportation infrastructure. It offers a fun, efficient, and budget-friendly way to navigate NYC, all while promoting health and environmental consciousness.
Like similar bike share programs, Citi Bike utilizes a network of robust, specially designed bicycles securely docked at stations throughout the city. Users can effortlessly unlock bikes from one station and return them to any other within the network. This flexibility makes Citi Bike an ideal solution for convenient one-way trips across New York City. Residents and visitors alike utilize Citi Bike for diverse purposes, including commuting to work or school, running errands, attending appointments, and exploring social engagements.
Accessibility is a key feature of Nyc Citi Bike, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Riders enjoy access to thousands of bikes distributed across hundreds of stations spanning Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Jersey City, ensuring convenient access wherever you are in the city.
A Look Back at the History of NYC Citi Bike
September 2011: The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) announced the selection of an operator for the city’s bike share program, marking the beginning of an extensive public consultation phase.
May 2012: The system was officially named Citi Bike, with Citibank announced as the title sponsor and MasterCard as the preferred payment partner, establishing strong financial backing from the outset.
April 2013: Demonstrating high early demand, 5,000 Citi Bike founding memberships were sold out within just 30 hours, weeks ahead of the scheduled program launch, signaling strong public interest.
May 2013: Citi Bike officially launched in New York City, introducing 6,000 bikes across hundreds of stations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, immediately impacting the city’s transportation landscape.
June 2013: Citi Bike’s cultural impact was recognized when it graced the cover of The New Yorker magazine, highlighting its rapid integration into city life.
December 2013: In a unique event, Citi Bike contributed to powering the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square, showcasing its innovative potential and community involvement.
August 2014: The total distance traveled on Citi Bikes surpassed 20 million miles, underscoring its significant role in daily transportation and recreational use across the city.
October 2014: New York City Bike Share, the operator of Citi Bike, transitioned to new ownership, promising increased private investment to enhance and expand the popular program. This was supported by increased sponsorship from Citi and financial backing from the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group. An ambitious expansion plan was announced, aiming to double the network from 6,000 to 12,000 bikes.
December 2014: Citi Bike made its way into popular culture, appearing in the 2014 Sony Pictures’ remake of “Annie,” where bike share was featured with actress Quvenzhané Wallis in opening scenes, further cementing its place in NYC imagery.
August 2015: The expansion of Citi Bike began, adding 140 new stations to neighborhoods including Bed-Stuy, Greenpoint, Long Island City, Williamsburg, and the Upper East and Upper West Sides, increasing accessibility across boroughs.
December 2015: Citi Bike riders achieved a new milestone, recording 10 million trips in a single year. This landmark surpassed the one-year ridership record for all bike share programs in the Western Hemisphere, except for Paris’s Velib, demonstrating its widespread adoption in NYC.
May 2016: Citi Bike welcomed its 100,000th annual member, showcasing its growing community of regular users and its increasing popularity as a transportation choice.
August 2016: Expansion efforts continued, adding another 140 stations in Manhattan’s Upper East & Upper West Sides and Jersey City, and extending into new Brooklyn neighborhoods. The fleet also grew from 8,000 to 10,000 bikes to meet rising demand.
September 2017: Citi Bike further expanded its reach with another 142 stations in Harlem, East Harlem, Astoria, Crown Heights, and Prospect Heights, and increased its fleet from 10,000 to 12,000 bikes.
October 2017: Citi Bike riders collectively reached their 50 millionth trip, celebrating a major milestone in total usage and highlighting its sustained popularity over years.
May 2018: Citi Bike marked its 5th anniversary in NYC, celebrating over 143,000 members and its established presence as a key part of New York’s transportation network.
May 2019: Citi Bike became integrated into the Lyft app, broadening accessibility and user convenience by allowing rentals directly through a popular mobile platform.
September 2019: Citi Bike set a new daily ridership record, exceeding 100,000 trips in a single day, demonstrating its capacity to handle peak demand and its critical role in city mobility.
July 2020: Citi Bike riders achieved an extraordinary 100 millionth trip milestone, confirming its status as a major urban transportation solution and a significant part of New York City life.
