The municipal government and Lyft, the company that owns Citibike, have announced plans for phase 3, with the aim of meeting growing user demand and promoting cycling in the city.
This includes doubling the e-bike fleet by the end of next year.
“It is good for the city and it is good for the people because it avoids traffic in cars and it is more convenient because of the gasoline and also more economical,” says Germanía Reimundi, a resident of Corona.
This year’s expansion areas encompass Corona, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst in Queens; Ditmas Park and Flatbush in Brooklyn; and Bathgate and Marble Hill in the Bronx.
As part of the improvements, it is planned to implement at least two charging stations, with the purpose of electrifying 20 percent of the stations in the coming years.
As well as establishing new price limits. This year’s rate cannot exceed 24 cents per minute for members, and 36 cents for non-members.
In the last three years, Lyft and the city have doubled the number of stations to two thousand.
In August 2023, the system set a monthly record with more than four million trips, an increase of more than 60 percent compared to 2019.
But the question that arises is whether this expansion will be the mobility solution for the future or a problem on the city streets.
Some residents say the expansion creates more inconveniences for those who depend on parking their cars on the streets.
“Especially since I work in the taxi, it is difficult for me because I probably arrive at 2 in the morning every day at 2 in the morning and it is very difficult and now that there is this thing about bicycles, they are on almost every corner, it is too much,” says Corona resident Estevan Uzhca.
Additionally, with more bikes on the streets, some fear more accidents will occur.
“It’s a lot of danger for those who ride bicycles, because instead they don’t respect it. Drive too fast, and they start, and that’s where the accidents happen,” says Carlos Zhinin, another Corona resident.
As this plan evolves, it remains to be seen how New York City will address these challenges and balance the needs of all its residents.
