NYC Introduces Bike Share Program
If you live in Manhattan or parts of Brooklyn, you may have noticed the curious new bike stations taking up residence in the streets. Reason being: in yet another bid to promote public health and clean transportation, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has given the nod for the implementation of a bike-share program across the boroughs of New York City.
Sponsored by Citibank, citi bike bicycles are bright blue and heavily embossed with the company’s logo. They are designed for transportation: instead of catching a train or hailing a cab, users can purchase the use of a bike for 24 hours ($9.95), one week ($25), or an entire year ($95). Compared with the price of a monthly metrocard or even a few short cab rides, that bike-share membership will pay for itself in very little time, with the added bonus of encouraging New Yorkers to shape up during their commute.
As of May 27, NYC will house 6,000 little blue bicycles at over 330 docking stations, from 59th street in Manhattan to Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn. So who’s not happy about the Bloomberg Administration’s latest project?
Well, drivers, for one. New York City parking is limited enough, and each one of those 330 bike-share stations have taken the place of valuable street parking throughout the city. Clearly Bloomberg has a favorite transportation child, and it’s not your steadfast little Kia. That’s not fair! Well, no, it’s not, but since when has Bloomberg played fair? If you’re that upset, you can find a 7-11 and (if you can find a parking space) join the crowds mourning the loss of the Big Gulp or commiserate with the store owners who will soon have to hide their cigarette sales out of sight, and you can all reassure yourselves that Bloomberg’s reign is ending soon.
The bike-share, however, is not. Even though many building owners have set lawsuits in motion, citing the blatant commercialism of Citibank’s logo as demeaning to historical New York City and calling the bike-share racks an ugly stain on the city’s aesthetics, the transport system is likely here to stay, at least for a while.
The new proliferation of bikes around town is expected to encourage bike lane expansion in popular areas, which will not only keep people safe but be more convenient for drivers as well. More people on bicycles means less people on the subways and busses, which mean (fractionally) more smiles all around – though drunken Saturday night subway rides will still be normal, as bike rental while intoxicated is forbidden.
