They're here! New York Citibikes arrive with a fury...
#1
----
Thread Starter
They're here! New York Citibikes arrive with a fury...
I've already seen them on the streets. I've seen the parking stations all over.
And the New York Times seems to be predicting a bit of sound and fury with their arrival.
And the New York Times seems to be predicting a bit of sound and fury with their arrival.
#2
Senior Member
I made up some fake "CitiBike" logo stickers , and put them on my Lowrider. Geez, people are dumb. Most people never heard of the Citibike rental program. About forty percent of people never even heard of CitiBANK!
I have since removed of covered over the stickers. Thought I'd try to promote or publicize the program.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 571
Bikes: 2012 Kona Lanai
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Is that an old CRT monitor (Apple) you painted on the front of that bicycle?
__________________
[HR][/HR]
If we don't make changes to our use and abuse of energy, Mother Nature will make it for us.
Be a part of the solution to Climate Change instead of a contributor.
Soylent Green is People!
[HR][/HR]
If we don't make changes to our use and abuse of energy, Mother Nature will make it for us.
Be a part of the solution to Climate Change instead of a contributor.
Soylent Green is People!
#4
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,959
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
1,041 Posts
#5
Senior Member
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 571
Bikes: 2012 Kona Lanai
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nice!
__________________
[HR][/HR]
If we don't make changes to our use and abuse of energy, Mother Nature will make it for us.
Be a part of the solution to Climate Change instead of a contributor.
Soylent Green is People!
[HR][/HR]
If we don't make changes to our use and abuse of energy, Mother Nature will make it for us.
Be a part of the solution to Climate Change instead of a contributor.
Soylent Green is People!
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 155
Bikes: Crossrip Elite, Bikesdirect tarck bike custom build
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hmm. I see Chicago is getting a new bikeshare program, "Divvy". Don't we already have some bikeshare stations? And why isn't there any outcry about it like in New York? (maybe there is and we just don't know about it yet)
#8
----
Thread Starter
I'll see what I can do this week. Saw about 10 riders crossing over from Brooklyn to Manhattan at the foot of the Manahttan Bridge. The bikes are similar to the ones we now have in Boston and to the ones I rode in London a couple of years ago.
An interesting foot note to seeing the riders. There had just been a fender bender accident at the intersection that leads to the bridge and there was a cop directing traffic. One of the cars involved in the accident was slightly blocking the curb cut to the ramp up the bridge. All the other NYC cyclists simply slipped around the car and through the narrow space available. But the Citibikers were deeply affronted by this offense and one of the women in the group rode out into the middle of the street to the officer and demanded that the car be moved.
The type of riders and the sheer volume of these bikes is going to alter the landscape for sure. Some for the better and some for, well, we'll see...
An interesting foot note to seeing the riders. There had just been a fender bender accident at the intersection that leads to the bridge and there was a cop directing traffic. One of the cars involved in the accident was slightly blocking the curb cut to the ramp up the bridge. All the other NYC cyclists simply slipped around the car and through the narrow space available. But the Citibikers were deeply affronted by this offense and one of the women in the group rode out into the middle of the street to the officer and demanded that the car be moved.
The type of riders and the sheer volume of these bikes is going to alter the landscape for sure. Some for the better and some for, well, we'll see...
#9
Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 47
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Divvy is is the First and Only Share program in Chicago...They plan on being open by the 14th and the stations should be getting out Soon...What we have at the moment are Bike Rentals... https://divvybikes.com/
#10
Über Geek
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 34
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And... Dorothy Rabinowitz is livid about it (link opens a WSJ video).
I don't think I could make up anything more ridiculous.
I don't think I could make up anything more ridiculous.
#12
incazzare.
They're everywhere--is there something you're implying here? I'll get one or two when I go to lunch if I remember.
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#13
----
Thread Starter
#14
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,959
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
1,041 Posts
#15
Senior Member
Sorry for the Delay! Here are photos from last week.
The steel wedge is a docking cleat, which the electronic lock locks to.
I brought my own bungee cords, to secure my water bottle to the rack:
The steel wedge is a docking cleat, which the electronic lock locks to.
I brought my own bungee cords, to secure my water bottle to the rack:
#16
Senior Member
The card slot , and the coloured lights:
#18
incazzare.
I was outside for about 10 minutes and saw 3 or 4 people on citibikes, but I was only quick enough to get my phone out to snap one picture. This was in Tribeca. This lady seems to have brought her helmet, as well. Also, I agree the racks kinda stink compared to ones I have seen in photos of the system in other cities, but you can see here exactly what they are intended for: a purse or briefcase. I would prefer they could fit a grocery bag or two.
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#19
Senior Member
The Rack is not a Basket, it has a bottom and a front, but no sides. I think there are two reasons for this, 1) there will not be an accumulation of garbage inside the Basket, 2) a briefcase may extend out the sides, whereas it would not fit in a Basket.
The Rack seems to be sturdy and well built. There are metal studs on the front, where you can hook your Bungee Cords.
The built in Bungee Cord is secured, so it can NOT be removed from the Bike.
I advise bringing a small bungee, to hold your water-bottle.
The Rack seems to be sturdy and well built. There are metal studs on the front, where you can hook your Bungee Cords.
The built in Bungee Cord is secured, so it can NOT be removed from the Bike.
I advise bringing a small bungee, to hold your water-bottle.
#20
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NA
Posts: 4,267
Bikes: NA
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
I've never understood why cyclists who already own bikes get so excited about bike share. I can't think of a single occasion where I would ever use one of these things other than as a tourist.
#21
Senior Member
I guess the designers wouldn't like the idea of the bike being used as a utility vehicle--imagine loading 5 bags of grocery items. It's meant more to get from Point A to Point B.
(For heavy grocery shopping, please take the cab. )
(For heavy grocery shopping, please take the cab. )
#22
----
Thread Starter
Personally, while I own several bikes, one of which is a folder almost specifically for the purpose of having a bike when I travel, which I do frequently for work, I will probably use them in NYC and other cities. My home base is Boston but I come into NYC regularly, some times for several months at a time and sometimes just for the day. When I am here for an extended period, as I am now, I prefer having my own bike.
But there are many times when I take the train from Boston and have a day of work in the city and then am right back on the train to go home. Not dealing with my folder on a crowded Amtrak train will come as a relief for me. And dealing with a bike in Manhattan can be a hassle. Locking it, finding somewhere to lock it, worrying about it while you're in a meeting are all hassles I could often do without on a day trip. And many people commute into the city on a daily basis via train, bus, ferry etc and still have a bit of a trek once they arrive in Manhattan. It's nice to step off the commuter train and pick up a bike for the final leg of your commute.
And living here and owning a bike for fast recreational rides out of town or in the park and having another bike for commuting and transport is a luxury many people cannot afford due to space concerns. The Citibike will allow many riders, who currently use really nice bikes for the dual purpose of commuting and recreation to leave the nice bike at home for the short 5 mile ride downtown to work or to go out for an evening.
Also, when I'm here for extended periods my wife comes to visit. This saves us the hassle of dealing with another bike for her. Now I can give her the folder and ride a Citibike to our destinations.
I had some work in London a couple of years ago and, though I've brought my folder overseas several times, I didn't bring my bike. Yes, I used the Barclay (Boris) bikes at times like a "tourist" but they were my transportion while I was in the city.
Finally, I like it because its more people on bikes and I am of the mind that more bikes makes for a better urban environment for too many reasons to list here.
Last edited by buzzman; 06-05-13 at 10:00 PM.
#23
incazzare.
I don't see the downside to having more people on bikes. Additionally, I think I will sign up for a membership so I can use these on errands, and thus avoid locking my bikes up outside. For the yearly cost of a good lock and chain, I think it's worth it.
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter