I think "they" as well as I, underestimated it's usefulness and popularity.
Not knowing anything about bike sharing, I thought it would be a complete flop. But I've heard so many stories about how many different ways people have utilized it.
From well dressed people heading from client to client to the guy who needs to pick up the business van before he gets to the office.
Another reason I see it being popular is because so many people, including me, would like to bike from location to location but had nowhere to safely leave their bike.
That no longer is a problem when you are docking a bike at each stop.

In that case, the sky is almost the limit: they could expand repeatedly and capacity still won't meet demand. To me, this is a good thing.

I would use it even more than I do if it weren't so hot. I would use it to go everywhere in Manhattan, but I'd be soaked when I got there.

[QUOTE=FrankieV;15876726Another reason I see it being popular is because so many people, including me, would like to bike from location to location but had nowhere to safely leave their bike.
That no longer is a problem when you are docking a bike at each stop.[/QUOTE]

A co-worker and his spouse are getting the annual pass for this very reason. They ride a bit on some nice roadbikes that they are afraid to leave anywhere. Looks like it might definitely exceed expectations. Over 1,600,000 rides system wide since launch. Pretty impressive.

Just go at a slower speed. In between walking and the bus that seems to stop at every intersection.

Took my first ride on citibike today. Picked it up on 39th and 9th ave and rode to my office on 51st and Broadway. Bike felt very solid. No issues undocking or docking. The gears are not the best, but I guess they have to make it work for a wide population, so cannot complain. All in all, it worked great. So many docks and I like it because I have several buildings I have to travel to for my job from time to time, and there are docks right next to all of them. Very convenient. I got the 24 hour pass just to try it, so I will ride back to the port authority again this afternoon. I might even think about buying the yearly pass.

Regards,

JT

1.6M rides already? That's mind-blowing.

Including roads and highways. If people had to pay directly the full cost of driving many, would likely change their habits. For example, the federal gas tax only covers about 1/3 of federal highway spending. The rest comes from the general fund, i.e., your pay check. The next time you are in your car and you see someone riding a bike instead, thank them for not increasing the cost of driving by inflicting wear on the road.

It's definitely inflated a bit. I'd discount that by somewhere around 10 to 20% to account for docking/undocking/redocking.

For example, I've occasionally failed to get a green light indicating a sucessful return/docking. The orange light goes on then nothing with no green to indicate the bike was returned successfully. So I've used my key to unlock and attempt to redock the bike in order to get the green light. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 tries. Each time shows up as a "ride" in my trip library.

But still - pretty impressive numbers so far. They periodically have updated info here

https://www.citibikenyc.com/system-data

but there seems to be an issue right now - or at least I can't get the page to load from my browser.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/9...2860589f_z.jpg
DSCF0821 by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/9...3cae3483_z.jpg
DSCF0818 by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

NEW RESTRICTIONS ON ONBOARD BIKES- TAKE NOTE!

This is something new. I don't recall any weekend restrictions before. I am really glad I have the $95.00 key to unlock a Citibike, it just isn't practical to bring my own bike anymore.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/9...f81c5bff_z.jpgDSCF0742 by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

Taking the Lane...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/9...2b17e538_z.jpg
DSCF0726 by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/9...9652e36e_z.jpg
DSCF0724 by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/9...27ebd5b8_z.jpg
DSCF0721 by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

Tried to get the exact dimensions of the Front Rack of the Citibike. I would say it 14 inches wide, by ten inches high, by 4 inches deep. But since there are no real "sides" , stuff can stick out wider than 14 inches, like a briefcase. It seems I didn't have the frame centered properly. I will have to go back and shoot these photos again. I only had one hand free with the camera , and the tape-measure.

NY Times article (15 Aug 2013) on efforts to re-balance Citibike inventory between empty and full stations.

Monday, 12 August I rode a Citibike from 31st and 8th, up to 97th and Park ave. I returned the bike at 49th and Broadway... and it was taken by a person who was waiting for a Citibike, the only four bikes there were out-of-order.

So I then had to Walk back from 49th and Broadway to Penn station, where, luckily , the 6:16 was waiting to take me back to my hometown on Long Island... a single seat ride , without changing trains:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/9...901cd23b91.jpg
DSCF0933 by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/9...978c496cb9.jpg
A shot of the Trump Tower
DSCF0910 by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/9...9d9c5d7194.jpg
DSCF0915 by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr
Time Square.

That's my ride report , for 12 AUG 2013.

From the map it seems there are 2 other stations 2 blocks from there, which you may not have been aware of. This brings up my concern again that it's hard to spot a station that may be only 1 or 2 blocks from where you are. I strongly suggest them to post the complete map of all stations at each station (like what is done at bus stops). At least post the addresses of nearby stations.

I finally spotted a rebalancing van today,if that's what you call it.

That doesn't mean there were bikes at those stations either. What I find is that at rush hour there are never any bikes around midtown. Mid-day you can find them.

I work at 50th and Broadway. The bike stations on Broadway are always empty, especially at night. I think office people take them to their various commute points, and they stay there till the morning rush.

In this photo http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopo...nk-robbery.jpg

Is it just me, or is her helmet on backwards? :wtf:


Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.1374368

It's on backwards. That's fairly common, as is wearing it forwards and too far back on the head.

I went out and bought a copy of the 15AUg2013 New York Times. Thanks for the heads-up .

(I was over my limit of ten free NY Times articles "online", per month.)

[h=1]Got an Email update from Citibike. I had to buy the print version of the NY Times, on account the copyright law . But this is a public notice, so I guess it's alright :


Bike Share Balance[/h]New York Times writes about this week

Why don't they just drive the rebalancing trucks around as mobile stations? ;) (Let's hope no accident ever happens where a Citibike rebalancing truck hits a cyclist...)

Today I saw a new Citi bike station on 72nd street and Park Avenue. Looks like they have expanded it to the Upper East Side.

P.S. What is the function of the "hood" that covers the upper half of the rear wheel? Is it just a more protective fender? I thought it's just for the logo, but I saw someone riding a regular hybrid bike today that has a similar cover.

Doesn't it serve as a fender, aka mudguard?

Getting better at rebalancing
Would help if a cop would enforce traffic laws though
No parking in bike lanes
No turns from middle of Avenue(s)
Buses staying in bus lane
Riding to work in morning is decent
Riding home in rush hour is terrible until get below 42nd Street on either 5th or 7th

I hadn't heard of any stations above 60th street. 72nd and Park is a good location.

I went south on Park last Monday, and I would have welcomed a chance to return the bike and avoid a $2.50 charge ($2.72 with tax).

The Citibike has a Fenderskirt , on the sides of the rear fender. It keeps the ladies skirts out of the spokes, since people ride these bikes in their street clothes.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...s-streets.html

I think we need to use the latest Japanese technology, Underground Bicycle Parking.