NYC bike share starts tomorrow

[PamNY]

Will be interesting to see what happens.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/ny...uccess.html?hp

[jyyanks]

Thanks for the link. I was wondering when this would roll out. I checked out the Citi bike website but unfortunately their station locator wasn't working. Too bad because I wanted to see where the stations are.

[ny biker]

I read something on twitter (don't remember who posted it) that said the first day was successful, with a decent number of riders.

[PamNY]

I saw quite a few of the bikes being ridden today.

Of course, the NY Post is making sure we know all the negatives, and I'm certain we can count on them to continue.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/w...fPQmYIJJ8tScnL
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/m...tgUjCUH1lXMlGK

And from Gothamist:

http://gothamist.com/2013/05/27/note...i_bike_rea.php

[PamNY]

The map is working now:

http://citibikenyc.com/stations

[tulip]

It's been very interesting to follow the developments of the NYC bikeshare program so far. I'm surprised that its taken so long for NYC to get on board with bikeshare, actually. It's pretty much a must-have for top notch cities these days. Have you tried it, Pam?

[withm]

I think it was supposed to have started a few months ago, but the bikes and or part of the electronics/payment/computer stuff was damaged by the hurricane Sandy and that is the bulk of the delay.

[PamNY]

I haven't tried it yet. I'll probably get a $10 day pass to check it out, but they aren't available yet.

Signage on the kiosk suggests that they aren't exactly promoting helmet use.

[tulip]

I haven't tried it yet. I'll probably get a $10 day pass to check it out, but they aren't available yet.

Signage on the kiosk suggests that they aren't exactly promoting helmet use.

Helmets are a big drawback to getting people to use bikeshare. Helmets are required in Australia, and bikeshare use is pretty low. The more people on bikes will make it safer for all of us to be there. Personally, I will always wear a helmet.

[PamNY]

Helmets are a big drawback to getting people to use bikeshare. Helmets are required in Australia, and bikeshare use is pretty low. The more people on bikes will make it safer for all of us to be there. Personally, I will always wear a helmet.

Tulip, I just thought it was funny.

[Crankin]

We are getting helmet dispensers to rent helmets, for a very low price, adjacent to the Hubway rentals, in a few weeks. I think this was a project from MIT, can't remember, with some other influential sponsors. The city is pushing this.

[jyyanks]

I've seen people using the bikes but have only seen one station. Site is temporarily down so will check back tomorrow. The mayor's office is calling it a success despite what the Post says.

[PamNY]

The NY Post is very anti-bicycle. Did you see their story wherein the owner of a bike shop that rents bikes to tourists wailed that the bike share program will put him out of business? The Post neglected to mention that with a day pass, you are limited to 30 minute rides. So tourists would have to dash from rack to rack, in 30-minute segments. Not really a fun day out.

I saw lots of people riding Citibikes, some obviously commuters, on the west side greenway this afternoon.

[PamNY]

Newsflash: People seem to like bikes.

I saw several almost-empty Citibike racks today, and the bikes were everywhere. My anecdata suggests bike share is going to be a success.

[PamNY]

From Jon Stewart's Daily Show -- reactions to Citibike. It's irreverent and hilarious. Dorothy Rabinowitz of the WSJ editorial board calls the bike lobby an "all-powerful enterprise."

http://www.hulu.com/watch/498676