Be that as it may, decided to let Yelper's weigh in on this, at least for Midtown East
It looks to me like the raves JUST outweigh the (sometimes very harsh) complaints
Citi Bike
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(855) 245-3311
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(855) 245-3311
- Nearest Transit Station:
-
33 St. (4, 6, 6X)Grand Central - 42 St. (4, 5, 6, 6X)Grand Central - 42 St. (7, 7X)
- Good for Kids:
- No
92 reviews for Citi Bike
92 reviews in English
-
Review from Chad S.
While in essence I love the concept and really enjoy the perk, there are details that need much cleaning. I can blog a long paragraph, rather I'll share the pros & cons.
THE GOOD:
+fantastic alternative to a cab/subway, especially when the weather is nice
+convenience, with plenty of stations south of 59th street
+great way to encourage a fun/healthy activity and means for people to see our incredible city
+very reasonably priced yearly unlimited pass
+solid telephone customer service
+bells and whistles, literally, and 3 gears
THE BAD:
-ability to manipulate/lock up a bike for 6 hours by hitting the repair button, reducing access
-requirement for non-members and members to check in every 30 and 45 min, respectively
-no stations (yet) above 59th street, while the park may be one of the most ideal places for riders
THE UGLY
@despite bike lanes, reckless street riding, drivers don't expect you, cabbies don't care and there are some really whacky crossover patterns - a bit dooming, most aren't even wearing helmets, this is likely to result in a few catastrophes unless something changes
@now you can behave like the crazy delivery boys, flying through red lights, almost hitting pedestrians, no regard -
Review from Hiep N.
Newport Beach, CACiti Bike's are a great way to see the sights or simply to get around.
We rode the Citi Bikes from Chelsea to Tribeca and it was way better than walking or taking a subway.
Watch where you're going and pay attention, and you'll have no problems with the Citi Bike. -
Review from D'couver N.
Melfort, CanadaIf you are a tourist....Do NOT use this service!!!!!!!!!!!
If I lived in NYC and had a yearly subscription to the service I could see the value.
Broken kiosks, difficult lock stations, unresponsive touchscreens, full bike centers, unreasonable customer service reps, overwhelmed maintenance personnel, broken or poor condition bikes and ridiculous overtime fees are just some of the problems.
How can you get your bike back into a bike rack within the 30 minute allotment (so you don't incur overtime fees) when you spend 5 minutes or so at 3 or 4 different stations (all about 7 minutes apart) trying to dock your bike at stations that are broken down or full. Where's the fun of riding?
Phone the 1 855 Bike 311 customer service line right? How much do you think a 9 or 10 minute phone call costs when you are roaming?
After 3 calls to CS you think they would cut you some slack on the overtime charge....NO....I just got my CC statement....$52.00 for two one day rentals for my wife and I.
I wouldn't mind paying the 20.00 and the cell phone charges but these bandits charged me for every overtime minute...but they did offer to extended my rental until 3pm the next day as a consolation....so they could try and get some more overtime charges from me.
Despicable. -
Review from Jerry G.
New York, NYPros:
- Cost - $99 a year is pretty sweet
- One way riding - if you have something else to do later and don't want to ride you can leave it wherever
- solid bike with basket like thing for bags
- riding lights at night
Cons:
- took awhile to get set up
- not above 59th street yet
- clunky and slow
All in all a great value for $99 a year. Ride safe! -
Review from Allen E.
Queens, NYGreat for errands. Needs work as a commuting solution.
Redistribution of bikes is the biggest problem for commuters. Finding a dock in daytime popular areas, like SoHo, is nearly impossible. Finding a bike near Penn Station before noon is very difficult.
I still use my own skateboard/bicycle to commute. I use the Citibike for daytime errands only.
It still beats a car, but like the car, you'll have problems finding a parking spot. -
Review from Allen S.
Del Mar, CAI really wanted to like this service. But it was really frustrating. Touchscreens did not work at two stations. When I finally got a touchscreen to work, neither of the two bikes at the station were open to riding. After 20 minutes of messing around with the system, I had my credit card entered, but no bike ride. The iPhone app was unclear and unhelpful in identifying other stations to potentially use to ride. Customer service did refund the charge, but I never got to ride a bike. As I say, I wish it had worked. But for me it was an exercise in frustration. Hopefully they can work out the kinks with the system because it is a really great idea -
Review from Rod M.
From the perspective of a tourist in NYC for the long weekend Citibike is outstanding.
Firstly I must admit that I am slightly biased as I am from Montreal, where this bike sharing system was developed, so I was proud to see our system being used in New York.
We spent the entire weekend in NYC without ever having to take the subway thanks to Citibike, Amazing! We used it to go everywhere and only once did we arrive at a station to find that there were not two docks available for us (I'm sure on a work day the situation may be more difficult). On this occasion one of us had to ride an extra 2 blocks to dock the bike, no big deal.
I was also very impressed with the development of bike lanes in Manhattan and have to say that I felt safe riding throughout the city. If you stick to the streets with designated bike lanes you seem to always be only a couple of blocks away from a station. Hopefully the city will continue to expand the system (which is only available south of 60th street and in certain areas of the other boroughs) and continue to make the city more bike friendly. -
Review from Ken P.
Manhattan, NYCitibike is one the best thing to happen to NYC since the Yellow Cab.
Maybe not, but still it's pretty awesome and I was not a believer until I held my very own key and started unlocking and docking my bikes throughout NYC like it was nobody's business, but probably mine because I like to ride ride ride.
It really is too bad that the bike is limited to lower half of Manhattan, but the sense of freedom it brings is definitely priceless.
Memorizing dedicated bike lanes will become very important....
FYI - if you dock a bike and something fishy happens (like red flashes or green light doesn't light up), you should immediately call their number and tell them where you got the bike and where you tried to dock, and they will solve your problems. No hassle. -
Review from Ryan S.
Salt Lake City, UTI tried renting a bike while on vacation. Long story short the kiosk was broken and they refused any refund.
Horrible customer service -
Review from Marie S.
Mammoth Lakes, CACompletely false and misleading advertising on price of rentals. Heavy, slow bicycles. Difficult kiosk system. My boyfriend and I couldn't wait to return our bikes and continue exploring NYC on foot. -
Review from Rob B.
Dobbs Ferry, NYI was a fan from using it on a trip to Montreal, and got my annual membership key before it started.
It is really helpful avoiding multi-transfer trips on the subway, and to reach places with few subway lines. And given the limited numbers of Select Bus Service lines (what's up with that?), it is a great option.
Love the station density, and hope they don't make DC's mistake of scattering stations too far from each other as it expands.
And the system seems to be getting better at rebalancing and maintenance since the first few weeks.
My complaint is more about the quality of NYC's bike lanes, and the timing of traffic lights. It seems on the protected bike lanes (called "Green Lanes" in some places), the lights don't allow for a rider to travel more than a few blocks before having to stop for a red light. To encourage faster trips, time the lights so bikes can ride a lot of blocks. It is A LOT easier for a driver to brake than for a cyclist to stop. This is called the "Green Wave" in other cities. -
Review from Jim P.
First blush review. I will be updating because I feel privileged to be contributing to saving the planet, however, my first ride wasn't exactly perfect.
The seat couldn't be adjusted, and the first 2 drop off points were full, even though their app said their were available slots.
Not good. Overall, a good experience that I'm hoping will only get better, but they're going to need to really work at maintaining and improving this. -
Review from Amanda P.
Houston, TXDisaster. Got hit by a cab. The locations they chose to put the kiosks are redic. In major traffic areas with lots of opportunities for accidents. The bike was returned late because of the accident and this heartless company refused to refund the extra time. BIG SKIP for me! And I live in NYC ! They ONLY care about $$. Terrible! -
Review from Nick M.
Philadelphia, PAIf you sign up for a key today, do not plan on riding a Citi Bike for at least one month.
I signed up in early July and still have not received my key. Customer service consistently told me my key was on its way until finally admitting it must have been lost in the mail (right at the one month mark).
Then they gave me a free 7 day pass which was really nice of them!
Until the pass code did not work and they stopped answer my emails.
Awesome. -
Review from Jon B.
Newport, RIHaving used similar public ride share programs in both Washington DC and Boston, without a flaw, I have to say NYC system is frustrating. I understand the system is new and still working out bugs, but to take 30 minutes, two phone calls to customer service and 4 different access code to remove a bike from the John Jay College rack on 59th Street is frustrating to say the least. Further, not a single rack anywhere inside central park to secure your bike while enjoying the park. Same was found when biking up to 125th Street. No racks north of 59th. Hopefully as the program rolls out the bugs can be fixed and additional racks will be installed north of 59th.
UPDATE: 9/21/13
I received an email today from CitiBike and was informed that they did in fact experience some initial issues following the roll out in NYC and have been working on correcting them. They refunded me the rental charge, offered me a 24 hour rental coupon for the next time I rent and offered an apology for the issues I had mentioned.
You cant get a better customer service response than that. A company that actually acknowledges there were roll out issues and makes it right.. That is something you don't see very often. Thank you CitiBike for making it right... Much appreciated. I will certainly give your service a try the next time I get to the city.. -
Review from Nathan A.
Brooklyn, NYAfter a month of using the citibike, I have become obsessed.
I check the the site and the internet for news of their progress installing new stations nightly.
Of course, citibike is being tight lipped. So excited for further penetration into Williamsburg.
I have the yearly pass, which makes checking the bikes out super quick. I remember with frustration the long process getting a code to check out a bike before my yearly pass card came.
The bikes are heavy and the tires are often low.
You have to learn the quirks of your neighborhood. I have been leaving for work earlier since you can't get a bike after 9 AM in the Williamsburg side of the Williamsburg bridge.
But after two weeks of commuting to Wall Street on a citibike, I can see the changes in my figure.
it beats the subway. It's faster for me to bike to work than take the subway. it's cheaper, and I get a workout. I'm debating purchasing a better lighter bike. But I love the dock it and forget about it convenience of citibike.
The other night I had a really great experience with citibike. I was able to get from 16th and Union Square West to Washington Square Park South in 5 minutes. Try that walking or in a cab. For short trips with less popular stations, you've hit the jackpot.
I may end up getting a bike, but use citibike as well. For my morning commute, a faster, lighter bike would be nice. but then maybe it wouldn't be such a great workout. And if I get a good bike, I'll have to worry about theft or vandalism.
Really, I hope that citibike takes some of the 10 million in subscription fees to add more stations and hire more bike maintainers. It's been frustrating the lack of communication. They say they're going to double the number of stations. But they don't say when. Can't you just give us a hint of the timeline?
I'm a fan, but hoping for better management. -
Review from Jade H.
I give it a five star because I've experienced a similar system and loved that system as much and I want to offset some of the angrier reviews. Let me set you straight on what to expect:
Watch for:
1) Red lights. That means the bike docked there will not come out.
2) Make sure the green light goes on when you return your bike.
3) FULL Kiosks of bikes. That means that no one was able to pull out a bike from there.
4) Empty Kiosks of bikes. That means too many people come there and the bike you just docked will be snatched by someone else while you wait on line to get your next five digit code.
Do this:
1) Preplan your route a little bit so that you can not worry about the 30 minute limit.
2) Choose a bike already adjusted to your height. Those seats are not that easy to adjust.
3) Use the app. It is actually moderately accurate and it helps you find your way to the next kiosk.
These bikes are good for what they are. They are a great way to travel around the city and enjoy the sites without worrying about your bike being stolen. You just dock it instead of locking it. Want to just pick up from another kiosk? Sure!
I can't wait for this whole place to be full of kiosks. Bike more! It's good for you. Let's all work together to develop a common bike culture that is POLITE!
Don't be a Jerk. Don't be THAT biker. -
Review from Karry L.
Pros:
-It's not the lightest bike but it gets me from east side to west side much quicker than the crosstown buses!
-It costs less than my monthly unlimited metrocard for the ENTIRE year
-It's easy to navigate once you get a hand of it, sturdy and stable, I was able to bike w my flipflops :)
-They're all over the city!
Cons:
-you might not find a bike from time to time
-there's NO app for my window phone
-you gotta pedal hard and fast if you're going to longer distance that'll take longer than 45mins
-there's not too many docking stations in inner brooklyn or queens
All in all, I still like it better than weekend MTA! -
Review from nomarr s.
Manhattan, NYA need so needed.
Pluses: Great alternative transportation for work; Great way of touring the city; Great way to get to places that transportation does not take you. there is a unity with other citibikers on the road. .
Negatives: The conditions of the streets can be really horrendous from the uneven texture to pot holes to dipping manholes. Causual non-citibikers (people with their own bikes) and delivery guys who go in the opposite directions, who just glide on the road, or who take risks. Pedistrians who don't look where they are going, to preoccupied with hand-held devices or with themselves.
Final Comments:
Annual members get the simplicity and better advantage, but for day/week members too complicated to sign up with regarding to the kiosk, code buttons don't always work. You need to new "get a code" after 5 minutes expires.
Alot of privacy given up when signing up.
Get a map of the docket stations in advance.
Still, worth the investment in terms of costs and health. -
Review from S L.
Renfrew-Collingwood, Vancouver, CanadaDO NOT USE CITIBIKE!!!!
My boyfriend and I got the one day access pass but we were charged double the price as they claimed that we were over by 30 secs - 1 min for two of the trips. Upon returns of the bikes, there were no receipts provided to prove the duration or the return of the bikes; thus, they can say whatever they want! They simply made the decision and blocked my email address so that I cannot inquire further. This was the worst customer service I have ever gotten. Assuming timers were correct, for simply less than 4 minutes, a price of $20 was charged! And we were certain that we arrived at the bike stations with minutes to spare and if anything, those couple seconds overtimes were due to issues with the bike racks as some of them did not accept the return of the bikes properly.
The UNREASONABLE charges and POOR customer service certainly ruined part of the trip! This definitely poorly reflects citibanks line of business. I will never rent a bike from them again!!!
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