Citi Bike Sets Records in 2016, Sees 40 Percent Increase in Ridership

NEW YORK, NY — This year Citi Bike has broken its 2015 record by more than 4 million rides, City Hall announced Thursday. The bike share program attributed its success — nearly 14 million trips in 2016 — to expansion efforts in Manhattan and Brooklyn that added 139 stations and 2,000 bikes to its fleet this year.

In 2017 the program is going to continue its tenacious expansion. Citi Bike expanded its network into Harlem, Park Slope, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus and Red Hook this year and plans to double it bike fleet from 6,000 to 12,000 by moving into Astoria, Prospect Heights and Crown Heights in 2017.

While certain expansions sparked controversy and irked neighborhood residents, the record-setting numbers paint the picture that most New Yorkers are warming up to the blue bikes.

"Citi Bike’s latest record shows that bike share is fulfilling its promise as a vital part of New York’s transportation network – increasing access to the city’ transit network and communities underserved by public transit," said Jay Walder, president and CEO of Motivate in a statement.

In addition to breaking yearly ridership numbers Citi Bike broke a record for daily use when Citi Bikes were used nearly 70,000 times on Oct. 19. On 23 days this year Citi Bikes were used for more than 60,000 trips, according to a press release.

"Citi Bike has become a crucial new addition to the transportation network for many New Yorkers, and these numbers are the proof,” Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said in a statement. "As Citi Bike expands to more neighborhoods throughout Manhattan and the rest of the city, I look forward to seeing Citi Bike usage reach new heights."

Citi Bike offers three different price levels: a 24-hour pass for $12, a 72-hour pass for $24 or an annual membership for $155 a year. Reduced-cost memberships are offered for residents of public housing, IDNYC holders and members of certain Community Development Credit Unions, according to a press release.

"In 2016, we fulfilled our pledge to grow Citi Bike, a sustainable transit option, to a range of more diverse Manhattan and Brooklyn communities – from upper Manhattan to Red Hook," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement.

"New Yorkers in these communities really took to Citi Bike, further cementing its reputation as the nation’s largest popular bike-share program. With more Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods slated to get bikes in 2017, we can continue to expect great things."

Photo by Ron Cogswell via Flickr/Creative Commons