New York City Readies Bike Sharing Program To Be Largest In Nation
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Do you like getting around New York City in an efficient and environmentally friendly way? There's good news for you. The city is preparing to launch its bike sharing program.
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New York City plans to eventually have 10,000 rent-a-bikes and 600 bike docking stations on the streets and sidewalks, making it the largest bike sharing program in the country, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.
"Subways and buses don't always go where you want to go and that can mean a long walk or a taxi ride, and now New Yorkers will have another option," Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters on Monday. "Hop on a Citi Bike."
LINK: Citi Bike (Official Site)
The program's rollout will begin in July in sections of Brooklyn and Manhattan, with full rollout by about a year from now.
"At $95 a year, at $25 a week, or $10 ten a day for unlimited 30-minute rides, it's the best deal in town short of the Staten Island Ferry," Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan told reporters on Monday.
Khan said in other cities that already have bike sharing, half of the the trips are to and from transit stops. She said that makes it a natural fit for New York City.
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"This can change the city. Not everything overnight, but it gives people a whole new ways to get around. Bike share programs have been off the chart successful, I think, everyplace they've done [it]," said Bloomberg.
The program will not be funded by taxpayer money, thanks to sponsor Citigroup, which contributed $41 million to the program, 1010 WINS' Stan Brooks reported. The city also said the program will generate 200 jobs.
The Department of Transportation wants you to be safe on two wheels and has distributed more than 50,000 free bicycle helmets since 2006.
Will you use the bike sharing program? Sound off in the comments section below.
