According to a recent article by ABC News, New York City’s recently implemented bike sharing program is a success. The program, called Citi bike, allows for people to rent bicycles for a fixed period of time. Users (1) purchase an access pass that allows them to unlock a bike from a Citi bike station, (2) ride the bike for the duration allowed under the pass, and (3) return the bike to another station.
ABC News reported that since the program began (May 27) through early July, Citi bike has sold 75,500 daily passes and 9,000 weekly passes. It also has 54,000 annual members. Users of the bikes cite avoiding subway fees and being outside as some of the benefits to the program.
Other cities have experienced similar success with bike sharing programs. Washington, D.C. and Boston have had programs in place since 2008 and 2011, respectively. The article quotes the chief of staff for the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities as saying cities will offer bike sharing programs to remain competitive and provide their citizens with better service. Chicago and Houston also began bike sharing programs earlier this year and San Francisco, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Portland will have programs in place by the end of 2014.
