The Pilot Program is a Result of Years of Collaboration between Council Member Kallos, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, and Lyft.
Roosevelt Island, NY- Citi Bike is coming to Roosevelt Island with brand new stations. The first stations are being installed today and throughout the week and will be home to 74 bikes as the bike share program expands to Roosevelt Island to serve its residents for the first time. In 2014 there were more requests for CitiBike in Roosevelt Island’s zip code than anywhere else in New York City, with a bikeshare pilot dating back to 2010. This was a campaign promise of Council Member Ben Kallos who has spent years working with Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and Citi Bike now operated by Lyft to finally get wheels down.
This pilot program by Lyft, which operates Citi Bike, is part of an expansion bringing a $100 million investment to improve, strengthen and expand Citi Bike over the coming years -- doubling its current service area by thirty-five square miles and more than tripling its number of bikes to nearly 40,000. As Lyft expands its physical footprint, it is also expanding its programming to ensure Citi Bike is equitable and accessible to the communities it serves.
“Citi Bike for Roosevelt Island was one of my first campaign promises,” said Council Member Ben Kallos, whose Fifth District includes Roosevelt Island. “Now, the years of work to make this happen are paying off. I am looking forward to riding a Citi Bike on Roosevelt Island after years of working with RIOC, RIRA, and residents, through multiple owners of Citi Bike, in pursuit of this expansion. None of this would have been possible without the power of the press and a commitment to covering this and every issue by the Roosevelt Islander. From Four Freedoms to Lighthouse Park and destinations in between, Citi Bike is going to make getting around Roosevelt Island more convenient and more fun.”
This has been a multiple year long collaborative effort. Through it all, Council Member Kallos has worked with all the key figures in private industry and government to bring Citi Bike to the 12,000 residents who live on the island.
“We are so excited to bring the first Citi Bike stations to Roosevelt Island as we double the Citi Bike network in the coming years,” said Laura Fox, Lyft's General Manager of Citi Bike. “Now more than ever, Citi Bike is meeting the needs of this moment, offering New Yorkers a reliable, affordable, sustainable, fun, and socially distant way to get around. We are grateful to RIOC and Council Member Kallos for their partnership through this process and look forward to Roosevelt Island residents incorporating bikeshare into their daily lives.”
“ RIOC is proud to support this pilot program that gives our residents and visitors a convenient, environmentally responsible way to experience Roosevelt Island,” said Shelton J. Haynes, RIOC’s Acting President and CEO.
“Delighted to see that Citi Bike is finally coming to Roosevelt island! Access to various transit options is always important, but is especially welcome now as our city grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank Council Member Ben Kallos for his dedication to bringing Citi Bike to the residents of Roosevelt Island and delivering this highly requested bike sharing program to our constituents,” said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.
“Access to bike sharing will not only provide a green transportation option for Roosevelt Island residents, but will enhance opportunities for safe exercise and recreation during the current health emergency and in the long term. A truly successful bike share program must link together the entire city, and Citi Bike's expansion into Roosevelt Island is an important step toward ensuring equity across all neighborhoods. Thank you to Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, Lyft, Councilmember Ben Kallos and my other colleagues in government for their leadership on this issue,” said State Senator Jose Serrano.
"It is exciting to once again to have Citi Bike further its footprint on New York City by expanding into new territory," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "With residents looking for new means of travel amidst the COVID-19 crisis, Citi Bike will be a welcome addition to an island that already has unique transportation needs."
“I commend Council Member Ben Kallos for his cyclist advocacy and commitment to closing gaps in transportation and to the expansion of transportation alternatives. Roosevelt Islanders have awaited the expansion of Citi Bike to come to their part of the Manhattan Borough. Now, more than ever, we need to help people get around outside of the confines of our buses, subways and tram cars,” said Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright.
Kallos previously worked with Roosevelt Island Residents Association and Manhattan Community Board 8 to pass resolutions in 2012 in favor of bringing CitiBike to Roosevelt Island.
About RIOC
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) was created in 1984 by the State of New York as a public benefit corporation with a mission to plan, design, develop, operate, and maintain Roosevelt Island. With a focus on innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, RIOC is committed to providing services that enhance the island's residential community. RIOC manages the two-mile-long island's roads, parks, buildings, a sports facility, and public transportation, including the iconic aerial tramway. Additionally, RIOC operates a Public Safety Department that helps maintain a safe and secure environment for residents, employees, business owners, and visitors.
About Citi Bike
Citi Bike is New York City's bike-share system, and the largest and most popular in the nation with more than 90 million rides taken to date across more than 13,000 bikes at nearly 900 stations. Over the coming years, Citi Bike will greatly expand into new neighborhoods as Citi Bike doubles its service area by 35 square miles and triples the number of bikes in the fleet to 40,000. Annual memberships are $169 for 365 days of unlimited 45-minute rides, and New Yorkers who live in NYCHA developments or receive SNAP benefits can access Citi Bike for only $5 a month through Reduced Fare Bike Share, presented by Healthfirst. Citi Bike is now available in the Lyft app, where customers can find real-time station information and unlock bikes. Learn more at https://www.citibikenyc.com/.
Watch the Announcement