
New York City has reached an agreement with Lyft, the new owner of Citi Bike’s parent company, to “dramatically expand” the Citi Bike bike-share program.
Under the agreement, Lyft will invest $100 million to improve the system and double its service area, the Mayor’s Office announced yesterday.
Still, don’t expect an immediate expansion to far-flung areas of the city like Coney Island and Flatlands in Brooklyn or Ozone Park and Bayside in Queens.
A spokesman for Transportation Alternatives, the well-known bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization, told the Brooklyn Eagle that in response to a question at yesterday’s press conference, city Transportation Commission Polly Trottenberg said that while exact details haven’t worked out, Citi Bike will expand “contiguously,” next to neighborhoods that already have Citi Bike stations.
Currently, Citi Bike in Queens is concentrated in Long Island City and Astoria, with some stations immediately east of those areas. In Brooklyn, Citi Bike stations are found in Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Bushwick, Bed-Stuy west of Malcolm X Boulevard, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights west of Bedford Avenue, Fort Greene, DUMBO, the Navy Yard area, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Boerum Hill, the Columbia Street District, Red Hook and Park Slope north of 14th Street.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, at the press conference, revealed several other details of the expansion:
In general, Brooklyn and Queens elected officials had good words for the Citi Bike expansion.
“I’m truly excited to see Lyft’s incredible investment in expanding our growing Citi Bike programs,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “In addition to the extended commitment to funding low-cost membership for NYCHA residents and SNAP recipients, I hope this results in an extension of our borough’s bike share network through docking stations in new neighborhoods.”
“As an avid biker, I know firsthand the convenience and ease that Citi Bike affords,” said Councilmember Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook-Sunset Park). “With this infusion of funding, Lyft will help expand a critical service in light of our city’s ongoing transpiration needs. Moving forward, though, we must ensure bikes are districted equitably.”
State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Long Island City-Astoria-Sunnyside-Woodside) said, “Citi Bike is a valuable resource, and I was proud to play a role in securing its expansion into Astoria and Long Island City.”












SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.

ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.