That didn’t take long! Motivate, the owner of Citi Bike, began installing the new bike docks in the neighborhood on Monday. But already there’s a protest at 87th Street and West End Avenue, where a dock was just set up. As you can see, someone believes there was an “AMBUSH!!!!” (Emphasis theirs)
See the full map of stations here. They’re offering a $25 discount if you buy an annual membership this month.
Thanks to Roberta for the photos.
Was so excited to see the ones on 87th off Broadway!
Oh please.
Super pleased with more stations. Keep them coming and get rid of those gas guzzling space hogs of cars and their grumpy owners.
Some of us need our cars for work (not just idly guzzling gas) and can’t afford a minimum of 450 to park it in a garage. Some Citibike stations are fine, but we do need to keep an eye on how many there are. Or somehow make garages affordable.
So what do you need a car in the city for, for work? I’m genuinely curious. As for the garage fee, I would call that a cost of doing business. You’re equating your work vehicle to a private vehicle parked in a strictly residential neighborhood.
Some people do the reverse commute into NJ and need there cars. As you say, the neighborhood is residential, so the residents should be allowed to park their vehicles close to their building without money hungry Citi Bank clogging up the block.
Hasn’t the map of locations been public for several months? How long do you need for a “organized protest”?
Time to face the facts and accept CitiBike in the neighborhood. You might even like it (gasp!)
West End Avenue!
…Except for the months of community board meetings, public announcements, and DOT reviews?..
Does AMBUSH mean that no one personally called to ask you?
I can’t wait for more stations!
More bikes for the tourist to ride on the sidewalk.
Just do what I do and yell at them, in a good NY accent, to “get the [eff] off the sidewalk”. Then they get the bonus of going home and telling everyone else about how rude New Yorkers are 🙂
(Note: I am an active citibiker – and will also bite your head off if you’re walking in my [effing] bike lane).
So if a few tourists inadvertently ride on the sidewalk,is it that big a deal to constantly whine about? You make it sound like we’re at epidemic proportions and have to halt the bike sharing program. I think people who constantly harp about such things are pathetic and miserable that others do things they can’t/won’t do. Pedestrians act like they’re entitled to do whatever they want without recourse. They should just STFU about others breaking laws and inconveniencing them.
Tourists (or commuters, or delivery people, or kids with training wheels) riding bicycles
on narrow sidewalks is not a good thing. It is dangerous for elderly people with osteoporosis, or bone cancer patients with compromised spines. Being run into by a bike for people like this could easily be fatal.
I’m a cyclist, and acycling commuter. I’m pro-bike, pro-bikelane, and pro-Citibikes. But I ride my bike in the street, in the bike lane. Riding on the sidewalk should be against the law, and it should be aggressively enforced.
Being buzzed by a punk on a bike on a narrow sidewalk makes me reconsider my opposition to concealed carry laws.
Yay!!!! I’ve been waiting for this location for years since they announced CitiBike. I live on 88th and West End. This is PERFECT!!! Protesters shmuchlzesters, this is a win win for this stretch of UWS. Calm down cranky old fogies, this is clean energy and much more useful than a parking space. I now have a reason to avoid the 100 degree subway platforms and non AC 1 train cars which seem to be many as of recent.
Hey, I’m an old fogey and an enthusiastic and frequent Citibike rider. Age has nothing to do with whether one embraces a bikeshare program.
For what it is worth would not assume that dislike of Citibikes is limited to “cranky old fogies”
Moreover not sure demographic insults are OK ….
Thank you, Js. Ageism is ugly, whether the ageism of the young toward the old or the reverse. It’s a form of bigotry that is too often unchallenged.
If they aren’t old fogies that are constantly whining, then I wouldn’t want to associate with these younger cranks whose mindsets do not embrace such change.
It’s not ageism if it’s true. Older people rarely miss an opportunity to shoehorn in a reference to their age as a badge of honor. I don’t experience young people needing to do the same.
Woody
My multigenerational family mostly does not favor Citibikes. All of us including my kids have been nearly hit by cyclists. When my son cycles it is in the park.
We do oppose income inequality, support abortion rights and are concerned about climate change – but it sounds like we fall into the category of bad people because we don’t favor Citibikes…?
Regarding the demographics of complaining, in general it seems to me that millennials, particularly in the US, win that prize. Spend some time in Williamsburg or the East Village and hear the ongoing complaints about food delivery being too slow or Über being too expensive.
My kids would agree with this assessment
“cranky old fogies”is not true and those were your words.
Ageist denier!
Quit backpeddling. (Biking Term)
The racks are so ugly, but it’s what the people want. Let them have cake I suppose..
There’s a nursing home at the end of this block, at which ambulances need to reach several times a day, every day.
Does the bike rack block access to the building? By your comment, you’re saying it does not.
So what’s the problem with the bike rack? Do you go up to each car that double-parks on that block and inform them that there’s a nursing home there?
60 bike docks for 60 bikes that 60 people use replace 4 parking spaces. Get a life.
Seriously…this is a neighborhood of miserable whiners who have the Whambulance number on speed dial.
You seem so angry and ignorant. Why not stop blurting out random nonsense. Aim for higher discourse. Citibikes has caused businesses to fail, streets to be blocked, pedestrians to be hit and on and on. This is not Amsterdam, not Boulder. Citibikes is for tourists and occasional bikers..most of the time no one uses the bike lanes..they just jam up an already jammed city. A bad idea from the get-go. Someone had a really big payday getting this done and inconveniencing the entire city.
Lyri you clearly don’t get outside enough. Citi Bike has become very popular among the Upper West Side and not just for tourists. Also the bike lanes aren’t only for Citi Bike riders, its also for riders who aren’t using the bike share system. And you were complaining about the city being congested. Did you ever think that the bike lanes can be answer to lessening the traffic. Put more people on bikes and you have less cars!! Change is not always bad people. Give it time
Zulu convinced me in an earlier discussion. That is one reason I enjoy these discussions; it helps sort through these decisions based on facts.
I also appreciate the info sharing. I have been eating some great pizza as a result.
Lyri, if you had been hit by a car, a cab, or even a Police Car, as have I, your sarcasm might be appropriate. But, consider the air you breathe is better for every bike that takes the place of a pollution machine. (PS, the NYPD agree and are ordering more CopBikes.)
Safer, cleaner, quieter, less dangerous. How bad can you see it?
Come on….
What businesses have closed and what streets have been blocked because of Citibike?
Aiming for higher discourse is great. You should start with yourself.
Is this a whine?
Guess what, dannyboy, and this may catch you a bit off guard, but it’s not all about you! Many have been complaining – if you care to be observant. If you’re not whining, then obviously, he/she is not referring to you. Move on.
Is that you whining, Ish?
Its very true Woody. Some people just cant accept change.
Very true Woody.
And yet you continue Replying on West Side Rag
When I leave for work in the morning I take the bus and pass several empty docking stations. I’ve never used Citibike, so just out of curiosity, what happens if there aren’t empty spaces for all of these bikes from the UWS to dock when they get to another neighborhood? Does the kiosk show you where to find an empty space?
Well lynn, I guess what they’re saying is if you ain’t got the APP or not up on the FAQ, you won’t know.
Citibike has employees that re-stock racks if they are in high volume area. Most of the commute goes to midtown/downtown, so I’ve had to go an extra block or two to park a bike but usually could find a spot.
Thanks to everyone for the informative replies about the apps and how Citibikes restocks etc!
Sam, I’ve had no interest, or the ability, in using Citibike in the past two years because I’ve spent that time recovering from being hit by cyclists on 3 different occasions (not joking). None of the cyclists was on a Citibike, lol.
I may or may not attempt to see how the other half of the city gets around. 😉
Yes Lynn, there is an app for that.
The kiosk doesn’t, but the app does. Also, the empty docks are replenished with bikes at least once per day.
yes.
This has been simple answers to simple questions that have been available on the citibike FAQ for 2 years.
There are apps that show you not only how many bikes are available at any given station, but how many empty docking spaces there are too. Also Citibikes has cargo bikes and even trucks that are supposed to re-distribute the bikes during the day.
now they just need to install more speed cameras on west end avenue so that the lovely individuals who somehow routinely mistake it for the autobahn will get the picture that this is a residential neighborhood, not a freeway.
also, while we’re at it, let’s end the use of Riverside Drive between 66th and 72nd as a de-facto parking lot for limousines waiting for people coming out of the Trump building.
Out of curiosity, where would you like them to wait? Seems like a pretty low-impact place for them to be, considering that they’re picking up from those buildings. Hmmmm.
I love Citibikes. It also got my dad (60+ years old, and 30+ years UWS-resident) to bike around more. If it keeps him in shape, I’m happy!
Also, to those who claim that only tourists use it, I advise you to check out Citibike’s annual membership numbers.
Love the NIMBY flyer. Truly genius. A parody, right?
This is what happens when the liberals take over. Seems like this executive order from Barack HUSSEIN Obama is going to ruin our city.
Back in my day all of the neighborhood kids shared 1 bike and you didn’t hear us complain. And when you didn’t have the bike, you walked your 3 miles to school. When we were kids, we were MEN.
First comes the CitiBike docks, next thing you know they’ll be forcing us to share our apartments with the drug addicts.
This city has gone to crap ever since they let that liberal Laguardia run it.
You’re getting a C in trolling. It wasn’t even funny!
I dunno, I chuckled….
figures
The ‘ambushed’ person probably owns a car.
NYC is one of the most expensive cities in the world, why do car owners feels that it’s their god-given right to park for free on the street?
In my humble opinion, if you can’t afford a garage, you can’t afford to keep a car in the city.
Most garages are over 450 a month on the UWS, many 800 or more. There are many people who can’t afford that and it is unfair to say if you can’t afford a garage you shouldn’t have a car. Especially if you have to have a car, which some of us unfortunately do.
What’s not fair is you asking us to subsidize your car with free street parking because you choose a job that requires something you can’t afford. If you need a car for work pony up or move somewhere that parking is cheap or get a new job that doesn’t require a car. There are solutions other than asking your neighbor’s for subsidies
Re. expensive garages: I park at a garage up at 125th St. just across from the Hudson River. I shoot up/down from the UWS to the garage on the No. 1 train. Monthly rice is under $250. Even factoring in subway fare, it’s still a major savings. And once Citibike has docks as far north as 125th …
Kinda’ like “If you can’t afford a condo you can’t afford to live in the city.”
What next “If you can’t afford a coop…”???????
This morning approx 730am, I saw a (unhelmetted) CitiBike rider get knocked off his bike on West 84 (near CPW) when sandwiched between a moving truck and parked driver opening his car door. I’d love to commute via CitiBike, but I’ll continue to take my chances as a pedestrian. Be careful out there, people!
Pedestrians in NYC actually get injured at a higher rate than cyclists. But thank you for the anecdotal evidence!
You guys wanted bike lanes now deal with it.
Yes, I deal with them everyday. They’re great! Now we need even more class 1 bike lanes please.
This is great. I’ve dumped my unlimited monthly MTA card and have been biking to or from work. It’s saving me money!
There was a great sign covering the map at around 7am this morning. It basically said that people should protest by deflating the bikes’ tires. Get a life…
WAHHHHHHHH go to the Nimbys.
Seriously, STFU.
I haven’t seen the WEA installation, but saw the other Citibike installation on W. 87th and Amsterdam. While it’s great to see it in the neighborhood so far north, I was shocked at how many parking spaces were taken away to install so many bikes. I don’t know why they have to put up 30 bikes on one block?! It’s not fair to that particular block to have one-quarter of all the parking spots on the block disappear overnight (nearly half the spots on that side of the street are now gone). It would be much better if they spread the racks out with half as many bikes in each location, so that one block doesn’t have to share the burden of all those bikes. Another example: they installed citibike at Columbus Ave. on the entire southeast side of the street between 72nd and 71st. There is NO more parking there for anyone who wants to park for a few minutes to visit the business on that block. I’m all for Citibike, but it’s not necessary to decimate blocks so that folks lose so much parking. it should be spread more fairy.
Maybe 5% of the people that patronize in stores in Manhattan come by car. The other 95% walk and now a greater percentage of that 95% will arrive by bike.
Next baseless complaint please…
Now Zulu,
And just after I gave you recognition for helping convince me of the merits of Cycling and Citibikes in Manhattan, you write this?
Parking spots are not solely meant to benefit business owners. They are for your neighbors.
So, slow down and quit that: “Next baseless complaint please…”
Yes, but it appears that Wendy’s argument is that parking spots are for people that want to shop locally. We all know that’s not true. Particularly on the non meter streets. You’re overreaching the premise of her argument.
Having a Citibike station in front of a business is a good thing. It brings customers right to its door. The impact of cars not being able to park in front or drop off passengers is minimal.
Comments like this make me laugh because I remember that many years ago, business owners used to drive from outside the area, park right in front of their stores and feed the meter all day. They didn’t give an ounce of thought to leaving those spots for customers.
I organized a protest about another Citibike location offering a substitution 50 feet away that was better for many reasons, and not worse for any. DOT didn’t care.
Good. Kudos to DOT for not entertaining whiners forever. Parking spaces are a free for all. You want one that’s yours? Buy the rights. As a taxpayer I’m done giving them away to free.
UWS is a whiners only ‘hood! Any change brings out the best of them and the comments here are classic UWS. 1st world problem people. I’m in my early 60’s and have ridden bikes my entire life and look forward to continuing on my own and/or the CitiBikes. It’s a fantastic and healthy way to get around the city. Try it, UWS whiners, you might realize those legs you have might work and you’d enjoy it. There are bike riding classes for any age at bike.nyc.com. I’ve taught a few and the joyful experience adult riders have after learning to bike was amazing! So, stop complaining because other people enjoy getting around NYC on a bicycle and you don’t. No Whiners Allowed.
Thank you, Jo. I second your “No Whiners!” motion.
So you are doubling down on the whine about the UWSers?
Healthy??? Not even close. Bad air, tons of traffic fumes, dangerous potholes, terrible drivers and on and on. You might want a reality check. This is NYC not a quiet country village.
Hum, who would’ve thunk it, the same issues every pedestrian faces while walking in NYC.
I’m glad to see most of us supporting Citibike. As a resident of West 87th street, I contacted Helen To welcome them, as opposed to that ridiculous sign.
Hey protester: Get over yourself.
He didn’t hear you.
Why do these people feel that they “own” the parking spots? Its great having Citibike there and I hope these people start enjoying it
This is the worst west side location they could have possibly selected. the street has a nursing home and ambulances constantly speeding down here. Because of the home there is not enough parking to begin with. the new building will have there entrance on that spot as well. Let’s think when doing these things
What’s the difference if cars are parked there and get in the way, vs a citibike rack?
The rack is on 87 and West end… My block!!!! Construction area … Makes parking impossible!
I do think that the loss of parking due to citibike parking and bike lanes has gotten out of hand. I do have a car although I only use it on weekends, not for daily living in the city, and I pay to keep it in a garage. However, it has become extremely difficult to park anywhere when packing or unloading the car, or to stop at a store on the way out of town to pick something up. There are reasons why people need a car on occasion. Since there is so little parking people have no choice but to double park in the street, which already has reduced lanes due to the bike lanes. There is a point when it becomes too much.
I just went out and took a look for myself. The rack installation is six cars in length and the parked bikes extend into the travel lane no farther than do parked compact cars. The only downside I can envision is the potential for nighttime conversation (with or without phones) being an annoyance to those living nearby. I didn’t see any aggressive signs, just the original notice about being ambushed.
Ive lived on 87th street since 1967. I’m not against bikes in the city however the DOT is dismissive of valuable community feedback about where to install the bike racks. Their arrogant approach to city governance erodes a sense of good will and creates divisions in our community. The smarter approach would be to work with residents to install bike racks in areas the don’t increase congestion and danger for pedestrians, bikers and drivers. There are wider streets that could handle bike lanes such as 86th street or 89th street. Installing bikes in the park makes more sense-closer to park bike lanes. 87th street is so congested due to wide-elder transport vehicles, emergency vehicles and 18-wheel trucks delivering food and linens. Bikers will end up using sidewalks to bypass the frequent bottlenecks by the nursing home. I live a few feet from the ugly bike installation and am quite fearful of being hit by a bike. Residents’ cars were towed because towing signs were put up after alternate side parking on Friday. The DOT and our elected officials are allowing schools, parking garages and grocery stores to be replaced by Banks and luxury condos, leading to over crowded neighborhoods, food deserts, and transportation policies that undermine public safety quality of life and community spirit. Is this truly progress?
“The smarter approach would be to work with residents to install bike racks in areas the don’t increase congestion and danger for pedestrians, bikers and drivers.” E
Agree that the DOE acts as if ‘congestion and danger for pedestrians, bikers and drivers is another department’s problem to solve. But wait…
More bikes to go through red lights, riding the wrong way and almost knocking down pedestrians. Keep the bikes in the parks.
All non issues in the grand scheme of things for this city. If you were really concerned about safety you would be lobbying for more effective enforcement of speed limits, drivers running red lights and wreckless driving. NYC drivers injured 1191 pedestrian and cyclists in February alone of this year. 13 killed in the same month. That’s just for February, but yes, by all means lets gripe and kvetch about citibike and how many FREE parking spots were loosing.
More bikes are needed… Time for a unified payment card where a user can transfer from bike to subway to bus. This is the future.
That would be nice for users but the MTA is cash strapped and always hurting for money. By unifying the system it may kill the bike share program.
I have another question. Now that I’ve joined in the Citibike conversation I’ve been paying more attention to the cyclists. Not counting non-Citibikes, I saw 9 adults and one preteen on Citibikes on my bus ride home and not one of them was wearing a helmet. Four adults (appeared to be tourists) were scrunched between the bus and the curb and one of the women fell off so they all opted to ride on the sidewalk. If Citibikes and cycling in general is the future then who’s in charge of safety instruction classes, including the rules of the road, and making bike helmets mandatory?
Hi Lynn,
Helmets are mandatory for children 13 and under in NYC. Although a good idea anybody else is not required by law to wear one.
As a side note, in places where helmets were made a legal requisite for riding a bike, ridership plummeted and bikeshare programs were unsuccesful.
I’m curious, why are you concerned about people riding citibike not wearing a helmet?
Anyone who is sincerely concerned about the safety of cyclists (whether on Citibike, personal bike or delivering food) should campaign for more complete streets (which include bike lanes) and more Citibike stations. It’s a proven fact that street redesigns that take in to account the need of all street users and that more people on bicycles make the streets safer for everyone- including pedestrians and drivers.
I wasn’t particularly concerned until I saw the woman fall off the bike today. If she had fallen toward the bus it would have been an entirely different issue, but she fell in toward the sidewalk and just missed hitting her head on a food vendor’s cart, and I wondered how long it would be before someone tried to sue the city, lol.
If there are going to be 10,000 bikes on the street eventually someone is going to get hit, or lose control of their bike trying to avoid hitting someone who walks or pulls out in front of them, so it just seems like a good safety precaution.
Had she fallen towards the bus the helmet would’ve likely done very little to protect her. Like lp_nyc said in the post above, if you’re that concerned for bicyclist’s safety you will promote the design of complete streets which afford all users equal levels of safety. Unfortunately, pushing helmet laws has become the fighting cry of those against bicycle use. Fortunately, it’s very transparent. The reality of the matter is that if somebody is going to sue the city they’ll do it regardless of them wearing a helmet or not.
Does CitiBike (Motivate) pay the city for all the sidewalk and parking spaces it is taking away? The city sends police out to scarf up books in the middle of the night then turns around and lets CitiBike take up three times the space, I just don’t get it.
Citibike is a public resource, like the sidewalk itself. As far as I am aware, the docks rarely take away metered parking spaces. Even if they did, it is well worth the small decrease in revenue to promote a healthy transportation network.
Hooray!
Can anyone explain to me why you need to have a car to get around NYC? Out of the city I understand. But within the city? And why is it that people with Car’s feel they are more entitled to park on the street than people with bikes. Citibike racks ugly?? Do you prevent people with rusted out cars that are filthy from parking on your block too? And lastly, if you cant afford a parking garage, then don’t have a car. I would like a private jet, but I cant afford that so I fly commercial. That’s life
the vast majority of citi bike users have an annual membership. thus they are not tourists. they use these bikes to commute, shop, or just get to appointments. on a good day, the current 8,000 bikes [soon to be 10,000] are used an average of 7 times. Thats a lot of trips–as intended. Paris started with 20,000 in one opening shot. biking is a great way to navigate the city for so many reasons. those that have not ridden in a while should give it a try– then buy one at a local bike shop. thanks to many who care, the streets are being made safer all the time.
Richard; a pedestrian, biker, and car owner–age 73
I am handicapped and use our car to get around the city when I cannot go by bus (where I slow up the entrance and exit process for others).
Nonetheless I support the Citibikes. I always like it when the spaces I can use are free, but don’t think the city has any obligation to create more for me. Just the way I like the sun in my apartment but do not think it is my right not to have my sun blocked at sometime in the future.
MY plan is to carry a baseball bat at all times for those sidewalk riders, Batter up!
Felony assault and battery punishable with one to twenty five years in prison. Given your posting and implication for premeditation I would say definitely more than one year in prison.
And my plan is to carry one for all those pedestrians who walk in the bike lanes.
This is unfair to the seniors
Iiving on the block. Why couldn’t the bikes be put on riverside drive on the park side as they are on fifth avenue? This makes 87 th street impassable, more impossible, for parking cars and walking since there is an assisted living facility on the corner already and ambulances come and go at all times. The parking is also quite restricted.
There are other, wider streets that the bike racks could have been put i.e 86 th street, but I guess the folks in those buildings are too rich and didn’t want the inconvenience. What a drag for the residents of 87 th street and the car owners. The garage on 87 th street between Broadway and west end avenue charges over $1000.00 per month to park. Really, what are the choices, and now the bike rack. What a mess!
Do you think the city should be subsidizing car ownership by providing plentiful free on-street parking at the expense of other, arguably more socially beneficial uses of curbside space?
Dear Frances,
As I read your comment I get the impression that perhaps your idea of the bike share program is perhaps less than accurate. The idea of having stations in locations other than by the parks is to create enough density so that it’s convenient enough to make it a practical transportation solution.
I’m interested to know why you think it will make the street impassable. The station/bike setup does not take any more space than parked vehicles. Offering no more or no less of a barrier to jaywalk across the street than parked cars.
Yes, the stations remove free parking spaces from the street. However, I’m curious to know how may senior citizens own vehicles in this city compared to those who may use public transportation senior care provided transportation.
I hope you don’t interpret my questions as any form of disrespect. As someone with no living grandparents I often reminisce of the times spent with them and cherish those memories.
The real ambush has been the slow-motion but complete takeover of our streets by the dangerous and polluting car. Reclaiming some street space for a cleaner and safer alternative is a refreshing development.
These bikes on W.87 St. are both unwanted
and not needed. This is a residential block. There is
a nursing home on the corner of Riverside.
Ambulances frequently race down the block.
Plus, the 86th Street bus makes a huge turn
on W.87th. And there are two major construction sites
near the bike stand.Major congestion. Why do we need all of these bikes?? Enough is enough! Chris
Actually Chris, they’re not enough. For the system to be truly succesful their needs to be more bikes. It’s all about density.
You are right that there aren’t enough bikes. If the 10,000 Citibikes were serving Manhattan residents alone there would be one bike for every 165 persons. The actual number in service is probably a lot lower due to maintenance issues. We don’t know how many bikes actually are available in the morning on the UWS. Many of the users of the system aren’t riding them back home at night making the system non self sustaining. Citibike has service issues that need to be resolved.
This morning 40 of the 41 bikes at this station are taken. So, I guess that means that this station is both highly wanted and highly used.
Somehow life has continued on W 87th Street even with a Citibike station there. Shocking.