Testing the New Citibikes at Dag Plaza

As a long-time cyclist, I couldn't resist trying out the new Citibikes. I once lived in a building across from the park, but now that I  reside on Manhattan's west side, I must fight  crosstown traffic to attend Friends' meetings and garden activities. A few years ago, I vowed to stop using my bicycle for city transportation after a taxi side-swiped me, resulting in a painful  fractured pelvic bone. Then Citibike showed up, along with all the newly designated bike lanes.

This past week, I braved the Citibike system and crosstown traffic. For the most part, the experience was pleasant and effective.

Here's the play by play:
I picked up my first bike 2 blocks from my apartment on West 57th Street, and chose the 24-hour pass for $10, then zipped across town, feeling the old thrill return as I passed block after block of  backed-up traffic. As I traversed the potholes,  I welcomed the fat tires and cushy seat of the Citibike, which is built like a jeep. The 3 gears are adequate and the front basket with bungies was useful for stashing my tote bag. My own bike is lighter and offers 10 gears, but there's always the issue of not being able to ditch it easily.

The Citibike trip from 10th Avenue to Hammarskjold Plaza at 47th Street and  1st Avenue took about 12 minutes on a week-day afternoon compared to about 40  mintues by bus or subway and 25 minutes by taxi with a meter charge of at least $16 plus tip.  I docked the bike and went about my business. Good trip, good deal.

A few days later on a Saturday, I wanted to make the same cross-town trip, but this time, the kiosk nearest my apartment didn't work so I walked a few bocks to another and checked out a bike, again purchasing the 24 hour pass for $10. Citibikes must be returned within 30 minutes per ride but you can keep getting another bike for the time your pass permits. There's also options for a weekly and a yearly pass, both of which are more attractive deals if you're convinced Citibikes are going to be a part of your life. A security deposit of $110 posts to your credit card for the 24-hours pass, which is removed when you have fulfilled the agreement. The computer screens at the Citibike kiosks are logical and easy to follow, laying out the terms.

On the second test ride,  I zipped across town in about the same time, but when I tried to dock the bike at the Hammarskjold Plaza  station, I couldn't get the bike  to lock. I slammed, shoved, and pushed to no avail. Then I called the number listed on the dock and after a few minutes reached a live person who gave me alternate addresses for docking. I cycled a few blocks uptown and docked successfully, then walked back to the park. By this time, I was a feeling sweaty and annoyed, and my efficiency rating went down.

After several hours of tending to the Katharine Hepburn Garden, I treated myself to a manicure, pedicure and back massage at Eva on 1st Ave and 49th Street, then lazily ambled over to the subway stop at 50th Street to return home. However, the  E-trains (which take  me to 7th Ave transfer)  weren't running on the weekend, so I decided to return home via Citibike. When I resurfaced on the street, there was a dock in front of me, and fortunately, I figured out the credit card I had used so the return trip was covered. The system issued a number to unlock a fresh bike and I zoomed across town only to find I couldn't dock at the station of my choice Knowing the drill, I walked a few blocks and unloaded the bike at another docking station.

My conclusion: Citibike is here to stay. The system has a few glitches to work out, but it is a viable transporation alternative, and the bike lanes make getting around much more civilized than the old lanes, which were dangerous because they were mostly ignored. While I won't give up taxis or the MTA, it's nice to have a cheap and speedy alternative.

Finally New York is catching up with other  U.S. and European cities that offer well organized bike-share programs and dedicated cycling lanes. With this, a  bike culture is emerging which goes beyond the dare-devil  messengers who don't mind flying over their handlebars and landing on hoods. As the trouble-shooting continues, many New Yorkers and tourists will find the Citibikes a viable alternative to move around Manhattan.

NOTE: The Parks Department has installed new signs in Hammarskjold Plaza that ask bike users to dismount in the park. It is important to obey this and other regulations for everyone's safety. As for the issue of bike stations blocking some building entrances  and EMS vehicles, this is a viable concern. Fortunately, the stations are flexible and can be modified in size and location because each individual dock links into the row like interlocking Leggo pieces.

Let us know your experience riding or observing the new Citibikes. Also, speak up if you see cyclists riding through the park instead of dismounting. Safety is everyone's concern.

Anne Saxon-Hersh, Director of Development
Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza