Using the Citibike System
The Citibike system in New York is a godsend. It lets you grab a bike anywhere you are and drop it off conveniently close to your destination. Usage of course comes with hiccups, but all things considered the system is net convenient.
Unlocking a Bike
The first thing you need to ride a bike is to unlock it. There’s several ways to do it. If you intend to become a regular Citibike rider, you’ll get the best experience using the Citibike app for iOS or Android. Each bike has a QR code by the handles that you can scan to unlock. The app will only let you unlock if you have a payment method on file.
If the QR code is unavailable (they are sometimes peeled, scratched, or damaged), you can unlock the bike using the ID number on the bike. The number is usually printed in large type on the casing protecting the back wheel. You can enter this number in the Citibike app on the same place that lets you scan the QR code.
You don’t need the Citibike app for the occasional ride. You can buy a single ride pass directly at your nearest dock using the self-serve kiosk. The purchase flow on the touchscreen can be cumbersome but if you do it correctly you’ll get a 4-digit code you can enter directly where the bike is to unlock it. If you don’t want to deal with the touchscreen you can also use the Lyft app to unlock a bike and pay with your Lyft account.
Docking a Bike
When you’re done with your ride, find a dock with available parking to dock your bike. Keep in mind the dock that’s nearest to your destination may be full by the time you get there, this can get very annoying if you’re on a rush. The best is to have a small contingency plan simply by keeping in mind where the other nearest docks are. Finding parking in high-demand areas can get a little ridiculous but you get used to it.
Types of Bikes
Standard Bikes. The most prevalent bikes in the system, you can tell them apart by their iconic front basket. They come with an upgraded gear system that makes it easy to take on steep roads, just crank it all the way forward.
First Generation Bikes. The older bikes in the system, avoid them if you can. They are easy to identify because they have no front basket. The reason you don’t want these bikes is that the gear system isn’t very good, it won’t give you the boost you need when you’re going uphill.
Standard Ebikes. There’s an electric version of the standard bike, you can spot them by the large battery pack on the tube under the handlebars. These bikes make it a breeze to ride, they give you a boost each time you pedal. They are sometimes hard to find because they are in high demand. These bikes are heavy, so don’t plan to carry them up stairs.
New Generation Ebikes. A new electric bike started being deployed in the city in 2022. It is more powerful and heavy than the standard ebike, you could think of it as a proper scooter. You can easily tell them apart from standard ebikes because of their silver color.
Annual Subscription
The year-long plan offered by Citibike is a good deal overall. As of 2022, it goes for $185 USD/year and includes unlimited regular bike unlocks which give you 45 minutes to ride. If you go overtime, you only pay a small fee and nothing stops you from docking and unlocking the same bike again for another 45 minutes. The plan also lets you use ebikes for 15 cents/minute, very worth it when you’re in a hurry or don’t want to get sweaty.
If you are new to Citibike, keep an eye out during the year for coupons or promotions. It is not rare to find deals that cut off the price of the annual subscription by half for new subscribers. If you enjoy the subscription, there’s ways to earn 1-week extensions by collecting ‘points’ that the system gives you when you return bikes at places that need them.