Electric Citi Bikes have become a popular mode of transportation for many New Yorkers, offering a convenient way to travel long distances without much effort. However, the fees associated with these bikes have raised concerns about affordability.
Currently, non-members are charged 36 cents per minute to rent an electric Citi Bike, while members pay 24 cents per minute. City Councilmember Lincoln Restler of Brooklyn has expressed his concerns about the high costs, especially for working-class New Yorkers. He has taken approximately 4,500 rides as a Citi Bike member and highlighted the financial burden of paying $10 for a single e-bike ride on top of the annual membership fee of $220.
In response to these concerns, Restler plans to introduce legislation that would cap the e-bike fees at the cost of a subway ride for Citi Bike members, which currently stands at $2.75. However, this change would not take effect until the next round of contract negotiations with the city in 2029.
While e-bikes are a significant revenue source for Citi Bike, Lyft, the company that owns Citi Bike, has cited high maintenance costs for the bikes as a reason for the increased fees. The company has mentioned expenses related to battery swapping, insurance, and vehicle maintenance for the e-bikes. Despite the high costs, e-bikes account for 40% of Citi Bike’s fleet in the city, with 66% of all trips being made on e-bikes in August.
Additionally, Lyft has explored selling Citi Bike in the past, but New York City remains a valuable market for the company. With the city being described as the “crown jewel” in Lyft’s bike share empire, the company reported making around $24 million on Citi Bike trips in June alone.
In light of the challenges faced by Lyft in maintaining its e-bike operations, Restler suggests that the city government should assist by connecting Citi Bike docks to the electrical grid. This would eliminate the need for workers to drive around the city to swap out batteries and reduce the reliance on cars and trucks for recharging the bikes.
Overall, the affordability of electric Citi Bike fees remains a pressing issue for many New Yorkers, especially as the city continues to prioritize sustainable and accessible modes of transportation. While solutions are being proposed to address these concerns, the future of e-bike pricing and accessibility for riders will likely depend on ongoing negotiations and collaborations between the city and companies like Lyft.