NYC Bike Share demonstrations going on all of October!

cyclists

We New Yorkers bow to no one in our passion for walking around NYC–for fun, for exercise, for everyday transportation–but still, we couldn’t be more excited about the news that the Bike Sharing program is coming to our beloved city, and, fingers crossed, as early as next summer! Yes, there are still plenty of logistics to be worked out (during rush hour, will there be enough bike-rack space at popular office-area destinations?), but Bike Share programs has been hugely popular in Washington D.C., London, Melbourne, Miami, Paris and lots of other cities around the world, and if they can do it, we can do it better. 

 

cyclists

 

A Bike Sharing Program for NYC Starting Next Summer

The basics of Bike Share NYC are this: starting next summer hundreds of NYC Bikes will appear at dozens of self-service, solar-powered “docking stations” in hub-ish locations throughout Manhattan (below 79th Street) and in northwest Brooklyn, quickly expanding to other neighborhoods in all five boroughs if (when!) Bike Share NYC is deemed a success. New York’s bike sharing program members members pay annual dues which, says the NYC Department of Transportation, will be “less that a monthly Metrocard”, and can use any bike at any Bike Share NYC docking station for an unlimited number of 30- to 45-minute rides. Short term membership (daily, ride-based, etc.) will also be available. What Bike Share NYC is best at is giving you a pleasant, healthy, super-speedy alternative to using buses and subways and especially, providing convenient transportation to parts of town that are under-served by the MTA, such as the far west and east sides. 
 

cyclists

 

Demonstrations Throughout October Introducing the NYC Bike Share Concept

Bike Share NYC may not be here for real until next summer, but the demonstrations are going on at special locations all this month. We were fortunate enough to stumble across one such demonstration in Union Square Park the other day and, naturally, we took a spin. The bikes were from other cities’ Bike Share programs and all shared the now-iconic Bike Share design; the unique shape and proprietary parts are designed to discourage theft. They were a pleasure to ride: sturdy and solid with three gears and pretty much perfect for a quick ride through city streets. We predict heavy usage once the New York Bike Sharing program gets started next summer.
 

cyclists

 

Bike Share NYC on the Horizon: What’s in Store? 

The plan is for Bike Share NYC to begin in the summer of 2012, so there are lots more demonstrations scheduled in October, including next week near the Chelsea Piers, in Washington Square Park, and in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Bike Share NYC is also asking for your input now, about as to where, exactly, the docking stations should be. You can cast your vote, get lots more information, and see a complete list of demonstrations and community board presentations at the DOT’s NYC Bike Share webpage.    

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