Within the past few weeks, many new Citi Bike docks have been popping up in central Brooklyn neighborhoods. In the past, Citi Bike was criticized for the lack of accessibility outside of Manhattanand gentrified areas in Brooklyn, but now that the bike-sharing initiative has reached the deeper authentic neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, and Midwood, they’ve been met with mixed reviews.
Concerns from locals range from stations taking up necessary parking spots on main roads and overall accessibility. While the bikes are now physically accessible to those in these respective neighborhoods, locals feel like they are not the target consumer and that Citi Bike caters to ongoing gentrification. Other locals are happy to finally be included and look forward to participating in the bike-share program in an effort to be more active since most don’t have anywhere to store a bike of their own.
There are two ways to use Citi Bike: an annual membership of $205 per year or 17.08 per month, the more casual Single Ride for $4.49, or a 24-Hour Pass for $20. To join and use, you must have internet access and a credit or debit card, which has raised accessibility concerns, especially in neighborhoods with older residents.
On another note, Citi Bike has also partnered with Healthfirst to expand access to bike-share through $5 monthly memberships for NYCHA residents and SNAP recipients that do not require an annual commitment.
If you use an eligible Citi credit or Citibank debit card at checkout, you’ll receive 10% off your Citi Bike Annual Membership.
New stations recently installed:
Brooklyn
- Midwood St & Kingston Ave
- Maple St & Albany Ave
- E New York Ave & Troy Ave
- Albany Ave & Winthrop St
- Midwood St & Utica Ave
- Schenectady Ave & Maple St
- Rutland Rd & E 45 St
- Clarkson Ave & Utica Ave