According to an announcement shared today (4/29), Citi Bike’s electric bikes are getting a well-deserved boost as 1,500 sleek new e-bikes with LED screens and double the battery capacity are being rolled out by Lyft starting Thursday, May 5.
These new bikes are much more high-tech looking than the e-bikes we’ve grown accustomed to. The new bikes are white, which gives it a more sleek look and also improves visibility of the rider, and they also feature a built-in LCD screen that will provide riders with audio and video instructions for unlocking and parking. These screens may even offer navigation in the future.
A new upgraded motor and hydraulic brake will provide riders with a smoother and faster ride as well as safer stopping, and retroreflective paint similar to street signs will ensure riders stay safe and seen even at night. They also have more height-adaptable seats, providing a more comfortable experience overall.
According to a company spokesman, the new bikes speed up faster than the existing e-bikes and have the ability to travel 55 to 60 miles before losing battery, as opposed to the 25-hour battery life for the existing fleet.
According to Lyft, “Over 1.8 million people tried [their] bikes and scooters for the first time last year. Ebikes are pulling a new group of riders onto active transportation by helping them get to their destination faster, and climb hills and bridges without breaking a sweat, no matter their physical ability.”
As the influx of New Yorkers opting to take Citi Bikes over other modes of transportation continues to increase, Lyft is doing what it can to meet the needs of these riders.
The bikes will available starting May 5 for Citi Bike members, and will be available by the fall of 2022 for all riders. Everyone else will still have access to the older model, which does not have a timeline to be phased out.
Not a Citi Bike member but dying to give this bike a spin? In the meantime, non-members can enroll in a free 15-day trial for the new bike using their phones at bike-share stations.