By: Krug Stillo

New York City’s bikeshare system, Citi Bike, is becoming increasingly popular — especially in neighborhoods with limited transportation options, a major transit advocacy group reported Sunday, amNY reported.

Staff at Transportation Alternatives said they “crunched the numbers” and found that Citi Bike usage is surging in areas traditionally considered “transit deserts,” where subway and bus access is sparse. According to their research, ridership at existing bike stations grew 58% faster in these neighborhoods than in areas well served by transit. Overall, rides increased by 4.1% within a quarter mile of a subway station and 6.5% outside that radius, highlighting Citi Bike’s role as a critical supplement to public transportation, amNY reported.

Transportation Alternatives compared ridership in the first half of 2025 to the same period in 2024, though the analysis excluded stations added after December 2023. The advocacy group’s executive director, Ben Furnas, emphasized that Citi Bike has become a central part of the city’s transportation network. “Citi Bike is a central part of New York City’s transportation system, with an annual ridership twice that of the Staten Island Ferry,” he said. “It’s a critical option for New Yorkers in transit deserts, whether it’s to get around their neighborhoods or to reach a distant subway station,” amNY reported.

According to the NYC Department of Transportation, the Staten Island Ferry carries roughly 16 million passengers annually on its 5.2-mile route between the borough and Lower Manhattan. Meanwhile, Lyft, which owns Citi Bike, reported 45 million trips across the city in 2025. Furnas noted that ridership is growing despite Citi Bike being the only bikeshare program in the world operating without public funding. He called on city leaders to allocate funding for the first time and develop a three-year plan to expand service citywide.

The data also revealed a sharp rise in electric Citi Bike usage. Between 2023 and 2025, electric bike ridership doubled, while non-electric trips dropped by 27%, according to Transportation Alternatives. This increase comes shortly after Mayor Eric Adams implemented a 15 mph speed limit for all Citi Bike e-bikes, down from the previous 20–25 mph range, in response to complaints about speeding. “Lowering the speed limit will protect e-bike riders, pedestrians, and everyone who shares our streets,” Adams said when the rule went into effect on Oct. 24.

Local riders say Citi Bike has transformed their commutes and daily routines. Upper West Side resident Lori Skopp told amNY, “I love Citi Bike. I bike to work in the morning, which is very fast, and walk home in the afternoon when I’m less rushed. It’s a pleasant walk.” Another resident, Bill Swersey, praised the network’s convenience and affordability: “There’s a Citi Bike station right outside my building. I use it all the time to get around the neighborhood and across town. It’s speedy, healthy, and affordable.”

However, some New Yorkers raised concerns about safety and logistics, including a lack of helmets and the potential loss of parking space due to docked bikes.