Citi Bike is New York’s bike-share program and a popular way to get around. Cycling gives you the freedom to explore while enjoying fresh air, some exercise, and wonderful views.
How does Citi Bike work?
New York City has more than 1,700 Citi Bike stations. They’re spread across all five boroughs, including Governors Island and Roosevelt Island. You can also use Citi Bike in Hoboken and Jersey City, just across the river in New Jersey.
Every station has a Citi Bike kiosk, but using the Citi Bike app is even easier. The app also has a map showing available bikes and empty docks.
The kiosks don’t accept cash, so you’ll need a debit or credit card to use Citi Bike either way.
Choose your ride option in the Citi Bike app and add your payment details. Then tap “Scan” to open your camera and scan the QR code on the bike you want to unlock.
When you’re finished, push the bike firmly into an empty dock until the light turns green. The app will automatically show you a summary of your ride.
Citi Bike prices
A single Citi Bike ride now costs considerably more than a subway ride. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing, though! Here are the current prices:
- Single ride: $4.99
- Day pass: $25, which pays off from your sixth ride.
There are monthly and annual plans, too, but they generally don’t make much sense for a vacation.
These prices cover rides of up to 30 minutes each.
Whether you choose a single ride or a day pass, each ride can last up to 30 minutes.
If you go over 30 minutes, you’ll be charged $0.30 for each additional minute. To keep riding without the extra time charges, return your bike to any station and immediately take out another bike, or the same one again. Your next 30-minute period then starts.
You can choose between a regular bike and an e-bike. E-bikes are more expensive and are charged at $0.41 per minute. A 30-minute ride, for example, comes to $12.30.
Get a free Citi Bike ride
If you’re new to Citi Bike and enter my referral code when you sign up, your first ride is completely free! Simply create a free account on the Citi Bike website and enter the code MAUREEN06773-CB.
