Bay Ridge residents express concerns over Citi Bike expansion
The expansion is part of the city's partnership with Lyft, which operates the bike share program, to meet growing ridership demands.
Plans are in the works to add more Citi Bikes to Bay Ridge to support increased ridership across the city, but not everyone's on board.
"I think it’s a waste of time, a waste of money," said Wade Jabour, of Bay Ridge. "It's not necessary."
Fifty new Citi Bike docking stations will be added across the neighborhood under the plan. Some of the proposed locations would be on the street, replacing parking spots that many residents said they rely on.
"There’s no parking spaces around as it is. People struggle to park their cars, especially at night time," said Jabour.
The expansion is part of the city's partnership with Lyft, which operates the bike share program, to meet growing ridership demands.
"New Yorkers always complain about parking," said Mayor Eric Adams. "We need to create an environment where we're sharing the streets, where those who are using alternative methods to move around."
Some neighbors said it’s not that they’re against expanding the program, they just feel there are better areas where Citi Bike stations can be placed.
"There’s plenty of areas in Bay Ridge that have wider sidewalks that could accommodate a small docking station, said James Vavas, president of the Merchants of Third Avenue. "The population density here doesn’t mirror the density of other areas in New York. And that’s a concern."
The Department of Transportation is currently seeking public feedback on the plan. Installations of the new Citi Bike stations are expected to start in September.
