Here’s another entry in the Why I Ride series for Streetsblog:
Emily lives in the East Village and commutes to Midtown. She was riding to work for the first time. Before becoming a Citi Bike member, she never rode a bike in New York.
How do you commute to work when you’re not riding?
“Usually I take the subway into work or I walk. I usually do a lot of walking so having Citi Bike as an option helps me save time while still being outside. I also hope biking will help me save money by not having to pay for bus or subway everyday.”
Aside from work commuting, how do you think you’ll use Citi Bike?
“I definitely plan to use Citi Bike in my free time. On Monday I rode over to the West Village for breakfast. I also rode over to Brooklyn to meet up with some friends. It was dark by the time I was ready to head home so I took the subway instead. It was great to drop my bike and not have to worry about getting it home.”
Any technical problems?
“The first day I had some issues with my key not working. I was on hold with Citi Bike for an hour but once I was able to get through the service rep was very nice and helpful and was able to reset my token.”
What has your experience been like as a very new rider in New York City?
“I was a little intimidated the first day. Mostly afraid about cars not seeing me and getting hit. My boyfriend also has a membership so it was helpful starting the adventure together. Only took a day before I realized how doable it was. Bike lanes definitely help. And there are so many Citi Bikers on the road!”