May242018
The official seal of The Bronx.

Communities in four boroughs will all see bike share by July; Pilot will allow City to evaluate a range of different dockless companies, including those offering pedal-assist bikes

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced neighborhoods in boroughs outside Manhattan that would host dockless bike share pilots this summer.  Starting in July, the pilots will roll out in two beach communities that have not been reached by bike share: Coney Island in Brooklyn and the Rockaways in Queens.   Later in the summer, the two boroughs to never before host a bike share program, the Bronx and Staten Island, will receive bike share pilots, in the neighborhood near Fordham University in the Bronx and on Staten Island’s North Shore.

“We are bringing new, inexpensive transportation options to neighborhoods that need them. Dockless public bike sharing starts this summer, and we’re excited to see how New Yorkers embrace this new service,” said Mayor de Blasio.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) laid out the preliminary timeline for the pilot of dockless bike share, which unlike Citi Bike will not require physical docking stations, instead allowing bikes to be rented using a mobile phone, usually for $1 or $2 per ride:

  • June: DOT will go to the geographically relevant community boards in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and on Staten Island to present plans and establish final boundaries (proposed boundaries are above) for each of the pilot areas.  During this period, DOT will also select the companies assigned to each of the areas.
  • July: Pilot will begin as bikes start to arrive on a rolling basis to neighborhood streets, with the ultimate goal to have a total of 200 bikes that offer half-hour rides and that remain within the boundaries of each of the four catchment areas during the pilot period.  Some of the dockless bikes are expected to be pedal-assist bicycles, whose legal treatment was recently clarified by New York City.
  • During Pilot Period (timing may vary by area): DOT will carefully evaluate companies’ compliance with pilot requirements around data accessibility and user privacy. Evaluation criteria will also include the safety, availability and durability of the bikes themselves.
  • Fall 2018: After September, DOT will work with local stakeholders to extend or discontinue pilots based on performance.  In evaluation period, DOT will also make a determination on future steps, including the possible addition of pilots in different or expanded geographic areas.

    • “With no better time than summer to hop on a bike, we at DOT are excited to bring bike share to more of New York City,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.  “We will start in July on a small scale in each borough outside Manhattan, and we will take what we learn over the next few months to make informed, clear-eyed decisions as to whether New York City’s bike-share future is dockless.  In the meantime, we strongly encourage New Yorkers to get out this summer and explore some great neighborhoods by bike — and of course give us their feedback on the dockless experience.”

    “Bronx residents have consistently shared with myself and my office a tremendous desire to see bike sharing services expanded to their borough,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This pilot program is welcome news and a great first step towards the goal of readily-available bike-sharing across the borough. I look forward to working with the Department of Transportation and the local community to plan and implement this pilot program.”

    “By bringing the bike share program to Rockaway, the city is taking a positive step towards allowing residents in all boroughs to participate and enjoy in the successful dockless bike service,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. “I thank the city administration, especially the NYC DOT and NYC Parks Department, for selecting Rockaway and enabling our residents to expand their enjoyment of the peninsula and its boardwalk.”

    “It is exciting to have the dockless bikeshare pilot program come to our district. This program will allow Bronxites to get exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and contribute to a healthier environment while traveling around the Fordham neighborhood,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “This is a first step towards bringing healthier transportation options to the Bronx and I look forward to seeing this program expanded throughout our borough.”

    “As an enthusiastic bike rider myself, I welcome this latest addition to the city’s efforts to get people out there on bikes, exploring the city and enjoying the fresh air and the exercise,” said State Senator Luis Sepulveda.  “Bringing this pilot program to the Fordham University area is a great start in the Bronx. I hope it soon expands to some other great locations in the borough, as well in the rest of the city.”

    “The dockless bike share program will bring a new level of mobility to our Bronx neighborhoods,” said Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo. “I want to extend my gratitude to Mayor de Blasio for championing an alternative transportation method for New York City residents. I have no doubt this new venture will help protect the environment, encourage a healthier lifestyle and give people another way of getting around.”

    “With summer around the corner, I am thrilled that Bronxites will now have an opportunity to participate in this program where they can enjoy bicycle rides without the cumbersome docks. Hopefully this program will pave the way for increased used of bicycles by Bronxites and allow for safer, cleaner, and healthier neighborhoods that everyone can enjoy,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

    “Bike share has been a success in the city and definitely key in shifting towards a society less dependent on car ownership. It is exciting to see it expand, especially in the summer when more New Yorkers are likely to ride bikes and, therefore, give us a good idea of what broader use would look like,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Council Committee on Transportation. “In this process, we must ensure that our experience with dockless bikes is as orderly and safe as it has been with Citibike so far.”

    The dockless pilot is a result of a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) issued by DOT last December that sought ideas around next-generation “dockless” public bike share systems. Twelve different dockless companies responded to the RFEI.  The City will continue to support and strengthen Citi Bike, which has had nearly 60 million trips since its 2013 launch. All of the new dockless systems will be required to operate entirely outside of the Citi Bike area in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, thereby not duplicating or undermining current bike share service.

    For more information on New York City’s bike share system, please see www.nyc.gov/bikeshare