The NYC Bike Share program launches this spring

This March, the city Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to begin installing New York City Bike Share stations in several locations around Lower Manhattan. The proposed sites are now noted in maps posted on the Bike Share website (click here to view the maps by neighborhood), though they are subject to change based on local-stakeholder feedback.

The DOT presented a program update this month to the Community Board 1 Planning Committee, explaining that "Citi Bike" stations will be freestanding, solar-powered, and wireless-enabled, taking less than an hour to install and without any excavation or utility tie-ins. They also can be easily relocated when needed due to construction or other reasons.

There will be three pricing options for the Citi Bike program, which is available to everyone age 16 and older. Annual membership is available for $95; a seven-day pass will cost $25; and a 24-hour pass will cost $9.95. With annual membership, a bike can be used for up to 45 minutes, after which modest, graduated overtime fees will be charged to the member's credit card. Day and week passes allow riders to use bikes for up to 30 minutes, with slightly higher overtime fees. (Read more here.)

The program rollout comes after a software-design delay last summer, followed by physical damage to some of the bike share units following Hurricane Sandy flooding at the Brooklyn Navy Yard storage facility.

Stations will begin appearing first in Brooklyn next month, followed by downtown neighborhoods. DOT representatives have started local outreach to residents and businesses to raise awareness of the program, and to get feedback about planned locations.

Citi Bike Share is expected to launch citywide May 2013.

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