NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Lyft on May 20, 2024 announced the completion of New York City’s first two grid-connected Citi Bike charging stations. The completion of these grid-connected stations is part of a pilot program announced last year and marks NYC DOT and Lyft’s continued commitment to meet ridership demand and to promote cycling and micromobility.
“Citi Bike is an essential part of New York City’s transportation landscape, and these new electrified stations may help to keep e-bikes charged, in-service, and ready to use,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We look forward to working with Lyft to support growing ridership across the five boroughs.”
“Safe charging solutions for electric bikes make it easier for New Yorkers to have access to e-bikes and supports those who choose to prioritize cycling,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “As more of these charging stations are rolled out, we will see a reduction in vehicle congestion and related emissions. By remaining committed to biking and alternative modes of transportation, the city continues to deliver on its PlaNYC goals.”
“Electrified charging stations will be a game changer for Citi Bike, which now boasts the largest shared e-bike fleet outside of China,” said Caroline Samponaro, VP of transit, bikes and scooter policy, Lyft. “E-bikes have had a transformational effect in growing the system’s ridership, reducing car trips and the congestion that comes with them, and have been most popular among our Reduced Fare program riders. Sustainably scaling our e-bike fleet by charging bikes when they are parking in stations instead of by swaps with vans is win-win for the City of New York, the Citi Bike system, and Citi Bike riders.”
“We are proud to power NYC DOT and Lyft’s first electrified Citi Bike charging stations, which will play an important role in advancing the electrification of their entire fleet, and our region’s transition away from fossil-fuel powered transportation,” said Britt Reichborn-Kjennerud, Director, E-Mobility, Con Edison. “We look forward to connecting more Citi Bike charging stations to our electric grid as the pilot program progresses.”
Since its launch, Citi Bike has become a ubiquitous part of the fabric of New York City, and is the largest bike share program in the nation with more than 200 million all-time rides.
A Citi Bike charging station network may improve future e-bike availability for riders by increasing the availability of bikes with sufficient battery charge and improving operational efficiency.
There are currently about 15,000 e-bikes in the Citi Bike fleet. So far this year, Citi Bike riders have taken more than seven million trips on e-bikes. Earlier this month, on May 7, Citi Bike had an all-time single day record for e-bike rides with 103,951 rides. Currently, most e-bike batteries are charged in a warehouse and shuttled back and forth for manual swapping at the station. As the charging station network is built, DOT and Lyft will distribute these stations equitably across the Citi Bike service area and continue to explore how operational cost savings from station electrification can be passed along to riders.
The completion of these two stations will provide NYC DOT and Lyft with key data on equipment performance and operations as the pilot program continues, and have helped to establish permitting pathways and installation best practices that will allow a charging station network to be built out as efficiently as possible.
Manhattan - Intersection of 35th Street and 9th Avenue
Brooklyn - Intersection of Meserole Avenue and Manhattan Avenue
“With Citi Bike riders taking more than seven million trips on just 15,000 e-bikes in 2024, it’s critical that we move to a future of onsite charging. Pedal-assist bikes are an essential part of micromobility in New York and are key to a more sustainable future,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “These grid-connected charging stations are the start of a new era for bike share capacity and a greener New York.”
“I welcome the addition of an electrified Citi Bike docking station to Hudson Yards which will promote cycling by making bikes more readily available,” said U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler. “With Citi Bike more popular than ever, it’s important we continue to invest in this program that helps keep vehicles off our streets.”
“I’m excited to join the New York City Department of Transportation and Lyft to announce that we are opening the first ever grid-connected electric Citi Bike charging stations in the city, one right in our district on 35th Street and 9th Avenue,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. These stations will allow e-bike batteries to recharge in the bikes, right where they are parked rather than having to be brought back to a warehouse for recharging; saving time, money, and reducing emissions. New Yorkers have taken seven million trips on e-bikes this year alone, making clear that the demand for these e-bikes is higher than ever. Our new grid-connected charging stations will serve as a model for Citi Bike stations all across New York City and help make more fully charged e-bikes available for New Yorkers to enjoy.”
