Roosevelt Island Citibike Update, RIOC Meets Last Week With Bike Sharing Company To Discuss Possibilities - Citibike Will Do Analysis To Determine Best Docking Station Locations, But For Whom?

An update on Citibike

coming to Roosevelt Island. As reported last July 17, Mayor Bill deBlasio announced a major expansion of Citibike into more NYC neighborhoods, including all of Manhattan, but there was no mention of Roosevelt Island docking stations. On July 19, I asked NYC Department of Transportation (DOT):

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) told me that Citi Bike is requiring RIOC to pay for any Roosevelt Island Citi Bike Docking stations. Is that accurate?

If it is true, why is Citi Bike not paying for Roosevelt Island docking stations as it does for all other neighborhoods? How much money is RIOC being asked to pay for installation of docks?

Are there any other neighborhoods that are required to pay for the docks? if yes, which ones?

When do you anticipate Citi Bike coming to Roosevelt Island?

The DOT replied:

To clarify, Roosevelt Island is included in the expansion and due to the deal with Lyft to expand Citi Bike, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp is not obligated to pay for docking stations.

and RIOC President Susan Rosenthal added:

I’m very happy to hear about this change in the Citi Bike program. My staff and I look forward to discussing the idea of bringing Citi Bike to Roosevelt Island with NYC DOT in the near future.

Last Thursday, August 22, RIOC staff together with representatives from NYC Council Member Ben Kallos' staff, met with Citibike to discuss bringing the bike sharing system to Roosevelt Island. During a conversation I had with Ms Rosenthal, she said of the Citibike meeting:

We met with Citi Bike today. They’re doing an analysis and will come back to us in a month or so with possibilities we can present to the public.

I asked RIOC and Council Member Kallos:

... what factors are going into the analysis.

For instance, if emphasis is to place the docks where residents are more likely to use them will lead to a different outcome than placing them where tourists are more likely to use them.

If placed for tourist use, what will that do to crowding on Main Street and waterfront promenades?

Also, if placed for tourists, how will that impact Tram overcrowding.

There's alot of issues involved in where the Citibike docks are located.

Council Member Kallos replied:

I've been working with the Roosevelt Island Residents Association since 2012, before I was elected to bring CitiBike to Roosevelt Island and this is a promise that along with all others, I intend to keep.

We called attention to the fact that initial and additional rollout in Community Board 8 Manhattan somehow omitted a huge portion on Roosevelt Island. We've met with CitiBike, DOT, and RIOC multiple times over the years.

After initial requests for more than a million in subsidies we have found a way to move forward without cost to tax payers. Under the leadership of RIOC President Susan Rosenthal we continue to move forward on bringing on CitiBike to Roosevelt Island.

Here are closest current Citibike docking stations to Roosevelt Island in Long Island City and Astoria.

Image From Citi Bike

More info on the long journey to bring Citibike to Roosevelt Island at this prior post.

Stay tuned for more updates.