Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Citibike Sells 5,000 Annual Memberships in Two Days
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 16, 2013
Modified Apr 16, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Marc Yearsley/Gothamist
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 16, 2013
Modified Apr 16, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
There's been plenty of wild speculation surrounding whether Citibike, New York's mythical bike share program scheduled to launch in May, will be a historical triumph or a giant melee of tourist carnage and gnarled blue steel. We can't know that yet, but what we can know is that it only took until 3:30 p.m. today for the transit-starved masses to snap up 5,000 annual memberships, which went on sale yesterday.
“New Yorkers are clearly ready to take advantage of the quick, convenient travel our bike share program will provide. It’s a strong early sign of success,” Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan gloated in a statement.
One person who did not go online to purchase his $95 yearly membership was mayoral hopeful John Liu, who remains very upset that the plan does not include a mandate that riders wear helmets.
Here's an excerpt of his statement from Streetsblog:
It’s not too late to fix the City’s Bike Share program to make sure it’s safe — by requiring helmets for all riders, increasing traffic enforcement at dangerous intersections, and doing more to educate cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians alike on the rules of the road. Helmets in particular are key — according to the Department of Transportation, in 97 percent of fatal bicycle accidents in New York City the rider was not wearing a helmet.
Streetsblog goes on to point out the hypocrisy in Liu's concern for safety, citing a recent mayoral forum in which Liu apparently said that when it comes to Brooklyn and Queens, bike lanes are unnecessary, since "he’s stood watching for a long time without seeing any cyclists ride past." Huh. Guess he must have missed this one.
Tagged
bike share
citibike
janette sadik-khan
john liu
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
With election 3 weeks away, Hochul and Blakeman to square off in lone NY governor debate
The hourlong debate is the candidates’ best chance to sell their competing visions to New York voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
NYC's taxi union teams with Uber, hedge fund to demand healthcare 4 driver deaths
New York city's taxi workers want lawmakers to use a surcharge that goes to the MTA to pay for a health fund for drivers.
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
NYC's taxi union teams with Uber, hedge fund to demand healthcare 4 driver deaths
New York city's taxi workers want lawmakers to use a surcharge that goes to the MTA to pay for a health fund for drivers.
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
By
Liam Quigley
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .