New Yorkers and visitors alike can enjoy the convenience of exploring NYC by bike with Citi Bike’s bike share program.

Visitors will likely find the daily and three-day passes the most useful, and you can purchase them conveniently right at any Citi Bike kiosk with a credit or debit card. With short-term memberships, you’ll need to swipe your credit card at a kiosk every time you want to borrow a bike, and you’ll be given a code to unlock the bike. Importantly, you’ll only be charged the first time you purchase your pass.

What Is Citi Bike?

Citi Bike is New York City’s bike share program, sponsored by Citibank and Mastercard. Launched in 2013, it offers visitors and New Yorkers another way to navigate New York City, in addition to public transportation options like subways and buses. Initially, the system launched with 5,500 bikes and nearly 300 stations across Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Website: http://citibikenyc.com
Twitter: @CitiBikeNYC
Facebook: CitibikeNYC

How Much Does Citi Bike Cost?

Citi Bike membership comes at a cost of $12 per day, $24 for a three-day pass, and $155 for an annual membership. Daily and weekly memberships can be effectively purchased right at any Citi Bike station. Daily and weekly members receive 30 minutes of free riding per trip, while annual members enjoy 45 minutes free.

Price for additional time varies but increases based on ride duration—this is intentionally designed to encourage frequent docking of bikes, which are ideally used for commuting rather than long rides.

What You Should Know about Citi Bike

• Explore various NYC bike rental options to see how Citi Bike stacks up against other choices.
• Depending on your membership level, you can use a bike for 30-45 minutes without incurring additional charges.
• If you arrive at a station and find no spots available, you will receive a 15-minute grace period to return the bike to a different station, provided you check in at the kiosk. This will also direct you to the nearest station with available docking spots.
• Be mindful that losing your Citi Bike will cost you $1,000, so it’s critical to either dock it or lock it when not in use.
• All bikes feature consistently illuminated lights, bells, and built-in GPS systems for enhanced safety and visibility.

Citi Bike Tips

• Feel free to ride as much as you’d like as long as you dock your bike every 30-45 minutes.
• While wearing a helmet is highly encouraged, you must provide your own.
• Download the Citi Bike App for your smartphone to find nearby Citi Bike stations with ease.
• You can easily download a NYC bike map or plan a bike route online, or call 311 for a printed map to assist with navigation.
• Citi Bike is particularly beneficial for visitors aiming to reach areas of Manhattan poorly serviced by subways, including some sightseeing cruises on the Hudson River.

New York City Biking Rules

• Bicyclists are required to ride on the road.
• Only riders aged 12 and under are permitted to ride on the sidewalk.
• Bicyclists must travel with traffic, not against it.
• Pedestrians have the right of way at all times.
• Compliance with all traffic laws is mandatory.