NYC DOT, Citi Bike, and Healthfirst Announce Free Ride Day on October 13 to Increase Bike Share Access for All New Yorkers

Oct 11, 2018

Reduced Fare Bike Share, Presented by Healthfirst, Provides $5/Month Citi Bike Membership for NYCHA Residents and Individuals Relying on SNAP Benefits

So Far in 2018, Riders Have Pedaled More Than 24.6 Million Miles and Burned More Than 1 Billion Calories on Citi Bike

NEW YORK – The Citi Bike® program will be free on Saturday, October 13, in celebration of Healthfirst’s recent sponsorship of bike share access for low-income New Yorkers, NYC DOT, Citi Bike, and Healthfirst leadership announced today. Free day passes will be available in the Citi Bike app and at https://www.citibikenyc.com/freerideday, providing New Yorkers with unlimited free rides up to 30 minutes each throughout Saturday, October 13.

“Back in July, Mayor de Blasio announced that Citi Bike would become more accessible to New Yorkers with its $5 monthly membership to SNAP recipients, which is helping address his goals for a more equitable city,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “We hope that with today’s announcement during October, a great time to cycle, more New Yorkers will take advantage of the free rides and discover cycling — a transit option that is healthy, sustainable, affordable, and fun.”

“As we celebrate increased access to Citi Bike, we hope that all of New York will celebrate with free rides on October 13th,” said Kris Sandor, Citi Bike General Manager. “There are already more than 147,000 Citi Bike members, and thanks to Healthfirst’s sponsorship in bike share equity, we’re making bike share more accessible to even more New Yorkers. The individuals who qualify for Reduced Fare Bike Share get unlimited rides each month for less than the price of two swipes of a MetroCard — that’s something to celebrate.”

“Healthfirst is committed to improving the well-being of the communities we proudly serve,” said George Hulse, Healthfirst Vice President of Community Engagement. “As we celebrate more than 25 years of service to New Yorkers, we are excited to provide free Citi Bikes day passes on Saturday, October 13th. Through the Reduced Fare Bike Share program, we want to make a significant impact by helping low-income New Yorkers get access to resources that promote their health and mobility while providing an affordable transit option.”

More than 1.6 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP to help feed their families every day. These individuals, and those who live in NYCHA developments, can now obtain significantly-discounted monthly memberships for the very first time. The Reduced Fare Bike Share memberships do not require an annual commitment like traditional memberships do; they’re simply $5 per month – a 66% discount off the traditional price.

The membership includes rides on 12,000 bikes to more than 750 stations in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens for less than the cost of two swipes of a MetroCard. Members are also able to utilize bike share in the Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx, where Citi Bike began a pilot of dockless bikes in August.

To apply for Reduced Fare Bike Share, eligible New Yorkers can visit the Citi Bike website at www.citibikenyc.com/reducedfare and enter their EBT card number or NYCHA tenant ID. Otherwise, a one year Citi Bike membership can be purchased for $169, which provides for 365 days of unlimited, 45-minute rides. Single rides and day passes are available for $3 and $12 respectively through the Citi Bike app.

“The Reduced Fare Bike Share program is an important initiative to help ensure that bike share is shared by all New Yorkers, regardless of their income. Citi Bike and Healthfirst’s upcoming Free Ride Day reminds all of us of the accessibility and health benefits of pedal power, benefits that our neighbors should take advantage of all year long,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

“Increased access to mass transit is so important, and I thank Citi Bike and Healthfirst for making it easier for all New Yorkers to enjoy bike share. Biking is a fun and healthy way to get around the five boroughs and Citi Bike is a transportation option everyone in our city should be able to afford. I hope everyone enjoys the day of free rides and I look forward to seeing more and more New Yorkers out there on two wheels!” said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

“By offering a Reduced Fare Bike Share Program to low-income and underserved populations throughout the City, Citi Bike and Healthfirst are increasing access for all City residents to another mode of transportation, while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Council Transportation Committee. “Citi Bike and Healthfirst are advancing the health and well-being of all communities by making the bike share program more accessible to all and reducing dependency on car ownership and traffic congestion. I look forward to the outcomes of this initiative.”