This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the new Citi Bike stations that have recently popped up across the borough, and are heavily concentrated in Bedford Park.

 

“I actually came out of the building, and it just appeared there last week. That’s when I noticed it. I’m actually looking forward to using them, and I was just saying to my friend that I think it’s a great use of the space. I do think if you’re going to use these bikes, you definitely should have all the safety gear that you should wear when you’re biking.”

Monique Robinson,

Bedford Park

 

“No, I won’t ride it. I think it’s too dangerous and they need to enforce the laws and the rules of the road more, so everybody can be safe. Helmets, speed and insurance, absolutely. It seems like anybody can just drive and ride, but there needs to be more enforcement, because if not there are going to be more accidents.”

Sharon Smith,

Bedford Park 

 

“I didn’t know about this and I do watch the news, but it wasn’t really reported on. In the Bronx we do need parking spaces and these stations are everywhere and they are taking a lot of parking spaces. I don’t think it’s right because we do have a lot of cars in the Bronx. I’m going to use it today because I want to have the fun of being a kid again, I’m actually late for work and I could get an Uber or a train. But it won’t really play a part in my day to day life. I think the way they have some in the street could be a danger to users from the passing traffic.”

James Heyeman,

Norwood

 

“Yes, I will ride it. I think it’s a good opportunity to go anywhere I want to go and I don’t have to drive, so you save time and save money. It’s very convenient and good for the neighborhood. People are suffering to go 10, 15 or 20 blocks and they can take a ride and you can drop the bike off anywhere you like. It could make it a little harder for the drivers, but I think it’s okay for more people to have the convenience.”

Gurmit Singh,

Kingsbridge

 

“I feel like the Citi Bikes are not as necessary in the city, because we are losing a lot of parking spaces and this is what we need especially when you live in an apartment building. When you live in a house you have plenty of parking, but around here there’s not a lot of parking spaces. When you put the Citi Bikes in it limits the amount of parking spaces, especially in commercial areas like here. If you want to go shopping and you want to park right away, but now you can’t park right away, Citi Bikes are in the way. And I don’t know why they would put it in the Bronx, nobody is going to rent it, they’re going to steal the bikes. And I also don’t know if these bikes have insurance and Citi Bank the one that owns them, I don’t think they’re going to pay for any damage.”

Luis Villar,

Woodlawn

 

In the context of a subsequent story, Norwood News reached out to the DOT with some of the concerns of residents regarding the Citi Bike program i.e. less parking, insufficient bike lanes and people not wearing their helmets.

 

We received the following response on Monday, July 26. “DOT places bike share stations in accordance with rigorous technical siting criteria that takes many factors into account, including accessibility and sidewalk width, parking and truck loading, as well as proximity to street furniture and underground utilities,” a DOT official wrote. “DOT always attempts to strike the appropriate balance amongst the various uses and needs of our streets and sidewalks.”

The agency added that Bronx bike network development is a priority for DOT this year, and more information can be found here. Finally, the agency said that while helmets are not required for bike share users and other cyclists, DOT strongly recommends them.