Citi Bike surge: Ridership increases, showing critical' need in NYC transit deserts, says advocacy group

"Staff at Transportation Alternatives told amNewYork that they crunched the numbers and found that Citi Bike rides are becoming more abundant, even surging in areas traditionally considered transit deserts. The researchers' data show that Citi Bike is especially critical in subway transit deserts. Ridership at existing bike stations grew 58% faster in these dry hubs; it also grew by an average of 4.1% within a quarter mile of a subway station and 6.5% outside of that area, according to the research."

"Ben Furnas, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, described Citi Bike as a key part of transit in the Big Apple. Citi Bike is a central part of New York City's transportation system, with an annual ridership twice that of the Staten Island Ferry, he said. It's a critical option for New Yorkers in transit deserts, whether it's to get around their neighborhoods or to get to a far away subway station."

"According to the NYC Department of Transportation, which runs the Staten Island Ferry, the boats carry about 16 million passengers on the 5.2-mile run between the borough and Lower Manhattan each year. Meanwhile, Lyft, which owns City Bike, reported 45 million bikeshare trips in 2025. Ridership is booming, despite Citi Bike being the only bikeshare program in the world to function without public funding, Furnas said."

Citi Bike rides are increasing across New York City, with particularly strong growth in neighborhoods lacking reliable subway service. Ridership at existing bike stations in subway transit deserts grew 58% faster than elsewhere; rides increased an average of 4.1% within a quarter mile of subway stations and 6.5% outside those areas. The analysis compared the first half of the prior year to the first half of 2025 and excluded stations added after Dec. 31, 2023. Annual Citi Bike ridership is roughly twice the Staten Island Ferry's ridership, with Lyft reporting 45 million trips in 2025. Citi Bike currently operates without public funding, and advocates call for city funding and a three-year plan to expand and improve service.

Read at www.amny.com