E-bike sharing is becoming more accessible thanks to an upcoming expansion of more than a dozen new electrified Citi Bike charging stations, city officials announced on Monday.
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and Lyft, which owns Citi Bike, announced on May 5 that 13 new electric charging stations will be added to existing bike stations across Manhattan and Brooklyn this spring. An exact date has not yet been announced.
According to the DOT, electric grid-connected stations allow Citi Bike e-bikes to charge on-site while docked, rather than requiring batteries to be manually swapped out by staff in vehicles. A DOT press release said that Lyft, which launched similar bikeshare charging stations in cities outside the United States, projects that a network of Citi Bike charging stations will both “improve e-bike availability” and “significantly reduce operational costs” from staff members having to swap batteries manually.
The city is expanding the e-bike charging availability to meet what officials said is a “rising demand” for electric Citi Bike riding.
“The demand for Citi Bike e-bikes has never been higher, and we are proud to deliver new infrastructure that meets the needs of riders,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said. “Expanding our network of charging stations means riders will have better access to fully charged bikes, with fewer delays and faster service.”
The commissioner added that the expansion is “critical to supporting Citi Bike’s growth and making cycling an even more reliable option for New Yorkers.”
Officials said Citi Bike ridership surpassed 29 million e-bike ride trips in 2024.
“Lyft is proud to partner with NYC Department of Transportation to expand Citi Bike’s charging station network to include 13 additional stations,” Caroline Samponaro, head of external affairs for Lyft Urban Solutions, said. “With Citi Bike e-bike ridership continuing to break records, this investment will directly benefit riders by increasing availability of the Citi Bike e-bike that New Yorkers know and love.”
Electrified charging stations already exist at Ninth Avenue and 35th Street in Manhattan, and Meserole and Manhattan Avenues in Brooklyn. Upcoming electrified Cit Bike charging stations are:
Manhattan
- Amsterdam Avenue and West 116 Street
- Clinton Street and Grand Street
- York Avenue and East 72nd Street
- First Avenue and East 14th Street
- Kenmare Street and Elizabeth Street
- Amsterdam Ave and West 66th Street
- Eleventh Avenue and West 59th Street
- Broadway and West 92nd Street
- First Avenue and East 30th Street
- Sixth Avenue and West 42nd Street Ave
Brooklyn
- Graham Avenue and Grand Street
- Metropolitan Avenue and Bedford Avenue
- Clinton Street and Tillary Street
Lyft celebrates “best-ever” financial results in 2024
Meanwhile, Lyft, one of the most successful ridesharing and bike and scooter rental companies in the world, touted its “best-ever” financial results last year, according to CEO David Risher’s annual letter to shareholders.
The company generated nearly $800 million in free cash flow last year.
“As a result of our operational and financial progress, we are better positioned than ever to deploy capital to accelerate our growth and enhance value for shareholders,” Rishner wrote. “We’re moving quickly and have already taken actions along these lines.”
DOT officials said Citi Bike’s fleet includes approximately 15,000 pedal-assist e-bikes and over 20,000 traditional pedal bikes.
