Beginning next week, it’s going to cost a bit more to ride a Citi Bike.

Rates are going up for the second year in row, and riders are conflicted about the news.

Damon Owlia began using Citi Bike during the pandemic and has been hooked ever since.


What You Need To Know

  • On Jan. 5, single trips will go from $3.99 to $4.49. Nonmembers will see a three-cent increase per minute, from 23 cents to 26 cents. For members, it will go from 15 cents to 17 cents a minute

  • Lyft, which owns Citi Bike, said the company decided to raise prices because it's dealing with economic fallout, from supply chain issues due to inflation

  • Lyft said it currently has 30,000 bikes with plans to reach 40,000 by the end of 2024 — expanding to underserved neighborhoods in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn

“I started riding because I was fearful of the subway and public transportation in general because of COVID, so I got a Citi Bike membership and started biking everywhere in Brooklyn,” said Owlia.

But that annual membership is about to increase by $20 dollars.

Owlia said it’s frustrating but still cheaper than the alternative.

“I’ve been comparing it to the monthly subway pass I used to get. I used to pay $170 to ride the subway twice every day,” he said. “This still feels like extraordinary value, but I’m kind of watching it bummed out that it’s increasing.”

Starting Jan. 29, annual memberships will go up from $185 to $205. A day pass will also increase from $15 to $19.

Meanwhile, on Jan. 5, single trips will go from $3.99 to $4.49.

Nonmembers will see a three-cent increase per minute, from 23 cents to 26 cents. For members, it will go from 15 cents to 17 cents a minute.

However, reduced fare bike share members won’t see any change, still paying $5 per month.

“The fact that they’re raising it, I’m just not gonna use Citi Bike anymore,” said first-time rider Fae Smith.

Lyft, which owns Citi Bike, said the company decided to raise prices because it’s dealing with economic fallout from supply chain issues due to inflation.

But some riders say the increase is unfair and makes Citi Bike less accessible.

“It’s super frustrating just because I feel like in terms of accessibility, it’s becoming more of a struggle for it to be a public resource that was the initial intention of it to have more bikes across the city,” said longtime rider Madeline Molina.

Following the announcement, the organization Transportation Alternatives released a statement, calling on elected leaders to fund bike share to keep down prices and to ensure the system is expanded to every neighborhood in every borough.

Owlia said despite the price increase, he plans to continue riding Citi Bike as a more environmentally friendly alternative and hopes more New Yorkers will join him.

“I really enjoy riding a bike everywhere I go, so I really encourage people to ride as much as possible. I think it’s a great way to explore Brooklyn and the city in general,” said Owlia.

Lyft said it currently has 30,000 bikes with plans to reach 40,000 by the end of 2024 — expanding to underserved neighborhoods in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn.