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Citi Bike is rolling out its program to extend shared biking stations in Hell’s Kitchen. This afternoon, they’ve lifted into place a new 59-dock station at W54th Street and 11th Avenue.
The use of bikes has soared during the pandemic, with Citi Bike reporting their highest bike ridership month ever in September. On Saturday, September 12 there were 103,139 rides, with 11% of those on their new e-bikes.
The new station is part of a plan to increase the service over the next four years. After Lyft acquired the service last year, they promised to invest $100 million to improve and expand Citi Bike, which will double the service area and more than triple its number of bikes to nearly 40,000.
In Hell’s Kitchen, we have already seen new stations at W35th/9th Ave, W36th/9th Ave, and W50th/10th Ave. In addition to today’s new station, expect to see another new one at W44th Street and 11th Avenue soon. Citi Bike could not confirm when the new station would be up and running, but they said “soon!”
Finally, some winter riding tips from the Citi Bike General Manager Laura Fox. “In the office, the chat is about whether you prefer to be slightly cold versus slightly sweaty when you’re riding in the winter.” she shared. Her choice: “I wore a light windbreaker every day last winter, with a vest underneath it, gloves, then my helmet as a hat, and boots. It’s all very possible and really enjoyable. Being a little bit chilly was always my preference.”
Giddy over the 44th and 11th station!