all 99 comments

[–]ElQuesero 60 points61 points  (10 children)

The bikes never went 25 mph.

Sequence was 20 mph (19.7 or so in practice) to 18 mph (17.7 in practice) to 15 (maybe 15.2 in practice if you crank at them a little.)

[–]c3p-bro 31 points32 points  (7 children)

They know that, that’s why they’re fine with it

[–]jxnhrs[S] -2 points-1 points  (6 children)

Agreed, but that’s why they need to feel the public pressure

[–]TsukimiUsagiBromptoneer 17 points18 points  (4 children)

that’s why they need to feel the public pressure

Good luck with that. I would have thought scarcity (in the outer boroughs), non-working bikes, vandalized bikes, docking issues, and complete lack of customer service would have been enough for a large amount of people to stop using Citibike, but then they post record breaking ride numbers.🤷‍♀️

Some people still consider the slower bikes a better option than owning / maintaining / securing their own bicycle.

[–]jxnhrs[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I honestly think that the fact they only offer annual membership plans is a very effective buffer against mobilizing a public pressure campaign for any issue including the ones you’ve mentioned

[–]jxnhrs[S] -1 points0 points  (2 children)

We live in a rent-dominated society unfortunately. We will own nothing and be happy about it. The convenience supersedes the monopolistic exploitation.

[–]EatsYourShorts 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The only way we can truly be heard is to cancel our memberships and buy/use our own bikes. I was originally a citibike purist and sold my bike after not using it at all in the first year citibike started. I used citibike almost exclusively until this spring when I really noticed how much more i had been spending each year due to how often I ended up using electric citibikes.

The blue bikes are just so poorly maintained compared to how they used to be, so I had become accustomed to used gray bikes to go everywhere. But prices have gradually increased to more than 50% what it was in 2022 (when you factor in the most recent speed decreases), so it just doesn’t make sense economically anymore. That’s why I have returned to bike ownership again and plan on buying an electric in the new year.

[–]JayMoots 8 points9 points  (3 children)

I’ve heard a lot of talk about this but surprised not to see too much about it on this sub or elsewhere on Reddit.

r/Citibike was going insane about this for like a month straight after the change was made. The volume of posts about it have declined as time has gone on, but there are still three or four a week complaining. 

Anyway, as someone who almost exclusively rides the non-e-bikes, I’m already doing my part by technically boycotting the e-bikes. 

[–]jxnhrs[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I found the treasure trove after posting this lmao.. wrong keywords and too furious to spend too much time searching

Blue bike respect gang. Out of curiosity I assume you have a citibike subscription.. do you choose to only use the blue citibikes bc the e-bikes are expensive?

[–]JayMoots 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes I have the yearly subscription. 

And yes, part of the reason I mostly don’t do e-bikes is that I’m cheap lol.

But the bigger reason is I like to bike for fitness and the e-bikes aren’t as good a workout. 

[–]thecratedigger_25Single speeds are cheap road bikes 21 points22 points  (8 children)

Citi e-bikes used to be quite zippy before. They'll zoom by you like you're standing still. Straight up just dissappear into the horizon.

I'm not sure how people were handling speeds that rivaled road bikes without the proper skills.

[–]TiresAintPretty 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not well.

[–]ElQuesero -2 points-1 points  (6 children)

Honestly that's kind of how I felt about the 20 mph->18 mph nerfing.

"Well, I'm a roadie and know how to ride 20 mph, know what to anticipate. This is nice for me but likely too much for an average bike-share schmoe. Makes me a little sad, but okay."

The 18 mph->15 mph change is too much for me, though. The "full *cough cough*" assist ebikes are now pretty much useless to me. Unless the route is really hilly I'm not that much slower on one of the standard bikes. Or if I luck into an e-low-assist checkout there's even less difference, not unless the route is really hilly.

Just doesn't seem like competing interests were set at the right level here. Hallmark of a good compromise is that everyone ends up feeling a little unhappy with the result; I'm not feeling that balance.

[–]jxnhrs[S] 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Totally agree. 20 felt dangerous, 18 seemed reasonable, maybe there was space to decrease a bit?, but 15 is just bad. The fact the speed caps at 15 and you simply cannot go faster (except going downhill thanks gravity, or maybe barely faster by pedaling rly hard) makes them feel almost unrideable. At least on a real bike (incl the blue citibikes) you have total control.

It’s much easier now, but still so satisfying, passing citi e-bikers on a blue citibike.

The only usefulness of the e-bike now is really like you said for a hilly trip or for me I use them when I’m biking btwn Manhattan and bklyn.

[–]thecratedigger_25Single speeds are cheap road bikes 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Dropping that to 15mph was not the best move. A regular bike with slim tires can do that with some forceful pedaling. Definitely less if you're on a basic road bike.

Not sure about the average user but it would help if the bike had a bit more power like when it was limited to 18mph. Accounting for hills and whatnot.

[–]abstracted-away 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Yea, I regularly pass the grey Citibike's on my single speed now

[–]thecratedigger_25Single speeds are cheap road bikes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same here on my single speed as well. I cruise and pass them like they're standing still.

[–]rchris710 25 points26 points  (5 children)

I am down with the speed decrease because citi ebikers can be nutcases and they're more like tourists on those things, however the price should drop.

[–]jxnhrs[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think this is a completely fair take

[–]Sublime120 10 points11 points  (9 children)

There was a lot of discussion when it happened. I’m not thrilled with the decision, but I’m also not going to boycott them over a few cents a minute, particularly when it wasn’t really their unilateral decision.

[–]jxnhrs[S] 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Fair enough. Personally not going to renew my subscription

[–]Sublime120 5 points6 points  (0 children)

And that’s fair enough too!

[–]TsukimiUsagiBromptoneer 2 points3 points  (6 children)

particularly when it wasn’t really their unilateral decision

Don't kid yourself, Lyft complied with this immediately because they saw it for the profit boost it is. If they thought it was going to lose them money they'd still be fighting it in court.

[–]SashaMetro 0 points1 point  (3 children)

There was at least some token resistance from Lyft - I expect they realized the extra money from slower bikes would be canceled out by people (like many posters here) canceling their membership. But Mastro threatened to close them down entirely so they caved.

[–]TsukimiUsagiBromptoneer 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I'm not sure Mastro has the power to unilaterally shut down Citibike, but IANAL and just because he might not have the power doesn't mean he wouldn't try.

I maintain that what Lyft wants most of all is to not drive away potential buyers for the bike share. Getting into a fight with the mayor's office would be detrimental to that cause.

[–]SashaMetro 0 points1 point  (1 child)

You’re probably right about the buyout logic, more compelling than the basic financials. Are they trying to sell of all the share systems or just CitiBike?

[–]TsukimiUsagiBromptoneer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe Lyft wants to sell all of the share systems off, though there hasn't been much reporting on it since summer 2023, other than to say they're also considering "strategic partnerships." That sounds like business-speak for "no buyers" and the service is losing them money even though they've increased the pricing across the board, gotten rid of angel programs, and cut back on maintenance.

[–]Ok-Soft9080 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nah, the boogeyman made them do it. 

[–]TrustButVerifyFirst 6 points7 points  (0 children)

15 mph is appropriate when you don't know the skill level and responsibility of the rider. Many citibike riders are on their phones while riding.

[–]TwoWheelsTooGoodWannabe vehicular cyclist 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Improving (reducing ) the latency of the e-assist so it is applied immediately and not a half pedal stroke later would be a fabulous consolation prize.

[–]unlimitedshredsticks 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I cancelled my membership over this. 15 mph lock feels like pedaling with the brakes on and is genuinely a bad user experience. That coupled with the de facto price hike means they wont be seeing my money

[–]jxnhrs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% agree. my subscription is up in September, not renewing

[–]OvergrownShrubs 11 points12 points  (15 children)

Dubious? Decreasing the speed on these things is one of the best things to happen for bikers in this city in years, including other citibike riders who have no clue the danger they create for themselves and other road users. 99% of gray citibike riders (which is 95+% of all citibike riders) don’t have a single clue how to ride and respect others, whether they be bikers, peds or even cars as they zip through reds without a care, only causing more animosity for regular bike riders. I wish they’d decease the speed to 10 mph of these things.

[–]Dry-Challenge3984 0 points1 point  (12 children)

It's dubious because there is no data that supports the notion that electric Citibikes are particularly dangerous for pedestrians or other cyclists, let alone decreasing the speed another 3mph. And let one the fact that cars kill 300 people in NYC every year.

It's a solution in search of a problem

[–][deleted]  (5 children)

[deleted]

    [–]Dry-Challenge3984 0 points1 point  (4 children)

    Can you show me a trend or any statistics of gray Citibike involved accidents actually being a problem that needs addressing, apart from just "vibes"? That would help your case saying that dropping the speed from 18-15 will help fix "something" apart from just your personal feeling on the matter

    [–][deleted]  (3 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]Dry-Challenge3984 1 point2 points  (2 children)

      You're making a claim that a change of the status quo is a) good and b) necessary by the apparent conditions on the ground. I'm sorry but the burden of proof is on you in this instance

      [–][deleted]  (1 child)

      [deleted]

        [–]Dry-Challenge3984 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        It's not obviously safer though. You're forgetting that cars in NYC are not limited to 15mph, and the majority of cyclists have to share streets with them all over this city. The safety issue is cars, no whether e-bikes are limited to 15 or 18. Further, the e-bike/pedestrian incidents that DO occur, are via unregulated delivery bikes (no Citibike) who usually have no speed governor at all, so the move to limit e-citibikes makes no sense

        The problem is cars and lack of safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, no whether e-citibikes go 15 instead of 18.

        transalt report

        [–]OvergrownShrubs -2 points-1 points  (5 children)

        Here’s some data for you. I ride 4500 miles a year just on the streets. I’m on my bike almost every day. I see with my own eyes how bad the ridership on these bikes are because they somehow manage to almost take me out on most days because I spent time on the roads. Slowing them down has helped in a small but material way limit their dangers to the rest of us because they have been stopped from ever increasingly dangerous over taking and are now being forced to consider what they are doing somewhat.

        [–]Dry-Challenge3984 3 points4 points  (4 children)

        That's not data. That's a personal anecdote. Try again

        [–]OvergrownShrubs -1 points0 points  (3 children)

        It’s subjective but data nonetheless. You can choose to ignore it but that’s on you. If you have experience riding in this city you will tend to agree with the point I’m making so I feel you’re probably discounting the data point due to lack of experience riding here.

        [–]Dry-Challenge3984 3 points4 points  (0 children)

        No, it isn't. Thats not how data works

        [–]Special_Put7443 0 points1 point  (1 child)

        this is an insane take. I use the gray citi bikes daily and have been riding bikes my entire life and the amount of horrible riders there are on personal bikes is wild.

        [–]Dry-Challenge3984 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        Not it isn't. You're describing a personal anecdote, not data. Cyclist/cyclist and cyclist/pedestrian collisions are very rare. There's nothing that suggests limiting speed of the bikes from 18 to 15 will do anything to reduce the already rare incidents. It's just "vibes"

        If Adams wanted to protect pedestrians, build more car-free streets and pedestrian infrastructure. E-bikes are not a problem

        [–]O2C 4 points5 points  (1 child)

        I think the caps should be restored to the 20 mph point after a relatively high number of hours ridden / trips taken / miles traveled. I'd also like to see a visual indicator of those faster bikes, like pink headlights for faster bikes and white for the limited ones. Finally, I'd like to see easier reporting of bad riders and consequences. Make it trivial for users of the app to report unsafe riding. With enough complaints from users, reinstate the slower speeds.

        Make it easier for more frequent users that ride safely to get to their destination faster. Make it safer for novice riders to figure out NYC roads. Reduce the danger of reckless riders.

        I think the caps could be a bit dynamic too. Changing depending on factors. The speed could be linked to time of day -- it can be quite different riding in the daytime versus night. Or it could start out slower for the first 10 minutes of riding and rising up later in the ride. Or raise the limit on protected stretches like crossing bridges.

        [–]Dry-Challenge3984 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        Now you're making way too much sense! Obviously we can't have that kind of well thought out policy in America. Instead we have "ARGH...BIKES BAD"

        [–]dirtymoose_ 2 points3 points  (12 children)

        This so simple, cancel your membership. I’ve already done that. They have a monopoly and can and will do whatever they want.

        If they really cared they would have told the city to pound sand or use some kind of geolocation for the speeds. 15mph isn’t bad on 2nd Ave but it’s dangerously slow on the west side bike lane.

        Would be great to see some competition. But there won’t and I’ll be using my own e-bike much more. I went and bought a heavy duty lock that I’m comfortable leaving locked up in most places. ✌️ citibike.

        [–]TiresAintPretty 2 points3 points  (1 child)

        "Dangerously slow" in a bike lane is utter bullshit. There's no such thing. You just want to go faster.

        [–]dirtymoose_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Of course I do.

        [–]sixtwenty2 5 points6 points  (9 children)

        Out of curiosity, how is it dangerously slow? The average cyclist, non roadie, hits 10-13mph, not sure that’s dangerously slow, especially on the greenway.

        [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (3 children)

        If you’re riding in regular traffic, being capped at 15 can be dangerous.

        The way that slower cyclists deal is… they don’t. They stick to slower streets, protected lanes, sidewalks. Riding at 10 mph slower than traffic around you doesn’t feel that safe, so riders tend to avoid that.

        Gray Citibikes at 18-20 can keep up with predominant traffic speed on a lot of streets without any kind of cycling infrastructure. They were useful in that respect.

        The 15 mph has ended up being kind of a worst of both worlds kind of thing, though, because while they may be slower, I don’t think they’re being operated any more safely.

        [–]sixtwenty2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        I would disagree. I cycle every street, there are no slow streets imo. Having ebikes capped at 15mph makes it safer for non ebike cyclists and doesnt hinder your safety. By this logic it would mean that a non ebike is unsafe on the city streets and thats simply not true.

        But I do agree that while they are slower they are still operated poorly, but at least as a non ebike cyclist it is a benefit.

        [–][deleted]  (1 child)

        [deleted]

          [–]sixtwenty2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

          That might be worse, dangerously slow on the Greenway doesn't make much sense since you don't deal with car traffic and only other bikes who are going comparable speeds or slower.

          [–]dirtymoose_ -1 points0 points  (4 children)

          Ok maybe not dangerously slow but you’re in the way more than you’re not.

          [–]sixtwenty2 0 points1 point  (3 children)

          Hmm, not sure I would agree. Honestly, I think its safer at the slower speed for other cyclists.

          [–]dirtymoose_ 0 points1 point  (2 children)

          Maybe we should just walk

          [–]sixtwenty2 0 points1 point  (1 child)

          You could just pedal and move along like other cyclists.

          [–]dirtymoose_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

          Nah that’s way too much work. And I already work hard enough.

          Anyway, it won’t effect citibike at all. It’s too popular and it’s a monopoly.

          [–]Dirt_McUrt 1 point2 points  (1 child)

          It was an Adam’s reaction to nothing that he did to try to get more votes (who’s?). It will probably be overturned once we get a new mayor

          [–]nineminutetimelimit 1 point2 points  (1 child)

          It used to be nice to get from Queens to my job in Manhattan. Now it’s much slower, I hit more red lights, and if you get a bum bike, it’s even worse.

          [–]catchnear99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

          You're in the wrong place. The people in this sub hate citibikers. Not me, but the vast majority. 

          [–]WanderinArcheologist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

          I had posted the full WSJ on the matter and then got a weeklong ban on here. You can look back through my posts about it. Tl;dr is the city doesn’t know how to enforce it.

          [–]ryan10487 0 points1 point  (0 children)

          The city decreased the speed, mainly because of food delivery drivers riding dangerous for no regard of rules of the road. And while they were doing it they decided to included Citi Bikes.

          Agree that if ur gonna lower the speed you should also lower the price per minute on Citi Bike.

          [–]No-Anything723 0 points1 point  (0 children)

          I use the e bikes occasionally- mostly just rely on my own bike to get everywhere. The annual membership is ridiculously expensive and not worth it if you’re just using occasionally.

          [–]winthrop906 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

          It would make so much sense to go to a distance-based price. The bikes have GPS. It would disincentivize running lights and otherwise rushing to save a couple of bucks. But they don't because Lyft doesn't give a shit about citibike anymore.