Bike Share stations begin popping up in Brooklyn
While Brooklynites were out enjoying nearly 80-degree weather on Tuesday, the Department of Transportation was busy installing the long-awaited bike racks for the Citi Bike share program throughout the borough.
The first station spotted, outside of the Brooklyn Navy Yard where a pilot program is being tested, was in Bedford-Stuyvesant at Monroe Street and Classon Ave, There were a few others in the area including one at Fulton Street and Grand Avenue as well as another at Bedford Ave and Hancock Street. Crews were also spotted on Classon Avenue installing more.
It’s been a long time coming for this bike program that was initially announced in September 2011. Problems with the software and then Superstorm Sandy twice delayed the program which will have thousands of bikes throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan at hundreds of docks. It is expected to finally be launched on May 1.
Bikes can be rented on a 24-hour, 7-day, or annual passes at any bike station starting at $9.95. Bikes can be taken for up to 30 minutes, 45 minutes for annual pass holders, before overtime fees are incurred. After that the charges begin piling up quickly with a two hour ride costing $34.95.