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When Citi Bikes Are Faster Than Taxis in New York City

toddwschneider.com

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Re: When Citi Bikes Are Faster Than Taxis in New York City

#3
Do people use bikes to get anywhere faster? I would use one to save on emissions and/or get some much needed exercis

edit: so many replies!

I guess I stand corrected, although the more I think about it, the less I'm surprised. I live in Japan, obviously known for its public transport. Interesting to note though once I travel abroad, thanks for the replies everyone :-)

Re: When Citi Bikes Are Faster Than Taxis in New York City

#4
As a pedestrian crossing the straw in NYC, you will typically wait for cars to stop, then walk about 2/3 of the way into the street, then peer into the bike lane to make sure no bikes are coming, then complete your crossing. Most of the bikers, from my experience, do not follow rules such as stopping at a Stop sign or for pedestrians or at their own bike designated stop lights.

It may be nice to bike in the cities parks or on its outskirts, but it's a dangerous proposition in the city itself. NYC is an urban jungle with a web of cars pedestrians, delivery trucks, garbage trucks and construction zones all over. As a biker, if you are not going to follow the rules, you are going to find yourself in trouble at some point.

Re: When Citi Bikes Are Faster Than Taxis in New York City

#5
post #3

Do people use bikes to get anywhere faster? I would use one to save on emissions and/or get some much needed exercis edit: so many replies! I guess I stand corrected, although the more I think about it, the less I'm surprised. I live in Japan, obviously known for its public transport. Interesting to note though once I travel abroad, thanks for the replies everyone :-)

Traffic congestion and red lights often make it so that it's actually just as fast to go anywhere on a bike (at least in major cities, I know for a fact that it is in Paris at least). Though, it really depends on the ability to go between lanes and pass through red lights (which is actually legal in Paris on some corners if you take a left/right turn).

Re: When Citi Bikes Are Faster Than Taxis in New York City

#6
post #4

As a pedestrian crossing the straw in NYC, you will typically wait for cars to stop, then walk about 2/3 of the way into the street, then peer into the bike lane to make sure no bikes are coming, then complete your crossing. Most of the bikers, from my experience, do not follow rules such as stopping at a Stop sign or for pedestrians or at their own bike designated stop lights. It may be nice to bike in the cities pa…

And if you do follow the rules on a bike you often end up sitting in traffic with the cars anyway.

Re: When Citi Bikes Are Faster Than Taxis in New York City

#7
post #2

what citi bikes need is a reward system to get riders to transfer bikes from plenty to empty areas. [edit] i meant to use Citi bike as a generic term.

They do have this. It's called "bike angels", and it lets you earn points based on how empty or full a station is. They also have bonuses on special holidays or rainy days.

Re: When Citi Bikes Are Faster Than Taxis in New York City

#10
post #3

Do people use bikes to get anywhere faster? I would use one to save on emissions and/or get some much needed exercis edit: so many replies! I guess I stand corrected, although the more I think about it, the less I'm surprised. I live in Japan, obviously known for its public transport. Interesting to note though once I travel abroad, thanks for the replies everyone :-)

Absolutely! I'm in DC, not NYC, but..

Driving means: walk 1-3 blocks to my car, drive it in slow(and extremely variable based on time) traffic, circle the block a half dozen times to find a parking space, probably having to pay.

Biking on the other hand means: I walk outside, bike where I'm going at the same speed every day, and lock up when I get there.

I've frequently beaten my friends when going places in the city and I have my bike and don't wanna leave it behind so I bike and they cab/drive.

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