After it took Lyft nearly three weeks to clear bike stations across New York City from heavy snowfall, local police are now pressing Citi Bike to improve its service.
This cleaning issue arises just weeks after the service raised its prices for the fifth consecutive year, resulting in a 41% hike in membership fees and an astronomical 240% increase for casual riders.
“Every time I get a CitiBike membership, the prices go up again, and I see no improvement in service,” expressed Councilman Lincoln Ressler (D-Brooklyn).
Ressler, who proposed a bill to cap Citi Bike fares at subway rates, is now appealing to the city’s transport department to set a firm deadline for snow removal during winter storms.
“New York City has the most expensive bike-share program globally, yet Lyft does too little to clear debris around Citi Bikes or remove snow and ice post-storms,” he stated.
Ressler pointed out that homeowners and small business owners are expected to clear their sidewalks within hours after snow falls. He believes Lyft should do the same for its bike stations in a matter of days, not weeks.
Following Winter Storm Fern, which dropped over a foot of snow, cyclists reported difficulty accessing bikes due to ice and snow surrounding the docking stations.
More than ten days after the snowfall, Citi Bike mentioned in a February 5th blog post that it “had cleared snow” and even advised staff to use pickaxes and sledgehammers for bike access.
A spokesperson claimed that all stations were declared clear of snow “over the weekend.”
“During and after the snowstorm, Lyft worked closely with NYC DOT to clear snow throughout our service area. We continue to look for ways to better serve our passengers,” a representative stated.
However, Councilmember Shahana Hanif, who represents Brooklyn, recently shared a photo of a Citi Bike still covered in snow. She expressed concern about the dirty state of a Kensington station, questioning when improvements might be made.
A Lyft representative defended the company’s extensive snow removal efforts following “one of the most challenging winter storms in years.”
According to Citi Bike General Manager Patrick Noss, the service had shut down on January 25th, launching a comprehensive snow management plan before resuming service on January 26th. Since then, snow removal teams have allegedly been working tirelessly.
Under its agreement with the city, Lyft is charged with maintaining and cleaning the bike stations. The city’s bike share program website states, “DOT has strict standards for the maintenance and cleanliness of Citi Bike stations, bikes, and the surrounding areas.”
Citi Bike stations are reportedly cleaned at least twice a month, with trash being removed regularly. However, the DOT refrained from commenting on the lengthy cleanup or whether Lyft met the set standards.
“We have been in constant communication with Lyft to monitor their response efforts and emphasize the necessity for adequate service to New Yorkers,” DOT officials noted. They expressed a willingness to engage with Lyft on improving response during major snowstorms.
Nonetheless, Ressler is urging the agency to hold bike-sharing services more accountable.
“We all pay a premium as Citi Bike members to access this essential service, and Lyft needs to do a better job of maintaining it,” he said. “I don’t see the cleanliness or snow removal that riders need to confidently use their bikes. We deserve better.”
