Citi Bike is set to raise its prices for the fifth consecutive year since the program’s launch in 2019. The proposed adjustments include a 41% hike in annual membership fees, bringing the cost to $239 starting January 28—this is the highest it’s been in six years. Casual cyclists will see their rates surge by a staggering 240%.
Compared to last year, this increase represents a 9% jump in costs. For those who are not members, a 30-minute e-ride will climb to $17 or more, a significant leap from the $5 it cost in 2019.
The price hike is positioned as a necessary move to handle rising operating expenses, partly attributed to new tariffs. In a statement, Citi Bike acknowledged that while they’ve absorbed costs so far, long-term sustainability is challenging. They cited increases in insurance, service vehicles, and staffing as contributing factors.
Lyft, the parent company of Citi Bike, did not provide comments regarding how the tariffs are directly affecting expenses.
Transport advocates have expressed concern over the escalating costs. Ben Furnas from Transport Alternatives remarked that the bike-sharing service may soon be “out of reach for too many people.” He emphasized that biking should be accessible for all, suggesting the increase is unsustainable for everyday users.
This price increase announcement coincides with similar fare hikes for MTA services. Starting January 4, subway and bus fares will go up from $2.90 to $3 for a single ride.
Additional changes to Citi Bike starting in 2026 include:
- Members will now pay 27 cents per minute for e-bikes and traditional bikes for rides over 45 minutes, up from 25 cents. Non-members will see their rates rise from 28 cents to 41 cents per minute.
- In New Jersey, the rates will increase to 23 cents per minute for members and 35 cents for non-members.
- The $4.99 bike unlock fee for non-members will stay the same.
- Members will still have unlimited 45-minute classic bike rides.
- The price cap for annual membership will rise to $5.40 for a round trip to and from Manhattan.
- Monthly membership costs for discounted fare members remain unchanged at $5.
The last price increase occurred in January 2025 when the cost for e-bike usage rose from 24 cents to 25 cents per minute. Previous to that, there was a 20% price increase implemented by Lyft just six months earlier.
Looking ahead, Citi Bike plans to focus on enhancing certain “key areas” of its operations in the coming year, which includes upgrading bike and station facilities and launching 250 new stations across the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Patrick North, the Citi Bike general manager, conveyed that their adjustments reflect ongoing investments in expanding services in underserved neighborhoods without relying on taxpayer support.
Since 2019, they’ve managed to triple both their service area and fleet size while maintaining their discount fare program at $5 per month.
