user1111 wrote:
There were 9 bikes last night here in Bayside Park, but this morning as of 7 AM there were only 2. People are skipping the lightrail and biking down to Grove or Exchange PL. So people are using them, even in GV.

brewster wrote:
Interestingly there were 2 JC stories on the national NPR All Things Considered today: the Citibike story and Jim McGreevey managing to scam his lifetime health benefits with the compliance of the HCDO.

elsquid wrote:
I did the ceremonial ride and then dock-hopped with a fellow Bike JC board member around like 5 different docks this afternoon, and everything worked great except for one individual dock that hadn't yet powered up.

All much better than day one of the NYC system, or for that matter day 100 of NYC. They have learned some things.

Oh, 2 slightly esoteric tips about Citi Bike:

1. Unlike most bikes with gears, which you're supposed to shift while pedaling lightly, Citi Bikes' internal hub gears are supposed to be shifted while you are NOT pedaling, just gliding. Works like a charm.

2. When you dock hop (riding one bike for most of your 30 or 45 minute limit, then switching it for another at a dock to get a new timer), you are locked out for about 2 minutes. You will get a red light if you put your key in. After 2 minutes it will give you a green light for a new bike.

jerseymom wrote:
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bodhipooh wrote:
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rescuelife wrote:
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JCRider wrote:
Agreed that the "city officials" (User1111--do you know their names?) response was inadequate (ie, don't just say the stations can be moved easily, say that if they are indeed in violation of ADA that will be corrected as soon as possible! "Better understanding how and where people use the bikes" has nothing to do with a code violation.)

That said, User1111 deserves credit for going to the meeting and raising the issue. On that note, may I suggest that the time and energy being spent venting outrage and trying to put one another "in their place" on this message board would be more productively spent addressing Citibike directly about the issue?

Here is Citibike's contact info page:

http://www.citibikenyc.com/contact

I just called them and relayed the ADA violation concerns described below to the Customer Service Representative I spoke with, who told me that calls and emails on the subject sent to the customer service email address linked above would be forwarded to the appropriate person in the Citibike organization.

If you too are concerned about this, please call or send an email expressing your concerns and maybe this can be corrected in a timely manner.

I don't happen to know who in the JC government would be best to address this to, or I'd offer their contact info, too--perhaps someone else can chime in with that?

If nothing else, Citibike and the JC officials working with them will not be able to say later on they were never told about this!

Which stations are actually entirely blocking sidewalk access? I've seen some that cut into sidewalks a bit but not making them any more narrow than some existing sidewalks.

No one is claiming that entire sidewalks are being blocked. The issue is that these CitiBike stations are blocking enough sections of sidewalks as to render them in violation of established state and federal guidelines. A sidewalk needs to be 60 inches across for a wheelchair to be able to turn a full circle, or for two wheelchairs to be able to pass each other abreast.

Precisely. And to add to that, the racks are blocking a wide swath of the sidewalk - also a possible ADA violation. You can scroll to earlier posts within this thread where the exact specs are laid out. Specifically, though:

"All utility poles, light posts, traffic posts, fire hydrants, and other manmade vertical appurtenances are located outside of the sidewalk path. If right of way prevents relocation of an appurtenance, the pathway width is at minimum 32? wide and the length of the restricted pathway is no more than 2?."

Remember, this isn't just about someone in a wheelchair - this is about folks using scooter chair devices; walkers; and also for the visually impaired who have to navigate that sidewalk rack. Close your eyes for a second and imagine navigating one of the longer racks with some spots empty and some spots containing bicycles.

I really hope the city takes a good look at this compliance issue and asks front-line folks who are physically and visually impaired and their advocates for input as well.

I'm certain the Height's based Concordia Learning Center would be able to add their expertise to the discussion as well as the folks from JC Medical Center.

JCRider wrote:
On that note, may I suggest that the time and energy being spent venting outrage and trying to put one another "in their place" on this message board would be more productively spent addressing Citibike directly about the issue?

bodhipooh wrote:
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Annod wrote:
There are no bike stations at Newport mall, Target, A&P, and Shop-Rite. Not practical for me.

https://member.citibikenyc.com/map/

Come on...! I have been critical of the JC CitiBike implementation, because of the sidewalk installations that are taking up a lot of space, but I think this is a bad/cheap complaint: the city can't just put bike racks in private property! Besides, it is a bit dishonest to say there aren't racks close by to at least some of the places you mention: there is a rack two blocks away from Shoprite (corner of Warren and 1st) and there is a rack one block away from one of the entrances that leads to the Newport Mall, over by the Newport PATH station.

About A&P and Target, they could have worked to get a station deployed over by that area, but there is very little residential space there (the projects, and the Cast Iron Lofts) but maybe submit a request for a new station.

Annod wrote:
There are no bike stations at Newport mall, Target, A&P, and Shop-Rite. Not practical for me.

https://member.citibikenyc.com/map/

Frank_M wrote:
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Consumed wrote:
i ran into one of the bike stations that were just installed by lincoln park. no idea why they put it in front of the church instead of in the park proper. these things are on the sidewalk and once the bikes are in them it will take 2/3+ of the sidewalk up.

If we?re sincere about helping one the world?s largest banks with their brand recognition, we all need to make sacrifices. If that means less room on the sidewalk in front of a valued architectural landmark to make way for the world?s clunkiest bikes and least efficient bike rack, so be it.

Consumed wrote:
i ran into one of the bike stations that were just installed by lincoln park. no idea why they put it in front of the church instead of in the park proper. these things are on the sidewalk and once the bikes are in them it will take 2/3+ of the sidewalk up.

stupid stupid planning

Consumed wrote:
i ran into one of the bike stations that were just installed by lincoln park. no idea why they put it in front of the church instead of in the park proper. these things are on the sidewalk and once the bikes are in them it will take 2/3+ of the sidewalk up.

Frinjc wrote:
Sounds great! Hoboken or JC?

Frank_M wrote:
Patience everyone. Growing pains are natural for complex emerging technologies such as the bicycle and bike rack, and with novel business concepts like bicycle rental.