New Citi Bike Stations Spark Outrage in Forest Hills Over Space, Cost, and Usage
Residents of the Queens neighborhood are complaining about newly installed Citi Bike docks that they say are underutilized, block sidewalks, and take up valuable parking.
New Citi Bike stations have arrived in Forest Hills, Queens, but residents are expressing frustration over their placement, perceived lack of use, and the cost of the service. Forty-four new docking stations have been installed in the neighborhood as part of a broader network expansion announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Locals have voiced concerns that the stations are occupying much-needed street space, particularly in a neighborhood where many residents rely on cars. Joe Augello, a 70-year-old insurance broker who has lived in Forest Hills for three decades, described the situation as "ridiculous" and "out of control," noting that the stations are often full and appear to be underutilized.
"People can’t walk the streets because these things are in the way. I mean, if you have somebody that had to walk here with a wheelchair or a stroller, you have to navigate the stupid bicycles," Augello stated. He pointed out that some docking stations have been placed directly in front of private homes, further exacerbating parking and pedestrian access issues.
The expansion, which has seen 234 new stations added across seven neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, represents an 11% increase in the Citi Bike network. Lyft, the operator, plans to add hundreds more docks this fall in areas including Midtown, Chelsea, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Gowanus.
Despite the expansion, some residents find the cost of using Citi Bike, especially the electric models, prohibitive. David Ruiz, 23, from Corona, noted that "a five-minute trip shouldn’t be $8," and he opts for the $220 annual electric membership for cost-effectiveness.
Arthur Feigenbaum, 73, called the new docks "a bad idea" and expressed general disagreement with Mayor Mamdani's initiatives. Other residents, like 41-year-old Sergey Davydov, echoed concerns about parking and observed that the stations seem to be mostly full, implying low turnover and usage.
A spokesperson for the Department of Buildings (DOB) stated that the city takes a "thoughtful approach" to selecting station locations and believes Citi Bike is a popular and convenient transportation option that residents ultimately embrace. However, the specific criteria for choosing Forest Hills were not provided.