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United States

New York

Yellow cabs thread the skyscraper canyons. The subway runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Citi Bike

Citi Bike unlocks by scanning the bike's QR code in the app, and payment means a card on file - there is no cash way in. Classic bikes include 30 minutes; ebikes bill by the minute, so you pay for time, not distance.

Updated on August 2, 2026

How to ride

  1. 1
    Install the app and add a card
    Install the Citi Bike or Lyft app and add a credit or debit card. Payment is card-only - there is no cash option.
  2. 2
    Scan the QR code on the bike
    Find a nearby station on the map, pick a bike, and scan its QR code in the app to unlock it.
  3. 3
    Ride the bike lane, not the sidewalk
    Never ride on the sidewalk. Use the bike lane, go with traffic, and stop at red lights and stop signs like a car.
  4. 4
    Dock once every 30 minutes
    Each ride covers 30 minutes. A Day Pass lets you dock and grab another bike to avoid overage; a Single Ride buys just one ride.
  5. 5
    Wait for the green light
    Push the front wheel firmly into an open dock and check for the green light - without it, the ride has not ended.

Fares

Single fares2

Single ride (classic bike, 30 min)
Covers one classic-bike ride up to 30 minutes, including the unlock; $0.41 per minute after that.
4.99 USD ≈ $5
Ebike (per minute)
Single rides add the $4.99 unlock; with a Day Pass the unlock is free, so you pay only the per-minute rate.
0.41 USD ≈ $0.4

Passes & multi-ride1

Day Pass (24 hours)
Unlimited classic-bike rides of up to 30 minutes for 24 hours; $0.41 per minute beyond 30.
25 USD ≈ $25

Estimates use exchange rates as of November 3, 2026

Payment

Tap to ride
No tap-to-ride reader on the bikes or the docks
App tickets
App covers signup, unlock and payment; the city says kiosks also sell passes
Cash
Registration requires a card number - there is no cash route

Quick facts

Hours
24/7, year-round
Fares from
4.99 USD+

Heads-up

  • The ride keeps billing until the dock light turns green

    Always wait for the dock's green light. If it doesn't come on, the ride keeps billing - and after 48 hours the bike is treated as lost, with a fee of up to $1,200.

  • Sidewalks are off limits and car traffic rules apply

    Sidewalk riding is prohibited and cyclists follow the same traffic rules as drivers - stop at red lights and stop signs, and ride with the flow of traffic.

  • Short-term passes place a deposit hold on your card

    Short-term purchases (Single Ride, Day Pass) put a $101 security deposit hold on your card. The actual charge lands after the period ends, and how long the hold sits there depends on your bank. One card can buy at most four short-term subscriptions.

Timetable

Operating hours 24/7, year-round
Typical duration The Central Park loops and the Hudson River Greenway are car-free and easy going
Check the official site for the latest times and service status
Editor Naotaka