Residents of Forest Hills, Queens, have voiced concerns over the recent installation of multiple Citi Bike docking stations in their neighborhood, citing issues related to sidewalk congestion, parking loss, and perceived low usage. The expansion comes as part of a broader citywide initiative to increase the availability of shared electric bikes.
In the past month, several new Citi Bike docking stations have appeared throughout Forest Hills, bringing the total to 44 stations in the area. This growth reflects the network’s 11% expansion, which added 234 stations across seven neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx, according to city officials. Mayor Mamdani announced the expansion on Thursday as part of efforts to improve local transportation options.
Despite the city’s stated goal of offering a convenient alternative to driving, some residents say the new stations have created obstacles. Joe Augello, a 70-year-old insurance broker who has lived in Forest Hills for 30 years, criticized the number and placement of the docks. Augello noted that many area residents are car owners and said at least one docking station was installed directly in front of private homes. He expressed concerns that the bikes and docking structures obstruct sidewalks, making navigation difficult for people using wheelchairs or strollers. “There are too many. It’s ridiculous. It’s out of control,” he said.
Other residents echoed similar frustrations. Sergey Davydov, 41, pointed out that the stations often appear full and occupy valuable parking spaces. "Not a lot of people use them. You see, it’s mostly always full," he said. Meanwhile, 73-year-old Arthur Feigenbaum called the docks “a bad idea” and voiced his dislike for their presence.
The expanding network coincides with complaints from some riders about the cost of using the electric bikes. David Ruiz, 23, from Corona, who holds an annual electric membership after paying $220, criticized the pricing structure, noting that a five-minute trip can cost up to $8. He said the membership is more economical than paying per ride but implied that casual use can be expensive.
City officials, including a spokesperson from the Department of Transportation, defended the expansion efforts, stressing that the locations for new stations are selected carefully. The spokesperson highlighted Citi Bike as a popular and convenient transportation option, noting that initial skepticism in some neighborhoods tends to give way to high ridership over time. However, the city did not provide specific details regarding the criteria used for selecting sites in Forest Hills.
Looking ahead, Lyft, the operator of Citi Bike, plans to add hundreds of additional docking stations within the existing service area this fall, targeting neighborhoods such as Midtown, Chelsea, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Gowanus.
For now, some Forest Hills residents remain unconvinced of the stations’ value, with concerns centered on accessibility, parking loss, and usage rates, suggesting that community acceptance of the expansion may take time.