Why are Citi Bikes so expensive?

Citi Bikes can be perceived as expensive due to various factors, including operational costs, maintenance, expansion, and the need for government subsidies.

The pricing may reflect the costs associated with maintaining a large fleet of bikes, ensuring their availability and good working conditions, and expanding the service to more areas.

What's more important they are not made for food delivery riders. That's why we wanted to compare it with Whizz e-bikes.

Whizz vs Citi e-bikes

Citi e-bikes

Single ride:

• Price: $4.49 for 30 minutes
• Bike unlocks: $4.49

Day pass:

• Price: $19 for the day
• Bike unlocks: Free

Citi bike annual membership:

• Price: $205 per year
• Bike unlocks: Free
• Ebike prices*: $0.17 per minute
• Ride times: 45 minutes

Lyft Pink Annual Membership (includes Citi Bike):

• Price: $199 per year
• Bike unlocks: Free

Ebike prices*:

• Price: $0.17 per minute
• Ride times: 45 minutes

Whizz e-bikes

Monthly rental

• Price: Starting at $119 per month ($259 per month for all in one plan)
• Split rent payments: Starting at $169 per month.
• Battery range: Up to 85 miles
• Max speed: 20-25 MPH

Generally, Citi Bikes offers a range of pricing options, including single rides, day passes, and annual memberships.

On the other hand, Whizz e-bikes provides monthly rental plans and split payment options with different levels of features and pricing.

Which one you’ll choose depends entirely on your specific needs, such as how often you plan on using your bike and how long you need to travel for.

Whizz bikes offer longer battery ranges and higher speeds, which might be more suitable for delivery riders. On the other hand, Citi Bikes are more geared towards shorter rides and casual users.

FAQs

How to get a Citi Bike without paying?

Did you know you can get a Citi Bike without paying?

The company offers a free trial, which includes 30 days of access to the Citi Bike program.

However, there is a catch. You can only ride the e-bike up to 45 minutes per day. Trips longer than 45 minutes will cost extra $0.15 per each additional minute.

While this might be a great option for casual riders looking to test out their e-bikes, delivery riders cannot benefit much from this program. Most delivery riders work longer than 45 minutes daily, so this program won’t be worth much to them.

Once the 30 days have passed, you will be asked to renew your membership – but this time, at the full price.

How much does a Citi Bike cost if you lose it?

There is a specific procedure if your rented e-bike is stolen or lost.

Your first step should be to inform the rental company about the theft, and then to file a police report. The authorities should take further steps. Not only that, but a police report is usually mandatory for the insurance purposes.

Bikes that are missing for longer than 24 hours might result in a $1,200 penalty (tax not included).

If the same happens with a Whizz e-bike, don’t worry. Whizz has an All-in Plan, which includes a Protection Plan that will keep you covered in case of theft or malfunction.

How long do Citi Bikes last?

Citi Bikes typically last about 3 to 5 years. This lifespan can vary based on usage, maintenance, and environmental factors.

The bikes undergo regular maintenance and refurbishment to keep them in good condition throughout their service life.

After their initial use, many are refurbished or replaced with new bikes to ensure the fleet remains reliable and safe for users.

As for how long you can ride them, you can generally ride them for 30 or 45 minutes, depending on the chosen plan. If you keep your bike out for longer, you will be charged an additional fee.

Does NYC have bikes to rent?

NYC has numerous options for people looking to rent a bike.

One of them is the Citi Bike program, a bike-share service that allows users to rent bicycles from various stations throughout the city.

You can also choose from numerous rental companies located all around the city.

What is the best e-bike for delivery riders?

While you can buy or rent a wide variety of e-bikes in NYC, not many cater to delivery riders.

One company that designed its e-bikes with delivery riders in mind is Whizz. Many call its latest model, Storm-2, the best e-bike for delivery riders.

This is because Storm-2 reaches speeds of up to 25 mph, which is the upper legal limit in NYC.

It also has a range of up to 85 miles per charge (with pedal assist), which is more than enough for an entire day of delivering orders.

Its puncture-proof tires and innovative battery make it stand out from other e-bikes in a similar price range.

It also has an anti-theft system, including a durable U-lock, which helps keep your bike safe from thieves.

Contact Whizz today to rent your electric bike and earn money as a delivery rider as soon as possible. You don’t even need an SSA or a driver’s license!

Read also

Can I rent an electric bike in NYC?

How do I choose a delivery bike?

How do you use a bike rental?

Our e-bikes and accessories

If you are interested in electric bike rentals and buying accessories for a comfortable ride, we recommend visiting Whizz E-bike rentals and Whizz Store.

What`s more? Earn $50 for each referral. Invite your friend, family, or colleague to join the ride, and you`ll both enjoy $50 discounts!