With Citi Bike, New York's landmark bike-share program, set to miss its expected July launch, city officials and the company running the program are giving few clues as to what's causing the delay and when the program may actually become operational.
"Software Problems"
According to Matt Flegenheimer, Mayor Bloomberg's vague explanation seems to be the only public indication as to what may be delaying the launch of New York's highly touted bike-share system. With the Transportation Department saying only that it was "working on the
launch plan" and promising updates "as soon as we finalize
all the details," elected officials and members of the public are becoming frustrated with the city's lack of transparency over the cause of the delays and uncertain start date, writes Flegenheimer.
According to Ted Mann, writing in The Wall Street Journal, the delays may hit operator Alta Bicycle Share in the wallet. "While representatives for the mayor and the Department of
Transportation have refused to discuss Alta's contract with the city, a
review of the document suggests the city could seek payment if the
system isn't operational after July 31, the 'go live date' named in the
agreement."
However, with Alta footing the bill for the entire project, at no expense to the city, "Bloomberg and other city officials have so far shown no intention of
penalizing Alta for the expected delay to one of the signature
initiatives of the mayor's third term," writes Mann.
FULL STORY: On Delay in Bike-Share Program, City Gives Few Details Beyond ‘Software’

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie