Citi Bikes Ingrained in Gotham, For Better or Worse

Six of the eight victims of the deadliest act of terrorism in New York since 9/11 were riding Citi Bikes. The same day, a bus driver was charged in the death of the bikeshare's first fatality. Two more Citi Bike-related deaths occurred this year.

3 minute read

November 4, 2017, 5:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Citi Bike Rack

Joe Mazzola / flickr

Heretofore, bikeshare fatalities were associated with unintentional motor vehicle crashes, of which there were none until July 2016. But that changed drastically on Oct. 31 with the deadliest act of terrorism in New York since Sept. 11, 2001.

Ten Argentines had come to the Big Apple to celebrate their 30th high school reunion. On Tuesday, they rented Citi Bikes and biked down America's most popular bikeway (seen in video), the Hudson River Greenway, to lower Manhattan along the West Side Highway, report Keith Griffith, Jennifer Smith and James Wilkinson for the Daily Mail on Nov. 1.  

Moments later, a terrorist in a rented pickup truck would enter the bikeway at Houston Street in Tribeca and speed down the bikeway toward Chambers Street, killing five of the friends: "Ariel Erlij, Hernán Mendoza, Diego Angelini, Alejandro Pagnucco and Hernán Ferruchi. All were 47, except for Erlij, who was 48." A sixth, Martin Ludovico Marro, remains hospitalized.

Also killed while riding a Citi Bike was Darren Drake of New Milford, New Jersey, who worked nearby, reports Valerie Bauman for Newsday

Drake, 33, worked as a program manager at Moody’s in the World Trade Center. His usual break from work after losing 93 pounds from gastric bypass surgery was to grab a Citi Bike and go for a ride, the family said.

Also struck and killed by the terrorist was Nicholas Cleves, 23 a Manhattan software engineer, described as "an avid bicyclist," and Ann-Laure Decadt, a 31-year-old Belgian mother of two, who was biking with her mother and two sisters, who were unharmed, according to The Washington Post

The 14-block carnage ended at Chambers Street where the truck unintentionally slammed into a school bus carrying special needs children, who were injured but not killed. NYPD Officer Ryan Nash then shot the suspect, who had fled his vehicle.
==================================================================================================================

Citi Bike's first fatality

On Tuesday, Coach USA driver "Dave Lewis, 52, was arraigned on a misdemeanor and a violation in the death of Credit Suisse banker and former Israeli army sergeant Dan Hanegby in Chelsea on June 1," reports the New York Post. The arraignment is also the topic of a Streetsblog NYC article that focuses on the bicycling advocacy group, Transportation Alternativescalling on Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance to pursue more serious charges.
========================================================================================================================

Citi Bike-related homicides

A 56-year-old woman was shot to death in Manhattan by her ex-boyfriend on Wednesday morning while parking her Citi Bike, reports the Daily Mail . The gunman then shot himself. Once again, the iconic blue Citi Bikes can be seen in pictures of a gruesome crime scene.

Finally, a Citi Bike was involved in a Brooklyn homicide this summer. A 15-year-old, on foot, shot and killed a 22-year-old recent college graduate in East Flatbush, reported the Daily News on July 15. "He then ran to an accomplice, who was holding the Citi Bike for him, and pedaled off."

Thursday, November 2, 2017 in Planetizen

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

3 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

5 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

7 hours ago - The Washington Post