Mystery Surrounds Delayed Launch of NYC Bike-Share

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.

1 minute read

July 30, 2012, 2:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"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.

 

Thursday, July 26, 2012 in The New York Times

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

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.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit