Bikeshare Means Transit to New Yorkers

A case is emerging from data shared by Citibike that the system gets the most use by commuters. Federal legislation is in the works that would make bikeshare-as-transit official.

1 minute read

January 31, 2016, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"More than 10 million rides were taken on a Citi Bike in New York City in 2015, and public data released by Citi Bike suggests that many of those trips were commutes to or from work," according to an article by Kelsey E. Thomas.

Thomas also shares the data-crunching work of Todd Schneider, who analyzed data released by Citi Bike between July 2013 and November 2015, finding that "the times and routes of rides follow commuting trends, suggesting that the bikes are used primarily for utilitarian purposes."

Schneider notes that the data supports the thinking behind federal legislation introduced recently by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL), titled the Bikeshare Transit Act [pdf]. In a separate article published earlier in January, Josh Cohen reports that the Bikeshare Transit Act would make bikeshare projects eligible for the U.S. Department of Transportation's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and other federal money.

Thursday, January 28, 2016 in Next City

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

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

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?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

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.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

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.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

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.

July 11 - Cities Today