Hello all. Just a few notes, as promised in a prior diary, about CITIBIKE in NYC. I went ahead with the annual registration. The person on the phone had indicated that my key should arrive in about three days. Well, it took about 14. In the meantime, although I vowed against doing this, I chose to use CITIBIKE once, via a 24 hour pass, before my key arrived. I was in a jam. I wondered if this is what they wanted, since it got me to drop an extra $10 while waiting for my key. The annual clock on the key, however, only starts once you register it online, post receipt.
The system thus far has been awesome. The bikes are easy to use and feel very sturdy to me. I have not even come close to either the 30 minute use limit (daily users get this) or the 45 minute use limit (annual key holders get this.). The additional leg exercise I have enjoyed has been good, too. I have been reminded how much faster biking is compared with walking. What used to take 25 minutes to walk now takes about 5.
A few tips to new users:
1. As stated above, it took almost exactly two weeks to get my key--plan ahead
2. The key pad (aka "kiosk" which employs touch screen key pads similar in feel to iPhone interfaces) for daily and weekly users works, but it is slow--be ready to spend about 3 to 5 minutes registering your credit card and obtaining your release code number per individual bike user. If the "key" you push does not respond right away, give it a second before pushing it again or pushing other keys, or you will fall into that domino/whirlpool effect thing when the system starts trying to catch up to the keys you pushed too soon. Each code expires immediately upon use or in 5 minutes, and when you are ready to use another bike later in the day, you swipe the same credit card at the new kiosk and select the option for obtaining a new code rather than registering a new user. This way, if some jerk jots down your code from afar, he/she cannot use it at another station to steal a bike with your biometrics.
3. Pulling the bike out and pushing it into the locking mechanism is made vastly easier if you pull the bike up by the seat during each maneuver. Up and out/up and in.
4. GREEN LIGHT ALERT: When you replace a bike, if you do it correctly, the yellow light goes on. It stays on for a sec, and if the bike locks properly, the green light shows. You can then walk away. However, sometimes the yellow light just goes out after a few seconds, and the green light never comes on--this is BAD. If you pull hard enough, the bike will release, so never leave your bike until you see that green light. Repeat. Never leave your bike until you see that green light. For some reason, the red light does not seem to come on indicating that the bike did not lock! I think this will be a problem for many folks who do not know this, and a software update will be required. Evolution.
5. The basket-like thing is very well designed for a briefcase or other small, narrow item--the bungee cord holds it super tight. However, loose items will fall through the bottom. If you need more space or you have a lot of loose goods, bring a backpack.
6. Watch out for assholes who are still getting used to seeing these dorky looking bikes around--I had an intoxicated, shirtless guy walk toward me yesterday afternoon making me swerve away as he yelled that he wanted my bike. I passed him deftly and never looked back. This was by the South Street Seaport, so visitors be prudent.
Over and out.