Two days in: How are Mike’s Bikes doing in New York City?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New York City, home of the horn-leaning taxi driver and death-wish bicycle courier, has survived a second day on its version of London’s Boris Bikes. At the time of writing, there were no reported calamities involving the new swarm of 6,000 rental machines.
Citi Bikes, plastered with Citigroup’s logo rather than Barclays’ (but made by the same Canadian company), have been almost exclusively embraced in a town that traditionally makes our capital look like Amsterdam.
On Monday, day one, the bikes clocked up more than 6,000 trips covering 14,000 miles. There were even reports of cycle-related bonhomie (CRB). Doug Gordon, a bike blogger, wrote on The Village Voice: “A cabbie at an intersection said, ‘This is really cool.’ Never in all my years have I had a day like this.”
Of course, New York wouldn’t be great without grumbling. Loaded Nimbies are worried about property prices. Generally, though, the bikes are a hit. But what’ll New Yorkers call them? So far, “Mike’s Bikes” (after Mayor Mike Bloomberg) hasn’t taken off, but a nickname may yet stick. I suggest: Boris Bikes. I mean, why not?
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments