Dozens of new Citi Bike stations coming to East New York
The DOT is planning to start installing 48 docks near the end of the spring.
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The New York City Department of Transportation plans to begin installation of 48 new Citi Bike docks in East New York in late spring.
While there is Citi Bike service in Brooklyn at the moment, the southern and eastern portions of the borough have mostly been excluded.
"I don't even know where the closest one is," said Gracen Wilkins, who lives in the area.
"I had to go all the way to Crown Heights just to get a Citi Bike, just for me to attempt to ride it back here and there be no stops," added Stephen Pendarvis, who also lives in the neighborhood.
The project is part of the latest expansion for Citi Bike, which also included added service in the Bronx, Queens and eventually, Brownsville.
"Let's be honest," said East New York resident Tony Lindsay, "we don't need that. There's no real demand for that."
The DOT says it scouted out locations where people would be coming and going. Plans call for the docks to be near places like subway stations and parks.
"I do feel like it's useful, because people don't be wanting to walk a lot when it's hot outside," said Jaden Breaker, another East New York resident.
"Not everyone has a car, trains are unreliable nowadays," added Wilkins.
Still, there is not a single protected bike lane in the entire East New York expansion area.
Where there are protected bike lanes, News 12 cameras saw those being blocked by double-parked cars often.
"It could be a little dangerous," admitted Jennifer Brigade, who lives in the area.
Wilkins, though, said she was confident in her safety, saying, "As long as you are safe and aware of your surroundings, you should be good."
Other areas could be a different story. Some of the planned docks - like the one near the Pennsylvania Avenue subway station- will be in places that have no bike lanes of any kind.
"I just got hit by a car last week riding my bike," said Pendarvis, "so, I don't really see the relevance in having Citi Bikes but no bike lanes."
Residents also expressed concern over parking, with plans calling for a lot of the docks to be installed in the street, as opposed to the sidewalk.
"I know a lot of people that bring their cars to the train, so this will take them away from being able to do that," explained Mathew Carroll.
"Just say it," doubled down Lindsay, "you don't want people who drive cars to live in New York City anymore."
