Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan christened the beginning of bike-sharing at a docking station near the Brooklyn Bridge Monday morning.
The privately funded Citi Bike bike-share program launched with 6,000 bikes at 330 docking stations in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. Officials hope to expand to 10,000 bikes and 600 docking stations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.
On Friday, the blue bicycles started appearing in docking stations throughout the city.
More than 9,000 people who have signed up for the program can now ride. The bikes will be available to anyone starting June 2.
The cost for a grab-and-go bike is $9.95 per day, $25 per week and $95 per year. The annual membership is the best deal, but they all include unlimited rides - just pick up and drop off at any one of the loctions in Manhattan (south of 59th Street) or Brooklyn (scattered in popular neighborhoods like Williamsburg).
The project has attracted plenty of early criticism. Some say it's too expensive, while others claim it's too invasive, taking up precious parking spots and blocking access.
