{"id":1553,"date":"2025-05-29T18:25:30","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T18:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/farah-louis\/?p=1553"},"modified":"2025-05-29T18:26:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T18:26:11","slug":"council-members-louis-marte-introduce-the-wheel-deal-legislative-package-to-expand-citi-bike-access-for-students-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/farah-louis\/2025\/05\/29\/council-members-louis-marte-introduce-the-wheel-deal-legislative-package-to-expand-citi-bike-access-for-students-older-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Council Members Louis & Marte Introduce “The Wheel Deal” Legislative Package to Expand Citi Bike Access for Students & Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"
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May 30, 2025<\/strong>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong>
CONTACT: Joshua Greene, Communications Director<\/strong>\u00a0JGreene@council.nyc.gov<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

New York, NY <\/strong>\u2013 Yesterday, New York City Council Members Farah Louis<\/strong> and Christopher Marte<\/strong> introduced \u201cThe Wheel Deal,” a legislative package aimed at making Citi Bikes more affordable and accessible for two underserved groups: public school students aged 16 and up and older adults.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the package’s introduction, the Council Members held a rally outside City Hall at a nearby Citi Bike station, joined by transportation advocates and community leaders to spotlight the pressing need for equitable transportation options across the five boroughs.<\/p>\n

The legislative package includes Intro. 1287<\/strong>, introduced by Council Member Louis, which would require the NYC Department of Transportation to implement a discounted Citi Bike membership program for public high school students aged 16 and up. A companion bill, Intro. 1288<\/strong>, introduced by Council Member Marte and Co-Primed by Council Member Louis, would extend a similar discounted rate to older adults.<\/p>\n

For many students juggling school, part-time jobs, and after-school commitments, the cost of Citi Bike remains a significant barrier. Older adults on fixed incomes face similar challenges. As Citi Bike expands into outer-borough neighborhoods where car ownership is often essential and public transit options can be unreliable, these costs put bikeshare out of reach for many New York families. This legislation seeks to eliminate those financial hurdles, making Citi Bike an affordable and accessible transportation option for both students and seniors.<\/p>\n

By increasing access, the bills support healthier lifestyles, greater independence, and stronger community ties while advancing the city\u2019s goals of equity and sustainable mobility. Affordable bikeshare not only opens doors to opportunity but also helps reduce bike theft and prevent the criminalization of young people, fostering safer neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am proud to introduce this legislation to make Citi Bike more affordable for public school students aged 16 and older. As Citi Bike expands deeper into our outer-borough neighborhoods, we must ensure that this service remains equitable and accessible to the communities who need it most. Affordability and equity must be central considerations if this program is to truly serve all families,\u201d said Council Member Farah Louis<\/strong>. \u201cBy reducing financial barriers to bike share access, we are helping our young people move safely, independently, and affordably through their neighborhoods, strengthening access to education, employment, and opportunity across our city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTransportation shouldn\u2019t be a privilege\u2014it should be a right. By making Citi Bike more affordable for seniors and public school students, we\u2019re opening the door to more equitable access across our city,\u201d said Council Member Christopher Marte<\/strong>. \u201cAs someone who uses Citi Bike nearly every day, I know firsthand how empowering it is to have quick, reliable, and healthy transportation. This legislation is about justice, health, and giving people of all ages a better way to move around their neighborhoods. When our kids and our elders can thrive, our whole city thrives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs rising costs continue to burden New Yorkers, affordable transportation options for older adults and public school students foster healthy communities and strengthen the economic vitality of neighborhoods,\u201d said Valerie De La Rosa, Chair, Manhattan Community Board 2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“We are thrilled to see Council Members Marte and Louis championing legislation that would make bike share more affordable and accessible for New Yorkers, ” said Christopher Rosario, Chair of the Youth Activist Committee for Transportation Alternatives<\/strong>. \u201cThis bill package is a clear indicator of the growing demand for sustainable and healthy transportation options. We believe that by investing in programs like this, particularly through public funding, we can truly unlock the potential of bike share to serve every community.”<\/p>\n

“The vast majority of New York City students and older adults bike, walk, or take transit to school \u2014 but there\u2019s still no accessible way for students and seniors to choose Citi Bike,\u201d said Emily Jacobi, Manhattan Organizer at Transportation Alternatives<\/strong>. \u201cFor years, Transportation Alternatives has been fighting for a $5\/month Citi Bike membership option for students, and we\u2019re excited to see new legislation that could make this critical mode of transportation more affordable for riders of all ages and abilities. Let\u2019s get it done!\u201d<\/p>\n

Find the bill text for Intro. 1287 here<\/a> and Intro. 1288 here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

###<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

May 30, 2025<\/strong>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong>
CONTACT: Joshua Greene, Communications Director<\/strong>\u00a0JGreene@council.nyc.gov<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

New York, NY <\/strong>\u2013 Yesterday, New York City Council Members Farah Louis<\/strong> and Christopher Marte<\/strong> introduced \u201cThe Wheel Deal,” a legislative package aimed at making Citi Bikes more affordable and accessible for two underserved groups: public school students aged 16 and up and older adults.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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