Software Issues Delay Implementation Of NYC's Bike Sharing Program
New York (CBSNewYork) -- If you've been spinning your wheels waiting for New York City's bike sharing program to start, you'll have to wait a little longer. Officials announced Friday that it will be delayed until spring.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan had announced the plans for the project in May and said they hoped to launch the Citi Bike program by the end of the summer, reported WCBS 880's Rich Lamb.
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On his morning radio show, the mayor said the delay was due to software issues. It is now set to debut in March 2013.
Sadik-Khan assured the delay would not cost New Yorkers a cent, and said more time would ensure the functionality of the entire system when it is finally introduced.
"Running a bike-share system is not just about putting bikes on the street. Each station and dock is like a computer and the whole thing needs to work perfectly to manage the solar power and process the huge number of transitions and communicate in real time with the computer," she said. "It isn't easy, but it also isn't rocket science."
Paul Steely White at Transportation Alternatives said he understands the delay.
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"I think we're obviously disappointed that we're not getting bikes here sooner than later, but it is a big, complex system in a big, complex city so it's much more important to do it correctly than quickly," White told 1010 WINS.
The program will place 7,000 bikes at 420 stations in Manhattan and Brooklyn during phase 1 of its implementation. The blue bikes will have sponsor CitiBank's logo emblazoned on them.
"We're really excited about it. It's going be really the best deal in town and we've seen unprecedented support for it. I think the last poll showed 74 percent of New Yorkers support this program," Sadik-Khan said.
