Valet service is common at many Lower Manhattan parking garages, but now cyclists will be able to avail themselves of the same luxury as motorists: Starting today, two local Citi Bike stations will be staffed by personnel who will speed check-in for those surrendering bikes, and make sure there are enough two-wheelers for those about to depart.
The valet service is part of a pilot program being field-tested by Motivate, the operators of the Citi Bike program, at 14 Manhattan locations. One of the Lower Manhattan docking stations that will offer valet service, located at Chambers and West Streets, is the second-busiest among all of the 600-plus Citi Bike stations in New York. (The most heavily used is the Pershing Square station, near Grand Central Terminal.) In July, riders began or ended more than 27,000 trips at the Chambers and West kiosk. The other Lower Manhattan location, at the corner of Battery Place and Broadway, is also among the system’s most heavily used.
“We’re thrilled to launch Citi Bike Valet Service for the thousands of monthly users of the program in Battery Park City,” said Battery Park City Authority president and chief operating officer Shari C. Hyman.
Jules Flynn, the general manager of Citi Bike, added, “this location, right along the greenway and next to a neighborhood with such vibrant residential, commercial, and retail means the West and Chambers Citi Bike station sees high traffic throughout the day. We’re delighted to bring Citi Bike valet service to this bustling area.”
The pilot program will station Citi Bike employees at both locations on weekdays, from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. The program is slated to run through October 7. If deemed successful, it may be extended through the end of Citi Bike’s season, on November 4.
Battery Park City hosts five Citi Bike stations. The other four are located at the intersections of Little West Street and First Place, West Thames Street and South End Avenue, Liberty Street and South End Avenue, and Vesey Place and River Terrace. The last two of these also rank in the top 20 Citi Bike’s overall usage.