Citi Bike's electric bikes fill a nice niche for New York City commuters and tourists. They are more pleasant and flexible than the often crowded and warm subway and cheaper than grabbing a ride via a cab, rideshare, or rickshaw.
For that reason, e-bikes can be in hot demand. If you are lucky enough to find a rack with just one or two available, it feels like a nice everyday win.
Unfortunately, that win is becoming increasingly fleeting for many riders. One Redditor recently shared a disturbing trend, where they said there were scratched-out QR codes and torn-off e-bike numbers at two docks they visited.
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Most riders rely on the QR codes and numbers to check out the e-bikes via the Citi Bike app, so whoever is doing it is rendering the bikes unusable.
While the exact motivation is unclear, multiple Redditors speculate that the offenders are writing down the number or taking a picture of the QR code before doctoring them. That way, the bike becomes "theirs," as they're the only ones with the information to unlock it.
Whatever the rationale, it's frustrating for riders who want to tap into the benefits of e-bikes as an alternative to gas-powered vehicles.
These include lowering traffic congestion, cutting down on air pollution, reducing our dependence on dirty energy, and saving energy. As a side benefit, e-bikes also provide a nice entryway into EVs for consumers that can encourage them to consider switching from their traditional car.
When the e-bikes are essentially taken out of circulation, Citi Bike users can become disillusioned and cancel their memberships. New riders may be discouraged from giving the e-bikes a go at all.
Redditors affirmed the original poster's observations, echoing that they're increasingly seeing the same thing.
"It feels like winning the lotto when you find a working e-bike," one noted.
Another Reddit user voiced their exasperation, saying the issue "is so frustrating to the point that I want to cancel the membership."
Several Redditors demanded justice for the offenders and more action from Citi Bike.
"Citi needs to fit their bikes with nfc sensors or something, don't let these vandals win," one implored.
One went even further, calling it a "crime against the public."
"I hope they punish the s*** out of the people doing it," they concluded.
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