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If your Citi Bike routine goes “unlock, adjust seat, pedal like a maniac,” soon there’ll be a new step in the choreography: proving you’re old enough to be on the bike in the first place.
City Hall has told Lyft, the operator of Citi Bike, to finally enforce the program’s longstanding 16-and-up rule by adding an age verification process, according to amNew York. First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro made the demand in an Aug. 12 letter and Lyft has agreed to roll it out within the next three months.
The exact how is still TBD. A driver’s license upload? Learner’s permit? A mysterious, futuristic eyeball scan? (OK, probably not the last one.) Lyft exec Michael Brous called the process “complex,” pointing to vendor negotiations, privacy protections, and tech integrations, but stressed that safety is “our top priority.”
The move comes amid mounting concern about underage teens zipping around on Citi Bike’s e-bikes. Just two months ago, the Adams administration forced the service to cap its e-bike speeds at 15 mph, down from 18, after city officials cited safety risks.
“Mayor Adams will always protect New Yorkers’ safety, especially the safety of our children,” Mastro said, calling underage riders both a safety hazard and a quality-of-life headache. His letter even warned that if Lyft didn’t act quickly, the city might pursue “appropriate steps” to fix the problem itself.
Supporters say the new step could save lives. Venture capitalist (and dad) Bradley Tusk published an op-ed in the New York Daily News last week, urging the city to crack down, writing, “As a parent, I know how much I worry and I know how important this is.”
Citi Bike insists it will make the extra hoop as painless as possible. “We’ll work with the First Deputy Mayor’s office to implement an age verification option that minimizes friction for riders,” said General Manager Patrick Knoth.
Still, the numbers tell a story: While total bike collisions have stayed steady—around 2,500 so far this year—e-bike crashes are up 30 percent compared to last year, with 480 already logged by the NYPD.
If you’re planning to roll through the city’s bike lanes this fall, don’t be surprised when your next Citi Bike unlock comes with a new question: “How old are you really?”