Some Upper East Side Residents Outraged Over New Citi Bike Station
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some residents who live in the Upper East Side are outraged that Citi Bike is rolling into their neighborhood.
CBS2's Jessica Moore reported metal bike racks are lining the stretch of 91st Street between Second and Third Avenues, which has been closed to vehicle traffic for 40 years.
The street is also home to many elderly and disabled residents.
"It's dangerous," said Maria Laguna. "Take me for example. I'm very unstable on my feet. If I see a bunch of bikes coming at me, what's going to happen to me?"
The debate between Citi Bike and residents is nothing new, but the people who live in the Upper East Side said this time it's different. The rack blocks the only handicap entrance to the park.
Tony Cambio, a blind man who lives on the street, had trouble maneuvering around the row of bikes because his dog couldn't figure out a way around the metal racks.
"I think it's a horror," said Cambio. "I live here and I'm trying to cross the street and I'm going to fall and break my neck."
However, not everyone thinks the 39 new bikes are a bad idea.
"I think it's a great thing for the neighborhood," said business owner Lisa Dragonetti. "I run a business and it brings more people to Second Avenue, so I think it's a great thing."
Councilman Ben Kallos (D-5th) said his office sent a letter to the city Department of Transportation last year when the plans were first proposed, asking them not to put a Citi Bike station in a dedicated play street.
"Citi Bike is fine, but not on a closed street, so I'd like them to move it ten feet away," said Kallos, adding that the "DOT has been great."
"They've moved half a dozen stations and when they see one that isn't working, they've been great," explained Kallos.
The DOT said they didn't know about the issue on 91st Street until CBS2 brought it to their attention.
This raises the question of how much communication goes on between DOT and the communities where these bike stations are going in.
The new 91st Street station is part of Citi Bike's expansion to the Upper East and West Sides, Jersey City and Brooklyn.