Citi Bike Ad Urges Riders To ‘Hit The Promenade’ Where It’s Against The Law To Ride A Bike

By on May 26, 2013 1:51 pm in Brooklyn Heights

This dispatch just in from a BHB reader concerned about the message included in a Citibank ad on the Citi Bike kiosk on Hicks and Montague Streets:

I just saw the information sign next to the Citibike rack at Hicks and Montague…There is a list of things that you could do while riding your Citibike…Top of the list is “Hit the Promenade”…I have always been under the impression that bike riding was not allowed on the Promenade…What is going on here?

Yes, it’s totally against the rules to ride a bike on the Promenade. We’ll assume that the ad’s intention was for users to “hit the promenade” responsibly. Right?

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  • petercow

    Does it say “Ride on the Promenade”?

    If there was an ad from the AAA to “hit the Promenade”, do you think they mean for people to drive on it?

    Homer, why not work Lena Dunham into to the posts to generate more hits?

  • Park Lover

    Certainly looks like Citi is marketing the bikes as another tourist benefit, instead of as a form of public transportation-

  • petercow

    It is not priced for tourists.

  • jazz

    that’s a lie as there is a $9.95 option for daily users so stop with trying to brainwash us with this is an alternative to taking the friggin subway only

  • Rick

    I think it clearly does read as an invitation to ride the bikes on the Promenade.

    “Hit the Promenade”, as in “Hit the Road”. “Hit” in this case is interchangeable with “ride”.

    Citibank needs to delete or change that line, especially because tourists will use the service and won’t know the rules about the Promenade.

    petercow, that isn’t a criticism of the program (which I think is great), just of the sign!

  • Wiley E

    Maybe some dump tourist will hit the promenade at full speed, wipe-out and sue $hiti Bank for telling them to so. One can hope.

  • Justthefacts

    Nice catch Homer. But you’re always going to get an argument from the citi apologists on any criticism of the bike share program. And its just that arrogant attitude that has polarized this city. And for what…for a bunch of play toys that no one in this mass transit/walking city really needs.

  • TMS

    The only thing that speaks are lawsuits. People should plan to sue Citibank, the city and the cyclist if they get injured. But as long as cyclists follow the traffic laws that shouldn’t happen…right?

  • petercow

    I don’t have a problem with the Citibank sign.anymore than if it said “Hit Yankee Stadium”, and people thought they could ride there.

    However, I think the no bike riding signs should be a lot more prominent at Promenade entrances. Just this morning, about 8 am, I saw 2 tourists (i think) on bikes, ride on to it. I always say something when I see someone riding their bike.

  • Jorale-man

    It’s just a whimsical advertisement – not to be taken literally. The BHB really needs to move on from this issue. It’s getting tiresome.

  • petercow

    Membership is now over 17,500 and counting.

  • petercow

    Einstein, it’s $9.95 – but you have to dock the bike every 30 minutes.

  • Wiley E

    Is there a fine for riding a bike on the Promenade? Or is it just like the fines for not picking up after your dog?

  • petercow

    I’m a city slicker, I ain’t no townie..

  • petercow

    I presume all those things. drinking, bike riding, littering etc. are punishable by fines. Would love to see them enforced.

  • petercow

    Oh, and FYI, you’re not allowed to ride a bike on Jane’s Carousel.

  • John C. Kimbrough

    The idea of having a bike share program is a good one but like all things it will take a while to see how it works out and if it works out. Adjustments may have to be made. We all have much to be thankful for in our lives. Let us wait and see how things work out before we condemn them or think badly of them.

  • John C. Kimbrough

    Maybe only in this area since Brooklyn Heights does seem to get a lot of tourists. As I child growing up in this area I do not remember so many tourists and we as children used to ride out bicycles joyfully everywhere, but never on the promenade…….

  • John C. Kimbrough

    Sometimes our perceptions of things are not the reality, they are only our perceptions. At present I am enthusiastic about the bike share program and am interested in getting to know about it and see how it works out……

  • John C. Kimbrough

    I think the current situation on the promenade is much better then it was in the past (a long time ago), but the idea of having an officer there full time seems like a good one. I usually see good people on the promenade at all hours of the day and night enjoying themselves and acting in a responsible manner. John does a very good job of keeping The promenade clean and he is also friendly to all……

  • BP

    Have a pleasant day all my NIMBY neighbors.

  • John C. Kimbrough

    Most of the cyclists that I have seen in Brooklyn Heights and on the promenade ride slowly and responsibly. Many of the groups of tourists seem to know about the rules and dismount from their bikes before walking out on to the promenade. The most dangerous place as far as riding bikes and walking is on The Brooklyn Bridge. It is not a problem or issue in Brooklyn Heights or the promenade…..

  • John C. Kimbrough

    I have not seen any dumb tourists in Brooklyn Heights. They are friendly, humble and polite and seem to be enjoying themselves.

  • John C. Kimbrough

    Perhaps bigger signs need to be at all of the entrances to the promenade as you so wisely imply and suggest…….

  • John C. Kimbrough

    From what I have seen in using the promenade for the last 50 years is that people do the right things when using it. Most people do pick up after their dogs but some do not……..It is most unfortunate…..

  • John C. Kimbrough

    If I wish to use a bicycle for the day or in the summer, it is better for me then spending 300-700 dollars on a bike. I am interested and enthusiastic about the program and look forward to using it and seeing how it works out…..

  • petercow

    I walk my dog every morning, early. In the summer, there is almost always garbage strewn under benches.. often 2 feet from a trash can.

    Infuriating.

  • petercow

    I would love to see a separate, segregated lane for cyclists or pedestrians.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    The trash cans are often overflowing, disgusting.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    It seems to be the only topic keeping the BHB alive, at this time…

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