You might see Citi Bikes in downtown Miami and Miami Beach. A local company called DECOBIKE operates these Citi Bikes, not Lyft. Thus, you cannot use your NYC Citi Bikes in Miami.
Once you see Citi Bikes in Miami, you might wonder whether the Citi Bikes you rent in New York City apply here.
The answer is no.
A company operates and manages Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach. And that company is not Lyft.
Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach also have different rental costs.
You can rent these bikes hourly or with a membership.
You cannot unlock a New York Citi Bike pass in Miami and Miami Beach.
Citi Bike Explained
Citibank is the main sponsor of Citi Bike.
Citi Bike is a popular bike-sharing program that Lyft acquired at the end of September 2018.
The bike-sharing platform connects New Yorkers with the residents of Jersey City, both with its classic bike and pedal-assist rentals. The pedal-assist bikes are electric bikes.
Both of these bikes are available at docking stations.
You can find these docking stations all over New York City and Jersey City.
When you use Citi Bikes, you take advantage of the system. Whether you are an avid cyclist or just starting to bike, it does not matter.
It also does not matter if you only want a stress-free transportation solution when you travel from one point to another.
Every day of the week, Citi Bikes are accessible.
The bike-sharing platform can help you travel from one destination to another at any time of the day.
As of this time, Citi Bike is available throughout New York City’s boroughs. These are Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
It is also available in Jersey City as operated by Lyft.
Aside from New York City and Jersey City, you can also find Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach.
However, the Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach come with rates and pricing schemes.
Also, you cannot simultaneously use your Citi Bike app in New York City and Miami.
It is because Citi Bikes in New York City and Jersey City are under the management of Lyft. The Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach are under the leadership of DECOBIKE.
These are two different companies.
Both bike-sharing programs, however, are under the sponsorship of Citibank.
But this is where the similarities end.
The Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach have different rental rates. You can rent these bikes on a per-hour basis or with a membership.
As mentioned earlier, you cannot unlock the Miami and Miami Beach bikes with a New York City or Jersey City pass.
List of Contents
How does Citi Bike work in Miami?
You can use Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach in two ways. You can go with membership or hourly rentals.
The rates and manner by which you can use Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach differ from that in New York City.
There are two ways to use Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach.
Hourly Rentals
Hourly rentals will allow you to keep the bike for the whole duration of the rental period.
Also, you can dock or park your bike at any station. You can also check another bike while you are in your rental period.
The rental period begins at the time of your original transaction.
Membership
Another way to use Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach is through membership.
Bike Sharing Membership is a concept that many European cities practices.
The program will allow you to check out and return any available bike if you are under a membership.
You can do this at any time of the day.
You can also do this as many times as you want.
Another perk to using Citi Bikes is membership. You can utilize and dock a bike at any station.
The first half hour of use will be for free. This time allows you to travel from one station to another, where you can dock or park your bike.
Once you are in this station, you can get another bike again. It can be fun.
And you will not be paying for anything because the half-hour free ride resets every time you arrive at a station.
And so, with this payment scheme, you can get unlimited 30-minute rides for free.
Once docked, the bike you parked is available for the next person to use.
Because this is a bike-sharing program, you share the bike with other users. You will not have the bike under your possession for the whole duration of your rent.
Can you take Citi Bikes outside New York City?
You can ride a Citi Bike outside New York City. It is possible to bike from New York City to California using a Citi Bike. It will, however, entail costs.
The charges will be something you have to prepare to pay for. The answer is yes if you can take a Citi Bike outside New York City or Miami.
You can get your bike from a dock station in Miami Beach or whichever city has a Citi Bike program. And yes, you can bike your way to California if you want.
This idea is possible.
However, you must remember that no matter how far you go, you must return the bike to the service area. You have to lock and dock your bike at the end of your ride.
You must pay additional usage fees if your bike is far too long and exceeds the time specified in your membership or pass.
Where You Can Ride
Citi Bike stations operated by Lyft are all over Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Jersey City.
You can see these stations on the map. The locations are also strategically-placed, so they address the general public’s concerns regarding transportation needs.
Again, the system map will let you know of these stations.
As mentioned earlier, you can ride a Citi Bike outside any service area. However, this is not a good idea.
If you go too far, you must return to the service area. The need to return is for you to lock and dock your bike.
If you keep the bike with you for a short time, you will incur additional fees.
Citi Bike’s pricing page on their website will provide you with further details on the fees and additional charges in case you go beyond your specified time.
Also, you cannot take a Citi Bike on a bus, train, or ferry.
Can you wear headphones while riding a bike in Miami?
It’s advised not to ride while wearing headphones in Miami, Miami Beach, or Florida. There is a law that does not allow the use of headphones (except hearing aids) when riding a vehicle (including bikes).
You might think you are safe.
Since you feel comfortable, you can ride a bike while wearing headphones.
Please remember that a law bans headphones while operating a vehicle in Florida. And yes, that includes bicycles.
As for hearing aids, that is the lone exemption.
You cannot wear a headset, headphones, or other listening devices while biking or operating any vehicle.
Using headphones while participating in sports like running or cycling is becoming more popular nowadays.
Several companies like Apple and even sports manufacturers like Nike ensure the devices are ready for these trends.
Nike, for example, makes devices that provide athletes with data about their workouts. You can listen to this information through headphones.
As a runner or a biker, it is helpful to know about your current speed, calories burned, and many more while exercising.
But is this safe?
Is this even a good idea?
Are there laws that ban this practice?
There is always a common stereotype of cyclists wearing headphones while listening to music. And this is a dangerous practice.
You cannot pay attention to your surroundings as a cyclist (or even a jogger).
The music that blares out of the headphone motivates the athlete while training. Music also enhances performance as it de-stresses the athletes during training.
There are several types of headphones.
Some allow outside sounds to reach the ears.
Others do not.
The issue with the safety of cycling and headphones needs to be clarified. It isn’t very easy.
Some argue that it is not only with sounds you must depend on when cycling. You also have to use your sense of sight.
For example, you do not rely on sounds when making a turn. Instead, you rely on your sense of sight.
Some argue that earbuds would impair the hearing of external sounds. Some headphones produce little to no hearing impairment of external sounds.
This argument relies on the construction of the headphones for their resolution.
Others insist that wearing headphones on a bicycle is not a great idea. Some contend that cyclists cannot hear the sounds of traffic and other types of sounds with headphones on.
Also, you will need to hear whether the bike is functioning correctly or not.
There are also arguments on the risk of losing hearing because of headphones. Some point out that permanent hearing loss happens at around 85 decibels. And this is under the maximum sounds level produced by devices,
Urban roads can also sometimes reach around 70 decibels.
And when you use headphones at high levels, it can cause permanent damage to your ears.
The Law on Headphones and Cycling
Let me clarify that no law prohibits the deaf from riding bicycles.
However, in Florida, there is a law that prohibits the wearing of headphones and earbuds while riding a bicycle. It is illegal.
If you feel safe while wearing your headphones, you cannot wear them in Florida.
Whether riding your bike or renting a Citi Bike, it is illegal as long as you have your headphones on.
It also does not matter whether you feel safe with your bike.
The same goes for Citi Bikes.
While I understand Citi Bikes are some of the safest vehicles, you cannot wear your headphones while riding in Miami and the rest of Florida.
The only exception is when you are wearing a hearing aid.
You may receive a traffic citation if you wear headphones (not a hearing aid) while on a bicycle.
While wearing headphones is not allowed, there is one part of the law that most people question.
You are clear if you only wear your headphones with one ear.
Inconsistencies
Most people find it odd that cyclists cannot wear headphones in Miami and the rest of Florida.
However, all adult cyclists can ride without wearing helmets at all.
Reports and research show that helmets can save lives and other serious injuries.
Helmets do not inhibit external sound.
Helmets also do not hinder the cyclist’s sight.
Another area for improvement is the prospect of texting.
Headphones while cycling is illegal in Florida. However, texting while driving is okay.
There is no ban on distracted driving or riding while in the state.
—-
You can find Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach.
However, there is a difference when it comes to several things.
One of the differences is in the rental rates and payment schemes. You can rent Citi Bikes through membership or hourly rentals in Miami and Miami Beach.
In New York City and Jersey City, it is different.
Also, Citi Bikes in New York City and Jersey City are under one management. The Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach are under the management of another owner.
For this reason, you cannot use your passes in New York on Citi Bikes in Miami and Miami Beach.