Have SNAP Benefits? Own A Chase Sapphire Reserve Card? You May Be Eligible For Free Rides Or A $5 Month CitiBike Membership

by CrownHeights.info

CitiBike, New York City’s bike-share program, has officially planted roots in Crown Heights, placing the all-important bike rack on Eastern parkway and Kingston Ave, just across from 770.

Now that it’s here, let’s take a look at one of the lucrative deals that CitiBike offers.

The Reduces Fare Bike Share Program offers residents of New York City Housing Authority buildings and people who are on SNAP (Food Stamps) Benefits membership to the city-wide bike share program for just $5 a month.

Citi Bike is touted as “a faster and more active transportation option” that is perfect for young and not-so-young members of the Crown Heights community for getting to work or school, running errands or attending social events, and connecting to other forms of transit.

With a CitiBike membership, you can take as many rides as you want while your membership is active, and the first 45 minutes of each ride are included in your plan when you ride a Citi Bike classic, Non-Electric, bike.

If you want to upgrade to an e-bike, it will be an extra $0.05/minute, capped at $3 for rides of 45 minutes or less that start or end outside Manhattan. If you keep a bike out for longer than 45 minutes at a time, regardless of type or destination, it will cost $0.15 per minute.

Not interested in paying for a monthly membership at all? If you are a Chase Sapphire Reserve Cardholder, you don’t have to pay at all.

As CitiBike is a subsidy of the famous Lyft rideshare app, the Lyft Pink All Access available to cardholders also gives membership to CitiBike.

As part of Lyft Pink, cardholders can get free, unlimited 45-min classic bike rides, free unlimited e-bike and scooter unlocks, discounted e-bike and scooter rates and three bike or scooter guest passes per year.

That is on top of the already great returns you get on the card itself.

With CitiBike’s arrival in Crown Heights, the community may have just become a little more mobile and accessible.

How to Join

NYCHA Residents

All New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents 16 years and older are eligible for a discounted membership of only $5 per month.

Here’s what you need to verify your eligibility:

  • NYCHA Account Number (found on your tenant rent bill)
  • Credit or debit card*

Join for $5 per month

SNAP Recipients

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamp) recipients 16 years and older are eligible for a discounted membership of only $5 per month.

Here’s what you need to sign up:

  • EBT card number (for verification purposes only)
  • Credit or debit card*

Join for $5 per month

If more than one person in your household wants to sign up, give CitiBike a call at 1-855-BIKE-311 and they can help you out.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Cardholders

To enroll, just have your Sapphire Reserve card saved as your Lyft payment method and then click on Lyft Pink in the app, where you will have the option to start your 2 free years.

This offer is available for activation through 12/31/24.

One Comment

  • Menachem Goldshteyn

    Will the city at least put in some bike lanes in ch or do they do this only for elitist hipsters?