Short summary: A New York City Council bill introduced this week would require Lyft, which runs Citi Bike, to report detailed crash data on its roughly 35,000 bikes to the city twice a year. Right now, if a Citi Bike hits you, there's generally very little public record of what happened, and that gap can make it harder to piece together your claim.
You've probably noticed Citi Bikes everywhere this summer. You've maybe also noticed how fast some of them move.
On August 13, City Council Transportation Chair Shaun Abreu introduced a bill that would change what New Yorkers get to know after a bike share crash.
What the bill would actually require
Under the proposal, Lyft would have to hand over detailed crash data every time a Citi Bike is involved in a collision. That includes:
- The bike's speed at the moment of the crash
- What or who it hit: another vehicle, a pedestrian, another cyclist
- Whether the rider was a Citi Bike member or a casual user
- How many previous bike share rides that rider had taken
- The rider's age
- Whether the crash caused an injury or death
The city's Department of Transportation would then have to publish that data on its website every six months. Right now, none of it is public.
Why this matters if you're ever hit
This bill comes during a rough stretch for street safety in New York. E-bike and scooter collisions are up nearly 32% this year, and 20 people have died in e-bike and scooter crashes so far in 2026, compared with 13 at this point last year.
Abreu's bill is part of a bigger package, at least 17 proposals the Council plans to review at a hearing on September 30, aimed at everything from illegal high-speed e-bikes to how delivery companies verify their riders.
If a Citi Bike hits you today
You don't have to wait for this bill to pass to protect yourself. Generally:
- Call 911 and get a police report, even if the injury feels minor at first
- Get the rider's name and, if they're a Citi Bike member, ask them to note the specific bike's dock number or ID
- Photograph the bike, the scene, and your injuries
- See a doctor within a day or two, not weeks later
Lyft carries insurance for Citi Bike, but that doesn't mean a claim is simple. Coverage and fault can depend on things like whether the rider was on a docked Citi Bike or an app-rented e-bike, and whether another driver was also involved. Our guide on what to do after a crash in New York covers the basics that still apply here.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
Can I sue if a Citi Bike rider hits me?
Generally, yes, if the rider was negligent, such as running a red light or riding on the sidewalk into you. Whether Lyft itself shares responsibility generally depends on the specifics, like whether the bike had a mechanical issue. An attorney can generally sort out who's liable faster than you can on your own.
What if the Citi Bike rider takes off after hitting me?
You may still have options. It works a lot like a hit-and-run or uninsured driver case, where your own insurance can sometimes step in. The path is different from a typical car crash claim, so it helps to get advice quickly.
Does this bill mean Citi Bike crashes will go down?
Not directly. It's a transparency measure, not a speed limit or design change. But public data generally helps the city figure out which intersections and bike lanes need fixing, which is a first step toward fewer crashes.
Not sure where you stand after a crash? Get your free case review or call (888) 208-0529. A real person answers, 24/7.
Reporting: amNewYork.
