Money Strapped New Yorkers Turn To Bikes For Relief

Many New York residents are using two wheels to fight against the MTA.

As the effects of the economy are being felt around the city, New Yorkers are looking for ways to save money. Biking in the city offers a unique way to get from one place to another, while saving money on one’s daily commute. With the cost of Metrocards rising all the time and the outrage at the MTA, angered residents are taking to the park on their bikes.

The bike path in Riverside was recently finished, allowing bikers to ride down from the George Washington Bridge to Battery Park at the bottom of the island, a project completed with money-saving New Yorkers in mind.

Lucca Zeray, a 17-year-old avid bike rider, has seen an increase in biking in recent years, even as far south as his neighborhood, Park Slope. He attributes this to the recession and people trying to save money anyway they can.

“There has been a drastic increase [in biking] since the price of Metrocards went up especially in the last four years,” Lucca says.

The city is promoting biking because they know that the recession is hurting people and the MTA is not doing anything to help. Government officials are making sure that people feel safe and comfortable in their city.

“In the Upper West Side, and all over the city, people are pinching pennies and tightening their purse strings. We realize that people are using the parks more and biking to save money. We are allocating money to provide these residents with appropriate places to do this safely,” said Shula Warren, chief of staff for Councilmember Gale Brewer.

With the completion of this path, people are riding not just for recreation, but also to make a statement to the MTA. Lucca thinks that the usage of bikes will only keep rising and the MTA will notice.

“This is going to show the MTA that they need to care more for [the citizens that use the subway],” he says.

Jesse Groom, 17, used to take the train, spending up to $50 a month on transportation, but the MTA’s actions have led him to become a devoted biker. He says biking makes him happy because he knows he doesn’t have to worry about money spent on transportation.

“Since I bike a lot, I can save my money for food and other things throughout the day,” he says.

With the current state of the economy, residents cannot afford to own a vehicle in the city. The upkeep of a bicycle is much less than a car. Residents do not have to spend money on gas or pay for parking.

“[Saving money] is the biggest draw that I have noticed for people switching to bikes, as owning a car in the city is a tedious experience,” Jesse says.

The city is providing people the opportunity to save money on their daily commute and feel safe and secure while doing it.

“What the bike lanes do is more provide a law based safety,” Jesse says. “When people are protected by the law, like they are in a bike lane, they are more likely to try biking and feel free to do it, saving them a great amount of money in their daily lives. ”