Recent Discussions
When are drop off points calculated, pick up or drop off?
Hi, I have been a CitiBike Angel since late summer, and my understanding of the point system has been that points are determined at the time I check out a bike. Specifically, if a docking station is worth +3 points when I check out the bike, I would still earn those 3 points even if the station’s status changes (e.g., to -3) during my ride. However, I’ve noticed discrepancies in practice. It seemed like every day I was being informed that I had dropped off at a “pick-up” station, resulting in lost multipliers and no points. I assumed this was due to crossing the 15-minute threshold and the app not updating quickly enough to reflect the station’s status accurately. After exchanging emails with CitiBike support, I’ve been informed (see below) that point assignments are actually based on the status of the docking station at the time of drop-off, not pick-up. This directly conflicts with what many of my fellow Angels on Reddit insist is the correct understanding. CitiBike Support Response (2nd clarification): Thank you for reaching out and sharing your understanding of how the station status and point assignments should work. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify this process for you. The point assignments and station status are indeed based on the conditions at the time the bike is docked, not when it is initially checked out. This means if the station transitions to a “pick-up” status during your ride, the system will reflect that change when the bike is returned. I understand how this might feel inconsistent with what you were told previously, especially if this has led to unexpected outcomes during your rides. Your feedback highlights the importance of ensuring clear communication about how our system works. I’ll make sure this is passed along to our team for review. If you’d like, I can also assist in reviewing your recent rides to see if there’s any further explanation for the behavior you’ve observed. Just let me know! Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and I’m here if you have any additional questions or concerns. I hope this clarification can help resolve the confusion and ensure that expectations are aligned with how the system currently operates.Are you actually going to send me the water bottle?
I reached lifetime level of 500 in August and filled out the form immediately to receive my water bottle and badge. It’s now three months (and ten phone calls) later. I’ve gotten lots of apologies but no gift. If you’re not really going to send it, don’t advertise it.
Who is in the Right, Citibike Employee or Me??
The other day I was on my way to do some errands when I saw a great point opportunity in the Manhattan area. The drop of spot was a major hub that needed bikes for after work riders, so was awarding 12 points. So I went out of my way and dropped my bike off there scoring a good point combo. After docking I saw they were still awarding 12 points for drop off. A quarter mile away, a station was awarding high points to pick up. It was a nice night so I decided to do the combo to get some great points. When I got back to the major CB hub, I docked the bike. All of a sudden an irate Citibike employee working as a concierge came up to me and said if I continued to do BikeAngels there he was going to suspend my BikeAngels membership. I was taken back, since this is the first time in 5ish years doing BA, that a concierge ever approached me like this, they have always been thankful for the help. The employee then went on to say that there were other BikeAngels dropping off bikes making his job hard. I said that I was only going by the points posted and though I was helping. He continued to get nasty, and I told him to take it up with Citibike if the point system is not reflecting a true supply/demand disruption that needs correction. Plus I told him he could have just asked me nicely instead of approaching in a belligerent way, I was not trying to cause him extra work. I then did my errands. Anyway has this ever happened to others? Thanks!
Is it worth it to move undocked CaBi e-bikes as a Bike Angel?
There are many e-bikes that are not docked at a station. If I got on one to move it to a station and collect points, would I still be charged the unlock fee and per minute? Trying to understand what the incentive is for bike angels to move undocked bikes to stations.
