Statement from Comptroller Stringer on the Passing of Herman “Denny” Farrell, Jr.

  “For more than 40 years, Herman “Denny” Farrell served New York with unparalleled grace and integrity, as an Assemblymember and as a proud, big-D Democrat who never wavered in his commitment to lifting people up.

“As someone who knew him since the age of 16, he was the ultimate mentor to me throughout my life, as he was for so many others. New York lost a giant in the passing of Denny Farrell, but he leaves behind a legacy of service that will live on for decades. His wonderful family is in my thoughts and prayers.”

SCHUMER URGES U.S. POSTAL SERVICE TO REVERSE POLICY PREVENTING ROCHESTER VETERANS FROM DISTRIBUTING MEMORIAL DAY POPPIES AT LOCAL POST OFFICE

Senator To USPS: Let Veterans Distribute Memorial Day Poppies At Post Offices 

  U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer today publically demanded the U.S. Postal Service, specifically Postmaster General of the United States Megan Brennan, immediately reverse the Jefferson Road Post Office in Rochester from blocking veterans from distributing and accepting donations for poppies on post office property. Schumer said every year around Memorial Day, veterans far and wide distribute and accept donations to help local veteran groups.

“Preventing veterans from distributing Memorial Day poppies is simply disrespectful to our veterans who protected and defended us,” said Senator Schumer.  “Not only is it exasperating that the post office would stand in the way of this long-standing tradition that helps so many veterans, but also that the post office shamed a group of veterans by forcing them to vacate the post office against their will. I strongly urge the U.S. Postal Service to immediately reverse this overly bureaucratic policy and formally apologize to the veterans who were wrongfully treated by the Jefferson Road Post Office.”

Schumer’s public call comes in response to the Jefferson Road Post Office forcing local Rochester veterans to leave the premise, citing a rarely enforced United States Postal Service policy against soliciting on post office property.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We commend U.S. Senator Schumer in his effort to help veterans, but in this time of cutbacks in service, attempts to close post offices, and price increases for all types of mail we think the last three should be the priorities of not only U.S. Senator Schumer, but also U.S. Senator Gillibrand.

The public can no longer deal with short staffed post offices, post offices with equipment constantly in need of repair, and post offices that are constantly closed during business hours for one reason or another. 

The number one priority of both U.S. Senators should be that post offices are kept open, are properly staffed, and that the effort by the USPS to close post offices when the reason is that customers are mailing elsewhere because their local post office if understaffed, closed for lunch or closed because the computer network is down.

Deal with what the real problems at the post office are U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand.

Hedge Fund Founder Pleads Guilty To Fraud In Connection With Bribery Of Former Correction Officers Union Leader

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the guilty plea of MURRAY HUBERFELD to wire fraud conspiracy in connection with funds used to bribe the former president of the nation’s largest municipal correction officers union.  Specifically, HUBERFELD, founder of the Platinum Partners hedge fund (“Platinum”), pled guilty to conspiring with an intermediary, Jona Rechnitz, to cause the fund to pay $60,000 to Rechnitz’s company by falsely representing that the money was payment for courtside tickets to eight New York Knicks basketball games.  Instead, as HUBERFELD knew, the actual purpose of the payment was to reimburse Rechnitz for having paid Norman Seabrook, then-president of the Correction Officer’s Benevolent Association (“COBA”), for Seabrook’s efforts to get COBA to invest millions of dollars in Platinum.  HUBERFELD pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Murray Huberfeld caused his former hedge fund to pay tens of thousands of dollars to a criminal partner in order to enable another crime – paying off the head of the correction officer’s union for the investment of millions of its members’ funds.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to fight fraud and corruption.”

According to the Superseding Information, Superseding Indictment, Indictment, and Complaint filed in this case, other public filings, statements made during the plea proceeding, and evidence and testimony presented at trial proceedings in October and November of 2017:

HUBERFELD was the founder of Platinum, a hedge fund that he continued to help operate unofficially even after his formal affiliation with the fund had ceased.  In late 2013, HUBERFELD and Rechnitz, a real estate businessman who was an acquaintance of HUBERFELD, sought to attract public and institutional investors to the fund.  At or around that time, Rechnitz told HUBERFELD that a contact of his – COBA President Norman Seabrook – would likely invest COBA’s money in Platinum.  Over the next few months, Seabrook caused COBA to invest approximately $20 million of its funds into Platinum, including $15 million from a retirement benefits program funded by the City of New York that invests money for correction officers’ retirements.

In or around December 2014, arrangements were made to pay Seabrook personally for the millions of dollars the Union had invested over the course of that year.  Rechnitz paid Seabrook $60,000 in cash, delivered to Seabrook in a men’s luxury handbag.  HUBERFELD and Rechnitz then arranged for Platinum’s management company to receive a fraudulent invoice for $60,000 – generated by Rechnitz – that, on its face, billed Platinum for eight pairs of courtside tickets to New York Knick games given to Platinum by Rechnitz, who owned Knicks season tickets.  In truth, and as HUBERFELD knew, the reason given to Platinum was false, and no Knicks tickets had changed hands.  The real purpose of the payment was to reimburse Rechnitz, who had paid Seabrook for his efforts in securing COBA’s investments.  Three days later, Platinum issued Rechnitz a $60,000 check. 

HUBERFELD, 57, of Lawrence, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  The charge carries a maximum term of five years in prison. HUBERFELD is scheduled to be sentenced on September 14, 2018. The maximum potential penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Trial against Seabrook, on charges of (i) conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, (ii) the substantive offense of honest services wire fraud, and (iii) the substantive crime of wire fraud with respect to COBA’s right to control its assets, is scheduled to commence on July 30, 2018, before Judge Hellerstein.  As to Seabrook, the charges in the various charging instruments are merely allegations, and Seabrook is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department, Internal Affairs Division.

A.G. Underwood Issues Reminder To Victims Of Western Union Wiring Scam Of May 31, 2018 Deadline For Filing Refund Claims

Over 30,000 New Yorkers Were Affected by Scam, Losing Approximately $35 Million

Eligible New Yorkers Can File Online Claim Form at FTC.gov/WU

AG Underwood Warns Against Fraudsters Seeking to Charge Consumers for Refund Claims

  Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood today issued a reminder to New Yorkers that the deadline for filing a refund claim in connection with a nationwide settlement with Western Union is May 31st, 2018. Consumers who were induced by scammers into wiring money via Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 are eligible to file claims. 

In accordance with January 2017 settlements with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, 49 states, and the District of Columbia, Western Union agreed to pay $586 million to provide refunds to victims of fraudulently induced wire transfers nationwide, including for New York victims. The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for administering the refund program.

“I encourage any consumer who lost money through a Western Union wire transfer and who is eligible for a refund to file a claim through the FTC’s website,” said Attorney General Barbara Underwood. “The process for filing a claim is quick, painless, and free.”

Attorney General Underwood has also warned New Yorkers to be aware of fraudsters who may try to charge them money for filing their claim. There is no need to hire a lawyer to file a claim, nor can any third party obtain a refund more quickly.

Consumers who think they may be eligible for a refund should visit the website of the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov/WU to file a claim online, download a claim form, and/or obtain information on how to file a claim.

BRONX DA DARCEL D. CLARK ANNOUNCES POLICIES ON BAIL AND DISCOVERY AS WELL AS ENHANCED SERVICES FOR CRIME VICTIMS

Criminal Justice Reform That Aids Defendants And Focuses on Victims; As Bronx Murders Rise, Complex Homicide Program Aids Loved Ones  

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced policies for bail and discovery, as well as enhanced services and new initiatives for assisting crime victims, dovetailing with her Office’s mission of pursuing justice with integrity. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “We must never let crime victims feel as if they are not a priority in the criminal justice system. We can be fair in our treatment of defendants while we ensure full assistance and protection of victims and witnesses. The residents of the Bronx are counting on me to keep them safe and to be fair to their family members who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Our purpose as prosecutors is to do justice while maintaining public safety.

 “So far this year the Bronx has seen a surge in homicides—34 victims, a more than 60 percent increase over last year—so our enhanced services for victims’ loved ones as well as witnesses to these crimes are proving even more crucial.” 

 The Bronx suffers from an inordinate share of the city’s crime, and much of it is fueled by poverty and other social ills. No longer will jail be used as a tool for leverage or unfair advantage; neither will an accused’s financial handicap be a reason for losing their freedom. The Office will now consider the least restrictive options that will ensure a defendant’s return to court, such as Supervised Release. But the safety of the public must also be considered, and as such prosecutors will continue to look at each case individually, giving it a thorough, fair, objective evaluation at arraignment and throughout the life of the case.

 Expanding discovery gives defendants increased access to materials and documents used by the prosecution, injects more fairness in the system and helps the trial process flow, but it must also take into consideration the need to protect the safety of witnesses, victims, and ongoing investigations. The delicate balance between these competing interests influences thE speed of disclosure. Assistant District Attorneys must weigh the import of efficiency and exercise caution when turning over material that may compromise victim and witness safety and on-going investigations.

 Ultimately, on misdemeanor cases, discovery will be turned over to defense counsel as early as possible in the adjudication process, well before the 15 days prior to trial required by the Chief Administrative Judge’s model order used by trial courts. In order to protect privacy, privilege, and attorney work product, each case may require appropriate redactions, the filing of motions for protective orders, and delivering materials to the defense. As such, the entire Office has a role in expediting discovery. 

 District Attorney Clark also announced that The Bronx is the only District Attorney’s Office in New York State and one of seven nationwide with a Complex Homicide Program, for gang and interfamilial killings. Last year the office was awarded a grant for $593,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Victims of Crime for a three-year period to identify promising victim-centered and trauma-informed responses to loved ones left behind after a homicide.

 The Bronx DA’s Office partnered with the NYPD, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner and the Center for Court Innovation to create a multidisciplinary team to respond to the needs of the family and other loved ones of the homicide victim within 24 to 48 hours. Detectives at the Homicide Task Force make referrals to a victim advocate who is on site. The advocate and a trauma therapist immediately assess the family’s needs and put a plan in action, involving the the Bronx DA’s Homicide Bureau and Domestic Violence Bureau in the process. Since the program began a year ago, 124 family members or loved ones have been assisted. 

 District Attorney Clark also has restructured crime victims’ and witnesses’ services, to provide comprehensive assessments, support, direct assistance and referrals, as needed, to increase safety and security. This will allow the Crime Victims Assistance Unit to focus solely on the psychological and social needs of victims and witnesses who suffer the trauma that often accompanies crime. Last year, 238 witnesses/victims were assisted with safety related services.

 In addition, the Office has recently implemented the Early Victim Engagement (EVE) program, which connects advocates with victims of intimate partner violence as soon as possible after an abusive incident, including immediately following a criminal court arraignment of an abusive partner or following a complaint report filed with the NYPD, to inform them if the defendant has been released. EVE is funded by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.

Comptroller Stringer Delivers Testimony on Fiscal Year 2019 Executive Budget to the New York City Council Committee on Finance

Stringer calls for a rigorous four-year citywide savings plan – to add $1 billion to City surplus in each of the next two years

  New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer testified before the New York City Council Committee on Finance’s Fiscal Year 2019 Executive Budget Hearing. 

In his testimony, Comptroller Stringer repeated his call for rigorous agency savings and greater preparedness for the possibility of tougher times ahead. As such, Comptroller Stringer proposed a four-year savings plan with a goal of adding a billion dollars this year and the next to the City’s surplus in order to reach the minimum target level of the optimum budget cushion.

Comptroller Stringer again called for increasing agency efficiencies in the Citywide Savings Program as part of the savings plan. Currently agency savings represent less than 1% of agency spending in the outyears of the financial plan.

Comptroller Stringer also released a three-part Agency Watch List report detailing the need for greater accountability for spending and results at three agencies: Department of Correction, Department of Education, and on City spending on homeless services. These reports can be found here.

In addition, Comptroller Stringer released a report on the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2019 Executive Budget and Financial Plan for Fiscal Years 2018 through 2022, which includes an economic and revenue forecast for New York City. That can be found here.

Testimony of New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer Before the New York City Council Finance Committee on the FY 2019 Executive Budget, as Prepared for Delivery

Good afternoon Chair Dromm and members of the Finance Committee.  I’m here today to discuss the Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2019.  I’m joined by my Deputy Comptroller for Budget, Preston Niblack.

Since my testimony here in March, our economic outlook has remained largely unchanged.  The economy remains strong, thanks to a strong labor market and a boost from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the federal budget.

But increased federal spending and ongoing tax cuts will ultimately lead to higher federal budget deficits and rising interest rates going forward.  As a result, we expect economic growth to peak this year, and begin to taper off in the later years of the financial plan period.  Depending, in part, on how well the Federal Reserve is able to manage that transition, it should be possible to avoid a recession, and we are not projecting one as of now.  But if the Fed misjudges the timing and magnitude of interest rate increases, or if other events intervene – like a trade war – the solid footing of our economy could be undermined.

Let me turn to the budget and fiscal outlook.

The Mayor has proposed an $89.1 billion budget for FY 2019.  The Administration was able to increase the surplus in this Executive Budget, thanks to a nearly $1 billion increase in tax revenues this year.  But as of now, the projected surplus for this year, of $3.7 billion – remains below the $4 billion surplus in FY 2017.

The boost to FY 2018 tax revenues is related to several factors, including the changes in the federal tax law, the repatriation of overseas hedge fund earnings, and a booming stock market.  The Executive Budget recognized an additional $800 million in personal income tax revenues for this year due to these various factors – $600 million of which the Administration believes to be non-recurring.  My office expects that tax revenues will ultimately go even higher this year, growing by 7.9% over FY 2017.

Despite this extraordinary one-time boost in revenues, the outyear budget gaps grew in the Executive Budget financial plan.  That’s because, although increased revenues for the most part do not continue through the outyears, new spending commitments do.  These commitments are in part to make up for gaps in the State budget, such as the cost of the Close to Home program and last year’s Raise the Age legislation.

Let me be clear – the Mayor’s Executive Budget included a number of important programs which I support.  From raising Fair Student Funding up to the highest average in more than a decade, so we can ensure more dollars are actually reaching the classroom, to funding $418 million for the Subway Action Plan, including $164 million in the Capital Budget.

These are critical steps forward that will serve students and working people in our city – that is our top priority. But there is still much more work to do.

We need to fund the Fair Fares proposal, to level the playing field for low income New Yorkers, because no one should have to choose between buying a MetroCard and putting food on the table.  Affordable transportation should be a fundamental right in this city, and Fair Fares will get us a lot closer to that goal.

We also need to launch the New York City Citizenship Fund, a public-private partnership I proposed to help tens of thousands of legal immigrants cover the ever-rising costs of becoming a U.S. citizen.  Supporting our immigrant communities has never been more important, and creating a Fund to finance the citizenship process is a realistic opportunity to make a measurable impact.

We have to remember that budgets are not just about numbers.  Budgets are about priorities, about creating opportunities to give everyone a fair shot and provide a boost to people in need.  That’s why we cannot let even a single dollar go to waste.  We must ensure that we are getting the results we’re paying for.

I’ve been watching these numbers for a long time, and this year, to share our focus areas with the public, we launched the Comptroller’s Agency Watch List.  This month, over the course of the Executive Budget hearings, we have released our first watch list reports on the Department of Correction (DOC), Homeless Services spending, and the Department of Education (DOE).  These agencies have seen tremendous growth in spending, but it remains unclear if we are getting adequate programmatic results for those investments.

Take the DOC.  Since 2014, New York City’s inmate population has fallen 20%, yet total agency spending is projected to rise 29% over the same period, as of the FY 2019 Executive Budget.  The ratio of inmates to correction officers has fallen, while the annual cost of keeping an inmate on Rikers has increased from $97,000 in FY 2014 to over $144,000 in FY 2017. We need to see results for that spending, but many of the relevant indicators to measure those results in fact seem to be going in the wrong direction.  It’s time to ask when we will see results.

I’ve testified before this committee for years about our ballooning spending on homeless services.  Since 2014, spending has more than doubled from $1.2 billion to $2.9 billion across agencies, but we still have a crisis on our hands. Close to 60,000 New Yorkers will sleep in a shelter tonight.  We need to see more results, and soon. That includes reporting on the use of commercial hotel rooms, the success in finding permanent housing for homeless families, and the most effective strategies for preventing homelessness.  Some of that data is currently unavailable to the public, and when it is available, lacks enough detail to evaluate the impact.

And lastly, the Department of Education has invested heavily in a variety of programs to improve student outcomes, but does not report on whether those programs are making a difference for our kids.  We need to ensure that our spending is going to the classroom and not to Tweed – where the rate of hiring has been more than twice that of new teachers, even with the addition of a whole new grade for UPK.

In addition to being smart about our spending now, we need to be mindful of potential challenges down the road.  While the economy is strong, we have to prepare for an inevitable slow down.  To avoid hard choices that could undermine the progressive goals we all share, we have to increase our budget cushion – now.  The current financial plan projects a cushion of $9.2 billion at the start of FY 2019.  This is 10% of adjusted FY 2019 expenditures.  That is $1.8 billion short of even the lowest bound of the optimal range of 12% to 18% of adjusted expenditures.  I commend the City Council for calling for a $500 million addition to reserves, but I believe we must do more.

We have a four-year spending plan – we also need a serious four-year savings plan to increase our budget cushion and reduce the outyear gaps.  As I have said repeatedly, we must demand that our agencies work harder to identify efficiency savings.  This year’s Citywide Savings Program, by our reckoning, contains only 14% of savings that are truly efficiencies – the rest are debt service savings, funding shifts, or spending re-estimates.  And however you categorize them, agency savings represent less than 1% of agency spending in the outyears of the financial plan.

We need to raise the bar for agency savings targets.  Don’t get me wrong – I’m not in favor of the heavy-handed, arbitrary, and indiscriminate application of savings targets that was too often the practice in the past, regardless of the consequences.  But I am in favor of giving agencies real targets for their savings efforts, in order to push them to work harder.

Over the last 3 years, the increase in the surplus roll has gone down each year, from $1.6 billion in 2015, to just $147 million last year.  We should be growing that amount, and increasing our budget cushion.  By adding $1 billion this year and next to our surplus, we could reach a budget cushion equal to 12% of spending by FY 2021.  Doubling the agency savings target to 2% per year could get us half way there.

I know the City Council shares my view that instead of spending our revenue windfall, we should be looking for more efficiency savings from our City agencies, and putting additional resources aside.  I look forward to working with you to keep our City’s fiscal position strong enough to weather future challenges.

Thank you.

MAYOR DE BLASIO KICKS OFF BEACH SEASON AT CONEY ISLAND, CELEBRATES DESIGNATION OF BOARDWALK AS SCENIC LANDMARK

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver today officially opened Coney Island Beach to the public for its summer season and celebrated the designation of the Coney Island Boardwalk as a scenic landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The City’s eight public beaches open for the season on Saturday, May 26, and remain open through Sunday, September 9.

"Beach season is officially here, and there’s no better way to kick it off than by celebrating our historic Coney Island Boardwalk’s new landmarked status and 95th birthday,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Coney Island and our other beautiful public beaches are open for the summer starting this weekend.”

On May 15, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) designated the Coney Island (Riegelmann) Boardwalk a Scenic Landmark in recognition of its cultural and historical significance. Since opening 95 years ago this month, the Coney Island Boardwalk has been one of the best-known waterfront promenades in the world, providing access to the beach, amusements, and spectacular ocean views. Scenic landmark designation will protect the boardwalk’s presence along the beachfront and preserve this iconic site for future generations.

City beaches span a total of 14 miles and include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, and Wolfe's Pond Park Beach on Staten Island. The beaches will open for the season on Saturday, May 27, and remain open through Labor Day Weekend.  Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; swimming is prohibited at all other times.

Queens

Rockaway Beach will offer 4.5 miles of swimming and recreation this summer, as well as free fitness and cultural programming. Earlier this week, NYC Parks has announced that the beach will be closed to swimming this summer in the area between Beach 91st Street and Beach 102nd Street in order to maintain the protective dune and keep swimmers safe. The full boardwalk and the surfing area from Beach 88th Street to Beach 91st Street will remain open. A section of the beach in front of the concessions and bathrooms at 97th will be open for recreation, but there will be no access to the water. NYC Parks will post wayfinding signage at subway stops, ferry landings, and along the boardwalk directing beachgoers to the nearest accessible beach.

Brooklyn

The Coney Island Boardwalk is turning 95, so in addition to being named a scenic landmark this month, that also means tons of summertime fun at Coney Island Beach. Special beach activities include weekly movie nights andFriday night fireworks, the 36th Annual Mermaid Parade on June 16, the opening of the next phase of the New York Aquarium, and much more.

Staten Island

Staten Island is home to four of New York City’s public beaches. This year, South Beach will be unveiling a newly reconstructed ADA accessible ramp at Sand Lane to ensure all beach goers have access to the boardwalk and beach. One of the original ramps was destroyed in Super Storm Sandy. Additionally, visitors seeking more than sand and surf at South and Midland beaches will have access to bike rentals with extended weekend hours. There will be a variety of bikes available for rent, including cruisers, tandem bikes and specialty Surrey bikes that seat up to six people.

The Bronx

Orchard Beach, the Bronx's sole public beach, was proclaimed "The Riviera of New York" when it was created in the 1930s. This year, Orchard Beach will host its first-ever drive-in movie on August 24 as well as a beach screening of “Coco” on July 13. On June 28, the Bronx Salutes America Fireworks will kick off summer vacation with a bang, and starting July 8, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will host the Orchard Beach Summer Concert Series on Sunday afternoons. Other events coming to Orchard Beach this year include Rock ‘N Rollerblades (July 21) and a Silent Disco Dance Party (August 18). To enhance this beloved waterfront, the City has committed $60 million to restore the historic Orchard Beach Pavilion, opening up the interior of the building to create an accessible passageway and more room for programming and concession space. Design will begin later this year.

The Health Department also offers a texting service in English and Spanish where people can get real-time alerts on beach water quality advisories and closures for the eight public beaches in New York City. People can simply text BEACH or PLAYA to 877-877 to find out if one or all of the City’s public beaches are safe for swimming. With over 15 miles of public and private beaches accessible to New Yorkers, this texting service will help ensure that everyone’s trip to the beach is a safe and healthy one.

This summer NYC Parks will once again install sunscreen dispensers to provide free SPF 30 sun protection at all of our beaches. Dispensers will be located in or near all beach restrooms.  This important health and safety measure is being provided to the City for the second year in a row at no cost by Bright Guard in partnership with IMPACT Melanoma.

NYC Parks outdoor pools will open on June 27. Parks will once again host free Learn to Swim lessons this summer for tots, children and adults, at public pools throughout the five boroughs.  For additional information on the Learn to Swim program, as well as a list of all beach happenings this summer, please visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF CITIBIKE IN NEW YORK CITY

North America’s largest bike share system will soon celebrate its 60th millionth ride and continues to break single-day ridership records

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that this weekend, Citi Bike will celebrate its fifth anniversary as the nation’s largest bike-share system. Motivate, Citi Bike’s operator, will celebrate this milestone in Prospect Park on Sunday, May 27.

“What better way to kick off summer than to celebrate how far Citi Bike and bike share have come in just five years,” said Mayor de Blasio.  “Since 2014, we have doubled the reach of Citi Bike to more than 12,000 bicycles and 750 stations, making it the country’s biggest and best bike share program. Bike share is now an essential part of our transportation system, and another way we’re making sure New Yorkers have many ways to get around town.”

"Five years ago, it would have been hard to imagine how central Citi Bike would become to the life of our City,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. "Citi Bike has helped fuel a boom in cycling, and has also been a key to helping us reach our Vision Zero goals – as we have actually seen the positive effects of 'safety in numbers.'   As a regular Citi Bike rider myself, I want to wish a happy anniversary to the entire Motivate team, and we look forward to many more."

“On Citi Bike’s fifth birthday, we celebrate one of the most successful public-private partnerships in our city’s history. The Citi Bike program has helped New Yorkers and visitors reenvision how they experience the city -- in a way that’s flexible, sustainable, and fun,” said Jay Walder, President and CEO of Motivate. 

Founded in 2013, the growth of Citi Bike was engineered during the de Blasio Administration, which reinvigorated a struggling system and brought on a new operator, Motivate, in 2014. Under this new stewardship the system doubled in size to 12,000 bikes with the amount of stations more than doubling to 750. In 2015, the program expanded into Queens for the first time and in recent years has brought a reliable transportation option to areas such as Harlem, Red Hook, Astoria and Bedford Stuyvesant. The program is now approaching 60 million total rides following a 400 percent growth in ridership. The system routinely reaches an upwards of 70,000 daily rides during peak seasons and broke its single-day ridership record on May 9, 2018 with 78,421 rides.

Yesterday, New York City announced plans to launch dockless bike share pilots in communities in four boroughs over the summer.   The dockless bikeshare pilot will operate this summer in the Rockaways, Coney Island, the Fordham area of the Bronx and on the North Shore of Staten Island. Citi Bike holds exclusive rights to its own three-borough service areas, in which the dockless companies will not offer competing service.

Other events to mark the anniversary include a series of group bike rides in June in various neighborhoods throughout New York City, including Astoria, Bedford-Stuyvesant, East Harlem, and Williamsburg. Sunday’sfestivities will kick off with a community ride and awards ceremony for the system’s top riders, such as most rides taken overall; most rides taken by a teen; most time spent on a Citi Bike overall; and the Citi Bike champion awards for Brooklyn. The day will continue next to the entrance to Smorgasburg in Prospect Park, with activities including a photo booth, pop-up Citi Bike museum, giveaways and discounts to Smorgasburg, and birthday cake. On May 27, new users will be able to enjoy their first ride free through the Citi Bike app.

Bike share in New York City continues to further the goals of the Administration’s OneNYC goals of becoming the world’s most resilient, equitable and sustainable city, and to expand the use of green and equitable transportation modes In April 2018, Citi Bike riders traveled 2.25 million miles -- the same distance as circling the equator more than 90 times. By Citi Bikes, riders also saved 1,800,859 pounds of carbon from going into the atmosphere during last month, equal to the emissions of 641 private cars driven over a full year.

Citi Bike’s overall ridership continues to grow as the system maintains a streak of breaking its own annual ridership records each year; 8 million trips in 2014; 10 million in 2015; 14 million in 2016 and 17 million in 2017. Riders are set to break the record again in 2018, with a 13 percent increase in ridership so far this year. This correlates with New York City’s monumental growth in ridership coupled with bike lane network expansion. The City now sees 460,000 daily cycling trips, a 156% growth over ten years.  NYC DOT added 25 lane miles of protected bike lanes and 77 total lane miles last year alone.

Citi Bike is committed to making bike share accessible and equitable through a variety of community initiatives.  NYCHA residents and members of select credit unions are eligible for $5 monthly memberships by signing up here. Citi Bike is also a part of the NYC Better Bike Share Partnership, led by Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, to encourage diverse ridership. The Partnership developed inclusive programs such as Prescribe a Bike and Citi Bike for Youth, organized community bike rides and events, and advocated for policy changes to increase the diversity of bike share riders to improve health and financial outcomes of NYC neighborhoods.

Since the start of this initiative, the number of Citi Bike members in Bedford Stuyvesant has doubled, providing a model for successful community engagement citywide.

“Parks is happy to celebrate Citi Bike’s fifth anniversary,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP.  “Through their efforts to expand cycling citywide, New Yorkers and visitors alike have had more opportunities to explore our beautiful parks as they pedal towards having fun and being happy and healthy.”

“People who are physically active live longer, healthier and happier lives,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “Last summer, close to 60,000 New Yorkers got an average of 30 minutes of physical activity each week riding Citi Bike. Citi Bike is not just about transportation; it is also about promoting healthy behavior for all New Yorkers.”

“It’s been five years and I already can’t imagine the city without Citi Bike. Bike share is an essential part of making New York an accessible city, a place where people can use a variety of mass transit options to get around,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “I congratulate Citi Bike on its amazing success so far not just as the City Council Speaker but also as a bike rider.”

“Thanks to Citi Bike, bike share is moving Brooklyn forward in ways we could not have imagined five years ago,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.  “From Bed-Stuy to Boerum Hill, Brooklynites are using pedal power to commute, exercise, and explore our beautiful borough. As bike share turns the corner to its next five years, I am committed to see the network expand east and south to reach more of our communities, as well as prioritizing safety on our streets for cyclists and everyone else who uses them,”.

"Citi Bike has been a game-changer, opening up the fun and convenience of biking to New Yorkers and tourists without the hassle of bike ownership or storage," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "Five years in, we know it works, and I'm looking forward to seeing it expand to so every single neighborhood in Manhattan has access to this fun, healthy, and green transportation alternative."

“I couldn’t tell you the number of calls and requests for stations that came in when Citibike was announced in Brooklyn five years ago,” said Senator Martin Malavé Dilan.  “It was an immediate success. However, like any good plan, it has to be implemented the right way. This was a good idea likely to see success in New York City, but the credit for becoming the nation’s largest bikeshare system goes to the city and partners Motivate. There was a need, and it was met beyond expectation.”

"Bicycles have become one of our city's best transportation modes. I welcome more cyclists to ride our streets and ask that everyone- cyclists, pedestrians and auto drivers observe vehicle safety laws at all times. With more people on bikes, we need to insure that the roads are properly shared. Citi Bike has helped reshape our ability to move around town. Let's make this a success for everyone,” said Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz.

"As an avid Citi Bike rider, I applaud the Mayor's initiative and expansion of the program,” said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein. “I look forward to expansion all over the five boroughs so that all New Yorkers have access to Citi Bikes."

"When Citi Bike was introduced five years ago, it would have been difficult to predict just how popular the program would become, said Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick. “As the country's biggest bike share program, it's hard to underestimate the impact that Citi Bike has had on our City, and I'm pleased that its fifth anniversary is marked by a continued push for the program to become more available and accessible." 

“Now more than ever, it is important to encourage sustainable and alternative transportation options, which is why I’m so pleased that Citi Bike has helped reduce carbon emissions and lead New Yorkers to a more active lifestyle,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon. “I’m excited to celebrate five years of Citi Bike, and I look forward to seeing what the next five years bring as bike sharing continues to expand across New York.”

“Citi Bike has been an excellent partner in changing how we commute in the city. They have been able to connect tens of thousands of New Yorkers to a healthier way to move around,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Council Committee on Transportation. “I look forward to continue working with Citi Bike on Car Free Day and other projects to encourage New Yorkers to use safe, environmentally sustainable transportation alternatives. They have provided a great model for bike share that should be followed as bike share comes to more neighborhoods. Congrats to Jay and his team on this anniversary and the amazing events planned for today.”

“In five years, the Citi Bike share program has fundamentally transformed the way New Yorkers get around, and will continue to increase connectivity and access as it expands to every borough in the summer,” said Council Member Margaret S. Chin. “This program’s growing success marks an exciting moment in the efforts to build a sustainable City as more New Yorkers opt for biking as a green and reliable mode of transportation. I am proud to join New York City residents to celebrate Citi Bike’s fifth year anniversary, and I thank Mayor De Blasio and Commissioner Trottenberg for driving this important public-private partnership forward.”

“Citi Bike has been a boon to this city. It has managed to connect people, both residents and visitors alike, to other people, businesses, destinations, attractions, and much more across the many unique neighborhoods that make New York City so great,” said Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. “It has accomplished all of this while working to provide a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation for as many riders as possible. We are fortunate to have such a great promoter of community and I look forward to the many years of Citi Bike service to come.”

“As an avid cyclist (especially along the Hudson River), I am delighted to see New York City’s tremendous progress in becoming more bike friendly,” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal. “Bike share services like CitiBike have been an important part of this culture change, as has the Department of Transportation’s efforts to install infrastructure for cycling across the five boroughs. Step by step, we’re bringing control of our streets back to people. We still have a long way to go – especially in terms of pedestrian safety -- but we’re on our  way.”

"In just five short years Citi Bike has fundamentally transformed how New Yorkers get around this great City," said Council Member Ben Kallos." As a founding member, I can say that 60 million rides is an unbelievable number that few people thought would we would reach this quickly. Congratulations to Citi Bike on this significant milestone and to all the New York Yorkers who have ridden a Citi Bike over the past five years. Thank you to Mayor Bill de Blasio for being very supportive of the bike share phenomenon and pushing it to succeed."   

“It is fitting that we celebrate Citi Bike’s fifth anniversary in New York City on the heels of Bike to Work Day,” said Council Member Brad Lander. “Biking has become more popular than ever, and it’s easy to see why. Biking is good for your health, environmentally sustainable, and fun, and Citi Bike makes it easy for millions in New York City to get around, including me. We’ve enjoyed Citi Bike so much in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens and Park Slope, and I look forward to working with Citi Bike to expand to Windsor Terrace and Kensington soon to improve accessibility in my district and across the entire City!”

“Citi Bike’s fifth anniversary comes at a moment when New York City cycling is at an all-time high and our streets are the safest they’ve been in generations,” said Council Member Carlos Menchaca. “Each year of Citi Bike’s dramatic growth shows New Yorkers have accepted bike sharing as an integral part of our transportation system. Now is the time to expand bike sharing throughout the City, especially in areas like Sunset Park, Brooklyn where new street designs are moving us closer to achieving Vison Zero’s goals.”

“Citi Bike offers New Yorkers and our visitors the chance to ride through Central Park or right to work with the convenience of shared stations in neighborhoods across the city,” said Council Member Keith Powers. “I commend the Mayor and Department of Transportation for stewarding a successful bike program over the past 5 years.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We left in all the comments from the elected officials this time including Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and all the other City Council members, State Assembly, and State Senate elected officials. Some key comments have also been highlighted to show what the Bronx has not had for five years.

Why was it that we could not find one Bronx elected official who was quoted. Not Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., 'Not One' Bronx City Council member, and 'Not One' Bronx state legislator. 

It seems that the Bronx is 'Not One' still, but a lot of other bad things that are 'Not Good'.