Bike key basics

We highly encourage riders to use the Citi Bike app over bike keys. It’s easy and convenient to unlock a bike using the Citi Bike app, plus you can find stations, plan your ride and more.

Bike Keys are recyclable! Just drop the key into any plastics recycling bin in NYC.

Day pass users have the option to purchase a bike key for $5.00 instead of requesting ride codes from the station kiosk.

How to use your bike key

To unlock a bike with a key, insert your bike key into the slot on the dock next to an available bike.

When the light on the dock turns green, the bike is unlocked.

Pull the bike out of the dock by the handlebars or lift the bike by the seat to release it.

If you're a new Annual Member who has been using the Citi Bike mobile app to unlock bikes and then activated your bike key, the "unlock a bike" feature will no longer appear as an option in the mobile app. For security purposes, only 1 rental method is active at a time.

 Need to request a new key?

If your key is lost or stolen, please contact Citi Bike customer service, to deactivate your key and prevent fraudulent use. Any fees incurred by your key before you have reported it as lost or stolen will be your responsibility.

If you would like to receive a new bike key, you can submit a request via our contact form. You can purchase a new one through Customer Service for $10. You can then pick up your new key at a designated Citi Bike station kiosk with the ride code in an emailed receipt.

If you forget your bike key, you can use your credit card to get a temporary ride code. Go to any Citi Bike kiosk and insert the credit card linked to your account for a one-time-use code (don’t worry, you won’t be charged again). Type this into the keypad on a dock with an available bike. To ride again, insert the same credit card to get a new ride code.

If you’re a new Citi Bike’s member, please know that we no longer ship bike keys. You would have needed to request a key pickup when you signed up for your membership in order to receive one.

If you did request a key,  you should have received a key pickup code in your purchase receipt email. Visit one of the 50 stations with a key dispenser (identified by a small black bike key on the Station Map) and enter your code into a kiosk to get your new key.