Joe Zaro owns Zaro’s, a local chain of bakeries with locations in Grand Central and Penn Station, among others. He commutes to Manhattan from White Plains and often makes short trips between store locations and to meetings. He has a road bike that he uses to get around sometimes. He had just picked up a Citi Bike at Grand Central on his way to a meeting near Penn Station.

“I saw they have a docking station at 31st Street. I don’t have the bike storage issues most people do because I have retail spaces in the city where I can keep my bike. Still, it was only $100 for the whole year, so I figured why not try it. Another thing: if I’m going to a restaurant or something, I like that I can ride there and not have to worry about locking my bike or getting it back afterwards.”

I commented on the fact that he was wearing normal, non-cycling specific clothes.

“Yeah, and I also always wear a helmet when I ride my other bike, so I’m breaking all my own rules here.”

How does he like it so far?

“I don’t know yet – this will be my first ride.”