I keep running into this at the dock on 11th Ave just north of 34th St. A red e-bike will show 0% range on the dock screen, app says low battery, but the dock still lets me unlock it with my fob. I took one yesterday because it was the only bike left, and I basically had to pedal this enormous heavy thing up 8th Ave with zero assist. It felt like dragging a Citi Bike through wet concrete!! And I’m pretty sure I still paid the e-bike rate? Or maybe not? The app receipt said e-bike but the amount looked weird. Why do they allow these to unlock? Has anyone else had this happen? Is there a trick to avoid them, or should I just always check the dock screen before tapping my fob? I am so done with surprise dead red bikes!!!

I have been burned enough times to be very boring about this. The docks don’t block a bike just because its state of charge is low; they only block it if the battery falls below a critical threshold. So a bike showing 0% on the display may still have enough in the pack to wake up and release, but not enough to give you meaningful assist once you’re on it. It's the same with old phones—screen says 2%, then dies after a minute. Citi Bike's system doesn't always display true range. If you unlock with fob, you bypass the app, where you'd otherwise see the battery estimate and can choose a different bike.

I now do the following at crowded docks: check dock LEDs, check the screen if there is one, and if I accidentally take one, I redock it immediately and grab a classic. You should not pay an e-bike fee for a bike with no assist; if the receipt looks wrong, contact support and tell them the bike gave no assist. In my experience they are reasonable about adjustments, but it helps if you note the bike number and dock. That said, a dead e-bike is usually a terrible classic, not just because of weight, but also gearing. If you have to cross a bridge or go up the West Side Highway, don't bother.

Ohh that explains so much. I’m new to Citi Bike and just got the key fob. I rode a red one from Atlantic Ave toward Prospect Park last weekend and I thought I was just out of shape! The bike was so heavy and it was like the pedals were stuck in mud. I didn’t even know you could see the battery before unlocking. Do all the docks have screens? And if you redock immediately do they charge you? I don’t want to burn a ride.

I’ve taken a dead e-bike downhill from 59th to 23rd on purpose, no lie. But uphill? Absolutely not. You’re basically renting a weighted vest. I check the dock light now. Red or yellow and I move on. The ride should be free if there’s no assist, but CS can be hit or miss. Save your screenshots and the receipt if you want to fight it. If you’re new, just use classic unless you’re going far or over a bridge.

I had one at Vernon Blvd with 0% and it gave me maybe three blocks of weak assist before it cried and died. I was going to Greenpoint, never again. My rule is simple: no red bike under 5mi of range if I have to do more than a flat mile. Too many dead reds in Queens in the morning because rebalancing is bad and people take the good ones to LIC. I also started using the app to look at the little battery icon before fob. The fob is dangerous for this.

Same in Gowanus. After 5pm, every other dock near 3rd Ave is all red bikes with zero. I think the rebalancing vans leave the dead ones because nobody wants them. Honestly, a dead e-bike is worse than a classic because it's heavier and the gearing is weird. I’d rather wait for a classic or walk two blocks to a less-trafficked dock. Don’t unlock first and inspect later.