Citi Bike Cyclist Wins Free Nintendo Switch 2 After Riding 500 Bikes

While most gamers probably snagged their new Nintendo Switch 2 with a credit card or cash, one New Yorker took a unique route—he turned Citi Bike points into gift cards to buy Nintendo’s latest console.

Chris Person recently wrapped up a seven-month quest to gather enough Citi Bike points to cover the Switch 2’s price tag of $449.99. As he explains, Citi Bike offers a voluntary incentive program called Bike Angels, allowing users to earn points that can be converted into cash.

The bike-sharing program rewards users for riding from overcrowded docks to those with fewer bikes available. This system is crucial for keeping the bike share functional. Bike Angels grants points for each trip, with a 2X point multiplier for bringing a bike to a station in need, and a 3X multiplier after completing three such rides—strategies that dedicated users often exploit. A total of 1,000 points can be exchanged for a $150 gift card.

After seven months, including a stretch where he couldn’t ride due to a broken foot, Person finally hit the 3,000-point mark needed to cash in enough gift cards for a Switch 2. He approached the program like a true gamer, optimizing his point collection in ways that would resonate with anyone familiar with gaming strategies. (“I cannot resist the gamer’s grotesque urge to ruin a nice bike ride by min-maxing,” he noted.)

However, this program raises questions about the blurred lines between work and volunteering, with Person’s experience highlighting how the concept of work has evolved and how the boundaries between personal and professional life have softened. For more insights into his journey and the lessons learned, including how a group of riders exploited the system for extra cash, check out his full story.

Person hasn’t responded to requests for comment but mentioned on Bluesky that he has only played the Switch 2 “like twice since I’ve gotten it.”