Thief steals Citi Bike before launch

A thief got a head start on the launch of the Citi Bike program by riding off with a blue set of wheels.

Police said an unidentified woman stole a Citi Bike on Sunday around 6 p.m. as the bicycles were being unloaded off trucks at Second Avenue and 25th Street.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday the bike had been recovered.

"And it wasn't ours, it was owned by the private sector. It wasn't government property stolen," Bloomberg added.

The NYPD is investigating the theft. No arrests were made as of press time.

As for whether the program will invite theft, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said bicycle theft has been "a concern in some cities, hasn't been in others. It's too early to tell."

A stolen or lost Citi Bike will cost users $1,200 to cover the bicycle's value, administrative fees and mechanic work, according to Dani Simons, a spokeswoman for Citi Bike.