Pedal a Citi Bike to Power the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in NYC (and Get a Free Day Pass Too!)

Pedestrians pass a bicycle available as part of the Citi Bike sharing program Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in New York. Authorities say those people using New York City's new bike-sharing program have logged more than a million miles in less than a month. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK—The New Year’s Ball drop in New York City is going green.

People can power up the world famous New Year’s Eve ball drop by pedaling a stationary bike  at 7th Avenue and 42nd Street starting Saturday. Participants will be rewarded with a free Citi Bike day pass for their efforts.

Six bikes will be set up to collect kinetic energy from pedaling to batteries. The energy will then be transferred to the city’s grid to offset the power use for the ball drop.

“Citi Bikes have energized New York City, transforming it into a far greener place while making New Yorkers more healthy,” said Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins. “Now New Yorkers can do themselves and the world a service by energizing the New Year’s Eve Ball, making the world’s most famous celebration greener and better!”

The station will open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Monday from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m.

Citi Bike staff will be on hand to take photos, which people can then share on social media.

The six Citi Bikes will be hooked up to special deep cycle batteries. The amount of energy collected at the station will be displayed on a special meter.

The New Year’s Eve Ball is made up of 30,000 LEDs.

Citi Bike is the nation’s largest bike share system.