Dive Brief:
- On the heels of record-setting shared micromobility ridership in Chicago in 2024, the city and Lyft this month announced a slate of improvements to the city’s “Divvy” bike and scooter share system, which Lyft operates.
- Annual memberships for new and lapsed members will be reduced to $99 from $143.90, and 750 new docks will be added in downtown Chicago. Current members will continue to pay the higher rate.
- Some trips will be cost-capped, and unlock fees for non-members will be eliminated in certain equity-focused zones.
Dive Insight:
Divvy’s shared bikes and e-scooters provided more than 11 million trips in 2024, a new yearly record since the program launched in 2013.
"We are committed to ensuring that every neighborhood has access to safe and affordable transportation options, from expanding Divvy stations to creating more protected bike lanes,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a Jan. 8 statement. “Together, we are paving the way for a Chicago that prioritizes sustainability, equity, and opportunity for all."
The changes announced this month include removal of unlock fees for non-members in equity priority areas, primarily on the city’s South and West sides.
At Chicago’s Navy Pier, the Divvy station grew from 47 docks to 72 docks, according to a LinkedIn post from Chicago Department of Transportation Assistant Commissioner David Powe. “This is our most-used station, serving locals, tourists, and commuters at one of the city’s most iconic destinations,” he said.
The Chicago transportation department also offers bike-riding lessons for children and adults. Adult courses range from beginners to a guided ride on city streets focused on navigation, bike lane designs and route planning for more experienced riders.
“Divvy is one essential piece of a well-rounded multi-modal transportation system,” Alex Nelson, strategy advisor at Better Streets Chicago, a nonprofit transportation advocacy group, said in a statement. “We hope to see this trend continue as Chicagoans continue to explore alternatives to cars in their lives.”
