Posted 3 years ago in Trending
2 MIN READ – Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi, and Lyft announced that Divvy is now the first docked micromobility system in the nation that can accommodate bikes, ebikes, and scooters all in the same stations. The announcement comes on the heels of Chicago Returns, a week-long celebration welcoming employers and employees returning to work downtown.
“Just last week we announced that Divvy is the first bikeshare system in the United States to offer on-street charging of its e-bikes,” said CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi. “And today, we are back to launch another innovation: integrated shared micromobility with docked scooters and bikes. As the Divvy system continues to expand, Chicago will continue to invest in low carbon mobility and provide more car-free options to get around our city.”
“Chicago Loop Alliance is supportive of the e-scooter initiative in Chicago, and we are thrilled to welcome Divvy scooters downtown in the Loop,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “As office workers and leisure tourism return to the central business district, micromobility transportation modes like e-scooters are vital to the transformation and evolution of downtown and encourage access throughout all neighborhoods in Chicago through affordable options. Staying at the forefront of innovative strategies like these remains a crucial aspect for the region’s economic recovery.”
Docked scooters at Divvy stations offer a convenient, predictable experience for riders, and a clutter-free sidewalk for pedestrians. Divvy scooters will be available under existing membership programs, including the $5 per year Divvy For Everyone (D4E) membership for Chicagoans with financial barriers. CDOT and City Colleges are also excited to offer free annual memberships for full- and part-time students currently enrolled at any of the City Colleges of Chicago.
"Divvy stations are uniquely capable of meeting residents’ preference for scooters while eliminating sidewalk clutter downtown,” said Caroline Samponaro, VP of Transit, Bike and Scooter Policy at Lyft. “An integrated Divvy scooter and bike system is now the largest combined bike and scooter program in the country and the largest combined equity membership program through Divvy for Everyone.”
The Divvy system is nearing completion of an expansion that will bring Divvy service to all areas of Chicago later this year. Divvy continues to break ridership records with more 400,000 new riders in 2021 as commuters and tourists return downtown, and 5.5 million total rides, the most ever in a single year.
Lyft has already retrofitted over 230 Divvy stations in and around downtown to accommodate scooters and will add 1,000 dockable scooters by the end of June. This year, Divvy scooters will operate in a service area encompassing the greater downtown bounded by Armitage Avenue, Damen Avenue, and Pershing Road. Scooters will not be allowed on the Lakefront Trail, Chicago Riverwalk or Navy Pier.
“As Chairman of the Transportation Committee, I am excited to continue to bring new forms of transportation for Chicagoans and visitors,” said Alderman Howard Brookins, 21st Ward. “I am honored to join CDOT and Divvy as we continue to expand mobility and access to transportation citywide.”
In addition to Divvy scooters, the City is in the process of awarding licenses to three scooter companies who will operate scooter-sharing services citywide. Their operations are expected to launch this summer.
