CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Department of Transportation and Lyft announced Tuesday the introduction of new pedal-assist ebikes into the Divvy bike-share system will begin in Chicago on Wednesday, July 29.
The addition of ebikes follows CDOT’s recent announcement kicking off expansion citywide, with more bikes and stations, bringing Divvy to every Chicago neighborhood.
According to CDOT, Divvy ebikes will make it easier for people of all riding abilities to ride and help people make longer trips with ease. The ebikes can be unlocked using a scannable, contactless QR code in both the Divvy and Lyft apps, or by using a member key.
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Divvy ebikes have “hybrid” technology, making it possible for the bikes to be parked at designated Divvy docking stations — including new e-stations for ebikes-only — as well as at public bike racks, CDOT said. Parking is made easy by using a built-in cable lock, which will give riders more flexibility and options when biking around the city.
"I'm excited about the addition of ebikes to the Divvy system. This will be a game-changer for bike-share in Chicago, enabling residents to go further, faster with more flexibility,” said CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi, in a statement. "It is critical in these times that we provide as many convenient options for Chicagoans to get around, and I believe ebikes offer an entry into biking that will open up new opportunities in a healthy and fun way, putting more of Chicago within reach.”
To allow all Divvy members to try an ebike, for a limited time CDOT will be offering a $5 credit that can be used for up to 30 minutes of free ebike riding or other usage fees. This credit will be automatically applied to their account. New Divvy members that sign up before year-end will also receive the same credit.
As part of the expansion plan, Lyft is making a $50 million investment in new bikes, stations, and hardware, and is also providing the city with an additional $77 million in direct revenue for transportation improvements over a nine-year period.
When the Divvy expansion is complete, it will include 16,500 bikes and 800 stations. The growth of the system is estimated to create over 200 additional jobs with Divvy in Chicago.
Divvy is the latest system where Lyft has partnered with cities in an effort to offer ebikes nationwide. This launch follows rollouts in Columbus, Minneapolis, San Francisco, San Jose, New York and Washington D.C., with more cities in the coming months.