Skip to Content
Streetsblog Chicago home
Log In
Bicycling

Chicagoans Can Test-Ride New e-Divvies at Upcoming South Side Community Tours

1:58 PM CDT on July 22, 2019

Prototype of the new electric Divvy bikes.

Streetsblog has received plenty of inquiries in recent weeks from readers chomping on the bit to try out the new electrical-assist, dockless-option Divvy bikes that will be used to nearly triple the fleet size and expand the system citywide. Finally there's some news on that front, as the city of Chicago and Lyft, the Divvy concessionaire, announced a series of South Side community tours during which residents can take the speedy new cycles for a spin. Starting later this month, the tours will also be an opportunity for city officials to educate the public about the program and collect input on where the new bike-share stations, as well as new bikeways and other safety improvements, should go.

The expansion will grow the system by 10,500 cycles to 16,500 total, and add another 175 docking stations. The e-bikes, with an electrical-assist motor that will top out at 18 mph, will have built in cable locks, so they either be parked at a station or secured to a bike rack or pole. As part of the expansion deal, which was bitterly opposed by the ride-hailing giant's arch-enemy Uber, Lyft is spending $50 million on the new hardware, and is also guaranteeing an additional $77 million in revenue for the city over the nine remaining years of the Divvy contract.

“Chicago is working to expand transportation resources citywide, which is why we’re excited about expanding Divvy with new options for residents who live and work on Chicago’s South Side,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement. “This community tour will allow us to hear from residents on how to build the best network for Divvy bikes, making it a more accessible transportation option across all neighborhoods.” Here's the full schedule:

Screen Shot 2019-07-22 at 2.26.31 PM

At each event, Divvy outreach workers and CDOT staff will ask residents where Divvy stations and bike racks are needed, and will gather feedback on "how biking can support the community." Chicagoans can also visit Divvy's suggest-a-station page to recommend new locations and leave comments. They can also boost other people's suggested locations with a "like" feature.

“Our goal is to engage with Chicago residents at the neighborhood level to learn how we can best support the community’s transportation needs through the Divvy expansion process,” said Lyft’s head of micromobility Caroline Samponaro, formerly of New York's Transportation Alternatives advocacy group. “The Divvy Community Tour is a fun way to get people together to hear from residents and ensure that we are designing the most equitable bike-share system possible.” To sweeten the deal, the tours will include live music, free refreshments, and activities for kids at the starting locations.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Chicago

Protected bike lanes are coming to Dearborn, Clark, and – maybe someday – Wells on Near North Side

Dearborn is getting northbound PBLs north of Kinzie, and Clark is getting southbound ones, but Wells Street will have to wait.

September 21, 2023

Taste of 79th Community Walk uses a stroll with a New Orleans-style brass band to highlight the corridor

Saturday's event was a reminder that there's no better way to get to know a neighborhood than taking a walk with others, enjoying live music, and supporting local businesses.

September 20, 2023

Check it out: Now it’s safer to get on and off the 312 RiverRun from Belmont Avenue

One of the coolest new things on the on-street route is the treatment of Belmont near and over the Chicago River, by the southern trailhead of the north-south path.

September 19, 2023
See all posts