Chicago’s Divvy bike-sharing program has long been a beloved fixture for residents and visitors alike. For years, the iconic blue bikes have offered a practical and healthy way to navigate the city, becoming synonymous with Chicago’s commitment to sustainable transportation. As a dedicated bike commuter and Divvy enthusiast, I’ve personally relied on these sturdy, pedal-powered bikes as an extension of my own cycling routine. They’re more than just rentals; they’re readily available wheels strategically placed throughout the city, perfect for short hops and bridging transportation gaps.
However, a sense of unease is growing regarding the future trajectory of Divvy. The classic blue bikes, the backbone of the program and free to ride for members within time limits, are showing their age. Disturbingly, Lyft, the operator of Divvy under contract with the Chicago Department of Transportation, has indicated that these workhorse bikes will not be replaced as they reach the end of their lifespan. Simultaneously, the newer fleet of electric bikes, or ebikes, has become significantly more expensive to use due to a revised pricing structure implemented last May.
This shift has sparked concern among Chicago cyclists. Anne Alt, a local bicyclist, voices a common worry: “I’m wondering what the city’s endgame is. If they were to phase out the blue bikes and the price structure is such that it’s mostly aimed at affluent people, then most of the city gets screwed.” Joe Sislow, representing the Northwest Side on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council, echoes this sentiment, calling the new pricing system and the aging blue bikes “absolutely not feasible.” He fears “the demise of Divvy as an alternative for commuting,” suggesting the current changes “seem to be kneecapping the system.”
Launched in 2013, Divvy initially offered a single type of bike: the now-classic blue pedal bike, mirroring the color of the Chicago flag. Members enjoyed rides up to forty-five minutes at no extra cost, a key feature that promoted accessibility and affordability.
Alt text: A person riding a blue Divvy bike in Chicago, illustrating the classic pedal-powered option for city transportation.
These blue bikes, while robust and reliable, are admittedly not built for speed or agility. A lengthy commute on a classic Divvy, especially on a warm Chicago day, can be a test of endurance. Yet, their dependability and versatility are undeniable. I value their sturdiness and their ability to complement both public transit and personal bikes. For quick trips within the Loop, they are a far more appealing option than taxis or ride-sharing services. They bridge the gap to and from train stations seamlessly. And in unpredictable Chicago weather, a Divvy bike offers peace of mind – a ride to work on a pleasant morning with the option of a train ride home if afternoon storms roll in. For longer commutes exceeding the free forty-five-minute window, a quick bike swap at a station allows for continued, cost-effective travel, reminiscent of a Pony Express rider changing horses.
Then, in the summer of 2020, Divvy expanded its fleet, introducing thousands of black and gray electric bikes, or ebikes. This spring saw the further addition of electric scooters to the Divvy ecosystem.
Alt text: A diverse group of Divvy bikes, including both classic blue pedal bikes and newer black ebikes, showcasing the range of Divvy bike options available in Chicago.
Ebikes initially appeared to be a positive development, injecting a dose of fun and efficiency into the Divvy program. The electric assist is a welcome boost when battling Chicago’s notorious winds. Reaching speeds up to 20 mph, riding an ebike feels liberating, akin to a silent, two-wheeled scooter. They reduce exertion, making them ideal for navigating longer distances prevalent in less densely populated areas of Chicago like the far Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast Sides, where bike docks may be more spread out. Ebikes also broaden accessibility for individuals with mobility limitations who might find traditional Divvy bikes challenging. Furthermore, the ability to lock ebikes to standard bike racks and poles, rather than solely relying on designated stations, enhances their flexibility and facilitates wider distribution across the city. The popularity of ebikes is evident in Divvy’s record ridership figures last year.
However, the introduction of ebikes has been accompanied by an unwelcome development – a significant price increase, implemented with the pricing system overhaul last May. Previously, a fee waiver existed for ebike usage west of Western Avenue, aimed at encouraging adoption in areas with potentially less station density.
This waiver zone has been eliminated, and Divvy members, who already pay an annual membership fee of $119 (increased from $108), now face a per-minute charge of sixteen cents for ebike use throughout the city. This represents an increase from zero cents in the former waiver zone and fifteen cents in the non-waiver zone. Additionally, a dollar fee is incurred for parking an ebike outside of a designated Divvy station. Non-members face even steeper costs, with ebike usage priced at thirty-nine cents per minute, up from twenty cents, in addition to unlocking and non-docking fees.
These charges accumulate rapidly, particularly in areas outside of the city’s core, where blue bikes and docking stations may be less readily available. Sislow, a Divvy member, recounts a recent round trip between Portage Park and the Loop on an ebike that cost him $13.95 – more than double the price of a Metra train ticket and nearly triple the cost of a CTA ride, all for the experience of an electrically assisted, open-air journey.
Adding to user frustration is the reported decline in the condition of the classic blue Divvy bikes. Regular Divvy riders, myself included, increasingly encounter blue bikes plagued with mechanical issues – gear problems, torn seats, deflated tires, malfunctioning lights, and other forms of disrepair. While the “wrench” button on the docking station serves as a reporting mechanism, the frequency of these issues is concerning. On one occasion, finding no functional blue bikes at my local station forced me to opt for an ebike, resulting in a fun but unexpectedly expensive ride. While Divvy customer service offered a credit upon complaint, the incident raised a pertinent question: is the maintenance and upkeep of the classic blue fleet being deprioritized?
In an emailed statement, Tamara Conway, Lyft General Manager for Divvy, sought to reassure users, stating, “Classic pedal bikes are an important part of the Divvy system, and CDOT and Lyft continue to keep them in top shape and available for riders to enjoy. Classic bikes are joined by next-generation Divvy ebikes and Divvy scooters, all of which provide travel choices for riders and encourage more people to step out of their cars and onto Divvy.” The Lyft statement further highlighted increased mechanic staffing and regular maintenance schedules, emphasizing the durability of the classic bikes, often exceeding ten years of service.
While these assurances are welcome, a subsequent statement casts a shadow of doubt: “We have no plan to remove classic pedal bikes, however we continue to grow our fleet with ebikes. If a classic bike is damaged beyond repair, it will not be replaced with another classic bike,” the Lyft statement clarified. Sources familiar with the program confirm that there are no plans to replenish the classic blue bike fleet with new, non-electric models.
The implications are clear: Divvy’s future is envisioned as electric. However, this electric future carries a significant cost barrier, potentially rendering the service inaccessible to those who are not financially unconcerned or temporary users like tourists. Even the “Divvy for Everyone” program, designed to provide affordable access for low-income residents, has seen ebike pricing increase from zero to five cents per minute, albeit with a $10 monthly credit.
In an attempt to mitigate user dissatisfaction, Lyft announced a $5-a-month credit for casual and standard members who frequently rode within the former waiver zone, aiming to ease the transition to the new pricing structure.
Despite these efforts, the new pricing model has triggered discontent among Divvy users and bike advocates, with some questioning the continued value of their memberships. Jacob Peters, a former MBAC representative for the North Side, has expressed consideration of canceling his membership. He warns that if the blue bikes disappear without a low-cost, pedal-powered alternative, the equitable vision of Divvy will be lost. “If it’s only ebikes, they’re going to lose their most consistent riders,” Peters predicts. He fears Divvy could evolve into an elitist system, dominated by scooters and ebikes, catering primarily to affluent and tech-savvy users while neglecting the broader community. “It would be a loss,” Peters laments.
There remains hope that Lyft and the city will recognize the critical need to invest in new, pedal-powered bikes, ensuring Divvy remains a truly accessible and equitable transportation option for all Chicagoans. In the meantime, I, along with many others, will continue to rely on the aging blue Divvys, consciously avoiding the now-costly ebikes.
Perhaps it’s time to sing the blues for the blues. These unglamorous, dependable clunkers, often taken for granted, are now facing an uncertain future. Their heft, once cursed when pedaling against a strong Chicago wind, is now a reminder of their enduring value. The hope is that they will not disappear entirely, leaving a void in Chicago’s transportation landscape.
