Mayor de Blasio Announces Dramatic Expansion Of Citi Bike

November 29, 2018

Lyft will invest $100 million to improve and expand Citi Bike, which over next five years will double its current service area and more than triple its number of bikes to nearly 40,000

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that New York City had reached an agreement with Lyft to dramatically expand Citi Bike, the nation's largest bike share program. As part of the agreement that approves its acquisition of Motivate, Citi Bike's parent company, Lyft will invest $100 million to improve and strengthen the system – which includes doubling Citi Bike's service area and tripling the number of bikes in the next five years, making it one of the largest bike share systems in the world. Lyft will continue to expand Citi Bike's transportation equity efforts, including expanded investment in the $5 monthly bike share memberships available to all SNAP recipients and NYCHA residents.

"New York City is one of the world's great biking cities – and it's about to get even better," said Mayor de Blasio. "This expansion means tens of thousands more New Yorkers are going to have a fast and inexpensive way to get around their city. It also means much more reliable service for all the riders who already use Citi Bike. We welcome Lyft's investment to make Citi Bike bigger and better. We are ready get to work with communities across the city to make this expansion a success."

"New York is the greatest city in the world, and its residents deserve a bike sharing system to match," said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. "Citi Bike's 150,000 riders can look forward to higher-quality service, new valet and docking stations, and an increase in well-maintained bikes. Today's announcement is a positive step toward our goal of delivering affordable and reliable transportation options that improve quality-of-life."

"We are thrilled to announce that the nation's largest and most successful bike share system will be growing to reach even more New Yorkers," said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. "As a safe, sustainable, and affordable way to get around, cycling in New York City is growing faster than any other mode of travel. And with today's announcement, riding a Citi Bike will be an even more convenient way to get to a vastly larger share of the City. With some of the changes for Citi Bike coming soon, there may in fact be no better gift this holiday season than a new Citi Bike membership."

"We are thrilled to partner with New York City to support and substantially grow North America's largest bike share system," said Lyft Co-Founder and President John Zimmer. "Together with NYCDOT, we will improve mobility in New York City through an equitable expansion of new and existing technologies. Today's announcement marks a major milestone in Lyft's growth as a sustainable transportation service that connects communities, and reduces unnecessary driving in urban centers."

"Citi Bike has succeeded more than anyone of us could have imagined when it launched five years ago. It is a true public-private partnership and we are proud of our role in helping create what has become a vital, sustainable transportation network and part of the fabric of New York City. The fact that Lyft is willing to make such a large investment in this program shows that we haven't yet tapped its full potential. We are excited about the future and warmly welcome Lyft as our new partner," said Ed Skyler, Citi's Head of Public Affairs.

Highlights of the agreement include:

• Citi Bike will more than triple in size to nearly 40,000 bicycles, and expand by 35 square miles over five years, more than doubling the size of the current service area.
• The geographic boundaries of the expansion will be established in the coming months. Expansion will be accompanied by extensive community and elected official outreach to the selected areas.
• Lyft will immediately invest to restore the existing system to its required fleet level of 12,000 bikes within 90 days of the acquisition (i.e. the end of February).
• The expanded Citi Bike fleet will include both regular and pedal-assist bicycles, which have proven popular and are a component of DOT's L train tunnel shutdown mitigation plan.
• Lyft will add 12 new valet stations and increase bike and dock availability in the busiest areas to improve system performance.
• The Reduced Fare Bike Share program, presented by Healthfirst, which provides discounted memberships of $5 per month for all NYCHA residents and SNAP recipients will be expanded and enshrined in Lyft's agreement with the City. The improvement and expansion of Citi Bike will continue to be privately funded with no government subsidy.
• Lyft's new micro-mobility division in New York City will support over 1,000 full-time living wage jobs.
• The City retains its rights to pilot and implement dockless bike share services outside of the expanded Citi Bike service area, including the ongoing three-borough dockless pilot.
• In addition to the $100 million in capital expenditures over five years, Lyft will also pay associated operating expenses that will be used to improve and expand the system. Lyft will retain the exclusive right to operate bike share within the Citi Bike service area.

"For years, New Yorkers have relied on Citi Bike to be an affordable and convenient way to move around our vast City," said Public Advocate Letitia James. "With this expansion, more of our communities in all parts of the City will have the opportunity to utilize this popular method of transportation. I commend the Department of Transportation, Citi Bike, and Lyft for this important partnership."

"This Citi Bike expansion is welcome news for a city in desperate need of as many mass transit options as possible," said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. "In just a few years bike share has become a part of the fabric of New York City, making getting around easier, greener, healthier, and more fun all at once. The main issue was that more people and neighborhoods wanted in on the fun, which is why I am thrilled to hear that Citi Bike will double its geographic coverage and continue to make major investments in accessibility for low income residents. The more New Yorkers who are able to enjoy Citi Bike, the better for all of us and our city."

"We need to increase bike usage in the five boroughs, and I'm truly excited to see Lyft's incredible investment in expanding our growing Citi Bike program," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. "In addition to the extended commitment to funding low-cost memberships for NYCHA residents and SNAP recipients, I hope this results in an extension of our borough's bike share network through docking stations in new neighborhoods, as well as a significant growth of pedal-assist bike share."

"The only thing better than Citi Bike is more Citibike!" said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "Citibike provides a low-cost, low-hassle option that helps a huge number of New Yorkers get from A to B or just get on a bike when they feel like it. It's a game-changing public service, and this expansion means more neighborhoods can benefit from it. I look forward to working with Motivate, Lyft, and the Department of Transportation on expanding Citibike access further into Manhattan neighborhoods that are still waiting for it."

"CitiBike is a valuable resource and I was proud to play a role in securing its expansion into Astoria and Long Island City," said Senator Michael Gianaris. "I look forward to CitiBike's continued growth into more western Queens neighborhoods and beyond."

"Since Citi Bike expanded to East Harlem our residents are finding the program to be an affordable transportation option. Lyft's investment in Citi Bike will help to improve accessibility and get New Yorkers moving while reducing congestion on our roads and subways," said Assembly Member Robert J. Rodriguez.

"The expansion of Citi Bike equals more opportunities for all New Yorkers to commute without the use of an automobile," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Committee on Transportation. "It's a great moment for the City of New York to have partnerships that generate less traffic, more sustainable alternatives for transportation, and affordable options for traveling around the City."

"Having choices when you need to get a child to school or find a ride to work is paramount to economic prosperity in underserved communities where transit options are often hard to come by," said Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. "But by connecting employees with their jobs and retail businesses with their customers, Citi Bike and Lyft have been at the forefront of increasing economic opportunity in communities of color like the one I represent. I am excited by this new partnership between these two great companies, and am confident that this substantial investment by Lyft will further expand not just transportation options, but economic opportunity, to even more New Yorkers."

"Having choices when you need to get a child to school or find a ride to work is paramount to economic prosperity in underserved communities where transit options are often hard to come by," said Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. "But by connecting employees with their jobs and retail businesses with their customers, Citi Bike and Lyft have been at the forefront of increasing economic opportunity in communities of color like the one I represent. I am excited by this new partnership between these two great companies, and am confident that this substantial investment by Lyft will further expand not just transportation options, but economic opportunity, to even more New Yorkers."

"Today's announcement by the Mayor and Lyft is an encouraging sign for New York City's beleaguered commuters," said Council Member Rafael Espinal. "At a time when our subway system is in crisis, we need to invest in transportation alternatives that help people get around reliably, efficiently, and affordably. Doing so will help reduce our carbon footprint and make our city more livable for everyone. I sincerely hope Citi Bike's expansion prioritizes the neighborhoods I represent like East New York, where access to transit is limited for many people. Introducing pedal-assist bicycles to these neighborhoods in particular could make a big difference, especially with the L train shutdown just a few months away."

"Success begets more success and since day one Citi Bike has been succeeding at getting New Yorkers from point A to point B quickly, affordably and safely," said Council Member Ben Kallos, a founding member of Citi Bike. "Lyft committing to expanding and strengthening the service with $100 million is wonderful news for the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who rely on Citi Bikes to commute to work and zip around our City each and every day--and it's even better for those who want to, but live outside the current service map. Thank you to Mayor de Blasio and Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg for their commitment and vision to seeing Citi Bike reach its full potential."

"I'm thrilled that Citi Bike will finally be doubling its footprint in NYC to connect more neighborhoods with this sustainable mode of transportation that improves accessibility, reduces pollution, and promotes the health and well-being of New Yorkers," said Council Member Brad Lander. "Not only will hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers now have access to bike-share, the expansion will support one thousand living-wage union jobs (with props to the great organizing work of the Transport Workers Union). Citi Bike's growth shows that is possible to shift course from a business model grounded in carbon-emitting cars and dependent on jobs with no safety net, to one that prioritizes sustainable transportation alternatives, provides great service, and creates full-time living wage jobs. This expansion, thanks to Lyft's investment, is great news for NYC. I look forward to having Citi Bike throughout my district, and across the entire city."

"As an avid biker, I know first-hand the convenience and ease that Citi Bike affords," said Council Member Carlos Menchaca. "With this infusion of funding, Lyft will help expand a critical service in light of our City's on-going transportation needs. Moving forward though, we must ensure bikes are distributed equitably, and with a focus on expanding access to underserved communities. I will be watching to make sure the City keeps its promise to do extensive community outreach and provide this service to communities such as my district.".

"The upcoming L train closure, a broken transportation system, and crowded roads highlight just how crucial alternative modes of transportation are for New Yorkers.," said Council Member Keith Powers. "The additional Citi Bikes and investment in the program over the next five years will allow more of my constituents to benefit. I thank the Mayor and DOT for prioritizing this initiative."

"I want to thank Mayor Bill de Blasio and Lyft for making such a substantial investment in growing what may be our city's most reliable form of public transportation," said Council Member Carlina Rivera. "With Citi Bike tripling in size - and continued investment in improving our bike infrastructure - more New Yorkers than ever will be able to safely access a convenient and affordable way to get around the Five Boroughs."

"As an avid cyclist (especially along the Hudson River), I am thrilled to hear that Citi Bike will be able to significantly expand its service area and more than triple its number of available bikes," said Council Member Helen Rosenthal. "Bike share services like CitiBike are helping to change the culture of our city, bringing control of our streets back to people, as opposed to vehicles. We have a long way to go but New York is on its way to becoming a bike-friendly city, which would have seemed unthinkable only a few years ago."

"I am very pleased to see that the Citi Bike program will be expanded throughout New York City," said Council Member Antonio Reynoso. "Citi Bike is an environmentally responsible, convenient, and affordable transportation alternative, and its expansion will bolster our City's efforts to reduce car usage and its adverse impacts. Lyft's expanded investment in the $5 monthly bike share memberships will ensure that the Citi Bike program remains equitable and accessible to all New Yorkers regardless of socio-economic status. I applaud the de Blasio administration, the Department of Transportation, and Lyft for this huge step towards a greener and more accessible city for all."

"Citi Bike's arrival to New York in the spring of 2013 was the game changer that helped propel our city forward in becoming one of the fastest-growing bike-friendly cities in the world," said Ken Podziba, President and CEO of Bike New York. "Lyft's commitment to improving and expanding Citi Bike's network through this significant investment will undoubtedly inspire more New Yorkers to ride, which will in turn lead to safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. Bike New York is prepared to accommodate the spike in demand for our free Citi Bike classes for all New Yorkers who want to ride safely and confidently. We salute the City of New York, the Department of Transportation, and Lyft for making our great city an even better one through this expansion!"

"New York City is in the midst of a mobility revolution, and this expansion of Citi Bike is a big part of that. By bringing Citi Bike to more neighborhoods, we're going to see more New Yorkers choosing to get around on two wheels," said Transportation Alternatives spokesperson Joe Cutrufo. "We applaud Lyft and the Department of Transportation for their commitment to making bicycling accessible for a larger share of the city, and expect to see a continued investment in smart street designs that can safely accommodate all these new bicyclists."

About Citi Bike

Citi Bike is New York City's bike share system, and the largest and most successful in the nation. Since its launch in 2013, Citi Bike has expanded to 12,000 bikes at more than 750 stations and has become a fun, affordable, and integral part of New York's public transportation network, with more than 70 million rides taken to date. Citi Bike consists of a fleet of specially designed, durable bikes that are locked into a network of stations in more than sixty neighborhoods across three boroughs. Customers can download the Citi Bike app to unlock bikes, find real-time station information, and see individualized statistics including miles traveled and calories burned. Learn more at https://www.citibikenyc.com/.

About Lyft

Lyft was founded in 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to improve people's lives with the world's best transportation, and is available to 96 percent of the United States population as well as select cities in Ontario, Canada. As the only rideshare company to offset carbon emissions from all rides, Lyft is committed to effecting positive change for our cities, and promoting transportation equity through shared rides, electric bikes and scooters, and public transit partnerships.