(March 25) Lyft, the largest bike-share company in North America is offering free or discounted bike-share trips to workers who are fighting the coronavirus.
The offer is valid in several large US cities
Lyft invited certain workers in Boston, Chicago and New York to sign up for free one-month memberships or discounted trips. Lyft says it is also ensuring that bikes are adequately sanitized between trips. Cheaper bike-share rates could attract more customers as public transportation ridership is declining rapidly. With many people trying to avoid mass transportation because of the pandemic there has been a surge in cycling in New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Lyft sees this as an opportunity to help those in the front lines of the outbreak. Uber the ride-sharing service has also seen its business decline as it is not seen as a good substitute for mass transit These customers too may be turning to cycling or walking. Both Lyft and Uber provide bike-sharing as well as ride sharing..
The deal in New York
Lyft-owned Citi Bike is offering free 30-day memberships for workers in health care, first responders, or public transportation and this includes city workers. Hospitals and clinics are instructed to email Lyft to obtain enrollment information that can be distributed to staff. The deal includes an unlimited number of 45-minute trips on traditional bikes but for thirty days only.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio praised the Lyft move: “Our frontline workers are sacrificing so much to help and protect their fellow New Yorkers,. I want to thank Lyft for stepping up and helping us fight this pandemic by providing the employees on the front line with a safe, free ride to work.”
The plan in Chicago and Boston
In Chicago Lyft-owned bike-share company Divvy announced: "Divvy is working with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to offer half off annual memberships ($49.50) and $1 Single Rides through April 30." Divvy is also giving eligible healthcare workers free unlimited 45-minute trips on classic bikes for 300 days.
Boston Bluebikes will give hospital workers a free 30-day membership in their bike-share system. Eligible employees will receive a twenty dollar discount code to obtain the 30-day pass for free.
Previously published in the Digital Journal
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