divvy

Divvy closes in on 10 million trips taken on bike-share system

Dec 30, 2016 | WLS-AM Staff

(CHICAGO) As Divvy closes in on 10 million trips taken on the city’s bike-share system, the landmark trip is most likely to be taken downtown.

The city announced Thursday that more than more than 9,985,000 trips have been taken on Divvy since it launched in June 2013. The service anticipates crossing the 10 million threshold in the coming weeks, possibly before the end of the year.

The bike-share service has seen a 14 percent increase in trips over the last year, with 3.5 million trips taken so far in 2016, according to the city’s statement.

Out of 580 stations, the ten most popular Divvy stations in 2016 were:

Streeter Drive and Grand Avenue (Navy Pier)
Lake Shore Drive and Monroe Street
Theater on the Lake (Fullerton Beach)
Lake Shore Drive and North Boulevard
Clinton Street and Washington Boulevard (Ogilvie Station)
Michigan Avenue and Oak Street
Millennium Park
Clinton Street and Madison Street
Canal Street and Madison Street
Canal Street and Adams Street (Union Station)

“The most popular stations show that Chicagoans and visitors are taking Divvy for a mix of reasons,” Divvy marketing manager Hannah Helbert said in the statement. “At locations all across Chicagoland, our riders are using bike share to explore the city, get to and from work, run errands and meet up with friends.”

Though Divvy is the largest bike share system geographically in North America, it will be the third in the United States to hit the 10 million rider mark. The others are Capital Bikeshare in Washington D.C., which launched in 2010, and Citi Bike in New York City, which launched a month before Divvy.

The 10 millionth rider will be gifted a free year of membership, plus three gift memberships to share with family and friends. To view Divvy’s countdown clock, go to www.DivvyBikes.com/10million.

Divvy expanding on South and West sides, even the suburbs

May 24, 2016 | WLS-AM Staff

More than 1,000 new blue Divvy bikes are being assembled and stationed at the warehouse in Pilsen for introduction at new stations in the coming weeks. | photo from CDOT

(CHICAGO) The blue Divvy bikes which have become a fixture in many Chicago neighborhoods will soon be expanding to new neighborhoods on the West and South sides; and into the suburbs.

Divvy officials announced a the arrival of 1,077 new bikes to hit the streets this year in a system expansion that will add 85 more bike stations in Chicago, pushing the boundaries toward and beyond city borders.

The bikes are now being assembled in Divvy’s warehouse in Pilsen, where they will also be tested and safety inspected before hitting the
streets this summer.

“The bikes will be deployed as part of a major upcoming expansion that will bring Divvy to a number of new neighborhoods focused on Chicago’s South and West sides,” a statement from the company said.

Divvy previously announced new stations will be placed in neighborhoods including including Austin, Brighton Park, Burnside, Chatham, Englewood, Garfield Park and Greater Grand Crossing. Stations will also be popping up in north suburban Evanston and west suburban Oak Park.

Divvy, owned by the Chicago Department of Transportation and operated by the bike share company Motivate International will begin installing stations in the coming weeks, the statement said.

“CDOT is very excited to be working with Divvy to expand access to what it is already the largest bike share system in North America,” CDOT First Deputy Commissioner Randy Conner said in the statement. “The continued growth of Divvy demonstrates our commitment to improving transportation options and quality of life in neighborhoods throughout Chicago.”

Since a June 2013 launch, more than 7 million trips have been taken by Divvy riders, whose numbers have risen 48 percent in the last 12 months. More than 750,000 people have used the service, and over 33,000 are annual members.

By the end of summer, there will be more than 5,600 total bikes available citywide.

Oak Park to get 13 Divvy Bike-Sharing Stations

May 23, 2016 | WLSAM Staff

Compiled by Jen DeSalvo, WLS-AM 890 Traffic and Transportation

(CHICAGO) The bike sharing system, Divvy, is making it’s way west of the city to Oak Park this summer.

Formerly, the program serviced areas in the city of Chicago north to Andersonville and Uptown, and stretching south into Hyde Park.

Since it’s inception in Chicago in 2013, the program has grown to cover neighborhoods such as Edgewater and South Shore with racks at Rainbow Beach.

According to Divvy, there are “4,760 bikes and 476 stations across the city.”

The expansion of the Divvy bike-sharing program into the western suburbs this summer was made official as the Oak Park Village Board approved locations for 13 of the bike sharing stations to be installed.

Read more on this story from the Oak Park local news source, Oak Leaves: Oak Park finalizes its 13 Divvy bike-sharing station locations – Oak Leaves

Free Divvy Bike Rides All Day on Earth Day

Apr 22, 2016 | WLSAM Staff

By Jen DeSalvo, Traffic & Transportation Reporter

(CHICAGO) The Chicago Department of Transportation announced earlier this week that to celebrate Earth Day, Divvy is offering free 30-minute rides on Friday, April 22.

It is the start of the City of Chicago’s annual “Divvy Week”, which offers discounts, special promotions, contests and giveaways for Divvy riders and all Chicagoans that are sponsored by Naked Juice.

The way to grab this deal is to sign up for a 24-hour pass which is typically $9.95, at any Divvy station kiosk on Friday, April 22 for no charge.

Remember that rides are in 30-minute intervals, and riders must check the bikes into a station before that time limit expires. A fee will be charged if the rider goes over that time limit, though on Earth Day, there will be no charge as long as the bike is continuously checked in before the 30-minute expiration.