City officials prepare for Divvy expansion on Far South Side

Earlier this year, Divvy promised to bring bike stations to every ward in Chicago. The expansion is part of the $50 million investment from Lyft, which purchased Divvy’s operator Motivate. The city and bike-share program have started prepping for the addition of 10,500 electric, pedal-assist bikes and 175 stations. The expansion will nearly double the number of current bikes.

The Chicago Department of Transportation will plan community meetings on the Far South Side to help determine where stations will go, according to news first reported by the Chicago Tribune. The dates and times have yet to be announced.

City officials want to hear from residents on where bike stations should go—its part of an effort to ensure that transportation is more equitable. Some of the neighborhoods without Divvy include Pullman, Roseland, Beverly, Belmont Cragin, and Edison Park. The bike-share system, which began in 2013, faced criticism for its lack of stations on the West and South Sides.

The lack of bikes in some areas is one reason the city launched the scooter pilot program in on the South and West sides. Although the scooters have prompted strong opinions, it is a popular way to get around.

At the end of former Rahm Emanuel’s term, a mobility task force released a report with transportation recommendations—a scooter pilot was among the advice. And, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has made substantial transit promises in her transition committees’ report.

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