Key Takeaways
- Chicago recorded over 11 million shared micromobility trips in 2024, including 6.7 million on the Divvy bikeshare system.
- The city’s micromobility usage surged by 26% from 2023, supported by new bike lanes and the expansion of Divvy stations.
- Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasizes commitment to enhancing transportation accessibility through electrification and increased bike lane infrastructure.
Record Micromobility Usage in Chicago
In January 2024, Chicago officials announced a significant achievement in shared micromobility, reporting over 11 million trips taken throughout the year. This milestone includes 6.7 million rides on Divvy, the city’s bikeshare program operated by Lyft. The remaining trips were made using Lime and Spin scooters.
The record number of trips is attributed to the city’s ongoing investments in micromobility infrastructure, including the development of new bike lanes and the expansion of Divvy stations. Chicago’s plans also involve electrifying Divvy stations to enhance e-bike availability by at least 15%.
Insights into the growing ridership reflect the overall trends in shared micromobility across major urban areas. According to a blog from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the number of cities in the U.S. with dockless bike-sharing systems rose from 30 in June 2020 to 49 by June 2024. However, this figure remains below the peak of 91 cities recorded in 2018.
Chicago experienced a substantial 26% increase in total shared micromobility trips from 2023 to 2024, jumping from 8.7 million to 11 million. In terms of Divvy, ridership showed a moderate rise from 6.6 million trips in 2023 to 6.7 million in 2024.
Sam Herr, the executive director of the North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association, emphasized the importance of shared micromobility for urban transportation. He indicated that successful public funding, robust public-private partnerships, and the construction of a connected network of protected bike lanes are essential for promoting micromobility systems.
Further supporting these findings, CDOT data revealed that since 2023, more than 100 miles of new bike lanes have been added. An analysis by Replica and CDOT highlighted a dramatic 119% increase in biking activity from fall 2019 to spring 2023, positioning Chicago as a leader among the ten largest cities in the U.S.
CDOT has ambitious plans to add 400 additional Divvy stations, aiming to reach a target of four stations per square mile across the city. The electrification of 110 stations is also underway, with 17 already completed.
In a statement, Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed pride in Chicago’s record-breaking micromobility ridership, underscoring the city’s commitment to fostering a greener and healthier urban environment. The mayor reiterated the goal of ensuring every neighborhood has access to safe and affordable transportation options, highlighting ongoing initiatives to expand Divvy services and create more protected bike lanes.
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