The popular NYC bike share system will likely survive the company’s current financial setbacks, but other, smaller bike share systems may not be so lucky.

What does trouble at the company operating four of the top five bike share systems in the United States mean for shared bike systems and, more specifically, for New York City’s Citi Bike? Alissa Walker asks this question in Curbed, assessing how Lyft’s recent financial woes could impact U.S. bike share systems operated by the ride-hailing giant.
Walker describes the company’s history with bike share, starting with its acquisition of Motivate in 2018. “Lyft originally positioned its foray into bike share as part of building the ultimate multimodal-transportation app, bundling its ride-hailing services with bike or e-scooter rental or the ability to buy transit tickets.”
Now, with its financial future in peril, Lyft has killed some of its bike share systems altogether and increased prices in others. According to Walker, cities are once again looking at forming their own municipally owned bike share systems—a more common feature pre-Bird and Lyft—to limit the volatility and maintain service.
Walker predicts that “Even if Lyft starts making bike-share cuts in the name of cost savings, it’s unlikely New York City will see the same fate as Minneapolis,” where Lyft abruptly ended service last month. “Citi Bike — which has seen a 33 percent year-over-year increase in ridership so far in 2023 — also has the model that’s preferred by Lyft: an exclusive, multiyear, public-private partnership that Lyft says justifies infrastructural improvements and service expansions.” But the future may not be as bright for smaller cities who can’t afford the same level of commitment and funding.
FULL STORY: What Does the Potential Demise of Lyft Mean for Citi Bike?

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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