How a crew of hundreds maintains one of the world’s largest bike share systems.
Writing in Curbed, John Surico highlights the more than 1,000 Citi Bike employees who keep the system running and e-bikes charged as the summer peak season kicks off.
“In June alone, the average is 165,000 rides a day, and the teams at Citi Bike and Lyft, which owns the bike-share system, believe it will hit 200,000 before the year is out.” The company attributes this success in part to its new fleet of 15,000 e-bikes, which make up 65 percent of trips in the system.
For now, charging the batteries requires taking dead batteries to a Long Island City warehouse, then returning them to the bikes. Soon, Lyft plans to install electrified charging docks to reduce the need for bringing batteries back to the warehouse. According to Surico, “The company has projected that doing so at just 20 percent of its stations would replace 90 percent of swaps.”
FULL STORY: The Citi Bike Battery Crew Racing to Keep 15,000 Bikes Online
Citi Bike’s New Contract: What You Need to Know
Double the e-bikes, but no system expansion: an outline of what riders can expect from Citi Bike’s new agreement with the city.
Why Can’t Citi Bike Keep its E-Bikes Running?
Citi Bike’s e-bikes are becoming too popular for their own good as Lyft struggles to keep up with maintenance and charging.
Op-Ed: New York Should Double Down on Micromobility
The growing popularity of Citi Bike, shared e-scooters, and other small devices signal a need for the city to quickly expand its support of new modes with safe roads, charging infrastructure, and secure parking options in all parts of the city.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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