Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) recently celebrated a new record in shared bike and scooter trips for the year 2025. Totalling nearly 13 million trips, the city saw approximately 2 million more rides than in the previous year, signaling a significant upward trend in the use of micromobility services.
"Chicago's record-breaking ridership on shared bikes and scooters demonstrates our collective commitment to building a greener, healthier, and more connected city," said Mayor Brandon Johnson, as he underscored the city's commitment to expanding accessible and sustainable transportation options. In a statement obtained by Chicago.gov, he elaborated on the city's endeavors in expanding Divvy stations and creating protected bike lanes.
Divvy, in particular, reached its highest annual rideshare numbers ever, accounting for 6.8 million of the trips. Lime scooters, also under City-issued licenses, boasted another record-high with 6.1 million rides. CDOT and Lime representatives shared pride in these achievements, both emphasizing the growing demand for affordable, convenient rides across all of Chicago’s 77 communities.
According to CDOT data, the city pumped more than $3 million into Divvy last year, including subsidies aimed at making the service more affordable amidst tough financial times. "Lyft is proud to operate Divvy as Chicago reaches this incredible milestone," Sean Madison, Divvy General Manager with Lyft Urban Solutions, told Chicago.gov. He reported a 20% growth in e-bike and scooter rides, facilitated by the increased availability of devices and stations.
Concerns regarding scooter safety and accessibility were also addressed with updates to operational standards, including sidewalk riding detection technology. For those who rely on biking and scooting as part of their daily routine, CDOT has also added over 1,000 new bike racks and several bike corrals throughout the city. BACP Commissioner Ivan Capifali lauded the record year, insisting that new, safe, and compliant operations from shared scooter companies are essential for keeping the city moving efficiently.
Finally, affordability programs such as Divvy for Everyone and Lime's equity program played a key role in ridership increases. These programs offer heavily discounted memberships to income-eligible residents, furthering the mission of equal transportation access. With more protected bike lanes and neighborhood greenways on the horizon, Chicago continues to embrace a more bike and scooter-friendly future.
