Subsidizing Bike Share for Low-Income Riders

In New York, SNAP recipients to get access to Citi Bikes at discount like DIVY riders already do in Chicago.

2 minute read

July 25, 2018, 2:00 PM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Citi Bike Rack

Joe Mazzola / flickr

As bike share becomes more common around the United States, programs are looking for ways to get low-income riders involved by subsidizing their rides. "On July 17, Citi Bike announced a partnership with Healthfirst, a local health insurance provider, to offer discounted Citi Bike memberships for SNAP recipients in New York City," Eillie Anzilotti writes for Fast Company. Citi Bikes, which, along with a number of other bike share programs, was recently bought by Lyft, hopes the subsidized memberships will bring in riders who might not have wanted to spend the $169 it normally costs to rent a bike for a year.

Subsidies for bike share are already in place in cities around the country, including Chicago where SNAP recipients are already eligible for $5-per-month memberships. "In 2016, Capitol Bikeshare in Washington, D.C. began offering $5 annual memberships for residents that received services through a collection of community organizations, like Back on My Feet, a nonprofit that combines running with homeless services, and Jubilee Jobs, an employment services program," Anzilotti writes.

Still, price is not the only hurdle low-income bike share users face. Docks for bike shares are often concentrated in richer areas, also there's the matter of finding out about available discounted rates. Those who don't know about these programs may be paying more than they need to or not considering bike share at all.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in Fast Company

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

4 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

5 hours ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

6 hours ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

7 hours ago - CNU Public Square