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.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service