Bike Share Open for Membership; Lincoln Square Snubbed on First Launch of Kiosks

Chicago will soon launch its new Divvy bike-sharing program by introducing just 75 bike kiosks in the city, but Lincoln Square residents have to wait longer than June for their stations.

The Chicago Department of Transportation debuted the new Chicago-blue Divvy Bikes over Memorial Day weekend at the annual Bike the Drive event along Lake Shore Drive. And as of Wednesday, website registration is open for the program. 

Residents can now purchase a $75 yearly memberships or $7 daily passes, which will allow for unlimited trips up to 30 minutes each. Annual members are able to enroll online at www.divvybikes.com and receive a personal key used to quickly unlock bikes from any station.

Along with showing off the new cycles to bike lovers, CDOT also revealed an official map of where the first bike sharing stations will be in the city. On June 14—during annual Bike to Work Week—the organization will open a select few locations at high-trafficked areas like Millennium Park and Navy Pier, with plans to slowly implement the remaining 325 over time.

When completed, Chicago will have 4,000 bike sharing kiosks at 400 locations.
While Lincoln Square won't be home to any Divvy Bike stations on June 14, organizers do plan to place about 25 kiosks in the neighborhood over time.

“Bike sharing is another large step we’re taking to make Chicago the best big city in America for cycling,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “We are improving our bicycling infrastructure to create the quality of life that will attract businesses and families to Chicago.  Divvy bikes will provide Chicagoans and visitors with more options for getting around our neighborhoods.”