Lyft Introduces Bike Sharing In Santa Monica, Westside

SANTA MONICA, CA — Lyft launched a brand new electric bike system, providing bike-sharing this week for individuals in Santa Monica and throughout the Westside.

There are actually greater than 80 Breeze stations providing the hybrid ebikes from Lyft. Breeze is a public bike share program from the town of Santa Monica and has provided free bike rides all through the pandemic. Locals can already entry the inexperienced bikes at stations throughout city, and this subsequent transfer from Lyft is the corporate’s first step into bicycle sharing.

“The brand new ebikes might be docked on the present Breeze stations, making certain there is no such thing as a hole in service as soon as the present Breeze program ends in November,” Lyft stated in a information launch. “Within the subsequent few months, Lyft will ramp up its fleet to 500 ebikes, changing into Lyft’s second bikeshare community within the nation to go all-electric.”

Folks can try the ebikes within the Lyft app utilizing the bicycle icon. The app will inform customers when there are ebikes close by. You possibly can faucet a station to discover a bike and think about a map. It begins at $1 to unlock + $0.34 per min. Neighborhood Move members will pay $5 per 30 days and $0.05 per min to journey.

“Whether or not you are going that first mile or that final mile, ebikes are a enjoyable, inexpensive option to get round city,” Lyft stated.

Every hybrid ebike additionally comes with a cable to lock to any Breeze station without cost. You too can lock to a public bike rack inside the West Los Angeles service space for an additional $1.

Cyclists nonetheless must observe the principles of the street and are inspired to put on helmets. Riders are additionally urged to do a fast pre-ride examine:

• Alter the seat to suit your top.
• Verify the tires and squeeze the brakes.
• One thing amiss? Preserve the ebike locked and faucet the (flag) within the higher right-hand nook of your Lyft app to report the issue. Then select a special bike.
• Pedal to start out — and get going.

Bike lanes and roads are one of the best routes for cyclists, and bicycles ought to stay off the sidewalk until it is time to park the bike, the corporate stated.

Some areas might be off-limits for the Lyft ebikes, together with places in Santa Monica the place pedestrians frequent.

“Resulting from metropolis laws, pedal help will not perform in choose areas of the town, together with the Seashore Bike Path, Pier, Promenade, and public parks,” in response to the corporate.

Leap, which was offered by Uber to Lime, had beforehand positioned electrical bicycles in Santa Monica, nonetheless, the bicycles left the town in Could following the sale, in response to Santa Monica Daily Press.

Apps like Chicken and Lyft have remained well-liked all through the previous few months of quarantine in September and the businesses proceed to supply electrical scooters in Santa Monica. Breeze bikes have remained free for riders all through the coronavirus pandemic, with this system scheduled to finish in November. Bike Share Join membership is required to take part within the bike share.

“Via a partnership with the town, we’re excited to deliver ebikes to Santa Monica to assist cut back congestion and emissions, by offering one other transportation possibility for residents and guests,” stated David Fairbank, Basic Supervisor for Lyft Bikes & Scooters in Southern California. “Santa Monica already is aware of and loves our Lyft scooters, and we’re excited to supply one more type of enjoyable, lively and naturally bodily distant transportation to assist residents get round at the moment. Riders can now simply entry ebikes, in addition to scooters, all with a couple of faucets within the Lyft app.”

“I could not be extra excited to see Lyft launch its new ebike program in Santa Monica. Our future will depend on sustainable, lively transportation like ebikes. They cut back our carbon footprint and improve accessibility for the whole group,” stated Mayor Professional Tem Terry O’Day.

Lyft additionally provides a Neighborhood Move for bikes and scooters in Santa Monica. The Lyft Neighborhood Move is a reduced-fare membership program for qualifying residents of Santa Monica and LA. Membership prices $5 per 30 days and contains discounted ebike rides at $0.05 per minute. The Neighborhood Move program is offered to residents ages 18 and older who qualify for the Large Blue Bus Low Earnings Fare is Simple program, Calfresh, Medicaid, SNAP, or the SCE Power Financial savings Help Program and to qualifying Santa Monica Neighborhood School college students.

“Santa Monica seems to be ahead to the supply of Lyft ebikes inside the metropolis. This new service by Lyft will present individuals with one other sustainable and straightforward possibility for getting round and builds upon the town’s many shared mobility efforts that began with the launch of Breeze bikes nearly 5 years in the past,” stated Francie Stefan, Chief Mobility Officer, Metropolis of Santa Monica. “Ebikes are rising in reputation due to the great addition they provide to journey extra simply or additional, and as an outside mobility possibility in our year-round temperate local weather.”

Go to Lyft’s web site to study extra about ebikes in Santa Monica.