(CHICAGO) As Divvy closes in on 10 million trips taken on the city’s bike-share system, the landmark trip is most likely to be taken downtown.
The city announced Thursday that more than more than 9,985,000 trips have been taken on Divvy since it launched in June 2013. The service anticipates crossing the 10 million threshold in the coming weeks, possibly before the end of the year.
The bike-share service has seen a 14 percent increase in trips over the last year, with 3.5 million trips taken so far in 2016, according to the city’s statement.
Out of 580 stations, the ten most popular Divvy stations in 2016 were:
Streeter Drive and Grand Avenue (Navy Pier)
Lake Shore Drive and Monroe Street
Theater on the Lake (Fullerton Beach)
Lake Shore Drive and North Boulevard
Clinton Street and Washington Boulevard (Ogilvie Station)
Michigan Avenue and Oak Street
Millennium Park
Clinton Street and Madison Street
Canal Street and Madison Street
Canal Street and Adams Street (Union Station)
“The most popular stations show that Chicagoans and visitors are taking Divvy for a mix of reasons,” Divvy marketing manager Hannah Helbert said in the statement. “At locations all across Chicagoland, our riders are using bike share to explore the city, get to and from work, run errands and meet up with friends.”
Though Divvy is the largest bike share system geographically in North America, it will be the third in the United States to hit the 10 million rider mark. The others are Capital Bikeshare in Washington D.C., which launched in 2010, and Citi Bike in New York City, which launched a month before Divvy.
The 10 millionth rider will be gifted a free year of membership, plus three gift memberships to share with family and friends. To view Divvy’s countdown clock, go to www.DivvyBikes.com/10million.
More than 1,000 new blue Divvy bikes are being assembled and stationed at the warehouse in Pilsen for introduction at new stations in the coming weeks. | photo from CDOT
(CHICAGO) The blue Divvy bikes which have become a fixture in many Chicago neighborhoods will soon be expanding to new neighborhoods on the West and South sides; and into the suburbs.
Divvy officials announced a the arrival of 1,077 new bikes to hit the streets this year in a system expansion that will add 85 more bike stations in Chicago, pushing the boundaries toward and beyond city borders.
The bikes are now being assembled in Divvy’s warehouse in Pilsen, where they will also be tested and safety inspected before hitting the
streets this summer.
“The bikes will be deployed as part of a major upcoming expansion that will bring Divvy to a number of new neighborhoods focused on Chicago’s South and West sides,” a statement from the company said.
Divvy previously announced new stations will be placed in neighborhoods including including Austin, Brighton Park, Burnside, Chatham, Englewood, Garfield Park and Greater Grand Crossing. Stations will also be popping up in north suburban Evanston and west suburban Oak Park.
Divvy, owned by the Chicago Department of Transportation and operated by the bike share company Motivate International will begin installing stations in the coming weeks, the statement said.
“CDOT is very excited to be working with Divvy to expand access to what it is already the largest bike share system in North America,” CDOT First Deputy Commissioner Randy Conner said in the statement. “The continued growth of Divvy demonstrates our commitment to improving transportation options and quality of life in neighborhoods throughout Chicago.”
Since a June 2013 launch, more than 7 million trips have been taken by Divvy riders, whose numbers have risen 48 percent in the last 12 months. More than 750,000 people have used the service, and over 33,000 are annual members.
By the end of summer, there will be more than 5,600 total bikes available citywide.
News Release from the Illinois Department of Transportation
April 18th, 2016
(SPRINGFIELD) With spring cruising in and motorcycle season shifting into top gear, Illinois riders are eager to enjoy warm weather on the open road again. Before taking the first ride of the season, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Illinois State Police remind motorcyclists to take necessary steps to ensure their safety and “Gear Up – Ride Smart.”
The annual campaign urges riders to take precautionary measures before getting back on their bikes. Motorcyclists are encouraged to conduct a pre-ride safety inspection of their bike and refresh their riding skills with a motorcycle training class.
Proper safety gear is essential to safe riding. Motorcyclists are encouraged to wear the right safety equipment and accessories, including high-visibility (Hi Viz) clothing, eye protection, gloves, jackets, pants, boots and a U.S. DOT-approved helmet, at all times.
“While most motorcycles are only on the road for part of the year, they account for almost 15 percent of all traffic fatalities” Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said. “By choosing the proper safety equipment and brushing up on their skills, riders can do their part in making 2016 even safer for motorcycles on Illinois roads. The message is simple: Gear Up – Ride Smart.”
Illinois is one of two states that offer free motorcycle training classes to licensed residents. Since the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP) started in 1976, more than 400,000 riders have learned the basics of motorcycle riding or taken advantage of the opportunity to learn more about motorcycle safety.
The program is available throughout the state for all skill and experience levels. Classes are formulated for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders to teach them how to safely operate a motorcycle and sharpen their knowledge and riding skills. CRSTP is paid for by Illinois motorcyclists through a portion of their license and registration fees. For more information and to register in IDOT’s motorcycle safety courses, click here
“Motorcycle season is upon us, and with it comes increased need for rider safety,” said ISP Director Leo Schmitz. “Alcohol remains the number one contributing factor for motorcycle crashes. We can’t stress enough the importance of refraining from drinking alcohol when riding a motorcycle. We encourage riders to participate in a motorcycle safety refresher course, to wear high visibility clothing and a helmet. The proper mind set and the proper gear can assist in preventing a traffic crash, and it can also protect you if you are involved in one.”
Alcohol contributes to approximately 40 percent of motorcycle fatalities. The “Don’t Drink and Ride” campaign reminds motorcyclists to never mix alcohol with riding. DUI offenders are subject to penalties including fines, suspension of driving privileges and possible jail time.
Other Gear Up- Ride Smart Statistics:
* Three percent of total vehicle registrations are motorcycles, yet motorcycle fatalities account for more than 14 percent of all vehicle fatalities.
* About half of motorcycle rider fatalities occur in crashes involving just the motorcycle. About 40 percent involve motorcycle riders who had been drinking.
* Motorcycle fatalities decreased from 155 in 2013 to 119 in 2014. The number increased to 146 in 2015, according to preliminary data.
* Motorcyclists need to be properly licensed and continue training, especially after a new bike purchase.
Check out this video for useful tips on how to stay safe this riding season. To learn more about IDOT’s motorcycle safety initiative, please visit www.startseeingmotorcycles.org.
For additional riding tips, visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation,
(CHICAGO) Chicago Police are cautioning North Center residents after a pair of strong-arm robberies earlier this month.
About 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 2, four teens riding 10-speed bicycles rode up to a person in the 3200 block of North Campbell and demanded their cell phone, according to a community alert from Town Hall District detectives.
They were between 17 and 19 years old, and one of their bikes was neon green, police said.
A week later, they made off with more phones in a similar robbery in the 3400 block of North Rockwell, police said.
About 10:50 p.m. on Oct. 9, three robbers between 16 and 17 years old—one of them on a silver road bike—carried out the robbery in a park, police said.
Anyone with information should call Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263.
