New features include 250 new ebikes with hybrid locking technology, five additional bike share stations, new single-trip ride option, additional ride time for members, CoGo rentals directly through the Lyft app
New bike share equity program to bring reduced-cost membership to lower-income Columbus residents
COLUMBUS, OH (January 14, 2020) -- The City of Columbus and Lyft announced today they are partnering together to expand and upgrade the CoGo network. To celebrate these upcoming new features, CoGo is offering current annual members or residents who purchase an annual membership before January 29 with a bonus three months of membership, 15 months for the price of 12, only $75.
“As a department, we are embedded in every Columbus neighborhood and serve as a great connector between residents’ first stop and last mile. With new stations, new ebikes and a new membership program for lower-income residents, we are excited about our partnership with Lyft and the expanded recreational access to the CoGo network,” said Paul Rakosky, Interim Director, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
“Lyft is thrilled to kick off the new year with these significant new features for the CoGo network,” said Caroline Samponaro, Head of Micromobility Policy at Lyft, the operator of CoGo. “For the first time, we are integrating CoGo directly with Lyft, allowing riders to seamlessly select a bike for their next trip with only a few taps in the Lyft app. And with our brand-new program to bring affordable bike share memberships to low-income residents, we will ensure that transportation equity is front and center as we work hand-in-hand with the City of Columbus in this exciting expansion of CoGo.”
New Stations and Ebikes: The expansion will include five new stations and 250 new ebikes -- giving riders an electric boost as they pedal. The ebikes will be equipped with a hybrid locking technology, allowing riders to lock them to a public bike rack or dock them at any of the nearly 80 CoGo stations, which will all be retrofitted with upgraded technology as part of this plan before the ebikes arrive in spring. To suggest a location for one of the new CoGo stations, residents should visit http://www.cogobikeshare.com/suggestastation.
Temporary Station Deactivations: In preparation for the new ebike fleet, the CoGo team will need to take stations offline periodically starting January 15 and continuing to February 15 when the retrofits are expected to conclude. During this time, the CoGo team will ensure that there are connected stations nearby any offline stations. For the latest station information, customers should consult the service map, available at www.cogobikeshare.com/stations. Annual memberships for all CoGo members will be extended by three months during this time, as a courtesy for riders during the station retrofits.
New Access Methods: Lyft is also fully integrating CoGo into the app, a major step growing its multi-modal transportation network across the country. Starting January 29, riders will only be able to access CoGo from either a station kiosk, CoGo key, or with a few taps in the Lyft app, seamlessly using their existing Lyft account.
New Trip Options and Pricing: As part of this integration, Lyft and CoGo are introducing a brand new $2, 30-minute single-trip option for riders who want to complete a quick trip on a classic bike without signing up for an annual membership. Riders can begin utilizing this single-trip option directly through the Lyft app, starting on January 29. Those who are part of CoGo’s annual membership program will soon have their ride times increased too, from 30-minute trips to 45-minute trips.
New Transportation Equity Program: Lyft and CoGo are also taking a major step towards transportation equity and introducing a discounted membership program for low-income residents this spring. This membership will include unlimited rides on classic CoGo bikes at only $5 a month.
"Yay Bikes! applauds this increased investment in transportation equity. More and more people are interested in choosing bicycles to get from one place to another. The addition of discounted memberships for low income residents and ebikes to the bike share system means more people will be able to use a bike to meet transportation needs," said Catherine Girves, Executive Director of Yay Bikes!.
About CoGo Bike Share
CoGo Bike Share is Central Ohio’s bike share system and is operated by Lyft. Annual memberships are available for only $75, and unlock 500+ bikes at nearly 80 stations in Columbus, Bexley, Grandview Heights, Upper Arlington, and Easton Town Center. Beginning January 29, customers can download the Lyft app to unlock bikes 24/7/365 and find real-time station information. Learn more at https://www.cogobikeshare.com/.
About Lyft
Lyft was founded in 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation, and is available to 95 percent of the United States population as well as select cities in Canada. Lyft is committed to effecting positive change for our cities and making cities more livable for everyone through initiatives that bridge transportation gaps, and by promoting transportation equity through shared rides, bikeshare systems, electric scooters, and public transit partnerships.