Divvy in Chicago: The Road to a More Connected City

Umar Sheikh, Walter Payton, Senior

Thanks to Divvy, the city’s official bike and scooter sharing system, Chicago's streets have become increasingly dotted with blue bikes. Since its launch in 2013, Divvy has expanded to more than 15,000 bikes and 1,000 docking stations across Chicago and Evanston, making it one of the largest systems of its kind in North America. According to CBS News, “The Chicago Department of Transportation said more than 11 million trips were taken on shared bikes and scooters in 2024, a new annual record” (Feurer, 2025).

But beyond convenience, Divvy’s rise carries real public health and environmental benefits. Cycling promotes physical activity, helping combat sedentary and car-reliant lifestyles in urban areas, and the benefits extend beyond individual riders. According to a 2024 research study, for every 300,000 bikers, around 25 people avoid early death thanks to the health benefits of cycling, even in polluted conditions (Chen, He, Deveci, Coffman, 2024). With millions of riders each year, Divvy significantly improves Chicago and creates a healthier city.

However, Divvy is still far from perfect. Riders have voiced concerns over issues such as inconsistent bike availability and poorly maintained docking stations. Nick Salyga, a Divvy user and high school student, says, “Sometimes I’ll walk three blocks just to find a working bike, and the next day that same station has too many bikes with nowhere to dock.” Some neighborhoods, particularly those that are low-income, also lack adequate station coverage, raising questions about equitable access, but the city and Divvy are aware of this. “We’re working to expand Divvy into more neighborhoods, especially on the Northwest, Southwest, and Far South Sides,” said a spokesperson from Chicago’s Bikeways program. The program aims to create a more connected and inclusive cycling network to serve all Chicago residents, not just those in central areas.

As Chicago continues to invest in sustainable transportation, ensuring that Divvy is accessible and reliable will be key to maintaining its momentum. The growing presence of these blue bikes on city streets signals a cultural shift. Choosing to bike instead of drive is no longer just about convenience; it's becoming a meaningful step toward a healthier and more livable city.

List Sources:

• 2- Statistic Links to both article sources

  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140523000476

  • https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-divvy-bikes-shared-scooters-new-record-2024/#:~:text=The%20Chicago%20Department%20of%20 Transportation,2024%2C%20a%20new%20annual%20record. 

• Name of 2 people you interviewed, title/position, email if possible

  • Nick Salyga, High School student

  • https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/complete-streets-chicago/home/bike-program.html, Bikeways program contact