Divvy will be free for all riders on Saturday, July 21, thanks to a new partnership between noosa yoghurt, the thick and velvety combination of tart and sweet unlike any other yoghurt brand, and Divvy, the companies announced today.
“If you have not yet experienced Chicago by bike, the Saturday free ride is your perfect chance to do so,” said Michael Critzon, Divvy General Manager. “Following Divvy’s fifth birthday last month, the system is more popular and accessible than ever. We are thankful to noosa yoghurt for giving people the opportunity to hop on a bike and enjoy the summer weather.”
“We’re so excited to partner with Divvy to enjoy a day of free rides and delicious yoghurt to Chicagoans looking to add a bit of adventure and flavor to their day,” said Koel Thomae, co-founder of noosa yoghurt. “noosa makes for the perfect snack or indulgent treat after a leisurely ride around the city or a tough commute.”
Chicagoans and visitors who want to take advantage of the free ride day can use code NOOSA18 in the Divvy mobile app (available for iPhone and Android), to receive a free Explorer pass to use for unlimited rides in the service area for up to three hours at a time. The noosa free Explorer pass will expire at 11:59pm on July 21st.
Divvy has become an integral part of Chicagoland’s transportation network since its launch in June 2013. Ridership continues to grow year over year, with 37,000 current members and over a million unique riders, topping more than 20,000 rides on peak days.There are now over 570 stations and 6,000 bikes in the system, extending for more than 100 square miles of Chicago and Evanston.
The bikes are more accessible than ever: earlier this month, Divvy announced new pricing and eligibility changes to make the Divvy for Everyone (D4E) discounted membership program more accessible. As of July 9, all D4E memberships cost less, gradually increasing over four years from $5 the first year, to $25 the second year, and $50 for the third year, maxing out at $75 a year. Recipients of SNAP, WIC, LIHEAP, and public housing residents are all eligible for the discounted membership.
In recent years, bike share has pivoted from an interesting urban experiment to a crucial part of any modern city’s transportation network. An official favorite of savvy urbanites on the go, bike share helps close the gaps between downtown and residential areas; it makes getting to other forms of public transportation easier; and it’s a real, organic way for visitors to see a city like a local, unburdened by routes or fixed schedules. Blue chip companies are taking note: increasingly, companies like Citi, Ford, and Nike are using the growing cache of bike share to reach a network of savvy urban tastemakers doing something they love. The strategy is working.
Divvy is a bad idea. Profits before safety. Why aren’t the rider’s required to wear helmets. We hear public officials promoting wearing seat belts in cars. Yet where are people speaking up about the cavalier attitude of Divvy and the city of Chicago.