Lyft Multimodal Report: The New York City Edition From Harlem To Hollis

Lyft, Inc. (LYFT) today released its first Lyft Multimodal Report, an important illustration of Lyft’s impact across race, gender, and socioeconomic status, including critical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report draws on survey responses from thousands of riders across the country to learn who they are and how they’re getting around.

Shared bikes and scooters have seen tremendous growth in recent years — and with it, greater potential for social impact in the communities we serve.

In 2020, over 1.8 million new riders tried Lyft’s shared bikes and scooters.

These sustainable, affordable micro-mobility options enhance urban transportation networks and make it easier for people to get around without owning a car.

It’s why in 2018, Lyft acquired Motivate, North America’s largest bike-share operator, and added shared scooters as a convenient and fun option for short trips. Today, Lyft operates shared micro-mobility in 15 markets with our local city partners.

“If you want to reduce personal car ownership and bolster public transit systems in cities, this data clearly shows that shared micro-mobility plays an important role in building a multimodal alternative that meets the needs of riders,” said Caroline Samponaro, Head of Transit, Bike and Scooter Policy at Lyft. “The pandemic has changed the way people get around, and we are seeing encouraging signs that shared bikes and scooters are creating positive impacts on equity, sustainability, and the built environment in our communities.”

Key results include

Enhance mobility access in underserved communities.

• 53% of Lyft’s shared micro-mobility riders identify as members of racial and/or ethnic minority groups.
• The median household income of Lyft’s shared micro-mobility riders is $56,000.
• In New York City’s Citi Bike system, 49% of first-time riders in 2020 were women. The share of rides taken by women in this system grew nearly 25% from 2019 to 2020.
• 31% of Lyft’s bike-share stations are located in low-income areas, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Members of Lyft’s reduced-fare bike-share and shared scooter programs rely on micro-mobility to get around: they take 12% more rides than standard members.

Provide a resilient mobility option during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 28% of Lyft’s shared micro-mobility riders took more trips during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 44% of Lyft’s shared micro-mobility riders said it would have been difficult or even impossible for them to access essential services throughout the pandemic without shared micro-mobility.
• Through Lyft’s Critical Workforce Program, essential workers have taken over 1.1M rides to date. 80% of these riders were brand new members of Lyft’s micro-mobility services.

 Connect with public transit and encourage sustainable travel behaviors.

• 79% Lyft’s shared micro-mobility riders have used shared micro-mobility to connect to public transit.
• 54% of Lyft’s shared micro-mobility riders do not own or lease a personal vehicle. Among bikeshare members, this figure is 70%.
• Lyft’s shared micro-mobility riders own over half a million fewer vehicles because of the availability of shared micro-mobility services.

By providing riders with the best way to enjoy different mobility options in one place, Lyft delivers what people really want: the true freedom to ride.

Lyft has the opportunity to deliver one of the most significant shifts to society since the advent of the car. We’re excited to see how our integration of transit, bikes, and scooters will continue to bring us closer to our vision of cities for people.

Check out the full report here.

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, bike-share systems, electric scooters, and public transit partnerships.