Riding the Ebike Wave: Embracing the European Transformation

Lyft Urban Solutions is moving forward in our mission to deliver world-class, station-based micromobility solutions that empower both cities and riders. We continued our impressive growth as we powered bikeshare systems around the world, in 55+ cities across 16 countries in 2024. 

Building off of a similar trend in 2023, and following the example set by many cities worldwide, 2024 emerged as a groundbreaking year for ebike ridership and fleet expansion in cities across the United States in particular. Cities globally are increasingly choosing ebikes for their bikeshare programs: total ebike deployed by Lyft Urban Solutions has grown by 35% in the past year. Bikeshare followed this trendline, with millions trying shared micromobility for the first time because of ebikes, and bikeshare systems in major cities shattering previous ridership records as a result.

From New York to San Francisco, a clear shift is evident: ebikes are becoming the preferred choice for bikeshare users. The ridership numbers tell the story: Lyft Urban Solutions operates six bikeshare systems across the United States and in those systems alone, Lyft's ebikes had nearly 41 million rides in 2024 and riders used them to travel over 98 million miles.

Ebikes are also delivering on the promise of making bikeshare more equitable. LUS has an income-eligible membership program in every city where we provide bikeshare operations. In 2024, nearly 75% of rides taken by members of our income-eligible program were on an ebike. Income eligible members take nearly three times as many ebike rides as standard members with over 65% of income eligible members stating that they take at least one ebike ride per week and nearly 20% take more than 10 ebike trips per week. 

NYC is Riding Electric

Nowhere was the growth in ebike ridership more evident in the U.S. than in New York City, where the Citi Bike system continues to break records on almost a monthly basis in 2024. As the largest bikeshare network in North America, Citi Bike powered over 45 million total rides in 2024. Beyond sheer volume, the most striking trend was the 65% increase in ebike ridership compared to 2023, signaling a shift in how New Yorkers and those who are visiting choose to move around their city.

This success in NYC was no accident. In collaboration with the NYC Department of Transportation, Lyft Urban Solutions expanded the ebike fleet and launched the city's first charging stations. These high-capacity recharging stations ensure the constant availability of electric bikes, reducing the need for van-based battery swaps. Ebikes are instrumental in growing ridership in New York City. In 2024, 37% of Citi Bike riders had an annual income below $75K. Among income-eligible members in New York, 75% of rides were taken on an ebike. The result? Faster commutes, greater accessibility, and a seamless bikeshare experience for millions.

Coast to Coast Ebike Riding

In the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. saw Capital Bikeshare hit 6.1 million rides in 2024 with 36% of those coming from low income riders. But what truly set the year apart was the overwhelming dominance of ebikes, which accounted for an impressive over 55% of all rides. This surge was driven by a 150% expansion of the ebike fleet, allowing more residents and visitors to opt for an easy, electric ride through the historic streets of the city.

In Chicago, our Divvy riders set a new benchmark with 6.7 million rides in 2024. The most striking figure? Nearly half of all rides — 45% — were taken on ebikes, highlighting a clear shift in rider preference toward electric-powered mobility. In 2024, 82% of Divvy members part of the Divvy for Everyone program had an annual income below $75K. Among income-eligible members in Chicago, a staggering 67% of rides were taken on one of our ebikes. To support this surge in demand, Lyft Urban Solutions, in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Transportation, expanded the network of charging stations in order to ensure greater ebike availability. 

On the West Coast, San Francisco’s Bay Wheels system recorded 3.3 million rides in 2024. 78% of those trips — over 2.6 million — were taken on ebikes, marking an impressive 53% year-over-year increase in electric bike ridership. Our income-eligible program, Bikeshare for All, has a preference for ebikes as over 82% of rides taken in 2024 were on a Lyft ebike. In a city famous for its hills, the popularity of ebikes is hardly surprising as riders are choosing them for convenience, speed, and the ability to conquer even the steepest inclines with ease.

The Future is Here. And Electric.

Riders love ebikes and are choosing this mode of transportation over cars. Based on a survey of US-riders, we found that nearly 75% of frequent ebike riders (take at least 1 ebike trip per week) do not own or lease a vehicle. For those that own a vehicle, 55% state that they use that vehicle less with access to shared micromobility.

US cities that have expanded their ebike fleets and invested in charging infrastructure have not only seen a dramatic rise in ridership but also a fundamental shift in urban navigation. Charging stations have been crucial in this growth, ensuring ebikes remain readily available and fully powered when and where riders need them. After watching other cities worldwide transform their streets and see bike ridership increase, we’re thrilled to be able to bring the same excitement for seeing your neighborhood on two wheels to the United States with ebikes. 

2024 was a landmark year for Lyft Urban Solutions bikeshare in the United States. If these record-breaking numbers are any indication, the future is electric.