Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and Lyft announce free Citi Bike memberships for critical workforce in response to COVID-19.
Today, Mayor de Blasio, NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, and Lyft unveiled the Citi Bike Critical Workforce Membership Program, providing the first-responder, healthcare, and transit workforce with a free month of Citi Bike membership.
“Our frontline workers are sacrificing so much to help and protect their fellow New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I want to thank Lyft for stepping up and helping us fight this pandemic by providing the employees on the front line with a safe, free ride to work.”
“Having seen higher demand for Citi Bikes near our critical hospitals, Lyft has arrived at a generous and creative plan that will help get first responders where they need to go,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “I cannot thank them enough. If your job at the MTA, NYPD, FDNY or a hospital requires you to move around, I strongly encourage you to become a Citi Bike member — and take advantage of this means of transportation that is fast and convenient. In these difficult times, Citi Bikes — which are also being cleaned with increased regularity — allow riders to remain safe and socially distant.”
“Lyft is committed to increasing transportation access to those who need it most,” said Caroline Samponaro, Head of Micromobility Policy at Lyft. “As part of our LyftUp efforts nationwide, the Citi Bike Critical Workforce Membership Program will provide free 30-day Citi Bike memberships to New Yorkers on the frontlines against COVID-19. We are grateful to our partners in the de Blasio administration for ensuring bikeshare remains accessible, especially for those making essential trips during this unprecedented time.”
Critical Workforce Membership Details:
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Healthcare providers, transit employees, and first responders (e.g. NYPD, FDNY, EMS) can obtain a free 30-day Citi Bike membership by signing up through their employers.
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Lyft is actively working with the de Blasio administration to enroll public employees in above-mentioned categories.
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Healthcare employers should email HeroBikes@Lyft.com to obtain enrollment information to distribute to staff.
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There is no cost to hospitals, transit employees/agencies, or first responders (e.g. NYPD, FDNY, EMS) to enroll.
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Individuals working in these fields who recently purchased a membership or have upcoming membership renewals can also access a free month.
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The program includes unlimited 45 minute trips on classic bikes and ebikes for 30 days.
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The free membership will not auto renew into an annual membership.
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After the initial period, Lyft will work with City partners to determine ridership needs and the best ways to support the program further.
Enhanced Citi Bike Cleaning Protocol
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Valets: Lyft will prioritize valet resources at stations directly adjacent to hospitals that have already seen significant ridership during the COVID-19 crisis. For much of the day, these stations will be staffed with an associate who will disinfect bikes as they are docked. These associates will practice appropriate social distancing.
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These stations include:
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1st Ave & 68th Street: Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
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1st Ave & 16th Street: Mount Sinai Beth Israel
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1st Ave & 27th Street: NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
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1st Ave & 30th Street: NYU Langone Health
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10th Ave & 59th Street: Mount Sinai West
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Targeted Stations Cleanings: As the Critical Workforce Membership Program is rolled out, Citi Bike will expand the cleanings completed by our associates to include additional stations nearby hospitals.
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Enhanced Disinfection by Field Mechanics: Beginning this week, Citi Bike’s team of Field Bike Mechanics will be cleaning each bike at every station they visit every day. Bikes are also disinfected every time they enter the depot or a valet, or are repaired in the field.