Skip to main content

Lyft app gets bike lanes to encourage safer cycling

Lyft is adding protected bike lanes and bike-friendly routes to its app to encourage more people to use two-wheeled transportation. The Verge reports that the protected bike lanes will appear as dark green lines in the app while bike-friendly routes that are less protected will be represented as dotted green lines. The feature is available for Lyft bikes and scooter-sharing services on iOS devices, with Android to follow soon. Lyft’s head of micromobility policy, Caroline Samponaro, says: “Each ride
September 26, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

8789 Lyft is adding protected bike lanes and bike-friendly routes to its app to encourage more people to use two-wheeled transportation. 

%$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external The Verge false https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/19/20874032/lyft-add-bike-lane-app-citi-bike false false%> reports that the protected bike lanes will appear as dark green lines in the app while bike-friendly routes that are less protected will be represented as dotted green lines.

The feature is available for Lyft bikes and scooter-sharing services on iOS devices, with 1812 Android to follow soon.

Lyft’s head of micromobility policy, Caroline Samponaro, says: “Each ride on a bike or scooter represents a win for the environment, congestion and a more liveable city.”

Separately, Lyft is working with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) to help ensure US passengers do not miss healthcare appointments due to lack of reliable transportation.

BCBSA is a federation of independent and locally operated health insurance companies in which both parties originally developed separately. Blue Cross covered hospital services while Blue Shield handled physician services.

BCBSA chief medical officer Dr Trent Haywood says many Americans live in areas where medical care is beyond the reach of walking, biking or public transportation.

“As a result, they struggle to access critical health care services, even when they have health insurance,” he continues. “We are committed to addressing issues like transportation that are inextricably linked to health outcomes yet can’t be tackled through health care resources alone.”

BCBS combined a study on the health experiences of its members with local data on issues such as transportation, nutrition and the environment to focus on the community factors that have the most impact on individual health.

Over the next few months, BCBS will incorporate Lyft services into a free service for select Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies which remain unnamed.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Europe calls for guidance on evaluating ITS projects
    December 4, 2012
    A European Commission study report has revealed a lack of consistency or standard practice for evaluating the funding needs and fiscal performance of ITS projects. New guidelines are urgently needed for monitoring public funding of ITS schemes, says a recent report from the European Commission (EC). A specially-commissioned study has found no readily available comparative analysis of transport funding schemes and ITS investment methodologies to support project decision making. A survey of nine EU member sta
  • European lawmakers agree to improve toll collection rules
    November 22, 2018
    The European Parliament (EP) and European Council (EC) have agreed on rules to improve the tracing of drivers who fail to pay road tolls when travelling within the European Union. The informal agreement is expected to improve information exchange on vehicle data. Additionally, the agreed rules are intended to allow service providers to develop a system which allows drivers to use a single on-board toll payment device when travelling across the EU. Rapporteur Massimilano Salini (European People’s Party
  • Survey finds speed, red light cameras divide Americans
    March 12, 2015
    A new survey from free legal information website FindLaw.com found that 52 per cent of Americans support the use of radar speed cameras, while 48 per cent oppose them. Advocates say the cameras increase safety, but opponents contend they are often little more than revenue grabs by communities seeking to fill their local coffers. Interestingly, there is a split between men and women on the issue – a majority of women support the use of speed cameras while a majority of men oppose it. Ohio recently adopted a
  • OCTA launch bus app and change routes to increase ridership
    February 16, 2018
    Orange County Transportation Authority's (OCTA's) mobile ticketing solution is now available on its bus fleet systemwide to help make boarding easier. It has also made a series of changes to existing routes with the intention of providing a more efficient service. Riders can now purchase fares via the OC Buss app on their smartphone or other mobile devices, enabling them to call up for a Quick Response code and scan it on the onboard reader. The application is available for iPhone and Android devices.