Best Bike Share Programs of 2023

Best Overall: Lyft

Sign Up Now

Why We Chose It

Offering a wide availability of bikes in eight major markets, Lyft's platform also provides the infrastructure for a number of top locally branded bike share companies in those locations.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Riders can choose from traditional or electric bikes
• Available in eight major markets
• Existing rideshare users can use the same mobile app

Cons

• Some riders report that the bikes are heavier than regular ones

Overview

Available in eight markets through a number of individually branded providers, Lyft’s bike share program includes both traditional and electric bicycles that can be accessed through the Lyft mobile app or a number of city-specific apps.

Lyft's bikes have sturdy aluminum frames, lights and reflectors, a basket, puncture-resistant tires, and built-in brakes that aren’t susceptible to damage from the elements. Lyft e-bikes can travel up to 20 miles per hour, enabling riders to shorten their commute or save time while exploring their city. 

As with other nationwide bike share programs, Lyft’s pricing varies by location and affiliated platform. That said, it typically costs around $2 to rent a bike for a 30-minute ride, and users are charged an additional per-minute fee (usually about $0.20); some providers charge roughly a $1 unlocking fee and then calculate prices by the minute.

Lyft does not advertise day passes or annual memberships through its website, but local providers offer flexible options that can reduce the overall cost of bike sharing while still using the Lyft app.

Runner-Up: Lime

Sign Up Now

Why We Chose It

Serving riders in over 50 U.S. cities, Lime offers a user-friendly mobile app and high-quality bikes that are designed with safety and longevity in mind.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Features a highly-rated, user-friendly mobile app
• Offers discounts to riders who need financial assistance
• Bikes can also be reserved through the Uber app

Cons

• The number of current markets where bikes are available is unclear

Overview

Founded in 2017, Lime is a well-known bike and scooter share company that serves riders in over 50 cities across 26 states in the U.S. The number of current bike share markets is unclear, but the offering is expanding.

Lime bikes can be reserved using the platform’s user-friendly app or through the Uber app, so it’s a great option for existing rideshare users. Plus, the platform’s mobile app makes it easy to view the battery level of available scooters and e-bikes and note the cost before you ride. 

In general, Lime bikes cost about $1 to unlock plus a location-specific, per-minute fee. A bike rental in Washington, D.C., costs $1 to unlock plus $0.39 per minute, while the per-minute cost to rent a bike in Austin is $0.43 and Seattle riders pay $0.40 per minute.

Best In New York City: Citi Bike

Sign Up Now

Why We Chose It

Whether you're commuting to work or exploring the city as a tourist, you'll be able to find a bike near to you—with over 27,000 available across NYC and Jersey City—and ride comfortably by planning a bike-safe route in the app.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rental options for single rides, day passes, and annual memberships
• Wide variety of locations
• Offers traditional and electric bikes

Cons

• Some users report unhelpful customer support
• Time limit and additional fees make it difficult to go on longer trips

Overview

Citi Bike is a great option for New Yorkers, as it offers traditional and electric bike rentals across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and even Jersey City. The bike share company has more than 27,000 bikes located at 1,700 stations, and a user-friendly mobile app that makes it easy to find an available bike and conveniently return it when you’re finished. Bikes are provided through Lyft and feature the same sturdy aluminum construction, basket, and weather-proof brakes. 

Riders can choose from single rides for $4.49 per trip (up to 30 minutes), with additional time charged at $0.26 per minute. Day passes are available for unlimited 30-minute rides in a 24-hour period for $19 (plus $4 per additional 15 minutes). Additionally, an annual membership that costs around $15 per month ($205 billed upfront) for unlimited 45-minute rides (and $0.17 per additional minute) is also an option.

Users can also upgrade from a classic bike to an e-bike for roughly an extra $0.26 per minute for single rides and day passes, and approximately $0.17 per minute for annual pass holders.

Best In Chicago: Divvy

Sign Up Now

Why We Chose It

In addition to offering flexible membership options with long ride times, Chicago residents and visitors are able to access a large number of bikes and helpful ride guides. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Day passes include unlimited three-hour rides
• Provides suggested bike routes with applicable Divvy stations and popular attractions
• Also offers e-bikes for an extra charge

Cons

• Some users report difficulty finding open docks for bike drop-off
• Additional fees for long trips add up

Overview

Divvy is a Lyft-powered bike share company that services Chicago with more than 580 stations and over 5,800 bikes.

As with Citi Bike in New York, Divvy riders can take advantage of the same high-quality traditional and electric bikes offered by Lyft. And, as a local vendor, Divvy provides riders route ideas and corresponding Divvy stations—plus sightseeing recommendations for visitors. 

Divvy offers daily, annual, and per-ride pricing. Single rides cost $1 to unlock and $0.16 per minute, a day pass is $15 for unlimited three-hour rides in a 24-hour period, and the annual membership costs approximately $10 per month ($119 billed upfront) for unlimited 45-minute rides. Additional time costs about $0.16 per minute.

Best In Washington, D.C.: Capital Bikeshare

Sign Up Now

Why We Chose It

Offering access to a plethora of bikes around town and in surrounding cities in Maryland and Virginia, this Lyft-backed option also unlocks discounts for helmets and select activities in the area.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Bike stations extend beyond Washington, D.C., to surrounding areas
• Riders report there are docking stations near all major attractions
• Annual pass is less expensive than in other cities that use the Lyft platform

Cons

• Some reviews reflect issues with customer support

Overview

Also offered through Lyft, Capital Bikeshare lets riders access more than 5,000 bikes at upwards of 600 stations across Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas: Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, and Falls Church in Virginia, as well as Montgomery and Prince George's County, Maryland. And, like other Lyft-backed bike shares, Capital Bikeshare provides riders with a number of popular routes so visitors can conveniently travel between the most popular attractions.

Riders can take a single trip for $1 to unlock the bike plus $0.05 per minute for a classic ride and $0.15 for an e-bike. As in other cities, daily passes are available for roughly $8 for a 24-hour pass.

Finally, an annual pass is available for around $8 per month (billed annually at $95) for unlimited 45-minute rides. E-bike rentals are also available for an additional $1 per ride.

Best In Charlotte: Charlotte Joy Rides

Sign Up Now

Why We Chose It

With a key focus on making bike sharing easier and more accessible, all bikes offered via this non-profit bike sharing program have electric assist and show you the number of carbon emissions you've offset by biking.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• All bikes have electric assist up to 15 miles per hour
• Bikes are spread out across more than 30 stations
• Day pass doesn’t require riders to dock, so there are no additional fees for long rides
  

Cons

• Daily passes are pricey

Overview

Charlotte Joy Rides is a non-profit bike share system that provides local riders and visitors access to more than 340 bikes across 34 stations throughout Charlotte’s city center.

Though not offered through a larger rideshare platform such as Lyft, Charlotte Joy Rides has an iPhone and Android app that lets users check bike locations and availability. What’s more, all of Charlotte Joy Rides’ bikes have an electric assist, so riders don’t have to calculate additional fees for an e-bike. 

Flash Passes are available for $5 per 30-minute ride. Riders can also opt for a Joy Pass, which costs around $30 for unlimited rides (and no required docking) for a 24-hour period. A monthly membership costs $50 per month and an annual membership is $150 per year; each includes unlimited one-hour rides with approximately a $1 charge for each additional 30 minutes. Annual and student members are also eligible to receive a free helmet.