March 24, 2014

Survey of Divvy Members Brings Positive Reviews of Chicago’s Newest Transit Service

97% Satisfied with Divvy Service; Save an Average of $760 a Year on Travel Expenses

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that in a recently conducted survey, Divvy annual members said they were highly satisfied with Chicago’s new bike share service, and claim to save an average of more than $760 a year on commuting expenses by riding a bike rather than using cars, taxis or other forms of transit.

“Divvy has been a great success, and it is encouraging to hear from riders that are pleased with having the bike sharing service as another transportation option as well as saving money,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “We will continue to expand the system into new neighborhoods so more people can enjoy the Divvy experience."

The survey, conducted in late January, asked annual members to respond to a series of questions about the service to judge their level of satisfaction with the program, why they joined, how they use Divvy and if they would recommend others to join.

A total of 97 percent of the responding members said they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with Divvy. In addition, when asked how likely on a scale of 1 to 10 they are to recommend Divvy to a friend, members responded on average with 9.1.

A total of 80 percent of members are “somewhat more likely” or “much more likely” to patronize a business that is near a Divvy bike station.

Compared to what they were spending before they joined, members on average save $760 a year on travel, including auto expenses, taxis and other forms of public transit.

On average, members said they take nearly three trips each month that they would not have made if Divvy was not available. Reasons these trips wouldn’t have been taken include being too far to walk (44 percent), bicycle is faster or easier (36 percent), no bus/train or bus/train is inconvenient to that destination (32 percent), parking is limited or expensive at that destination (27 percent), or Divvy is cheaper than alternatives (23 percent).

Some other survey results include:

Top things that motivated members to join Divvy
1. Get around more easily and faster: 85%
2. Station near home or work: 67%
3. Like biking: 66%
4. Save money on transportation: 51%
5. Exercise and fitness: 51%

Members “sometimes” or “often” use Divvy for the following purposes
1. Go to/from work: 84%
2. Social/entertainment: 82%
3. Shopping/errands: 78%
4. Go to/from transit: 76%
5. Exercise/recreation: 57%
6. Go to/from school: 17%

Members have the following available to them on a regular basis for travel
1. A car, SUV, truck, or other personal vehicle: 64%
2. A personal bike (other than Divvy): 62%
3. A car share membership: 22%
4. A motor scooter, motorbike, or motorcycle: 4%
5. None of the above: 9%

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