DISTRICT OFFICE CHAIR

SANITATION
244 UNION AVE
BROOKLYN, NY 11211
COMMITTEES
TEL: (718) 963-3141 TRANSPORTATION
LAND USE
CITY HALL OFFICE HOSPITALS
250 BROADWAY, SUITE 1740 GENERAL WELFARE
NEW YORK, NY 10007 THE COUNCIL
TEL: (212) 788-7095 OF SUB-COMMITTEE
ZONING AND FRANCHISES
THE CITY OF NEW YORK

ANTONIO REYNOSO
TH
COUNCIL MEMBER, 34 DISTRICT, BROOKLYN & QUEENS

March 2nd, 2019

Open Letter to Lyft Regarding Recently Announced $2 Fee on Electric Bikes

There is no denying that transportation options in New York City are currently insufficient and
unsatisfactory: our bus and subway systems are antiquated, our infrastructure is decaying, and in
some areas, it is difficult to access the limited options that we do have. This is compounded by
an overreliance on cars and worsening gridlock.
Transportation issues cut across all demographics of our City, and have a deep impact on our
communities’ health and the ability of New Yorkers to simply get from place to place. In order to
address our unique and pressing transportation issues, we must embrace and increase the use of
alternative modes of transportation. Shared bike and electric bike networks are key in this effort.
However, we have to ensure that transportation alternatives remain affordable and accessible to
all. Citi Bike’s recent announcement of a $2 fee for rides on electric bikes undermines this goal.
Historically and presently, low-income folks are most affected by inaccessibility to traditional
modes of transportation. Additional charges on alternative modes of transportation act as a
barrier to these types of transportation and the myriad benefits that they provide to individuals
and communities. Furthermore, it undermines our City’s larger efforts to move away from car
use.
I am requesting that Lyft (the parent company of Citi Bike) provide elected officials and New
Yorkers with a detailed explanation of:
1) Why a $2 fee is necessary—how was this amount decided upon?
2) What the company’s shortfall would be without the imposition of a $2 fee
3) The anticipated number of riders that the fee will impact
4) Whether Citi Bike has engaged the City on potentially subsidizing e-bikes to avoid a fee

While I understand the financial constraints that companies such as Lyft face, New Yorkers
deserve transparency about why they are being charged more for a service as essential as
transportation. Information regarding what the shortfall would be are especially pertinent, as I
would like to raise the possibility that New York City consider funding this shortfall.
By subsidizing programs such as Citi Bike, New York City would reaffirm its commitment to
long term-sustainably, equity, and quality of life for all New Yorkers.
Sincerely,

Council Member Antonio Reynoso

Cc: Bill de Blasio, Mayor of the City of New York
Polly Trottenberg, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation