Knowledge Base

Divvy Bikes

Divvy has a 24/7 customer service team available by phone. You can reach them at 855-553-4889. If you prefer email, you can email customerservice@divvybikes.com and we’ll reply within 24 hours.

Corporate membership questions: corporate@divvybikes.com
Marketing/sponsorship inquiries: marketing@divvybikes.com
Press/media inquiries:media@divvybikes.com
Social media: You can also follow Divvy on Facebook (facebook.com/divvybikes), Twitter (@DivvyBikes) and Instagram (@DivvyBikes).

Quick Links

Website: http://DivvyBikes.com
Divvy membership signup: http://DivvyBikes.com/membership
Station locations: http://DivvyBikes.com/stations
Divvy app information: http://DivvyBikes.com/app

Divvy instructional videos: http://DivvyBikes.com/video (playlist of short videos about how to take a bike out, how to return a bike, features about the bike, etc.)

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT BIKE SHARE

What is Divvy?

Divvy is Chicagoland’s bike share system with thousands of bikes available at more than 580 stations across the region. Divvy provides residents and visitors with a convenient, fast, fun, and affordable transportation option for getting from Point A to Point B.

A bike sharing system consists of a fleet of specially designed, heavy-duty, very durable bikes that are locked into a network of docking stations located throughout a city. Divvy bikes can be rented from and returned to any station in the system, creating an efficient network with many possible combinations of start and end points.

With thousands of bikes at hundreds of stations, Divvy will be available for use 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The station network will provide twice as many docking points as bicycles, assuring that an available dock to return your bike is always nearby.

To ride, users can purchase short-term passes (24-Hour) or an Annual Membership to use the system. 24-Hour Passes may be purchased from any station kiosk using a credit or debit card. Annual Members enroll online and receive a personal key used to quickly unlock bikes from any station.

How does it work?

There are two ways to get access to the Divvy system.

The first is by purchasing a 24-hour access pass at any station kiosk or through Transit App for $9.95. The 24-hour pass is designed for the occasional rider who needs short-term access to a bike. With a 24-hour pass, you get access to the system for a 24-hour period. Trips under 30 minutes are included in the price of the pass, while trips over 30 minutes incur incremental usage fees.

The second is by purchasing an annual membership at DivvyBikes.com/membership for either $9.95/month with an annual commitment or $99 for a one-time payment. Annual members enjoy access to the system for a one- year period. Trips under 30 minutes are included in the price of the membership, while trips over 30 minutes also incur incremental usage fees.

'* The City of Evanston offers $5 Divvy memberships for income qualifying residents.'Evanston residents ages 16 and older with an annual household income at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or who receive SNAP, WIC, LIHEAP or public housing benefits will now qualify for the discounted annual memberships – only $5 for the entire first year – as part of the D4E program.  Maximum household income to qualify for the D4E program depends on family size, and ranges from $22,311 for an individual to $60,976 for a family of six.  

Evanston residents who qualify for the D4E program can sign up at the following locations during their office hours:

Chandler-Newberger Center, 1028 Central St. Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd. Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St. Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave. Robert Crown Community Center, 1701 Main St.

Who can use bike share?

Divvy will be available to everyone 16 years and older with a credit or debit card. And it's not just for tourists–bike share in cities all over the world are used by a wide range of people for an almost infinite variety of trips. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you will need a parent or guardian to authorize they approve of you riding Divvy—this authorization takes place either at the station kiosk if you’re purchasing a 24-hour pass or on the Divvy website membership application process if you’re becoming an annual member.

Is bike share safe?

Divvy Bikes are extremely stable and sturdily built. They are routinely maintained by professional mechanics to check safety features such as always-on lights and bells.

Divvy has a strong safety record, and posts safety messages on its stations, on its bikes, at the kiosks, in membership packets, and on its website and social media. Riding tips are available on the Divvy website at http://www.divvybikes.com/riding-tips

How is the Evanston Divvy related to the Chicago Divvy?

As of Summer 2016, Divvy will be in Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Park. The system is designed to be continuous so that any Divvy rider can take a bike to/from any station across the entire system of 580 stations. All Divvy stations will be interoperable in Chicago, Evanston and Oak Park. Riders can seamlessly take a bike from any station anywhere in the network and return it to any other station.

What other cities have bike share systems?

People are using bike share systems in over 200 cities, including New York, Boston, Washington, Denver, Minneapolis, London, Paris, and Barcelona with more programs launching each year. Bike share is becoming an increasingly popular way to get around urban and suburban environments.

How many bikes and stations are there?

As of Summer 2016, Divvy will have over 580 stations and 5,800 bikes. In Evanston, there are 10 stations with an average of 100 bikes available.

LAUNCHING DIVVY IN EVANSTON

Where are the Divvy stations in Evanston?

Evanston will begin with 10 Divvy bike share stations to be deployed in late June 2016. Planning for the Evanston stations originally began with an eight station network. As part of the Illinois Department of Transportation Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, the City of Evanston was awarded funding for eight stations. In planning for these original eight stations, the station regions were selected based on the goal of developing a network that balances access to transit, geography and population reach.

The eight stations were defined by gathering data from a survey during the City’s Bike Plan Update, a Northwestern University Industrial Engineering capstone project, a community meeting, an online survey (with over a thousand respondents), and paper surveys provided at the Levy Senior Center and Evanston Public Library’s Main Library. Data from these reports and meetings identified trip generators and destination points which then defined the eight original station locations. The two additional stations are provided with support from Northwestern University and their locations were determined based on providing connections between the eight established stations and the Northwestern campus.

How can I find out about jobs with Divvy?

Divvy hires for bike mechanics, bike checkers, station technicians, bike rebalancers, customer service, and marketing. As positions become available, job descriptions will be posted on http://divvybikes.com/jobs

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS

How can I become an Annual Member?

Annual Memberships are available for purchase online only. All Divvy Memberships require a valid credit or debit card on file, and payment may be made with either MasterCard or Visa. Members must be at least 16 years of age. Your Annual Membership begins from the day you signup. As you wait for your key to arrive in the mail, you can download the Transit App on iPhone or Android and link your Divvy account to begin riding immediately. Details on that option are available at http://DivvyBikes.com/app

When will I receive my Divvy key?

If you've signed up for an Annual Membership, we will send your key in the mail the following business day. If you have not received your key 7-10 business days after signing up, please call to speak with a customer service representative at 855-553-4889.

I've received my Divvy key. Now what?

Before the key can be used to unlock a bike, you must activate it by logging into your account via the Log In tab at DivvyBikes.com/login using the username and password you chose when registering for your membership.

Will my membership be automatically renewed upon expiration?

Divvy offers you the option to enroll in the Auto-Renew Membership feature, so your service will never be interrupted. Enrollment in Auto-Renew means that on the day your membership is dated to expire, your membership will automatically be renewed for another Annual Membership period.

All Annual Memberships are enrolled in the Auto-Renew feature by default. You can adjust this setting in your Member Profile or by calling a Customer Care Representative at 855-553-4899. Members that are enrolled in the Auto-Renew feature will receive an email confirming when auto-renewal of their membership has occurred.

Can I lend my Divvy key to someone else?

No, your Divvy key is not transferable. Inappropriate use or sharing of keys will result in membership termination and any usage fees and/or potential damages charges will be settled against your credit card.

Does Divvy offer any discounted Annual Memberships?

Divvy offers discounted annual memberships through its Corporate and Community Memberships program. Companies and organizations interested in offering their employees/members discounted or subsidized Divvy memberships can view pricing options at http://www.divvybikes.com/pricing/corporate-memberships and contact us at corporate@divvybikes.com if they have any questions.

Student pricing and information is available at http://www.divvybikes.com/pricing/student-membership

24-HOUR BIKE PASSES

I only want to ride occasionally or am just visiting town for a short time. How do I purchase access to the system?

You may choose to purchase a 24-Hour Bike Pass for $9.95 at any Divvy station using the touchscreen kiosk.

As a Pass holder, the first 30 minutes of each of your trips are free. After the first 30 minutes, you'll be charged usage fees. You can avoid incurring usages fees by returning your bike to any Divvy station within 30 minutes of starting your trip. You may take as many trips as you want during your membership period.

Is there a security deposit held when I become a 24-Hour Pass holder?

When you purchase a 24-Hour Pass to Divvy, a preauthorization hold of $1 per bike is placed on your card account. This is a not a settled charge against your account. It serves as a security deposit and will be released when the hold expires. Holds may last up to 10 days, depending on your credit card company. We recommend using a credit card and not a debit or check card when becoming a 24-Hour Bike Pass holder. Using a debit card may result in overdrafts if you don't have sufficient funds in your account to cover the hold.

How do I unlock a bike as a Pass holder?

Once your 24-Hour purchase has been completed, a ride code receipt will be printed. Type the five-digit ride code into the key pad located on a dock with an available bike to unlock the bike and begin your trip.

Ride codes expire after 5 minutes. If you aren't able to use your ride code within 5 minutes, you must obtain another code by swiping your credit card at the kiosk and requesting a new ride code. You are not charged for requesting additional ride codes during your Access Pass period.

Will my original unlocking code work throughout my Access Pass period?

No, it won’t. A ride code will only unlock a bike for a single trip. When you're ready to ride again, go to any kiosk during your Bike Pass period and swipe your credit card. Our system will recognize your card and issue another ride code. No additional membership fees will be charged to your card.

Ride codes expire after 5 minutes. If you aren't able to use your ride code within 5 minutes, you must obtain another code by swiping your credit card at the kiosk and request a new ride code. You are not charged for requesting additional ride codes during your Bike Pass period.

BILLING AND FEES

Are the first 30 minutes always free for Annual Members and 24-Hour Pass holders?

Whether you’re an Annual Member of a 24-Hour Pass holder, the first 30 minutes of every trip are free. Trips that last longer than 30 minutes will incur usage fees. A trip ends when a bike is securely returned back to a Divvy station. You may take as many trips as you want during your membership period.

If you would like to take a bike for an extended period of time, we recommend that you rent a bike from a local bike rental location. Please visit our Resources page for a list of bike shops and rental locations by borough.

How will I be charged after the first 30 minutes?

Please visit our pricing page for usage fee details. That’s available at http://DivvyBikes.com/pricing

How will I be billed for my Membership/Pass and usage fees?

Annual Members will be billed membership charges immediately upon submitting their application through the Sign Up page. Usage fees, as well as any damage or service fees incurred, will be billed on the 3rd of each month of your membership.

24-Hour Pass holders will be billed at the time of purchase. Any usage or other fees incurred during your Pass period will be charged to your credit card at the end of the 24-Hour period, or when your bike has been returned after your 24-Hour Pass period has ended.

At any time you may log into your member account at DivvyBikes.com to view your billing statements, which will include all membership charges and fees.

DIVVY BIKES AND STATIONS

Divvy bikes are easy, fun and comfortable to ride. They feature a step-thru frame that provides a lower center of gravity and ease of access to a wide range of heights. Every bike has three speeds, a bell, front and rear-flashing LED lights and a handy front rack. Plus, the internal hub gears, chain guard and fenders keep you riding clean, confidently and in style.
Tell me more about the stations.
The stations are solar-powered and modular to allow for easy installation. Each station consists of a variable number of docking ports for the bikes, plus a touchscreen kiosk for the purchase of Bike Passes. You'll also find a map of the service area and the surrounding neighborhood that shows the locations of bike lanes, other Divvy stations and places to buy a helmet. 

Do the bikes fit everyone?

Divvy bicycles are designed to be used comfortably by people of a wide range of heights, simply by adjusting the seat height. To adjust the seat height, follow the seat post down to where it fits into the bike frame and flip open the quick release lever (a clamp on the right side of the seat post). Raise or lower the seat to a comfortable height and then close the lever to lock the seat securely in place. If you have trouble moving the seat, it can be helpful to wiggle it back and forth a little while pulling it up or pushing it down. Be sure that the lever is open before you try moving the seat.

Make sure the seat is centered by aligning the vertical black line on the silver seat post with the notch in the blue bike frame. After you have found your right seat height, check the number on the side of the seat post for quick reference and remember it for your next trip. 

How long can I take a bike out?

Annual Members and Bike Pass holders have the first 30 minutes of every trip free. Longer rides incur usage fees.

If your Divvy bike has not been returned and correctly docked at a station after 24 hours, the bike is considered stolen and a fee of up to $1,200 plus administrative fees will be charged to your credit or debit card.

If you would like to take a bike for an extended period of time, we recommend that you rent a bike from a local bike rental location. Please visit our Resources page for a list of bike shops and rental locations by borough.

Do I have to wear a helmet?

A helmet is not required for riders at least 18 years of age in Evanston, however Divvy strongly encourages you to wear a helmet when you ride. In the City of Evanston, riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.

How do I take a Divvy bike out of a bike dock?

It's easy! If you're an Annual Member, just dip your Divvy key into a dock with an available bike. If you've purchased a 24-Hour, simply enter the 5 digit-ride code you received at the kiosk into the key pad on a dock with an available bike.

When the green light blinks on at the dock, lift the bike up by the seat (about four to six inches) and let the bike drop. Then holding onto the handlebar with one hand and the seat with the other hand, pull the bike firmly towards you. Adjust your seat height and roll on!

Remember: Bike Pass holder's ride codes are valid for five minutes and only for a single trip. If you need a new code, just dip your credit card at any kiosk. You will not be charged for requesting additional ride codes during your Pass period.

How do I return a bike to a bike dock?

Push the front wheel of the bike firmly into the bike dock and watch for the green light to blink on. The green light indicates that the bike is properly secured into the dock. If the yellow light on the bike dock stays on or if a red light appears, pull the bike out and try to re-dock into another empty bike dock.

Remember: the bike is your responsibility until it is properly locked back into a dock.

How do I ensure that my bike is properly docked?

After you dock your bike, wait to make sure the dock displays a green light. This will let you know that your bike is properly docked. Don't see a green light or want to make sure? Grab the back of the seat and lift up to see if the bike comes back out of the dock. If you can remove the bike from the dock, please try again to dock your bike. 

Can I take out more than one bike with my Divvy key or my credit card?

Your Divvy key will allow you to unlock one bike at a time. If you're with a friend who doesn't have a Divvy  Annual Membership, they can use their credit or debit card to purchase a 24-Hour Pass at the kiosk

TROUBLESHOOTING

What do I do if the bike isn't working properly?

If your bike is not working properly, just lock it back securely at any Divvy station and notify us by pushing the white wrench button on the top of the dock. In case of difficultly re-docking the bike, please call us at 855-553-4889.

What do I do if there are no empty bike docks when I want to return my bike?

If you want to return your bike at a station that’s completely full, we'll add an extra 15 minutes of free time to your trip that you may use to return the bike to another station. Simply go to the kiosk at the full station, dip your Divvy key (for Annual Members) or re-swipe your credit or debit card (24-Hour Pass holders), and select “Station Full?” to add the free time to your trip. You may also check the real-time status of nearby stations to find an available bike dock using the “Nearby Stations” option on the kiosk.

If you have a smartphone, download the official Divvy app (coming soon!) to view real-time information on bike and dock availability, then plan your trip accordingly.

What do I do if there are no bikes available at my station?

Use the "Nearby Stations" option on the kiosk touchscreen to check the real-time availability of bikes are nearby stations.

If you have a smartphone, download the official Divvy app (DivvyBikes.com/app) to view real-time information on bike and dock availability, then plan your trip accordingly.

My Divvy key or ride code isn't working! What do I do?

First, make sure your key has been activated by logging in to your account at DivvyBikes.com using the username and password you chose when signing up. If your key is indeed broken, it can be replaced. Please call 1-855-55-DIVVY (553-4889) and our staff will send you a new key. A $10 replacement fee may be charged to your credit or debit card.

If you're a Bike Pass holder and your ride code isn't working, simply request a new ride code by re-swiping your credit or debit card at any Divvy station kiosk.

My Divvy key has been lost or stolen! What do I do?

Please contact us at 1-855-55-DIVVY (553-4889) as quickly as possible to deactivate your Divvy key and prevent fraudulent use, as well as to obtain a new key. You will be charged a replacement fee of $10. Any usage, service, damage or stolen bike fees incurred by your key before you have reported it as stolen will be your responsibility.

 My Divvy bicycle has been lost or stolen! What do I do?

Immediately notify us by calling 1-855-55-DIVVY (553-4889). You must do this within 24 hours. The customer service representative you speak with will ask you to fill out a Divvy Theft Report form. In addition, we request that you call or visit the police precinct in which the theft occurred within 24 hours to file a theft report. Your credit card may be charged for the cost of recovery or replacement of the bike. Please note, you must contact Divvy within 24 hours of the loss or theft of your Divvy.

 I've had a crash involving my Divvy bicycle. What do I do?

Call 911 immediately. You should also call the police precinct in which the crash took place and file a report with an officer. This will help assure all important information is documented.

Within 24 hours of the incident, you must notify us of the facts of the crash by calling and speaking with a Customer Service Representative at 1-855-55-DIVVY (553-4889). We will provide you with a Divvy Crash Report to fill out. Remember, the bike remains your responsibility until it has been properly locked at a dock, or handed over to a Divvy representative.

Updated 8/15/2024 5:31 PM
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