Idea: Buy Citi Bike Key using Bike Angel points
I'd like Citi Bike to offer the ability to purchase a new Bike Key using Bike Angel points. I'm aware that the bike angels lifetime award for 1,500 points (Steady Pedaler) includes a free Bike Key and there's a one-time offer to order a Bike Key for Citi Bike members using a discount code available at https://account.citibikenyc.com/profile but I've already exhausted both of these options and want to purchase another one. The motivation for this idea came after technical issues I'm currently facing when trying to order a new bike key at https://store.citibikenyc.com/products/citi-bike-key resulting in the error message "There was an issue processing your payment. Try again or use a different payment method." even after trying 4 different credit and debit cards. I've submitted a separate support ticket for this issue. I'd suggest the price for a bike key to be 50 points given Lyft credit is $2.00 for 10 points and E-Bike credit is $2.50 for 10 points and a Bike Key costs $10 on the Citi Bike Store. Lastly, as a secondary comment: The turnaround time for bike key purchases is extraordinarily long for such a simple item (it can take several weeks to a few months based on my own experience and that of others) - I strongly urge Lyft to look for ways to decrease the processing and shipping times for bike key orders.A glitch in push notifications
I’ve noticed a small glitch in push notifications after finishing a ride. See the screenshot attached. I completed ride #1, earned 9 points and my bank showed as 836 points. A few minutes later I completed ride #2, again earned 9 points but my bank total increased by 18 points (854 - 836.) I again earned 9 points for ride #3 but my bank balance stayed at 854. l don’t consider it to be a big deal as the error always self-corrects after the next ride or two and, more importantly, the point bank in the app always shows the proper amount. Using the above, after ride #2 my bank total should be 845 points, which is what the app shows. So the error is the number showing in the push notification, not in the app itself. It happens maybe once a month or so. I’m posting it as an FYI for other BAs as well as anyone on the tech team who wants a project.Improve initial acceleration for low assist e-bike rides
When Lyft rolled out low assist mode in Sept 2023 in NYC it was described as follows: "Low assist mode feels like and costs the same as a classic bike". I find that the low assist mode experience on the current silver e-bikes can range from pleasant to downright dangerous and Lyft needs to take steps to lower the risk of injury to their customers when using this mode. Furthermore, the low assist mode is noticeably challenging on low-battery e-bikes, or, worst-case, makes the ride completely unrideable for poorly maintained e-bikes with chain or motor issues. Specifically, the static acceleration on the e-bikes in low assist mode can be so weak on the current 80-pound bike that it can cause injury when riding on a moderate or steep hill due to loss of horizontal balance when coming to an unexpected stop (something that I've personally experienced several times over the past 2,279 rides over 14 months). It also increases the likelihood of an accident due to how long it can take for the bike to get up to speed at an intersection to match the flow of traffic. To address these issues I'm asking that Lyft increase the initial acceleration for e-bikes in low assist mode to counteract the weight and improve balance of the bike when climbing moderate/steep hills and when pushing off from a full stop. For example, if low assist were to currently provide a constant 15% of max power from 0-15mph, I'd like to see at least 30% percent for 0-6mph and then 15% thereafter. If technical limitations don't allow for a dynamic acceleration curve to be set based on the current speed then I propose to increase the constant acceleration power for the full 0-15mph range from 15% to 20-25% of max power.
Capping Citibike ebikes Charge at $2.90?
I personally prefer to take an ebike sometimes instead of the subway, especially if going somewhere far. From my experience it is the fastest and most predictable way to get from point A to B. This was also demonstrated in a NYT article on getting from Time Square to LGA. However, the biggest negative is the charge. A 20+ min ride is $5+. It would be great if the ebike fee was capped at the same rate as the subway, $2.90 as long as under a certain time frame. I understand that Lyft needs to cover their costs, but the MTA just generated $159 million in the 1st quarter of 2025 from congestion pricing. I am not sure if any of these revenues are planned to help fund Citibike, especially ebikes. If not might be a good idea to help cap the ebike fee. Thoughts?Improve the Citi Bike Map
Problem: In the Citi Bike map (in the app) it is almost impossible to tell traffic flow direction for streets when browsing the map, an arguably important piece of information when biking in NYC. Similarly, reading street names is just as hard with them only appearing if you zoom in almost all the way! The green bike lane lines cover the street arrows which indicate the direction of traffic (I've circled two arrows that are being covered). Also, only two street name labels are showing here: Suggestions: Make it easier to see the traffic flow arrows by either making the direction arrows easier to see (change color, size, etc) or allow users to toggle the green bike lane overlay on the map on and off Make it easier to see/read street names and prioritize them over places of interest Add a toggle to show/hide places of interest on the map (restaurants, hotels, stores, etc) Lastly, an argument against improving the current experience might be to user the "directions" feature which will give you a correct route but to that I say that sometimes we just want to do an ad-hoc bike ride. Secondly, bike angels (like me) would love to better see street names and traffic flow directions I don't really use the directions feature because there's no way to simply put a pin on the map or tap on a station as your start and end address; we must type in the address which is time-consuming.Discontinue Lifetime Achievement Rewards?
I joined Bike Angels when it first started. Back then my motivation was to extend my membership and get the rewards. At that time the rewards had some value, like a special metal key FOB. Was like be eligible for a metal credit card, made you feel special. Motivated me to go to a further dock with points. I just hit 3000 points and got the gloves and pin. With all do respect, these gifts are crap and have little value to me. I have no motivation or excitement to receive any future level gifts, the backpack looks like more cheap stuff. I suggest doing away with this program or make the rewards better. I would rather that you give me extra points I can use on e bikes or extensions...or something else of real value instead of Lyft money and resources wasted on this cheap merchandise. (Especially with increased tariff costs) Thanks for reading. Any other ideas/feedback?
Nearly empty, and empty stations should not have pickup points
Some stations, like the ones I pictured here are almost completely empty for hours! I check back every 15 mins, yet they aren't neutral (no points) or have drop off points...but they have pickup points. This makes no sense. This is clearly a systemic, repeatable issue that could be fixed with a bit code. by the time someone with authority reads this, I'm sure these stations points and state will be different, but my point is clear, these nodes consistently occur and I believe they should be addressed, it would make angeling easier. starting off we have a station with 0 bikes yet has pickup points.. Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next:
Always allow a low-assist option and measure the miles, not the time
Hi there, as a daily heavy CitiBike user I keep running into some issues which can be solved by a few adjustments to the eBike settings: Issue 1: Sometimes there is no classic bike available in the rack anymore due to a recent pick of the last one. The 'system' has not yet recorded that and if you then pick an eBike there is no low-assist and you are charged (happened to me twice last week). Issue 2: The lights on some classic bikes are not always functioning well but you only discover this while you drive. This can lead to dangerous visibility issues. I prefer the lights of an eBike on some very busy Brooklyn roads after sunset for my own survival between always crazy car traffic even if I don't need full throttle. Solution to 1) and 2): why not always allow the option to pick low-assist? Issue 3: When I am on an eBike (full assist, especially when 'involuntary' see above) I tend to get very impatient with traffic lights because "the meter runs as time runs". I would feel a lot less pressed to take risks if the charge would be per mile instead of per minute. This will lead to my (and others'?) safer behavior. Solution to 3): charge for the distance and not the time on an eBike. Of course, you can keep the 45-60 mins limits. Thanks for listening.
