Our vision for the future of cities
Building Resilient Cities
We believe cities should be built around people, not cars. Since Lyft’s inception, we’ve thought about how our vision would require us to compete with the convenience of car ownership to end traffic congestion, inspire a transportation revolution, and lead an equitable, scalable approach to shared bikes and scooter systems in cities.
Now COVID-19 has drastically changed cities — and in turn, urban transportation. With health safety top of mind for all people, unemployment skyrocketing, and continued protests around racial injustice, the ability to get around a city in a safe, healthy, and affordable way is more important than ever.
All of these changes are forcing cities to think differently and recognize that building resilient cities means building resilient transportation networks. Read more about how we see street design as essential to how people choose to get around.
Reimagining our streets
For our cities to thrive in the long term, the dominant transportation choice of owning a car and driving alone needs to shift. For that to shift, our streets need to change. What might they look like?
World-class streets are built not for, but with the community and the neighborhoods that surround them. Local community groups and advocates on the ground are shaping these visions with their input, inspiring a dialogue about how streets can best serve communities in an equitable and inclusive way.
- In Queens, NYC, we looked at how the introduction of Select Bus Service, new protected bicycle infrastructure, and the expansion of Citi Bike could help transform access for central and western Queens residents.
- On Chicago’s west side, we examined how increased cycling and walking infrastructure can help encourage residents to use sustainable transportation modes between neighborhoods and for trips to downtown and the Loop.
- In Ward 8 of Washington, DC, we studied how additional people-centered transportation options and infrastructure can better connect neighborhoods east of the Anacostia river with with and the Navy Yard and beyond.
- In east Oakland, we looked at the role of street design in supporting safer routes to schools and complimentary mobility choices along the new bus rapid transit route on International Boulevard.
- We’re also helping advocates bring their visions for resilient streets to life in Minneapolis, MN and Somerville, MA.
Take action to support resilient streets in your city
Local advocacy groups are bringing this work to life:
The League of American Bicyclists is working hard for the funding it will take to bring Resilient Streets to cities across the country. Sign their petition to support their advocacy!
People for Bikes is asking Congress to make biking an eligible commuter tax benefit option. Sign the petition now to get involved!
NYC community advocates on Transportation Alternatives’ Queens Committee are working to bring big changes to Northern Boulevard and 34th Avenue.
Join the Washington Area Bicyclist Association’s call to action urging elected officials to ensure a new normal with expanded access to safe, affordable, and sustainable mobility choices for all street users.
Advocates at Active Transportation Alliance are working to make Chicago’s streets safer and better for walking, cycling, and transit.
Advocates in Somerville are working to transform Highland Ave with people-friendly improvements.
Minneapolis advocates at Our Streets Minneapolis are working to redesign high-crash Hennepin County streets like North Lyndale Ave.
Yay Bikes is working to bring more and better bike lanes and trails to Columbus.
Ride safely with Open Streets
As cities are adapting to COVID-19, many have launched "Slow Streets" or "Open Streets" programs that shut down streets to support social distancing, physical activity, and safe bike rides. Lyft now surfaces these streets and bike lanes in the Lyft, Bay Wheels, Divvy, Nice Ride, and Citi Bike apps.
Lyft's Resilient Streets Initiative was developed in partnership and guided by technical support from:
