A few weeks ago, we committed ourselves to listening and taking action in the communities where we operate. We feel a responsibility to act, because we recognize that access to transportation has always been an important step on the path toward opportunity and equality. There is still a lot of work to be done to achieve equality, and with our community of drivers, riders, partners, and team members, we know Lyft can play an important role.
In recognizing the historical legacy of slavery, Lyft also acknowledges that Juneteenth represents the day the last Black people were freed from slavery, as Union soldiers arrived in Galveston on June 19th, 1865. This official end was the first step in a long journey of liberation and equality. And well after slavery, the Black community continues to endure discrimination.
This year, Lyft will celebrate Juneteenth so that our team members can reflect on our history, participate in civic engagement, and educate themselves on how to fight systemic racism. In our efforts to become allies, we are hosting a public discussion, have created a bikeshare map highlighting Black-owned businesses, and will share donations from rides to and from protests.
We encourage you to join us on Friday and this weekend to take part in local activities celebrating Juneteenth in your community.
Juneteenth Panel
On June 19 at 11AM PT, Lyft Chief Policy Officer Anthony Foxx will host a public discussion about Juneteenth, why it matters, and where we are today in achieving racial equity.
As the former Mayor of Charlotte and U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Obama, Anthony Foxx has seen first hand the role the government can play in connecting Black communities to opportunity, and specifically, how infrastructure and transportation can be a barrier for many. Anthony will speak to that history, and is also joined by panelists:
Mitch Landrieu: The Founder of E Pluribus Unum and former Mayor of New Orleans, which was once America’s largest slave market. Mayor Landrieu was instrumental in removing the city’s monuments that commemorate the Civil War Confederacy. Watch his 2017 speech about it here.
Wynton Marsalis: A Grammy-winning classical and jazz musician, who will speak to music’s power in moments of conflict and injustice. He’s celebrated for both his musical talents and activism for the Black community.
And Valerie Jarrett: Lyft Board Member and Former Senior Advisor to President Obama, who will speak to corporate responsibility in this critical moment.
We invite you to join this important conversation at https://lyft.live/Juneteenth.
Protest Ride Donations
Juneteenth is an important day for civic engagement. Lyft supports the demonstrations happening across the globe, and we stand with our riders in making their voices heard in the fight against racial injustice.
For weeks, we've been piloting a program to donate a portion of proceeds from rides to and from protest venues to national civil rights organizations, including National Urban League, NAACP, National Action Network, Black Women’s Roundtable, and National Bail Fund Network. This weekend, we are continuing the program to encompass more protest locations across the U.S.
Citi Bike Solidarity Ride
Members of the biking community have organized solidarity rides to show support of the Black Lives Matter movement across the U.S. In the past week, a number of our bikeshare networks have waived overage fees for riders participating in the rides.
On June 20, Citi Bike will support Street Riders NYC’s Juneteenth Solidarity Ride at 4:30PM ET beginning in Times Square by waiving overage fees and offering a free ride for anyone to participate in the event. Riders can use code SOLIDARITY in the Citi Bike app from 3-5PM ET on the date of the event to unlock a free Single Ride.* Bikes can be checked out from any station, not just those in Times Square.
Citi Bike Bike Route Map
To help educate our community, our bikeshare system in New York City, Citi Bike, has created a Juneteenth bike route that will pass through significant monuments, landmarks, and Black-owned businesses that celebrate liberation and have significance to Black history.
Tomorrow, Citi Bike will share the route on their Instagram, so riders can reflect on these landmarks and their significance to the Black community in New York City.
At Lyft, we recognize that we have more work to do beyond any single action, and celebrating Juneteeth is just one step in our journey. We are committed to doing more for equality in material and public ways.
*Only valid for redemption within the Citi Bike app. Offer expires June 20, 2020. Must have a valid Citi Bike account with a valid credit card. Limit one (1) free ride per account. Pass applies to the single ride fare and extra time fees only, not to other fees and charges, such as electric bike upgrade. Cannot be combined with other offers. Subject to Citi Bike Rental Agreement and Liability Waiver, available at citibikenyc.com.