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divvy bikes

Bike Sharing Comes to the Evanston Campus

Divvy Rides During the First Week after Station Installations
  • Evanston to Evanston rides: 261
  • Evanston to Chicago rides: 123
  • Chicago to Evanston rides: 114
A new environmentally friendly transportation option is now available on Northwestern’s Evanston campus with the introduction of Divvy Bike Share. Thanks to a partnership between the University, the City of Evanston and others, 100 Divvy bikes and 10 bike share stations were installed around Evanston in late June. Three of the 10 stations are on or adjacent to campus. Divvy bikes area already available in Chicago, and several stations are located near Northwestern’s Chicago campus.

The bike sharing service allows residents, students and visitors take short trips across Divvy’s network of more than 580 Chicagoland stations. Membership includes unlimited 30-minute trips, making it easy to get to a class quickly, run errands, travel to and from public transit stops, or simply enjoy a ride.

In addition to providing a convenient service, bringing Divvy to the area will help Northwestern achieve its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions—including emissions associated with transportation—by expanding access to cycling as a sustainable transportation option. The Divvy partnership complements Northwestern’s existing infrastructure and services such as highly walkable campuses, extensive bicycle parking, easy access to public transportation, and convenient shuttle services.

The expansion of Divvy in the Chicago region also contributes to local economic development. Divvy employs between 120 and 60 people, depending on the season. Divvy partners with local community development organizations to help unemployed and under-employed people get back to work and to provide job training for at-risk youth.

For members of the Northwestern community, the expansion of Divvy means greater access to affordable, environmentally friendly transportation. Divvy membership is a great option for students who want access to bikes while on campus, but don’t want to deal with the cost and hassle involved in buying, transporting, maintaining, or storing their own bikes. It’s also a convenient way for faculty and staff members to get to and from public transit stops or get around in the community.

Through the Wildcard Advantage program, students can receive an annual Divvy membership for only $75 instead of the normal $99 annual fee. Faculty and staff members can get a $10 discount. Visiting friends and family members who want to explore the area on two wheels can purchase a 24-hour pass for $9.95.

Safety should always be a priority for cyclists. Bikers should wear helmets (Divvy does not provide them) and should always follow the rules of the road. Take the Illinois bicycle safety quiz to learn about local laws and important safety strategies.  

For more on discounts on Divvy membership, visit the Wildcard Advantage Divvy page. Visit the Divvy website to learn more about the service.