Is the aim of this story to turn people against Lyft? Or to suggest politicians should have the power to decide how businesses are run? Whatever the purpose, it’s manufactured outrage. 

Here we go:

“A city supervisor hopes to force Lyft to keep accepting cash for its bike rental service. Lyft announced quietly this week that it would stop accepting cash payments for its bikeshare.

City officials and transportation advocates have been quick to criticize the move for cutting out people with low incomes, and potentially immigrants, from accessing a service already largely seen as catering to affluent white men.” - SF Examiner, Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez

Ok, let me stop there. Lyft is a company making an effort to (1) give people mobility options other than a car, and (2) giving low income residents an affordable bikeshare membership. The program at the heart of this story, Bikeshare for All, is a program designed for low-income residents. You might say it’s the opposite of catering to affluent white men.

***

Andy Boenau explores emerging trends that are altering How We Get Around. 

You’re scratching your head about electric scooters,  

You wonder if bike share could work in the suburbs, 

You feel bad that buses aren’t used more,

You have an opinion about autonomous vehicles,

Your walking shoes need more wear, and

You wish you didn’t have to drive so much.

Mobility freedom, equitable access, emerging technology, subscription culture, and traffic safety.

We have a lot to cover.

***

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