For the first time ever, Chicagoland bike share system Divvy announced the company will provide free rides on Election Day in order to increase voter participation by reducing “barriers to voting.”
"We hope this Free Ride Day will increase voter turnout by helping people perform their civic duty and make their voices heard,” said Michael Critzon, General Manager of Divvy Bikes.
A poll by The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement recorded data that said, “the third most common reason for not voting among non-college youth was a lack of transportation.” In fact, 29% of all youth surveyed stated it as a primary reason for not voting in the 2016 presidential election.
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Divvy’s new initiative aims to provide Chicagoans who live near one of their nearly 600 bike share stations with a no-cost, quick and convenient way to get to the polls on November 6.
“Riders can unlock an Explorer Pass for free, valid for unlimited 3-hour trips in a 24-hour period, using the code VOTE18 in the Divvy app or at a bike share station kiosk,” Divvy said in a statement.
