Divvy Bikes Customer Service — Expert Guide
Contents
- 1 Divvy Bikes Customer Service — Expert Guide
- 1.1 Program overview and where customer service fits
- 1.2 Primary contact channels and expected response times
- 1.3 Common issues and exact resolution steps
- 1.4 What to include when reporting — checklist
- 1.5 Billing, refunds and membership management
- 1.6 Lost & found, theft, and liability
- 1.7 Escalations, accessibility and corporate accounts
Program overview and where customer service fits
Divvy launched in Chicago in 2013 as one of the first large-scale U.S. city bike-share systems; since then it has grown into a year-round urban mobility option integrated with apps and transit planning. Customer service for a program of this scale sits at the intersection of operations (fleet maintenance, docking infrastructure), membership management (plans, billing, concessions) and public safety (accident reporting, theft and lost property). Knowing which channel to use for each problem speeds resolution and reduces the chance of escalations or unwanted charges.
For reference and primary account-management tasks use the official site and app: https://www.divvybikes.com. The app contains ride history, live station maps, in-app support and automated diagnostics (e.g., last-known bike ID and trip timestamp) — information the customer team will ask for when you contact them.
Primary contact channels and expected response times
Start with the Divvy app Help/Support section or the website Contact form for non-emergency issues. These channels automatically attach your most recent trip ID and bike number; customers who use them typically get an initial automated acknowledgement within minutes and a human reply within 24–72 hours for routine requests (billing questions, membership changes, lost item inquiries). For safety or crime-related incidents, use local emergency services (911) first and then notify Divvy through the app or website; police reports accelerate investigations and insurance processes.
When you contact customer service, include: your full name, membership ID or email on the account, the bike number (stamped on the frame), station ID or GPS location, exact timestamp of the event and any photos/screenshots. Providing these five pieces of data in your first message reduces back-and-forth and often shortens resolution time to a single reply with instructions or a refund decision.
Common issues and exact resolution steps
Docking errors: if the dock won’t release or won’t accept a bike, note the dock number (each dock has an ID), take a photo showing the dock and bike, and safely move to the next nearby station. Report the dock failure via the app so operations crews can triage. If you were charged incorrectly because a dock failed to register a return, include the trip start/end timestamps and the station IDs when disputing the charge.
Damage, mechanical failures and flat tires: stop using the bike immediately, photograph the defect (close-up and context), and report via app or website. Divvy’s field technicians prioritize safety issues — handlebars, brakes, bent forks — over cosmetic issues; typical SLA is triage within 24–72 hours for safety defects and 3–7 days for tires/tube replacements depending on weather and part availability.
What to include when reporting — checklist
- Account identifier: email or membership ID exactly as listed on your account.
- Trip data: trip ID (from the app), start and end timestamps and station IDs or GPS coordinates.
- Equipment ID and photos: bike/frame number, dock number, at least two photos showing the issue and context (one close-up, one wide).
- Receipt or bank posting: screenshot of the charge or bank statement line if disputing billing.
- Police report number for theft or injury incidents — include this before escalation for liability and insurance processing.
Billing, refunds and membership management
Divvy offers multiple products (single trips, day passes, monthly and annual passes) and billing disputes are one of the most frequent service requests. If you see an unexpected charge, open a ticket via the app or website within 30 days and attach the trip ID and a screenshot of the bank transaction. Most straightforward billing corrections (duplicate charge, incorrect time billing) are resolved within 7–21 business days; more complex disputes that require operations verification or third-party payment processor action can take 30–90 days.
Membership changes — cancellations, transfers, concession eligibility verification (student/low-income programs) — are handled through account settings plus identity verification documents when required. Refund policy specifics (pro rata refunds vs. credits) vary by product; ask for the exact refund method in your resolution email so the agent can confirm whether you will receive a credit to your account, a direct reversal to the original payment method, or a mailed check for exceptional cases.
Lost & found, theft, and liability
Lost items left on bikes or in docking stations are considered lost property; report the loss with a clear description, station ID and time. Divvy typically holds recovered items for a defined period and publishes reclaimed-item instructions via customer service. For theft or vandalism, file a police report immediately and provide the report number to Divvy — this is required for any liability protection or theft-waiver programs and is essential if the operator seeks to pursue replacement charges or insurance claims.
Be aware that improper use (riding on private property, using the bike in a crime) can lead to account suspension and financial responsibility. If you are wrongly charged for replacement or damage, escalate with the police report and photographic evidence showing the bike’s condition at the time you rode it; customer service teams use this documentation to overturn or reduce charges.
Escalations, accessibility and corporate accounts
If initial customer service replies do not resolve your issue, request escalation: ask for a supervisor or the customer-care manager and supply a concise timeline and documentation. For corporate or campus accounts, account managers often have separate SLA terms (faster response windows, dedicated account representatives). Ask your company’s program administrator for the account-specific contact if you are a corporate rider.
Divvy also provides accessibility support and discounted programs through municipal partnerships. Riders needing accessibility accommodations should contact customer service and the city’s mobility office; include your documentation so staff can implement account flags or provide alternative transportation credits where applicable.
Final practical tips
Always photograph and log bike and dock IDs before and after every ride. Keep a screenshot of your trip receipt until the charge appears correctly on your bank statement. For incidents involving police or emergency services, keep the official report number handy — it is the single most useful item when communicating with customer service and closing disputes quickly.
Primary authoritative resource: https://www.divvybikes.com. Use the app Help feature first, attach the five-item checklist above and expect an initial human reply within 24–72 hours for typical cases. For safety-critical situations, call local emergency services before reaching out to Divvy support.
How do I contact Divvy bikes?
1-855-55-DIVVY
Contact Divvy
Search our Help Center to find the answers to your questions. If you’re still having trouble, email Divvy customer service or call 1-855-55-DIVVY, now supported by Lyft.
What happens if you don’t bring back a Divvy bike in 30 minutes?
If you keep a classic bike out for longer than the time included in your membership or pass, additional usage fees will apply. A ride timer on the mobile app keeps track of how long you’ve had a bike out.
What happens if you don’t return a Divvy bike?
If you have kept a bike out for more than 24 consecutive hours, it is considered lost or stolen and there is a fee of $250 (plus tax). This can also happen if you did not dock your bike properly, so your ride stayed open, and someone else took the bike and has not returned it.
Does Lyft own Divvy bikes?
An AI Overview is not available for this searchCan’t generate an AI overview right now. Try again later.AI Overview No, Lyft does not own Divvy; the City of Chicago owns the Divvy bike-share system’s assets, including the bikes and stations, while Lyft operates it under a contract with the city. Lyft acquired Motivate, the company that previously operated Divvy, in 2018, but the ownership structure shifted to a public-private partnership between Lyft and the City of Chicago.
Here’s a breakdown of the relationship:
- Lyft . Opens in new tabis a private company that acquired Motivate, the company that initially operated Divvy and other bikeshare systems.
- The City of Chicago . Opens in new tabowns all the physical assets of the Divvy system, including the bikes and stations.
- Lyft . Opens in new tabholds the contract to operate the system for the city, managing the technology and day-to-day operations since 2019.
AI responses may include mistakes. Learn moreDivvy – WikipediaThe system is owned by the Chicago Department of Transportation and has been operated by Lyft since 2019.WikipediaDivvy’s new pricing is unaffordable to many residents, and therefore inequitable : r/chicagoJun 14, 2022 — The city still owns the Divvy program and most assets – but now Lyft operates the program instead of the old company M…Reddit(function(){
(this||self).Bqpk9e=function(f,d,n,e,k,p){var g=document.getElementById(f);if(g&&(g.offsetWidth!==0||g.offsetHeight!==0)){var l=g.querySelector(“div”),h=l.querySelector(“div”),a=0;f=Math.max(l.scrollWidth-l.offsetWidth,0);if(d>0&&(h=h.children,a=h[d].offsetLeft-h[0].offsetLeft,e)){for(var m=a=0;mShow more
How do I complain about a Divvy bike?
All customer service questions related to Divvy bikes should be directed to Divvy Customer Care at 1-855-553-4889 or www.divvybikes.com/contact.
Why did Divvy charge me $25?
Parking violations — including locking the ebike to itself, private property, trees, or any other structures as well as blocking pathways, sidewalks, or ramps — incur a $25 fee. You’ll be charged a $25 fee for parking your ebike outside of the service area.