After our triumphant labor win over a year ago, LA Metro is once again considering a motion to hand over operation of the Metro Bike Share program to Lyft, a gig work company company notorious for its poor treatment of workers.  On Thursday, May 15th, the Operations Committee voted to approve the contract, but it was removed from the agenda for the full board meeting on May 22nd.  Why? Because Lyft was caught cheating on their contract proposal in a major, undisclosed conflict of interest. (more info below) This is just another incident in a long history of Lyft's unethical practices and prove that they should not be granted the ability to run our public services. Angelenos deserve better.

Handing over the bikeshare to an anti-transit corporation -- whose primary business is increasing the number of cars on the road -- threatens the long-term stability of Metro Bike Share. Lyft has a history of taking over bike shares, starving them of resources and staffing, and even shutting down bike share programs once they're no longer profitable. This contract is shortsighted and threatens an important public mobility service and the unionized workers who make Metro Bike Share function.

You Can Help

On Monday, June 2nd and Tuesday, June 3rd, we are going to be flooding the inboxes and phone lines of the Metro Board members who are in charge of making this decision. We need to send as many emails and make as many calls as possible to let the Board know that Lyft is wrong for Los Angeles.

Actions To Take TODAY

• Send an email to the full Metro Board telling them why you oppose this contract
• Make calls to LA Metro Board members in your district(s) telling them why they disqualify Lyft from the bidding process

An Update on Lyft's Ethics Violations (5/21/25)

• Lyft’s ethics violation: Just days ago, it was discovered that Lyft submitted a proposal in partnership with Alta Planning + Design as a subcontractor—despite Alta’s role in helping to draft the very RFP they later bid on. This represents a clear conflict of interest and a violation of public contracting rules, as well as state and federal law.
• Protest: BTS submitted a protest highlighting this blatant ethics violation, and the item was pulled from the full board meeting. The outcome of this protest and ethics violation is still unknown.
• Lyft undercutting union wages: Again, just days ago, it was discovered that, despite saying they would honor the current union contract, Lyft plans to cut union wages by up to $14,000 per year for the lowest paid staff. At a time when inflation is rising and the cost of living in Los Angeles is among the highest in the nation, a pay cut of this magnitude would be devastating to the passionate, amazing bike share workers.

The path forward is clear: Metro must disqualify Lyft and award the contract to Bicycle Transit Systems. Public dollars should not reward corporate misconduct. Ethics matter.

BTS submitted a strong proposal – electrifying and modernizing Metro Bike Share, with a strong community outreach and engagement program, and a fast expansion implementation plan, and proudly unionized workforce. This is the future that LA deserves.