Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James has partnered with Lyft to give teenagers complimentary access to a one-year bike-share membership through the Young Men’s’ Christian Association (YMCA).
“We’re proud to announce that Lyft is partnering with LeBron James and his athlete empowerment company Uninterrupted to expand bike-share access and equity across the country,” Lyft announced on its website. “Together, we’re empowering thousands of young people by providing free, one-year bike-share memberships for Lyft-operated systems. Memberships will be distributed in collaboration with the YMCA to eligible 16- to 20-year-olds throughout the year.”
“Growing up, a bike changed everything for me. It was more than a way to go see my friends or play basketball—it was a way of life. A bike opened doors, allowed me to get to safe places after school, and gave me access to opportunities I never would have known. I’m proud that Uninterrupted can join Lyft in bringing that access to kids and people in communities across the country,” says
James in a statement.James surprised more than 50 New York City teenagers at a Harlem YMCA on Tuesday, according to CBS News. The program will start in New York and then make its way to other parts of the country, including Chicago, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.
“With LeBron as our inspiration, we want to demonstrate how transportation can be a spark that helps young people reach their full potential. The future of transportation is exciting, and we feel a deep responsibility to help make transportation accessible to all,” says Lyft’s president and co-founder, John Zimmer.
“The Y is committed to helping young people reach their full potential, and we know that affordable and reliable transportation is a key component. We’re excited to partner with Lyft to provide another way for young people to access new opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive,” says Kevin Washington, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA.
Lyft is teaming up with the YMCA to identify eligible young people in their network, provide them with memberships, and educate them about bike safety. The new program will start this spring in New York City with Citi Bike®️, then continue throughout the year in tandem with local partners in Chicago (Divvy) and the Bay Area (Bay Wheels).