Here’s what major U.S. bike-share companies actually say in their Terms of Service about insurance and liability — and you’ll see the common theme: you ride at your own risk.
🚲 1. Citi Bike (Lyft-owned, NYC)
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Insurance: ❌ None provided.
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Liability: Riders must release Lyft from all claims and take full responsibility.
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Exact Wording:
“You expressly agree to release the Company from all liability for any and all claims… arising out of or in connection with your use of a Bicycle.”
🚲 Capital Bikeshare (Washington, D.C.)
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Insurance: ❌ None for rider injuries or third-party damages.
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Liability: User is financially responsible for losses/damages during rental.
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Exact Wording:
“User assumes all responsibility and risk for any injury or damage caused to the User or others while using the Service.”
🚲 Divvy (Chicago, Lyft-owned)
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Insurance: ❌ None provided.
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Liability: Must agree to hold Divvy harmless for any accidents.
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Exact Wording:
“User is solely responsible for any and all damages or injuries of any kind… Divvy shall not be liable for any injury or damage.”
🚲 Lime (Nationwide)
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Insurance: ❌ Not included for riders in the U.S.
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Liability: Lime disclaims all responsibility for accidents.
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Exact Wording:
“Your use of the Services is at your own risk. Lime is not responsible for any injury, death, or property damage related to the use of the Vehicle.”
🚲 Bird (Mainly scooters, some bikes)
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Insurance: ❌ No rider coverage in the U.S.
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Liability: Rider assumes all risks, injuries, and damages.
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Exact Wording:
“Rider agrees to assume full responsibility for all risks, injuries, or death that may occur while using a Bird Vehicle.”
📌 Key Takeaways
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Zero automatic insurance is included for medical, liability, or theft.
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Riders are personally responsible for accidents, damages, or injuries.
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Companies make you sign away your right to sue in most cases.
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Theft or damage fees can be up to $1,200 per bike.
If you want, I can put this into a side-by-side comparison table showing each U.S. bike-share’s stance on insurance, liability, and theft fees so it’s easier to see. That way, you can spot the patterns instantly.