Urban Tech: How It’s Affecting Major Cities Like Chicago

I currently live in Chicago and I’ve been noticing how the urban tech has been becoming more and more advanced here. Living in a world where we are so technology driven, it’s exciting to see the changes being made in our everyday lives. Although, it can be overwhelming at times, I do believe the positive outweighs the negative. 

Technology is the future whether we like it or not. There are four major changes that I’ve noticed in the last couple of years that have become more present.

1. Lyft/Uber Electric Scooters/DIVY Bikes

Lyft Electric Scooters

Lyft and Uber have been implementing their urban tech scooters and DIVY bikes throughout Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., and Denver. If you live or visited any of these cities you probably have seen the random bikes or scooters laying around.

The electric scooters go up to 15mph which I thought was a bit slow, but you’ll be grateful being able to have control while going this speed. The electric scooters are on the more affordable side which is great when you need to get around in a certain area. You can use the Lyft app to check to see if there are any scooters in your area. In the Lyft app, you can reserve a scooter ahead of time or even scan the QR code.

Once you have reserved your scooter, it’s time to learn how to ride it! So you have to kick-start the ground twice to start going. You then can press the throttle on the right handlebar to pick up speed. The brake is on the left handlebar, hold down to slow down. You can park you scooter at DIVY stations, bike racks, and on the curb not blocking the sidewalk.

These are all the basics you need to start riding the electric scooters! Make sure to keep your safety priority number one.

Uber “Lime” Electric Scooters

Uber also uses the electric scooters and they’re called Lime scooters. You can also book Lime scooter through Uber’s app. You have to tap 2-Wheels and the it will provide you the location of the nearest scooter. Once you get to a scooter, scan the QR code on the handlebars or manually enter the 6 digit code. Now you can start riding!

To brake, squeeze the lever down on the left handlebar. To accelerate, press the lever down gently (because it has fast start) on the right handlebar. The Uber app has a map where it shows you where you can park your Lime scooter once you’re finished.

These scooters have been zipping around and have to be one of my favorite urban tech pieces throughout the city. They are a staple for a lot of people, especially downtown. 

Lyft DIVY Bikes

Lyft is the company that is powering the DIVY bikes. They have been around for a while now, in Chicago at least. These are the blue bikes that are typically next to one another on a bike rack. Lyft has a few payment options depending on your needs and lifestyle.

In order to start riding the DIVY bikes you have to either become an annual member, buy a pass from a DIVY station kiosk, or use the DIVY app. Then you can find an available bike nearby and scan the QR code or use your member key to unlock the bike. 

Now you’re free to explore on a budget thanks to the ever continuing urban tech city projects. You can return your bike at any station, but when you do, wait for the green light on the dock to make sure it’s locked. 

These bikes are being used a lot in downtown Chicago from tourists to locals wanting to explore at a more hands on level. 

If you’re ever in Chicago during the spring or summer seasons, you have to try these 3 economy friendly rides.

2. Upgraded City Trains With Urban Tech

The trains here in Chicago are always getting an upgrade every few years or so. This last update made the trains more urban tech focused. They have LED screens throughout the train that displays the weather, time, security footage of the train cart, and even quick on the go facts. 

This update is a major change utilizing the modern urban tech to help provide a more comfortable and safe ride for the public.

The city also added a few features to the LED screen on the train platforms. The wifi symbol next to the train stop/train time shows that the current train is being tracked. This means that the time arrival is accurate. If there’s no wifi symbol next to the train stop/time then it may be on time or it may not. This feature gives you more certainty on when exactly your train will be at your train station.

This may not seem like a huge update, but when you are using these services almost daily it is. No one wants to wait 30 minutes or more for a train that should’ve showed up on time. It’s the small changes that start adding up to create a big change. 

3. Using Your iPhone To Pay For Public Transportation

Apple has partnered with Ventra, which is Chicago’s public transportation payment service. All you have to do is download the Ventra app and log in or create an account if you don’t have one. Then you tap “cards” and “add to Apple Wallet”. You can also transfer an existing Ventra card to your iPhone by signing into the app and selecting that specific card and adding it to your Apple Wallet. Once you do that, you’re able to tap and ride!

Growing up in Chicago taking public transportation, I know how big of a step this is for the city and urban tech in general. Being able to upload funds to your Ventra card via online is huge. This brings more efficiency to the train stations so it’s not so crowded by the entrance if you are trying to buy a physical throw away Ventra transit card. 

This is a huge win for Chicago as it has been trying to re-vamp the public transportation services for a long time using different failed methods. 

4. More Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Electric charging stations has been a thing for a while now, but within the last year or two, they have been multiplying like crazy. I thought maybe I was just seeing things as I don’t have an electric vehicle, but turns out I was right!

Illinois launched a plan to put 1 million electric vehicle charging stations by 2030. This means a lot more charging stations will be coming to Chicago and other Illinois areas in the upcoming years. This can help the economy tons by starting to introduce an electric car economy rather than a carbon gas car economy.

This may be good news to some, or bad news to others. Either way, you can’t doubt how this will help push urban tech to new levels.