An article published by the New York Times on Thursday highlighted profitable side business This is emblematic of the era we live in: gaming algorithms to make money. In this case, people discovered that they could maximize the return on Lyft’s Citi Bike service. Bike Angels Program By taking advantage of the company’s algorithm used to meet supply and demand needs.
According to Lyft, the practice of “station flipping” — where one or more Bike Angels move parked Citi Bikes to a nearby empty station, wait 15 minutes and then move them back — was phased out over the summer. The company sent an email to violators reminding them that earning Bike Angel points by flipping a station goes against the spirit of the program. “Consistent instances of station flipping may result in removal from the Bike Angels program,” the email said.
However, this practice has continued long enough that some bike angels have been able to earn thousands of dollars each month.