The Algorithmic Hustle: Bike Angels and the Battle for Points
The Setup:
- Citi Bike, a bike-sharing program, struggles with uneven distribution of bikes across stations.
- To solve this, they offer the "Bike Angels" program: users earn points for relocating bikes, redeemable for rewards.
- A few riders, the "Power Angels," discover a way to exploit the point system: "station flipping."
The Hustle:
- Station Flipping involves quickly moving bikes a short distance between stations to trigger high-point rewards.
- This creates an artificial imbalance, fooling the algorithm into offering maximum points.
- For some, like Mark Epperson, it becomes a lucrative side hustle, earning thousands a month.
The Ethical Debate:
- Some users ("regulars") find station flipping frustrating, as it creates fake empty/full stations.
- Others defend it as a clever way to exploit a flawed system and earn a living.
- Philosophers argue Bike Angels provide a valuable service for Lyft (saving them money) and deserve fair compensation.
The Power Struggle:
- Lyft initially tolerates flipping, but later cracks down due to complaints and cost concerns.
- A "truce" seems to hold, with Power Angels finding alternative routes.
- However, the urge to exploit the system persists, as shown by continued flipping activity.
The Takeaway:
- This story highlights the complexities of the gig economy:
- Workers (Bike Angels) struggle for fair pay and control.
- Companies (Lyft) seek profit optimization through algorithms.
- In this case, a small group of riders found a way to challenge the system and earn a decent living, albeit temporarily.