An API, or Application Programming Interface, is essentially a set of rules and tools that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. Think of it like a translator that helps different programs understand and work with each other’s data.
In the context of the Bike Angels program, before Lyft took over, the API allowed developers to create apps that could access real-time data from the Bike Angels system. This data could be used to optimize routes for gathering Bike Angel points, making it easier for users to find the best routes and stations to earn rewards.
However, since Lyft took over, the API hasn’t been updated. This means that the apps relying on that API to provide optimized routes and other features no longer work as well as they used to, if at all. Without updates or continued access to the API, it’s harder for users to get the same level of service or optimization that was available before.