In an effort to make rides safer, Lyft launches Women+ Connect

Lyft announced it's rolling out a new safety feature in San Francisco , San Jose , San Diego , Phoenix , and Chicago .

The in-app option, called Women+ Connect, was added to Lyft's services in a move to improve safety after a raft of lawsuits in recent years .

Lyft and its primary rival Uber have come under increasing scrutiny over safety issues, especially sexual assaults.