For the first time in its history, BIXI Montreal strives to offer year-round service, including winter. About 150 of the 850 stations will be available after November 15, in seven boroughs, sometimes with heated slabs and roofs. The bikes are, among other things, equipped with studded tires.
The organization, which officially opened its season on Wednesday three days earlier than planned, is responding to a long-standing request in the cycling community. Every year many customers must excuse the disappearance of BIXI self-service bicycles (VLS) from the streets of Montreal after November 15th.
The pilot project will allow services to be operated on a 100 km stretch later this year2 Including seven boroughs: Sud-Ovest, Ahamsic-Cartierville, Rosemont-la-Petit-Patrie, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Ville-Marie, Villere-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension and Mercier-Hochelaga-Maison.
Only conventional bicycles are available; Electric models are put away for the winter. “We are going to introduce studded tyres, which are very strong and allow faster braking in slippery conditions. There will also be more grippy toe clips to make sure people don’t slip,” BIXI President Alexander Tailfer said on Wednesday.
Extending BIXI service beyond November 15 has been a topic of discussion in Montreal for years. In 2020, the company’s general manager Christian Vermette said the 2021-2022 winter might be perfect, but that hasn’t happened yet.
“It is fantastic news that BIXI continues to reinvent itself. For me, these are very profitable investments, especially if we want to encourage people to transfer the model and use the bicycle more when possible, “Welcome the steady increase in the number of winter cyclists, Mayor Valerie Plante responded on Wednesday.
Stations are modified for winter
Most of the winter stations are reviewed and along the Riso Express Velo (REV) and metro stations outside the road. “We are still in research and development, but we can already assume that some stations will have heated slabs, roofs. The solar panels we have started deploying will also be used to protect bikes from snow,” said Mr. Tailfer.
In winter, QR code readers may also be available to facilitate bike rental. For the rest, the President continues, “we will see to it that the snow stations are cleared.” “But remember that it snows 10 days a year, so it’s not a matter of blocking traffic,” he said.
Photo by Patrick Sanfaccone, Pres
Alexander Tailfer
Daily ridership during the winter season is expected to be around 4,000, far below the number of users in the summer, which averaged 50,000 last summer.
“Last February at REV, our counters reported a 60% increase in traffic on average, but there was a lot of snow,” explains Sophie Mouzerol, Head of Mobility at the Executive Committee. The City of Montreal is “confident” it can expand winter services to other boroughs in the coming years.
A growing network
In the short term, BIXI expects to be 100% operational by the end of April. On Wednesday, around 2,000 bikes were already available in the metropolis by early afternoon.
This season, the company will add “414 new bikes, 36 new stations and 1,468 additional anchor points”. In total, there will be 865 stations and around 10,000 bicycles, of which 2,600 are electric.
A “massive terminal” will also be installed in Square Victoria during the summer to place your BIXI in the heart of downtown. It is not yet known how many bicycles will be parked there.
Loto-Québec will also join BIXI Montreal this year, under a funding partnership signed for a three-year period. The amount of assistance thus granted to BIXI was not specified. “It’s important to us to help make BIXI accessible 12 months a year and to as many people as possible,” said Benoit LeFrancois, Vice President of Communications.
Less good news, however: Mr. Taillefer confirmed. If you don’t take advantage of the “preseason” rate, a subscription valid through Nov. 15 will cost you $99 plus taxes, or about $115. An “annual” membership to BIXI, including winter use, may be available eventually, but not this year.
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