Montreal's BIXI network opens today as spring season begins
Montreal's bike-sharing service BIXI is getting a jump on spring, announcing it is opening over 60 per cent of its network Tuesday afternoon, its earliest start to the season ever.
Service will be available throughout Montreal, as well as in Westmount, Mount Royal, East Montreal and Boucherville. Some stations will also be available in Laval and Longueuil this week.
As of April 8, as much as 85 per cent of the network will be in operation throughout the Island of Montreal.
The full network will be up and running on April 15 in all cities, meaning the Island of Montreal, Longueuil, Laval, Boucherville and Terrebonne.
The non-profit organization said in a press release that 2023 was its most popular season ever, with over 576,000 users. That's a 31 per cent increase over 2022, already a record-breaking year. More than one out of four Montrealers uses BIXI, said Sylvia Morin, acting president of BIXI Montreal, in the news release.
"BIXI has been part of Montrealers' everyday lives for 16 years now, and its popularity is undeniable," said Sophie Mauzerolle, a member of the City of Montreal's Executive Committee responsible for transportation and mobility, in a news release. "By offering a simple, flexible, cost-effective way of adopting sustainable mobility, BIXI has become an integral part of Montreal's transportation offering."
Mauzerolle said the city is investing in 1,300 new bikes and 32 new stations this year, bringing the network's total to over 11,000 bikes, including 2,620 electric bikes, distributed among 934 stations in eight different cities.
New equipment will be added to the Montreal network throughout the season, the company said.
BIXI said preseason passes are currently available for $96 until April 15, which is $3 less than the regular rate last year.
BIXI Montreal held a news conference Tuesday to officially launch its 2024 season – though this past winter, it offered year-round service for the first time as part of a pilot project, keeping 150 stations available in a reduced area.
Mauzerolle said the bike-sharing service will be continuing year-round in the coming years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pharmacare bill passes in the House of Commons, heads to the Senate
The Liberals' pharmacare bill is headed to the Senate after passing third reading in the House of Commons.
National Bank of Canada seizes Ont. woman’s car by mistake
A university student woke up one morning to find her car had been towed away without warning. She finally got answers - just not the ones she expected.
More Canadians are moving to the U.S. Here's one of the main reasons, according to an immigration expert
Recent data from the U.S. census revealed that more than 126,000 people moved from Canada to the U.S. in 2022. An expert said that one of the main reasons for this move is the cost of living.
MPs 'wittingly' took part in foreign interference: national security committee
Some MPs began 'wittingly assisting' foreign state actors soon after their election, says a report released Monday, including sending confidential information to Indian officials.
Her gut was producing alcohol. Doctors didn't believe her
For two years doctors told her she was an alcoholic. Then they realized her gut was making alcohol from carbohydrates, a rare condition called auto-brewery syndrome.
Bus carrying Quebec tourists crashes in Cuba, leaving 1 dead and 26 injured
One person is dead and 26 were injured after a bus carrying Quebec tourists was involved in a collision in Cuba on Sunday.
Here's how far B.C. drivers must keep from cyclists, pedestrians under new law
A new law protecting cyclists and pedestrians in British Columbia takes effect Monday, establishing minimum distances that drivers must keep from so-called vulnerable road users.
N.L. becomes latest province to eye stricter tobacco regulations
Newfoundland and Labrador has floated an eyebrow-raising trial balloon in a bid to further the public health fight against tobacco and nicotine.
Forest bathing: What it is and why some Alberta doctors recommend it
Many people are familiar with the benefits of being in nature, but forest therapy goes a step further than a simple walk in the woods.