On May 3, 2011 Bixi launched its bike-sharing program in Toronto, ON. The system which has become a huge success in Montreal (growing to 10,000 members in its first year) since being introduced in that city in 2009 is now available to residents of Toronto’s downtown core with 80 stations and 1000 available bikes. The name BIXI is a hybrid oif the words "bicycle" and "taxi".
Bixi's successful launch
In order for the program to launch, Bixi Toronto was required to obtain a minimum of 1000 members prior to the bicycles hitting the streets. Thanks largely to corporate members such as Autoshare who purchased a total of 100 of the annual subscriptions required, Bixi bicycles were in place May 3 for the over 1400 eager participants who had purchased their memberships up to a year in advance. Bixi Director Gian-Carlo Crivello expects that the current number will surpass 7000 in this its first year.
Bixi memberships
Memberships run at $95 for a one-year subscription which entitles the rider to 24/7 access (based on availability) for 30 minutes of riding time before incurring additional charges. People also have the option of utilizing the service as “Casual Riders” by swiping their credit card at any Bixi stand and pay as they go for their time/usage. The current rate of an adult TTC monthly pass is $121, making those commuting within the downtown core the target market for this initiative based on financial incentive alone.
The problem with Bixi
When asked about the negative impacts of this new program after some speculated that many downtown parking lots/spaces would be converted to Bixi stations, Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, chair of the public works and infrastructure committee, said his hope is that the Bixi program will attract more/new cyclists to the downtown core without being seen as an obstacle by stealing space from cars. Minnan-Wong stated that “It’s not about competition. Modes of transportation have to be complementary.”
With newly introduced bike lanes in the downtown core the goal is to promote safety among cyclists and perhaps relieve traffic congestion within these areas by encouraging those able to opt for alternate modes of transportation to do so. Bixi may be a step in the right direction in terms of relieving traffic congestion, though it raises many safety related concerns, many of which will be addressed in the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18: Bicycle Facilities which is currently under development. With the somewhat non-committal approach to cycling that Bixi offers participants who are not avid cyclists, many using the service are not equipped with the appropriate safety attire such as helmets. With more cyclists on the road taking fewer safety precautions, one has to wonder if this will in fact pose a larger threat to the cycling community and if the number of related injuries and in some cases casualties now stands to grow.
Toronto now joins the ranks of other international cities currently offering the eco-friendly transportation alternative under the Bixi name including Montreal, Melbourne, London, Washington, Minneapolis and Arlington
Sources
- Ian Merringer, Globe and Mail, “A bumpy first ride for Bixi bike program in Toronto”, May 4, 2011
Scott Godwin - Scott Godwin is a 32 year old downtown dweller in the city of Toronto. With an education in Advertising and Public Relations, his career ...
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