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Bike Share Toronto

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Bike Share Toronto
Station on Temperance St. at Cloud Gardens
Station on Temperance St. at Cloud Gardens
Overview
OwnerToronto Parking Authority
LocaleToronto, Canada
Transit typeBicycle-sharing system
Number of stations800+
Annual ridership5.7 million (2023)
Websitebikesharetoronto.com
Operation
Began operationMay 3, 2011 (as Bixi Toronto)
Operator(s)Shift Transit
Number of vehicles9,000+ bikes
All Bike Share trips in Toronto in 2017

Bike Share Toronto is a bicycle-sharing system in Toronto, Ontario, operated by the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA). The system consists of over 9,000 bicycles and over 700 stations,[1] and covers over 200 square kilometres (80 square miles) in 21 of the 25 wards of the city, with plans to expand to the entire city by 2025.[2]

The system was launched in 2011 by PBSC Urban Solutions under the BIXI brand and was taken over by the City of Toronto through the Toronto Parking Authority in 2014. The system is currently sponsored by Tangerine Bank. Since 2016, the system has been gradually expanded, with ridership increasing to a high of 5.7 million rides in 2023.

History

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Bike Share Toronto launched in 2011 as BIXI Toronto,[3] with 80 stations centred around the downtown core of Toronto and 1,000 bicycles.[3] The system was operated by PBSC.

In 2013, PBSC announced that it was unable to pay back $3.9 million of a $4.5 million loan from the City of Toronto and filed for bankruptcy.[4] The City decided to cover the loan by diverting money from an automated public-toilets program. The City then took control of the bike-share program,[5] and April 1, 2014, the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) took control of the system, and renamed it to Bike Share Toronto. The new operator of the system was Alta Bicycle Share (now Motivate).[6]

A planned expansion of 22 stations for the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games was abandoned. The original stations operated on a hybrid platform; software was supplied by 8D and hardware came from PBSC. Later, each company developed its own full system of hardware and software, no longer supporting integration of components with other vendors. As a result, all existing stations would have to be replaced or retrofitted.[7]

System expansion

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The first expansion launched in June 2016, with $4.9 million in funding provided by Metrolinx[8] and $1.1 million in Section 37 funds.[9][10] The expansion added 120 stations and 1,000 bikes, for a total of 2,000 bicycles and 200 stations. The TPA chose PBSC as the supplier of the new bicycles and stations. As part of the agreement, PBSC would also retrofit the existing stations to be compatible with the new stations.[11]

On April 1, 2017, the TPA transitioned the day-to-day operation of Bike Share Toronto to Shift Transit, a PBSC partner company, while maintaining ownership of the system.[12][13]

A further expansion of the system took place in August 2017, with the system expanding to 270 stations, 2,750 bikes and 4,700 docks, with $4 million in expansion funding from the Government of Canada and the City of Toronto.[14] The August 2018 expansion expanded the station to 360 stations, 3,750 bikes, and 6,200 docks.[15] By the end of 2019, 105 new stations and 1,250 more bikes had been added to the system in 2019, with a corresponding increase in ridership to over 2.4 million.[16]

In June 2020, it was announced that the system would expand substantially, with 1,850 new bicycles and 160 stations outside the downtown core, such as in North York and Scarborough. The size of the system would increase to over 200 square kilometres (80 square miles), with docking stations in 20 of the 25 wards.[17][18] This expansion would also add 300 e-bikes to the system, allowing easier journeys in hilly parts of the city and speeding up long-distance journeys.[19]

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consequential stay-at-home orders, ridership grew by 20%, with records being set for both the busiest day and the busiest weekend on the system.[20][21] The number of people with annual memberships increased to 465,000 from 2019 to 2020, around double the previous figure.[22]

Visualization of every Bike Share trip in Toronto in June 2024
Visualization of every Bike Share trip in Toronto in June 2024[23]

In 2021, ridership again grew by 20% to 3.5 million,[24] with the TPA calling the growth "tremendous".[22] On May 16, 2021, 27,000 riders were taken, setting a new one day ridership record.[25] TPA also noted a large increase in the number of riders following the installation of bike lanes on Bloor Street.[25] Toronto Bike Share began piloting a 45-minute membership, as well as developing a growth plan for future system expansion.[26]

In 2022, TPA announced that work on a 4-year growth plan had begun, with objectives such as increasing the number of stations to 1,000, the number of bikes to 10,000 (including 2500 e-bikes), expanding the spread of the system across all 25 wards of Toronto, and improving first and last mile connections and increase equitable access to the system.[25] Initial expansion in 2022 included 13 new stations as well as 225 new e-bikes & 100 regular bikes.[27] Overall, ridership grew by 31% in 2022, to 4.6 million.[28]

In 2023, 122 new stations were added, and ridership grew by 24% to 5.7 million.[29]

Ridership

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Bike Share Toronto cumulative annual trips from 2020-2024

Ridership is measured in the number of trips taken. A trip is counted whenever a bicycle is undocked and re-docked. Longer commutes may be counted as multiple trips, in part due to memberships encouraging shorter individual trips.

Year Trips Taken Source
2023 5,700,000 [29]
2022 4,600,000 [28]
2021 3,575,000 [24]
2020 2,900,000 [21]
2019 2,400,384 [16]
2018 1,975,384 [20]
2017 1,510,802 [20]
2016 834,235 [20]
2015 667,000 [30]

Payment and Pricing

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Payment Kiosk 2023

Payment can done via a payment kiosk installed at each station, by key card at each dock, through their mobile app, or through their mobile website.

Riders who have no membership or pass must pay a $1 unlock fee. After which, they will be charged a fee based on duration of use. The fees are $0.12/min for a classic bicycle and $0.20/min for an e-bike. A 24-hour pass may also be purchased for $15, which allows for unlimited 90 minute rides on classic bikes.

Annual memberships are also available. There are two tiers, the Annual 30 which allows for unlimited 30 minute trips at $105/year, and the Annual 45 which allows for unlimited 45 minute trips at $120/year. Both tiers only provide unlimited trips on classic bicycles, but halves the rates of e-bikes to $0.10/min.

Exceeding the duration limit will incur overage fees. These fees are priced at the normal rates the riders pay for classic and e-bike usage.[31] It is recommended that riders dock and undock another bike often to reset this duration.

Reduced Fare Pass Program

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Subsidized Toronto Community Housing tenants are eligible for the Annual 30 plan for a reduced price of $5, while market rate tenants are eligible for a 20% discount off annual membership rates. Ontario Disability Support Program recipients may qualify for annual memberships, where the e-bike per-minute fee is reduced to 0.[32]

Corporate and Student Discounts

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Employees of registered companies or students and faculty members from registered schools can receive a 20% discount to their membership rates.[33]

Bikes

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Further information on the bikes and payment kiosks: PBSC Urban Solutions § Equipment

The bicycles are utility bicycles; they have a step-through frame with an upright seating position. They are equipped with internal hub gears, drum brakes, fenders, chain guard, generator lights, and a front rack. The conventional bikes are PBSC's "Iconic" model. The e-bikes which have been ordered for the e-bike pilot project are PBSC's "E-Fit" model. All the bikes have been configured with three-speed hubs.[34] There are also 300 pedal-assist e-bikes available, which were added in the 2020 expansion.[17]

Mobile apps

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Further information: PBSC Urban Solutions § Mobile apps

A mobile app can be used to rent bikes, instead of using the payment kiosk at stations.[35] The officially-recommended mobile app is the "PBSC" app (formerly named "CycleFinder"). A competing app, called Transit, also works.

Sponsorship and Promotions

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TD logos on bike racks

Between late 2014 and 2016, TD Canada Trust sponsored Toronto Bike Share, covering "all operating costs"[36] at a cost of $750,000 a year. This sponsorship was not renewed.[37] In 2020, the TPA signed a 3-year deal with Bell Media (Astral) for advertising rights at stations.[26] The TPA also stated that they were investigating the potential of a systemwide corporate sponsor, similar to other systems like Santander Cycles in London.[26]

In May 2023, it was announced that Tangerine Bank had signed a five year sponsorship agreement with Bike Share Toronto. This would help fund initiatives included in a 4-year growth plan, with Tangerine Bank customers receiving rewards for using the system.[38]

Free Ride Wednesdays

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In June 2017, Toronto Mayor John Tory announced a "Free Ride Wednesdays" program, which allowed anyone to take free trips of up to 30 minutes on every Wednesday in July 2017.[39] There were no limits to the number of trips per day. Fees applied only if any one single trip exceeded 30 minutes.[40] Free Ride Wednesdays were also held in June 2018 and August 2019.[41] Afterwards, Bike Share Toronto signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with CAA in order to cover future Free Ride Wednesdays.[42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Get Your Questions Answered - FAQ". Bike Share Toronto. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  2. ^ Toronto, Bike Share. "Bike Share Toronto and Tangerine Bank partner to help move Toronto forward". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  3. ^ a b Tse, Jennifer (3 May 2011). "BIXI bike-sharing officially launches in Toronto". blogTO. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
  4. ^ Moore, Oliver (March 31, 2014). "Pricing favours repeat users under new Toronto bike-sharing program". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  5. ^ Alcoba, Natalie (December 5, 2013). "Bell Media saves Bixi bike program, kicks in $5-million to pay debt, expand". National Post. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017.
  6. ^ "Bixi Toronto Under New Management, Now Called "Bike Share Toronto" — Motivate". Motivate. Archived from the original on 2017-12-02. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  7. ^ Spurr, Ben (2015-06-03). "Bike Share won't expand in time for Pan Am Games". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  8. ^ Kalinowski, Tess (July 6, 2015). "Bike Share Toronto to double with $4.9 million from Metrolinx". Toronto Star. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  9. ^ Kalinowski, Tess (December 9, 2014). "Bike Share Toronto sponsor means 20 new stations next year". Toronto Star. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  10. ^ Keenan, Edward (January 16, 2015). "Section 37 — What it is, and why everybody's fighting about it". Toronto Star. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  11. ^ Brockbank, Nicole (11 April 2016). "1,000 new bikes and 120 new stations coming to Bike Share Toronto program". CBC News. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  12. ^ "Motivate and Toronto Parking Authority Announce Transition of Bike Share Toronto Operations — Motivate". Motivate. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  13. ^ "BIKE SHARE TORONTO | SHIFT TRANSIT". shifttransit.net. Retrieved 2017-12-01.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Bike Share Toronto expansion gives Toronto residents 70 new bike stations". City of Toronto. August 2, 2017. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  15. ^ "Bike Share Toronto 2018 Expansion - More bikes and new stations". Bike Share Toronto. 5 August 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
  16. ^ a b "2019: Celebrating a Year of Milestones". Bike Share Toronto. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  17. ^ a b "2020 Expansion: Bike Share Toronto Grows to 6,850 Bikes & 625 Stations". Bike Share Toronto. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
  18. ^ Spurr, Ben (2020-06-09). "Amid record ridership, Toronto expanding Bike Share network into the suburbs". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  19. ^ Smee, Michael (14 January 2020). "Bike Share getting a big new cash infusion". CBC News. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  20. ^ a b c d "2020 Expansion: Bike Share Toronto Grows to 6,850 Bikes & 625 Stations". Bike Share Toronto. 6 September 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2021-02-17. In the last 12 months, year over year membership has increased by 60% from 146,604 to 234,117 (May 31, 2018-2019, compared to May 31, 2019-2020).
  21. ^ a b "A Look Back At 2020 With Bike Share Toronto: The Silver Lining". Bike Share Toronto. 2 January 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-02-02. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  22. ^ a b Moore, Oliver (2021-10-08). "Toronto's bike-share system sees pandemic boost". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  23. ^ Allen, Jeff. "Mapping Bike Share Trips In Toronto". schoolofcities.github.io. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  24. ^ a b "An incredible 2021 for Bike Share Toronto". Bike Share Toronto. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  25. ^ a b c "Bike Share Toronto First Quarter (Q1) 2022 Update" (PDF). Toronto.ca. Toronto Parking Authority. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  26. ^ a b c Toronto Parking Authority (5 May 2021). "Improving Toronto's Bike Share Program - Report" (PDF). City of Toronto.
  27. ^ "Bike Share 2022 Equipment Purchase" (PDF). Toronto.ca. Toronto Parking Authority. 4 February 2022.
  28. ^ a b "A look back on 2022". Bike Share Toronto. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  29. ^ a b "Join us as we take a look back at 2023 highlights from an incredible year at Bike Share Toronto". Bike Share Toronto. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  30. ^ Spurr, Ben (2016-07-05). "Bike Share Toronto rolls into the big time with major expansion". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  31. ^ "New Recommended Bike Share Toronto Pricing and Pass Options". Bike Share Toronto. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  32. ^ "Reduced Fare Pass Program". Bike Share Toronto. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  33. ^ "Corporate Membership Program". Bike Share Toronto. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  34. ^ "Quote from PBSC Urban Solutions Inc" (PDF). City of Toronto website.
  35. ^ "CycleFinder / PBSC app". Bike Share Toronto.
  36. ^ "Toronto Bike Share gets new life with TD sponsorship". CBC News. December 9, 2014.
  37. ^ "Bike Share Program Financial Considerations" (PDF). Toronto Parking Authority. 20 November 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-06-14. Retrieved 17 Feb 2021.
  38. ^ "Bike Share Toronto and Tangerine Bank partner to help move Toronto forward". Tangerine Bank. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 15 Aug 2023.
  39. ^ Mezzanotte, Rita (June 23, 2017). "Mayor John Tory and Bike Share Toronto roll out Free Ride Wednesdays in July". bikesharetoronto.com.
  40. ^ Rider, David (June 23, 2017). "Bike Share Toronto hits ridership record, offers free Wednesday rides in July". Toronto Star.
  41. ^ "Free Ride Wednesdays are back". Bike Share Toronto. June 1, 2018.
  42. ^ "Bike Share forms multi-year partnership with CAA". Bike Share Toronto.
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Media related to Bike Share Toronto at Wikimedia Commons

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