Two days after the end of the 2020 season, NPO BIXI Montréal confirms it will be reaching a balanced budget this year, despite the exceptional context generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While outdoor exercise is a popular way to fight stress, especially at a time when social distancing and outdoor commuting are helping slow the spread of the virus, numerous initiatives have enabled BIXI to remain an ideal alternative for citizens this season, demonstrating its status as an essential partner in integrated mobility in the city.
Despite the unforeseen situation in March which led BIXI Montréal to review its service under extremely tight deadlines and to deploy a reliable safety and security measures plan, the season was able to start on the scheduled date of April 15. In order to support healthcare workers and offer them an additional option to facilitate their commute to work, BIXI also offered a free 30-day subscription to all employees of public healthcare institutions in the Greater Montreal area.
BIKI electric powered-assisted bikes
During the summer, BIXI Montreal was busy pursuing the deployment of its electric bikes network in collaboration with the City of Montreal, the boroughs, private partners and its new exclusive partner for electric power-assisted bikes, Hilo, a new subsidiary of Hydro-Québec that offers a turnkey, smart home service.
These 3-speed, blue-coloured bikes can reach a speed of 32 km/h, allowing users to cover a greater distance, faster. They require less effort for the user, especially when facing steep inclines.
- On average, electric BIXI bikes were used 60% more often than standard bikes on a daily basis (4.3 times vs. 2.7 times).
- The average distance of each electric BIXI trip was 70% higher than that of standard BIXI trips (4.8 km vs. 2.8 km).
- Average travel time was 27% longer (19.2 minutes with electric BIXI vs. 15.1 minutes with standard BIXI).
“During the pandemic, the electric BIXI service was able to position itself as an additional option that is pleasant, practical, fast, accessible to all and affordable, making many citizens’ lives easier. We are also pleased to have been able to add electric stations and bikes this year, despite this unfavourable context,” points out Christian Vermette, BIXI Montréal’s General Manager.
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