As the 2019 BIXI season comes to an end (on November 15), one thing is clear: we’ve broken each one of our previous records. In 2019, 320,000 individual users travelled over 10 million kilometres. We recorded more than 5.8 million trips this year, a significant increase (+8%) compared to last year’s record. There’s no doubt about it—with an 80% usage increase and 309% sales increase in the last five years, bike sharing has become a vital part of the city’s public transit network.
Triumphant launch of Montreal BIXI electric fleet
The 2019 season was marked by the August launch of the E-BIXI, an electric BIXI bike. The e-bikes, which are a distinctive blue colour, were an instant hit. The new bikes are so popular that their average number of daily uses quickly exceeded that of the “classic” bikes. Good news, even more E-BIXIs will be deployed throughout the territory in 2020.
Montreal BIXI territory and site locations
The addition of 60 new stations, 1,000 new bikes, 2,625 new docking terminals and the expansion of the service into six new Montreal boroughs (Lachine, Saint-Laurent, Montreal-Nord, Anjou, Saint-Leonard and Pointe-aux-Trembles) have had their intended impact on the number of trips. The service will continue to grow in 2020 thanks to new agreements with the city of Laval and Town of Mont-Royal in particular.
“We’re constantly striving to be the most accessible, innovative, vital urban mobility actor and to offer the best client experience,” said Marie Elaine Farley, BIXI Montreal Board Chair. “BIXI’s remarkable results have encouraged us to continue on this path that allows us to expect the best for the upcoming years. BIXI was an ambitious, visionary project whose value is demonstrated now more than ever by the fulfilment of its goals: both in terms of its great popularity and the technological advancement,” added Ms. Farley.
“This year again, Montrealers have shown their love for BIXI,” said Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante. “The people’s appetite for active transportation is undeniable,” she added, “and we’re proud to work with BIXI to offer an efficient service that connects more boroughs and for which the time was ripe, as testified by the popularity of the new e-bikes. To fight against climate change, we must change how we get around. Active transportation, like public transportation, is one of our core priorities. We know that BIXI will do well in the upcoming years and we will stand by its side to support its projects and ensure its success.”
“With its 850 km of bicycle lanes, our administration is working hard to offer safer planning for cyclists, to meet their needs and to make it easier to share the roads. Over the last 15 years, the number of Montrealers who bike to work has increased by more than 70,000. BIXI’s popularity has undoubtedly played a role in people’s growing passion for cycling. Which is why we are happy to continue supporting BIXI’s growth,” said Éric Alan Caldwell, Montreal Executive Committee member responsible for urban planning and mobility and the Office de consultation publique de Montreal.
Montreal BIXI electric fleet 2020
BIXI users can get an early-bird discount by signing up now for the 2020 season. From November 1 to 30, 2019, they can get a one-year membership, including 45 minutes of travel per trip, for the special price of $84.
Montreal BIXI app
To get from A to B even more quickly, BIXI Montreal invites the public to download its mobile app. The app allows users not only to find available bicycles and their respective docking terminals but also to rent a BIXI bicycle directly from the app.
About BIXI Montreal
BIXI Montreal is a non-profit organization that was created in 2014 by the City of Montreal to manage the city’s bike-share system. For the 2019 season, the network had 7,250 bicycles and 611 stations throughout Montreal, Longueuil, Town of Mount Royal, Laval and Westmount. To learn more about BIXI Montreal, go to: bixi.com
Since its launch in 2009, BIXI riders have taken 43 million trips. In 2019, BIXI set a new record of more than 5.8 million trips and reached an all-time high of 320,000 individual users. The service has grown by 80% over the last five years.
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