After a pilot project deemed conclusive, Bixi self-service bicycles will now be offered year-round in Montreal, Bixi Montreal announced Tuesday, as the organization kicked off the new season despite snow expected in the coming days.
Between November 16, 2023 and March 17, 2024, some 53,000 unique users rode Bixis and an average of 3,727 trips per day were recorded. “This is much more than the projections that we estimated for the pilot project,” said Christian Vermette, general manager of Bixi Montreal. “The pilot project confirmed the relevance and demand for a Bixi service available over longer periods for future years. »
A March survey of 3,400 respondents found that 24% of regular season members continued to use Bixi during the winter. The forecasts were more like 11 to 12%, said Mr. Vermette. 65% of respondents said that this was their first winter cycling experience. “This shows that expanding the offering leads more people to try traveling by bike,” noted Christian Vermette.
For this first pilot project, the 1,500 bicycles available in seven boroughs were equipped with studded tires and non-slip toe clips. Christian Vermette maintains that the equipment, whether bicycles or stations, resisted the winter conditions well even if some of them are at the end of their useful life. “Fifteen years ago, the system was designed to be able to operate in extreme heat and cold conditions. We can go as low as minus 40 degrees,” said Mr. Vermette,
Bixi Montréal already plans to offer the self-service bicycle service all year round, but the terms and conditions will be clarified next fall. An in-depth analysis of the progress of the pilot project will be carried out over the coming weeks.
A new season already launched
Although the start of the official season is scheduled for April 15, 60% of the Bixi network is already accessible, the organization said. All stations will be gradually deployed over the next two weeks.
Remember that prices have been increased for the upcoming season. The cost of the monthly subscription thus increases from $20 to $22 while the seasonal subscription, which was $99 last year, rises to $107. However, between now and April 15, it will be possible to purchase this subscription for $96.
Across its entire network, which covers the Montreal territory, Westmount, Mont-Royal, Montréal-Est, Longueuil, Laval, Boucherville and Terrebonne, Bixi will have more than 11,000 bicycles, including 2,620 electrically assisted bicycles, as well as 934 stations.
In 2023, Bixi had a record year with more than 576,000 users during the regular season.