Bixis

Bixis, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

This shot is for my virtual friends who were asking about the line of bicycles on The Molson Bank post.  Montreal has a system of bicycle sharing: the Bixis.  You can be a member for a fixed price each year, and then the first 45 minutes of each rental is free, or you can pay on a per use basis. As the bicycles are really meant for commuting, not touring, each subsequent hour becomes more expensive. You pick up a bike at one stand and deliver it to one near your destination. My son uses these often. There is an app available on which you can find out about the availability of bikes at specific stations as well as if there is room to park your bike.

These bixi bikes can now be found in other cities, including London and New York.



This picture was taken in 2011 when I was in London. The docking station, bicycles and payment methods were developed here in Montreal.

Day 248: Bixi Bikes

Day 248: Bixi Bikes, originally uploaded by susanvg.

This is an idea whose time has come. Montreal has placed Bixi bikes, which are for rent, all over the central part of the city and they are slowly spreading out from the central core. These bikes are meant as transportation. You can get a yearly membership for 78$. With this your first half hour is free multiple times during the day. Each successive half hour is more expensive. This fee scale makes it practical for people wanting to get from one place to another (the bikes can be returned to any Bixi stand) but are not practical for those wanted to have a day of cycling.

The idea is spreading and these bikes will soon be found in Boston and London. Montreal is becoming a city of more bicycles (though not in winter - these bikes are only available from May through November). More and more bicycle paths are being built with the intent of transportation, not recreation. And more and more stands to park your bikes are appearing. Many of our parking meters are designed to provide a place on which to lock a bike.

I have not yet embraced the bike culture here. I live on a hill and it is a challenge to go many places. In addition, I don't feel confident riding in traffic; the bike paths don't reach everywhere. For now, I keep my bike in Casselman and, weather permitting, have been slowly developing my confidence. It had been many years since I used a bike. But, who knows, I may yet learn to be an urban cyclist.