BIXI Toronto is Toronto’s city-wide bike-sharing program that launched in May 2011. Toronto BIXI Docking terminals allow users to pick up, and drop off bicycles from location to location, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Toronto BIXI works just like bike-sharing programs in other major cities around the world like London, Paris, Melbourne, Washington DC and Montreal. The BIXI bike sharing network is the largest in Canada.
How does Toronto BIXI Work
Designed to complement public transit, the BIXI bikes are intended to be used for one-way trips of less than 30 minutes. BIXI bikes can be picked up or dropped off at any of the 80 downtown bicycle docking terminals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone can purchase a 24-hour pass as a ‘casual user’ by simply swiping their credit card at a BIXI docking terminal. There is no trip fee if the bicycle is returned to a docking terminal within 30 minutes. A fee is charged for any trip longer than 30 minutes. Regular users of the system may choose to become a BIXI subscribers, by purchasing a monthly or annual BIXI key. If you use BIXI often, BIXI keys are more convenient than having to swipe your credit card and agree to the terms and conditions for the use of the Bike at the start of each BIXI trip.
How to use Toronto BIXI
If you are planning on using Toronto BIXI during your visit to Toronto, here is a brief guide on how to use it. Go to the BIXI station nearest you, choose the bike you want, insert your BIXI-key and take the bike from its docking point. Take the bike for a ride wherever you want to go. The first 30 minutes of any trip are free. Usage fees apply for trips lasting longer than 30 minutes. Once you are finished, return the bike to any BIXI station on the network and just walk away. Memberships in the system, which is open year-round, are $95 CAD a year.
History of Toronto BIXI
Toronto BIXI launched on May 3rd, 2011, when thethe city activated 50 Bixi Bike stations, for a total of 300 bikes available for shared use. Currently, the system includes 1,000 bikes, 80 BIXI terminal locations with 1,500 docking points in Toronto’s downtown core. There are plans to expand the network as the BIXI system becomes more popular in Toronto.
Images of Bixi Toronto
Toronto BIXI bike sharing program (torontoist.com)
