Even though the city of Toronto government has been actively pursuing its
bike plan (though
not actively enough, in the eyes of some), Toronto has been without a bike sharing program since the community-group-operated
BikeShare folded up its operations due to a lack of funding in 2006. That situation is poised to change.
At a
gala launch at the Gladstone Hotel on July 28, BIXI Toronto, operated by the Montreal-based Public Bike System Company working with the City of Toronto, launched its program to have a bike sharing program in place by next spring. In order to reach its goal of launching May 1, 2011, the program needs to sign up 1,000 members who'll pledge $95 each by November 30. Dan Egan, the city's manager of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, says that the program attracted 125 pledges within 24 hours of the program's launch. "I'm confident we'll reach our milestones and proceed on schedule," Egan says.
Public Bike System Company already runs a
similar, award-winning program in Montreal, Boston, London, Washington, Minneapolis and Melbourne. The advance membership drive is intended to ensure the programs financial viability.
Egan says that the program will create jobs in Toronto for administrators and mechanics, although "we're not at that point yet," where he can say how many jobs there will be and when hiring will take place. New hires will be working directly for the Public Bike System Company and not for the city.
Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Dan Egan, Manager of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, City of Toronto
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