Montreal launches major public bicycle system
Proculation @ Tue May 12, 2009 10:15 pm
$1:
Montreal launches major public bicycle system
2 hours ago
MONTREAL (AFP) — The city of Montreal launched North America's largest public bicycle transportation system, rolling out some 3,000 bicycles for self-serve use from May to November for a 78-dollar annual fee.
Based on similar systems set up in France and tested in the US capital, Washington, 300 so-called Bixi stations were set up in three city neighborhoods, and bureaucrats are studying a possible expansion.
Given current environmental challenges, "we needed concrete examples of change," mayor Gerald Tremblay announced at its launch, noting that four other North American cities are already considering setting up similar systems.
He said Bixi is the fifth such network in the world, after Paris, Lyon, Barcelona and Shanghai.
Subscriptions to the service are paid over the Internet -- 78 dollars annually, or five dollars per day. The first half hour is free.
Some lamented the high cost of rentals compared to others, but officials cited a need to make the sites self-sufficient with wireless Internet and powered by solar panels.
Suzanne Lareau, president of Velo Quebec (Cycle Quebec), said the amount is fine, noting she pays about "100 dollars each year to upkeep and repair" her own bicycle.
Made in Quebec of aluminum, the Bixi bicycle weighs 20 kilograms and the fleet will be maintained by some 20 local students as part of an apprenticeship program.
They are to travel around town on electric bikes equipped with tool boxes in search of busted and broken-down Bixi bikes to fix.
In its 50 best inventions of the year 2008, Time magazine praised the transportation system for its environmental and social stewardship, as well as the design of the bicycles themselves. It placed 19th on the Time list.
Lareau hopes the 3,000 new bikes on Montreal roads will help the mostly French-speaking metropolis reclaim the title of North American cycling capital, after losing it some 20 years ago.
Some 700,000 area cyclists, according to Velo Quebec, already ride the island city's 450 kilometers of bike trails, including 30 that are cleared of snow in winter for use.
And 100 kilometers of new trails are being added this summer, said officials.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved.
2 hours ago
MONTREAL (AFP) — The city of Montreal launched North America's largest public bicycle transportation system, rolling out some 3,000 bicycles for self-serve use from May to November for a 78-dollar annual fee.
Based on similar systems set up in France and tested in the US capital, Washington, 300 so-called Bixi stations were set up in three city neighborhoods, and bureaucrats are studying a possible expansion.
Given current environmental challenges, "we needed concrete examples of change," mayor Gerald Tremblay announced at its launch, noting that four other North American cities are already considering setting up similar systems.
He said Bixi is the fifth such network in the world, after Paris, Lyon, Barcelona and Shanghai.
Subscriptions to the service are paid over the Internet -- 78 dollars annually, or five dollars per day. The first half hour is free.
Some lamented the high cost of rentals compared to others, but officials cited a need to make the sites self-sufficient with wireless Internet and powered by solar panels.
Suzanne Lareau, president of Velo Quebec (Cycle Quebec), said the amount is fine, noting she pays about "100 dollars each year to upkeep and repair" her own bicycle.
Made in Quebec of aluminum, the Bixi bicycle weighs 20 kilograms and the fleet will be maintained by some 20 local students as part of an apprenticeship program.
They are to travel around town on electric bikes equipped with tool boxes in search of busted and broken-down Bixi bikes to fix.
In its 50 best inventions of the year 2008, Time magazine praised the transportation system for its environmental and social stewardship, as well as the design of the bicycles themselves. It placed 19th on the Time list.
Lareau hopes the 3,000 new bikes on Montreal roads will help the mostly French-speaking metropolis reclaim the title of North American cycling capital, after losing it some 20 years ago.
Some 700,000 area cyclists, according to Velo Quebec, already ride the island city's 450 kilometers of bike trails, including 30 that are cleared of snow in winter for use.
And 100 kilometers of new trails are being added this summer, said officials.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved.
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Proculation @ Tue May 12, 2009 10:16 pm
I used a similar service in Amsterdam. That was awesome. Maybe Brenda knows 
That's a very nice program.
sandorski @ Tue May 12, 2009 10:57 pm
Have to wait and see how it turns out. It's a great Idea though, especially if people respect it.
Wally_Sconce @ Tue May 12, 2009 11:10 pm
i wish them the best. programs like this are great if someone can figure out and prevent the pitfalls from happening. things like how do you prevent theft?
Proculation @ Tue May 12, 2009 11:22 pm
since the bicycles are designed for the service, I don't see why someone would steal it. How can you use/resell it after ?
Public_Domain @ Tue May 12, 2009 11:43 pm
Proculation @ Tue May 12, 2009 11:48 pm
Mr_Canada Mr_Canada:
Proculation Proculation:
since the bicycles are designed for the service, I don't see why someone would steal it. How can you use/resell it after ?
Take it apart and sell peices?
They seem pretty much designed for the model. It's sure a wheel is a wheel but really, I would think vandalism will be more an issue than thefts.
Proculation @ Tue May 12, 2009 11:51 pm
I was approached by the City to work on the computer side of the system. Unfortunately, I didn't get the job.
FireWire @ Wed May 13, 2009 4:29 am
It's a nice program indeed. Hope for the best.
Guy_Fawkes @ Wed May 13, 2009 6:08 am
I could see someone coming along and slashing all the tires, just for fun. 
Wally_Sconce @ Wed May 13, 2009 6:54 am
Proculation Proculation:
since the bicycles are designed for the service, I don't see why someone would steal it. How can you use/resell it after ?
I think many bikes are stolen for 1 ride and then are dumped into a creek or a ditch.
Brenda @ Wed May 13, 2009 7:04 am
As far as I know, it is an originally Dutch idea. Amsterdam has it for years (maybe a different set up, though, I don't know how it works cost-wise there) and it works fine. Hardly any theft, because the only ones stealing bikes are junkies who want to resell them for $25. That ain't working with those ugly things 
mtbr @ Wed May 13, 2009 8:15 am
Guy_Fawkes Guy_Fawkes:
I could see someone coming along and slashing all the tires, just for fun.
I do believe the tires are solid
not pneumatic.
martin14 @ Wed May 13, 2009 8:27 am
Proculation Proculation:
Mr_Canada Mr_Canada:
Proculation Proculation:
since the bicycles are designed for the service, I don't see why someone would steal it. How can you use/resell it after ?
Take it apart and sell peices?
They seem pretty much designed for the model. It's sure a wheel is a wheel but really, I would think vandalism will be more an issue than thefts.
Ya, you should see how many bikes in Amsterdam are pulled out of the canals
every year
People dont return them, they just drop them somewhere..
Brenda @ Wed May 13, 2009 8:31 am
That are not just white bikes.