Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
08_11_Bixi_MontrealParking.jpg

Bixi, Montreal's new public bicycle-sharing program, has been listed among Time Magazine's 50 Best Inventions of 2008.
While a pilot version of the system debuted this fall, the real action
begins next spring, when 2,400 bicycles will appear on city streets
along with 300 solar-powered stations.

The
bikes are designed to withstand the abuses of careless users or
vandals, but they won't have to endure the harsh Montreal winters. The
program runs only from mid-April through mid-November.

The
pricing structure encourages short, frequent trips. After paying a flat
membership fee ($78 full season, $28 monthly, or $5 daily), any trip of
less than 30 minutes is free. Each 30-minute period beyond that costs
from $1.50 to $6. Montreal invested $15 million in Bixi, and expects to
recoup costs.

What
could New York learn from Bixi? In addition to the general bike-sharing
concept, this city could benefit from modular bike racks that are
rapidly installed and expanded to meet growing rider demand, as shown here.

Photo: Stationnement de Montreal via The Bike-sharing Blog

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Friday Video: Amtrak Is Way More Successful Than You Think

Why do so many people still treat Amtrak as a failure — and what would it take to deliver the rail investment that American riders deserve?

October 24, 2025

Hundreds of Community Groups — From the Conservatives to the Socialists! — Demand Daylighting

Two hundred New York City groups from across the ideological spectrum joined calls to ban parking at corners in order to improve safety and visibility, also known as daylighting.

October 24, 2025

OPINION: Canal Street — Not The Vendors — Is the Problem

If Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor — and is true to his vision for a fair, livable city — he will have to take on this long-ignored corridor. Here's how.

October 24, 2025

Vision Zero Cities: Bicycles Are Not Cars So They Shouldn’t Have to Follow the Same Rules

The default in nearly all states is to impose the same traffic rules on bicycles as on motor vehicles even though the needs of cyclists are so different.

October 24, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Today’s the Day Edition

Mayor Adams's new 15 mph speed limit is officially goes into effect today. Plus more news.

October 24, 2025

Cough, Cough: DEP Considers Largest Ever Exemption Request to City’s Anti-Idling Law

Academy Bus claims no technological alternatives exist for heating and cooling buses without idling. Advocates warn an exemption would "gut" the city's 50-year-old idling ban.

October 23, 2025
See all posts