Bike


Public bike system

Montréal is the first North American city to create a public bike system for itself. The concept, already very popular in Europe, consists of making bikes available to the populace for short-term rental, at pay stations strategically located throughout the city. The user takes a bike from one of the stations, pays at an automated pay station, and drops the bike off at any pay station in the network. The bike becomes another mode of urban transport unto itself, a practical, economical, ecological and healthy alternative to energy-guzzling vehicles.

From station to station. Take. Ride. Return.
The Ville de Montréal entrusted Stationnement de Montréal with the mandate to create, install and manage Montréal’s public bike system. The city’s climate posed a particular challenge, and Stationnement de Montréal studied systems currently in use throughout the world before creating a unique, completely rethought system. It’s the most environmentally-friendly system of all. The modular and portable nature of all its components give it unrivaled flexibility. The sleek, superb look of bikes, bike docks and pay stations are the brainchild of internationally renowned designer Michel Dallaire. For more information on the system, visit Innovation.

BIXI – the name given to Montréal’s system is almost ready to roll. With its official launch in spring 2009, phase 1 will see 3,000 bikes and 300 stations in service. For Montrealers and visitors alike, the new bikestyle is about to start.

Visit the official site


Bike racks
Since 2007, Stationnement de Montréal has been proceeding with the installation of new bike racks on poles designating parking space letters and numbers of the Pay and Go system. The very simple idea is to take advantage of equipment already in place to offer more spaces where bikes can be locked up securely. The sober and discreet design by Michel Dallaire, integrates in a subtle fashion with the parking space poles and plaques, with space for two bikes at a time without hindering pedestrians or drivers.

More than 3,500 bike racks are already in use in the boroughs of Ville-Marie, Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and Outremont. In 2009, Stationnement de Montréal envisions adding a further 1,500 bike racks.