BIXI bike sharing comes to Ottawa

Ottawa and Gatineau have become the latest cities to launch the BIXI bike sharing service, with 100 bikes currently available to rent at 10 stations.

Despite recent financial setbacks to the Montreal-based Public Bike System Company, stakeholders are confident the service will be a success here in Ottawa.

“The purpose of the program is to provide immediate access to public bikes as an alternative mode of transportation,” said Alain Ayotte, president at the Public Bike System Company. “The BIXI bikes are designed to complement public transit, and as such, they are intended for one-way trips of less than 30 minutes. At the end of the trip, the bike can be dropped off at any of the 10 docking stations. We're convinced local residents and tourists will quickly embrace Capital BIXI.”

Regular users of the service can purchase a monthly pass for $28 or an annual pass for $78. Casual users or tourists can purchase a 24-hour pass for five dollars or a 72-hour pass for $12 directly at the station.

National Capital Commission CEO, Marie Lemay, said the goal is to get 500 bikes and 50 stations.

The name BIXI is a combination of the words bicycle and taxi.