Bixi

There's been a lot of negative press the last while about the Public Bicycle System Company and the recent deal with the City of Montreal. It wasn't just rant radio outlets like Newstalk 1010 (which invited a rant radio host from Montreal to rant about the deal) but even the CBC was calling it a "bailout".

Back in September I posted about our unofficial contest to see if we could get some better videos about BIXI Toronto - how it works, how to use the, and why you should get a membership. (Again, this contest was just I Bike TO's attempt to see if citizens could produce something interesting and informative videos and it was in no way an official contest of BIXI).

ING Direct Canada's lion will appear on the BIXI Toronto bikes next spring, as they've signed on as the primary sponsor of the bikesharing program. Mayor Miller and Public Bike System Company reps announced ING this morning.

I noticed the BIXI Toronto site has a lot more info now. For instance, they are offering a corporate program where employers can provide gift certificates to their employees. They've also provided some details on how someone can sponsor a station. I've been told that the going rate for a station is about $20,000, in case you're interested.

From the Open FIle, here are seven things Torontonians need to know about BIXI and how it works in Montreal:

Photo frrom lodoe-laura.

Pedestrian and blogTO writer, Annia, took the BIXI bikes for a spin last night at the BIXI Bash at Gladstone Hotel. As a person who doesn't cycle her perspective is interesting, because she is a representative user in the demographic that BIXI is targeting: those who don't bike but will start biking more regularly when it is dead simple.

Mayor Miller gave a congratulations to Michael Barry for reaching the Tour de France via a video on Veloo Media. (Congrats Michael! It's not often a Torontonian makes le Tour. Listen to his interview on CBC Radio)

Bixi has changed Montreal, according to the Gazette. Can it change Toronto?

I was recently given a sneak peak of the BIXI Toronto bikes, which are being securely stored in a City "bunker" somewhere. We've made progress in the last two years.

Bixi is coming to Toronto!