Capital Bixi

Capital Bixi was a public bicycle sharing system serving Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Launched in June 2009, it was the second BIXI system worldwide after BIXI Montréal. Capital Bixi was run by the National Capital Commission, which sold the bike share program to CycleHop.[1]

Capital Bixi
Overview
OwnerPublic Bike System Company
LocaleOttawa, Ontario & Gatineau, Quebec
(National Capital Region)
Transit typeBicycle sharing system
Number of stations25 (2012)
Annual ridership44,335 (2011)
Websitehttps://capital.bixi.com
Operation
Began operation2009
Number of vehicles250 (2012)

History

From June to September 2009, the system was introduced in a pilot study with 100 bicycles at 10 stations. In 2012 Capital Bixi and its sponsors the National Capital Commission (NCC), the City of Ottawa, the City of Gatineau, the Canadian Museum of Nature, Environment Canada, and Telus, expanded the bike share system, covered more ground, and offered 15 new stations and 150 new bikes, for a total of 25 stations and 250 bikes.[2][3]

In January 2014, the parent company of BIXI, Public Bike System Company, filed for bankruptcy protection,[4][5] however, the NCC anticipated that the bike share service would return that year nonetheless.[6][7] In April 2014, the NCC announced that CycleHop would take over the bike share system in the city.[8][1]

Cost

There were several different payment options with Capital Bixi. Customers could either become members or pay per use.[9]

SubscriptionCostTrip includedAdditional costs
24 hours$7.00Unlimited trips. First 30 minutes free per trip$1.25 for 31-60 minute rides, $3.50 for 61-90 minute rides
72 hours$15.00Unlimited trips. First 30 minutes free per trip$1.25 for 31-60 minute rides, $3.50 for 61-90 minute rides
30 days$30.25Unlimited trips. First 45 minutes free per trip$1.75 for 46-60 minute rides, $3.50 for 61-90 minute rides
1 year$80.50Unlimited trips. First 45 minutes free per trip$1.75 for 46-60 minute rides, $3.50 for 61-90 minute rides

The bikes
Capital Bixi Station

The bicycles are utility bicycles with a unisex step-through frame.

The one-piece aluminum frame and handlebars conceal cables in an effort to protect them from vandalism and inclement weather. The heavy-duty tires are designed to be puncture-resistant and are filled with nitrogen to maintain proper inflation pressure longer.[10] Twin LED rear lights are integrated into the frame, and the robust frame weighs approximately 18 kg. The bikes are designed by industrial designer Michel Dallaire and built in the Saguenay, Quebec region by Cycles Devinci, with aluminum provided by Rio Tinto Alcan.[11]

References
  1. "Bixi bike share service to double in size after sale to Florida company". Ottawa Business Journal. April 22, 2014. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  2. "Bixi Project | BIXI de la Capitale". Capital.bixi.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
  3. "Capital BIXI adds 15 stations, 150 more bikes | | CitizenCycleCitizenCycle". Cycle.ottawacitizen.com. 2012-04-18. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
  4. Austen, Ian (January 20, 2014). "Canadian Company Behind Bike-Sharing Programs Seeks Bankruptcy Protection". The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  5. "Bixi bike service goes bust in Montreal, but expected to operate this year". Ottawa Business Journal. January 21, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  6. "NCC expects Bixi to return despite parent company's bankruptcy". Ottawa Business Journal. January 22, 2016. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  7. "Ottawa Bixi program still a go despite bankruptcy protection". CBC News. January 21, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  8. "NCC sells Ottawa bike-share service to US-based CycleHop". CBC News. April 17, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  9. "How it works | BIXI de la Capitale". Capital.bixi.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
  10. Fisher, Jennifer (13 August 2013). "Divvy Bike Sharing May Come to Evanston". Evanston Patch. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  11. "Rio Tinto Alcan and BIXI: a partnership on a roll" (Press release). Rio Tinto Alcan. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
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