Bike Share Toronto is getting 70 new bike stations thanks to joint federal, provincial, and municipal funding.
The federal government will contribute $1.25 million while the city will contribute about $2.65 million to help create 50 new stations in Toronto. The province was a little bit cryptic at the press conference, with the Ontario Minister of Transportation, Steven Del Duca, saying “stay tuned” on funding for bike infrastructure.
It was noted that the province provided funding for 80 bike share stations in 2016.
These 70 new stations will be installed throughout the month of August, making the program more accessible. The biggest complaint regarding Bike Share Toronto is the lack of stations. There are certain areas of the city you can’t get to because there isn’t a drop-off station nearby.
This new decision may put Toronto in the running to be included in the top bike sharing cities in the world.
“In 2016, Council approved a 10-year Cycling Network Plan to connect, grow and renew infrastructure for Toronto’s cycling routes over the next decade,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory in a statement. “The investment our governments are making today to expand Bike Share Toronto will complement that plan and will help Toronto residents who cycle save money, improve their health and wellbeing and reduce congestion in our city.”
With these changes, Bike Share Toronto can say it has 270 stations, and 2750 bikes!
Will you be renting a bike to explore Toronto this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
