"Admin" testing out the BIXI with mighty reflectors in MTL.

Our town is all abuzz with BIXI.

And if you still haven’t heard about it, well – this could change the way you commute. Set to launch next Spring, in short, BIXI is a hop on/hop off bicycle rental system for short-term loans. Rates run at $5 for the rental, with additional fees tacked on after 30 mins have elapsed, $40 for 30 days (perhaps most useful for visitors to our fair city), or $92 for a full year of unlimited use.

For months the word has been swirling around in circles, and in the last month, talk of BIXI’s foray onto the pot-holed streets of T.O. has gained momentum, what with a launch/support party at the Gladstone and our Tweeting first-hand the installation of the Bixi stands at Yonge/Bloor (also sightings outside Future Bakery in the Annex).

I was a doubter at first – especially already being an owner of a bike, myself. However, while in Montreal, we jumped at the chance to try out the system, where it’s already been in place for a while now, and in full functioning order – and we were sold. Everywhere we looked, we saw people (albeit, mainly hip young things and artsy-looking professionals) jetting around on them, dropping them off, dashing to pick one up in a rush – an amazing sight indeed. Of course, as “tourists”, being on a bike made us feel just like one of the locals. It was super easy to get started, and as someone who generally has difficulty adjusting any kind of machinery, the bikes themselves are easy as pie to re-size. And oh. Again. The joy! The efficiency! The freedom!

To see the relative success of BIXI in MTL made me consider what it could do for our fair city. Here’s what I came up with:

• In many cases, probably quicker and more convenient than the TTC these days (though for a couple bucks more)
• Great for tourists to really experience Toronto and get around
• Even as a cyclist, for those moments when you’re stuck with someone who doesn’t own a bike (fools!)
• Even as a cyclist, for those moments when you’ve ended up somewhere without your bike (fool!)
• If you’re not a cyclist, it’s a darn good (and convenient) way to try it out.
• Thus, could help ease tensions in the battle of pedestrian vs. driver and both vs. cyclist
• Oh yeah, and it’s just plain fun.

Station Bixi Boulevard René-Lévesque et rue Beaudry (Montréal QC)

Of course, in order for this system to be successful, it calls for the availability of many bikes, and more importantly, many BIXI stations, especially if you’re banking on the convenience factor. Thus, the hunt is on for big-time sponsors for the program (ING Direct recently signed on as a major sponsor), as well as individual sponsors for bike stations.

Don’t have a bajillion dollars? Well, BIXI could definitely use more subscribers. They’re looking for at least 1,000 members to set the system up the way it ought to be, so if you’ve got $100 to go towards making yourself happy, now’s your chance.