2023-11-17 00:30:00
In Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier travels mostly on the run, his desk in his backpack, on the lookout for fascinating subjects and people. He speaks to everyone and is interested in all walks of life in this urban chronicle.
No more five-month hibernation from November to April for BIXI. The bike-sharing service has decided not to imitate the bears this year.
On my gray frame, I have to force a little more than usual.
Because I rented a BIXI with studded tires that bite into the asphalt, emitting a metallic crackle while waiting for snow and ice.
Louis-Philippe Messier
As for the pedals, fitted with small plastic spikes, they are non-slip.
This will be convenient for pedaling with large boots with wet soles.
Louis-Philippe Messier
Around 1,500 of these BIXIs “handled” for the winter will be distributed in 150 stations and 7 districts.
Laziness will not be allowed in BIXI this winter since all electric bikes will be removed on the eve of the first snowfall.
Unfamiliar terrain
Since its creation, the service ceased its activities at midnight sharp on the evening of November 15. Since Thursday, therefore, we are moving into unknown territory. Sooner or later it will get incredibly cold and tons of snow will fall.
“It’s a pilot project that we’ve been preparing for years,” exclaims Pierre-Luc Marier, the communications director, visibly enthusiastic at the prospect of this permanent BIXI.
Since Montreal has the only bike-sharing service in North America that has to modify its bikes for the winter, we couldn’t take inspiration from others for logistics.
“For two years we have been testing a station in front of our offices equipped with a heating device which will perhaps end up being used elsewhere,” adds Mr. Marier.
External employees will handle snow removal, while BIXI dispatchers will crisscross the city to “microbalance” the fleet between stations.
What if it freezes? If there is ice? We’ll see!
Functional up to minus 50
“The bikes have been tested for extreme temperatures of minus 50 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius, but the anchor points will have to be seen,” says Laura Boily-Auclair, public relations advisor for BIXI.
“A bike-sharing service in Boston gave us a tip to use small blowtorches to thaw the anchor points.”
Please note: if you subscribed to BIXI this summer, this subscription ended on Wednesday.
Between now and April 15, you will have to pay for one-way tickets at $1.25 or subscribe for a month at $20… which I have already done!
Louis-Philippe Messier
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