Join us as we take a look back at 2023 highlights from an incredible year at Bike Share Toronto.
As we get excited to make 2024 the best year yet, we are geared up to reflect upon the extraordinary things that happened for Bike Share Toronto. In the ever-evolving landscape of urban mobility, 2023 emerged as a record-breaking chapter for the program, marked by numerous milestones and new program offerings – aimed at improving service and the customer experience. From unprecedented ridership numbers to innovative initiatives, each pedal stroke contributed to a better, stronger, and more accessible Bike Share Toronto.
A Record-Breaking Year!
In 2022, riders ended the year taking a staggering 4.6 million trips. We started 2023 strong and kept up continuous pedal power through all seasons and surpassed this number by late September, reaching 5 million trips by October.
Together, we closed out 2023 with 5.7 million trips, that’s 1.1 million trips more than in 2022! To our Bike Share Toronto riders, your unwavering support (and pedal-powered enthusiasm) have been the driving force behind a year of transformative growth, connectivity, and sustainable urban mobility – thank you for moving Toronto forward with us!
Fun Fact: Did you know that the combined distance travelled by our riders in 2023 help offset 12.1 million lbs of CO2? That’s the equivalent of 15,157 wind turbines running for a year!
Expanding the system with more e-bikes and stations
We hit the ground running in 2023 with exciting plans for system expansion to continue with our Four Year-Growth Plan. Through the dedication of our planners and tenacity of our operations team working under sunshine, rain, or snow, we were able to launch a grand total of 122 new stations! That’s a total of 2,382 more docking points helping you further connect throughout the city!
Where can you experience the expanded network?
New Pass Types for Every Rider
In the spring of last year, Bike Share Toronto introduced new pass types and ways to ride with an updated pricing structure, allowing riders more choice and flexibility. So what was new and noteworthy?
A fan favourite, the Day Pass was extended to unlimited 90-minute trips for 24 hours (up from 60-minute trips), providing riders with flexibility and more ride time for exploring.
A new Pay As You Go Pass was introduced, providing riders with a per minute usage option so you pay for the minutes you ride. As simple as that. Perfect for quick trips and ideal for trying the system without commitment.
The updated passes empowered riders with options tailored to their preferences, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience, while reaffirming the program’s commitment to accessibility and convenience. See updated pricing and learn more here.
Bike into Bloom
Spring rolled around and Bike Share Toronto sprung into spring bloom, releasing limited edition unicorn bikes in a fun, colourful cherry blossom design. Were you lucky enough to ride one? A seasonal valet service was held every weekend at High Park to help people explore cherry blossoms by bike! This valet service helped thousands of riders experience cherry blossoms to the fullest, allowing you to rely on Bike Share Toronto as your ride.
A New Partnership to Help Move Toronto Forward!
May 2023 saw an exciting partnership between Tangerine Bank and Bike Share Toronto. Together, this long-term partnership will reimagine how Toronto moves forward. Our shared vision of putting customers first and investing in sustainable mobility will help connect more Torontonians in a sustainable, convenient, and fun way!
In addition, this multi-year partnership will support numerous Bike Share Toronto initiatives included in our Four Year-Growth Plan, as well as broader initiatives such as:
Read more about the partnership here.
Pride 2023
Bike Share Toronto has been a long-standing supporter of Pride events in the city and the LGBTQUIA+ community. June saw our cheeky play on word posters at stations all over and certainly grabbed attention, stopping traffic right in their tracks. To create more fun during Pride Weekend, riders were able to take home our one of a kind (and very popular) seat covers that were placed on bikes in and around the Pride Parade vicinity.
Reduced Fare Program
Before we closed off the year, Bike Share Toronto launched its Reduced Fare Program, understanding that people’s commute is often tied to socioeconomic status. As the program also expands, city bike sharing plays a crucial role in addressing accessibility challenges. This program has a goal of making Bike Share Toronto more affordable to low-income residents and people with disabilities. The Reduced Fare Program was launched on December 5th, offering an Annual Membership rate of $5 to thousands of eligible Torontonians through Toronto Community Housing Corporation.
In addition, the TPA has partnered with the YMCA of Greater Toronto to make 100 special Annual Memberships available to existing recipients of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) for a one-year pilot period. These modified memberships will allow eligible members to use e-bikes without the additional per-minute cost that is part of the regular annual membership. Learn more and see if you’re eligible here.
