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Home » Recent posts » Cycling the City: Your Guide to Bike Share Toronto

Cycling the City: Your Guide to Bike Share Toronto

guide-to-bike-share-toronto

Rolling into Toronto and wondering how to navigate the city using Bike Share? Look no further!

Whether you’re a tourist looking for a fun way to cruise through the city or a commuter seeking a sweat-breaking way to get around, this guide answers all your queries concerning Bike Share Toronto.

What is Bike Share Toronto?

Bike Share Toronto is a bike-sharing program promoting sustainable and affordable mobility. 

With 24/7 availability and access to over 9,000 bikes throughout the extensive biking network in the city, it’s also a convenient way to travel.

How does Bike Share Toronto work?

To use Bike Share Toronto, purchase a short-term pass or an annual membership directly from Bikesharetoronto.com or through the PBSC app (Apple and Google Play). In addition, short-term passes can be obtained from a station kiosk.

You will then receive a 5-digit code to unlock and ride the available bike. The code can be viewed via Bike Share Toronto’s mobile web purchase portal, station kiosk, or the PBSC app.

After riding, you must return the bike (bike rental toronto) to any of the stations in the city. Returning the bike on time avoids overage fees.

What is the best use for Bike Share Toronto?

The best use for Bike Share Toronto is for short trips around town, including commuting to work, running errands, going to appointments, meeting up with friends (things to do with friends toronto), and connecting to public transportation.

What are the fees for Bike Share Toronto’s annual membership?

The fee for Bike Share Toronto’s annual membership is $105 for Annual 30, offering unlimited 30-minute standard bike trips with no unlock fees and 50% off e-bike per minute rate ($0.10/min).

Meanwhile, Annual 45 costs $120, providing unlimited 45-minute standard bike trips with the same benefits. Both options will gain you access to the bikes throughout the year.

What is Bike Share Toronto’s Reduced Fare Pass Program?

Bike Share Toronto’s Reduced Fare Pass Program provides a $5 Annual 30 membership for qualifying low-income residents, offering one year of 30-minute station-to-station trips with applicable overage and e-bike fees.

Eligibility for Bike Share Toronto’s Reduced Fare Pass Program requires residency in Toronto Community Housing Corporation. A valid credit card is also necessary.

Additionally, subsidized housing residents are eligible for a $5 Annual 30 membership, while market-rate rentals qualify for a 20% discount on Annual 30 or Annual 45 memberships.

What is Bike Share Toronto’s ODSP Pass?

Bike Share Toronto’s ODSP Pass is a membership type for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients. Members are exempted from the per-minute e-bike fee. 

Eligible ODSP recipients can also choose either an Annual 30 or Annual 45 membership.

What is Bike Share Toronto’s Pay As You Go Pass?

The Pay As You Go Pass of Bike Share Toronto offers users control without overage fees, charging by the minute until the bike is docked for one-way trips.

What is Bike Share Toronto’s Day Pass?

Bike Share Toronto’s Day Pass is a practical option providing 90-minute journeys (to be spent within a day) on a standard bicycle at $15 + HST.

What are Bike Share Toronto’s overage fees?

Bike Share Toronto’s overage fees are additional fees that apply at a rate of $0.12 per minute of additional ride time until the bike is docked.

How many bikes and stations does Bike Share Toronto have?

Bike Share Toronto has over 9,000 bikes and 700+ stations. You can check the stations’ locations through its extensive system map.

What is the difference between Bike Share Toronto’s stations, docks, and kiosks?

A Bike Share Toronto station consists of a strip of solar-powered bikes available around the city. Each station has docks that hold the bikes, and these docks lock the bicycles in place, requiring a bike share key or ride code for unlocking.

On the other hand, a Bike Share Toronto kiosk provides information on your Bike Share Toronto usage and offers a touch screen for pass purchases, ride codes, and gift certificate redemption.

Can Bike Share Toronto’s bikes fit anybody?

Yes, Bike Share Toronto’s bikes are suitable for riders of all heights and sizes. Each bike also features adjustable seats with a black lever at the seat post’s bottom for custom height settings.

Does Bike Share Toronto offer e-bikes?

Yes, Bike Share Toronto offers over 1,800+ e-bikes in its system and has a total of 14 new e-stations.

The bike-sharing company also aims to achieve a collection of over 2,000 e-bikes and an additional 100 e-stations by 2025.

How long can you use Bike Share Toronto’s bikes?

You can ride Bike Share Toronto’s bikes for up to 30 or 45 minutes, depending on your membership type, without incurring extra fees for standard bike rides.

For e-bike trips, members pay a per-minute usage fee and can ride as long as they would like.

Short-term pass users with a Pay As You Go Pass can pay by the minute for both standard bikes and e-bikes until they dock, while Day Pass users must dock the bike before 90 minutes to avoid added payment.

Where can I return a Bike Share Toronto bike?

You can return Bike Share Toronto’s bikes to any of the 700+ stations with an open dock.

Use the Station Map or mobile app to locate an available dock and match the triangle on the bike with the dock.

How will I know my Bike Share Toronto bike is docked properly?

You will know your Bike Share Toronto bike is docked properly if a yellow light appears, indicating you properly matched the triangle on the bike’s front with the dock.

If a green light shows on the dock, it signifies that the bike is securely locked, and your riding time is officially finished. However, if a red light or no light appears, the bike is not locked in, and you should remove and re-insert it into the dock.

Those having trouble can contact Bike Share Toronto’s customer service at (855) 898-2378.

Can I take a Bike Share Toronto bike outside the service area?

Yes, you can ride a Bike Share Toronto bike outside the service area; however, you must return the bike to a station when you’re done.

Ensure to dock the bike before reaching the corresponding maximum trip time, as overage fees apply for both annual members and Day Pass users.

Can I take a Bike Share Toronto bike to a train or bus?

No, you cannot bring your Bike Share Toronto bike onto a bus or train. You must dock your bike before boarding.

Does Bike Share Toronto require a helmet?

Yes, Bike Share Toronto cyclists under 18 must wear a helmet while riding. While not legally required for adults aged 18 and older, it’s recommended for all riders to reduce the risk of head injury in case of an accident.

Additionally, helmet use is mandatory for e-bike rides as per government regulations.

How old must you be to use Bike Share Toronto?

To use Bike Share Toronto, a rider must be 16 years or older. Moreover, riders under the age of 18 are required to ride with a guardian or parent.