Bike Share Toronto to add up to 300 new stations, 3000 new bikes

Toronto is a getting a financial boost for its cycling infrastructure and bike share program.

On Monday, the province announced it is more than doubling its investment in local cycling in towns and cities across Ontario. And Toronto is receiving a major part of it.

The province is investing $93 million on cycling this year, more than doubling the initial $42.5 million announced earlier this year. As for Toronto, the city is receiving $25.6 million of that investment, which is part of Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan and is funded by proceeds from the province’s cap on pollution and carbon market.

According to the province, the City of Toronto will use this funding to help deliver their Ten Year Cycle Network Plan and to expand the Bike Share Toronto system with up to 300 new Bike Share locations, 3,000 bikes, and 6,000 docks.

BikeShareTO/Twitter

“This is about giving Toronto residents more options to get around the city,” said Mayor John Tory in a statement. “Cycling infrastructure and expansion of the bike share program will encourage people to cycle more often, improve safety and provide more travel options.”

The bike share program has increasingly gained popularity and use in Toronto. There were 118,675 rides taken in November, up from 81,634 rides in November of 2016, reports Bike Share Toronto.

Bike Share Toronto, operated by the Toronto Parking Authority, has almost 9,500 active members and served up 1,191,746 rides over the last 12 months according to the City earlier this year.

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