Bike-Share Hero: Montreal’s Solar-Powered “Bixi” System

12:29 PM PDT on October 23, 2008

Via the Bike-Sharing Blog, this vid shows a modular bike-share station getting set up in what must be record time. It's part of a trial system in Montreal called Bixi (contraction of "bike" and "taxi," rhymes with pixie), which launched last month and is set to ramp up with 2,400 bikes next April. Bike-Sharing Blog's Paul DeMaio explains what sets Bixi apart:

One of the finer aspects of Bixiis how easily its stations can be assembled. There is no demolition ofconcrete or asphalt for the undergrounding of wires nor the need for anelectrical hook-up as Bixi is solar-powered.

Another great thing about this video: The soundtrack combo of 70s-style guitar riffs and Pomp and Circumstance.

Ben Fried @

Ben Fried started as a Streetsblog reporter in 2008 and led the site as editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2018. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with his wife.

Bike-Share Hero: Montreal’s Solar-Powered “Bixi” System

Stay in touch

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Tuesday’s Headlines

This Week In Livable Streets

Eyes on the Street: City of Artesia Bikeways

Monday’s Headlines

How Neighboring NIMBYs Fought the Expo Bike Path, and How the Northvale Gap is Finally Getting Built