One of the world's most successful bike share operations, BIXI, has launched a trailer that can be rented just like a bike.
In a world first BIXI is rolling out an initial 50 trailers across Montreal.
You don’t need to have the matching BIXI bike either, they can be attached to most standard bicycles.
The trailers can be rented by the hour from BIXI docking stations.
The cost is $4 for four hours for Bixi members and $8 for non-members. When your four hours is up, the charge is 20 cents a minute. There is a $100 security deposit. There is a built-in lock.
The trailers are solid and utilitarian, holding 50kg of cargo. Pets or children are not permitted as passengers.
BIXI plans to install an additional 100 trailers each year until 2028, bringing the total to 350.
BIXI has more than 11,000 bikes in the greater Montreal area, with 2,600 e-bikes now in the fleet.
"We're not just offering bike-sharing, we're creating a true urban mobility ecosystem," said Christian Vermette, General Manager of BIXI Montreal. "This new addition is a testament to our ongoing commitment to pushing boundaries and innovation.”
The project took months of research, prototyping and testing to ensure every detail had been designed to meet the unique requirements of bike-sharing: sturdiness, safety, lightness, manoeuvrability and compatibility with several types of bikes.
Tested in real-life conditions, the trailer has been optimised to withstand the intensive use and urban realities of Montreal.
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