Although demand kept growing for the volunteer bike-lending program, funding didn't, ultimately leading to its demise.In a statement on the Community Bicycle Network website, program manager Maogosha Pyjor said the program, which has won awards from the city and has been recognized by Transport Canada and lauded by the Green Toronto Award and the Stockholm Awards for Sustainable Development, will not reopen for business this spring.
Bikeshare generally operated from April to October, and has with 16 hubs across the city, usually located in small businesses, including one on the University of Toronto campus.
Members would pay an annual fee for the privilege of riding around on the yellow bikes, which they could borrow and drop off at any of the hubs around they city (mostly in the downtown core). The $30 membership fee was the entrance point for the program. Those who were able to pay more were charged $50, and those wanting to name a bike could pay $75. All the bikes were connected by an online database, so users who had a favourite bike could track it down. Although the program was mostly volunteer, it had staff members, including Pyjor and one full-time bicycle mechanic. The mechanic did all the maintenance on the bikes, assuring they were safe to ride.
Started in 2000, the program was kicked off with money from the Toronto Atmospheric Fund. At its end, the program had over 2,000 members and 243 bikes on the road.
"Sadly, this has not translated into a reliable source of funding," said Pyjor.
Last year, a number of the bikes were vandalized, adding to the cost of operations.
"We're proud of what we've accomplished for Toronto and would like nothing more than to keep building on our success," said Pyjor. "Bikeshare yellow bikes have raised the profile of cycling in this city and have improved the quality of life of many people."