Story by Rhiann Moore

Bike Share, in association with Metrolinx and Toronto Parking Authority, has officially announced the exciting news that they are adding 120 new stops in Toronto, totalling up to 1000 new bikes, nearly double the number they have now. In the press release they shared three maps of the city showing where all of the stops, new and old, would be located.

Bike Share has become increasingly popular in Toronto since it's inception in 2011. The simple system allows users to either rent for the day using a credit card for $7, or become a member for $90 per year that uses their key to release the bike, returning it at the end of the day.

Western Toronto expansion

Central Toronto understandably seems to get the bulk of Bike Share's attention!

Eastern Toronto gets the short end of the stick.

While the maps make it clear that the expansion will certainly be comprehensive and give tourists and locals alike the chance to ride bikes without having to bring or purchase their own, they also show there is a certain area that is perpetually lacking in Bike Share's expansions. That area being the east of Toronto. Despite the beautiful beaches being the ideal place to grab a bike and ride around, those visiting or living in eastern Toronto will need to ride their own da*n bikes!

Even so, Bike Share's news is still a clear step forward to a more mobile, active, and greener Toronto! Hopefully, our east end friends will get some bike sharing love next time the system expands.

In honour of the news we here at dandy wanted to share not only some new information, but also take a look back on the great times Bike Share has and will continue to share with Torontonians.

Once the expansion is complete, Bike Share Toronto will have 201 stations, 2040 docks and 2,000 bikes in July 2016. The original systems launched on May 3, 2011 had 80 stations, 1,500 docks and 1,000 bikes. Provided below is a comprehensive list of all the new Bike Share locations:

Bike Share news and views from past dandy issues

CEO's Love Bike Share

Photo by Dylan Leeder, original story Banking on Bike Share: TD CEO on why bikes are good for business

Hockey believes expansion is essential to increase the value of Bike Share. “What you want is the ability to reach farther out, to be able to draw more people to – and from – the core,” Hockey says. The current Bike Share network focuses only on downtown, with the northernmost row of stations running along Bloor. There are no stations west of Dufferin or east of the Don Valley Parkway. For Hockey, the program needs to expand beyond this zone in order to serve more residential populations. “I firmly believe that if you build it, they will come,” he says.

Bike Spotting 2015: See the series here.

Natasha at St. George Subway Station said: "It would be useful to have a Bike Share station at the subway station. Being a student on campus, I think it would be useful because the subway doesn’t always take you where you need to go. It would be nice to take the subway and then have a bike right outside to take you to spots that are hard to get to on transit. I think I'd like to see some more of the drop-off points spaced around, but if anything this city needs more bike lanes."

Bruce at Bloor and Queen's Park said: "It’s brilliant. It’s smart. I use it all the time. It could be great if they looked at expanding a little farther out of the core. There are a few situations where it would be great if they were closer to the subway lines. I think there’s some politics around that with the TTC. They’re improving the placement a little bit."

Bike Share cargo bike spotted in action!

This is Bike Share's cargo bike operator, Eric, above. We spotted him in action last year. Read about it here. It's through operations such as this that Bike Share continues to be a great influence on Toronto, not only providing a greener way to travel, but also going so far as to ensure their company is as green as can be - no matter the extra labour!

At Bike with Mike 2016 city councillor and cycling champion Mike Layton was seen giving the cargo bike a test-run. He noted that day how great it would be if Bike Share could exclusively use cargo bikes for their repairs. Scott Hancock, Bike Share GM told the good councillor that if the City keeps up the good work at installing new protected bike lanes, they will be able to do more work by bike.

Bike Share is an affordable and practical way of getting around the city with yearly memberships priced at $90, and $18 for a monthly membership. Even without memberships tourists are encouraged to rent a bike for the day to see the city. They can also be an amazing way for people to test out their comfort biking in the city before committing to buying their own bike.

For more information visit http://www.bikesharetoronto.com/ and watch the dandyblog for updates.

Our new issue of dandyhorse has arrived! dandyhorse is available for FREE at Urbane Cyclist, Bikes on Wheels, Cycle Couture, Sweet Pete's, Hoopdriver, Batemans, Velofix, and Steamwhistle. Our new issue of dandyhorse includes cover art by Kent Monkman, interviews with Catherine McKenna and the women behind Toronto's first feminist bike zine, lots of news and views on Bloor, Under Gardiner and the West Toronto Railpath and much, much more! Get dandy at your door or at better bike and book shops in Toronto.

Related on dandyBLOG:
Flashback Friday: Bike Spotting with Bike Share
Bike Share expansion coming thanks to Metrolinx and Toronto Parking Authority partnership
Bike Spotting: Bike Share