Mobi, our public bike share system

Discounted community passes are available through Mobi’s equity program External website, opens in new tab. The equity program has already supported over 1,500 members with $20 (or free) 365 Day Pass Plus. 

How the equity program reduced barriers to bike share:

• $20 subsidized 365 Day Pass Plus (Regularly $159) or free (for example, through the Pathways to Education program) for eligible people
• Reduced Rider Age Limit from 16 to 12 years old
• Partnered with 58 social service, non-profit and community organizations
• Attended community events and hosted in-person signup events
• One-on-one bike share orientation and support for new members
• Cash Payment Options
• Reduced Liability for lost or damaged bikes

The Mobi Corporate Membership Program External website, opens in new tab allows businesses and community groups to provide discounted annual passes for their employees or members.

Enroll as a partner and your staff will receive up to $40 off an annual pass. 

The service area External website, opens in new tab includes the downtown peninsula, roughly bounded by Alma Street, 20th Avenue, and Victoria Drive.

Some stations extend to destinations like Jericho Beach, Kerrisdale, and Hillcrest.

By spring 2022, Mobi by Shaw Go had over 200 stations and over 2,000 bikes. Once fully implemented in 2022, 2,000 seven-speed, adult-sized bikes and 500 electric-assist adult-sized e-bikes will be available at 250 stations. 

Ideally, stations are spaced every 200 to 300 metres, or approximately every 2-3 blocks on streets, bikeways, sidewalks, plazas, parks, and private property. 

E-bikes will be dockable at both the new electrified charging stations as well as the existing non-electrified stations, creating a hybrid system that has both e-bikes and regular bikes. 

Helmets are mandatory in BC and are available at stations at no additional cost to the riders. The provided helmets are designed specifically for bike share use.

Mobi staff regularly sanitize and inspect used helmets for safety and wear before returning them to the bikes.

Through surveys and ridership data we have learned that the biggest motivation to use Mobi is the ability to ride one-way or for just part of a trip. Most (57%) of Mobi users own one or multiple bikes already. 

Other popular motivations to use Mobi are its ability to get around easier or faster than other types of transportation and that riders do not have to worry about their bike being stolen.

The most common request to improve Mobi is the addition of more stations throughout the city.

In addition to providing people with a healthy transportation option, public bike share systems can help:

• Extend the reach of transit and walking trips
• Provide convenient access to cycling and increase cycling ridership, without worries about bike theft
• Reduce the need for personal vehicle trips

A public bike share system aligns with our our Climate Emergency Action Plan, Transportation 2040 Plan and Greenest City Action Plan objectives of making cycling a viable, sustainable transportation option.

Mobi by Shaw Go is operated by Vancouver Bike Share Inc., a division of CycleHop Canada.

As the expected third-party owner and operator of the PBS system, Vancouver Bike Share will:

• Be responsible for capital and operating requirements
• Secure the necessary funding to deliver the PBS system with corporate sponsorship revenues
• Charge membership fees and user fees
• Ensure the PBS system is safe and usable 

This business model is similar with PBS systems in many other North American cities.

To help the public bike share system succeed, the City has:

• Provided a $5 million fee for the launch and operation of the PBS for five years 
• Engaged with and maintains an ongoing relationship with Vancouver Bike Share
• Provided ongoing in-kind support, including some station sites 
• Enabled changes to appropriate regulations
• Monitored system performance and progress on achieving transportation and sustainability goals

To accommodate PBS stations on the street, some metered parking spaces have been reallocated.

Stations can be located on public and private land, in parks, and on street right-of-way. We prioritize station sites:

• With safe access with maximum visibility, and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• With connections to transit, and where applicable, visible from all rapid transit station entrances, express bus stops, and other transportation hubs
• Located near protected bike lanes built for all ages and abilities. Download a cycling map
• Close to commercial or shopping districts, residential neighbourhoods, parks, destinations and attractions, community facilities and amenities, large event venues, and educational institutions
• Located every 200 to 300 metres, or approximately every 2-3 blocks, to serve 150 metre radius catchment areas and to maintain a minimum station density of 10 stations per square kilometre. This density is the industry standard. 
• That are technically feasible, meaning they have sufficient solar exposure, maintain sight of stop signs and traffic lights, and continue to allow for passage of emergency vehicles

Each bike share station size is based on expected demand. The station siting process requires the consideration of adjacent land uses, population, transit nodes, recreational destinations, and other trip-generating sources. In areas of high demand, station density and station size will be increased to support increased ridership.

Street space in Vancouver is limited. Space for one vehicle parking spot can accommodate about 6 to 8 bike parking spots.

With about 2.2 rides per bike per day during the summer of 2019, the street space allocated to Mobi can facilitate a large number of trips.

We heard the concerns of bike rental companies in consultation sessions and have worked and will continue to work with Vancouver Bike Share to lessen the impact of the PBS system on these businesses. The table below outlines our strategies to meet the concerns.