Mobi, our public bike share system

The  public bike share service area includes the downtown peninsula, bounded by Arbutus Street, 16th Avenue, and Victoria Drive.

This area suits a public bike share because of the high number of homes, offices, and businesses, and the potential for many short-distance bicycle trips.

Once fully implemented, 2,000 seven-speed, adult-sized bikes will be available at 200 solar-powered stations, spaced every two to three blocks on streets, sidewalks, plazas, parks, and private property within the service area.

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 (69%) of Mobi users own one or multiple bikes already.

Other popular motivations to use Mobi are its ability to get you around more easily or faster than other types of transportation and that you don’t have to worry about your bike being stolen.

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

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

With about 2.4 rides per bike per day during the summer of 2017, the street space allocated to Mobi can facilitate a large number of trips to members of the community. 

Because anyone riding a bicycle in BC must wear a helmet, helmets are available with bikes at no additional cost to you.

Mobi sanitizes and inspects used helmets for safety and wear before returning them to the bikes.

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
• 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. 

We size each bike share station based on expected demand. We take into consideration 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. 

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 will:

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

To accommodate PBS stations on the street, some metered parking spaces will be removed.

We heard the concerns of bike rental companies in consultation sessions and are working 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.