Item - 2020.IE15.9

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the Toronto Parking Authority Board of Directors to direct the Acting President, Toronto Parking Authority to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee by the end of fourth quarter 2020 on the feasibility of increasing the "overcharge threshold" for Bike Share Toronto from 30 minutes to 45 minutes or more to support longer trips across the growing network, notably in the areas where distances between stations is longer.

2. City Council request the Toronto Parking Authority Board of Directors to direct the Acting President, Toronto Parking Authority to report back by end of fourth quarter 2020 on a strategy to explore a low-cost, barrier-free option for low-income users, reviewing discounted models such as Mo Go Detroit through its $5 per year program and Hamilton Bike Share with a $1 per month program with the goal of establishing more equitable access to Toronto’s Bike Share system such as through the #Bikes4All program.

3. City Council request the Toronto Parking Authority Board of Directors to direct the Acting President, Toronto Parking Authority to consider as a strategic plan to align current and future bike share stations along newly installed ActiveTO bike lanes.

In recent months, our city has faced unprecedented challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic dislocation. The "new normal" of physical distancing has created an urgency of providing alternative modes of transportation to Torontonians. In a post-COVID world, a robust micro-transit network must be in place for our city. Toronto’s Bike Share program is such an option. However, to make it work for everyone, we must regularly revisit and improve the service it provides. The recommendations below are a step forward to study new ways for improving Bike Share.