By Denise Bacon & Shelley Cooke
After the long winter we’ve had, followed by a cold, wet spring, people are naturally looking forward to summer! What better way to enjoy the much-anticipated sunshine than getting outdoors and exploring our amazing city – on a bike!
Many people don’t know about a bike share program that we have in our own backyard! It’s called “Bike Share Toronto” and it is operated through Toronto Parking Authority. It offers convenient access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to over 7,000 bikes and 680 stations across Toronto neighbourhoods. Bicycles can be rented for Pay As You Go trips at $0.12 per minute or other rental options from automated stations or “docking stations.”
Nearby Bike Share Stations
Right here in Centennial and in our neighbouring communities, there are several Bike Share docking stations to rent and/or return a bike:
- Lawrence Ave. E. at Starspray Blvd.
- Rouge Hill GO Station
- Waterfront Trail, behind and just west of the Rouge Hill GO Station
- Colonel Danforth Park, along the driveway towards the parking lot
- Morningside Park – near the parking lot off Morningside Ave.
- Guildwood GO Station, south parking lot
Here’s a link to a Bike Share System Map for more stations:
bikesharetoronto.com/system-map
Imagine on a lovely day, going into Colonel Danforth Park with a picnic. You can rent a bike and ride through the beautiful park right across the two iron bridges and down east along the Waterfront Trail. Half an hour or so later, you can “dock” your bike at either of the two Bike Share stations at or near the Rouge Hill GO Station and enjoy the Port Union Waterfront Park over your picnic lunch.
Then you can stroll back through the park or take that same bike or another one to come back to Colonel Danforth Park to dock your bike at your starting place. Or, you can ride further afield and return your bike at Morningside Park. This would be a wonderful way to enjoy local park and trail treasures in our very own backyard!
Payment and Pricing
Renting a bike is quick and easy but you do need a credit card and a cellphone.You can purchase the appropriate rental plan for yourself from bikesharetoronto.com OR you download the “Bike Share Toronto” App on your phone.
Riders can select the “Pay-As-You-Go” option and pay $1 to unlock the bike, plus a time-based fee based on the duration of use. To date, the fees are 12 cents per minute for a classic bike and 20 cents per minute for an e-bike. There are also Day Pass and Annual Membership options for Bike Share rentals available. Details on pricing and plans can be found at: bikesharetoronto.com/pricing
Students are eligible for a 20% discount for an annual membership to help offset their commuting costs. Reduced fares are also offered to residents living in Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) and to recipients of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Enjoy exploring our parks, waterfront and neighbourhoods in a new way, by using Bike Share bikes this summer!