Written by Joy Wang, Program Advisor
Toronto is home to an extensive bike sharing service and network, making it easy for anyone to pick up a bike and start riding. Bike Share, as its name suggests, is a shared transport (micromobility) service that provides short-term bike usage to individuals at a low cost. Riders ‘share’ bikes by renting a bike from one location and then returning it at either the same or a different location when they are done, making it available for another rider to use.
We’ve put together a handy guide for you to navigate all things Bike Share in Toronto as a rider and to learn more about its perks, like discounted organizational pricing as an active transit champion.
What is Bike Share Toronto?
Bike Share Toronto is the primary bicycle sharing system offering traditional and electric bicycles within Metro Toronto (defined as the Toronto Census Subdivision). Bikes are docked at stations in the following neighbourhoods:
- Downtown Toronto
- North York
- Etobicoke
- East York
- Toronto Islands (special rules apply)
Here is the full system map: https://bikesharetoronto.com/system-map/
For regions not covered by the current service, other micromobility options like e-scooters may apply. Bike Share Toronto is also expanding its network with 34+ additional stations expected to arrive in Scarborough-Southwest by 2025! Interested in having Bike Share in your neighbourhood? You can recommend new sites to Bike Share Toronto here.
Bike Share Toronto is a fully docked program, meaning that you must pick up a bike at a station and drop it off at a station once your ride is complete.
How Does it Work?
- Finding a Station
Bike Share Toronto offers 800+ stations for you to pick up and drop off your bike:
- Major navigation apps (e.g., Google Maps and the Transit app) provide locations of nearby stations. They usually have a logo of a bike with information about the number of bikes and/or the type of bikes available.
- Bike Share Toronto has a system map on their website or within the mobile app. Stations with a lightning bolt indicate that there are electric bicycles available to rent!
- Selecting a Bike
Riders can select between traditional bikes and e-bikes. The e-bikes are fully orange in colour and have a white lightning bolt on the wheels and basket. There will be different prices depending on the type of bike selected.
There are two main types of passes and two main types of memberships available for purchase:
| Pay-As-You Go | Day Pass | |
| Classic Bikes | Unlock Fee: $1Ride Fee: $0.12/minute | No Unlock Fee$15 for unlimited 90-minute rides |
| Electric Bikes (e-bikes) | Unlock Fee: $1Ride Fee: $0.20/minute | No Day Pass for Electric Bikes |
| Annual – 30 min trip limit | Annual – 45 min trip limit | |
| Classic Bikes | No Unlock Fee$105/year for unlimited 30-minute rides | No Unlock Fee$120/year for unlimited 30-minute rides |
| Electric Bikes (50% ride fees!) | No Unlock FeeRide Fee: $0.10/minute | No Unlock FeeRide Fee: $0.10/minute |
Prices are subject to change; for the latest prices, visit here.
- Paying for the Ride
A short-term pass or a membership must be purchased before unlocking the bike. Riders can use a debit/credit card to pay for a bike in four ways.
- Purchase Online: Purchase directly through the website and then follow the step-by-step instructions to unlock the bike.
- Bike Share Toronto App: Scan the QR code on the bike via the app to pay and unlock it. Docks with a red light indicate that the bike cannot be scanned nor unlocked.
- Customer Service Phone Line: Customer Service can help with purchasing passes and membership. They can be reached here 24/7: (855) 898-2378.
- Completing the Ride
Once the ride is complete, head to a station and dock the bike to end the trip. The lights will indicate whether or not you have successfully docked the bike.
- Green Light with a Sound: Successfully docked the bike and trip is completed
- Red Light: Bike has not been properly docked and trip is still running
- No Light: Bike has not been properly docked and trip is still running
Public Discounts
If you are a student at select post-secondary institutions, an eligible Toronto Community Housing Tenant (TCHC), or an eligible Ontario Disability Support Program recipient, you can receive discounts on annual memberships. Apply here.
- Students: Receive 20% off all memberships (Annual – 30 min unlimited rides: $84, Annual – 45 min unlimited rides: $96)
- Participating Institutions: Centennial College, George Brown College, Humber College, OCAD, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Toronto.
- Current Subsidized Units TCHC Tenants: Receive $5 pass on select memberships (Annual – 30 min unlimited rides: $5, Annual – 45 min unlimited rides: N/A)
- Current Market Units TCHC Tenants: Receive 20% all memberships (Annual – 30 min unlimited rides: $84, Annual – 45 min unlimited rides: $96)
Corporate Discounts
Bike Share Toronto offers employees a simple, cost-effective way to commute. By registering your organization, all active employees receive 20% off the annual membership of their choice, at no cost to the employer.
For even greater impact, partner with pointA to unlock a 25% discount on annual memberships. We handle user onboarding, subsidy distribution, and daily program administration, making it easy for you and your employees. Our broader support includes employee engagement initiatives, cycling infrastructure planning, bike maintenance, hands-on workshops, and commuter group setups to help meet both HR wellness goals and sustainability targets.
What’s Next?
If your organization wants to access the 25% discount on annual memberships with pointA, contact Jesse Han at jhan@pointa.ca. Check out other cycling resources by pointA.
