Dollard-des-Ormeaux to Welcome Bixi Bike Sharing Program This Summer
Dollard-des-Ormeaux is set to become the first West Island municipality to join the Bixi bike sharing network this summer. The city will introduce 60 new bicycles across seven strategically located stations, marking a significant expansion of the popular service beyond Montreal's core areas.
Strategic Station Placement for Transit Connectivity
According to Eftyhia Volakakis, spokesperson for Dollard Mayor Alex Bottausci, the seven Bixi stations will be strategically positioned to facilitate access to both the Sunnybrooke and Pierrefonds-Roxboro REM stations. The city is collaborating with the borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro to ensure seamless integration between the two areas. The exact station locations will be finalized by Bixi in the months leading up to implementation.
The fleet will consist of 30 electric bicycles and 30 standard models, providing residents with flexible mobility options. Bixi currently serves all 19 boroughs of Montreal along with several demerged cities including Montréal-Est, Town of Mount Royal, and Westmount. Off-island service extends to Laval, Longueuil, Boucherville, Terrebonne, Ste-Julie, Sherbrooke, St-Eustache, Deux-Montagnes, and St-Lambert.
Enhancing Mobility in a Growing Community
Dollard-des-Ormeaux, with nearly 50,000 residents, already features an extensive network of bike paths throughout its territory. A key regional path connects the city to neighbouring Kirkland along a corridor parallel to De Salaberry Boulevard. This pathway originates at the Bois-de-Liesse nature park and extends westward to Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue.
City councillor Anastasia Assimakopoulos expressed optimism about the Bixi addition improving local mobility. "We know that no individual pieces will solve people's mobility challenges, so every little bit helps," said Assimakopoulos, who has been vocal about difficulties residents face accessing and parking at the Sunnybrooke REM station located just outside city limits.
Assimakopoulos noted significant community anticipation for Bixi's arrival, particularly since the De Salaberry path connects to several key locations including multiple schools. "That path also gives kids a safe way to walk to school," she added.
Future Expansion and Regional Integration
While the immediate goal is providing cycling access to REM stations, Dollard residents will need to wait until at least 2027 to park Bixis at the Fairview and Des Sources REM stations on the future Anse-à-l'Orme branch. Although this branch is scheduled to begin service this year, Pointe-Claire will only receive Bixis starting in 2027 at the earliest, according to Mayor John Belvedere.
"I would hope they come to the REM stations, but it will be up to the Bixi people to determine when they do their evaluation," Belvedere stated. He emphasized that Bixi could help residents access bus stations and public transit hubs, especially given concerns that the STM's redesigned West Island bus network might leave many residents distant from bus stops or REM stations.
Belvedere envisions Bixi integration improving mobility between neighbouring municipalities. "We see that Dorval is looking to get Bixis too, so we have to work to get Beaconsfield, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue and the other West Island municipalities to join also, otherwise it won't be as useful for our citizens."
Long-Term Cycling Infrastructure Development
The Montreal Metropolitan Community is planning a comprehensive Véloroute cycling network that would be constructed along the REM corridor, allowing bicycles to travel throughout the light-rail network and connect to all stations. While this ambitious project remains in planning stages with construction potentially beginning in coming years, current projections target 2032 for completion.
Bixi's expansion into Dollard-des-Ormeaux follows successful implementations around the Deux-Montagnes REM station last year and in Pierrefonds during the same period. The bike sharing service plans continued collaboration with West Island cities in coming years to enhance mobility within these communities and improve access to the REM network.
