FAQs

Bike share aligns with the City’s goals around mobility, sustainability and equity – it provides more affordable and clean transportation options for people while also supporting a strong tourism industry in Victoria.

Over 40 cities in Canada have already implemented bike share, scooter share or both, including many in Metro Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. These other examples provide lessons learned and best practices for implementation in Victoria.

Victoria has also been building an extensive network of All Ages and Abilities bike routes which will better support newer and less comfortable riders using bike share. Cycling in Victoria has also grown in popularity in recent years, and Victoria now has one of the highest levels of cycling of any city in Canada, making it an ideal place for bike share.

Learn more about our cycling network at victoria.ca/cycling.

E-bikes are more accessible to a wider range of ages and abilities than classic bikes, and they make cycling trips more feasible over longer distances for many people. Shared e-bikes also solve concerns around upfront cost or bike parking availability that prevent people from purchasing their own e-bikes, allowing people to pay per one-way trip. Shared e-bikes are proving to be more popular than classic bikes in bike share systems.

Staff are planning for a bike share launch in spring 2026, but we will work closely with the selected operator and adjust timelines as needed to support a successful system.

At this point, the City is looking at an e-bike share system only. Staff are monitoring policy and technology developments with shared e-scooters and could consider them in the future.

Yes, the plan is to provide parking zones across Victoria. Parking zones may be planned and built in phases, with more becoming available over time.

Bike share trips can only start or end in designated parking zones inside of City limits. Staff will work with the chosen operator to confirm rules and procedures around riding outside of City limits – stay tuned for more information as we get closer to bike share service launch.

Victoria’s e-bike share system will be publicly administered but privately owned and operated. Under this model, the City will select the operator through a competitive public procurement process. The selected operator will provide the devices and booking system, manage day-to-day operations and set the rental fees to generate revenue. This is currently the most popular approach in Canada as it allows for a high degree of regulation and oversight while limiting the investment required by the City.

Users will only be able to end and start their trip in designated parking zones which are reviewed and approved by City staff. This approach allows us to minimize sidewalk clutter and maintain accessibility on our streets, while more effectively managing the best use of public space. 

The City is conducting targeted engagement with key groups, including through the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, Welcoming City Advisory Committee and Youth Council as well as engaging directly with members of the business and tourism community. 

Once bike share parking zone locations are planned, nearby residents and businesses will receive advance notice of any changes to the street.