Bicycle-Sharing Program Proves Popular In Montreal

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Biking is all the rage in Montreal, as the city embraces a bicycle-sharing program that is also trying its hand in the Big Apple. NY1's Valarie D'Elia filed the following report.

There are lots of ways to get around Montreal but one of the most popular is the 4-year-old Bixi bike-sharing program.

"You can have a bike here, go for a short trip, find another station, put your bike in," Michel Philibert, the Director of Communication and Marketing at Bixi, told two travelers attempting to rent a bike. The travelers realized that the idea is to keep the bikes available so someone can't take a bike for the whole day.

If this sounds familiar, it's likely because a copycat program called Citibike is getting its wheels in motion to launch in the Big Apple this summer.

"NY is a huge city," Philibert said. "It will be a huge system and I’m pretty confident that New Yorkers will adapt to the city bike share very rapidly."

Thanks to Bixi and independent bike rentals, biking is one of the top activities in Montreal, right behind eating. So why not combine them?

"We do a lot of biking culinary tours," said Ruby Roy, a guide with Tourism Montreal. "You can taste your way through the markets or through the neighborhoods or you can do it on your own if you don’t want to be with a guide. Very easy by following the bike paths. You go from neighborhood to neighborhood. Each one has their own specialty, different bakers, local Quebec product and cheeses. You can try bagels."

One of the newest places to pedal to this summer is the urban beach in the heart of Old Montreal.

As for places to stay, the "Sweet Deal" package offers nightly rates starting at $115 with 50 percent off the third night.

Included is a coupon book worth $200 in savings.

For more information on the deal, go to www.tourisme-montreal/offers.

As is common practice in the travel industry, Travel With Val often receives complimentary travel or reduced "media" rates at hotels, resorts and attractions, including those that may be featured in these reports. Such consideration is not taken in exchange for any express or implied promise or understanding of any nature, particularly regarding the content of these reports. These reports only feature travel providers personally recommended by Valarie D’Elia in the exercise of her independent editorial judgment, and do not represent the endorsement of Time Warner Cable or any third party.