The City of Toronto is set to enhance its bike share initiative with the addition of more e-bikes this year following a rise in ridership figures from the previous year. Bike Share Toronto experienced a significant 40% increase in individual ridership in 2025 compared to 2024, as outlined in its annual operating plan presented to the Toronto Parking Authority board of directors. Total rides taken also saw a 10% uptick, reaching 7.8 million trips in the same year, with approximately 231,000 new riders utilizing the service.
E-bikes proved to be highly popular, delivering more than twice the number of trips per day compared to regular bikes in 2025. To meet the growing demand, the city plans to introduce 200 new e-bikes, 350 e-docks, and 750 regular bikes to its network this year. Additionally, 1,200 new solar stations will be added to accommodate the expansion.
According to Raktim Mitra, an urban planning professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, e-bikes are favored for enabling new or novice riders to comfortably tackle longer distances without excessive physical exertion. The report highlighted a 39% surge in first-time riders in 2025, totaling 231,000, with projected trips for the current year expected to reach about 8.6 million.
Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, described the bike share program as a “gateway drug” for individuals to discover a passion for cycling. He expressed satisfaction with the program’s success and expansion, emphasizing the increasing demand for outdoor activities and alternative transportation options.
Mitra emphasized the importance of proper infrastructure in supporting the growth of the city’s bike share program and cycling culture overall. The expansion coincides with the recent approval by Toronto’s city council to implement 20 kilometers of new bike lanes, while the province challenges a court ruling that aimed to remove 19 kilometers of protected bike lanes in the city.
Amid expectations of increased traffic due to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the expanded Bike Share Toronto initiative is seen as a solution to alleviate congestion and provide efficient city-wide mobility options. The initiative, costing just over $10 million, is a strategic investment considering the program’s revenue of $17.1 million in the previous year, exceeding the initial projections by $2.3 million.