The service will be made available through bike rental stations to be set up at various points throughout the downtown core of both Ottawa and Gatineau. Users will also be able to submit comments and suggestions about the service at these rental stations.

This is, ofcourse, good news. I suspect at this first stage it will primarily benefit tourists, but when fully implemented should help those that take the bus into the downtown in the morning, but need to do some running about during the day.I think that the ultimate idea is to echo Paris’ rent-a-bike system, which is unbelievable in both its scope and use. I was there in the summer (I have pictures, and will eventually blog about my adventures, seriously!), and I think I saw more people using the rental bikes than personal ones.

Some important questions to be answered:

1. What does “various points” mean? I assume that there will be something in the Market, along the Canal, and closer to Bank, but I also really hope that they put something further south in the core as well.
2. Will you have to return a rented bicycle to the same location?
3. How big will the trial run actually be?

I’ve long wanted to swing by and check the place out, but its previous location was just far enough to be “too far.” Now that they are 100 metres from my house, I’ll have to swing by.

Upside: Perhaps I’ll learn something!

Downside: Now I have less justification to keep buying bike parts. Now I’ll never get the wheel truing thing.

(h/t to Miss Vicky)