Surrey extends Bird Canada’s e-bike sharing pilot to Newton for a year, promoting eco-friendly transit and local connectivity.
Surrey Council Approves Expansion to Newton
Surrey’s City Council voted in April 2025 to expand its electric bike-sharing pilot program to Newton for one year, following a successful launch in Surrey City Centre in spring 2024. This decision marks a significant step in broadening sustainable transportation options within the city.
Bird Canada Operates No-Cost Program
The pilot program operates at no cost to Surrey, thanks to an exclusive contract with Bird Canada. Bird owns, operates, and maintains a fleet of over 200 electric bikes available for rent via the Bird app. The number of bikes deployed is adjusted monthly to match demand, ensuring efficient service.
Local Business Support and Community Benefits
Philip Aguirre, Executive Director of the Newton Business Improvement Association, expressed strong support for the initiative. He highlighted the program’s alignment with Newton’s goals to enhance the local economy, improve quality of life, and foster innovation. Aguirre described the partnership as a step toward creating a more connected and environmentally responsible Newton.
How the Program Works
Users download the Bird app to locate and unlock e-bikes, paying an unlock fee of $1.15 plus 38 cents per minute of use. Riders can start and end trips only in designated parking zones marked on city rights-of-way. This system complements walking and transit trips, encouraging greener mobility choices.
Regulatory Context and Limitations
While Bird operates both e-bike and e-scooter sharing in several Canadian cities, Surrey’s program is limited to e-bikes due to provincial regulations. E-scooters are currently not legal on Surrey’s roadways, and the city is not part of the provincial electric kick scooter pilot program that includes 26 other municipalities in British Columbia.
Program Impact and Future Outlook
Since its launch during the 2024 Party for the Planet festival, the Surrey e-bike program has seen nearly 4,000 riders cover over 40,000 kilometers. The program has been well-received, with only 11 complaints reported in its first season as operations were refined. Bird Canada aims to increase the number of bikes and expand service areas further, with Newton’s inclusion seen as a promising development.
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