BIXI bikes have downtown merchants up in arms

The city's new public Bixi bikes may be getting positive coverage around the world but they're not sitting all that well with the merchants who have them outside their doors.

When it was brought to his attention the city was installing Bixi bike stations downtown, Steve Siozios - VP of the Crescent St. Merchants Association - never believed he see one on his street.

In fact, Crescent St. has two Bixi stations which means a loss of eight parking spots. 

It's a small number but Siozios says, after the city killed off a truckload of spots with the De Maisonneuve bike path, the city can't justify the loss of any more spots.

"They say, it's only 20 here, 20 there. Well, add it up and in the last two years, we've lost a lot of parking spots." 
 

Siozios claims parking is the one issue that keeps suburbanites from visiting downtown.

Claude Dauphin, chair of the executive committee understands the concerns of merchants but fully supports the Bixi bike initiative.

"It's more positive to have these bikes that will be available to all Montrealers." 
 

Still, Dauphin believed a solution can be worked out for all involved.