New Mobi bike share stations installed at Stanley Park

Vancouver's bike share programhas installed five new stations in the city's premier recreational destination Stanley Park.

The five stations have been installed at:

• The Vancouver Aquarium.
• Near the Totem Poles at Brockton Point.
• The information booth near the park entrance.
• Second Beach North.
• Second Beach South.

The City of Vancouver began roll-out ofits long-awaited public bike share program called Mobi last summer.

The program has had its fair share of critics, from residents who haven't liked where the stations have been placed to bike rental businesses worried the program would take away their business.

But the city maintained residents not tourists were the target audience, and maintained the Mobibikes were geared towards shorter, one-way trips.

Sarah Vetter of Spokes Bike Rentals at the intersection of Georgia and Denmanstreets near the park says the new stations won't have a big impact on her business.

"We weren't really sure with Mobi coming in how much it would affect our business," she said.

"At the moment, I'm not worried about it. It's definitely geared more towards locals who are paying for the memberships."

Mobisubscribers pay a daily, 90-dayor annual fee for unlimited 30-minute rides. The cost for additional 30-minute ridesranges between $2 and$5 per hour.

For example, a one-hour Mobi bike rental could cost$14.75 $9.75 for a 24-hour pass and $5 for each additional 30 minutes. A six-hour rental would cost $64.75.

Comparatively, atSpokes Bicycle Rentalsbasic bike rentals start at$7.62for the first hour and go up to$22.86for six hours.

Vetter says her customers are usually tourists who want a bike for a longer period of time or want a different experience thanthose who use Mobi.

"Having a hands-on service where you can come in, meet with someone face to face, have a conversation and be on a bike that is suited to you within 10 minutes creates a little bit more of a seamless experience for people," she said.

Mobi says another station is planned at Third Beach, and staff are also working to find a suitable location near the Stanley Park Pavilion.

With files from DeborahGoble