(Click here to see the campus map.)

A sustainability action plan for your health... and the health of the planet

This initiative is part of the Plan d'action en matière de durabilité 2011-2014 (2011-2014 sustainability action plan, available in French only). Louise Millette, Chair of the Comité de développement durable de l'École Polytechnique (CODDEP, Polytechnique's sustainable development committee), underscores the relevance of this initiative for sustainability purposes: "By facilitating our community members' access to BIXI, Polytechnique aims to encourage them to choose this practical, active mode of transportation, which helps people save money, contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stay in shape."

Diversified mobility choices

BIXI's arrival is the latest in a long list of measures put into place by the former Comité de gestion environnementale (COGEP), now the CODDEP, to encourage the use of bicycles as a mode of transportation. To this end, various means have been adopted (in French only), including the installation of more than 160 bicycle racks and several showers, free access to community bicycles, and even the creation of Biciklo, a bicycle repair shop on the Université de Montréal campus. Work is currently underway to install bicycle racks inside the J.-Armand-Bombardier building.

A concerted approach in all our activities

The BIXI initiative once again confirms Polytechnique's leadership in the matter of sustainability and demonstrates the coherence of our actions, which includes the services we offer our community and our teaching and research work. A good example is Professor Catherine Morency, who holds the Research Chair on the Evaluation and Implementation of Sustainability in Transportation (better known as the Mobilité Chair). "Our research activities on the implementation of sustainable transportation focus on all transport alternatives, from classic modes such as cars and public transit to alternative modes like shared car and bicycle ownership," says Professor Morency. "BIXIs, as a public transit mode, enrich the scope of Montréalers' transit choices, while contributing to reducing our dependence on a single mode of transportation, namely cars. They also contribute to making bicycles more accessible for routine travel."

Polytechnique encourages you to sign up for BIXI

You're invited to get your annual BIXI membership from Coopoly by June 3. You'll get a 20% discount. Click here for more details about membership. 

Visit the BIXI website for more information and to find out where BIXI stations are located in the Polytechnique area.

Feel free to send your comments on this initiative, or any other sustainability project, to the following address: enviropoly@polymtl.ca.