Canada’s first bicycle station was opened today by Mayor David Miller and Councillor Adrian Heaps (Ward 35, Scarborough West). The station is located in the York West Teamway section of Union Station and will be able to store 180 bicycles.

“It will make it much easier for cyclists to link up with other methods of transportation as they arrive at the city’s transportation hub,” said Miller. “You can park your bike, then either walk or take public transit to your destination.”

Heaps, the chair of the Cycling Advisory Committee, emphasized that cycling is only a link in the chain of Toronto’s transportation system.

“This is a transportation hub,” he said. “We see this as a kind of intermodal transportation. And cycling’s not the panacea, it’s just one more element of the transportation system in the city.”

Heaps said there are plans to build similar stations at key transportation points, including the Victoria Park, Kipling, Pape, Dufferin and Islington subway stops. There are also plans to install another bicycle station as part of the revitalization of Nathan Phillips Square.

Yvonne Bambrick, executive director of the Toronto Cyclists’ Union, said the opening is one more step towards the city’s incorporation of cycling and cyclists into its fabric.

“There’s always growing pains with anything new,” she said. “They’ll figure out staffing, they’ll figure out how it works with members, and then they’ll realize that they need more.”

Kahlil Heslop biked from his home in Scarborough to take advantage of the reduced membership price, today, for using the station. There is usually a one-time membership fee of $25, with a monthly fee of $20 or a $2 daily service price .

“I’ll probably use it as often as I’m downtown, which is probably at least once a week,” he said. “Not only is it safe here, it’s also protected from the elements.”

Heaps expects the station to be sold out in the next two or three weeks, he said.