Bixi rental bikes roll in Montreal

Hundreds of Montrealers rented Bixi bicyles Tuesday morning, as the popular rental bike service resumed in some parts of the city.

Bixi officials say about 400 bike-rental stations will be installed for this year's season.

On Tuesday morning, about 225 stations were operational at 7 a.m., with bikes available for short-term rental.

Several stations were quickly emptied shortly after the start time.

Regis Gamma, an avid Bixi fan, has been waiting for this day since November 30, when he last rented a bike from the service.

"It's been great!" he enthused. "I use it to do everything, to go to work, to go out with friends, to go to restaurants, to go to the theatre, to go everywhere."

"It's the best thing that's happened in Montreal since last year."

The Bixi program was supposed to resume on May 1 for the 2010 season, but warm spring weather made it possible to move up the start date.

Additional stations have been added in some boroughs, and at the Parc Jean Drapeau on Ile-Ste-Hlne.

Other Canadian cities including Ottawa and Toronto are interested in adopting the Bixi rental bike system.