Early start for Bixi bike program

Bixi rental bicycles are now available in some Montreal neighbourhoods two weeks ahead of schedule.

The city started installing the popular bike stations over the weekend.

City officials said about 150 stations would be up and running by 6 a.m. Monday morning, providing some 650 bikes.

The rest of the fleet will be ready April 15, the official start date for the Bixi season.

Officials said users have been demanding the service get rolling due to the early arrival of spring-like weather.