The North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association (NABSA) submitted a pre-budget brief to the Government of Canada ahead of Budget 2026, urging federal investment in shared micromobility and calling for explicit program eligibility language that would unlock funding for bikeshare and scootershare systems across the country.

NABSA’s made two recommendations in support of shared micromobility. First, that the government provide $500 million over five years for a renewed and expanded Active Transportation Fund, with program design that explicitly includes shared micromobility infrastructure, rolling stock, operations, and planning as eligible investments; and that the Build Strong Communities Fund (or any successor active transportation funding stream) explicitly name shared micromobility, including bikeshare and scootershare infrastructure, rolling stock, and operations, as eligible uses.

Shared Micromobility Is Growing in Canada

Shared micromobility has become an important part of the Canadian transportation ecosystem, and NABSA believes this should be reflected in federal policy. Canada has been at the forefront of the industry since its early days: in 2009, Montreal’s public bikeshare system, BIXI, launched as one of the first systems in North America, and in 2025 was recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s best inventions of the past 25 years.

In 2024, Canadians took 27 million trips on shared bikes and scooters, a 213% increase in ridership since 2020, across a total fleet of 37,000 vehicles in 52 cities. 

Shared Micromobility’s Benefits to Canadian Communities

The brief highlights the significant climate, equity, and transit benefits shared micromobility delivers for Canadian communities. Key findings from NABSA’s 2024 data include:

• 35% of shared micromobility trips replace a car trip, and 25% replace a taxi or rideshare journey. Across North America in 2024, shared micromobility offset approximately 46 million kilograms of CO2 emissions from auto trip replacement alone, with cumulative emissions avoided over the past five years exceeding 183 million kg.
• The sector is rapidly electrifying. In 2024, 79% of shared micromobility systems included e-devices, 66% of all trips were taken on electric vehicles, and 72% of bikeshare systems now include e-bikes, up from 66% in 2023.
• Shared micromobility increases access to transportation for Canadians. 92% of systems offer discount programs, 78% provide alternative payment options such as cash access, and 75% have geographic distribution policies designed to serve underserved neighbourhoods. Discounts average 76% below full-price fares. Adaptive vehicle offerings, serving riders with disabilities, increased from 31% of systems in 2023 to 46% in 2024.
• Shared micromobility is integral to public transit networks. According to NABSA’s 2024 survey data, 74% of riders use shared micromobility to connect to transit, and 18% of all trips are taken specifically for that purpose.

Canada’s 52 cities with shared micromobility systems generated 27 million trips in 2024. Those trips replaced car journeys, connected riders to transit, provided affordable mobility options, and generated millions of hours of physical activity. 

Shared micromobility is already an important part of Canada’s transportation network. By renewing and expanding federal active transportation funding, and ensuring that shared micromobility is explicitly included as an eligible investment in all relevant programs, the Government of Canada can support Canadian communities and residents, and help them deliver on climate, equity, and transportation connectivity goals.

Read NABSA’s full brief in response to the Canadian Pre-Budget Consultation in Advance of the 2026 Budget here.