The Toronto bike share network is set to double in size, as Metrolinx and the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) announced a new partnership and expansion plan this morning. The transit agency will purchase $4.9 million worth of bikes and docking stations, with plans to deploy the expanded fleet by December 2016 (not exactly the most ideal month for a roll-out).

While the bounds of the new network have yet to be disclosed, the focus will be on installing stations near to transit stations and in dense areas most likely to support high usage. The vast majority of the expansion will take place within Toronto, but a pilot project will also witness some docks installed in Hamilton.

Bike share advocates in Toronto have long called for an expansion of the network, which is currently heavily focused on the city's downtown core. The value of the system should increase significantly with this expansion, with an eye towards attract more than the the current 4,000 active users of Bike Share Toronto.

Photo by Chris Yao in the blogTO Flickr pool.