New York City’s bike share operator Alta Bicycle Share is dropping its partner Bixi, which recently filed for bankruptcy, for 8D Technologies.
Montreal-based Bixi supplied the bike sharing technology for Alta and other third parties across North America, Europe, and Australia.
In addition to New York City, Alta has bike share programs in Boston, Washington, the San Francisco Bay Area.
An audit revealed that weeks before filing for bankruptcy acting Bixi Chief Executive Officer Michel Philibert handed out hundreds of thousands in bonuses. He was subsequently laid off.
“This alliance will provide our new clients with excellent solutions for their systems,” stated Mia Birk, Vice President of Alta. “We are charting a new course with a fully integrated supply chain to support our world-class operations.”
Alta had stated immediately after the bankruptcy was announced that it would not affect the systems it operates.
8D Technologies had developed the core technology Bixi uses.
In 2012, 8D Technologies filed a $26 million lawsuit against Bixi for taking the technology and having it redeveloped by a different company. The lawsuit was dismissed.
“We are very excited about this partnership with Alta, and the perspective of contributing in a positive way to the bike share industry,” stated Isabelle Bettez, President and CEO of 8D Technologies.
The partners announced Feb. 3 a new bike share system with a new design, dubbed “BSSv4.”
The new system, which includes mobile account management and an enhanced power solution, will launch this summer.
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