Terms of Use

àVélo – TERMS OF USE

 

GENERAL TERMS OF ACCESS AND USE OF THE àVÉLO SERVICE (the “G.T.A.U.”)

 

 

Article 1

 

PURPOSE OF THE SERVICE

 

1.1. The àVélo Bike Share Service (the “Service”) is a service provided by the Réseau de transport de la Capitale (“RTC”) and operated by Capitale Mobilité, Société en développement commercial, Société en commandite, acting through its general partner, 9320-9179 Québec Inc. (“Capitale Mobilité”). For the purposes of these G.T.A.U., Capitale Mobilité is also referred to as “àVélo.”

 

 

Article 2

 

ORGANIZATION OF THE SERVICE

 

2.1. The Service consists of stations (the “Stations”) that allow for the rental of an electrically assisted bicycle (a “Bicycle”), as well as its storage and locking.

 

2.2. The purchase of an occasional plan allows the user to borrow a Bicycle without subscribing to the Service. A user can also purchase a membership plan, enabling unlimited trips of a specified duration over a defined period.

 

2.3. The Service area covers the territory of the Quebec City agglomeration.

 

 

Article 3

 

SERVICE AVAILABILITY

 

3.1. The Service is seasonal and available from May 1^st to October 31^st each year, 24/7, except in cases of force majeure, weather conditions that could endanger the user, or restrictions imposed by competent authorities limiting the use of the Service or bicycle traffic within Quebec City. No refunds will be granted for Service suspensions.

 

If àVélo deems conditions favorable, the Service period may be extended. Any changes to the opening, closing, or temporary interruption of the Service will be communicated to customers.

 

3.2. Service usage is limited to a maximum of 12 consecutive hours (“Permitted Continuous Usage Duration”) from the time the Bicycle is removed from a Station dock (a “Dock”). The Service’s computer system will record and provide proof of the Bicycle usage duration.

 

3.3. Access to the Service is subject to the availability of Bicycles and Docks at each Station. Despite daily rebalancing efforts, no guarantees are provided in this regard. In the event of a full Station, the user may request a time credit via the mobile app to travel to a nearby Station. The app or website can also provide real-time inventory of available Bicycles and Docks.

 

 

Article 4

 

PRICING AND BILLING

 

4.1. The Service is offered at the rates listed on the website www.aveloquebec.ca/en/pricing/. These rates are subject to change at any time without notice and include applicable sales taxes. Pricing and billing processes differ depending on the chosen plan.

 

4.2. The Service is accessible exclusively to holders of Visa or Mastercard credit cards. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted.

 

4.3. Pricing and billing terms are as follows:

 

4.3.1. For occasional passes, the user authorizes àVélo to pre-authorize an amount of $100 per Bicycle on the user’s credit card (the “Pre-Authorized Amount”). This amount will be refunded within 4 to 6 days after the end of the trip or as per the user’s bank policies, unless a portion is billed and retained by àVélo pursuant to Article 8.

 

4.3.1.1. The “Single Ride Per Minute” plan includes an unlocking fee and per-minute charges. Any initiated minute of Service usage is fully charged. Fees are collected upon trip completion. A single invoice may include multiple trips within the same day.

 

4.3.1.2. The “24-Hour Multi-Trip” plan is paid at purchase and is valid for a consecutive 24-hour period. Users can make unlimited trips within a set basic duration per trip (the “Base Duration”). Additional fees apply for exceeding this duration, collected the night after trip completion (when the Bicycle is returned and locked at a Dock). Multiple trips in a single day may be included on the same invoice.

 

4.3.2. For membership plans, users pay at purchase, and the membership remains valid for the chosen period. By default, renewal is automatic, with charges applied at the start of each new period. Automatic renewal can be disabled at any time by the user.

Users can make unlimited trips within a set Base Duration. Additional fees for exceeding this duration are collected the night after trip completion. Multiple trips on the same day may appear on one invoice.

 

 

Article 5

 

USER OBLIGATIONS

 

5.1. Users must accept the terms of these G.T.A.U. upon Service purchase and agree to comply with them.

 

5.2. Users agree to use the Service responsibly and for its intended purposes while adhering to these G.T.A.U. This excludes, among other things:

 

5.2.1. Any use contrary to applicable road regulations, particularly those from the Highway Safety Code, including helmet laws;

 

5.2.2. Usage on terrains or in conditions that may damage the Bicycle;

 

5.2.3. Actions endangering the user or others, including transporting passengers or using the Bicycle under impaired conditions (e.g., alcohol, drugs, or medication);

 

5.2.4. Any disassembly or attempted theft of the Bicycle;

 

5.2.5. Modifications or attachments, such as altering its visual appearance or adding trailers;

 

5.2.6. Any irregular usage deemed by àVélo.

 

5.3. Users must not exceed the Bicycle's maximum load capacity (120 kg for the Bicycle, 10 kg for the basket).

 

5.4. Users must ensure safety for themselves and others, adapt their speed to weather conditions, and follow traffic regulations.

 

5.5. Users are responsible for the Bicycle upon removal from a Dock and must prevent its loss, damage, or destruction.

 

5.6. Users must return the Bicycle within the Permitted Continuous Usage Duration. Non-compliance may result in penalties as detailed in Article 8.

 

5.7. Bicycles must be returned upon àVélo's request.

 

5.8. The Bicycle being placed under the user’s responsibility, the user must inspect the Bicycle's main functional components prior to usage and removal from the Dock. This includes, but is not limited to:

 

5.8.1. The proper attachment of the seat, wheels, and pedals;

 

5.8.2. The proper functioning of the brakes, lights, and bell;

 

5.8.3. The overall good condition of the frame and tires.

 

5.9. Users must also inspect these components, as detailed in Article 5.8, at the end of each trip, as well as ensure the Bicycle is locked to its Dock. If a defect is noticed, users must report the issue using the maintenance “key” button located at the upper left of the Dock. This button is available only 10 seconds after the Bicycle is returned. Once the maintenance key button is activated, the Bicycle will no longer be available for rental.

 

 

Article 6

 

RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF THE SERVICE

 

6.1. Users are prohibited from lending, renting, or transferring a Bicycle, or using it for purposes not compliant with these G.T.A.U.

 

6.2. Users are expressly prohibited from allowing, in any way, third parties to use the Bicycle or their subscription. Users are responsible for all trips made under their account and must take necessary measures to prevent their account from being used by third parties.

 

6.3. Access to the Service is available to users aged 14 and older. For users under 18, access is permitted only under the following conditions:

 

6.3.1. For users aged 14 and 15, they must hold a moped license (Class 6D in Quebec).

 

6.3.2. For users aged 16 and 17, they must hold either a moped license (Class 6D in Quebec) or a driver’s license.

 

6.4. Users may only recharge Bicycles by returning them to Docks and exchanging them for other charged Bicycles.

 

6.5. The Service is intended for natural persons to meet their personal transportation needs, thus providing an active transportation mode.

 

6.6. Using the Service for commercial purposes (e.g., logistics, goods transportation, etc.) is strictly prohibited.

 

 

Article 7

 

USER RESPONSIBILITIES AND DECLARATIONS

 

7.1. The user will be fully responsible for any damage or harm caused, of any kind, due to their use of the Service, including when usage exceeds the Permitted Continuous Usage Duration. Without limitation, the user assumes full responsibility for accidents or injuries to themselves or third parties resulting from their use of a Bicycle.

 

7.2. The user declares that they are aware of the risks associated with cycling and acknowledges using the Bicycle at their own risk.

 

7.3. Parents or legal guardians of any minor using the Service will be held responsible for any damage or harm caused by the minor due to their use of the Service.

 

7.4. In the event of an accident and/or incident involving the Bicycle, or if the user notices any damage or malfunction, they are obligated to report the issue by calling 418 627-2511 (available from 7:00 to 19:00) within 24 hours. The Bicycle remains under the user's full responsibility until it is locked to a Dock or handed directly to an àVélo representative.

 

7.5. In the event of the disappearance of a Bicycle for which the user is responsible, the user is obligated to:

 

7.5.1. Report the disappearance by calling 418 627-2511, option 1, within 24 hours of the event, and;

 

7.5.2. File a theft complaint with the Quebec City police services after 72 hours following the event if the Bicycle has not been returned to a Dock.

 

Any use exceeding the Permitted Continuous Usage Duration is considered a case of Bicycle disappearance and may result in consequences and penalties as outlined in Article 8.

 

7.6. The user declares that they are capable of using a Bicycle and have no medical contraindications.

 

7.7. The user declares that all information provided in their user account is accurate, particularly that they meet the conditions described in these G.T.A.U.

 

 

Article 8

 

PENALTIES AND NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE G.T.A.U.

 

8.1. In case of any breach of these G.T.A.U. by the user, àVélo may prohibit the user from using the Service again and suspend their user account, without limiting àVélo's right to apply any other penalty or consequence provided in these G.T.A.U. In the case of a user who purchased a plan, àVélo may suspend this plan without compensation, and the user will have no right to indemnification.

 

8.2. If the fees for Bicycle usage minutes, as set forth in Article 4.3, cannot be automatically charged to the credit card registered in a user’s account, àVélo may:

 

8.2.1. For users who purchased an occasional plan, deduct these fees from the Pre-Authorized Amount;

 

8.2.2. For users who purchased a membership plan, suspend the plan without indemnification for the user.

 

8.3. In case of disappearance of a Bicycle, damages, or harm caused to a Bicycle, a Station, or a Dock due to the user's fault or negligence, or for any other breach indicated in the penalty table below, fees will be charged to the user and invoiced. For users who purchased an occasional plan, these penalties may be deducted from the Pre-Authorized Amount; if this amount is insufficient, the remaining balance must be paid by the user.

 

A Bicycle is considered disappeared when the user fails to return it to a Dock before the end of the Permitted Continuous Usage Duration.

 

The nature of the breaches and associated penalties are outlined below. Penalty amounts may be cumulative, and the list of breaches is not exhaustive.

 

Penalty Table: