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If BIXI is looking for financial help from the city government, Mayor Rob Ford is not prepared to give it.

The bike share system that has been a downtown Toronto fixture for two years is struggling to cover its operating costs because of debt payments, leading city officials to suggest “restructuring” a deal that currently has the municipality backstopping a $3.9-million loan. Confidential recommendations from the head of the transportation division will be considered by the executive committee next week.

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Ford ally Denzil Minnan-Wong has suggested one option would be to enlist the private sector to take it over; cycling advocates are calling on the city to buy the system outright and expand it.

If they owe us money, obviously I want the money

“I’m not going to subsidize it, absolutely not,” Mayor Ford said on Wednesday. “We have to look into it, but if they owe us money, obviously I want the money. And if they can’t pay for it, obviously we have to take other actions. It’s unfortunate. That’s why I’m always careful when people come and ask us for money, there has to be guarantees.”