Photo by Mr. T in DC

The Montreal-based company that manufactured and supplied bikes and equipment for Capital Bikeshare has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Public Bike System Company (Bixi) is $50 million in debt, according to CBC News, and now need protection from its creditors. Despite the company’s ties to Capitol Bikeshare, D.C. Department of Transportation spokesperson Reggie Sanders said its protection filing “will not impact operations,” with “specifics on how or if the bankruptcy filing will impact our capital purchases” still unknown. He directed DCist to a statement from Alta Bicycle Share, the company that manages Capital Bikeshare.

“Our systems across the country—in New York City, Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston, the Bay Area, Columbus, OH, and Chattanooga, TN—are up and running and ABS will ensure that they continue to operate without interruption,” the statement says. “Having served more than 15 million trips to date, we’re focused on continuing to provide a convenient, fast, fun, and affordable means of transit.

“Given our plans to expand current systems and launch new systems this year, we’re in constant communication with both PBSC as well as its suppliers to ensure we can do so successfully.”