On the occasion of our 50th anniversary in 2017, we published highlights of our contribution to the history of cycling in Quebec.
History of cycling in Quebec
In the space of fifty years, thanks to enthusiasts, committed politicians and imaginative manufacturers, Quebec has gone from the pedal bicycle to the bicycle. Quite an evolution!
Follow this journey of the little queen in Quebec through a gallery of portraits, stories and successes. At the same time, it's the perfect opportunity to look back on 50 years of Vélo Québec.
today
INCORPORATION OF THE CYCLING TOURISM FEDERATION
PROVINCIALE (3,000 members in 48 clubs)
Provincial Cycling Federation joins forces with the Union
cycliste du Québec (competitive section) to create the Federation
cycliste du Québec
Organization of the first Provincial Week
recreational cycling in Lac-Saint-Jean
The Fédération cyclotouriste provinciale dissociates itself from the
Fédération cycliste du Québec and becomes FEDERATION
QUÉBÉCOISE DE CYCLOTOURISME
Launch of initiator and
bicycle touring instructor
Organization of the international
tionale de la bicyclette (1000 participants)
(last edition in 1983)
Publication of the first
the bike buyer
Publication of the first
bicycle market in the Cyclo-News
NAME CHANGE FOR VÉLO QUÉBEC
Publication of a paper at the
«major» revision of the Highway Code
Organization of the first symposiums
on cycling facilities
(Montreal and Quebec City)
Launch of Vélo Québec magazine
(24 pages, B&W) which will become
Vélo Mag in 1989
Publication of The cycling voice, newspaper
municipal information (ending in 1984)
Creation of the
Éditions Tricycle which will become
Vélo Québec Éditions in 2005
Organization of the first Tour de l'Île
of Montreal (3500 participants)
Publication of the first Vélo book
Québec, Mechanical Hiccups
Publication of a brief on
development of downtown Montreal
Organization of a first
cycling competition, La Classique
Montreal cyclist (last edition in 1991)
First edition of Technical guide
of bicycle lanes
Publication of an English-language magazine,
Canadian Cyclist (sold in 1994)
First delegated production of Vélotour SP, at
to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
plates
Organization of the Aménagements cyclables conference
90s, in Montreal
Organization of the economic conference on
tourism and the bicycle industry
Organization of the first Children's Island Tour
(3000 children) (last edition in 2004)
Organization of the first Bike Conference
Worldwide, in Montreal (630 participants, 30 countries)
Unveiling of the Quebec Cycling Plan and
year 2000 green corridors
A summit on cyclist safety
Vélo Québec conducts its first appraisals as a
advisory services to municipalities to
help them develop bicycle-friendly facilities
Publication of Technical Handbook of
Bikeway Design
Organization of the first Grand Tour
(1000 participants)
Purchase and inauguration of the Cyclists' House,
Vélo Québec headquarters
Magazine acquisition Géo Plein Air (sold in 2019)
Creation of the agency Tour de l'Île Travel,
which will become Vélo Québec Voyages in 2005
The Quebec government announces the
start-up of the Route verte, to follow up on the propo-
stion of Vélo Québec, which becomes the master
work
Publication of the book The trails of the 21e century
Publication of the first study The state of cycling in
Quebec in 1995 (study published every 5 years)
Organization of the first Petite Aventure (700 participants)
Publication of the statement on the concept of
cocktail-transport
Contract to manage the’Eco-neighborhood
Plateau Mont-Royal (ending in 2010)
Creation of the Montreal Bike Fest which
will become Go vélo Montréal Festival in 2014
Organization of the first Tour la Nuit
(3000 participants)
Inauguration and signposting of the Circuit du
Mount Royal on the occasion of the 25the birthday
world cycling championships in
Montreal, in the presence of Eddy Merckx
Campaign launch
Operation Bike to Work
Launch of routeverte.com, a promotional campaign in collaboration with the bicycle industry
Organization of the first Challenge
metropolitan (1500 participants) in the
framework of Montreal Bike Fest
Launch of the
bicycle lanes for municipalities
Initial organization Summer challenges
(June and September)
Launching the program My school
on foot, by bike, which will become
On foot, by bike, active cities
Certification launch
Bienvenue cyclistes! for
hotels, inns, B&Bs and campsites
Publication of Accessibility and mobility
cycling in downtown Montreal
International inauguration of the
Route verte
Magazine acquisition
Québec Science
Magazine launch
Nature Sauvage (sold in 2011)
Publication of the first edition of
guide Facilities for
pedestrians and cyclists
Organization of the À pied, à
cycling, active cities!
Vélo Québec integrates the various facets of the
mountain biking to its activities
Organization of the Tourism, Cycling and
Route verte
Organization of the first
winter bike, Sub-zero cycling
(last edition in 2016)
Launch of the education program
Cycliste averti, for young people aged 5e
and 6e grade
Launch of the VELOSYMPATHIC movement, a support and certification program for communities and organizations
Campaign launch SOS Route verte
Organization of the international meeting
Winter Cycling Congress, in Montreal
Event organization Winter moon by bike,
a night-time version of Vélo sous zéro, in
as part of the 375th anniversary celebrationse of Montreal
Vélo Québec celebrates
50 years of cycling action!