Sainte-Thérèse, Friday, April 21, 2023 - With the support of the Desjardins Group, Vélo Québec today launched the 9th annuale sound season program Cycliste averti, This year, Le Tandem de Sainte-Thérèse will receive one of four fleets of bicycles to be donated to as many schools. Since its inception in 2015, the program has trained some 17,994 children from 163 schools in 14 regions, equipping them to ride their bikes safely and more independently.
The «A fleet of bikes for my school» initiative is the fruit of a partnership concluded in 2020 between Vélo Québec and Desjardins to donate two fleets of 15 bikes and helmets each year to schools participating in the Cycliste averti program. This year, Vélo Québec is enhancing the initiative by offering 2 additional fleets, for a total of 60 bikes and helmets delivered to 4 schools in 4 regions of Quebec, in Baie-Comeau, Magog, Montreal and Sainte-Thérèse.
The bicycles will be used primarily to enable young 5ème and 6ème grade to take part in Cycliste averti, the in-school cycling education program developed by Vélo Québec. Each student benefits from some fifteen hours of theoretical and practical instruction, in a closed environment and on the road, and receives a report card showing his or her progress following an individual road test.
«Teachers are our partners in training children to ride bicycles safely and independently. We are grateful to them for devoting a dozen hours of their teaching time to this learning process. It's our turn to help them by facilitating their access to bicycles in good condition. It's one less logistical hassle for them, and opens the door to even more cycling activities,» explained Magali Bebronne, Program Director at Vélo Québec.
«I'd also like to emphasize the environmental impact that a program like this can have, by making an active means of transport more accessible. As a socially responsible company, Desjardins has chosen to contribute to sustainable development and the fight against climate change. By supporting initiatives like this one, we can work together to take care of our planet, one change at a time,» said Louise Filion, Chair of the Board of Directors of Caisse Desjardins de Thérèse-De Blainville and Desjardins representative.
In front, from left to right: Magali Bebronne, Program Director at Vélo Québec, students from Le Tandem and Julie Lauzon, Assistant Principal at Le Tandem.
