Montréal, September 20, 2023 – Vélo Québec today unveils the names of the 2 communities, 9 organizations and 2 campuses recognized at the 14e certification round VELOSYMPATHIC movement. In all, since the program began, 39 communities, 68 organizations and 27 campuses have demonstrated their commitment to making cycling a real transportation and leisure option for everyone.
« When it comes to cycling, 2023 was a record-breaking year: record ridership on the Saint-Denis express bike network in Montreal; record use of BIXI, with some days seeing over 70,000 trips; record use of the àVélo self-service bicycle service in Quebec City, which reached its mid-season targets. While we don't yet have province-wide figures, all these indicators suggest that cycling is continuing to grow. Our communities, organizations and campuses involved in the VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE movement are redoubling their efforts to meet the growing needs and demands of cyclists, as well as creating environments that encourage more and more people to get on their bikes..asserts Magali Bebronne, program director at Vélo Québec.
RECOGNIZED COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND CAMPUSES :
Local authorities :
Bronze certification :
-Borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Honorable Mention :
-Town of Cowansville
Organizations :
Silver certification :
-La Maison de Radio-Canada
-YAM
Bronze certification :
-Space for life (Biodome, Insectarium, Botanical Garden, Planetarium)
Honorable Mention :
-Academy of Sacred Hearts
-Montreal Port Authority
-Alstom St-Bruno
-Alstom Prototyping Center
-Space for life - Biosphere
-UV Insurance
Campus :
Silver certification :
-Concordia University - Sir George Williams Campus
-Concordia University - Loyola Campus
A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS:
Communities, organizations and campuses wishing to join the VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE movement fill in a comprehensive application form to describe their initiatives to develop a genuine bicycle culture.
An independent panel of judges assesses the applications submitted, based on the answers given in the application form and the results of a survey of local assessors. The committee then determines the level of certification to be awarded.
There are 5 levels of certification: bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond. Candidates who do not meet the certification criteria, but who demonstrate a clear commitment to the development of a bicycle culture, receive an honorable mention.
All candidates receive a feedback report with recommendations they can implement to further their efforts. Find out more about how applications are assessed, read this article.
THE BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION FOR ORGANIZATIONS :
A certified VELOSYMPATHIC organization is one in which employees are more alert, more productive and absent less often! They're also more punctual, since by commuting by bike, they can easily plan their travel time and don't have to worry about car congestion. A VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE-certified organization saves money and space by replacing car parking with bicycle parking. By committing to this approach, it expresses its social responsibility towards sustainability and healthy lifestyles by encouraging active travel rather than GHG-generating car travel.
Organizations, campuses and communities wishing to become involved in the VELOSYMPATHIC approach are invited to visit the VELOSYMPATHIC website. www.velosympathique.com and sign up for information webinars for organizations, campus and communities.
NEXT DEPOSITS :
For communities and organizations, The next deadline for applications is January 26, 2024. For campus, The next deadline for applications is December 15, 2023.
