Montréal, Monday, May 30, 2022 - In this week of the Go vélo Montréal Festival - presented by Producteurs de lait du Québec in collaboration with Desjardins - and to round off Bike Month in style, Vélo Québec is encouraging people to opt for bike-to-work. And tomorrow, on the occasion of Bike to Work Day, Vélo Québec and its partners will be offering tips and advice to inform cyclists and aspiring cyclists about this fast, healthy and accessible form of active transportation.
Two events not to be missed tomorrow, Tuesday May 31:
IN MONTREAL: at La Fontaine park from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for a morning of 100 % cycling! On the program:
- Free bike registration by Garage 529from SPVM;
- Information sessions on recycled bicycles, active transportation and the circular economy with the SOS Vélo;
- Tips and tricks for getting around by bike by Vélo Québec.
IN LONGUEUIL: from 16 h, go to the Place Longueuil to end the day on a high note! On the program :
- Free bike registration by Garage 529from SPAL;
- Bike tuning and presentation of trendy products for the 2022 season by the team from Sports Experts;
- Demonstration of a cycling education park Cyclo-mini - Miniature reproduction of a custom-built road network to introduce road safety concepts to young children aged 2 to 8;
- Awareness-raising on road safety rules and managing bicycle traffic around a bus by the Transmission networkLongueuil
- Tips and tricks for getting around by bike by Vélo Québec.
«The potential for commuting by bike is significant. According to the 2016 census, 36% of Quebecers live 5km or less from their workplace. A study by Polytechnique's Mobility Chair estimates that the potential for trips that could be made by bike is 18 to 25% in the various cities of Quebec.», states Jean-François Rheault, president and general manager of Vélo Québec.
«The rollout of our safe cycling network gives more people the opportunity to choose cycling to work. Bike-to-work is part of Montreal's identity, and for many workers, it's one of the best parts of their day. This helps to attract and retain talent in our companies,» emphasizes Marianne Giguère, associate councillor for active transportation at the Ville de Montréal.
«Bike to Work Day is a great opportunity to promote bicycle culture in our city. I'm delighted that the event is being held in Longueuil for the very first time this year. I encourage everyone to use their bikes regularly, whether for commuting, getting to work or simply for pleasure. In addition to promoting sport and a healthy lifestyle, using your bike as a mode of transport, rather than your car, contributes to the fight against climate change by reducing our production of greenhouse gases. Marjolaine Mercier, Longueuil city councillor responsible for the environment and the fight against climate change, active mobility, health and healthy lifestyles on the Ville de Longueuil executive committee.
BIKE-TO-WORK INFORMATION SHEET
The benefits of cycling :
- Cycling is an effective way to combat a sedentary lifestyle;
- Riding your bike on a regular basis is an excellent way to prevent the risk of contracting various chronic diseases;
- Cyclists are often less exposed to polluted air than other road users;
- Cycling is an effective stress reliever. Daily pedaling helps reduce anxiety and combat depression;
- Making cycling a real transportation option is therefore a concrete step in the fight against climate change, as this mode of transport emits no greenhouse gases. no pollutant emissions.
Bike commuting highlights :
The latest data, taken from the The state of cycling in Quebec in 2020, on the mode of transport used for commuting to and from work:
- Cycling is now part of everyday life for many Quebecers: some 2.1 million adults and children cycle to and from work, school or the grocery store.
- In 2020, 47 % of adult cyclists, or 1.6 million people, used bicycles as a mode of transport. This compares with 21 % in 1995, or 600,000 cyclists. The popularity of this mode of transport has therefore more than doubled in the space of 25 years.
- Among young Quebecers aged 3 to 17, cycling is more than just a leisure activity. In fact, no fewer than 500,000 of them use it as a means of transportation, for example to get to school or visit friends. This represents 47 % of cycling children and teenagers.
- Montrealers and bicycles are one and the same: 1.1 million of them pedaled in 2020. What's more, it's estimated that around two out of every three adult cyclists used a bike as a mode of transport at least occasionally, or approximately 600,000 people. That's an increase of 42 % since 2015.
- In Longueuil, 70,000 people use bicycles as a mode of transport: 53,000 aged between 18 and 74 and 17,000 aged between 3 and 17, of whom 29,000 cycle once or more a week.
