Châteauguay, Monday, April 29, 2024 -Vélo Québec today launched the 10e sound season program Cycliste averti, This year, Desjardins will be presenting the Marc-André Fortier school with one of the 2 fleets of bicycles it is offering in schools. Since its inception in 2015, the program has trained some 24,707 children from 215 schools in 14 regions, equipping them to ride their bikes safely and more independently.
The initiative A fleet of bicycles for my school is the result 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. Since then, some 44 environments have received a fleet of bikes and helmets. This year, thanks to the worldwide «Giving Tuesday» generosity movement, Vélo Québec is enhancing the Desjardins initiative by offering 2 additional fleets, for a total of 60 bikes and helmets donated. In 2024, schools in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Lanaudière, Montérégie and Montreal will benefit from a fleet.
«We would like to thank Desjardins for their generous support, which each year facilitates the participation of several schools in the Cycliste averti program and helps shape the cyclists of tomorrow. For many schools, these donated fleets of bikes have enabled them to join the program. Thanks to this contribution, many students will have the chance to benefit from this essential education», emphasizes Magali Bebronne, program director at Vélo Québec.
«Encouraging young people, improving their well-being and helping them realize their dreams is one of our priorities at Desjardins. With this vision in mind, we are joining forces with our partners to offer resources and tools to young people. To all students who will soon receive their report cards Cycliste averti, I invite you to take advantage of these lessons to continue cycling safely. Natalie Tremblay, General Manager of the Caisse Desjardins de Châteauguay.
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.
From left to right: Jean-François Ouellette, physical education teacher, Marc-André-Fortier school, Sandrine Guffy, teacher 6e Nathalie Tremblay, Director, Caisse Desjardins de Chateauguay, Christian Duval, Assistant General Manager, Centre de services scolaire des Grandes-Seigneuries, Magalie Gaudreau, holder 6e grade, Marc-André-Fortier school, Nathalie Breault, principal, École Marc-André-Fortier, Stéphanie Amyot, physical education teacher, École Marc-André Fortier, Magali Bebronne, program director, Vélo Québec.
