This week, Vélo Québec launched its new magazine Urban Bikes. We've come a long way since 1975, when the oil crisis hit North America. Remember that it was at this time that the first voices calling for recognition of the bicycle as an urban vehicle began to be heard. Vélo Québec, then a young association promoting cycling as a leisure activity, quickly grasped the importance of taking up this message and carrying it loud and clear here. By changing its name from Fédération québécoise du cyclotourisme to Vélo Québec, our association has clearly established itself as the promoter of cycling as a leisure activity and a mode of transportation in Quebec. With this broad-spectrum message, we made the point that cycling is unique and distinct from skiing, canoeing and windsurfing, which are great leisure activities, but can't play a role in utilitarian travel.
The concept of the urban bicycle was born. It was the beginning of a great battle between granoles and «modern citizens», who saw the car as a symbol of individual freedom. As the years went by, the sometimes original, sometimes enlightened urban bike enthusiasts quietly evolved from granoles into people who were exciting, entertaining and, ultimately, very relevant. And here's where it gets interesting, because cycling for transportation has become a worldwide reality: in Quebec, of course, but also in Northern Europe, the Scandinavian countries and, little by little, all over the planet.
The launch of Urban Bikes testifies to the growing popularity of urban cycling at the turn of the 21st century.e century. Since 1975, much has been achieved in Montreal and Quebec to promote the urban bicycle. We've seen the arrival of popular cycling events, the development of urban cycling networks, the dazzling popularity of Bixi here and elsewhere in the world and, above all, the palpable presence of a cycling culture that has continued to develop and gain followers here in recent years.
Montreal isn't doing too well these days. In fact, all Montrealers are unhappy with their city. But the fact remains that, when you look at Montreal's cycling situation, it's safe to say that we're still way ahead of other cities in America. All the more reason to keep working to preserve this undeniable advantage. North American cities are gradually realizing the tremendous potential of having a portion of their citizens get around on two wheels, and are getting down to the task.
Urban Bikes is a free magazine which, like all the rest, bears witness to the fact that a dynamic cycling culture is an integral part of our Quebec reality. It's up to you to discover it and help us enrich it. We're getting off to a modest start in 2013 with 2 issues, but we're aiming for 4 as early as next year.
Happy start to the cycling season!
