In the wake of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21), at a time when all hopes are pinned on countries taking effective measures to preserve the planet's health, we're starting to dream that the Quebec government will diversify its investments to reduce GHGs.
Certainly, electrification is an attractive avenue for public transport and provincial and municipal service vehicle fleets, as well as for cabs, but wouldn't there also be a way to encourage simple, inexpensive, non-technological solutions like cycling? While we offer 8000 $ in tax credits to those who buy an electric car, why not offer a provincial tax exemption on the first 500 $ spent on the purchase of a bicycle?
On its return from its mission to Paris, let's hope that the Quebec government recognizes the obvious: cycling is a fantastic means of transport that emits no greenhouse gases and leaves very little trace on the environment. Is it unrealistic to think that the Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte aux changements climatiques could use the Green Fund to finance the development of new bicycle lanes essential to increasing the modal share of cycling? Why not follow the inspiring examples of Paris and Montreal? The French capital has pledged to invest 94 M$ to double its cycling network by 2020, while Montreal will devote almost 20 M$ per year by 2018 to accelerate the development of its already overloaded network.
We know that cycling facilities are widely used when they are functional, safe, well-designed and serve the right places. And that the more facilities there are, the more cyclists there are. But there's more! Recent studies show that governments benefit financially from cycling, whereas they have to pay for car travel. Every km cycled actually earns the government 0.22 $, while for every km cycled by car, society pays 0.20 $[1].
Recent discussions on the future of the planet have prompted us to call on the Quebec government to make an active and rapid commitment to the development of cycling in Quebec.
Suzanne Lareau
President and General Manager
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[1] https://journalmetro.com/actualites/national/775685/lauto-est-six-fois-plus-dispendieuse-que-le-velo/
