Just take a stroll around town and you'll see that there are more and more cyclists on the road. In 2010, there were already 4 million cyclists in Quebec, including 3.1 million adults! What peak will we reach in 2015? One thing's for sure: the popularity of cycling continues to grow.
It's easy to forget that the main reason to get on a bike is to enjoy the ride. Cycling in the city is fun, cool and chic! It gives you the freedom to go anywhere quickly, while staying in touch with the people, the neighborhood and the city. If BIXI is such a success with users, it's first and foremost because it's one of the best ways to get around town on short journeys.
When we choose to get on our bikes, we do ourselves a favor. It's a natural thing to do, but what a shock it is to learn of a cyclist's death on the road! What we all feel at that moment leads us to redouble our caution. In fact, cycling remains the safest mode of transport, precisely because we behave safely on the road.
This reminds us of the importance of rethinking our environments to make more room for bicycles. Even if some motorists perceive us as intruders, we are users in our own right. We need more bicycle facilities, but we also need to share the road fairly. Moreover, safe cycling gives us the legitimacy to demand the same from car and truck drivers.
Vélo Québec has created events such as the Tour de l’Île de Montréal and Un Tour la Nuit to give you the chance to enjoy safe cycling in the city. For the few hours they last, the streets are car-free and Montreal belongs to cyclists. These bike festivals have long been a great way to enjoy the city, and to see that it's possible to pedal while having fun. And over a million cyclists have taken part since 1985, sending a clear message to the authorities that more room must be made for cyclists in the city.
This weekend, let's pedal for pleasure. Will you be joining us for the fun and original Tour la Nuit on Friday, May 30, and the 30th edition of Tour de l’Île de Montréal on Sunday, June 1? I'll be there!
Suzanne Lareau
President and General Manager
