For over a year now, Vélo Québec and many other stakeholders have been trying to convince the government to renew the Route verte maintenance program. Press releases, open letters signed by business people and well-known personalities, a funding proposal submitted to the Ministry of Transport at a high-level meeting, awareness-raising among elected officials, regional positions taken by mayors, MRCs and bicycle network managers - pretty much everything has been done.
So it was with great interest that we saw citizens take their turn to denounce this situation by supporting the Sauvons la Route verte petition, launched by Équiterre. Not only was the petition signed by nearly 50,000 citizens, convincingly challenging the government, but it also gave rise to an awareness-raising operation involving the ministers responsible for the Saguenay-Lac St-Jean (in this case, Premier Couillard), Laurentides, Estrie, Capitale nationale and Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions, as well as MPs from all parties. The operation culminated on October 26, when mayors and bicycle network managers from 13 regions of Quebec simultaneously handed over a copy of the petition to a local MNA or minister. The news literally went around Quebec, generating a great deal of interest in the media and among the general public.
At Vélo Québec, we're very pleased with the mobilization that Route verte has generated over the past year. This large-scale operation has made us realize the extent of support for this unique project, which is the pride of Quebec and the envy of foreign visitors. Let's take it as a sign that Route verte has reached maturity, and that many of us feel very strongly about it.
I'd like to thank Équiterre for its involvement, the municipalities, MRCs and bicycle network managers who mobilized to get the petition signed in every region and, of course, the thousands of people who signed the document.
What the past year has taught us is just how much Route verte is appreciated and recognized. Let's hope that the government will soon come up with a solution to ensure its continued existence. Of course, Vélo Québec will continue to keep an eye on things, but one thing's for sure: we feel stronger thanks to you.
Thank you!
Suzanne Lareau
President and Chief Executive Officer
