Montreal, May 8, 2024 – Vélo Québec today unveils the names of the 17 organizations recognized at this year's 15e certification round VELOSYMPATHIC movement. In all, since the program began, 81 organizations have demonstrated their commitment to making cycling a real transportation and leisure option for everyone.
« Vélo Québec is proud to announce a record round for organizations recognized by the VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE Movement. The growing enthusiasm of employers for this program and for cycling is a great source of motivation for us. We would also like to salute the remarkable commitment of the Boroughs of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and Rosemont - La Petite-Patrie, as well as the City of Gatineau, who, in addition to evaluating themselves as communities, are positioning themselves during this round as employers by submitting applications for their respective buildings. This mobilization of public administrations and their exemplary attitude towards their employees is a great source of satisfaction for us. »says Magali Bebronne, program director at Vélo Québec.
RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONS :
Silver certification :
- Ambioner
- Borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve | Borough Hall
- Parcours Gouin welcome pavilion
- Computer Druid
Bronze certification :
- Borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve | Maisonneuve Library and Maison de la Culture
- Borough of Rosemont - La Petite-Patrie | Centre Père-Marquette
- Concertation Montréal
- Solidarity Fund QFL
- HDS Environnement
- Ville de Gatineau | Maison du citoyen
- Laval transport company
- St-Georges Structures and Civil
Honorable mention:
- Borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve | Mercier Library and Maison de la culture
- Borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve | Langelier Library
- Borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve | Hochelaga Library and Pierre-Lorange Pool
- Borough of Rosemont - La Petite-Patrie | Marc-Favreau Library
- Borough of Rosemont - La Petite-Patrie | Centre Étienne-Desmarteau
The benefits of certification for organizations :
A certified VELOSYMPATHIC organization is one in which employees are more alert, more productive and absent less often! They're also more punctual, since by commuting by bike, they can easily plan their travel time and don't have to worry about car congestion. A VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE-certified organization saves money and space by replacing car parking with bicycle parking. By committing to this approach, it expresses its social responsibility towards sustainability and healthy lifestyles by encouraging active travel rather than GHG-generating car travel.
Organizations wishing to become involved in the VELOSYMPATHIC approach are invited to visit the VELOSYMPATHIC website. www.velosympathique.com and sign up for information webinars for organizations. The next application deadline for organizations is January 24, 2025.
A continuous improvement process:
Organizations wishing to join the VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE movement complete a comprehensive application form outlining their initiatives to develop a genuine cycling culture. An independent panel of judges assesses the applications submitted, based on the answers given on the form and the results of a survey of local evaluators. The committee then determines the level of certification to be awarded.
There are 5 levels of certification: bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond. Candidates who do not meet the certification criteria, but who demonstrate a clear commitment to the development of a bicycle culture, receive an honorable mention. All candidates receive a feedback report with recommendations they can implement to further their efforts. Find out more about how applications are assessed, read this article.
