Montreal, Sunday, June 3, 2018 - The last cyclists in the 50 km Tour de l’Île de Montréal route crossed the finish line at Parc Jeanne-Mance at 4:20 pm; those in the 60-100 km Découverte route are expected around 6 pm. Thanks to absolutely perfect weather, 25,000 people took part in the event!
HIGHLIGHTS
A 34th Tour de l’Île de Montréal and a 1st World Bicycle Day
On this Sunday, June 3, the 34th Tour de l’Île de Montréal - with its 25,000 cyclists - eloquently highlighted the very first World Bicycle Day, The United Nations has proclaimed that this means of transport should be «simple and affordable, sustainable and respectful of the environment».
Départ en chansons with Émile Bilodeau
At 9:15 a.m., Émile Bilodeau kicked off the Tour de l'Île with a performance of several of his hits, after which he got on his bike to ride his very first Tour de l'Île.
Themed kiosks, local BBQs and Complètement Cirque performances
Once again this year, themed kiosks were set up along the route to encourage cyclists and punctuate their progress, giving an even more festive color to the event. At the finish line, in Parc Jeanne-Mance, cyclists were able to enjoy the new gourmet offering, Le BBQ du terroir, to satisfy their post-Tour hunger, as well as participatory performances and entertainment by Montréal Complètement Cirque.
Tour la Nuit: a luminous 20th edition
On Friday, June 1, under a beautiful sunset, a magnificent luminous cycling train of 15,000 cyclists unfurled over 23 km during the 20th edition of the Tour la Nuit. Participants were treated to luminous animation at the TOHU site, as well as musical entertainment with a DJ-VJ at the finish site in Parc Jeanne-Mance.
Défi métropolitain: the early-season classic!
The Défi métropolitain kicked off the Festival Go vélo Montréal on Sunday, May 27. No fewer than 3,500 participants took part in this annual event, riding distances ranging from 50 to 150 km from Vaudreuil-Dorion.
Montreal, bike city!
The Go vélo Montréal Festival is a week-long celebration of urban living and cycling as a way of life. Each year, it launches ideas and stimulates exciting reflections on the city and the place of the bicycle within it.
Conference How to mobilize the business world in favor of cycling? The example of London!
In 2014, Chris Kenyon mobilized 200 business leaders to support the development of a network of protected bike lanes in the heart of London. On Thursday, May 31, at the Maison du développement durable, he explained how this campaign came about, what its follow-up will be, and how it could be envisaged here at home. Certainly a source of inspiration for the Montreal business community!
A celebration of bicycle-work
Bike to Work Day, promoting active and sustainable mobility, was held at Victoria Square on Wednesday, May 30. Vélo Québec and its partners were on hand to answer questions about safety, the best routes to take, how to complement public transit, and more.
A date for 2019
The next edition of the Go vélo Montréal Festival will take place from May 26 to June 2, 2019, while Tour de l’Île de Montréal will be in its 35th year.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all our partners, to the thousands of cyclists, volunteers and citizens who made this great collective celebration so unique!
