Sherbrooke, Thursday, May 15, 2025 - Vélo Québec today launched the 11e season of its program Cycliste averti by providing 2 elementary schools with a fleet of bicycles donated by Desjardins.
The first fleet was handed over to the Jean XXIII elementary school in Sherbrooke in Estrie, and the second will be handed over to the Des Mille-Fleurs elementary school in Saint-Hubert in Montérégie.
The initiative A fleet of bicycles for my school is the result of a partnership between Vélo Québec and Desjardins, concluded in 2020. This partnership provides for the annual delivery of 2 fleets of 15 bikes and helmets to schools participating in the Cycliste averti program.
Since its inception in 2015, the program has trained more than 30,000 children from 265 schools in 15 regions of Quebec. As a result, these youngsters have acquired the skills they need to get around by bike safely and independently. Local representatives, such as the Conseil régional en environnement de l'Estrie, ensure the program's deployment in their region.
The bikes donated will be used primarily by 5th and 6th graders taking part in the Cycliste averti program. This school-based cycling education program offers approximately 15 hours of training, combining theory and practice, both in a closed environment and on the road. Each student receives an individual report card following a practical test to assess his or her knowledge and skills in safe cycling.
«To learn to ride a bike, you need... access to a bike! That's what Desjardins is offering Quebec schools and their students by partnering with our Cycliste averti education program. It's a real boost for the teachers who embark on the project with us! Magali Bebronne, program director at Vélo Québec.
«The CREE is delighted that a new Estrie elementary school has won a fleet of bicycles. Congratulations to École Jean XXIII in the Ascot district of Sherbrooke! It's a much-needed boost for the Cycliste averti program and the À l'école à pied ou à vélo, Je suis capable campaign! Thanks to Vélo Québec and its partners for making cycling more accessible to our young people Estrien ·nes. Caroline Nioucel, director of educational programs at the Conseil régional de l'environnement de l'Estrie.
«Encouraging young people, improving their well-being and helping them realize their dreams is one of our priorities at Desjardins. That's why we're joining forces with our partners to offer resources and tools for young people. To all the students who will soon be obtaining their Cycliste averti certification, I invite you to take advantage of what you've learned so that you can continue to enjoy cycling - safely and independently! Florence Denis, Communications and Associative Life Advisor for the Caisses de Sherbrooke.
From left to right: Marc-Olivier Perron, physical education teacher, École Jean XXIII, Marie-Pierre Tardif, principal, École Jean XXIII, Florence Denis, communications and associative life advisor, Caisses Desjardins de Sherbrooke, Caroline Nioucel, director of educational programs, Conseil régional de l'environnement de l'Estrie and Nadège Gaillard, Cycliste averti program development officer, Vélo Québec.
-30-
About Vélo Québec's Cycliste averti program
This project is made possible thanks to the financial support of the Quebec government as part of the Action-Climat Québec program, coordinated by the Fonds d'action québécois pour le développement durable and stemming from the Plan pour une économie verte 2030. Cycliste averti is also made possible by the support and financial backing of the Ministère de l'Éducation and the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec. www.velo.qc.ca
About Desjardins Group
Visit Desjardins Group is the largest financial cooperative in North America and the sixth largest in the world, with assets of $470.9 billion at December 31, 2024. Named one of Canada's top employers by Forbes magazine and Mediacorp, Desjardins relies on the expertise of more than 55,200 employees. To meet the diversified needs of its members and clients, both individuals and businesses, it offers a complete range of products and services through its vast network of points of service, its virtual platforms and its subsidiaries across Canada. Ranked as one of the world's most solid banking institutions by The Banker magazine, Desjardins boasts the highest capital ratios and the strongest balance sheets in the industry. credit ratings among the best in the industry. In 2025, Desjardins Group celebrates its 125th anniversary, marking more than a century of ambition, presence and expertise at the service of members and customers.
Information
Vélo Québec
[email protected]
514 942-0743
