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Friday, April 17, 2020 - Message to the cycling community
National Mountain Bike Trail Day cancelled
In view of the latest directives from public authorities concerning preventive measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, National Trails Day, scheduled for May 30, has been cancelled. Vélo Québec and Rando Québec are evaluating the various options available and will keep you informed. Once the restrictions have been lifted, contact your favourite trail network to offer them a helping hand. It's a gesture that's sure to be appreciated as we look forward to a busy season ahead.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 - Message to the cycling community
Vélo Québec postpones its event season until 2021
Dear cycling community,
In accordance with the most recent directives from the Government of Quebec, it is with great sadness that Vélo Québec announces the postponement to 2021 of its events that were scheduled for the upcoming summer season, namely :
- The Petite Aventure, scheduled for July 3-5, in the Eastern Townships and Montérégie regions; ;
- The Grand Tour, scheduled from August 1 to 7, in the Mauricie and Lanaudière regions; ;
- The Vélo Mag Challenge, scheduled for September 12, in the Eastern Townships.
These event postponements are in addition to those already announced on April 3, i.e. the Go vélo Montréal Festival and the Vélo Mag to Montérégie Challenge. This situation saddens us greatly, but the health of all our participants, employees, volunteers and partners remains our highest priority in the current context. Although difficult, this decision to «pause» the entire 2020 Vélo Québec event season was necessary in view of the evolving situation of COVID-19 and the need to respect the 2-metre physical distance measure for an extended period. All those registered for one or other of these events will receive an e-mail by April 21 informing them of the various postponement or refund options.
The entire Vélo Québec team thanks you for your warm words of encouragement over the past few weeks, and invites you to take part in our various events, which will be held in the same magnificent regions in 2021. We look forward to seeing you there, so that we can all experience and discover Quebec together in the most beautiful way possible - by bike!
Suzanne Lareau
President and General Manager
Monday, April 6, 2020 - Message to the cycling community
Cycling during a pandemic?
It's allowed, but more than ever, everyone must do their part to drive safely!
As cyclists, we've always been aware of the many benefits of cycling, and we're even more appreciative of the exceptional privilege of being able to get around by bike. However, it is IMPORTANT and ESSENTIAL to comply with the public authorities' guidelines on the use of bicycles.This obviously means not riding in a peloton, and remembering that risky practices have no place these days. Moreover, since the streets are deserted by cars, it may be easier to respect physical distancing measures by riding in the street rather than on certain busy bike lanes. We appeal to everyone's sense of responsibility to pedal in moderation, without trying to break speed records. Please also keep an eye on the road surface: at the start of the season, potholes have yet to be repaired and the road surface has yet to be swept. Finally, remember that pedestrians always have priority: keep your distance and slow down when approaching them!
More than ever, let's take care of each other.
Venpril 3, 2020 - Message to the cycling community
Cancellation and postponement of some of our events
Dear cycling community,
The current situation linked to the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken us all to the core, affecting our upcoming event and tourism season in spite of ourselves. Due to the current climate of uncertainty, and considering the time required to complete final preparations for our May-June events, it is with deep sadness that Vélo Québec is forced to cancel and postpone the following events until 2021:
- The Go vélo Montréal Festival - including Tour de l’Île de Montréal, Tour la Nuit, Défi métropolitain, vélo-boulot activities and more - scheduled from May 31 to June 7, 2020;
- The Vélo Mag Challenge, scheduled for Saturday June 20, 2020 in Montérégie.
Despite the challenges involved, we believe that postponing these events is in line with the latest government guidelines and in the best interests of all our participants, volunteers, employees and partners. If you are already registered for any of the events affected by cancellation, you will receive an email communication during the week of April 6, informing you of the terms and conditions for transferring your registration to the same event in the 2021 edition, or for a refund. While the 2021 dates are preliminary at this time, we are working on a schedule that would see the Go vélo Montréal Festival held from May 30 to June 6, 2021, and the Vélo Mag Challenge on June 19, 2021. Given the considerable slowdown in our operations caused by the reduction in our workforce, we thank you in advance for your patience.
For the time being and until further notice, Vélo Québec will continue to hold the following events:
- Petite Aventure, July 3-5;
- Grand Tour, August 1 to 7;
- The Vélo Mag Challenge, September 12.
We'll keep you informed of further action as the situation develops.
The Vélo Québec team thanks you for your loyalty and solidarity. We look forward to seeing you again to celebrate the joys of cycling together, and to work with you to build the Québec à vélo of tomorrow!
Suzanne Lareau
President and General Manager
Friday, April 3, 2020 - Press release
Friday, March 27, 2020 - Press release
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Vélo Québec Éditions offers you its free «Ready for the next epidemic?» issue published by Québec Science
In an effort to provide access to information in these COVID-19 times, Vélo Québec Éditions is offering you the free digital edition of the October-November 2019 issue of its magazine Québec Science. The theme, terribly premonitory: «Ready for the next epidemic?» Read more
Monday, March 23, 2020 - Message to the cycling community
Dear cycling community,
The situation with COVID-19 is evolving by the hour, and we all find ourselves in a period of great concern as this virus affects our families, our work teams and our communities.
As events and tourism represent an important part of our business, Vélo Québec is closely following the directives issued by public authorities concerning COVID-19, and intends to comply with them. In this respect, we are aware that our events starting at the end of May are greatly affected by the current situation. Like all event organizers belonging to the Regroupement des événements majeurs internationaux (RÉMI), we are awaiting the Quebec government's recommendations, and will keep you informed. As for our travels, we have postponed departures scheduled for the end of June. We are monitoring the situation and will make the appropriate decisions for the rest of the season.
When the winds aren't favorable, cyclists have a reflex to ride in a tightly-knit peloton. If we can't ride in a tightly-knit peloton to respect today's rules of social distancing, I feel it's important to thank you for your solidarity. Your kind words do us good. Like you, we can't wait for the storm to pass, so we can ride with you again.
With the return of spring and warmer weather, I'm inviting you more than ever to adopt cycling as a means of transport and a sporting activity. Experts tell us that healthy people with good lifestyle habits are more resilient to the elements. And with no cars on the streets, cycling and walking have never been safer. So get on your bikes! Take it easy - we've never had so much free time - and don't lose sight of the distance you need to keep from the people you meet.
Let's take care of each other and look to the future with fresh eyes!
Suzanne Lareau
President and General Manager
