Inspiring examples

The Comité Portail Saint-François was set up in late summer 2018, at the initiative of Sherbrooke resident Olivier Ross. Ross saw untapped potential for the development of a bike bridge on an unused railway bridge already clandestinely used by pedestrians, linking the Fleurimont neighborhood with downtown Sherbrooke. Olivier then surrounded himself with friends and acquaintances to promote his bridge conversion project. In September 2018, he organized a meeting with around twenty people - community members, media and local stakeholders - to invite them to get on board with his project. This citizen mobilization came at just the right time, as the Haut-Saint-François MRC had just hired a project manager whose mission was to develop a multifunctional road project between Sherbrooke and St-Joseph-De-Coleraine, a project that had been on ice for some time now. The citizen's committee set up by Olivier, which put pressure on the elected representatives, helped create momentum so that everyone could take ownership of the project.

At the same time, the committee continued to knock on various doors: Destination Sherbrooke, the City of Sherbrooke, the Chamber of Commerce and provincial and federal MPs to share its vision of the project. The people involved in this committee succeeded in developing a strategy to promote the project and unite citizens, political players and people from the business community around this bicycle bridge. The members quickly agreed that their committee would be a one-off, and that it would devote its efforts to this single project. So, to gather support for their initiative, the members set up a website, took part in various events to talk about the project, and personally met with local players, particularly shopkeepers, who agreed to join the project and publicly broadcast their support on the group's Facebook page. The provincial MNA, Christine Labrie, took the initiative, using her discretionary budget, to organize a contest to support various citizen initiatives in her riding. The Comité Portail Saint-François won a budget envelope that enabled it to create even more promotional material for distribution, as well as organize a site visit event to maintain the initiative's visibility, always with the aim of rallying the community to its cause.

The community really got behind the project, elected officials were very aware of the issues, and businesses welcomed it. Destination Sherbrooke was able to capitalize on the initiative by taking ownership of the project and promoting it itself. In the end, the project will come to fruition and become a central part of the region's tourism promotion strategy. Municipal and provincial funding has been made available to create a real hub for the city of Sherbrooke.

Members of the community were constantly canvassed, to ensure that the project kept its place in the news. Media coverage also played a major role in this promotion.

Ensure that all committee members take ownership of the project. Commitment remains voluntary; it's important to bear in mind the limits that this represents, particularly in terms of the difficulty of finding the time to meet.

In the case of the Comité Portail Saint-François, committee members succeeded in targeting specific short-term objectives, such as organizing activities, which kept the momentum going for the ultimate long-term goal: the realization of the project. Right from the start, the members were persistent and kept knocking on every door to get the word out about their project.

Given that 50% of Sherbrooke's workers live within 5 kilometers of their workplace, the city's bike-to-work potential is immense. Faced with this realization, a group of citizens wanted to democratize the practice and put pressure on politicians to increase investment in active transportation, in addition to demonstrating the public's enthusiasm for cycling. They decided to organize a fun, festive event to promote cycling and its benefits, bringing together bike stores and organizations alike. All-tes citizens could learn about cycling and consider ways of including it in their lives. The members also chose to make their event very accessible, in order to reach a pool of people beyond those who are convinced of the practice, with a view to celebrating utilitarian transportation, recreational cycling and mountain biking in equal measure.

The third edition of the Fête du vélo will take place in 2022. In view of the health regulations in force, only two activities have been kept on the program: an outdoor workshop on bike mechanics offered by a member of la Déraille, and an online conference on car dependency given by Jérôme Laviolette. Over the years, the organizers have fine-tuned their event, which has grown to become a not-to-be-missed event in the field, an initiative that has been hailed by local elected officials.-e-s. The Fête du vélo has become a great rallying event that celebrates cycling and democratizes it in the public space. It's an opportunity for the cycling community to get together, and for citizens to get to know the active transport players in their city.

Among the activities on offer, citizens and elected representatives can take part in a city tour, which provides an overview of the infrastructure available to them. In addition, various activities for children are organized (e.g. bike helmet decorating, bike-smoothie, bike course). Various Sherbrooke businesses and organizations also set up booths to present their utility bike services. A Société de transport de Sherbrooke bus is also on site, so that cyclists can learn how to mount their bikes on the front of the bus, with a view to intermodality. The organizers were thus able to diversify their range of activities to reach a wider spectrum of people, from families just starting out on their cycling adventure to seasoned cycling enthusiasts. They also managed to mobilize an impressive number of volunteers.

At the time of the first edition, the team, in all its enthusiasm, probably underestimated the administrative delays with the City, particularly for obtaining funds and permits. This led to a number of uncertainties that put added pressure on the committee, who had to deal with a lot of things at the last minute.

Get a head start on planning your administrative requirements. Depending on the size of the municipality, a lead time of at least six months is reasonable to apply for the various permits and avoid last-minute stress. 

For a low-budget civic event like the Fête du vélo, you should try to keep cash inflows and outflows to a minimum, as this adds a lot of management work. For a budget of 1500$, it's better to aim for 2 or 3 backers who will offer 500$ each, rather than a dozen or so who will offer smaller amounts.

Keep the organizational structure simple, with a communication style that's easy to assimilate quickly. In this case, the Slack worked well.

Try to keep as many elements as possible from year to year, rather than always shuffling the cards. This helps reduce organization time from one year to the next. 

Plan measures of event success from the outset. This helps confirm that the event's mission has been achieved, and improves the quality of subsequent grant applications. 

Have a competent, paid person to manage the event's communications.

For some fifteen years, various citizens' movements have been campaigning for all-season access to the Jacques-Cartier Bridge's multifunctional runway. During this period, a number of demonstrations and stunts have taken place, and political and media pressure has never really ceased. In recent years, a more formal association has taken shape, with the aim of formalizing activities and federating the various demands to make them more legitimate in the eyes of stakeholders. Among the actions undertaken, one campaign was particularly successful: during the 2019 federal elections, the association succeeded in meeting with the majority of the federal MPs concerned, both on the South Shore and in Montreal, to raise their awareness of the issue of snow removal and the various benefits of active transportation, particularly in the context of the climate crisis. Members provided coverage of their activities on social media, enabling citizens to follow the progress of discussions with elected representatives, creating a real momentum within the community.

By maintaining increased media coverage, the association succeeded in making the issue a political priority, regardless of who was elected. This pressure also certainly contributed to the implementation of the snow removal pilot project by the SPJCC. Finally, in winter 2020-2021, it was announced that the multifunctional trail on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge would be cleared of snow. This is a major victory!

Frequent creation of high-quality content on social networks: videos, photos, publications, etc.

Maintaining a media watch on the publications of elected representatives, so as to constantly remind them of the issues they claim to be defending.

Adopting a tone that is both militant and professional, in search of dialogue with the players involved.

Involvement remains voluntary, so it can be difficult for members to find the time to meet with elected representatives, whose availability doesn't always fit in with members' schedules. Flexibility on the part of members and their employers is therefore essential in this context.

The issue of winter maintenance of the multifunctional trail on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge is one of these long-term struggles. We need to keep reinventing ourselves with a variety of activities (meetings between supporters, demonstrations, festive BBQs, meetings with elected officials), to maintain enthusiasm for the project.

The mission of the Coalition mobilité active de Montréal (OBNL) is to mobilize the various neighborhood citizens' associations that could defend the place of active transportation in their borough's urban planning. Faced with the ambition of certain citizens to improve the condition of pedestrians and cyclists in Ville-Marie, an official association was created, with the support of the Coalition. Thanks to its presence on city council and meetings with public officials, the association has quickly built up real credibility in the defense of active transportation in its borough. The association is an active advocate for pedestrians and cyclists, including the systematic implementation of corridors for vulnerable users around construction projects in the neighborhood, and the addition of bollards and physical separation facilities to increase users' sense of safety. In conjunction with other citizens' movements in the area, the association has generated a petition calling for active transportation to become dominant in Old Montreal.

The association sits on the borough's active mobility council and maintains proactive working relationships with elected officials and civil servants in this respect. It has quickly built up its credibility and established a lasting presence at the borough's decision-making levels.

Combine volunteer efforts with the realities of work; meetings with the borough are held during working hours. Once again, it's essential to get the employers on board. Deadlines are set, as is the number of volunteers.

It's important to adopt a clear tone of voice and to insist on the improvements or changes needed for transportation, while remaining constructive. Don't be afraid to establish this line of conduct between members, to foster a climate conducive to exchange and collaboration. That doesn't mean you have to be overly consensual! In short, it's an essential balance to strike.

In May 2018, the cycling season has barely begun, and Hydro Québec is informing the public that the bike path that passes through its dams linking Salaberry-de-Valleyfield to Coteau-du-Lac will be closed until October, with the possibility of the work being extended. Various media reports mention that this closure could be extended for the next ten years, given the work that Hydro-Québec will have to carry out on its installations. This bike path is the only cycling link connecting sections 3 and 5 of the Route verte to the west of Montreal. Thousands of cyclists use this passageway on a regular basis, whether for work, leisure or family trips. With this in mind, a team was quickly formed around the Les 3 Sommets bike club's board of directors, with everyone contributing according to their strengths. Some took charge of social media and the website, while others handled political representations and direct communications with members.

The club issued press releases denouncing the closure to the local print, radio and TV media. The media welcomed their message and relayed it on their platforms. The group is also appealing to the Cycling coalition made up of the 4 West Montreal cycling clubs which brings together 900 cyclists, to support their demands. Club members demonstrated in front of Hydro-Québec facilities. Their slogan was: «Notre sécurité, on y tient! Around a hundred cyclists turned out for the event. In 2018, members of the Coalition des clubs cyclistes de l'Ouest and local citizens made representations to the political authorities, including the mayors and deputies of the three neighbouring counties. The initiative was supported by the Regional County Municipalities (RCMs) of Beauharnois-Salaberry and Vaudreuil-Soulanges, totalling 31 municipalities. Following these protests and numerous discussions with the region's political leaders, Hydro-Québec announced that it would contribute 800,000$, or half the cost, to erect a temporary bicycle facility on the Mgr Langlois bridge. However, the Ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ) has been slow to confirm its participation in the project. 

In May 2019, another demonstration is organized, this time in front of the office of the local Member of Parliament, Mr. Claude Reid, who is also Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transport. Once again, the local media are put to work. A report on the 6 p.m. TV news with Patrice Roy was even produced on the subject. Meanwhile, Transport Minister François Bonnardel is questioned in the National Assembly by an opposition member, asking for his intervention. Many political discussions later, and after all the commotion, common ground was finally found.

A temporary bicycle corridor will be built on the Mgr Langlois bridge while Hydro-Québec completes the work, which is essential for dam safety. The Quebec government, the Beauharnois-Salaberry and Vaudreuil-Soulanges RCMs and Hydro-Québec will share the bill. In order to listen carefully, Hydro-Québec also hired an outside firm to take the pulse of users of the dams linking Salaberry-de-Valleyfield to Coteau-du-Lac. Hydro-Québec also met with representatives of the cycling coalition to ensure that the demands of the cycling community were taken into account.

The strong mobilization of cycling members, the local population and the various partners we met (municipal, provincial and federal elected officials, not to mention MRC representatives) was a decisive factor in the success of this action. In addition, the constructive tone adopted, the press releases and very professional reporting to the media also lent credibility to the process. This involvement also provided the impetus to continue advancing other issues related to the safety of cyclists in the region. L’accessibility to the Seaway is another example of the demands made by local cyclists.

Contacting all the political representatives and organizing meetings with them took a lot of time, even if the elected representatives at different levels were quite cooperative on this issue.

The citizens behind the initiative point out that we shouldn't be afraid to take our place and demand safe facilities for cyclists of all kinds. The group of local cyclists believes that citizens must continue to push for safety and cycling-friendly facilities, even if it means taking on big players like Hydro-Québec or the Ministère du Transport du Québec.

The Table de concertation vélo des conseils de quartier de Québec (TCVQ) was created following a number of observations. First of all, there are a number of players in Quebec City who are interested in sustainable transportation issues, including cycling (Accès Transports Viables, Vivre en ville, CRE Capitale-Nationale, Mobili-T, etc.). However, there were no citizens' groups (apart from community bike mechanic workshops) like elsewhere in Quebec that focus specifically on democratizing the place of the bicycle.

In the meantime, a bicycle path project on boulevard René-Lévesque failed to get off the ground, attracting grumbling from local stakeholders. At the same time, Quebec City drew up its first bicycle vision in 2015. Momentum was building, and we had to take advantage of it.

In order to ensure that Quebec City wishes to resolve a global issue, i.e. the lack of an assertive bicycle culture in Capitale-Nationale, some citizens-ne-s already involved-e-s gathered together-e-s. The aim was to start a group to give an additional voice to bicycle users. To ensure success, the vision of these citizens was to cover the entire territory of the city and bring together a diversity of stakeholders. For them, it was important to represent Quebec City's diverse environments (suburbs, downtown, densely populated neighborhoods, working-class areas, etc.).

By analyzing the political and administrative situation, these citizens wanted to take advantage of the structures already in place. Since the turn of the 2000s, Quebec City has made sure to set up consultation bodies for its various sectors. neighborhood councils. As explained on the city's website, the aim of these councils is to encourage citizens to express their opinions and needs concerning their neighborhoods, particularly with regard to land use planning, municipal property development, community life and public safety. So everything was in place to create the Table de concertation vélo des conseils de quartier de Québec.

By taking advantage of existing structures, the group has succeeded in bringing together some fifteen representatives from the various neighborhood councils. A president, vice-president and secretary are elected each year to represent the group. The table proposes common orientations and a concerted vision for advancing bicycle issues with the city. Proposals for improvements to the city and more specifically to the neighborhoods are discussed at meetings. Members also communicate via e-mail and social networks, and meet at least 4 times a year. Once a year, a Quebec City official comes to present improvements to the cycling network, while noting comments from table members. A dialogue is also launched with Quebec City's elected officials to establish a stronger link with political representatives.

Thanks to a constructive tone and relevant interventions, the TCVQ has succeeded in acquiring a high media profile. Journalists frequently call on the spokespersons for their comments and recommendations on various subjects. However, TCVQ still needs to learn how to break down information and keep the message short and clear. 

With 15 members from the various neighborhood councils, the TCVQ was able to bring together a diversity of opinions and a good geographical representation (presence of representatives from more outlying neighborhoods) from across the city. When drafting briefs for the city, it's important to bring the experience of the people around the table to the table; it's the group's greatest asset.

An increasingly strong link is developing with both the administrative and political levels. In fact, the city provides the TCVQ with premises for its meetings.

There is a certain turnover of neighborhood council representatives, a consequence of volunteer involvement. So we have to work to maintain links with the various neighborhood councils. Demands for active transportation are often spread out over time, and are long-term struggles. So we need to maintain motivation and a sense of ownership of these issues, despite the turnover in representatives.

Bicycle battles are often about debates on the allocation of public space to different modes of transport. The car generally gets a large share of road improvements and infrastructure. However, when you change the city, you change habits. These situations quickly become emotional debates, with some people seeking to preserve the preponderance of the car on our roads (parking spaces, two-way streets, 4-lane boulevards, etc.). Inevitably, confrontation ensues, and confrontation isn't always comfortable. We have to learn how to manage this dynamic of confrontation, and make our arguments easy to understand.

You have to adopt a tone that is both constructive and assertive. It's not an easy task, but it's one you have to work towards. Being too consensual doesn't allow you to criticize accurately, but at the same time, being too assertive (even aggressive) sometimes puts off your interlocutors. You have to know how to dance!

It is imperative to continue efforts to broaden the base of mobilized citizens and ensure a diversity of opinions and voices. We must persevere to balance the presence of women and include the voices of people from minority groups.

It is necessary to cultivate the relationship with one's allies-e-s (cycling clubs, elected representatives, business associations, media, community organizations, etc.), but also not to overlook potential «enemies». Sometimes, allies can be found where you least expect them, so don't label first-day opponents as enemies by default.

Social media remain a major vector for citizen participation. You need to set up your own page and group, and keep everything properly animated. 

The fun aspect of civic participation is not to be overlooked. The TCVQ aims to further develop the social and fun aspects of its activities to foster a spirit of cohesion. It could be as simple as a festive BBQ or 5@7! 

The distribution of tasks and responsibilities remains an important issue to address. Responsibilities must be rotated appropriately. The established structure must encourage initiative-taking, so that leadership is not concentrated solely on a small group. Finally, as far as TCVQ is concerned, there's no point getting too bogged down in procedures: you have to remain organized yet flexible.