Appointed on 1er It is with great pride and excitement that I address you, the Vélo Québec community. I'd like to take this first opportunity to pay tribute to Suzanne Lareau's exceptional contribution to the management of Vélo Québec, and to the advancement of the cycling cause in Quebec. On a more personal note, I'd like to thank her for her time, generosity and hospitality in passing on the baton of her files and taking stock of all the issues and challenges related to the cycling cause and the organization. Thank you, Suzanne.
Like many Quebecers, I'm deeply attached to Vélo Québec, and have been ever since I was a teenager. I have wonderful memories of the Tour de l'Île in those days, and above all of that indescribable feeling of freedom and joy of riding around the city without a car. Joining the Vélo Québec team is a real honour for me, as is being able to contribute to the growth of cycling in Quebec.
Cycling is an incredible catalyst for transforming not only cities and regions, but also the people who live in them. In the course of my career, I've been lucky enough to see many of the world's major cities transformed by the growth in the number of people using bicycles. Paris is probably the most striking example. Today, the Place de la République, the Place de la Bastille, the banks of the river and the Champs-Élysées - once largely dominated by cars - have given way to pedestrians, cyclists and trees, or are in the process of doing so. Cities such as New York, San Francisco and Vancouver, as well as Houston and Calgary - the oil capitals - are following suit by also introducing a network of bicycle lanes in their downtown areas. Even the Chinese are cycling again. The movement is strong and global, and it's not just a big-city story. In Quebec, for example, Drummondville has just joined the ranks of communities certified VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE silver. It's very inspiring.
2021 will certainly be a bicycle year, as evidenced by a number of indicators: a marked rise in bicycle sales and an anticipated shortage; an increase in the number of four-season cyclists and mountain bikers, gravelle riders and fatbikers; and an increase in bicycle development projects by cities. 2021 will also be a municipal election year in Quebec, and it's a safe bet that cycling will be part of the upcoming debates. I'm convinced that the time has come to elevate the debate. Instead of debating whether or not to introduce cycling facilities, this is the right time to engage in a constructive exchange of views to design and develop better cycling facilities in the interests of all citizens.
Cycling is a powerful tool for tackling the challenges we face. Reducing our impact on the environment, promoting our physical and mental well-being, supporting the local economy and developing sustainable tourism are all benefits linked to cycling. It's time to be ambitious and develop cycling throughout Quebec.
Jean-François Rheault
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
