This summer, I had the chance to spend a vacation on the Côte-Nord. I notably met our colleagues from the Véloroute des Baleines, who are doing a fantastic job developing cycling culture in this beautiful region. Their energy reminded me how cycling, when supported by a passionate community, can transform a territory and inspire its residents.
I was captivated by the municipality of Havre-Saint-Pierre. A town where you can feel the residents’ pride : flowers in the parks, well-kept houses, and many sidewalks inviting people to walk. I especially loved the colorful paintings on the sidewalks, which make strolling even more joyful. There are also several well-maintained bike paths. Even the elementary school displays its colors with sixty bike parking spots… and racks everywhere, including in front of the SAQ. A wonderful example that active transportation is possible even in smaller towns.
One morning, I met the partner of the owner of the inn where I was staying. In his sixties, not particularly athletic, he was about to leave by bike. I asked him, “For transportation or leisure?” He replied, almost surprised: “I’m going to the dock.” I pressed further: “Do you do this often?” His expression faltered, searching for words: “Yeah.” I ended his struggle by telling him I work at Vélo Québec and that it makes me happy to see people cycling. His face immediately lit up, relieved to learn he hadn’t done anything wrong.
At that moment, I understood: for him, cycling is not an identity. It’s neither a lifestyle nor a stance. It’s simply a tool, like a chair or a hammer. Reflecting further, I realized that it is often opponents of cycling development who insist on labeling people: the “real” and “fake” cyclists, the “dangerous” or “useless” bike paths. Always a way of reducing a complex reality to a caricature.
As the municipal campaign begins, trying to stick a single label on cyclists leads nowhere. Cyclists are diverse: some vote left, others right. Some ride to get around, others to get fit. Reducing this diversity to a homogeneous block is not only a political mistake but a collective dead end. Cycling doesn’t belong to any one group. It belongs to everyone.
– Jean-François Rheault, CEO of Vélo Québec