The province may be lined with bike paths, but there is still a long way to go to convince Quebecers to ride from point A to point B, summer and winter alike. In order to give citizens a boost, Vélo Québec puts municipalities, organizations and universities in competition to obtain “gold, silver or bronze” certifications. It’s the Vélosympathique movement, of which here are some of the winners.
Silver Certification: Verdun
The warm weather has barely arrived and already pedestrians and cyclists are traveling at full speed on rue Wellington, in Verdun, this summer pedestrian artery at the top of the list of the most popular streets. cool to the magazine world Time Out. In the town hall lobby, a stone’s throw from a new cycle lane, an honorary plaque informs citizens that the borough has obtained silver certification.
“It’s a tough enough process to deserve certification,” says The Press the head of the urban planning division, Sylvain Thériault.
A cyclist – by his own admission a “creepy” who rides rain or shine – the development manager for Verdun got elected officials on board. He explains that the borough had to successfully answer 140 questions on behalf of the community before winning the title.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Benoit Gratton, elected municipal official of Verdun
Benoit Gratton, elected official of the borough, a convert, affirms that up to 1,200 cyclists transit during the months of September and October on the cycle lane of rue de Verdun, which crosses the entire territory. The borough is at the stage of offering cycling lessons to the population, in particular to children and migrant women. In 76% of the streets of Verdun, the speed has been reduced to 30 km / h, we add.
“To sum up, we are surrounded by pedestrian crossings, sidewalk overhangs, bicycle racks. People have become accustomed to these measures. What we want to do now is allow our students from five establishments to go to class by bike, in a safe manner. Ideally, from the perspective of utility bikes, we would like to link the Aqueduct Canal to the river, passing through the new REM station, to Île des Sœurs. »
Bicycle Friendly Movement
The Vélosympathique movement owes its birth to the program Bicycle Friendly Americaborn in 1980 in the United States, aiming for “safe streets for everyone”, explains Louis Lalonde, project manager at Vélo Québec.
“We adapted the program to the Quebec reality. The idea is to use the bike to go to work, but also for everyday trips. We are working on a cycling culture. In our independent jury, there are architects, urban planners, but also a public health official. »
Honorable Mention: Sacré-Coeur Hospital of the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal
The Dr Éric Notebaert, emergency physician at Sacré-Coeur hospital and vice-president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, says he lights up like a Christmas tree so he can ride safely at night. , at the end of his shifts. He is passionate. He and his team implemented various measures, including the development of a secure bicycle enclosure and showers, which earned an honorable mention at the Sacré-Coeur hospital of the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de- Montreal.
The result: 10% of employees cycle to the hospital, he says.
“Active transport is used to prevent diabetes, anxiety, it is also a way to fight against heat islands, explains the Dr Notebaert. In our case, this is just the start. We are working to map the territory of Ahuntsic to provide safe travel between the Jean-Talon, Sacré-Coeur and Fleury hospitals. There are still intersections to secure, there is work to be done at this level. »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Vélostation at the Longueuil campus of the Université de Sherbrooke
Bronze certification: University of Sherbrooke
Far from being outdone, the Université de Sherbrooke earned bronze certification in the campus category. Bike racks, self-service bike repair terminal, showers, bike station and secure parking; the list is long. Patrice Cordeau, Assistant Vice-Rector for Sustainable Development, and Judith Beaudoin, Sustainable Mobility Advisor, talk about work begun 10 years ago.
“Before, I didn’t meet any cyclist when I came to work by bike in the winter,” says M.me Beaudouin. Today, there is not a single morning where I do not come across one. We started offering electric bike loans, and we have five winter bikes, with studs, railings, front lights. It’s not the weather that’s the problem, it’s the facilities, the safety. »
Mr. Cordeau adds that the university takes every opportunity to promote cycling, especially in February, during International Winter Bike Day. “The jury is demanding, but we’re aiming for gold,” explains the vice-rector. There is the whole security aspect. It takes a long time to develop a cycling culture. »
Major health impact
In addition to contributing to achieving carbon neutrality targets, daily transport by bicycle has a major impact on health, recalls the Dr Martin Juneau, cardiologist and director of prevention at the Montreal Heart Institute. “The heart rate climbs less on a bike than on a run, but it is a physical activity that is gentler on the joints. It prevents osteoporosis. He cites several studies, including European ones, showing that cycling is beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.