Transporting ourselves towards change: Cycling in Montreal

Well I am not waiting any longer... I'm taking my bike and I'm going! If it's 10 km or less to get to work or school, biking can easily be your mode of transportation. Many people bike much more than that each day.

Walking and biking are the most economical and ecological modes of transportation there are, and if that's not enough to convince you, they keep you healthy too!
Since 2005 the City of Montreal has been working to improve its bike network. There are now more than 377 km of bike paths on the island of Montreal. Unfortunately, and this is an important warning, biking downtown where bike paths don't go can be perilous at best. This is why it is critical that we continue to demonstrate the necessity for a more inclusive road network; one that is less car-oriented.

We could be the next Copenhagen, the biking city of the world, where 32 percent of workers commute by bike. Their secret? Municipal politicians and traffic engineers that provide equal rights to cyclists on the road and in their budgets.

Do you wish to show your support for the movement towards a more ecological transportation? Start by shopping for a bicycle responsibly. Buy from a local small business, or a non-profit organization like SOS Vélo . You can also easily repair or refurbish that old bike you have sitting around. More and more bike shops that specialize in quality bike building are popping up around Montreal, like Recycle Bicycle in NDG. Their creations are splendid, safe and energy efficient!

Bike culture is definitely growing in Montreal, and the Féria du Vélo bike-fest that runs from May 27 to June 3 is proof, offering a whole array of activities to celebrate your love for your bike.

Finally, for those of you who wish to tell others "what are you waiting for?" join the Critical Mass. On the last Friday of every month cyclists meet at Phillip's Square (St-Catherine in front of The Bay) for a peaceful, reclaim-the-streets bike ride through the city. This type of manifestation started in San Francisco to put additional pressure on the already burdened traffic jams, discouraging car use in the downtown sector and putting in the forefront the importance that our cities must acknowledge to cyclists and their rights as equal users of the road. For more information visit: http://www.crasseux.com/cm/splash.html

Happy green riding!

—V

Links:

Equiterre
http://www.ec.gc.ca/climate/home-e.html
http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/air/inter_en.htm
http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/en/ministere/environnement/climat/durable.asp
http://www.routeverte.com/rv/ang/index.lasso