Ruby Pratka
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
ruby@qctonline.com
Electric bicycles will return to the streets of Quebec City on May 1 as a part of the Ville de Québec active mobility strategy.
The àVélo electrical bike sharing venture, overseen by the Réseau du transport de la Capitale (RTC) was first rolled out final summer season, with 10 downtown pickup stations and 100 bikes; this 12 months, the community will embrace 40 stations, unfold all through town, and 400 bikes. The bikes shall be accessible till Oct. 31. By 2024, town goals to have 1,000 bikes in circulation and 100 stations.
Mayor Bruno Marchand made the announcement earlier this month. Documents made public after the announcement mentioned the administration additionally deliberate to renovate or prolong 14 current pedestrian and bike paths across the metropolis, enhance all-season bike path upkeep and publish its first active mobility strategy by the top of June.
Coun. Pierre-Luc Lachance, member of town government committee liable for transport, mobility and visitors, mentioned demand for active trans- port choices corresponding to strolling and biking paths “has exploded in the previous two years.
“During the [pandemic] lockdowns, walking and biking were some of the only safe activities available to people to maintain their physical and mental health. Running and bike supply stores were over- whelmed with demand, and a lot of cities made bold choices to favour active mobility,” Lachance mentioned. He added that fifty kilometres of metropolis bike paths have been accessible year-round, and town aimed to extend that to 100 kilometres by 2025.
Coun. Maude Mercier Larouche, member of the chief committee and president of the RTC, mentioned emphasizing strolling and biking choices allowed residents to contribute to the combat towards local weather change whereas staying in form.
Last 12 months, an estimated 5,000 riders used the bike sharing service, making an estimated 29,000 journeys. “That experience showed us that there was a lot of demand and enthusiasm for this service,” Mercier Larouche mentioned, including that electrical bikes made town’s famously hilly terrain extra accessible for informal cyclists, seniors and those that wished to attempt biking to work.
“We want to have a portfolio of mobility options in Quebec City,” famous Mercier Larouche, emphasizing the significance of connecting the tramway and the bus service with bike and pedestrian paths. Lachance added that the administration aimed to contemplate “the mobility of people, not just of cars.”
The metropolis has already accomplished an preliminary spherical of public consultations for the active mobility strategy, however a second spherical is coming. Mercier Larouche mentioned individuals in making their voices heard might contact Lachance, their metropolis councillor or their neighbour- hood council. Lachance and Mercier Larouche emphasised that emails or different messages obtained in English can be learn and thought of.
Those in making an attempt the àVélo system can reserve bikes by a cellular app or on-line at avelo.rtcquebec.ca. A bank card is required to order a motorcycle. The minimal age to lease a motorcycle is 14, and riders aged 14-17 should have a motor scooter licence or a driver’s licence to lease a motorcycle. All riders should put on a security helmet. Bikes shall be accessible from May 1 to Oct. 31.