It was all bicycles at Jeanne-Mance park and around the island of Montreal Friday, as cyclists embarked on a 24-kilometre ride for Tour la Nuit.
The event along with Tour de l’Île on Sunday are part of the Go Vélo Montréal Festival, which offers a week of cycling and activities for all. Vélo Québec CEO Jean-Francois Rheault was proud to be celebrating 25 years of bringing Montrealers together while lighting up the streets.
Programming began at 6 p.m. with food trucks, festivities and entertainment. It was off to the races at 8 p.m. for a journey running from the streets of Montreal’s South-West to along the Lachine Canal.
In a press release Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante noted “these unique moments, when bicycles are king, allow Montrealers to move, while seeing their city differently. The Tour la Nuit and the Tour de l’Île are, for some people, an opportunity to discover the pleasure of cycling in the city.
Come Sunday, Montrealers will have two route options for participating in this year’s Tour de l’Île:
The Regular Route, which departs at 9:15 a.m. from Jeanne-Mance Park, will head southwest. In addition to the classic 50 kilometres, it will be possible to opt for a shortened 28-kilometre route.
Enthusiasts can also opt for a longer Discovery Route beginning at 7 a.m. The two choices of circuits as part of this route – 68 kilometres and 96 kilometres – will run in marked lanes open to automobile traffic.