Thousands of cyclists took over the streets of Montreal Sunday for the 39th edition of Tour de l’Île – the city’s biggest cycling event.
An estimated 18,000 people were expected to take part, organizers say.
“Tour de l’Île this year is in line with what we have had over the last few years; 18,000 is an awesome participation. We’re really excited,” said Vélo Quebec CEO Jean-François Rheault.
The Vélo Quebec-hosted event kicked off around 9:15 a.m., as cyclists embarked on a 28- or 50-kilometre tour of the city – with no cars sharing the street.
“The roads are free, the streets are free,” one rider told CityNews. “The potholes are there, but it’s OK.”
Cyclists began at Jeanne-Mance Park and made their way to Outremont, Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, down to the Lachine Canal to René-Lévesque Park, across LaSalle Boulevard, back downtown through Wellington Street in Verdun and up to the Plateau.
“By cycling through the different neighbourhoods, we can connect them in our heads and really experience the city in a different way,” Rheault said.
“For us Tour de l’Île is really important as a tool to celebrate cycling culture. Cycling is fun, of course, but when we organize a big party like Tour de l’Île we bring it to another level.”
Riders got nice weather, albeit hot, for an all-day bike ride: sun and some clouds with no rain.
Canada’s environment minister was at the Tour de l’Île Sunday touting the benefits of active transportation.
“It’s also obviously very environmentally friendly,” Minister Steven Guilbeault said. “Federally now we have the first ever active transportation fund of $400 million where we’re working with communities, provinces, territories, municipalities to help them deploy, invest in more infrastructure, so it’s safer and nicer for people to be able to bike around, to go to work, to do all these things.”
The streets were filled with people from all ages, including first-timers to the event and folks from out of town.
“I’m here for a tour of Montreal,” one person said. “I’m from out of town, so bike ride, perfect. Going for a tour of the city, perfect. Weather, perfect.”
“It’s my first time doing the event,” added another. “It’s a great opportunity to just bike freely in the city with friends, with colleagues. It’s just great team spirit.”
Some even took part in the cycling event in costume.
“I’m getting in shape for the Christmas season because I have all these presents to deliver at Christmas,” said one person dressed in a Santa Claus outfit. “So Santa’s got to keep in shape and that’s what he does every year.”