2022
April
EAB trials begin
8 organizations in 10 Quebec regions offer EAB trials in the spring of 2022.
Ongoing
Vélovolt
From car to bike
Vélovolt encourages Quebec citizens, organizations and policy makers to learn about and to try out Electrically Assisted Bicycles (EABs), a new and sustainable mode of human-powered transportation.
The challenge
A third of Quebecers live less than 5 km from their workplace. In smaller cities, the proportion of people who live in close proximity to their work is even larger (1). And yet, nearly 75% of Quebecers who commute to work do so in their cars (2).
To help reduce GHG emissions from transportation, bikes have enormous potential to replace solo driving for certain daily commutes. This potential is even greater with Electrically Assisted Bicycles (EABs), especially in cities that have lots of hills or in areas that are poorly served by public transit.
However, EABs have yet to become mainstream because of several challenges, including a high initial purchase price, the lack of secure parking facilities and the lack of information about EABs among the general public and among decision-makers.
(1) Vélo Québec, L’état du vélo au Québec en 2020(2) Statistics Canada, 2016 Census on journey to work
33%
1/3 of Quebecers live less than 5 km from their workplace
“ We need innovative alternatives to solo driving. Through research, promotion, and by providing opportunities to try out electric bikes, Vélovolt seeks to demonstrate how EABs are a viable solution for daily travel ”
Équiterre's work
With the Vélovolt campaign, Équiterre is seeking to understand how EABs could replace cars for daily trips among Quebecers, and what conditions are necessary to make the transition easier.
To create more awareness about the potential of electric bikes, Vélovolt is making EAB trials available to 40 organizations in 10 regions of Quebec. During these trials, research data will be gathered to help gain insight into how to make EAB use more attractive.
Vélovolt will also create a series of tools and reports to help municipalities and organizations encourage electrically-assisted active transportation.
Objectives
- Create awareness among workers about the advantages of electric bikes for their daily commutes;
- Better understand the current state of electric mobility in Quebec, and its potential;
- Educate key players in Quebec about electrically-assisted active transportation and give them the tools they need to promote the transition to bikes and EABs.
Consultez la présentation de Vélovolt ainsi que le résumé illustré
pdf - 9.93 mb Présentation Vélovolt
See documentpdf - 0.27 mb Velovolt one pager
See document
Our targets
40 organizations and businesses in 10 regions of Quebec
1,300 participants in EAB trials
100,000 workers aware of the campaign
40 mobility stakeholders mobilized around EAB committees
Project history
2021
September
Pilot project
L’Université de Montréal and the City of Trois-Rivières were the first organizations to test out the Vélovolt EAB trials with their employees.
April
Project launch
Vélovolt was officially launched with the support of the Quebec government and in partnership with the Association des Centres de gestion des déplacements (ACGDQ) and Quebec’s 8 Centres de gestion des déplacements (CGD).
Testimonials
“ I like biking to work because there’s no traffic, I know how long it’s going to take me, plus it’s a great way to get in some daily exercise ”
“ I’m taking part in the trial because I’m looking for a fun and smart alternative to solo driving ”
“ By introducing municipal employees to active transportation, the program is contributing to their well-being and positively influencing their planning work within the city ”
Related content
Contact principal
Chargée de projet en mobilité
