Quebec City plans to build massive 150-km cycling network

Quebec City is embarking on a transformative journey with its visionary plan for the “Vélocité corridors,” set to unfold between 2024 and 2034. This ambitious initiative is poised to revolutionize the city's landscape, promising to introduce 14 state-of-the-art, all-weather cycle routes spanning a remarkable total of 150 kilometers over the course of the next decade.

Mayor Bruno Marchand, the driving force behind this groundbreaking endeavor, envisions a future where active mobility takes center stage, propelling the city towards a paradigm shift in health, quality of life, and safety for its residents. With unwavering determination, Quebec City is charting a course towards a four-season network that seamlessly connects every corner of its vast territory, offering unparalleled opportunities for residents to embrace a lifestyle of movement and exploration.

Grounded in scientific research highlighting the profound impact of infrastructure on citizen well-being, this visionary plan represents a watershed moment in urban planning. By prioritizing the development of Community Vehicle Centers (CVCs) in 85% of the city's neighborhoods, Quebec City aims to foster greater connectivity and cohesion across diverse communities. The selection of corridors is meticulously crafted, informed by comprehensive assessments of citizen needs and travel patterns, ensuring alignment with the aspirations of the populace.

Angèle Pineau-Lemieux of Sustainable Transport Access underscores the significance of this initiative in addressing longstanding disparities in urban infrastructure. For too long, pedestrians and cyclists have been marginalized, relegated to the periphery of transportation planning. The Vélocité corridors herald a new era of inclusivity and accessibility, inviting residents from Beauport to Val-Bélair to Cap-Rouge to reclaim their streets and embrace active modes of transportation with confidence and ease.

At the heart of this transformative vision lies a commitment to excellence in infrastructure design and execution. Magali Bebronne, representing Vélo Québec, lauds the comprehensive nature of the plan, emphasizing its equitable distribution across neighborhoods. Unlike previous approaches that prioritized downtown areas, Quebec City's plan extends its reach to the farthest reaches of the municipality, ensuring that all residents have equal access to safe and reliable cycling infrastructure.

Moreover, the emphasis on high-quality infrastructure underscores a departure from conventional approaches, eschewing mere paint-on-asphalt solutions in favor of physically separated and protected bikeways. These meticulously designed routes, engineered to withstand the rigors of Quebec's winters, promise to redefine the cycling experience, offering unparalleled safety and comfort to riders traversing the city's arterial roads.

As Quebec City embarks on this transformative journey, its phased approach reflects a commitment to pragmatic progress. By prioritizing the completion of 60% of the vision by 2029, the city aims to rapidly deploy short and medium-term solutions, providing immediate relief to residents eager to embrace active mobility. The remaining 40% of the plan, comprising more complex projects, underscores the city's long-term commitment to solidifying its network of corridors, ensuring their sustainability and resilience for generations to come.

Public engagement forms a cornerstone of this visionary endeavor, with ongoing consultations inviting residents to shape the future of their city. However, as Borbonne aptly notes, these consultations must be approached with a spirit of constructive collaboration, focusing on enhancing projects rather than impeding progress. As Quebec City charts a bold new course towards a future defined by active mobility and sustainable living, its visionary plan for the Vélocité corridors stands as a testament to the power of innovation and community-driven change.