|
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2009 9:21:17 GMT
There has always been a certain amount of rivalry between these two cities, but it looks like Montréal has scored a few points with its new bikeshare system.  |
|
|
|
Post by lagatta on May 22, 2009 12:42:01 GMT
Well, I don't want to get into intercity rivalries as I find them rather futile and pointless - cities should be learning from one another. However I certainly agree that Montréal is far more cycle-positive than Toronto is, although we have far harsher winters.
We have some other historical and geographical advantages, as an old city by North American standards (north of Mexico, as their Amerindian civilisations built lasting cities - the site of Montréal has been inhabited for at least 10,000 years) and because Montréal is located on a large island. These factors mean a more compact city, easier to cycle.
I was involved in Le Monde à bicyclette in the 1970s, an activist "vélorutionnaire" group that organised many clever stunts to call for more space for bicycles (and pedestrians) and fewer cars. The city-centre cycle path on boulevard de Maisonneuve is La piste Claire-Morrissette, one of the founders and leaders of the group, who died two years ago at only 57. She also founded our carshare scheme, CommunAuto, and Cylo Nord-Sud, a group that collects unused bicycles to donate to community projects in poor countries.
One drawback to Bixi is that it is more expensive than its counterparts in Lyon and Paris, but whatever its shortcomings it is tangible proof that someone in municipal government is taking bicycles seriously. Still, we need far more paths - the city has really stalled on building them and completing planned ones.
One thing I very much like here with respect to Toronto is that one sees far more people cycling in the normal clothes they are wearing to work, university, or whatever. Cyclists in "full kit" are rare. I've seen a lot of the latter in Ottawa: I don't mean athletes training but slightly portly middle-aged civil servants.
I don't ride my bicycle throughout the winter when there is a lot of ice and snow, but I do use it from early spring to late autumn. I was still cycling in December in 2008, and took the bicycle out in early March, but it depends on the weather.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2009 20:59:08 GMT
My love for Montreal is well known I think. Can't wait until July  |
|
