Those of you who have read about the bicycle tours I've done over the years know that I have a soft spot for the the Canadian province of Quebec. Every once in a while, I visit the Montreal Gazette's Web site to get my fix of Canadian news, and I happened to come across this item:The city of Montreal plans to be the first North American city to set up a large-scale "self-serve" public bike rental service.Andre Lavallee, a city executive committee member responsible for transportation issues, said the program will be the first not only in Quebec, but in all of North America.
Following in the footsteps, or pedalling along the same path, as European cities such as Paris and Lyon where such systems have recently exploded in popularity, Montreal hopes to get its project started by next fall and fully operational by late 2009. ...
The idea is to encourage Montrealers and tourists to use the public bicycles instead of cars for short, inner city trips, allowing them to pick up a bike at one station, use it for half an hour or an hour, and then drop it off at any other station of their choice.
"We used to see cycling as recreation, but now thousands of people are using bikes to get to work, or school," Lavallee said at a press conference Thursday. "This summer, we actually saw traffic jams of cyclists on some of our new bike routes, like St. Urbain. Something is changing right now in Montreal and we all have to come along on this wave."
Whether the wave is strong enough to make it south to the United States remains to be seen.Labels: Canada, commuting, cycling, Montreal
Roger 1 comments links to this post 11:15 AM
Friday, March 09, 2007
What would you wear to weave through city streets in bitter temperatures on your bicycle? One bike messenger showed his layers this week to the Montreal Gazette.
Keep in mind, that sub-zero is a bit different in Canada than it is in the United States because Canada uses the Celsius system rather than the Fahrenheit system as we do in the States. But any way you look at it, it's still cold.
The story lists what Montreal bike courier Sebastien Patenaude wears for work in winter, and the price tag comes up to $1,156 in Canadian dollars (about $990 in U.S. dollars).
The market remains strong for bike messengers despite the rise of faxes and e-mails because there simply are documents and packages that can't be delivered electronically, the Gazette reports.
You might also want to view a flipshow that accompanies the story. It shows a bike courier putting on all his layers.Labels: bike messengers, Canada, Montreal
Roger 2 comments links to this post 7:39 PM
Find out about the latest cycling news here!
Bicycle racing feeds
» Anthony, Bessette win in Northampton
11/05/07 07:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Trebon, Compton blow away competition at windy Boulder Cup
11/05/07 05:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» First Edition Cycling News - Cyclingnews.com
11/04/07 21:38 from Tour of Missouri - Google News
» Chainbiter: Bessette and Jones Weather the Storm
11/04/07 13:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Sunday briefs - Belleville News Democrat
11/04/07 09:10 from Tour of Missouri - Google News
» National champs dominate Redline Cup
11/04/07 02:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn - A bit more from Las Vegas
11/04/07 02:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Ask the Doctor: The medical risks of doping
11/04/07 02:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Tech Report, with Matt Pacocha - Thanks 'Vegas
11/04/07 02:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» The Feedzone with Monique Ryan: Feed your head
11/04/07 02:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» New and renewed North American races for 2008 - Cyclingnews.com
11/03/07 21:48 from Tour of Missouri - Google News
» Saturday's EuroFile: Sinkewitz speaks; Cipo' won't Rock
11/03/07 17:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Friday's EuroFile: Jota readies for year No. 2; Dean shifts gears
11/03/07 17:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Sinkewitz makes doping admission
11/03/07 16:19 from BBC Sport | Other Sports | Cycling | World Edition
» Friday's EuroFile: Jota ready for year No. 2; Dean shifts gears
11/02/07 21:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Court case involving fired Astana rider will challenge world doping system (AP)
11/02/07 17:00 from Yahoo! Sports - Cycling News
» MTB News and Notes: Ft. Lewis's secret weapon; Kabush, Gould tops for the year
11/02/07 13:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Redline, Boulder Cups set for this weekend
11/02/07 13:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Thursday's EuroFile: Armstrong, Leipheimer Beijing bound; Bettini looks to cobbles
11/01/07 22:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» From the Wires: Raids find no links to Ullrich; Stapleton backs Rogers
11/01/07 19:11 from VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling
» Holmes, Armstrong run New York City marathon - Ninemsn
11/04/07 22:10 from Lance Armstrong - Google News
» Former Tour winner Armstrong reaches marathon goal - Reuters
11/04/07 20:13 from Lance Armstrong - Google News
» Lance Armstrong competes in New York Marathon - TransWorldNews (press release)
11/04/07 18:47 from Lance Armstrong - Google News
» Lance Armstrong Competes in NYC Marathon - People Magazine
11/04/07 16:25 from Lance Armstrong - Google News
» Genetically modified 'supermouse' is created - Independent Online
11/04/07 10:29 from Lance Armstrong - Google News
» POP GOES THE WEEK - Toronto Star
11/04/07 09:43 from Lance Armstrong - Google News
» Lance and Ashley: Still Going Strong! - Film.com
11/03/07 14:47 from Lance Armstrong - Google News
» Been there, done that. Have you? - Globe and Mail
11/03/07 09:57 from Lance Armstrong - Google News
» Technique - Pedal like a pro - BikeRadar.com
11/03/07 05:25 from Lance Armstrong - Google News
» Boffins create 'Supermouse' - The Sun
11/03/07 02:56 from Lance Armstrong - Google News
» Missouri state employees can support bicycling through workplace donations
11/03/07 04:50 from BicycleNews-MoBikeFed
» Environmental lawsuit could delay Taum Sauk rebuilding
11/03/07 00:50 from BicycleNews-MoBikeFed
» MoBikeFed, TrailNet, STLBikeFed speak at Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission
11/03/07 00:13 from BicycleNews-MoBikeFed
» VIVE LA VÃLORUTION: Paris Rental Bike Scheme Goes Global
11/02/07 17:31 from C.I.C.L.E. ::
» MoBikeFed draft legislative platform for 2008 released
11/02/07 16:55 from BicycleNews-MoBikeFed
» BikeMO 2007 wrap-up
11/02/07 05:28 from BicycleNews-MoBikeFed
» Halloween, Driven Away
11/01/07 19:22 from C.I.C.L.E. ::
» Crawford County, Iowa, bans RAGBRAI
10/31/07 23:20 from BicycleNews-MoBikeFed
» Bikers and cyclists are kindred spirits
10/31/07 20:46 from C.I.C.L.E. ::
» Bicycle industry eyes urban market
10/31/07 20:38 from C.I.C.L.E. ::
» Kansas bicycling/walking/trails advocacy group started
10/31/07 19:05 from BicycleNews-MoBikeFed
» How many bicyclists in Missouri?
10/30/07 22:14 from BicycleNews-MoBikeFed
» Opinion: UCI Bike Policy
10/30/07 20:01 from C.I.C.L.E. ::
» Tahoe counties to harness pedal power
10/30/07 19:56 from C.I.C.L.E. ::
» Eco-Cities Take Root
10/29/07 20:04 from C.I.C.L.E. ::
» Kiril Kundurazieff - The Cycling Dude: Easton Sports, Math, Science and the Faster Bike
11/04/07 22:43 from Planet Cycling
» Easton Sports, Math, Science and the Faster Bike
11/04/07 22:34 from The Cycling Dude
» Roger Kramer: Hit the Donut Trail!
11/04/07 22:06 from Planet Cycling
» Chris Gerhard: Nine out in November
11/04/07 15:04 from Planet Cycling
» Steve Hanley: [mtb] Mixing up the legs a bit
11/04/07 10:59 from Planet Cycling
» Street Legal In Santa Ana
11/04/07 09:27 from The Cycling Dude
» Kiril Kundurazieff - The Cycling Dude: Street Legal In Santa Ana
11/04/07 08:27 from Planet Cycling
» Car R Coffins
11/04/07 06:28 from Cyclelicious
» Cycling Edinburgh: Flying Scotsman Released on DVD
11/03/07 18:48 from Planet Cycling
» BBC News Sport Online: Sinkewitz makes doping admission
11/03/07 16:19 from Planet Cycling
» Daylight savings ends Sunday
11/03/07 15:41 from Cyclelicious
» Roger Kramer: St. Louis bike rack design winner
11/03/07 01:53 from Planet Cycling
» DIY Rainlegs
11/02/07 23:28 from Cyclelicious
» C.I.C.L.E.: VIVE LA VÃLORUTION: Paris Rental Bike Scheme Goes Global
11/02/07 17:31 from Planet Cycling
» USA Cycling headlines: USA Cycling Weekly News Update: October 26 - November 1
11/02/07 16:16 from Planet Cycling
» Looks like November
11/04/07 06:31 from Up in Alaska
» Look at Me! I'm in Tatters!
11/04/07 02:05 from Dan On Bike
» Good faith effort
11/03/07 07:29 from Up in Alaska
» Commute #65
11/03/07 00:37 from Dan On Bike
» One more week........
11/02/07 08:48 from Bike riding donut guy
» Warming up to the gym
11/02/07 07:40 from Up in Alaska
» Major Moves
11/02/07 02:47 from Dan On Bike
» LivingXL.com
11/01/07 12:36 from Bike riding donut guy
» Halloween aftermath........
11/01/07 09:09 from Bike riding donut guy
» Pugsley's first taste of snow
11/01/07 07:59 from Up in Alaska
» October Totals and Post 500!
11/01/07 00:45 from Dan On Bike
» Day 3
11/01/07 00:40 from Dan On Bike
» Happy Halloween, everyone!
10/31/07 19:57 from Up in Alaska
» There and Back
10/31/07 02:04 from Dan On Bike
» Choices
10/31/07 00:43 from Up in Alaska
Cycling blogs
Other blogs of note
Archives