Who is Ready to Cycle? Understanding the Stages of Cycling Motivation in Montreal and Laval
Practice Overview
Discover who is cycling on our roads and explore the various cycling practices across Quebec.
Discover all 3 subjects of the thematic
1
Cyclists’ Profile
More and more present on Quebec’s roads, cyclists have a wide variety of profiles. If the young and men are still predominant, the elderly and women represent an increasing number of cyclists in the past few years. Moreover, beyond being a recreational activity, biking is becoming a means of transportation for a growing number of Quebecers.
Quebec Is Biking More and More
In the past 25 years, the number of cyclists has steadily increased.
Being both a transportation solution and a recreational activity, biking is an integral part of the lifestyle of many Quebecers. In 2020, 7.1 million people of all ages had ridden a bike at least once in their life.
Grab left and right to see full graph. Click on each symbol to see data.
Sources: Aggregated data from the États du vélo from 1995 to 2020 by Vélo Québec, gathered in Poirier, A. and Thiériault, J. (2021). État de la pratique du vélo au Québec en 2020, Écho Sondage (2011). État de la pratique du vélo au Québec en 2010 and Vélo Québec (1997). L'état du vélo au Québec en 1995 et 1996
Not just for the Young!
If biking has always been popular with youths, it is also more and more appreciated by a wider variety of people, especially the 35+ y/o.
Grab left and right to see full graph. Click on each symbol to see data.
Sources: Aggregated data from the États du vélo from 1995 to 2020 by Vélo Québec, gathered in Poirier, A. and Thiériault, J. (2021). État de la pratique du vélo au Québec en 2020, Poirier, A. (2016). Sondage sur la pratique du vélo au Québec en 2015, Écho Sondage (2006). État de la pratique du vélo au Québec en 2005 and Vélo Québec (1997). L'état du vélo au Québec en 1995 et 1996
A Practice Still Not Equal
In Quebec, there is still much to accomplish to reach gender equality in biking. Moreover, the gender gap increases with age.
Sources: Aggregated data from the États du vélo from 1995 to 2020 by Vélo Québec, gathered in Poirier, A. and Thiériault, J. (2021). État de la pratique du vélo au Québec en 2020 and Vélo Québec (1997). L'état du vélo au Québec en 1995 et 1996
Cyclists Are Also Motorists
Far from only being cyclists, people who bike also use a variety of transportation modes like cars or public transit.
Cyclist and motorist
93%
of adult cyclists have a driving license
Cyclist and motorist
92%
of adult cyclists own or have access to a car
Cyclist and public transit user
30%
adult cyclists also use public transportation.
Source: Data from the survey conducted for L'état du vélo au Québec en 2020 by Vélo Québec
Biking? Why?
Versatile by nature, biking is practiced by Quebecers as a recreational activity but also as a means of transportation. In Montreal, utility biking accounts for more than 4 bike trips out of 10.
Source: Data from l'État du vélo 2020 by Vélo Québec, gathered in Poirier, A. and Thiériault, J. (2021). État de la pratique du vélo au Québec en 2020
Short Trips, but as Often as Possible
Enjoyed by all, biking is an integral part of many Quebecers’ lifestyle, especially during summer.
Out of the 4.5 million cyclists who rode in 2020, almost 2/3 of them biked every week between May and September, which represents 2.7 million people.
Sources: Aggregated data from the États du vélo from 1995 to 2020 by Vélo Québec, gathered in Poirier, A. and Thiériault, J. (2021). État de la pratique du vélo au Québec en 2020
