TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
OECD International Conference, Vancouver Canada

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Session 2c - Urban and Suburban Transportation

Abstract of address by Michel Labrecque

Cycling: An Efficient Mode of Transportation

For three years now, Vélo Québec has been expanding its approach and message on the role of the bicycle in transportation plans with the objective of integrating it into the concept of "transport mix". Its objectives are now directed towards the organization of mass transit, car-pooling, taxis, go-trains, intercity buses and walking. The combination of these different modes of transportation is the only way, in Vélo Québec's view, of offering Canadians an efficient, rapid, safe, economical and, first and foremost, less polluting transportation concept. It is the only concept that makes it possible to maintain the current level of personal mobility while at the same time sparing households the need to purchase a second, and nowadays often third, car.

Vélo Québec has observed, however, that since the early 1960s, personal car ownership has steadily increased in the West, while the mobility of people without cars has steadily declined. Moreover, the technological gains in fuel consumption have been offset by the increase in the size of the vehicle fleet and by increased mileage. Unfortunately, this has been to the detriment of the environment, and we currently foresee no change in the trend in the near future.

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