May 14, 2013 (Montreal, QC) – The Montreal Bike Coalition (CVMBC) is proud to present the first edition of the Montreal Urban Bike Week. From May 13th to 18th, 2013, urban cyclists are invited to participate in various activities and reflect on issues related to cycling in the metropolitan area.

The week will culminate with a Summit event on Saturday, May 18th, during which participants will lay the foundation of the CVMBC and contribute to the evolution of active transport in North America’s number one cycling city.

A week of activities to explore issues related to urban cycling (May 13th to 17th)
Montreal Urban Bike Week was born of a simple intention: to survey the Montreal community and discover issues that are important to cyclists. A public appeal to the various stakeholders involved in Montreal cycling has led to a rich program covering several themes: cycling infrastructure, sharing the road, personal safety, regulations, mobilization, adaptation and maintenance of equipment for urban cycling, local initiatives, female / feminist perspectives, art and activism.

The chosen activities will take the form of lectures, panel discussions, workshops, guided tours and bike rides, plus a live painting creation by artists Roadsworth and Cam Novak, a photo exhibit on the theme of Winter biking, as well as a “5 à 8″ at the Alexandraplatz bar. Some of the organizations taking part include Santropol Roulant, Alliance of Pedestrians & Cyclists of Southwest Montreal, NDG Cyclist and Pedestrian Association, Westmount Walking and Cycling Association and Vélo Québec.

Exchanges that take place during the week will serve as a preparatory step to more formal discussions at the Summit. All activities are free. The detailed program is available at: coalitionvelomontreal.org/semaine

A Summit to consult and mobilize – May 18th
The Urban Cycling Summit seeks to define concrete actions with the goal of helping urban cycling flourish in Greater Montreal. Based on the preceding week’s discussions, participants will move forward and establish a roadmap to bring concerned cyclists together around a common vision.

During the day, several actors and organizations will present on various issues related to urban cycling. Each presentation will be followed by a discussion period. A plenary session will close the day and offer an opportunity to reflect upon and discuss the next steps towards formally establishing the Montreal Bike Coalition.

The Urban Cycling Summit is open to all: ordinary (and extraordinary) cyclists, members of community and civic organizations, elected officials and city employees interested in urban cycling, men, women, Montrealers and Montrealers at heart, anyone who feels moved to positively support active transport in the 21st century.

The Urban Cycling Summit will be held Saturday, May 18th , 2013, at 454 Laurier Avenue East, Montreal, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Registration is free and strongly encouraged. Most proceedings will be in French, but participants, if they prefer, are encouraged to use English. A whisper translation service will be available upon request. The online registration form and the day’s detailed program are available at: coalitionvelomontreal.org/sommet

About the Montreal Bike Coalition
The Montreal Bike Coalition was informally launched in the fall of 2012 as an initiative by both individuals and community and coop organizations. It aims to represent individuals and organizations interested and involved in the field of urban cycling in the Montreal region by promoting the practice, supporting the work of its members and other organizations active in the field, promoting communications between the different individual and institutional actors and acting as a meeting point for the large community of Montreal urban cyclists.