Talk by Jacques Desjardins
Mile End was the historical birthplace of the fight for alternative transportation in Quebec. Le Monde à bicyclette (Citizens on Cycles as it was originally called) was the first ecological cyclists’ group in Canada. From its founding in 1975, its street theatre events quickly attracted the attention of the public and the media.Our speaker will present, in particular:
- Twenty-five years of history (1975-2000) of Le Monde à bicyclette, with a special focus on the first five years.
- The unique political, ideological and cultural characteristics of the organization, both a pressure group and a political theatre troupe.
- Its legacy: the impact this citizens’ committee had on the place of the bicycle in Quebec transportation, and on the emergence of new urbanism.
- The role of Bob Silverman and Claire Morissette, long-time leaders of the movement.
Recently elected to the board of directors of Mile End Memories, Jacques Desjardins was a co-founder of Le Monde à Bicyclette. He was also the founder and president of VéloVille from 1979 to 1984.
Presentation given in French (bilingual question period).
Free admission, registration suggested* but not required
*Scroll down on the webpage to “dimanche 9 février”
Sunday February 9, 2025, 2 pm at Mordecai-Richler Library, in the multi-purpose room upstairs.
5434 Park Avenue, H2V 4G7, Bus #80
A petition is circulating to ask the City of Montreal for a public recognition of “Bicycle Bob” Silverman’s legacy by naming a Montreal bike path in his memory (the REV Saint-Denis is proposed), in the same way that Claire Morissette’s name was given to the boulevard De Maisonneuve bike path. You can read and sign the petition on change.org.