Montreal, Monday, November 10, 2025 - Last night, as part of the 30th anniversary of Route verte, the Association des réseaux cyclables du Québec (ARCQ) and Vélo Québec presented four Prix Hommage awards to the visionaries and builders who made Route verte the 5,400 km route it is today. The presentation of these awards in the Haute-Yamaska region is particularly significant: the very first bicycle path to be reclaimed from a disused railroad line in Quebec was inaugurated there in 1991, and today forms part of the current Route verte.
Since 1995, the Route verte has grown by 5,400 km, linking 83 MRCs, 390 municipalities and 7 national parks. This route, described by National Geographic as «the most beautiful bicycle route in the world», deserves this honour thanks to the vision of people who, over the past three decades, have contributed to the development of the largest cycling network in North America.
It was to show the human face behind this collective project that these four people were selected:
- Jean-François Pronovost, then in charge of the project for Vélo Québec;
- Marc Panneton, retired bicycle coordinator with the Ministère des Transports du Québec;
- Alexandra Goyer, former general manager of the Jacques Cartier Portneuf bicycle path
- Mario Chamberland, General Manager of the Green Network at the time, and involved in the development of the network for the MRC of La Haute-Yamaska, the first Route verte in Quebec.
As pioneers of cycling in Quebec, these four visionaries paved the way for the growth of this activity. In 2025, more than 198 managers, scattered throughout the province, will be working to maintain, develop and promote cycling. This work contributes to an estimated $803 million in annual economic spinoffs from bicycle tourism in Quebec.
«Born of an original idea by Vélo Québec and carried out in collaboration with the Quebec government, Route verte is above all a success story driven by its vast network of managers over the past 30 years. Thanks to the efforts of these partners, the Route verte now links more than 35 %s in Quebec municipalities. Today, we celebrate this national cycling network and the contribution of the visionaries who brought this project to fruition. Driven by the same spirit, we will continue this great collaborative project to make cycling ever more accessible.»
- Jean-François Rheault, President and CEO, Vélo Québec
«Route verte is a huge provincial cycling garden whose network managers ensure that each regional plot is well maintained and developed to accommodate users safely. To meet this challenge, they work in concert with local municipalities, the provincial government and numerous corporate partners. They are also supported by more than 500 patrollers to carry out 3 missions essential to the quality of the «Route Verte experience» for users: Troubleshooting, rescue and information. This human presence also guarantees good maintenance, thanks to the daily transmission of trail observations. The network managers are therefore an essential regional and human support to the provincial influence of this marvellous project.»
- David Lecointre, President, Association des réseaux cyclables du Québec
For further information
About ARCQ
Founded in 1995, ARCQ brings together the managers of Quebec's cycling networks and multifunctional trails. The Association works actively for the management, safety and development of cycling infrastructures. It contributes to the promotion of cycling and sustainable mobility in Quebec.
About Vélo Québec
Since 1967, Vélo Québec's mission has been to develop cycling culture for everyone, everywhere in Quebec. www.velo.qc.ca
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Sources
Vélo Québec
&
Virginie Thouret
Communications Coordinator
Haute-Yamaska RCM
450 378-9976, ext. 2204
