Outaouais residents will have access to safer active transportation options thanks to an investment of nearly $350,000 from the federal government to support nine active transportation planning and awareness projects led by MOBI-O, the Centre de gestion des déplacements de l'Outaouais et de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
Announced by MP for Pontiac Sophie Chatel, Mayor of Gatineau Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Mayor of Chelsea Pierre Guénard and Mayor of Cantley David Gomes, these projects will benefit the Outaouais people by increasing the safety and accessibility of active transportation in the region.
An investment of nearly $250,000 will enable the development of school travel plans for nine schools:
- One high school in the City of Gatineau (Polyvalente Nicolas-Gatineau);
- Two elementary schools in the Centre de services scolaires au Cœur-des-Vallées;
- Five elementary schools and one high school in the Centre de services scolaires des Haut-Bois-de-l'Outaouais.
The development of a local transportation plan for the municipalities of Chelsea and Cantley and the deployment of the "Going to school on foot or by bike, I can do it!" campaign for schools in the Centre de services scolaires des Haut-Bois-de-l'Outaouais and the La Pêche territory are also planned.
Today's investment will also be used to organize an awareness campaign to promote active transportation by bicycle on the City of Gatineau's territory and to identify strategic locations in Gatineau for the future installation of bicycle parking facilities and repair stations (bicibornes). These projects will go a step further in meeting the current needs of Gatineau's cyclists, while increasing the use of bicycles for utilitarian and recreational purposes.
This investment contributes to Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy by supporting planning and awareness activities. These activities help promote the benefits of active transportation and increase opportunities for Canadians to use it. It's a big step towards healthier living and building resilient communities, making a better-connected Canada for us all.
