Montreal cyclists brave the elements to promote year-round riding at third annual Vélo sous zéro

Highlights of the 2015 event.

Just a few days after World Bike to Work Day, Montreal once again got behind the spirit of promoting year-round cycling in its own, local way: by holding the third annual Vélo sous zéro.

Following events in 2014 and 2015, this was the third year for en masse celebration of winter cycling, a joint project by Vélo Québec and Environnement Jeunesse in the spirit of the Go Bike Montreal Festival. Despite the deep, foreboding cold in central Canada—temperatures on Sunday were forecast to plunge to -25c, as the region finds itself in the grip of a cold snap—”hundreds” of riders nonetheless turned out, defying the elements.

Those overall numbers were fewer than the approximately 800 cyclists originally expected to attend, mostly because of the cold, but officials with Vélo Québec noted that the attendance suggests that people are becoming more geared up about the idea of biking throughout the year—even in the winter.

“It may not be your thing,” said Magali Brebronne of the organization, speaking with the CBC, “but people are finding it fun and enjoyable and maybe give it a try before you judge.”

Tracing a route across the city, the ride was a chilly 17 kilometres, much of it through the city’s bike paths.