Workshop TR 8.3, Thursday 22 June, 14.00 - 15.30

Long distance cycle route networks

Jean-François Pronovost, Vélo Québec Marc Panneton, Quebec Ministry of Transport La Route Verte: A Cycling Challenge, A Planning Challenge Since 1995, in conjunction with the Quebec Ministry of Transport, Vélo Québec has overseen the development of La Route verte, a cycling route that should be over 4,000 kilometres long by the year 2005. Made up of a combination of abandoned railway lines, country roads and roads with a paved shoulder, La Route verte reflects the bicycle policy of the Quebec government. La Route verte brings together an unprecedented assortment of local, regional and national partners to work co-operatively on the various stages of development: planning, financing and construction. Construction work is progressing rapidly and La Route verte's 1,000th kilometre was marked in the summer of 1999. La Route verte is also an example of innovative international collaboration aimed at designing and developing greenways and cycling routes that transcend national borders. Initiated in 1997 by Vélo Québec, in Canada, and the East Coast Greenway Alliance, in the USA, La Route verte / Linking Up project promotes the creation of links between cycling routes and greenways on both sides of the border. The project includes various joint technical and tourism initiatives and is supported by the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.

Jeff Olson, Director Millennium Trails, USDOT Office of the Secretary Millennium Trails - honor the past, imagine the future Velo Mondial 2000 is a significant global event for the same reasons that the bicycle is a metaphor for the new millennium. The time has come to solve the problems of urban congestion, suburban sprawl and environmental pollution.  The bicycle is a key part of the solution, and as a result provides a positive symbol of hope for a better future. The connection between the bicycle (and trails in general) as an icon for the future and the opportunity presented by the arrival of the new millennium creates significant opportunities. Millennium Trails is an initiative created from this connection, and can serve as a vision of the path to a better future. Millennium Trails is unique partnership led by the White House Millennium Council, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. It involves cultural, heritage and trail organizations in a cooperative effort to establish a nation-wide network of trails throughout the United States. Many of the organisations involved in this initiative are working together for the first time, creating new synergies and possibilities as the program develops.  With leadership from First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater, Millennium Trails has brought the trails movement in the United States to new levels. By the time of the Vela-Mondial 2000 conference, the United States will have established 16 National Millennium Trails, a Millennium Legacy Trail for each State and Territory, and 2000 Community trails throughout the nation.  The story of Millennium Trails and how this program has achieved its level of  success is important for other programs which wish to amplify the message of bicycling and trails as part of a sustainable future.  The Euro-Velo initiative, Sustrans' National Cycle Route System, La Route Verte in Canada and other visionary efforts are models by which the entire bicycling movement can learn to move forward.

Philippe Coupy, AF3V The French National Cycle Network A project linking cycle routes & greenways The first scheme of the French National Cycle Network was officially approved by the French Government in 1998. This project came from the common will of three national ministries, and representatives of user-groups. The inter-ministerial ‘Vélo’ group is leading the project in partnership with the AF3V group, the French association for the development of cycle routes & greenways. AF3V also links many user groups and activists. The French Cycle Routes & Greenways network has benefited from the experience of its European neighbours. One of the aims is to link the concepts of itinerary, the cycle route, to its complimentary concept, the greenway. These routes are mainly for cyclists, but will also be open to other non-motorised users. The routes being developed in France are fully integrated with the trans-European EuroVelo cycle network. The project has many complimentary aspects including: - Green tourism, which will benefit the local economy - Transport, will develop intermodality - Urban planning, to create traffic-calmed areas - Health, with a reduction in medical costs - Employment, will lead to the generation of 11,000 sustainable jobs - Heritage, valuing the disused canal towpaths, railways and bridges - Education and promotion, links to education, environmental awareness and other policy topics. A significant part of the French network could be in the next state plan for the years 2000-20006, with the resulting financial support. Some parts of the network are already complete, with many other routes planned. The state role is important, but the local administrations will be vital to the success of this project as they will be responsible for the construction and maintenance of the routes.