This summer, explore Laval by bike!

Once again, we'd like to introduce you to a family from Sherbrooke - two adults and three children - who spent a week in the Laval region during their summer vacation. Here's the fascinating story of La Famille en Cavale's stay! 

Looking for original ideas for your summer getaways? Get on your family bikes and discover Laval's attractions from another angle. Last weekend, I took advantage of dozens of kilometers of bike paths to stretch my legs and take a deep breath of fresh air in good company. Whichever route you choose, you'll be able to stroll at your own pace and discover all that Laval has to offer!

Green route

Have you heard of the Route verte? It's 4,300 kilometers of bike paths linking over 320 municipalities in Quebec, making it the largest bicycle network in North America. Among these thousands of kilometers, you'll find more than 30 on the island of Laval, nearly a third of which are on bike paths - enough to please cyclists of all kinds!

Thanks to this recreational route, you can cross the city from north to south and east to west without worrying about traffic. Reach the gateway to the Laurentians or take the Perry Island footbridge to the island of Montreal. My favorite aspect: the proximity to bodies of water and unique views of Rivière des Prairies or Rivière des Mille-Îles. At the western end of the island, you can also relax on the shores of Lac des Deux-Montagnes. Wherever you choose to go, I recommend taking a few moments to relax on the many shores. Bring a picnic for lunchtime!

Vieux-Sainte-Rose

Why not turn your next cycling outing into a full day of discovery? I was charmed by the character of Vieux-Sainte-Rose, the perfect place to do just that. Take a leisurely stroll along its narrow streets, admire its ancestral homes, soak up the sun along the riverbank and explore the river. Feeling peckish? Stop off at the local market, a gourmet store or the crèmerie.

River bike rally

Combine your next bike ride with a recreational activity designed to protect the Mille-Îles River! The Centre d'interprétation de l'eau's Rallye des rivières will take you on a tour of the island of Laval and its shores, with 24 interactive terminals and a mobile app to learn more about protecting water and its ecosystem.

Photo credit: Sébastien St-Jean

Discover the mobile application on the Rallye des rivières website.

Laval BIXI network 

You can also rent bikes through the BIXI bike-sharing network. Six stations throughout Laval offer both electric-assist and standard bicycles, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Whether you're an amateur or a seasoned cyclist, you'll find what you're looking for on Laval's bike paths!

Useful links :

• Bike paths in Laval
• Route Verte - Laval
• BIXI Laval
• Bicycle-friendly roads -Transports Québec - interactive map

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