Montreal winter Tour de lle kicks off inaugural edition

More than 500 cyclists braved the cold and bikinga 15-kilometre circuit throughout the city as part of Vlo sous zro, Vlo Quebec's inaugural winterTourdelle.

The circuit began and endedat La Fontaine Park and travels through open streets along the citys bike path network. Cyclists will take off at 10 a.m. ET from Vlo Quebecs hub on Rachel Street and tour several Montreal neighbourhoods.

The pro-bike organization wants to use the event to promote and demystify winter cycling, as well as encourage city administrators to develop winter-cycling bike paths.

According to Vlo Quebec, all-season cycling is becoming more popular. Between December and March, an average of 600 people per day use the bike paths on Rachel Street and De Maisonneuve Boulevard about 13 per cent of the volume the paths experience during warmer climes.

Vlo Quebec is also using the winter Tour delle as an opportunity to announce its programming for its Go Bike MTL Festival, happening May 25 to June 1.