Outaouais Car-Free Challenge: rural areas still a steep climb

Mélissa Gélinas

To mark the 17th edition of the Solo Car-Free Challenge that will run from September 1 to 30, and to showcase initiatives promoting sustainable mobility in the Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue regions, a MOBI-O press conference was held at the Donalda-Charron Library in Aylmer on August 19. Many partners and guests were present for the occasion.

The Solo Car-Free Challenge was started in 2009 from a local initiative led by the Réseau des centres d'expertises en mobilité (RCEM) in central Quebec and Mauricie. "Since then, it has spread across the province, from its second edition," said Myriam Nadeau, Executive Director of the RCEM. According to Nadeau, this is a friendly competition that aims to regulate the dependence on solo driving by participating, in a spirit of kindness and conviviality, using a mobile application. This will be available, for each edition, on the App Store or via the Android app store and will allow the accumulation of points and rewards.

Since 2021, there has been a 57% increase in participants and a 36% increase in registered organizations, according to Nadeau. "On average, we have traveled 245,000 sustainable kilometers per edition, which is equivalent to circling the Earth six times," she noted. "In addition, 52,300 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission has been avoided, the equivalent of what 26,000 cars emit per year."

September 2024 marked the first time the competition took place over a one-month period. “This extension made it easier for people to change their habits,” said Nadeau. In four weeks, more than 3,700 participants across Quebec managed to cover 1.4 million kilometers. Given the success of the previous challenge, it will be repeated for the same duration this year.

“The City of Gatineau is very proud, once again, to be associated with the Défi sans auto solo, which is a promising event to celebrate sustainable mobility in all its forms,” said Catherine Graig-St-Louis, representing Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. Graig-St-Louis is municipal councillor for the Carrefour-de-l’Hôpital district and chair of the Commission on Transportation, Sustainable Travel and Safety for the City of Gatineau. According to her, this is a relatively difficult initiative because it requires a lifestyle change. This competition will also depend on the infrastructure put in place. “For these reasons, I thank you for participating in the challenge with us so that we can continue to work together to improve sidewalks, bike paths and public transportation,” she said. “I am sure it will become easier and easier.”

According to Patrick Robert-Meunier, co-executive director of MOBI-O, in addition to this competition, there will be several other active transportation initiatives/activities presented in schools starting this fall as part of the At school, on foot or by bike, I can do it! campaign. “With the financial support of the City of Gatineau and the Government of Canada, nine schools in the region will be participating,” he emphasized. “With the start of the school year approaching, we are also taking this opportunity to encourage schools to get involved.” To register and/or for more information on the Solo Car-Free Challenge: https://www.defisansauto.com/