Inauguration of the first IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant training route

MONT-TREMBLANT, QC, June 2, 2017 /CNW/ - The Chief Government Whip, Mr. Stéphane Billette, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, Mr. Laurent Lessard, in collaboration with the Mayor of Mont-Tremblant, Mr. Luc Brisebois, and the producer of the IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant race, Mr. Dominique Piché, are pleased to inaugurate the world's first IRONMAN training route, in Mont-Tremblant.

The implementation of this training route is an achievement shared with the leading players, Ville de Mont-Tremblant and IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant. While the Ministère designed the route emblem and the sign according to the existing standards and installed the signs on the route approaches under its responsibility, the Ville de Mont-Tremblant covered the manufacturing costs of the signs and, like the Ministère, installed them on the route that passes through its road network.

Quotations

"The announcement we are making shows our firm intention to ensure and maintain the quality of our transport infrastructure and pursue our commitment to ensure healthy coexistence between cars and bicycles. The implementation of the IRONMAN Training Route is a promising project for road safety, focusing on road sharing due to the influx of cyclists in training in the Mont-Tremblant sector."

Laurent Lessard, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification

"The IRONMAN Mont‑Tremblant Training Route is certainly a world first. This is all to the credit of the Laurentides regions and demonstrates our government's interest in investing in the development of communities by favouring investments aimed at significant economic and social impacts for Québec."

Stéphane Billette, Chief Government Whip of Québec

"The Laurentides region is internationally renowned for its vast spaces, mountains, bustling villages and wide range of outdoor activities. A show of enthusiasm and dedication by the region's players, the implementation of this avant-garde route is an invitation to discover all of these attractions differently while contributing to the economic and social development of the Laurentides region."

Christine St-Pierre, Minister responsible for the Laurentides region

"We thank the Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification for his favourable response to the training route project. Many athletes visit Ville de Mont-Tremblant between May and October and they deserve that we offer them a safe training route."

Luc Brisebois, Mayor of Ville de Mont-Tremblant

"The Ministers' presence is very significant for our organization and proves the interest of the Gouvernement du Québec in our achievements. This contribution allows us to position IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant as a world-class training hub. Be assured we will continue the work accomplished by the ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports and will maintain good driving comfort on the shoulders while ensuring regular sweeping."

Dominique Piché, IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant race producer

Highlights

• This permanent marked 90-kilometre route will contribute to coaching the training of high-performance athletes and maintenance of harmonious sharing of the route in the training area between the municipalities of Mont-Tremblant and Labelle.
• The IRONMAN Training Route largely corresponds to the official route of this competition, apart from some adjustments related to the fact that the roads along which it runs are always open to traffic.
• In the summer period, montée Ryan and route 117 have an average daily traffic ranging between 8,000 and 15,000 vehicles. With the route's growing popularity in the cycling community, sometimes up to 1,000 bicycles ride it each weekend.
• According to the Highway Safety Code, road vehicles must maintain a distance of 1 metre from a bicycle on a road where the speed limit is 50 km/h or less, and 1.5 metres where the speed limit is more than 50 km/h.
• The Highway Safety Code also applies to cyclists, who must adopt safe behaviour during their bicycle trips, particularly the obligation to ride in single file and make compulsory stops.

The development of this marked cycling corridor contributes to identify the presence of cyclists in training and thus improves the safety of cyclists and other road users. This sign raises awareness about respect for road sharing.

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports

Sources : Mathieu Gaudreault, Attaché de presse, Cabinet du ministre des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports, Cabinet du ministre de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation, Tél. : [phone]; For information : Caroline Boisvert, conseillère en communication, Direction des communications, Ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports, Tél. : [phone]