Westmount Historical Association presentation on Montreal Bicycle Club: 7 - The MAAA grounds and the transition to the Safety Bicycle

      Despite its fine clubhouse, the Montreal Bicycle Club lacked a dedicated quality track for cycle racing. In 1887 the Lacrosse grounds were sold and the following year the MAAA grounds began construction with a state of the art banked cinder track,

an electric timing system, and viewing stands for 3,000 people. This location became the track racing site for the MBC and on August 30, 1890 they held their first series of races at MAAA grounds,

inviting racers from the New York Athletic Club as well as various towns from across Ontario. The only access to the grounds was via the Grounds Clubhouse fronting on Ste Catherine Street.

Today Westmount High School occupies the former grounds club house and the viewing stands. The Westmount Athletic Grounds track is in the same location as the original MAAA track.

       Up until the opening of the MAAA grounds in Westmount, the modern safety bicycle with two equal size wheels, chain drive and pneumatic tires had not existed in this city. By 1891, the second year of racing at the MAAA grounds, separate categories were held for Ordinaries (as the High Wheel Bicycle began to be called) and Safeties.

 

 The modern style Safety Bicycle, which roughly coincided with opening of the Westmount grounds was revolutionary all over the world.