Historical sites of early Montreal Cycling

   Montreal could become a World Class Bicycling City, one of the best cities in the world for cycling, a place where cycling  takes a major role in the urban transportation network.  It could also slip back into the era when cycling infrastructure was ignored,  automobiles became dominant on the streets and the city's cycling history forgotten. Active transportation is a big part of the fight against climate change and many Montréalais desire that their city be at the forefront in the battle against climate change.

Greta Thurnburg Climate March 29 Sept 2019 in Montreal

  In order to be considered a world class cycling city, there should be  strong culture and history built around it. Montreal has a stated goal of greatly increasing the modal share of cycling, and is building up its cycling infrastructure. However the city has no historical plaques related or monuments related to its early cycling history. What locations within Montreal today are associated with it's early cycling history? 

Bicycle race 1891 held at Westmount Athletic Grounds

 1869-1874 Velocipede Era in Montreal Sites

    The earliest mention of cycling in Montreal was in 1869 as an advertisement for velocipede riding in different halls around the city. 

  
   However none of these halls exist any longer so historical plaques could only now mention their locations.

   In the absence of smooth roads, some early cyclists rode on the frozen St Lawrence.  However there is no specific location marking this.

1874-1891  High Wheel - Penny Farthing Era in Montreal Sites

    On Dominion Day, 1874, Albert T. Lane took the first ride on a Penny Farthing (it was then called a High Wheel) bicycle in the streets of Montreal. It was not until the Philadelphia world fair of 1876, two years later British imports of the High Wheel Bicycle were exhibited, and this machine became well known in North America.  The 1874 ride by A.T. Lane was widely reported in the 1880's and 90's as the first of a High Wheel bicycle in North America.  Where in Montreal he did this ride is not known.

A. T. Lane and son Bertie Lane, Montreal, 1880

   On December 2, 1878, the Montreal Bicycle Club was founded at 33 Chomedey Street in Montreal.  The founding members were Horace S.Tibbs, C.J. Sidey and Albert T. Lane.  The numbering system of the street has changed since then and I do not know if that building still exists or not.  The cycling club was the third founded in North America but the earlier ones were short lived and by the time of the 1890's bicycle craze it was the oldest on the continent.  If this building that had the founding meeting still exists perhaps a historical plaque could be placed there.

  The club had a close association with Montreal Lacrosse  Club and the earliest cycling races and events were held on the Lacrosse grounds.

  
  The Lacrosse grounds was one of the principal site for bicycle races during the High Wheel era in Montreal.  The winner many of these races of was W.G. Ross.  Ross later became involved in the organization and electrification of street railways in various Canadian cities. The Canadian Urban Transit Association offers a W.G. Ross lifetime achievement award in his honor.

W.G. Ross Montreal Bicycle Club 1885

    Today the Claire Morisette bicycle path bisects the Lacrosse grounds near Concordia University and Crescent street.  A plaque could placed along the path in this area noting its connection to early cycling history.

  In 1881 the Montreal Bicycle, Lacrosse and Snowshoe Clubs combined to purchase the Montreal Gymnasium Building, at the corner of Mansfield and de Maisonneuve forming the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA).

  The Montreal Gymnasium (original MAAA Clubhouse) Building no longer exists. It was located along the present Claire Morisette bicycle path and a plaque could be mounted at the corner of Mansfield and de Maisonneuve.

   Not all the High Wheel Bicycle racers of that era were men. Montreal’s Louise Armaindo although born in this city spent most of her life in the American mid west where she became the dominant bike racer of her day. 

A lithograph of Louise Armaindo from the National Police Gazette, May 10, 1884. (Library of Congress/McGill-Queen's University Press)

  Her only race in Montreal at the re-located Crystal Palace in Jeanne Mance Park was in 1882.  This building no longer exists.

   The original Blue Bonnets horse racing track was also often used for High Wheel cycle racing as well as meetings of the  Montreal Bicycle Club. It was located near the present day Montreal Ouest train station. 

  This building or its racetrack no longer exist.

   The Westmount Athletic Grounds (then known as the MAAA grounds) was built in 1890 near the end of the High Wheel Bicycle era in Montreal.   As such the track and viewing stands were first used for  old style High Wheel Bicycle racing.

From Montreal Bicycle Club Minute Book 1891

Westmount Athletic Grounds 1891

Although the club building and grand stand have been replaced by Westmount High School, the WAG track and grounds are in the original location today.
Bicycle Craze of the 1890's in Montreal (1891-1900)

    The invention of the modern style Safety Bicycle started the world wide bicycle craze. During this brief period of time cycling was the most popular sport in North America. Entire issues of newspapers were devoted to cycling.

   
  As the most popular sport in North America the WAG hosted many well attended cycling events.


    In 1894 A.T. Lane became the president of the Canadian Wheelmen's Association (CWA) in closely fought election with Dr Perry Doolittle. (Later in life Dr Doolittle helped found the Canadian Automobile Association and became known as the "Father of the Trans Canada Highway").  A.T. Lane decided to hold that year's "CWA Annual Meet" in Montreal at the WAG.  In order to promote the event he had a bicycle relay race from Sarnia to Montreal in which a letter, signed by all the mayors along the route demanding better bicycle roads.  For the Annual Meet, a commemorative booklet entitled "Our City, Our Sports" was published which gives a history of the city and the sports of that time.

The 1894 CWA Parade was held as part of the Annual Meet

   The Queens Park Velodrome in Verdun was the site of the 1899 cycling world championship. 

   

This championship saw Major Taylor become first Black American (Canadian bantamweight boxer George Dixon was first Black world champion) to win a world title in any sport. Taylor, who became forgotten in his home country as cycling declined in the mid 20th century has undergone a resurgence of interest with a  number of recent biographies written about him.

   Again however, the Queens Park Velodrome in Verdun no longer exists.  In fact even its location was a  matter of debate recently.

Conclusion

   The Westmount Athletic Grounds, which still have the track and playing field originally  constructed in 1890 is the best preserved 19th century historical cycling site on he island of Montreal.