Cycling and recycling: Montreal professor biking around the world with a purpose

Combining his two passions, cycling and recycling. Montreal McGill University professor, Larry Lessard, is pedaling around the world to raise awareness about the health of our planet.
And his 400-day journey has begun, starting in France.

“The first four days were all 100 plus kilometers, including a 140 kilometer day,” said Lessard.

Teaching for 33 years, the mechanical engineering professor has always wanted to travel the world.

Now, the active 62-year-old with arthritis in the knees will be doing just that with a purpose, creating the Bike62 initiative.

Larry Lessard is pedaling around the world to raise awareness about the health of our planet. (Credit: Larry Lessard)

“I’m visiting 25 universities, some wind turbine sites, some industry places,” explained the professor on a mission. “To talk about recycling and things that people are doing to save the planet.”

Recycling and reusing composite materials like fibreglass and carbon fibre – this is what his research focusses on.

Presenting his work during his talks across the globe.

A Montreal University professor is biking around the globe, presenting his research universities and wind turbine sites. (Credit: Larry Lessard)

As he’s on his low CO₂ emissions journey, he will be fueling other research too.

“I’m being followed by a doctor who’s actually going to write a research paper,” said Lessard. “On the effects of extreme exercise on a 60-year-old person.”

The mission, being filmed by Lessard – documenting his journey with the hopes to keep inspiring once he’s rolled back into Montreal next summer.

“I hope by this documentary, we can show by example,” he explained. “I always do that with my children, you don’t tell them what to do, you just show by example.”

Larry Lessard in his office at Montreal’s McGill University. (Credit: Larry Lessard)

20,000 kilometers and more is what Lessard, his bike, and camera will cover.

You can follow the adventure as he shares on social media.

Making his environmental mission visit 28 countries through three continents.

“A lot of people when they get older, they maybe want to try to help save the world.”