Laval University has teamed up with a local organization to provide its population with free bicycles.

Véloville already repairs and maintains free bikes for similar programs set up with the provincial ministry of transportation and Quebec City's transit authority.

The university had an earlier pilot program available only for students in residence, but it proved so popular has decided to expand the program to make all staff and students eligible. Participants have access to more than 40 bikes, and they can use them for up to six hours at a time.

Véloville signed a similar deal this year with the Valcartier military base.

"At the military base ... in the past, they used to take a huge jeep [for a short trip]," spokesman Marc Tremblay said. "Now they can just use the bicycle. So it makes a big difference."

He said the organization is looking to add three new clients by the end of the year.