Ahuntsic-Cartierville Closes Two Bike Lanes for Winter Season
Local authorities prioritize parking and snow removal, sparking debate over urban safety and policy.
1Winter Infrastructure Policy Shift
The Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough will close two major bike lanes from November 16 to March 31. This decision affects the District Central network, including Chabanel and Port-Royal streets, as well as Legendre Ouest. These paths, which remained open last winter, will be converted back into street parking zones for local motorists.
2Administrative and Commercial Rationale
Borough officials justify the move by citing budget constraints and the operational efficiency of winter snow removal. Local businesses have strongly opposed the bike lanes, with a survey indicating 90 percent of 170 District Central members favored their removal. The mayor emphasizes the need to balance industrial and residential land use.
3Opposition and Audit Discrepancies
Opposition members argue the closure contradicts recent municipal audits, which did not recommend removing or reducing cycling infrastructure. Chris McCray, a transport spokesperson, claims the decision sends a confusing message regarding the city's commitment to active transport. He notes that connected, safe bike networks are essential for encouraging year-round cycling habits.
4Public Safety and Polarization
The decision has sparked significant public backlash and concerns regarding cyclist safety. Critics argue that removing protected lanes forces cyclists into dangerous traffic conditions. The debate has intensified following a recent fatal accident in the city, though the mayor insists that the tragic event is unrelated to the borough's seasonal policy.
5Financial and Strategic Concerns
Vélo Québec has criticized the move as a waste of public funds, noting the costs associated with dismantling and reinstalling infrastructure twice a year. Jean-François Rheault, the organization's CEO, highlighted the lack of coherence between the city's stated goals and the actions taken by individual boroughs regarding urban transport planning.
6Community and Advocacy Response
Local advocacy group Ahuncycle has publicly condemned the decision, stating it contradicts the city's Vision Zero safety objectives. Residents are now required to place waste and recycling bins on their own property rather than in the previously designated street zones, marking a significant change in local waste management logistics for winter.
7Broader Context in Montreal
This development follows a similar decision in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough, where part of the Terrebonne street bike lane was dismantled for the winter. That move, justified by lower seasonal traffic, triggered a petition with 1,500 signatures, highlighting a growing trend of friction between cycling advocates and local municipal administrations.
8Future Outlook for Cyclists
While the borough promises that the bike lanes will be fully functional again by April 1, 2027, the controversy underscores the ongoing struggle to integrate active transport into a dense, winter-prone urban environment. Observers are watching to see if this trend of seasonal closures will continue to expand across other Montreal districts.
Original article: La Presse — Ahuntsic-Cartierville Closes Two Bike Lanes for Winter Season