35 km of new bike paths to be added
The city plans to add 35 km of bicycle paths this year, although this stil falls short of the original idea of doubling the cycling path system by 2015, which would’ve meant adding 70 km a year. There are a few other road tweaks being made for cyclists including an area near Victoria Square where the cyclists will take the central lanes of a street.
David Tighe 09:10 on 2012/05/09 Permalink
There is obviously no political will to do anything. The propositions are pitiful. They do not even justify a press release. They should have just been implemented without comment. As it is they highlight the lack of interest of the Tremblay administration.
paul 09:24 on 2012/05/09 Permalink
I would have to disagree David, I think that this administration (with many faults), has really stepped-up in terms of cycling infrastructure in Montreal. Just look how the cycling landscape has changed over the past few years: Bixi, a tonne of new bike lanes requiring the removal of parking spaces, etc.
Name one other city in Canada that has invested so much in cycling over the past 5-10 years – there isn’t one. I would estimate that Montreal’s recent investment rivals any city in the world.
Hardly the work of an administration with no interest in cycling. Pick on them for something else…
David Tighe 09:43 on 2012/05/09 Permalink
Paul: comparing Montréal to Canadian cities is setting the bar a bit low. I have been cycling here fairly regularly for the last 15 years or so and really the only significant innovation seems to have been the De Maisonneuve cyclepath and Bixi. Half-obliterated lines in the road which usually peter out at the first signs of potential conflict with motor vehicle needs make little difference and I do not go out of my way to use them. On top of that the two main cyclepaths are so heavily used they become counter-productive.
We need a proper protected network and not a patchwork.
C_Erb 09:55 on 2012/05/09 Permalink
I used to think Montreal had an excellent bike network and then I went to Copenhagen.
paul 10:35 on 2012/05/09 Permalink
David: I haven’t been here as long so I cant gauge the cycling infrastructure introduced pre-2005, but I think a comparison to other Cdn centres is fair. We see what we want to become (a Copenhagen or Amsterdam), but Montreal’s infrastructure is historically based in the automobile, much like other Cdn cities. The transformation that Montreal has made, at least in terms of giving priority in certain areas to bikes, is pretty substantial.
Laurier
University St
Canal Lachine (unsure of year)
St Urbain
Parc Avenue
Cherrier
All paths which were recently created, or dramatically improved. And that. is just within the Plateau
I’m not saying that there aren’t major improvements necessary, but questioning the commitment of the City is a bit short-sited, especially in comparison with their natural peers in North America. Don’t forget, the painted lines of today will become the cement barriers of tomorrow.
David Tighe 10:49 on 2012/05/09 Permalink
Paul: I am not sure about painted lines becoming cement barriers. I think cycle paths should rather be grade-separated and painted. Munich for example. You do not really convince me about the commitment. I think they are essentially reluctantly reactive rather than proactive. For example, the Demaisonneuve/ Decarie viaduct should have been a no-brainer given the absurd and dangerous situation prevailing now, with buses, cars and trucks (and bicycles) battling for a few seconds of green light. Yet the administration is stonewalling