NDG cyclists want protected bike paths, feel left out of city’s bike network plans

Cyclists in one of Montreal’s neighbourhoods are voicing their frustration with the city after being excluded from this year’s municipal cycling program.

On one of the most anticipated days year-round for cyclists – the 36-kilometre Tour de L’Île – cyclists in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce say they feel slighted by the City of Montreal.

The NDG Association of Pedestrians and Cyclists demonstrated at Paul-Doyon on Sunday to show that frustration.

“We are here demonstrating to try to get more protected bike paths for all of our community, old, the young, everybody,” said Anita Berthier, a community member. “We shouldn’t wait for an accident to happen before we can get a safe bike path.”

And while urban transit experts say the rest of Canada should look to Montreal for lessons on how to boost cycling culture, the residents of NDG feel that simply doesn’t apply to them.

NDG cyclists want protected bike paths. (Credit: CityNews/Pamela Pagano)

They are upset after a protected bike path on Terrebonne Street – which previously allowed Berthier to safely bike her daughter to daycare – was removed in 2020 due to complaints about lack of parking availability.

“I just don’t feel safe anymore with a small child on a bike,” said Berthier.

NDG currently has two protected bike paths, one linking cyclists to other boroughs.

“We’re worried that there’s the misconception that NDG is not ready for protected bike paths because of the fact that there’s still a perceived need for parking,” said Sonya Konzak with the NDG Association of Pedestrians and Cyclists. “And we’re here to say that that’s wrong. That we’re asking drivers to just give it a chance, give protected bike paths a chance. They might see that it’s not so bad and that, in fact, they might use them.”

NDG cyclists want protected bike paths. (Credit: CityNews/Pamela Pagano)

The association says they also want to be included in the city’s new Réseau express vélo plans – a proposed 184-km bike path network in Montreal, adding they haven’t had a new bike path in 12 years.

“NDG is what I would call a potential model cycling community because it’s flat, lots of interesting things to get around to by bicycle,” said Dan Lambert, the spokesperson for Montreal Active Mobility Coalition. “And it’s only five kilometres from downtown along De Maisonneuve bike path, a very easy commute.”

“It’s ridiculous,” added community activist Debra Fogel. “There’s no way for people in NDG to get around without risking life and limb. And I’ve risked life and limb. I’ve been hit by trucks and cars. And I spent my time in hospital because of those accidents.”

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In a statement shared with CityNews, the mayor of NDG says improving infrastructure for cyclists is a priority the borough is working on. In the meantime, they’ve secured funding to launch the impact assessment at the end of June for the future bike path on Terrebonne Street.

The mayor also says during the next borough council meeting, NDG will invest $500,000 from their surplus to secure existing bike paths.

Also in the works: adding more bike racks and bollards.

“It’s such a fun activity to do as a family and I also cycle to work,” said Konzak. “So we cycle almost every day and we just love it.”

“Imagine what difference we could make if we had protected bike paths,” added Berthier. “The cars would feel safer, the cyclists would feel safer. I think it’s a win-win for all.”