Montrealers for and against new bike lanes in Parc-Extension come out to protest

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"We already have problem with the parking," says Nalin Patel, a resident of Parc-Ex in Montreal protesting the borough's decision to remove parking spots for new bike paths. Some also came out in favour of the new plan. Alyssia Rubertucci reports.

By Alyssia Rubertucci

Posted September 18, 2023 9:22 am.

Last Updated September 18, 2023 6:19 pm.

“Don’t touch our parking,” was the chant coming from a protest in Montreal’s Parc-Extension on Monday morning. Dozens gathered to denounce the work to reconfigure the bike lanes on streets like Querbes, as 250 parking spots are being removed in the area because of the implementation of new bike path lanes.

Signs reading “I pay taxes for my parking spot” and “Don’t demo our parkings,” were held by those against the lanes.

“We need the parking, because we already have problem with the parking. […] We’re already struggling for the parking,” says Nalin Patel, a resident of Parc-Extension, demanding the borough reinstate the 250 parking spots. “We went to the city hall the week before and the mayor said this is not our problem, the parking is your problem, this is not [what] mayor is supposed to say.”

Patel says not having a parking space at his home already makes it difficult for him.

“I have a mother, 90 years old, we are living six people in one house,” he said. “We have two cars and it’s very, very, very, very bad conditions here.”

Montreal Parc-Extension Protest Bike Lanes

Montrealers for and against new bike lanes in Parc-Extension came out on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. (CREDIT: Alyssia Rubertucci, CityNews Image)

For months, some citizens have been calling on the borough to hear them and their needs. The residents have launched petitions and spoke out at borough council meetings in order to stop the changes to no avail.

“The administration is not listening to us, does not want to listen to what we want, what we have to say, to share our ideas, to listen to our needs,” says Sia Spanoudakis, who has been involved in the protest organization. “This is the only way: it’s taking to the streets.”

Residents like Valérie Bourget, who is also a cyclist, says she would want to see accommodations made by the borough.

“We’re not against the idea of having a more secure or life cycle path, we are against the no consultation,” Bourget said. “We’d like to give our ideas. We talked about a one way street so we can have both bike and cars. Maybe accommodations to have parking in the Marché Central or in Rockland by winter to put our cars when they’re they putting out the snow.”

READ: Parc-Extension residents divided about proposed redesign of bike lanes

There was also a group of counter protesters who are for the bike lanes and looking to have their voices heard.

Counter protesters were also onsite with some signs that said,” Security for all is more important than your parking spots,” “Why is your parking more important than my security,” and others that showed “Parc Ex loves bikes” with symbols for a heart and a bicycle.

Many cyclists and residents are in favour of the new bike paths, as they are lined with bollards and placed between parked cars and the sidewalk for added safety.

“It’s long overdue,” says Xavier Kronstrom Richard, a Parc-Ex resident who says many have been advocating for safer bike paths for years and the borough’s new plan finally helped them achieve that. And says he and others understand the importance of parking for people as well. “Families, my own families, people of Parc-Extension, businesses, school members, cultural, community organizations, they need more secure bike paths.”

Resident Didier Delfolie Noulin agrees. “I think it’s definitely legitimate to have a security on bike paths and four seasons because people are with their bikes even in winter.”

Spanoudakis says the counter protest was welcomed by many, although the two groups were often seen at odds.

“Their needs are just as important and it’s important that everyone has what they need to have the quality of life to get to the mode of transportation that they need to get to where they need to every single day,” she said. “Secure bike path are important, parking spots for motorists are important as well.”

The Mayor of Villeray-St-Michel-Parc Extension Laurence Lavigne Lalonde tells CityNews in a statement by email:

“Democracy is alive and I find that good. People against the project and those in favour were all able to express themselves and put forward their point of view. On one side, there are those who defend the status quo, and on the other, those who demand a safe travel option. I listen to everyone, but my head and my heart swing to one side.”

For Patel, the argument isn’t against cyclists.

“We need our parking, we have been not against bicycles,” he said. “We need our parking, that’s our problem.”