Montreal’s NDG reveals plans for new bike path
Posted October 30, 2023 5:14 pm.
Last Updated October 30, 2023 5:39 pm.
The plans for a bike path in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) neighbourhood were unveiled Monday. The path will run along Terrebonne street with a one-way eastbound lane between Boulevard Cavendish and Avenue Girouard, and a one-way westbound between Boulevard Cavendish and Avenue Belmore.
“Today, I’m proud to unveil a solid plan for the redevelopment of Rue de Terrebonne. The results of the survey on the Local Transportation Plan for CDN–NDG completed in 2022 showed that more than half of the 1,300 respondents said that they would use their bicycles more often if cycling infrastructures were made safer,” said Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, the mayor for Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. “I’m certain that the addition of a safe new bike path in the heart of our borough will encourage more people to choose active mobility.”
The plans for the bike path are the result of a study conducted by the firm EXP that was mandated by the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough council. The study features three components: overview of the current situation; elaboration of development concepts; and technical feasibility assessment and comparative analysis of scenarios.
“We welcome this initiative, as Rue de Terrebonne desperately needed to be reconfigured, not only for people cycling to work or school, but also for pedestrians, who don’t feel safe crossing the street. A safe and permanent bike path on Rue de Terrebonne will improve safety for everyone,” said Jason Savard, President of the Association of Pedestrians and Cyclists of NDG.
According to the city of Montreal, the study conducted by EXP revealed that the impact on traffic in the area would be minimal. As well, it states that the parking capacity on the street should still “meet the needs assessed during the study.”
“Our new bike path will connect the existing cycling infrastructures on Avenue Walkley, Boulevard Grand, Avenue Girouard, and Rue West Broadway, alongside the Loyola campus,” said Despina Sourias, city councillor for the district of Loyola, adding, “this is excellent news for students at the Loyola campus. The redevelopment of Rue de Terrebonne will allow families in Loyola to get to Parc Benny more safely by bicycle or on foot. As well, this new cycling infrastructure will make transit safer for all people using Rue de Terrebonne to get around, and that includes pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.”
The plans for the new bike path come after a protected bike path on Terrebonne Street in NDG had been removed in 2020 due to complaints about the lack of parking in the area.
The borough will be meeting with local residents and the community during the week of November 30 to get their feedback on the project for possible adjustments to the bike path. Discussions with “various institutional partners” will be open to the general public.
