Building a cycle path in an urban environment is not a painless operation. In Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (CDN-NDG), the construction of cycling infrastructure on rue de Terrebonne will lead to the disappearance of more than 200 parking spaces next year. As in other Montreal neighborhoods where such projects have seen the light of day in recent months, one person’s happiness causes another’s misfortune.
In 2020, during the pandemic, the CDN-NDG borough created two cycle lanes on Rue de Terrebonne as part of a pilot project, leading to the removal of 250 parking spaces. The discontent was such that three weeks later, the infrastructures were dismantled and the affair temporarily buried.
Three years later, the district did it again. This time, the project is different, says Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa who came to power two years ago. Rue de Terrebonne will become one-way. Four-season protected bicycle lanes will be built on both sides of the street over a distance of 2.5 kilometers and a single row of parking will be removed, which will still eliminate 204 spaces. The borough will take the opportunity to strengthen enforcement of the by-law which prohibits parking within five meters of intersections, which will eliminate dozens of additional parking spaces.
High tension
A resident of rue de Terrebonne for nearly 20 years, Valerie Keszey, believes that building a cycle path on this residential street is nonsense, not only because the number of cyclists it will serve will be limited, but also because that it will harm the schools on this artery, including the Mackay Center which welcomes a clientele of handicapped children. “There are already four cycle paths less than five minutes from rue de Terrebonne,” she points out. Like many others, she fears the difficulty of parking her car, especially in winter. “Where am I going to park?” I don’t have parking on my lot. […] The mayor doesn’t listen to us. »
However, the project has its supporters, notably among members of the Association of Pedestrians and Cyclists of CDN-NDG. Jason Savard maintains that rue de Terrebonne was identified years ago by cyclists as a dangerous artery for them. “There are eight or nine cycle paths in CDN-NDG. This is not much for the most populous borough of Montreal. »
Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa is careful not to add more fuel to the fire. She recognizes that the measure causes discontent. But according to her, this project is necessary. Climate change requires actions in favor of sustainable mobility, she emphasizes. “I think that the role of local municipal elected officials is to support citizens in change. We see the impact of climate change on the daily lives of citizens. People are experiencing flooding in Montreal. You have to have the courage to bring about changes logically, pragmatically, with data. »
An air of déjà vu
Gracia Kasoki Katahwa is not the only elected official to find herself immersed in this controversial issue. Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie suffered the storm in 2020 with the Bellechasse trail which eliminated 800 parking spaces. Last September, the mayor of Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension, Laurence Lavigne Lalonde, was categorical in her response to citizens who complained about the loss of parking spaces. “The City is not responsible for finding a parking space for every car on the territory,” she said.
In October, it was the turn of the mayor of Montreal North and member of Ensemble Montréal, Christine Black, to face the anger of citizens. “It’s been more than 40 years since Montreal North has had a new cycle path on its own site,” she argued about a project on rue des Récollets.
In CDN-NDG, the trail project is not unanimous even among cyclists. François Gagnon judges that the district could have considered a less restrictive scenario by laying out the tracks on two parallel arteries, rue de Terrebonne and avenue Somerled. This formula, he believes, would limit the loss of parking spaces. “It seems to me that this would give a more equitable result for all NDG residents. »
In favor of the development of new cycle paths because of the long-term benefits, the advisor of Ensemble Montréal in CDN-NDG, Sonny Moroz, believes that it is the entire planning process that causes the problem. Residents and people with reduced mobility do not feel that their voices are heard, which increases tensions, he says. “We need more consultations so that everyone can express themselves. And a poll, even if it is not favorable. We can do better. »
Gracia Kasoki Katahwa assures that her administration will remain attentive, particularly for school drop-off points. The modal share of cycling in CDN-NDG has been at 1% for years, compared to 13% for Plateau-Mont-Royal and 8.7% for the South-West. “We are betting that if there are more secure slopes, there will be more people who will use them. »