Montreal is introducing new steel bike lockers as part of a pilot initiative by the Sustainable Mobility Agency to promote sustainable transportation. These lockers, located in various city spots, aim to provide secure storage for bicycles, addressing challenges faced by winter cyclists. With features like dual locking options and space for multiple bikes, users like Camille Carrier Belleau praise their convenience. Future expansion depends on demand and potential user fees, with plans for widespread implementation if successful.
Exploring Montreal’s New Bike Lockers
In the vibrant city of Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier embraces the urban landscape by running around with his office essentials packed in his backpack, seeking out intriguing stories and diverse individuals to interview. His urban column reflects his genuine curiosity about the lives and backgrounds of those he encounters.
Recently, residents have spotted new steel bike lockers popping up across the city, including locations at La Fontaine Park, Rachel Street, and Fleury Street in Ahuntsic. These innovative “shelters” are part of a pilot initiative by the Sustainable Mobility Agency of Montreal, currently being tested with the help of local citizens.
A Pilot Project for Sustainable Living
This 18-month pilot program aims to assess the feasibility and potential demand for these bike lockers in the city. Participants like Camille Carrier Belleau have expressed their challenges when it comes to winter biking, citing a lack of secure storage options as a significant barrier. “I didn’t ride my winter bike because I have nowhere to keep mine,” she shares.
Carrier Belleau, a communications officer at the University of Montreal, points out that the difficulty of accessing a bike can deter potential cyclists. “Clearing the paths doesn’t help those who lack space to store their bikes,” she emphasizes.
For her, the locker has already proven to be a game-changer. After lugging her hybrid Bassi bike up and down narrow staircases and dealing with winter conditions, she appreciates the convenience of the steel locker. Using an app called Keypanion, she easily unlocks the locker, allowing her to safely store her bike.
Each locker accommodates up to six bikes, providing dual security options, including the ability to chain or lock the bikes inside. To prevent handlebars from clashing, the design features elevation rails that lift the front wheel of alternating bikes.
Looking ahead, Laurent Chevrot, the general director of the Sustainable Mobility Agency, envisions a future where similar bike lockers could be commonplace throughout the city. “In Barcelona, there are hundreds of protected bike parking spots. In Montreal, we could imagine a situation where we would have lockers like this on every residential street,” he notes, though he acknowledges that demand will dictate their expansion.
As for funding, Chevrot mentions that implementing these lockers on a larger scale would likely require user fees. “To deploy lockers widely, it would involve some pricing for users,” he explains. However, Carrier Belleau is on board with this idea, stating, “I would pay for that!” She knows others who would also be willing to invest in secure bike storage during the winter months.
Currently, the Sustainable Mobility Agency is renting the two lockers from Quebec-based supplier Mobeo for a total of $12,000 over the pilot period, which breaks down to $6,000 each. As for Carrier Belleau, she eagerly anticipated making her first bike commute to work the day after her interview, even on the coldest morning of the winter. Her excitement is palpable!