The City of Montreal recently announced a budget of $17 million to improve its cycling network. We can discuss the relative size of the sum in terms of needs, but one thing seems clear to me: once the network is built, the City does not protect its investment well in terms of maintenance and legislation. . On the one hand, like the road network, we quickly find potholes and collapsed manholes, in particular because of the location at the edge of the street. This situation is dangerous for bicycles, light vehicles without suspension.
On the other hand, due to the non-enforcement of existing regulations, the tracks are gradually becoming a catch-all space where everything is allowed to circulate, from zigzagging skateboards to fast electric machines. […]. In addition, the parking of cars and delivery trucks on the tracks, which sends cyclists back into the traffic from which the tracks are supposed to protect them, is only rarely sanctioned.
In reality, our so-called “cycle paths” are more of an alternate-use road space in which cyclists can circulate if it is free. Nothing to reassure cyclists hesitant to adopt the bike as a means of transport…
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