Two groups of demonstrators clashed Tuesday in Parc-Extension, in Montreal, over the development of cycle paths in their neighborhood.
“We want parking,” chanted the protesters who deplored the removal of hundreds of parking spaces following the establishment of these cycle lanes. To the sound of drums and trumpets, the crowd held up signs reading “We are not against bikes, we need our parking.” Hundreds of people gathered in front of the offices of the mayor of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, Laurence Lavigne Lalonde.
A line of police separated this group from another gathering, this one in favor of the cycling infrastructure project. “Even the police are on bikes,” intoned the participants in the counter-demonstration, smiling as they looked at the officers moving on two wheels. People of all ages wearing bicycle helmets waved posters calling for “tracks everywhere”.
In total, “198 parking spaces” will be removed this year in the neighborhood, said Rachel Vanier, communications manager at the City of Montreal. On Ball Avenue, between Durocher and Stuart streets, 39 spaces were removed. Work on Avenue Querbes, between Boulevard Crémazie and Avenue Ogilvy, began on September 20 and will remove 159 parking spaces.
The Coalition for Democracy of Parc-Extension, which denounces the project of the mayor of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, says it is concerned about the possible impacts of it for people with reduced mobility. “The removal of parking spaces could further restrict their access to essential services, home care services and deliveries, which would result in a decline in their overall quality of life,” she wrote in a press release.
Mme Lavigne Lalonde claims to be concerned about these citizens. “We will support them to find solutions, as we already do,” she assures, in a declaration sent to the Duty.
She adds that she understands that “the arrival of cycle paths will disrupt the habits of certain residents”. “But my responsibility is to offer safe mobility options to all citizens, regardless of how they travel. And I have an additional duty towards the most vulnerable users who are pedestrians and cyclists,” says the mayor of the district.
Further details will follow