Montreal is putting back a bike lane it tore out just three years ago after fierce opposition

A long-anticipated project has taken its first steps in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) neighborhood, with the recent unveiling of plans for a new protected bike lane. The proposed Montreal bike lane is set to traverse Terrebonne Street, featuring a one-way eastbound lane between Boulevard Cavendish and Avenue Girouard, and a one-way westbound lane between Boulevard Cavendish […]

Earlier this year, Montreal announced 53 new bike lane projects with a budget of $30 million and a mandate to target neighbourhoods that have been more poorly served in the past such as Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.

“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 Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa. “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.”

A Sordid Montreal Bike Lane History

Three years ago, the Côte-Des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-De-Grâce borough council voted decisively to remove the bike path along Terrebonne Street. The contentious move had sparked fervent debates among local residents, with passionate supporters and vocal critics on both sides of the issue. The primary bone of contention was the loss of on-street parking, particularly vocalized by the residents living on Terrebonne Street.

Recently, a comprehensive study was conducted by EXP, a renowned firm with a history of transformative projects in Montreal, has culminated in the unveiling of an exciting redevelopment scenario for Rue de Terrebonne. The study, carried out over the course of a year, comes at a cost of $150,000, made possible by a $50,000 grant from Infrastructure Canada’s Active Transportation fund. Today, the borough proudly shares the results of this exhaustive study, featuring three pivotal components.

The area under scrutiny spans from Avenue Somerled to the north, Avenue Monkland to the south, Avenue St-Ignatius to the west, and Avenue Girouard to the east. It encompasses 17 intersections where new counts of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians were undertaken, alongside an examination of over 1,100 parking spaces. This comprehensive data collection took place between September 2022 and October 2022.

Ensuring Safer Active Mobility with a Protected Cycling Infrastructure

The focal point of the Rue de Terrebonne redevelopment project is to enhance cyclist safety by introducing a protected two-way cycling infrastructure along the length of the street. Among the three scenarios proposed, the third, which involves dispersion at Boulevard Cavendish, emerges as the optimal choice, satisfying the needs of all users.

Under this scenario, Rue de Terrebonne will be converted into a one-way eastbound street between Boulevard Cavendish and Avenue Girouard and a one-way westbound street between Boulevard Cavendish and Avenue Belmore. A parking lane will be retained. Cycling infrastructures will be positioned along the sidewalk, shielded by bollards on one side and a parking lane on the other. Additionally, visual clearance measures will be implemented at all intersections, ensuring visibility and the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. The study indicates that traffic impacts will be minimal, and parking capacity, based on occupancy rates, should meet the assessed needs. Furthermore, vehicle traffic on Rue de Terrebonne is expected to decrease by approximately 40 to 50 percent.

Aside from enhancing cycling infrastructure, the redevelopment of Rue de Terrebonne is anticipated to significantly alleviate traffic on this local street, which houses multiple schools and institutions.

Community Engagement and Upcoming Discussions

The Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough committed to engaging with local residents and institutions affected by the project. The aim is to incorporate their perspectives and recommendations to ensure the project’s success. In the week of Nov. 20, discussions with various institutional partners within the studied area are scheduled, followed by a meeting with local residents on Nov. 30, which will be open to the general public.

City councillor for the district of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Peter McQueen, emphasized the long-overdue need for a safe bike lane on Rue de Terrebonne.

“Due to its location in the heart of the borough, de Terrebonne is a key transit corridor in CDN–NDG,” McQueen explained. “Cyclists already use the street often, and I’m among them. With this redevelopment of the street, cyclists will be able to travel safely on Rue de Terrebonne. It will also allow them to access the stores on Avenue de Monkland by bicycle, and those businesses will in turn benefit from a larger cyclist clientele.”

Despina Sourias, city councillor for the district of Loyola, lauded the project.

“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,” Sourias said. “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.”