Making the top 20 in both the Copenhagenize and Global Bicycling Cities’ Index, Montréal is considered to be the most “bike-friendly” city in North America. Citing a 20% increase in bike trips across the city last year, The City of Montréal wants to build on its success with plans to expand its growing network of bike paths by adding 200 kilometres of secured lanes over the next five years, with the recently announced Vision Vélo 2023-2027.
"We work with the future in mind and the future we want in Montréal is a safe future for everyone," said Sophie Mauzerolle, the city's executive committee member in charge of mobility and transportation, at a new-conference on November 3, 2022. Mauzerolle also said the city wants to offer more options to "outlying neighbourhoods" such as Montréal-Nord.
“We cannot compromise on the safety of children and seniors, who are overrepresented in the deaths recorded on our roads.”
“We cannot compromise on the safety of children and seniors, who are overrepresented in the deaths recorded on our roads. While cycling trips have increased, the vision we are presenting today will ensure efficient and safe trips, while allowing us to connect neighborhoods that require it,” said Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante. The plan includes approximately 40 projects of protected bikeways with a focus on providing more options to cyclists who live far from the downtown core.
View a map and details of the envisioned network.
The new infrastructure would include major additions to the existing Réseau Express Vélo (REV), a 184-kilometre network of high-capacity bike lanes, similar to a highway for cyclists.
The initial REV project, crafted by Valérie Plante's administration in 2019, centred around five axes: St-Denis Street, Bellechasse Street, Peel Street, Souligny Avenue and Viger/Saint-Antoine/Saint-Jacques.
Montréal plans to add 10 more axes to the REV totalling about 60 kilometres and do work to create or improve 30 other bike routes by 2027. Those projects will be spread across 17 of its 19 boroughs, including those in the West Island and in the east end.
The new REV networks will be built on roads that include: Côte-de-Liesse Road, Henri-Bourassa Boulevard, Jean-Talon Street, Édouard-Montpetit Boulevard and Lacordaire Boulevard.
To create a true “cycling city” where territorial equity is the aim, cycling needs to be for everyone in every area of the region, not just geared towards select areas and demographics. Following the lead of exemplary schemes like Paris’ Plan Vélo: Act 2. is the way to go!
Montreal is on the right track. Félicitations! Bon Vélo! Happy Cycling!
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