Expected expansion of Montreal express bike lane praised by cyclists, merchants despite some pushback
The dedicated bike path along St-Denis street in Montreal has become so popular that it's expected to be expanded, but not everyone is thrilled with the idea.
With more than a million rides a year, the Réseau express vélo (REV) bike path along St. Denis street is being hailed as a success and talks have started to expand the network.
"We want more people to try new methods, they have to have options, the REV is an option," said Catherine Boundjia, the Quebec Liberal party candidate for the Mercier riding.
Just like sidewalks, some people believe bike lanes should be offered on more streets. Severine Lepage from the ghost-bike organization Vélo fantôme said the city has to rethink its road system.
"There's not enough cycle paths on main arteries. There's enough room on all our streets to have a REV on all major arteries if we want to, it's just a matter of sharing space. Enough space for sidewalks, bike lanes, parking and cars to travel," Lepage said.
Jacques Nacouzi, a REV rider and merchant on St. Denis, said the bike path is good for his business, Les Ateliers Kikicode.
"If you compare my 2019 to 2022, my revenues have doubled. Is it only because of the REV? No, there are many factors, but the rev definitely has helped," he said as families cycled past him on the bike path.
Boundjia added that a greener future for travel is the way to go. "It's important our neighbours understand the long-term vision," she said, which is "to reduce the effect of climate change and to increase active mobility."
Some shop owners contacted by CTV News on Monday who did not want to be interviewed on camera said that they didn't think the REV led to an increase in their sales.
The St. Denis Merchants' Association wrote, however, that the occupancy rate on the stretch between Roy and Gilford is about 81.5 per cent — the highest rate since the association started keeping records three years ago.
Nacouzi said he has some advice for business owners who may be faced with a bike path in front of their own storefront
"Ask for it and ask for it quickly," he said. "It will definitely help you, it will bring new customers, it will change the experience of the street."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
BREAKING Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.