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
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.