Montreal's Plateau-Mont-Royal district is taking large steps to make roads safer for both cyclists and pedestrians, but critics say the plan does not go nearly far enough.
The borough's councillors say every year 300 pedestrians and cyclists are hurt or killed on its streets, and that number needs to drop.
The first step it will take is reducing the speed limit.
"We have promised to reduce speed limits to 30 km/h on all local roads. We've promised to double our bike path network. We've promised to take a look at the most accident-prone intersections," said borough councillor Christine Gosselin.
The borough also plans to cut the speed limit on thoroughfares to 40 km/h, and to equip all borough-operated heavy trucks with side-guards.
Borough mayor Luc Ferrandez says the Plateau has five times more injuries per square kilometer of roads compared to other boroughs, and if these steps don't work, he will step down.
Plateau resident Marion Bialek, a retired public security officer, says these new measures don't address the real reason so many people get hurt.
"When you look at the solutions that are offered it's infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure. And it seems like getting a biking infrastructure in place is more important than the actual resolution of the problem, which also includes education, police sensibilization and behavioural change," said Bialek.
He argues that changing streets isn't enough, and says police and the city need to convince cyclists to take more responsibility, and not assume that drivers are always at fault.
He also says the one million dollars earmarked for the projects shouldn't be taken from the snow removal budget as planned.
"The Plateua has a terrible reputation for snow clearing. We have elderly people, disabled people, that are housebound," said Bialek.
But borough councillor Christine Gosselin says making the roads safer helps everyone in the long run.
"Half the people don't have cars. It's time for the city - the public space - to catch up to the reality of how people get to work and go to school and come and go," said Gosselin.
