The political landscape for cycling infrastructure in Montreal has entered a new phase, with a key decision in the borough of Outremont setting the tone. In its first council meeting following the recent municipal election, the newly elected administration approved a motion to temporarily remove a protected bike lane for the winter season.
A Seasonal Shift on Lajoie Avenue
The borough of Outremont, under its newly elected borough mayor Caroline Braun, approved the motion on Monday. The decision targets the protected bike lane on Lajoie Ave., which will be removed to restore curbside parking during the colder months. This change affects a approximately 200-metre stretch of the avenue between Stuart and Outremont Avenues.
From December 1 to March 31, this section will be converted into a shared street. This means motorists will be permitted to park along the south side of the road throughout the winter. The borough has confirmed that the protected bike lane will be reinstated in the spring.
First Policy Change of the New Era
This amendment represents the first significant alteration to the bike-lane network since the election, where the issue was a prominent topic among competing candidates. The victorious party, Ensemble Montréal, which Braun belongs to and is led by Soraya Martinez Ferrada, had campaigned on a platform that included auditing the existing bike-lane network before proceeding with new constructions.
However, Mayor Braun defended the decision on social media, stating that this seasonal change is consistent with historical practice, not a new direction. She explained that the previous winter had been an exception, where the former administration piloted a project to keep the bike lane operational through the snow season. That pilot was ultimately deemed unsuccessful.
"Due to a high number of citizen complaints and significant difficulties related to snow removal operations, it was decided to revert to the winter shared lane," Braun wrote in a Facebook post.
Public Reaction and Long-Term Plans
The announcement on social media sparked a mixed response from residents. Several users questioned the rationale behind the removal, with one asking for specifics on the snow removal issues and another concerned about the message it sends for sustainable mobility in the community.
Former councillor Valérie Patreau criticized the move, calling it a "first major setback for sustainable mobility." Conversely, not all feedback was negative. One commenter advocated for the lane's permanent removal, to which Braun replied that the goal is to find a balanced, long-term solution, not to eliminate cycling infrastructure permanently.
Amid the debate, Braun emphasized the borough's commitment to improving cycling access on Lajoie in the long run. She pointed to Outremont's mobility plan, which proposes converting Lajoie into a one-way street. This change, she stated, would create the necessary space for a permanent, all-season bike lane in the future. The borough is also moving forward with plans for a new cycling link that will connect local school hubs.
