Montreal's Ville-Marie borough has announced a significant modification to a controversial temporary bike lane on Atateken Street, aiming to strike a balance between active transportation and local business needs. The borough confirmed on Friday that it has devised a plan to restore 40 per cent of the parking spots that were removed to install the cycling path.
A "Hot Potato" Inherited from Previous Administration
Ville-Marie councillor Claude Pinard, who also chairs Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada's executive committee, described the bike lane issue as a "hot potato" leftover from the Plante administration. In a public statement, Pinard apologized for the disruptions caused and committed his administration to "settle" the matter. The borough plans to maintain the bike lane but promises the substantial restoration of parking, alongside a "considerable number" of drop-off points and short-term parking spaces.
Mayor Martinez Ferrada framed the move as her administration "fixing the damage" it had inherited. She acknowledged the compromise, stating, "When putting pieces back together, it isn't perfect. You can still see the cracks." Pinard expressed confidence that the new plan, while not ideal for everyone, moves the community toward a consensus.
Business Pressure Leads to Compromise
The decision follows strong appeals from local business owners, who voiced their concerns at a November borough council meeting. A primary complaint was the loss of parking crucial for operations.
Patrick Lévy, owner of the historic Olympia Theatre, presented a stark warning to councilors. He argued that the elimination of nearby parking for tour buses would force performers to cancel shows. If crews were required to haul equipment from René-Lévesque Blvd. due to a lack of proximate parking, artists "just wouldn't come back" to the venue. Lévy had requested the bike lane be relocated to a different street entirely.
The temporary bike lane was originally planned under former mayor Valérie Plante's administration. It was installed to provide a safe route for cyclists during ongoing construction on nearby Berri Street. Officials selected Atateken St. to ensure a continuous path for cyclists traveling between the Old Port and the neighbourhood surrounding La Fontaine Park. The project was slated to remain for three years.
Timeline for Changes and Next Steps
The borough has provided a clear timeline for implementing the changes. Specific details of the modified design will be made public on January 5. Physical work to reconfigure the lane and restore the parking spaces is scheduled to begin on January 12.
This situation highlights the complex challenges of urban planning in dense boroughs like Ville-Marie, where Montreal's mayor also serves as the borough mayor. The borough does not elect its own local mayor; provincial rules designate the city's mayor to the role, who then appoints two of the five borough councillors.
The borough's statement concluded that the modified plan represents a "balanced solution" to a heated local debate, attempting to accommodate the needs of cyclists, local businesses, and residents who rely on street parking.
