In a significant reversal, Montreal's Ville-Marie borough council has announced it will reconsider a contentious plan to install a temporary bike lane on Atateken Street. The decision comes after a public outcry from local business owners who were not adequately consulted about the project, which is intended as a detour during the upcoming renovation of Berri Street.
An Apology and a Promise to Fix the Situation
During a tense borough council meeting on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, city councillor Claude Pinard issued a formal apology to the affected merchants. "In the name of the city of Montreal, I apologize; we are stuck with this hot potato and we will settle it," Pinard stated, acknowledging the failure in communication.
The council placed the blame squarely on the previous Projet Montréal administration led by Valérie Plante, asserting that the bike lane plans were drafted without proper engagement with the Atateken Street community. The current administration, led by Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, who also serves as the borough mayor, found itself inheriting the controversial project.
Business Owners Sound the Alarm
A group of concerned business owners attended the council meeting to demand the project's cancellation. The plan would see a bicycle path on Atateken St. for approximately three years while major work is conducted on Berri St. near Place Émilie-Gamelin.
One of the most vocal opponents is Patrick Lévy, the owner of the historic Olympia Theatre, which is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. Lévy explained that the bike lane would prevent tour buses from parking directly adjacent to his venue's entrance. "I have 30 to 40 shows here, which come with tour buses and a big crew," Lévy said. "We're not going to be able to get them anymore if they have to park on René-Lévesque Blvd. They just won't come back. That represents 30 to 40 per cent of my overall business."
Despite the shock and frustration, Lévy expressed faith in the new borough administration to find a solution, such as relocating the temporary bike lane to a less disruptive, residential street.
Searching for a Viable Solution
While sympathetic, Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada could not immediately commit to cancelling the detour plan. She emphasized the need for a safe, temporary cycling network during the crucial Berri St. construction. "I have no solution for you today," she told the assembled business owners. "I am still looking. I have to assure that I have a temporary cycling network during the work on Berri, and as opposed to the last administration, I will take time to look at it, and I will come see you."
Mayor Martinez Ferrada reiterated her regret over the lack of prior consultation, a hallmark of the previous administration that she claims left many Montrealers feeling ignored. She pledged not to abandon the local merchants, promising a collaborative process to find the best possible outcome that balances the needs of cyclists with the survival of local businesses.
