Press Release Montreals Plans for the de Maisonneuve Bike Path from Decarie to Claremont Currently, crossing Decarie

and cycling from Decarie to Claremont is hazardous for cyclists, due to the high car, bus, taxi and pedestrian traffic to and from the Vendome metro station. Cyclists must ride through bus stops, dodge cars parking on the bike path while waiting for someone to arrive from the metro and a continual flow of pedestrians crossing back and forth across de Maisonneuve, frequently jay-walking between intersections. The MUHC expects 12,000 staff and visitors daily, of which 60% will use public transportation. That estimate was before the announcement of the decision to build the Montreal Neurological facilities on the Glen site and the development of a Health Corridor along the south side of de Maisonneuve. All that vehicle and pedestrian traffic will make the ride from Decarie to Claremont even more hazardous. Added to that, cyclists arriving at Decarie along the de Maisonneuve bike path will have to compete with car drivers arriving from the east or west who need to turn across the bike path to access the hospital site. In the face of the major changes to this area resulting from the MUHC, the announced minor tweaking of an already dangerous cycling infrastructure shows a complete lack of commitment to reducing commuter car traffic by offering safe alternatives. This layout will represent serious safety obstacle for all mainstream cyclists heading downtown from all communities to the west of Decarie (NDG, CSL, Montreal West) and will result in continued growth in commuting by car rather than active transportation, including more transit traffic through NDG, Westmount and VilleMarie. Mainstream cyclists, who make up the bulk of potential cycling commuters, are typically not comfortable cycling with motor vehicle or on unsafe cycling infrastructure a typical example would be a mother pulling two children in a bike trailer on her way to day-care or a 10-year-old on his way to school. This announcement is a big step backwards for cyclists and for commuter cycling. It is completely out-of-step with the desire of many Montreal residents to facilitate and promote active transportation and reduce car traffic. For more than 2 years, parties seeking a safe solution have advocated a bike bridge across Decarie followed by a bike path behind the Vendme metro station, separate from all the forms of traffic along de Maisonneuve. The challenges facing this solution were minor when compared to the challenges overcome to build the infrastructure to provide easy car access to the new MUHC. Westmount Walking and Cycling Association - December 6, 2012