MONTREAL – In a battle between a sidewalk and a bike path, cyclists are coming out on top.
The sidewalk on Brebeuf Street near Laurier Park will soon be gone.
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In its place will be a new bike path with a barrier to separate car and bicycle traffic.
“All bike paths need a barrier between traffic and the path,” said cyclist Robert Kovak.
“It depends on the people that use it because people, when they don’t respect the limits, it’s still dangerous.”
“The city’s intentions are good but it all depends on how people use it.”
Construction had started, but Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre halted the work in late September.
Residents and businesses nearby complained that they would be losing about 50 parking spots.
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According to city officials, parking is the priority.
“It’s a problem that gets bigger and bigger and there’s more parking spaces that are taken away,” said Marc-André Gadoury, the city’s official in charge of cycling.
The city insisted that pedestrians can use paths through Laurier Park as an alternative, but there are already concerns on how accessible these unpaved paths will become in the winter time.
“If they take away the sidewalk, I don’t think pedestrians are going to like that, so I don’t think it’s really a good idea,” said cyclist Yannick Cormier.
The City of Montreal said they will try to save part of the sidewalk but there are no guarantees.
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