Montreal unveils new measures to help protect cyclists on Mount Royal

The city of Montreal is introducing new measures to make things safer for cyclists on Mount Royal.

Some new temporary fixes were announced by Mayor Denis Coderre while a working group studies what can be done to help drivers and cyclists better share Camillien-Houde.

The announcement comes just over a week after 18-year-old semi-pro cyclist Clement Ouimet was killed by a driver doing an illegal U-turn on the steep road that climbs the mountain.

READ MORE: ‘He was always smiling’: 18-year-old competitive cyclist killed on Mount Royal

The city will put up more signs reminding drivers U-turns are not allowed, coupled with more police patrols to enforce the rules.

“It’s a good measure. I think the big problem is the U-turn. The city put a camera after the accident and realized how many drivers do U-turns on Camillien-Houde,” said Velo-Québec president Suzanne Lareau.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's a good measure. I think the big problem is the U-turn. The city put a camera after the accident and realized how many drivers do U-turns on Camillien-Houde," said Velo-Québec president Suzanne Lareau.

The speed limit will be reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h and a digital speed indicator will be installed so drivers can see exactly how fast they’re going. The median near the lookout will also be extended by 30 meters.

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“It’s very sad it takes this tragedy to do something,” Lareau said.

READ MORE: Debating ways to make Montreal streets safer for cyclists

A working group is analyzing the presence of bikes and motorists on Camillien-Houde, and recommendations are expected in the coming months.

Many hope the city does something to keep drivers from using the mountain to travel from one side of the city to the other.

“I understand it’s a really beautiful spot to look out so if people want to stop and look that’s fine. My problem is people who use this as a shortcut from downtown. You get a lot of really aggressive drivers who are trying to save time,” cyclist Pete Watson told Global News.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I understand it's a really beautiful spot to look out so if people want to stop and look that's fine. My problem is people who use this as a shortcut from downtown. You get a lot of really aggressive drivers who are trying to save time," cyclist Pete Watson told Global News.

“My dream is to stop the transit so the drivers go on the mountain, park in the parking, and go back down the same way they came,” said Lareau.

The city says the interim measures should be in place by Oct. 20.

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