Every Sunday morning between 7:30am and 12:00pm, from June 18th to September 17th, the Camillien Houde track in Montreal is reserved for cyclists, runners and other sports enthusiasts.
• Also read: Montreal will commit $45 million to begin redesigning Voie Camillien-Houde
• Also read: The Camillien-Houde road is closed to cars on Sunday morning
Motorized vehicles are therefore prohibited from using the lane between Mont-Royal Avenue and the Smith House.
This initiative, which gives security to athletes, allows them to take advantage of one of the few places in the city where they can cycle.
Remember that the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit was closed for much of the summer for the Grand Prix and also today for resurfacing work.
“It’s a question of infrastructure, but also of increasing the transport contribution for those who are not just dependent drivers,” denounces Cyclovia founder Camillien-Houde and lawyer.
“At some point we have to end this culture of blame,” he says.
Vehicle access to the summit of Mount Royal remains accessible via Remembrance Road. A free shuttle service is offered from Laurier Train Station from 9am to 1pm.
Screenshot TVA News
Such initiatives have existed in Gatineau since 2016.
The city of Montreal plans to add an additional lane in 2027.
Cyclists consider this project necessary for road safety.
“I think it’s fantastic!” Says one user.
“Car traffic has no place in Montreal,” said another.
“It is important that it is closed. Today it is a minimum, but it should always be like this [le cas]. We have a gem here in Montreal, a natural park,” he adds.
Accidents involving cyclists are common.
In addition, Clément Ouimet, a young cyclist, died in 2017 after being hit by a car on the Camillien-Houde route.