A large group of demonstrators opposed to the removal of parking spaces to allow for the expansion of cycle paths in the Parc Extension district made their voices heard loudly outside the Villeray-Saint-Michel council meeting on Tuesday evening. Park Extension.
Updated yesterday at 9:04 p.m.
While they shouted: “We want our parking spaces!” », in French and English, a group of cyclists, fewer in number, on the steps of the district town hall responded: “We want our cycle paths!” “.
Several police officers on bicycles separated the two groups to avoid fights.
New cycle paths are being developed in this multi-ethnic and densely populated district, particularly on Ball, Querbes and de l’Épée avenues. These are one-way routes in each direction, requiring the removal of on-street parking on an entire side, or approximately 260 motor vehicle spaces.
Opponents of these developments complain that there has been no consultation on the disappearance of these spaces.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
“We want public consultations. “Yes, we want safe bike lanes, but while maintaining our parking spaces,” Sia Spanoudakis, a spokeswoman for the group, told protesters.
vandalism
A few days ago bed bugs were spread across the bike path. A few weeks ago, paint and oil were poured onto the road before city employees carried out the necessary expansion work for the new route.
The opposition district councilor for Parc-Extension, Mary Deros, denounced these acts of vandalism at the beginning of the district council meeting. However, she called on Projet Montréal’s elected representatives, including district mayor Laurence Lavigne-Lalonde, to listen to the opinions of opponents.
“I have been elected for 25 years and have never seen such discontent,” Ms. Deros said.
Questions from the audience
The district mayor was attacked by several citizens during the public question time during very emotional interventions. “Shame on you all! », Founded by Manon Descarries, young mother who lives on Avenue Querbes. “Why do you refuse to listen to people? There are other possible solutions. My community is multi-ethnic and consists of people who are not rich and hardworking but are ignored. »
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Responding to numerous questions, Laurence Lavigne-Lalonde said that given the width of the street, it would be impossible to create a safe cycle path while leaving all parking spaces on the street.
“As part of the consultations on traffic calming measures, several citizens expressed their desire for safer cycle paths in the area,” said the district mayor. Our job as elected officials is to decide, and we have done that. »
Ms. Lavigne-Lalonde reiterated, as she stated at the previous council meeting, that the City of Montreal is not responsible for finding a parking space for every vehicle on public land.
But the new cycle paths are a joy for cyclists. “As a cyclist, I can finally move around the neighborhood without the risk of being killed,” said Julie Nadeau-Lavigne during her speech to the district council.