May 16, 2020 • 3 minute read
Montreal will add 327 kilometres of bicycle paths and pedestrian lanes, while some thoroughfares will be closed to motorized traffic this summer. It is part of an effort to open up the city — and its businesses — to residents after months of COVID-19 lockdown.
However, the head of the official opposition at city hall said the plan was short on details and didn’t seem to have considered the businesses it is supposed to help. And Lionel Perez wondered about the motivation behind Mayor Valérie Plante’s announcement on Friday.
“What I’m concerned about is that they are using the pandemic as pretext to push forward their political agenda” instead of promoting physical distancing, said Perez, referring to the administration’s record on lessening the number of cars on city streets. “The mayor said today the bike paths will be temporary, but she didn’t say as much about the pedestrian corridors.