Renewed calls for improved cyclist, pedestrian safety on Parc Avenue

There are new calls to make Montreal's Park Avenue safer for cyclists and pedestrians and the addition of a bike path.

At Monday’s city council meeting, Julie Labelle-Patenaude stood up in front of the mayor and council members to read the names of 11 cyclists and pedestrians who have died on Parc Avenue since 2013.

She then asked the mayor what will be done to improve safety on the busy thoroughfare.

A long stretch of Parc Avenue has parking on both sides of the street and space for cars in the middle, but no bike path.

Labelle-Patenaude wonders what it will take for something to change.

A recently issued coroner’s report following the death of a cyclist in September 2025 recommends that the city put a bike path on Parc.

Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada says she will work with different groups to improve safety.

In a statement to CTV News, the mayor added: “We said during the campaign that we would look closely at the dangerous situation on Avenue du Parc, and that remains the case. We are currently evaluating the best course of action. Our responsibility is to ensure mobility is better planned, safer, and well integrated for all users.”

Velo Quebec says changes are necessary to save lives.

“Definitely, it cannot stay as is otherwise within the next year or two we’re almost sure that we’re going to be called for yet another ceremony for a lost life,” said Magali Bebronne, director of programs at Velo Quebec.

The Plateau-Mont-Royal borough wants to redesign Parc Avenue. It would include widening sidewalks and better securing intersections, but the borough needs approval from Martinez Ferrada.

“We want also to study if we can add bike lanes, bike infrastructure,” said borough councillor Gabriel Fortin. “We’re really open to anything. Everything is on the table. What we want to do is ensure that we don’t have any other deaths on that road.”

Advocates say changing the busy road won’t be easy.

“We’re going to have to compromise probably on some aspects,” Bebronne said. “Maybe it’s going to be the fluidity, maybe it’s going to be the parking.”