Each year, we add 30 to 50 km of new bike paths — a distance that is equivalent to the length of the island of Montréal. We also perform various types of maintenance work, which fall into two different categories:

1. Marking and signage

Marking lines and bike pictograms on the road clearly differentiates bike paths from roads and sidewalks. Signage and structures like bollards that protect cyclists are sometimes added. This type of work is completed quickly; only a few days or weeks are needed. Le marquage de lignes et de pictogrammes de vélo sur la chaussée délimite clairement les voies cyclables.

2. Development

This type of work is longer-term, and involves work like building bike paths that are enclosed by cement walls. Usually, development is combined with other projects, such as rebuilding drinking water and sewer lines or redeveloping roads.

Why are bike paths built?

Bike paths help improve safety for all road users and promote harmonious cohabitation among drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. They also promote the use of an environmentally-friendly form of transportation.

Bike paths help:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Reduce car traffic
• Make travelling by bike safer
• Link points of interest
• Improve residents’ quality of life

Nearly 80 per cent of the network’s bike paths can be used all year long — both in the winter and in the summer!

Did you know?

Montréal’s bike path network is more than 1,000 km long. To complete the existing network, in addition to dozens of new kilometres that are developed each year, Montréal is currently building the Express Bike Network (EBN), a 184-km bike path project that will run across the entire island of Montréal. It will have 17 main routes that will be accessible at all times.

Most bike path developments are determined in collaborative activities with boroughs and resident committees. In some cases, they are the subject of public consultations.