PIERREFONDSROXBORO

Borough expanding its bike path network

Pierrefonds-Roxboro will extend its bikes lanes and routes in an effort to encourage more families and children to be active and use their bikes as a “responsible means of transportation,” said borough Mayor Jim Beis.

About 11 kilometres of bike lanes and routes will be added in the northern and southern portions of the borough, connecting to neighbouring cities like Kirkland and Dollard-des-Ormeaux, said Beis.

This is an increase from the 1214 kilometres allocated to cyclists two years ago. As of 2016, the borough had just over 45 kilometres available to cyclists.

Many of these new bike lanes and routes will be in residential areas.

Beis, who often bikes from Pierrefonds-Roxboro to Montreal’s city hall — “it’s part of my DNA” — said he wants families and children to realize that biking is a possible means of transportation within the borough as well.

“It’s possible to do that for a lot of folks that are working locally, going to school locally, and once people start doing that, then, only then can you really see the impact,” he said.

Beis said he understands parents’ hesitation when it comes to letting their kids ride their bikes or even biking themselves in public spaces, saying that speeding vehicles remain a major issue and the public transit network needs improvement. However, he added that he does see positive change.

“We have designated bus lanes on some of the arteries now, the bike lanes being another addition, cross-walks and free-standing markers to control speed,” he said.

And while the dangers of biking can be daunting with vehicles and pedestrians populating roads and sidewalks, Beis said he hopes that improved signage and increased awareness will encourage more adults and children to take advantage of the growing network of space available to cyclists.

He said he hopes to “identify safe zones around schools and encourage children” once the school year begins.

“We need to create some sense of security and community,” he said. For the mayor, seeing empty residential streets on bright, summer days is a sight for sore eyes.

“This is a common thing in every community. Until we understand that we need to get out and about, leave our electronics aside and find at least safe alternatives for people, then and only then can people change their habits,” Beis said.

Beis said the extended network of bikes and routes will be completed by the end of the summer.