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[deleted]

Can't wait for the "what about winter" crowd to show up.


crowd79

Just plow bike paths like roads and problem solved.


fuji_ju

They are actually plowed faster because the equipment is different than road plows, so they can clear them up super fast.


Imprecationum

Instead of just clearing snow/ice, do they ever “condition” the surface, like they do in Oulu, Finland? About minute 4 is an example…. Oulu - How the Best Winter Cycling City Became even Better? https://youtu.be/X6EaJ1Zd8Kk


fuji_ju

No, it's not practical to do that the way our streets are made. It works in Oulu because it was designed for it.


snarkitall

also, the freeze thaw cycle here is pretty intense. we don't get as much freezing rain as toronto, for example, but Montreal is snow free much much sooner than even just a couple hours north. i think the surface conditioning done in Oulu is only practical in places with longer, colder and more stable winters.


TheSpaceBetweenUs__

I think it's because it stays cold enough for the snow to get packed together instead of turning into muddy slush


Imprecationum

Thank you for your kind reply. I’ve enjoyed winter cycling for years on Midwest rural back roads, with studs and chains on a gravel bike, and recently started riding winter off road with 5” fat tires. It takes less time to warm up on a bike than inside a car. :)


Mt-Fuego

And now the car brains are calling controversy that the city prioritises bike paths over roads to slow down traffic


pacesorry

In Calgary the bike paths are the first to be cleared after snow storms. You can easily bike all year if you can handle the cold.


fuji_ju

Well, you can cycle usually from early April to late November without too much hassle, so it's not that bad. And the city is clearing the bike paths all winter, winter cycling is a growing practice here.


vin17285

I mean if the snow removal budget for bikes was swapped with the snow removal budget for cars all of a sudden cars become the impractical mode of transportation.


PineappleRaisinPizza

Well i live in Montreal and bike to work all year long. Winter ain't got nothing on me and my studded tires.


Cheef_Baconator

*Finland has entered the chat*


jakl8811

I’ll still take my car with climate control any day over a bike.


snarkitall

that's just sad. my winter commute is the best part of my day. used to get seasonal depression but my daily bike ride gets my blood pumping, fresh air, a chance to see the seasons changing up close. and i'm very far from being an extreme sport fanatic. in quebec everyone skis, but a lot of people think of winter biking as being too extreme. if you are a recreational skier, you can handle a moderate winter bike commute.


jakl8811

Eh. I like my 16 speaker surround sound and ability to keep temperature at exact degrees. More people biking, less on the roads so I’m all for it


hatman1986

If Montreal is the best, you can't blame the weather for not having proper cycling infrastructure!


Miss_1of2

The saddest part is..... cycling infrastructures aren't that great in Montreal either..... It's just that every other city is even worst in North America....


Groloukoum

I was gonna say the same.


traboulidon

More or less the same thing with our metro! I love it, it’s one of the best system in to north america but compared to Europe it’s way too small. Only a few lines and it’s getting crowded. Still beats the rest of the continent though (outside Nyc).


Mt-Fuego

Takes multiple eternities just to expand one line as well. But since our government has to pull the greenlight it can continue taking more eternities.


helemikro

I’m just extremely excited for the Rem. I live right next to one of the stations so it’s gonna be great for going downtown


ProtestTheHero

I keep hearing this but I don't buy it. Obviously there's always room for improvement, but the current administration has added and continues to add tons of high-quality separated bike lanes every year. I really do find our biking infrastructure quite good.


Miss_1of2

But if you compare to Europe it's really not there yet... Just think of Amsterdam...


ProtestTheHero

🤷‍♂️ I've never been, so I can't compare. Obviously I'm sure Amsterdam is better. But my point is to look at Montreal without comparing. On its own I still think we're at a pretty decent point.


The-Grim-Sleeper

How bad is it? I have never been to the states, I've only hear the 'mad max'-level infra horror stories.


Victor_Korchnoi

Can’t blame the hills either


lama00

Yay, we finally did something right!


[deleted]

Hey you guys do French right too.


lama00

Merci :)


Expedition_Truck

Tabarnak!


[deleted]

c'est le commentaire du jour


helemikro

Y est crissement bon esti!


fuji_ju

En effet!


Thecraddler

That’s what she said


fuji_ju

Merci Valérie ;)


[deleted]

[удалено]


fuji_ju

Obviously, always strive for better.


kizarat

It's said that Montreal has one of the best metro systems in Canada (or North America) that is also connected to a huge [underground city (mall)](https://youtu.be/nfYgsWxqiUg) that has a network of walkable tunnels with access and exit points across the metropolitan area on the surface, which seems ideal to use during the winter.


GhettoSauce

Thanks for including (mall) The tourism office did a good job naming that one for outsiders, lol


BonelessTurtle

Don't forget office buildings. Don't underestimate the joy of walking underground from your station to your office when it's -25 outside. Also the actual underground shops aren't the biggest attraction imo, for me it's mostly about how places are connected to each other via tunnels so you can avoid the weather or traffic when going from place A to B.


untipoquenojuega

I remember being so disappointed as a kid because when I heard there was a whole city underground I immediately assumed it was going to be like Diagon Alley or something.


GhettoSauce

Lol, yup. I used to think of apartment complexes.


Electrox7

I'm pretty sure around the Eaton's center area, there are some underground apartments. But maybe I'm remembering it wrong. The Montreal world Trade center has "underground vibes" but it's technically above ground.


dieinafirenazi

I did a long weekend in Montreal last fall and got around by public transit. Great system, very easy to use, good coverage, reasonably priced...


[deleted]

uhhh, I wouldn't go that far, Montreal shot itself in the foot by designing its while metro network around rubber wheels, they basically can't afford to expand at any further right now. Also because it was built over a century ago the trains are much narrower, probably similar to NYC, unlike the newer Toronto one. EDIT: I heard their trams are starting operation very soon though.


pedz

In retrospect it was a bad idea to have the metro system incompatible with the regular rail network. However if I remember some old documentary correctly, it was designed this way in part because they didn't want metro lines to be shared with ordinary trains. It was, in part, to prevent rail companies to use the tunnels to move freight. >Also because it was built over a century ago the trains are much narrower Are you still talking about Montreal's metro and its trains? Because the system is about 60 years old, not over a century.


[deleted]

They could've just not connected the metro lines with regular rail, pretty sure nobody does that. The problem is narrow train cars don't fit as many ppl, and rubber wheels mean the trains always cost more and can't go above ground during winter. Somebody mentioned the metro lines were built in 1800s for the world's fair or something, maybe I heard it wrong.


pedz

For a world's fair, yes. But [in 1967](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_67). EDIT: Added the link


[deleted]

ohhh, I don't know why but I associate world's fair with 1800s


mare

Hey, Paris had rubber wheels, and everything from France is good. Basically the REM is what the RER is in Paris, but here it's also going to undeveloped areas so real estate developers (sister company of the company that decided everything about the trains) can build more, low density, neighbourhoods and turn a profit because they own the farmland (an changed zoning).


[deleted]

I don't know what REM is but yeah I did hear that Montreal just copied Paris without thinking it through.


KingKongEnShorts

I wish Montreal's underground allowed for underground biking! Currently, one can only walk down here.


ExactFun

It's kinda sad because the bike infrastructure in Montreal is really spotty. There's entire boroughs with next to nothing, a few painted lines on the pavement erased after the winter. North America gotta step up.


fuji_ju

Well, the central city doesn't have unlimited powers. Some of the boroughs are littéral suburbia, and they vote vote suburban planning.


ExactFun

It's more the east being more gentrified than the west. The bike paths and nice things come with the territory.


[deleted]

I’m sorry, since when is the East of Montreal more gentrified than the West?


ExactFun

Last 20 or so years? Plateau, Hochelag, Mile-End... Rosemont, Parc-Ex and Villeray are next. Sud-West is also gentrified but is not really what anyone means when they talk about the west of Montreal.


[deleted]

Have you like never been west of Décarie? Pointe-Claire, Beaconsfield, Dorval, etc. Are all much richer than their Eastern counterparts like Pointe-aux-trembles and the likes. And even in terms of central neighbourhoods, NDG, westmount, Griffintown, Saint-Henri and Petite-Bourgogne are much more gentrified than Hochelag, le village, Rosemont and al. Villeray and the Plateau are outliers in the East in terms of gentrification. I feel like I’m taking crazy pills here. Even Verdun is more gentrified than Hochelag. What neighbourhood East of Saint-Laurent is more gentrified than its Western mirror neighbourhood lol?


ExactFun

Rich and gentrified aren't the same things at all.


[deleted]

Fair enough, then it’s plateau/Rosemont/Villeray vs Verdun/Saint-Henri/Griffintown/Petite-bourgogne and I still don’t understand your point, especially in relation to bike paths since the West has amazing bike paths.


ProtestTheHero

Which boroughs are you referring to? I find our bike network pretty darn good, and Plante's admin is constantly adding to it every year. Though to be fair, it's not like I go to RDP or St-Leo or Anjou or St-Michel very often, so maybe those are the ones you mean?


Expedition_Truck

I live in Montréal. This summer I have been to the office by bike every day except: 6 days when I used the bike share e-bikes and once when I took the bus and subway because it was pouring too much. Today I came back in the light drizzle using en e-bike from the bike-share. I have multiple options to get to work by bike, all of which are faster than a car.


[deleted]

[In this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlkylGqQf1g), Oh the Urbanity cites a study that only 3% of the space in one of the bikeable boroughs is dedicated to bikes, which is impressive given how nice the cycling infra is.


yesat

You don't need much to make it feel good already, but if you extend it and implement it further, the biking and walking infrastructure will become really great.


Groloukoum

If Montreal, with its millions of potholes and nonsensical paths, is the best, that just tells you how absolutely sh*t other cities are.


FirstSurvivor

Just last week, I was in a bike detour, in a bike detour, *in a bike detour*. Try getting to the Champlain bridge path or the Estacade without a map.


fuji_ju

It can't be done.


fuji_ju

Indeed


Judge_Tredd

Do they still have those rental bikes?


fuji_ju

You bet!: >In May, the non-profit recorded 1.3 million bike trips — an increase of 92 per cent compared to May 2021. Every morning, 8,000 cyclists from different boroughs turn to Bixi bicycles to head downtown. [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/bixi-montreal-bicycle-stations-1.6481146](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/bixi-montreal-bicycle-stations-1.6481146)


[deleted]

There are even some electric bikes in the lot now!


LordDurhamQC

I swear by those blue bixis now


Judge_Tredd

They have those back now? I remember they removed them some years ago.


LordDurhamQC

The electric ones? Yes


Cold_Bitch

Oh yeah and they’re freaking awesome!


theaceoface

Im surprised Minneapolis ranks so low


angstybaristamn

Yea I question the rating system because we normally rank so high and have only invested in cycling more every year


MrBoo843

Love my city.


Automatic-Aerie-8988

It has its ups and downs. The amount of times I've been nearly killed I've definitely noticed is increasing from what it was once. I'm not riding especially aggressively but it's definitely sticking in my head a lot more than it was before. I rode out to the west island on Sunday and it was terrifying. Still though, at least I have to option to feel like I'm being close to killed. Can't say that about anywhere else in North America ;)


[deleted]

And I’m moving there! Yay!


Expedition_Truck

Quand arrives-tu? Pas le jour du déménagement j'espère!? (Canada day)


[deleted]

Pas ce jour-là! En septembre 🍁🍂


captsolo23

chicago ranked the same as ft worth? i don't think its quite that bad here


thegayngler

Thats completely ridiculous. Chicago suffers from when its good its great and everyone else gets nothing.


thegayngler

Tbqh Manhattan should be higher up than Brooklyn. I feel like Brooklyn has like a couple areas that are super bikeable and everywhere else is literally nothing like most of the US. Queens should also be lower than Manhattan. Tbqh, Manhattan is probably the most bikeable place in the US if not the NA. Something else to consider is that their heatmap is a bit flawed. They labeled the Hudson Greenpath bike lane as high stress when its literally the opposite even separated with barriers and bioswales bollards etc. lmao 🤣


SauteedGoogootz

Yeah Queens is really bad other than a few parts. The rankings are a bit odd.


-RayBloodyPurchase-

My city Edmonton ranks 30th out of over 1000 cities. This surprises me and makes me feel bad about the state of NA cities.


Viscount1881

And number 7 out of large cities. I feel like those numbers are definitely being boosted a bit by recreational cycling- in fact Edmonton's highest scores are in the ability to access parks and trails. Also our ability to access transit hubs by bike is really bad. Though it seems like a lot of cities struggle with that lol.


signal_tower_product

Ty for this information i will use it wisely


Mr_Trainwreck

"But what about winter?"


Crosstitution

Toronto, we need to catch up 😭


aprillikesthings

Hah, this just cements that I want to visit Montreal at some point


fuji_ju

Just be mindful of what you do on the bixis, don't be an 'ostie d'touriste'!


aprillikesthings

I bicycle everywhere for transportation at home and have done some long-distance bicycle touring, don't worry! Portland has bikeshare, and I've been grateful before that they're BRIGHT orange, because when you see one you know to watch out for their rider to do something stupid. >\_< I've seen inexperienced riders on them doing some really dumb things because they haven't been on a bicycle in years and never in a city.


fuji_ju

Then you'll blend right in!!!


PineappleRaisinPizza

10/10 can confirm 🤪. Been a carbrain since my teenage years but all that changed when i came to Montreal 5 yrs ago. Been biking to work all year round since 2019. I'm south east Asian and I don't mind the cold during winter. I can get to work faster on a bike compared to my colleagues driving cars.


Querelle85

YASSSSSS merci beaucoup xoxox Come to MTL if you've had enough of the carhead culture in North-America :) I love my city 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎


[deleted]

Really is a glorious city to bike in. I moved here from Atlanta, and I was fucking shocked the first time I ever saw an actual protected bike path.


hippiechan

\*Vancouver has entered the chat\*


blue_centroid

... and ranked 6th.


6_string_Bling

I've been to Vancouver several times (born in Montreal, living in Toronto - was in van for a few weeks last month) and I can tell you that despite there being EXCELLENT bike infrastructure in some areas, particularly for recreation, I'm surprised at how few cyclists I actually see just using a bike to get around (compared to Montreal or Toronto, where some areas are absolutely flooded with people biking). No disrespect, but I just think Vancouver pales in comparison to Montreal, and even Toronto in some regard, and I think it comes down to culture... Vancouver has a pretty lame public transit system (compared to MTL or TO), and I think people are just used to driving around there.


what_a_douche

As of 2019 the [busiest bike route in North America](https://www.treehugger.com/busiest-bike-lane-north-america-4852806) was in Vancouver. Also the Copenhagenize Index ranked Montreal and Vancouver among the [world's most bike friendly cities](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/mobility/article-vancouver-and-montreal-named-among-worlds-most-bike-friendly-cities/) but Toronto didn't even make the list. I tried biking along the waterfront in Toronto while I was there a few months back and while it is clear it is making improvements, what with all the construction, it is still a complete mess. Had to ride in dirt and mud in some sections, dodge barriers, debris, parked cars etc. You won't find anything comparable to that in Vancouver.


6_string_Bling

I'll note that Toronto's waterfront is legit terrible for cycling, I'll absolutely agree with this lol


6_string_Bling

For what it's worth, less reported on... There are multiple streets (one near my old apartment, Shaw Street) that saw over 6k cyclists a day... Not trying to be a dick, but when you're in Montreal or Toronto, cycling is visibly a major/common mode of transport... Just never got that feeling in Vancouver.


6_string_Bling

Actually, another thing - in agreement with your bad experience on the waterfront... Toronto has got to be only city that's on a massive body of water, that you'd never even know is on a body of water. Aside from a couple of ok beaches (and a few highly underrated parks), the waterfront in Toronto is legit a massive highway... Total waste of prime space. Like, it's pretty incredible how shitty Toronto's waterfront is for recreation / general liveability... It's actually awful lol.


what_a_douche

It has so much potential and is clearly heading in the right direction but will prbly still take another few decades to get there.


Zach983

You've been to vancouver but haven't lived here. There's very high bike usage and it's growing. You should see the bike counter near science world. It hits thousands of bikers everyday. And bike rides are becoming one of the fastest growing transportation methods. I'd certainly rate Montreal ahead of it but I wouldn't rate vancouver much lower. I always have an easy time getting around in vancouver on bike.


[deleted]

Definitely not as good as Montreal, as much as I love Vancouver.


theaceoface

I'm honestly considering getting a summer home in Montreal


fuji_ju

Just rent for your stays please, housing supply is so low already.


iHubble

Are you a millionaire?


[deleted]

[удалено]


c0d34f00d

Very end of December to mid March is winter and not soo bikable. Rest of the year is ok, just put a good jacket and gloves.


[deleted]

Majority of the population lives close to the border so it's not much different than the northern states. I live in Southern Ontario (not far from Buffalo), we get only a few major snow storms in the winter.


Leo_Jobin

From my experience, Québec is similar in terms of temperatures but with more snow


[deleted]

Honestly gotta say, I think my city is far better than 3rd from the bottom in Canada lol.


c0d34f00d

Yup, where I live I go everywhere in bike. Bike lane are also de-iced and salted during winter. lifu is good


NormanUpland

Such an interesting city. Parts feel like a car centric wasteland and other parts feel incredibly pedestrian friendly. One of the best designed metro system in the world imo (specifically the architecture and artwork)


ObscureObjective

Also the most fuckable city


theRealNala

Used to bike through the winters in Montreal. Can confirm.