Analysis of missing links in Montréal’s cycling network

The report analyzes the Montréal cycling network, highlighting that while it is large, over half consists of low-protection painted markings. It identifies a high frequency of collisions at intersections along cycle tracks and a high collision rate in the West Island. The analysis reveals significant network discontinuities, with an average of one every 1.3km. To address these, the report proposes 24 strategic north-south and east-west connections totaling 175 km and recommends the city increase its construction target to 100km of new facilities per year.

• As of 2015, Montréal's cycling network totaled 748 km, but only 82 km (approximately 11%) consisted of protected on-street cycle tracks, while more than half of the network was composed of painted bike lanes or sharrows.
• Analysis of collisions from 2010-2014 shows that 16 of the 27 intersections with the highest frequency of cyclist collisions are located along cycle tracks, suggesting a need for safety countermeasures like protected phasing and bike signal heads.
• While collision frequency is high in central boroughs, the highest collision rates (collisions per million trips) are concentrated in the West Island, specifically in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Dorval, Beaconsfield, Pointe-Claire, and Kirkland.
• The cycling network in the City of Montréal is characterized by significant discontinuities, with an average of one discontinuity every 1.3km, and the bicycle network covers only 8.5% of the total road network length.
• The report proposes 24 strategic new connections totaling 175 km—comprising 12 north-south and 12 east-west routes—to address 'desire lines' and underserved areas, such as Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Boulevard Henri-Bourassa.
• The authors recommend that the City of Montréal increase its infrastructure goals from 50km per year to 100km per year to more aggressively expand the network.

APA

Notebaert, E., Beitel, D., Ledezma-Navarro, B., Strauss, J., Niaki, M. N., & Miranda-Moreno, L. (2017). Analysis of missing links in Montréal’s cycling network. Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ACME.CAPE_.Montreal_Active_Transport.Report-for-CAPE-Beitel-Oct-19FINAL-.pdf#new_tab

Chicago

Notebaert, Eric, David Beitel, Bismarck Ledezma-Navarro, Jillian Strauss, Matin Nabavi Niaki, and Luis Miranda-Moreno. Analysis of missing links in Montréal’s cycling network. Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, 2017. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ACME.CAPE_.Montreal_Active_Transport.Report-for-CAPE-Beitel-Oct-19FINAL-.pdf#new_tab.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Notebaert |first1=Eric |last2=Beitel |first2=David |last3=Ledezma-Navarro |first3=Bismarck |last4=Strauss |first4=Jillian |last5=Niaki |first5=Matin Nabavi |last6=Miranda-Moreno |first6=Luis |title=Analysis of missing links in Montréal’s cycling network |publisher=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |date=19 October 2017 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ACME.CAPE_.Montreal_Active_Transport.Report-for-CAPE-Beitel-Oct-19FINAL-.pdf#new_tab |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{notebaert2017analysis, author = {Notebaert, Eric and Beitel, David and Ledezma-Navarro, Bismarck and Strauss, Jillian and Niaki, Matin Nabavi and Miranda-Moreno, Luis}, title = {{Analysis of missing links in Montréal’s cycling network}}, institution = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2017}, month = oct, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ACME.CAPE_.Montreal_Active_Transport.Report-for-CAPE-Beitel-Oct-19FINAL-.pdf#new_tab}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }