Candidates promise better cycling in NDG

Municipal candidates in Montreal's NDGneighbourhood are promising to improve cycling conditions in the district beginning with fixing the chaotic flow of traffic around theVendmemetro station.

TheNDGCyclist and Pedestrian Associationinvited mayoralty candidates in the Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grceboroughto ameetingyesterday, to discuss cycling issuesin the mostlyresidential neighbourhood.

Poor road conditions, dangerous intersections and a confusing network of paths weresome of the problems thegroup would like to see fixed, saidRachelMichie, amemberoftheNDGCyclist and Pedestrian Association.

"We'd like better infrastructure. We'd like segregated, safe paths. Lines painted on roads are not enough," saidMichie.

Michiesaid traffic headaches caused by construction of the new superhospital next to Vendme metrois making the commute downtown even more dangerous for cyclists.

"They have no secure way of going downtown. In front of Vendme, it's very dangerous. And we have sections of the De Maisonneuve paththe most western sectionwhere it's really hard to ride on," said Michie.

Here's are some of the promises made bycandidates at the meeting:

• RussellCopemanof Coalition Montreal saidif elected his party would add 400 kilometres of new bike paths.
• KevinCoppssaidquipe Denis Coderrewould build 50 kilometres of bike paths every year.
• ProjetMontreal's MichaelSimkinsaid he'd like to extend the protected bike paths found in other boroughs toCDN/NDG.
• Andrew Ross ofGroupeMelanieJolysaid his party would focus on making these paths safer for children.

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