Cyclist wants de Maisonneuve bike path changed

A cyclist in Montreal has launched a petition to get the city to move part of the de Maisonneuve bike path, saying he is fed up with annual disruptions during summer festivals.

Portions of the path are closed during events, forcing cyclists to take alternative routes.

"It's impossible to come and pass on this bike lane. It's not possible during the festival summer in Montreal," said David Valiquette.

He said the city should move a section of the bike path one block north so cyclists can travel freely without interruption.

"It's not a complaint about the festival summer," Valiquette said. "We are happy about this for Montreal but we can do something more to give the opportunity to the people to use the [bicycle path]."

However, a city official said the lane is staying where it is, for now.

"During the festivals, the cyclists only have to move a few metres to the north so we feel the bicycle path should remain in place for the time being," David Ross said.

He said both bike and car traffic is closed in the affected areas during summer events because of safety concerns, and any disruption is worth the hassle.

The de Maisonneuve bike path is 3.5 kilometres long and was completed in 2007 at a cost of $3.5 million, according to data from Transport Canada.

More than a million cyclists travel on the bike lane every year.