Overview of doorings in Montreal
Environment
Learn more about the environmental benefits of cycling and its impact on the built environment, in both urban and rural settings.
Discover all 4 subjects of the thematic
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Biking and the City
Whether it is in an urban, suburban or rural context, biking is comparable to driving for short distances and is sometimes even more effective. In dense urban areas, where more short trips are made, it is particularly efficient, especially since it takes little space, helps fight congestion and contributes to a more equitable distribution of the public space.
A More Rational Use of Urban Space
Because they take on average 10 times less space on the road than the average car, bikes reduce the need for certain infrastructures in our cities (parking, urban highways, etc.) and yield more space for everyone.
Necessary space to move 40 people by bus (40 m²), by car (800 m²), or by bike (80 m²). Credits: Picture taken by Renaud Philippe for the Question d’espace exhibition by Accès Transport Viables
By switching to biking, cyclists free up space on our roads for the ones who need it the most (emergency services, people with reduced mobility, etc.)
Active Transportation, a Way to Reduce Inequalities
By creating communities around active and collective transportation, the need to own a car for inhabitants to find a job, get to school or do their daily errands disappears. Investments in these forms of transportation therefore reduce inequalities by providing similar opportunities for everyone, no matter their revenue, age or capacities.
However, if these investments are too localized, they can induce the gentrification of boroughs and lead to displacement of lower-income households. Safe walking and biking infrastructures must therefore be planned and deployed globally to prevent such a phenomenon.
Credits: Samuel Girven on Unsplash
Congestion, the Main Urban Issue
Across Quebec, congestion costs a lot to our society. Beyond time-waste, traffic jams cause stress and increase gas consumption and levels of greenhouse gases emissions.
Ranking of the Most congested Cities in 2024
Montreal
32nd
most congested city in the world (2nd in Canada)
Hours Lost in Traffic Jams
58h
lost in 2024 in the Montreal Metropolitan Community
Estimated Cost
$6.3 billions
for the Montreal Metropolitan Community, which represent 3.1 % of the region’s GDP
Evolution of Associated Cost
x6
in 30 years for the Montreal Metropolitan Community
Sources:
Biking to Fight Congestion
If biking infrastructures are often perceived as aggravating congestion in our cities, it is actually the opposite.
Numerous studies across the world showed that the reduction of roadway space dedicated to motorized traffic leads to a global reduction of congestion, as drivers adopt new mobility habits.
By positioning biking as a true alternative to cars, safe biking infrastructures accelerate modal shift in favor of active transportation and improve traffic conditions for everyone.
