Riding the Waves of Coexistence
The ownership entity overseeing bike lanes.
Navigating bike paths can sometimes be akin to navigating social dynamics. Let's face it: sharing the road doesn't always go smoothly as Magali Bebronne, director of programs at Vélo Québec, explains. A survey conducted by her team in 2023 revealed a divide in opinions between traditional cyclists and e-bike riders.
The Traffic Boom in Quebec
The trend of active transportation is on the rise in Quebec. In the Greater Montreal area, the percentage of bike trips jumped from 2% in 2018 to 4.1% in 2023, reaching an astounding 11% in downtown Montreal, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The result? Records broken with 18 million bike trips in 2024. Take the Berri bike path, for example, where traffic has increased by 40% over the past five years.
Mapping the Future - Defining the E-bike
The surge in e-bike popularity has caught the attention of the Ministry of Transportation and the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec. They are currently working on defining what an e-bike is and reassessing its framework in the Highway Safety Code (HSC). A step in the right direction was made in 2024: small electric scooters posing as bicycles were banned. In 2023, Quebec also clarified the legal gray area surrounding electric scooters and monocycles, allowing them to circulate on select roads and bike paths at a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
Embracing Active Transportation
But is this enough? Christian Duval, a researcher and professor in the Department of Physical Activity Sciences at the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), contends that bike paths should cater exclusively to active transportation, referring specifically to people who expend energy to move. He feels that e-bikes equipped with an accelerator (a control that allows the bike to move without pedaling) don't belong on bike paths. "We have a problem now with fake active transports clogging bike paths, making them relatively dangerous for people going slower and requiring effort," he argues.
First Class Tickets for E-bikes?
In response, Vélo Québec suggests limiting the speed of electric scooters and unicycles to 6 km/h. E-bikes and electric skateboards are considered vulnerable and "are better off on bike lanes than off them," Magali Bebronne says. Vélo Québec endorses a certain tolerance: the main criteria for determining whether something shouldn't be on a bike lane are its mass and speed. Vélo Québec encourages the government to keep the needs of cargo bikes in mind, as they are heavy but offer the potential to replace cars. For instance, the speed of heavy cargo bikes could be reduced to 25 km/h, she suggests.
Hitting the Right Speed
Pierre Lavoie, a triathlete, reminds us that bike paths come in different forms: physically separated lanes, visually separated lanes, and shared lanes with motor vehicles. In his opinion, bike lanes should only cater to active transportation. He emphasizes the importance of adapting one's speed to the pace of the slowest, especially considering the presence of children and families.
Stepping Out of the Bike Lane
Just because an e-bike can reach speeds of 32 km/h doesn't mean it should always be pushed to the limit, Bebronne says. "It's always a good idea to adapt your speed to your surroundings, especially when children are present," she adds. If rapid speed and frequent overtaking become a recurring theme, it may be wise to leave the bike lane altogether. Technicality-wise, cyclists no longer need to remain within the bike lane in streets with one since 2010.
Unleashing the Potential
Infrastructure plays a significant role in fostering harmonious coexistence on bike lanes. "The tensions and collisions on bike lanes come from the fact that the infrastructure is no longer up to the degree of circulation and the variety of vehicles found on them," Bebronne concludes.
Test your knowledge with our quiz
Us and Them?
- Recognize that tensions on bike paths stem from various factors, including e-bikes, speed, and infrastructure.
- Embrace the need for clear signage, updated infrastructure, and ongoing education to accommodate diverse users.
- Understand that adhering to guidelines and being mindful of others are essential for an enjoyable and safe bike path experience.
- Magali Bebronne, the director of programs at Vélo Québec, noted a divide in opinions between traditional cyclists and e-bike riders, claiming that conduct on bike paths can be riskier, especially considering the rise in e-bike popularity.
- Christian Duval, a researcher and professor, argued that bike paths should cater exclusively to active transportation, as e-bikes equipped with an accelerator don't belong on bike paths due to the clogging of paths and potential danger for those going slower.
- Vélo Québec endorses a tolerance for certain vehicles on bike lanes, suggesting the speed of electric scooters and unicycles be limited to 6 km/h, and heavy cargo bikes be reduced to 25 km/h to accommodate various needs in active transportation.
- Pierre Lavoie, a triathlete, stressed the importance of adapting one's speed to the pace of the slowest users, such as children and families, when navigating bike lanes of different forms.
- Bebronne reminded that it's always a good idea to adapt your speed to your surroundings, especially when children are present, and leisurely pedaling may be wiser than pushing an e-bike to its top speed of 32 km/h to ensure a safe and enjoyable bike path experience for all.
