CSL wants consult before next Tour de l’Île
By Joel Goldenberg
The recent Tour de Île created a cordon of sorts around the west end of Montreal, resulting in lots of traffic difficulties as 30,000 cyclists made their way around the city.
Especially irritated was Côte St. Luc councillor Mike Cohen, who sought his council’s support to send a letter to Côte des Neiges/NDG borough mayor Michael Applebaum. One of the tour’s routes was McLynn and Earnscliffe, which is crossed by many Côte St. Luc and Hampstead residents heading east.
“I’m sure I’m not alone — this has been happening for many years. I had to take the family to Westmount [on May 31] — I gave myself 45 minutes to get there, but every route I tried to take to get out of NDG, I was blocked. Every street, it was an absolute nightmare.
“I finally got there, but it’s really regrettable. I’ve never been a fan of Tour de L’Île, it should be at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve where it does not inconvenience the entire population. I fail to understand [why] the city of Montreal gives it so much leeway.”
Cohen said his letter to Applebaum asks the borough to “at least” consult with neighbouring communities before the route is approved.
“I would like that the event not be allowed anywhere near Côte des Neiges/NDG, but perhaps that’s wishing too much. At least, I will make that request.”
The former CôteSt.HampWest borough banned the tour from its area several years ago after the event caused traffic blockages and angry exchanges between borough residents and Tour de L’Île officials. There was even an allegation of anti-Semitic remarks on the part of an official.
Councillor Glenn Nashen supported Cohen’s letter, saying he is also not a big fan of the bicycle event.
“What I find particularly interesting and ironic is that two days before the event, Côte des Neiges/NDG was out patching the sections where 30,000 cyclists were going to travel, yet theycan’t fix Van Horne, where 30,000 Côte St. Luc residents travel every day. Van Horne is a complete ridiculous nightmare.”
Councillor Ruth Kovac half-joked that Tour de l’Île organizers should be encouraged to include Van Horne, especially the eastbound area leading up to Decarie, on their route.
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