Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Montreal

Montreal’s Car-free Rue St. Catherine and Bustling Bike Rush Hour

While spending a week in Montreal, my wife and I stayed right along the Rue Sainte Catherine, which we discovered is closed to motor vehicles from May 15 through September 6 in two main sections. The first, a mile-long stretch that's been car-free in the summer since 2008, has a lot of restaurants and is filled with pedestrians all night long. The second, a more recent addition, is a smaller section to the west which features plenty of programming and music near the Place des Arts.

I put together a montage that will give you a small taste of the experience. It's hard to convey the peace and quiet you feel, but I tried.

I last visited Montreal in 2001 to ride the annual Tour de L'ile, and the bicycling is as good as I remember it. We got Bixi bikes one day and documented a little of the biking life. The p.m. rush hour in Montreal is pretty thick with cyclists in the protected bike lanes. And, as in world's other great bike cities, you'll see many children and seniors riding. Good indicator species.

Mikael Colville Andersen at Copenhagenize seems to think Montreal doesn't get its bicycle props. I'd have to agree, at least during the beautiful summer months.

I'll end with the below photo. My wife used a restroom and was telling me all about this great advert on the back of the door featuring women and transit. I wanted to see it badly, so I made her go back in and take a photo. Translated as "Beautiful Girls Aren't Just in Limousines," it sends a great message to young women: "Save time, save money, chance encounters, autonomy, speed, etc. Public transportation is more than just a way of getting around."

I'd love to see similar campaigns here for American teens. After all, a big part of gaining independence is having the ability to travel.

false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Good Trade-Off’: Rat-Hating Mayor Adams Puts Trash Cans Over Parking As Bins Come to Brooklyn

A few parking spots are worth the "sacrifice" of cleaner streets, Adams said announcing plans to bring curbside trash bins to Brooklyn.

September 16, 2025

DOT Warns City Council Against Letting Taxi Drivers Park in Loading Zones

A Council bill to let for-hire vehicle drivers park in delivery zones will cause more double parking and congestion, city officials warned.

September 16, 2025

MTA Employees’ Personal Cars Create Dirty, Hazardous Environment In East New York

MTA employees completely disrespect residents of the neighborhood with cars that they never move.

September 16, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: ‘Gridlock Gov’ Alert Edition

Blame New York City's "Gridlock Alert Day" traffic next week on Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York Post. Plus more news.

September 16, 2025

Possible Adams Veto Looms Over Renewed Council Push for Universal Daylighting

The bill will need two-thirds of the Council's support to overcome a resistant Mayor Adams.

September 15, 2025

Delivery App Companies Oppose A City Council E-Bike Safety Bill … Again

Delivery workers want protection from being fired from their app jobs without a reason. True to form, the app companies don't want them to have it.

September 15, 2025
See all posts