Ensemble Montréal era begins with winter bike-lane rollback in Outremont

Montreal is entering its next chapter of bike-lane politics.

And a narrow stretch down an avenue in Outremont is where it begins.

The borough of Outremont approved a motion Monday, in its first council meeting under newly elected borough mayor Caroline Braun, to remove the protected bike lane over winter on Lajoie Ave. to restore curbside parking.

The amendment converts the 200-something-metre stretch between Stuart and Outremont Aves. into a shared street from Dec. 1 to March 31. Motorists will be able to park along the south side of the road through the winter. The protected bike lane will then return in the spring.

It’s the first major bike-lane change since the municipal election, when the issue featured prominently among rival candidates. The victorious Ensemble Montréal, the part