Beyond the numbers, a story of coexistence

Over a three-week period, 37 businesses located along the bike path route in District Central—representing nearly 6,400 employees—took the time to share their day-to-day realities. This collective portrait sheds light on the tangible tensions experienced on the ground, particularly around accessibility, urban logistics, and working conditions.

A large majority of respondents—86%—indicate that the bike path directly hinders access to their business. This disruption to mobility is not without consequences: 48% of surveyed companies anticipate revenue losses of up to $250,000 per year. On an operational level, 81% receive deliveries frequently—ranging from several times a week to daily—making smooth access to public space essential. Moreover, 68% report a lack of loading zones and rely on street-level delivery areas to fill the gap.

These figures are far from abstract—they tell the story of a neighborhood in transformation, where coexistence must be at the heart of urban planning decisions. They highlight the urgent need for collaborative solutions that balance economic imperatives, the operational realities of businesses, and sustainable mobility goals. “The industrial merchant model, rooted in short supply chains and local proximity, requires logistics that are not only efficient but also respectful of the human environment,” reminds Hélène Veilleux, Executive Director of the SDC District Central.

During a visit on-site in April 2025, the observations were striking: heavy trucks struggling to maneuver through narrow streets, overloaded delivery zones, and reduced visibility due to ongoing construction. A few cyclists began using the new bike path segment as soon as it opened, highlighting a very real need for safe travel options—one that the SDC District Central has been working to address through committee efforts for several years.

“With a logistical reality as complex as the territory itself, the key is to strike a balance between a productive district that must continue to deliver, create, and manufacture, and a neighborhood that also wants to welcome more active mobility. Too often, the debate becomes polarized around false oppositions: cyclists versus truck drivers, pedestrians versus motorists, local prosperity versus sustainability,” emphasizes Élisabeth Tremblay, Director of MOBA Mobilité Alternative, a long-time partner.