9 out of 10 Businesses Report Negative Impacts from the North–South Bike Path, According to a Léger Survey

Montreal, October 15, 2025 – The Société de développement commercial (SDC) District Central today unveils the results of a survey conducted by the independent firm Léger, with responses from 170 businesses in the area. Carried out over the past few weeks, the survey focused on the development of the north-south bike path along Chabanel, Port-Royal, Meilleur, Park Avenue, and Tolhurst. The results reveal that the vast majority of respondents report significant logistical, economic, and safety impacts related to the new infrastructure.

“The survey results are unequivocal. They reflect the deep concern of businesses faced with decisions that disrupt both their daily operations and their competitiveness. District Central is a vital industrial and logistics hub for Montreal, and it is imperative that its specific needs be fully recognized in urban planning. What’s at stake here is the very future of urban manufacturing,” said Gabriel Tupula, Chair of the Board of Directors of the SDC District Central, entrepreneur in the neighborhood and resident of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough.

Clear disagreement over the implementation

Nearly 90% of surveyed businesses feel they were not adequately consulted, 85% believe the logistical impacts were not taken into account, and 80% denounce poor planning, marked by a poorly structured process and a lack of understanding of the industrial nature of the area.

These concerns are particularly strong in the primary zone, which includes businesses located directly along the bike path route, at the industrial and logistical heart of District Central.

Concerning economic repercussions

Since the bike path was implemented, businesses have reported largely negative economic impacts. For 71% of them, medium- and long-term planning capacity has been compromised, while 66% have seen a decline in their competitiveness. Even more concerning, 63% have observed direct impacts on their revenue or sales—a reality that threatens the economic vitality of this strategic hub.

The impacts are particularly pronounced on accessibility and parking. The vast majority report negative effects on access for their employees (87%), their customers (91%), and their suppliers (95%), as well as on the availability of nearby parking spaces (96%).

In response to the new constraints, many have had to adapt their operations: implementing specific measures related to parking management (23%), incurring additional costs and delays (8%), and making human resources adjustments (7%), such as changing work schedules, reorganizing shifts, or increasing teleworking.

Finally, although 55% of businesses report having made no changes, this does not mean there has been no impact: many simply have not found concrete solutions to compensate for the loss of parking and increased congestion.

A rare and unifying consensus

“The data collected reveals a consensus that is rarely seen. Businesses—whether in services or manufacturing—largely share the same concerns. With a response rate of 16.2%, higher than the average for comparable studies, this survey reflects a notable level of participation from the entrepreneurial community of District Central. It’s a clear signal that public decision-makers must consider in order to reconcile sustainable mobility with economic vitality,” emphasized Guillaume Gingras, Research Director at Léger.

A vision for a smarter city

What the SDC District Central is calling for is urban planning that enhances the territory without weakening it. District Central is recognized as a metropolitan innovation zone, and urban manufacturing plays a strategic role there. It is essential that urban initiatives take this reality into account.

“This isn’t about being against something, but about advocating for a more coherent, inclusive approach that is grounded in the realities of the field and the economic fabric,” concluded Gabriel Tupula.

About the SDC District Central

The Société de développement commercial (SDC) District Central is the catalyst and the voice of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville business world. It represents the combined forces of 2,100 business leaders united to develop a sector with outstanding economic, urban and human potential. Its mission is clear: to breathe new life into this legendary neighbourhood, make it shine on a broader stage and propel it to the very top of Montreal’s economic landscape.  Covering an area of 3km2, District Central is the 4th largest employment centre in Montreal, with 25,000 workers grouped around three business hubs: design, urban manufacturing and technology.

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INFORMATION

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Maude Ouellette Archambault

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