Montreal’s Popular Pedestrian Open Streets

Pedestrianized streets in Montreal are very popular!

I have been visiting Montreal peroidically over the last 25 years but not often of late and to see the progression of safe, comfortable walking areas has been nice. But particularly now: since Covid the city started amping up the numbers and distance of either mostly pedestrianized or open streets throughout all seven boroughs of the city.

I got to visit three of the coolest ones plus ample places all over Montreal that are great places for people. In Montreal they boast one amazing business street (Mont Royal) that runs for over 1 1/2 miles and even a good portion of the cross streets are closed to cars. The space is filled morning, day and evening, is closed 24 hours a day for the entire Summer and is filled with every kind of imaginable user. The city even has a pedicab/cargo bike service that is free for anyone that needs it.

[paolagrando]

Brilliant idea the cargo bikes for the elderly.

[truthseeker]

im not canadian or in canada but i agree with this. im really tired of cars, everywhere cars, too much cars, everyone in cars. we need more open streets with just people walking freely. good initiative.

[MarijnvdSterre]

Good! Keep it up and expand it. And why not make it permanent? Such a place in the winter with all kinds of light would be a wonderful place to go as well.

[JimTeller]

Love this. Montreal is moving up my bucket list 🚴‍♂️

[carstarsarstenstesenn]

looks so beautiful. thanks for shining for light on what Montreal is doing

[christill]

Fantastic stuff. So much to like. The cargo bike taxis and the swinging benches are my highlights for sure though.

[smarkasmc]

Fantastic! I love it. Thanks for sharing 👍 😊

[DiscoverMontréal]

There's a reason why some people visit Montreal and never end up leaving :)

[thesorus]

Montréal need to keep them open all year long. Now, they are closed for only the summer (june to early september)

Or at least find a way to have an hybrid solution for the other 9 months.

Montréal, t'es capable de mieux.

[rickb]

Loving the footage. Is it possible to weave in more of the local business owners and how they experienced the transformation? Did they see big differences between this year and last year?

Not only financially and if it was more busy or not, but also if they saw different types customers, did they change opening hours, and if they are looking forward to next year. And also if they have plans to get even more creative with their setup. The moving benches are awesome. And anything that comes to mind for them now that this has been done two years in a row. If they are convinced, that would arguably be the biggest step forward. Then this drive to change cities is moving from a push market to to a pull market.

[CharlesDenison]

I was in Montreal earlier this month and the pedestrian streets were incredible!

[davethibault]

Living in Montreal for nearly 9 years now. This opening of public spaces was the best thing the city has ever done. My only complaint is that I wish they would stay around longer around the year. Right now they're only from June till September. I feel they should be around from April till mid-November.

[indo]

Isn't this much better, you guys....?...good luck and greetings from

[GeoPerspectiveCanada-frtj]

thanks for making this creative commons

[MichaelSalo]

Civilization. American cities should try this sometime.

[milly-sybc]

I like that its atleast for the entire summer, some cities just do it for 1 day in a year which is just laughable

[jonpetter]

Is Montréal the most European city in Canada ?

[jonathansandberg]

Are there residents on any of these streets? Do they complain about not being able to drive their groceries or get heavy deliveries to their door? If so, how are they accommodated?

[carfreeneoliberalgeorgisty]

I love the city of Montréal. My mum is from the city of Westmount on the Montréal island and it's always a treat to go to Montréal to see the city. Unfortunately Québec's francophone supremacy and xenophobia towards anyone who is not a white french Canadian makes it impossible to move there.

[darrenharney]

Absolutely terrible. How do the homes and business get service. The main streets closed, and the side streets for residents only. Good luck getting your toilet fixed, when it won't flush.