Will the Jacques Cartier Bridge bike path ever be open in the winter?

While Montreal and South Shore cyclists would love to see the bike path on the JacquesCartierBridge stay open during the winter, the federal corporation that manages the bridge says it's simply not safe.

A study commissioned by the bridge authority to see whether it would be feasible to keep the path open all year found that it's too dangerous.

The bridge authority monitors the weather in order to determine when it will close for the season.

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JuliePaquet, spokeswomanfor the JacquesCartierandChamplainBridges Incorporated, said the authority does what it can to open the bike pathas early in the spring as possible and close it as late in the autumn aspossible.

She explained the path has a "certain geometry" that makes it difficult to keep it open, and structural changes would be needed.

Also, there are special weather conditions to take into consideration because it's elevated and the river runs underneath it, there's a higher risk of black ice, high winds, and ice or snow falling from the superstructure onto the path.

The bike path is also part of the bridge's deck, and there's no protective membrane over it to protect it from de-icing salts.

"We know there's a value in having this link open year-round, and we know there's a demand from the cyclist community, however, we don't yet have the technical solution to make sure it's safe," she said.

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But Daniel Lambert, spokesmanfor the Montreal Bike Coalition, said many official bodies hide behind safety issues in order to avoid taking action.

He conceded that black ice is an issue and a membrane to protect the path from road salt wouldbe necessary.

But he saidthe superstructure isn't over the bike path, so falling snow and ice would only be a problem on very windy days.

"When you look at a typical commute and what cyclists are exposed to now, we call these feeble excuses for not doing the right thing," he said.

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And while Montreal is taking steps in the right direction when it comes to promotingcycling and winter cycling, specifically the federal government isn't following suit, he said.

Considering thatpromoting cycling is an easy way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a goal the Trudeau government has identified as a priority, Lambert said it seems like a lack of commitment on the government's part.

Maybe next year?

Paquet said an average of half a million cyclingtrips are taken on the path each year, a figure that ison the rise. And more cyclists are using the bike path in the colder months as well.

The growing popularity of winter cycling justifies spending the money to make sure the path is accessible year-round, Lambert said.

"If you build it, they will come," he said.

And while Lamberthopes the path will be open for winter next year, Paquet said that isn't likely.

The bridge corporation will, however,implement a new system for winter maintenance so the path can be reopened earlier in the spring, she said.