Montreal cyclists paying heavy — and costly — toll on pothole-ridden streets

One Montreal company that makes deliveries by bike says it has spent thousands of dollars this year on repairs to damaged bikes and trailers due to potholes.

It’s been a bad year for potholes and not just for drivers. As the weather warms up, cyclists are also trying to avoid them.

One company that makes deliveries by bike says they’ve spent thousands this year on repairs to damaged bikes and trailers.

In the eight years he’s been running his bicycle delivery business La roue libre, Cédric Chaperon has never seen Montreal roads in worse shape than they are now.

“It’s kind of a nightmare because there are a lot of potholes and road deformation. so, the work is more difficult for us,” the business owner told CTV News.

From morning to night, he and his eight employees are out on the streets navigating an obstacle course of craters, forced to zigzag to avoid hitting holes in the road.

• READ MORE: Road closures, pothole repairs ahead of major cycling event in Montreal in September

Back in his workshop, the repair corner has been getting plenty of use and it’s getting expensive. He estimates repairs to damaged bikes and trailers have cost him around $8,000 over the past year.

There have been falls and minor collisions. Chaperon says they try to avoid the roughest areas, which is tough when speedy deliveries are part of your business model.

Of course, cars are affected, too. Chaperon says the roads and the bike paths are a total mess for all kinds of users.

In a statement, Vélo Québec said: “Potholes don’t just affect drivers—they affect cyclists, too. This is a serious problem that can lead to falls and injuries. We hope the issue will be resolved quickly so that Montrealers can ride on safe roads this summer."

CTV News reached out to the City of Montreal for comment but did not receive a response before publication time.

Chaperon said the city isn’t doing enough for its cycling infrastructure.

“We have to continue to develop it, but we also have to maintain it,” he said.

And with the busy summer season just around the corner he’s hoping for a smoother work day in the near future.