Montreal wheelchair user calls out poor condition of city’s sidewalks

A Montreal woman who uses a wheelchair says sidewalk conditions need to improve in the city – and she wants local politicians to know.

Notre-Dame-de-Grace resident Lisa Freeman says she feels every crack, hole and bump on sidewalks and navigating the city can be a challenge.

“It may be reversing course or going way out of your way, which means you might miss a bus. It means you’re often in the bike lane or in the road because the sidewalk isn’t accessible, which is not as safe as it could be,” she says.

As an advocate for those with reduced mobility, Freeman took her concerns to the Cote-des-Neiges-NDG borough council meeting Monday night to question elected officials about accessibility.

The borough says it allocated more than $1 million in this year’s budget for sidewalk repairs.

“We’re going to do better. We’re in the phase of planning and documenting,” said interim borough mayor Sonny Moroz.

Freeman says it’s not just the condition of sidewalks, but there can be obstacles, including bins and signs that can block wheelchair users.

“In general, the sidewalks are sort of an afterthought. It often feels like accessibility is often an afterthought. Most people don’t have to think about, ‘Can I get into that cafe? Can I get to that bus stop?’” she says

It’s not just an NDG issue, says Freeman, as there are problems all over the city.

She says she hears more about repairing potholes on our roads than fixing the cracks on sidewalks.

“I’ve had many people tell me that when they had their baby and they’re using a stroller, suddenly the sidewalks are a problem,” she says.

Freeman hopes she can once again share her experience when the borough holds public consultations on accessibility next month.

“Looking at accessibility not as a convenience or a nice to have, but a need to have,” she says.