Cyclists in Montreal are voicing concerns about the city’s online consultation launched in June 2026 to collect input on expanding the bike‑path network. The group of riders says the survey may lack impartiality and could expose personal information, prompting a debate over the process’s transparency.
The municipal government introduced the digital questionnaire as part of a broader effort to plan new bike lanes across the city. Participants are asked to share opinions on proposed routes and priorities for the network’s growth. While the platform is intended to gather a wide range of public feedback, several cyclists argue that the design of the survey does not guarantee an unbiased outcome.
Beyond questions of objectivity, the cyclists’ criticism focuses on data privacy. They fear that the online format could collect and store personal details without sufficient safeguards, potentially allowing the city or third parties to access information that should remain confidential. The concerns center on how respondents’ identities and responses might be used beyond the immediate planning purpose.
The controversy has placed the city’s consultation process under scrutiny as it moves forward with plans to expand Montreal’s bike‑lane infrastructure. Municipal officials have not yet responded publicly to the cyclists’ complaints, and the online survey remains open for public participation. The situation highlights the challenges municipalities face when balancing the need for broad community input with assurances of privacy and fairness in digital engagement tools.