By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
As Sherbrooke approaches the Nov. 2 municipal election, the Lennoxville bike path project has become a contentious issue. Proposed changes to Queen Street that would add one-way cycling lanes and reduce parking have divided residents, merchants, and city officials. All four mayoral candidates agree on the importance of active mobility, but their responses highlight different approaches to consultation, compromise, and balancing transportation with economic needs.
Vincent Boutin: Communication and compromise
Independent candidate Vincent Boutin said before the recent official launch of his campaign that the real problem is that residents and merchants were not properly engaged from the start. “This project was not worked on in advance,” he said, pointing to the Aug. 25 public consultation where many business owners felt left out.
Boutin recalled similar tensions on King Street East, where opposition eventually gave way to solutions after direct meetings. “The same situation happened—merchants, developers, and residents were all against it. We sat down with them, found solutions, and the project moved forward,” he explained.
He believes the current compromise, which preserves some parking while adding bike lanes, can work if further adjustments are made. “At first, I was told there would be no parking at all. The compromise we have now could be viable, but we can still do more to address merchants’ concerns,” he said.
For Boutin, continued dialogue is the way forward. “We need to work with citizens even more if we want this project to succeed,” he added.
Raïs Kibonge: Continuing the dialogue
Sherbrooke Citoyen candidate Raïs Kibonge framed the Lennoxville debate as part of a bigger picture. “We need a plan that connects the whole city so cyclists can travel seamlessly,” he said Sept. 30.
Each neighbourhood has its own challenges, he argued, making the Aug. 25 consultation an important first step. He compared it to work done on Wellington South, where concerns from businesses and non-profits were resolved through repeated discussions. “We talked about parking, deliveries, and other real needs. In the end, we reached an agreement and the bike lane went in,” he said.
Kibonge stressed flexibility in Lennoxville as well. “Some people suggested maybe the bike lane could work only on weekends or weekdays. I’m open to those kinds of discussions,” he said.
He also underlined that cyclists and people with reduced mobility need to be considered alongside merchants and drivers. “The way forward is to keep talking until we find a solution that works for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and people who need parking,” he said.
Guillaume Brien: Protecting local business
Vision Action Sherbrooke candidate Guillaume Brien voiced strong concern for the survival of small businesses in a Sept. 30 conversation with The Record. After visiting Hayley Hopps, owner of a Lennoxville marketplace hosting 40 artisans, he said he was struck by the risk they faced. “They told me they might have to close if the project goes ahead as planned. That’s major,” he said.
Brien insisted his party is not against cycling infrastructure. “Bike paths are good. They need to be connected and safe. But in some areas, we have to find routes that won’t kill local businesses or drive them away,” he explained.
He also rejected what he called a divisive framing. “This isn’t about choosing between the bike and the car. We can find solutions together,” Brien said.
Merchants have also raised safety concerns for delivery trucks. “Some said, ‘Our trucks won’t see cyclists if lanes go in as planned.’ Maybe the bike lane needs to be concentrated on one side. I’m not the expert, but I know enough to say we need to pause in certain areas,” he said.
As mayor, Brien pledged to revisit the Lennoxville plan. “For the stretch through downtown Lennoxville, we’ll review things to strike a balance between cyclists and businesses,” he said.
Marie-Claude Bibeau: Pledging a review
Independent candidate Marie-Claude Bibeau has already staked out a position on the issue. At a Sept. 26 press conference in Lennoxville, she acknowledged residents’ and merchants’ frustration. “Consultation means going to those who are most affected early in the process, not after the decision has been made,” she said.
Bibeau committed to revisiting the Lennoxville project if elected. “This project will not move forward until we have found an acceptable option for the local community,” she pledged.
While supportive of expanding Sherbrooke’s cycling network, she argued it must be done responsibly and with broad acceptance.
Background: August consultation
The Aug. 25 public meeting at the Amédée-Beaudoin Community Centre drew over 150 residents and exposed the divisions now playing out in the campaign. City officials presented plans for bike lanes along Queen Street, tied to provincially mandated crosswalk upgrades and Sherbrooke’s mobility plan. The project would remove 49 parking spots on the west side while keeping 51 on the east.
Residents raised fears about losing parking, snow removal, and safety, while merchants warned of economic losses. Supporters countered that Lennoxville needed to modernize and connect to the regional cycling network. Frustration mounted when some accused officials of having already made up their minds.
A defining issue
The future of the Queen Street bike path is uncertain, with construction not expected before 2026. Boutin calls for better communication, Kibonge for continued dialogue, Brien for strong protection of local businesses, and Bibeau for a fresh review.
For Lennoxville residents, the decision will shape not only the borough’s main street but also the broader vision of how Sherbrooke balances sustainable mobility with the needs of its merchants and families.