William Crooks

Lennoxville residents filled the Amédée-Beaudoin Community Centre on Aug. 25 for a public meeting on proposed changes to Queen Street, including a potential bike lane

Heated debate over Queen Street bike path as residents pack consultation meeting

By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative

Over 150 residents filled the Centre communautaire Amédée-Beaudoin on Aug. 25 for a highly anticipated public information and exchange session on Lennoxville’s infrastructure plans. The meeting, organized by the City of Sherbrooke, aimed to gather input on a proposed bike lane project along Queen Street, but the discussion quickly revealed deep divisions and frustrations among participants.

The event, moderated by independent facilitator Sonia Dumont, was billed as an opportunity to “present the project before plans and specifications are finalized, hear your concerns and aspirations, and provide food for thought for next steps.” Dumont stressed her neutrality, noting, “I am not an employee of the City of Sherbrooke, but a professional facilitator hired for this session… I commit to moderating in a spirit of openness and listening, and to act respectfully.”

Language dispute and ground rules spark early tension

Before any details of the project were presented, tensions surfaced over language. Dumont announced that the presentation would be delivered in French but assured participants they could ask questions in the language of their choice: “Tonight’s presentation will be in French, but please, at any time during the evening, feel free and comfortable to express yourself or to ask your question or to comment in the language that you prefer.”

Several English-speaking attendees objected, arguing that given Lennoxville’s demographics, the presentation should have been bilingual from the outset. One participant pressed, “Considering that a majority of us are English here, is there a reason why you’re not doing it in English?” The moderator ultimately promised translation throughout the session.

Adding to the friction, Dumont reminded the crowd that recording audio or video clips without authorization was prohibited, echoing the City’s participation charter. However, such restrictions have no legal basis under Quebec law for a public meeting.

What’s already decided—and what’s not

Dumont clarified at the outset what elements of the project were settled: “The work must be completed at the crosswalks… it’s mandatory to comply with Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable standards by 2026. And based on the analysis, the only place suited for a bicycle link that addresses all needs and standards is along Queen Street.”

Beyond that, she emphasized, “there’s room for adaptation,” inviting comments on three themes: parking, safety and travel, and neighbourhood improvements.

City outlines rationale and timeline

Urban planning director Réal Girard and division head for sustainable mobility Anne-Sophie Demers presented the City’s case. The project, they explained, stems from Sherbrooke’s strategic plan to build “sustainable, inclusive, and safe communities” while addressing climate change and improving connectivity between Lennoxville and downtown Sherbrooke.

Key goals include creating a safer corridor for cyclists and pedestrians, especially students and commuters, and linking Lennoxville to the Route Verte and the wider regional bike network. The City also aims to take advantage of a provincially mandated upgrade of pedestrian crossings, which will see four intersections—Queen at Academy, in front of Maxi/Opto-Réseau, Queen and Church, and Queen and Downs—equipped with rapid-flash beacons and improved lighting by summer 2026.

As part of this opportunity, Sherbrooke proposes reconfiguring Queen Street to add one-way bike lanes on both sides, removing 49 parking spaces on the west side while retaining 51 on the east. “That’s the only way we can have two bike lanes, one on each side,” Demers said. The design would place the bike lane between parked cars and traffic on the east side and directly next to the curb on the west.

The project’s timeline includes:

• Summer 2025: Complete participatory process and present findings to elected officials.
• Fall 2025: Publish report and finalize designs.
• Winter 2026: Engineering work.
• Spring/Summer 2026: Construction begins.

Data and constraints

Girard noted that Queen Street carries over 12,000 vehicles daily—far above the 3,000 threshold for “shared street” concepts—and accommodates truck traffic and bus routes. For these reasons, scenarios like reducing speed to create a shared street or using the railway corridor were ruled out. “It’s impossible to move that road safely for bicycles in that sector,” Demers explained of the rail option.

Parking studies, based on eight counts between November 2024 and January 2025, show on-street spots average 30 per cent occupancy overall, though the busiest section between College and Speid reaches 80 per cent at times. Adjacent streets offer 282 additional public spaces within 330 metres.

Residents voice support—and outrage

The question period stretched for more than an hour, with strong opinions on both sides. Several business owners warned that losing parking would hurt commerce. “If customers can’t park right out front, they’ll go elsewhere,” one said, prompting applause. Another argued, “We’re not downtown Sherbrooke. People drive here for groceries and services. They need parking.”

Others worried about winter conditions and safety: “Who’s going to clear the bike lanes? What happens when snowbanks pile up?” one resident asked.

Supporters countered that the plan reflects modern mobility needs. “Students and young families want safe bike routes. If Lennoxville doesn’t adapt, we’ll fall behind,” one speaker said. Another added, “This is about choice. Nobody’s taking away cars—we’re just adding an option.”

Frustration also boiled over about the City’s approach. Some accused officials of deciding in advance. “You’re saying you’re listening, but it feels like this is already a done deal,” one attendee remarked, drawing murmurs of agreement. Others criticized communication, citing the unilingual presentation and the initial claim about recording restrictions.

Emotions spill beyond the meeting

Social media lit up after the meeting, with several residents describing the event as frustrating and one-sided. Posts criticized the lengthy focus on conduct rules and the City’s warning against recording, and some accused officials of pushing a “predetermined” project. Comments highlighted fears about losing parking, skepticism about winter maintenance of bike lanes, and concerns over cyclist behaviour. Others said the consultation felt like “smoke and mirrors,” while a few defended the need for safer cycling infrastructure.

What’s next

Officials reiterated that feedback will be analyzed and a summary published in fall 2025 before final designs are prepared. For now, only the crosswalk upgrades are guaranteed. Whether Lennoxville’s main street gets bike lanes—and at what cost to parking—remains unresolved.

Residents with further questions can email mobilite@sherbrooke.ca, the City confirmed during the meeting.