Montreal

Family holds ceremony in honour of young cyclist killed on Mount Royal

A day after new security measures were implemented on Mount Royal, the family of Clément Ouimet visited the site where he was struck and killed while cycling on the mountain.

Clément Ouimet, 18, was struck and killed by vehicle performing illegal U-turn on Mount Royal last week

Friends and family gathered at the Chalet Mont Royal Sunday afternoon to pay tribute to Clément Ouimet, the young cyclist who died when a car collided with him while performing an illegal U-turn on the mountain. (Radio-Canada)

A day after new safety measures were implemented on Mount Royal, the family of Clément Ouimet visited the site where he was struck and killed while cycling on the mountain.

The 18-year-old cyclist was killed on Oct. 4, when a vehicle making an illegal U-turn on Camillien-Houde Way collided with him. After being transported to hospital, Ouimet later died from head injuries.

In honour of Ouimet, the family held a public tribute at the Mount Royal chalet Sunday afternoon.

Friends and family dressed in dark colours embraced each other at the entrance of the chalet on the top of the mountain, many of them of high school and college age.

The death of Ouimet has sparked an outpouring of tributes from his family, friends, fellow cyclists and strangers. All along Camillien-Houde Way, there are flowers and hommages to Ouimet.

About 250 cyclists gathered to hold a memorial ride for 18-year-old Clément Ouimet, who was fatally injured on Camillien-Houde Way this week. (Sara King-Abadi/CBC)

His loved ones have continued to compete in races in his memory and about 250 cyclists took part in a silent memorial bike ride up the mountain.

New security measures

There have also been calls to make the road, a popular training route which passes through Mount Royal, safer.

Clément Ouimet's friends say biking along Camillien-Houde Way was one of his favourite activities. (Clément Ouimet/Facebook)

The City of Montreal officially unveiled a series of provisional safety measures aimed at protecting cyclists on Saturday, including the installment of a digital speed indicator and more signs warning that U-turns are forbidden.

The move, however, has drawn both support and opposition from cyclists, with some saying it comes too late.

Denis Coderre, who is seeking a second term as mayor, said he's putting together a working group to analyze the road's use and see if anything can be done to make Camillien-Houde Way safer.

People have left flowers and tokens near the spot where 18-year-old Clément Ouimet died. (Radio-Canada)

With files from la Presse Canadienne