Skateboards now welcome on Montreal bike paths

​Montreal city council has voted to allow skateboards on the network of bike paths across the island.

Championed by Projet Montréal councillor Sterling Downey, the council voted last night to designate skateboarding as an active mode of transportation.

"I've been skate boarding since I was 12 years old and I've received tickets. Suddenly it dawned on me, you know, this is 30 years later and it's still not permitted," Downey says. 

"When you leave your home on your skateboard or when you choose to go to school or work on your skateboard, you are not committing an offence, you're actively participating in something that is positive."

In December of 2014, the city outlined which vehicles were allowed on bike paths but skateboards were not included on the list. 

Downey brought the issue to city council and his motion was adopted unanimously.

The city is encouraging the province to make changes to the Highway Safety Code to reflect its decision.

Currently, anyone caught skateboarding on a road could face a fine ranging from $30 to $60 under the province's code.