A Moncton city councillor is pushing to turn Main Street into a pedestrian walkway during July and August to spur on more activities in the downtown core.

Coun. Daniel Bourgeois said the idea would allow the city to capitalize on the popularity of the big festivals such as the motorcycle and car shows that are hosted on Main Street each year.

"My guess is that it would enhance the vitality and dynamics of downtown at least for the summer months," Bourgeois said.

Bourgeois would like to see restaurant and bar tables spilling out all over the sidewalks with performers, musicians and jugglers filling the areas now used by cars.

'Part of the buzz of Main Street now is the traffic, cars, people seen and being seen, not just by pedestrians but by people who are driving by.'— Lawrence Forbes, president of Downtown Moncton Inc.

He said it would enhance the experience that Moncton residents and tourists have during the summer months.

Bourgeois said downtown merchants would have to agree to this change. So far, one local business association is cool to the idea.

Lawrence Forbes, the president of Downtown Moncton Inc., said closing Main Street to vehicles is fine for a big show but he doesn't think that excitement will carry over for two months each summer.

"For just two weekends, it's great. Can we do it for a whole summer? That's another question," he said.

Forbes said he is afraid Main Street would lose its vitality if cars are banned.

"Part of the buzz of Main Street now is the traffic, cars, people seen and being seen, not just by pedestrians but by people who are driving by," he said.

Forbes said a similar idea was rejected in 2005, but the merchants agreed to review it in 2010.