WINNIPEG - The City of Winnipeg says it’s rolling out its Enhanced Summer Bike Program today, as crews gradually put up signs restricting motor vehicle access to 17 streets across the city to make way for cyclists.
The city says a dozen of the planned bike routes will become operational over the next several weeks after a 15 to 1 vote at City Hall approved the pilot project.
Unlike the program’s predecessor from last year, which was known as Open Streets, pedestrians aren’t allowed along the new bike routes, as the city has come to realize having foot traffic sharing the road was a violation of the Manitoba Highway Traffic Act, which says pedestrians aren’t permitted on a roadway when there’s a “reasonably passable” sidewalk present.
The new routes that will be open seven days a week between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. include:
- Lyndale Drive - Cromwell St to Gauvin St
- Wellington Cres - Academy Rd to Guelph St
- Wolseley Ave - Raglan Rd to Maryland St
- Churchill Drive between Hay Street and Jubilee Avenue
- Egerton Road between Bank Avenue and Morier Avenue
- Kildonan Drive between Helmsdale Avenue and Irving Place
- Kilkenny Drive between Burgess Avenue and Kings Drive / Kings Drive between Kilkenny Drive and Patricia Avenue
- Alexander Avenue - Arlington Street to Princess Street
- Ravelston Avenue - Wayoata to Brewster Street
- Linwood Street - Portage Avenue to Silver Avenue
- Harbison Avenue West - Henderson Highway to eastern terminus
- Rose Lake Court surrounding Rose Lake Green
- Youville Street - Eugenie Street to Haig Avenue, which will be delayed due to construction on Des Meurons St, and is expected to open in the fall
Four routes will be open between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays only:
- Assiniboine Avenue - Parkside Drive to Ferry Road
- Rover Avenue between Hallet Street and Stephens Street
- Scotia Street - Armstrong Ave to Anderson Ave
- Wellington Avenue - Maryland Street to Strathcona Street
Although the city is implementing the program today, it says bike routes will only be officially open once they are properly barricaded and signs are installed.
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