Today, Councillor Russ Wyatt joined partners from Bike to the Future, the Winnipeg Trails Association, Climate Change Connection, One Green City, Resource Conservation Manitoba, the Manitoba Cycling Association and The Centre for Sustainable Transportation, to announce three Active Transportation initiatives for Spring 2009:

1. A new Winnipeg cycling map available at cycling shops throughout Winnipeg starting today, Wednesday, April 29, 2009
2. A GPS Cycling Study called OttoCYCLE: Building Better Biking in Winnipeg starting May 1, 2009
3. Bike to Work Day, to be held on Friday, June 19, 2009

“These three initiatives are an opportunity to educate and promote cycling in our city. I encourage all members of City Council, the Public Service, and our citizens to participate and get active,” said Councillor Wyatt.

1) Cycling Map showcases Winnipeg’s Active Transportation Network

The Winnipeg Cycling Map 2009 will be available starting today, Wednesday, April 29, 2009. It is based on the City’s Active Transportation Network and replaces the popular 1999 Winnipeg Cycling Map that was commissioned for the Pan Am Games. The 2009 edition promises to be a key resource for the citizens of Winnipeg and visitors to our city.

Winnipeg Cycling Map 2009 was created by a partnership of organizations including the City of Winnipeg, Bike to the Future, the Winnipeg Trails Association, Climate Change Connection, One Green City, Resource Conservation Manitoba, the Manitoba Cycling Association. The cycling community from across Winnipeg played a vital role in identifying the routes on this map.

Curt Hull, Project Manager of the Winnipeg Cycling Map 2009 committee said: “Winnipeg really needs this map. I really believe that if people can find a comfortable, reasonably direct route to their destinations then many will choose to use their bikes to get around. This map shows the city’s network of existing routes that will get cyclists to their destinations. The map also shows proposed future additions to the network that will advance the goal of making Winnipeg a cycling friendly city.”

Winnipeg Cycling Map 2009 will be available at bike shops and other retailers around Winnipeg beginning today, Wednesday April 29, 2009. For more information on the location closest to you, call 925-5686.

2) OttoCYCLE: Building Better Biking in Winnipeg

The Centre for Sustainable Transportation (CST), along with the City of Winnipeg, is offering Winnipeg cyclists the chance to track their cycling routes to determine where to build potential cycling infrastructure. Over 900 cyclists will be able to take a GPS device along on their regular cycling trips for two weeks between May and October, 2009. This is your chance to participate in the study.

What: Bring Otto - a small and light pocket-sized GPS device - along with you when you cycle
For how long: Only two weeks
When: Between May 1 and October 30, 2009
Who: Anyone in Winnipeg who cycles more than once a week

The CST will analyse the data from the Otto devices and prepare the information for the City of Winnipeg. By determining where people are actually cycling, this information will be used to establish priorities for development of a city-wide Active Transportation Network.

To sign up for a two-week block, email ottocycle@uwinnipeg.ca or call 988-7182 with your availability and contact information.

3) Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day, scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2009, highlights the environmental, health, and economic benefits of cycling by encouraging Winnipeggers to cycle to work or school.

“Like a growing number of Winnipeggers, I have started cycling to work. The transition from motorist to cyclist has been easier than I would have imagined,” said Ron Brown, Executive Director of the Manitoba Cycling Association. “I support the work done by our civic leaders in developing the 2009 Active Transportation Plan, and I look forward to participating in ‘Bike to Work Day’.”

Winnipeggers are encouraged to visit www.biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org to register and learn more about active transportation in Winnipeg.