Cyclists who brave the ride down Henderson Highway will soon have an alternative route in a less traffic-heavy area of East Kildonan.

Last week, local politicians announced $350,000 in funding from all three levels of government for a bike boulevard that will run parallel to Henderson Highway down streets east of the major roadway.

The cash for a new route couldn’t come soon enough for those who bike to and from work on Henderson during rush hour— dodging construction, potholes and swerving vehicles along the way.

“It’s exciting news. It would be less intimidation of the lead foot,” said Louis Corbeil, an avid cyclist who works at Bikes and Beyond on Henderson near the Disraeli bridge.

Corbeil, who lives in Oakbank, has been biking to work for the past 25 years and is no stranger to the dangers of the road.

“I never take anything for granted,” said Corbeil, adding that just because the light is green doesn’t mean it’s safe to go.

“I respect the size of cars and trucks. The attitude you have to take is that you’re at the bottom of the food chain.”

Corbeil said he could take a safer daily route such as the Northeast Pioneers Greenway, a multi-use path between Raleigh Street and Gateway Road, but it’s not as convenient as Henderson.

“To take a bikeway, I have to go out of my way,” he said.

While major roadways such as Henderson Highway that have no dedicated bike lanes or so-called sharrows can be dangerous territory for cyclists, Corbeil said he understands the plight of the motorist. Not only have they “fought their way through construction and traffic,” Corbeil said drivers have to deal with passing a cyclist, which can be a nerve-wracking experience given the tight space.

The 7.5-km bike boulevard — a roadway shared between cyclists and motorists — is planned for Roch and Brazier streets from Sutton Avenue to Midwinter Avenue.

The route could eventually connect to or be located near the separate cyclist and pedestrian bridge planned for construction east of the Disraeli Bridge during its upcoming rehabilitation project.

“Henderson Highway is extremely busy and it’s very dangerous for cyclists to be on it,” said Kildonan-St. Paul MP Joy Smith at the funding announcement, adding the new route is a safe connection between the western part of East Kildonan and downtown.

Kevin Nixon, the city’s active transportation co-ordinator, said the three levels of government will contribute $20 million in funding for 37 active transportation projects in Winnipeg within the next year.

“It’s a huge statement from government that they’re taking active transportation seriously,” Nixon said.

A public consultation process for the planned bike boulevard in East Kildonan will begin this winter, he added.

Four of the 37 active transportation projects are planned for northeast Winnipeg.

In addition to the bike boulevard in East Kildonan, a 4.5-km one is planned for Transcona along Kildare Avenue East.

Transcona will also get two pathways, one 3.3 kilometers in length near Dugald Road and the other stretching 5.8 kilometers from Regent Avenue to the Perimeter.

The city, along with the federal and provincial governments, made the announcement in early September to inject cash into 102 kilometers of new paths, trails and lanes for those who choose to get from point A to B by walking, biking or in-line skating.