{Bike to the Future volunteers Holly Poklitar, Rib Cosco, and Mark Cohoe promote cycling at Winnipeg's first Ciclovia event in September 2009.}

Winnipeg cyclists are cheering the recent news that $20 million in federal infrastructure spending will be used to create biking and walking paths throughout the city.

Cheering loudest are the committed volunteers of ACU member organization Bike to the Future, a non-profit group that encourages people to bike to work, provides cycling skills training, and advocates for better bike facilities.

“It’s fantastic news,” enthuses the chair of Bike to the Future’s City Committee, Mark Cohoe. “We view this as a tipping point. We are now moving forward into a new phase that will radically increase the number of people using active transportation in Winnipeg.” The trails should be completed within the next two years.

ACU helped Bike to the Future with start up funding for their website (www.biketothefuture.org), one of their main educational tools. As Cohoe says,“ACU has been with us the full way and helped us with funding and getting the word out.” He also gives ACU kudos for encouraging our employees to participate in Bike to Work Day and for our efforts to install bike racks at all branches.

For more information about the proposed bikeways check out www.onegreencity.com .