Stimulus program to create safer streets, freedom for cyclists

As part of its 2010 Active Transportation Stimulus program, the city recently announced a summer construction frenzy that will include four bikeway developments at Grosvenor Avenue, Harrow Street, Nassau Street and Fleet/Warsaw.

In the case of the Grosvenor Bikeway, several mini traffic circles will be placed along the route to help calm traffic in River Heights.

Not be confused with roundabouts, the traffic circles will effectively replace stop signs for a smoother ride.

"This should help slow down traffic on Grosvenor," said local resident Mark Cohoe, who lives on Corydon Avenue and works on Grosvenor as a software developer.

"Firstly, it will benefit cyclists because we won’t need to keep stopping and starting on our journey. And the corner of Stafford and Grosvenor can be tricky at the best of times. Even as a pedestrian, I’ve had a few near misses with vehicles."

Cohoe, who is also the city committee director of Bike to the Future, added that the proposed 3.5-km. bike boulevard will include a "spare lane for cyclists" after a certain point.

The Grosvenor Bikeway will provide an alternative active transportation route to Corydon, which has traditionally been considered a poorly suited road for cyclists because of its narrow lanes, heavy traffic volumes and relatively high speed limits.

"I think we’ll see a lasting benefit to our city," said Cohoe, noting that his bicycle is his main mode of transportation, though he also enjoys walking and occasionally takes the bus.

"We’ll see more cyclists, who will be happier and healthier and save the city money with long-term healthcare costs. But it’s a double-edged sword, as cyclists will still need to respect the rules of the road," he said.

In all, the proposed expansions will add 101 kilometres to the existing network, which measures 274 kilometres. The total cost of the program will be $20.4 million and split equally between all three levels of government.

At the civic level, active transportation co-ordinator Kevin Nixon said the traffic circles, which will measure four metres in diameter, will be designed on a much smaller scale than roundabouts commonly found in places like England.

"On the route, they will be placed where they have maximum visual impact, as the idea is to force traffic to slow down," Nixon said.

"In community terms, we want people to have an easier life, as well as a safer and more active one."

Meanwhile, avid cyclist Anders Swanson, who has also lived in the Corydon area, says it’s important to put the latest news into perspective.

"Considering the thousands of roads here in Winnipeg, this announcement is not all that huge," said Swanson, who is a bicycle mechanic at Natural Cycle Worker Co-op.

"I’m hoping these changes will make cyclists a lot less nervous. And the change in space should create a little more sense that the streets, and the environment, belongs to all of us."

For a comprehensive breakdown of the active transportation program, visit www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/MajorProjects/ActiveTransportation/HikeItBikeItLikeIt.asp

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com