July 14th update

Yesterday morning, the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works approved the retention of the Sherbrook Street bike lane between Ellice Ave and Cumberland Ave in the city’s Active Transportation Network. Some minor compromises for area businesses will be made; BttF supports them.

July 10th

One more hurtle ...

The Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works meeting on Tuesday July 13th at 10:30 AM will be reviewing the motion to remove the stretch of Sherbrook Street between Ellice Ave and Cumberland Ave from the city’s Active Transportation Network. (Agenda item #10). Although the City Centre Community Committee defeated this motion, it is important that the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works also shows support for the active transportation on Sherbrook.

Please should your support for the bike lane on Sherbrook by emailing the City Clerk with your comments, or by registering to speak at the meeting.

June 9th

The June 8th City Centre Community Committee meeting was very positive. The motion to eliminate the Sherbrook bike lane between Ellice and Cumberland was defeated. There was a real spirit of cooperation and hopefulness moving forward. All parties were encouraged to continue working together to find some solutions to parking and loading issues so that everyone wins.

Importantly, all of the delegations noted their support for the active transportation program as a whole. Some very compelling arguments were made for the importance of Sherbrook as a cycling route, and for the need to improve cycling conditions on Sherbrook to the benefit of everyone -- cyclists, those who will bike because they feel safer, as well as drivers, the local businesses, and the community in general.

May 30th

On June 8th, the City of Winnipeg’s City Centre Community Committee will be deciding on a motion to remove the stretch of Sherbrook between Ellice and Cumberland from the city’s Active Transportation Network. If this motion is successful, it would block the installation of a part-time bike lane (7:00 AM to 7:30 PM) on this critical stretch of roadway that serves as a vital connection to the Health Sciences Centre.

The Sherbrook/Maryland corridor is a key spoke in the city’s AT network, accounting for up to 2000 bicycle trips a day. The proposed bike lanes on Maryland/Sherbrook will be a significant benefit for cyclists, increasing cyclist safety and comfort.

But the benefits don’t stop there. By encouraging more people to choose their bike over their car, the Sherbrook bike lane will leave more money to be spent on housing, food and recreation within our community. And that benefits everyone!

Please contact your city councilor today and let them know that you support the proposed bike lanes on Sherbrook and Maryland.

Postcard - Harvey Smith (PDF)

Postcard - Jenny Gerbasi (PDF)

Postcard - John Orlikow (PDF)

Postcard - Blank (PDF)

Petition (PDF)

Councillor Harvey Smith
Ward: Daniel McIntyre
Phone: 204-986-5951 Fax: 204-986-7000

Councillor Jenny Gerbasi
Ward: Fort Rouge - East Fort Garry
Phone: 204-986-5878 Fax: 204-986-5636

Councillor John Orlikow
Ward: River Heights - Fort Garry
Phone: 204-986-5236 Fax: 204-986-3725

Mailing Address:
Council Building
510 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3B 1B9

Sign the Online Petition

Fast Facts

Bike Lanes Encourage More People to Bike

A 1999 survey of Toronto cyclists found that only 18% of cyclists reported feeling comfortable biking on major roads without bike lanes, whereas 53% reported feeling comfortable cycling on major roads with bike lanes (Decima Research, 2000).
Source: Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business -- A Study of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex Neighbourhood (February 2009)

In Toronto, the average increase in cycling two years after installation of a bike lane was found to be 23%.
Source: Shifting Gears: City of Toronto Bike Plan (June 2001), City of Toronto

Active Transportation is Good for Business

Encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and travel by bike means more money can be spent on shelter, food, or recreation. And local shops are the most likely beneficiary of those savings. A Toronto study found that people who arrive by transit, foot, and bicycle visit more often and report spending more money than those who drive
Source: Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business -- A Study of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex Neighbourhood (February 2009)

The CAA estimates that for a vehicle driven just 12,000 km per year, the average annual operating cost is between $1,284 (Cobalt LT) and $1,728 (Grand Caravan). Annual ownership costs (depreciation, insurance, finance, and registration) add between $6,515.25 (Cobalt LT) and $8,624.95 (Grand Caravan) per year.
Source: Driving Costs (2009 Edition), Canadian Automobile Association

Resources

• Proposed Bike Lanes on Sherbrook/Maryland (PDF) -- City of Winnipeg website , Proposed Bike Lanes on Sherbrook/Maryland
• Safety Benefits of Bike Lanes -- The Department of Cambridge Community Development
• Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business -- A Study of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex Neighbourhood (PDF) -- Clean Air Partnership
• The Myth of Free Parking (PDF) -- Transit for Livable Communities
• Driving Costs (2009 Edition) (PDF) -- Canadian Automobile Association

Handouts

Handbills (PDF)

Poster (PDF)