Are more pedestrian and cycling routes required in Fort Rouge East Fort Garry?
Many residents in Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry have requested additional options for all modes of active transportation, in particular, walking and cycling. As your city councillor three streets have been brought to my attention for possible inclusion into the Active Transportation network: Churchill Drive in Riverview, and North South Drive and Crescent Drive in East Fort Garry.
Given the possible extension of physical distancing requirements, the public service is considering additional routes including Churchill Drive. This week, the Standing Policy Committee of Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works contemplated adding to network of active transit routes. (Fast forward to the two-hour mark of the video to hear the discussion).
As your Councillor I would like to hear your thoughts. Please write or call letting me know what you think about the additional routes.
Background on existing AT Routes:
Residents need spaces where they can walk and bike safely from both vehicles and other individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, on April 6th, the city expanded its annual bicycle and active transportation route schedule.
Currently four streets in Winnipeg are designated as bicycle/active transportation routes including:
- Lyndale Drive - Cromwell Street to Gauvin Street
- Scotia Street - Anderson Avenue (at St. Cross Street) to Armstrong Avenue
- Wellington Crescent - Academy Road (at Wellington Crescent) to Guelph Street
- Wolseley Avenue - Raglan Road to Maryland Street
These AT routes limit motor vehicle traffic to one block throughout the designated area, and are normally in place on Sundays, from June to September. Currently, and due to CoVid-19, these restrictions are in place daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until May 3rd. The City is set to re-evaluate at the beginning of May to determine if the designation needs to be extended.
Does the status quo need to change?
Generally speaking, I am a proponent of Vision Zero and feel that more dialogue is best when making decisions on parks and open space investments in our city. During this pandemic, my hope is that we can increase options for those who are staying safe and in need of physical activity. This includes bike and pedestrian only streets open seven days a week across the city.
Given the media coverage following the standing policy committee meeting, residents have written and expressed their views on opening more streets to pedestrian and bicycle traffic: many of who are in favour, and some not in favour. For those not in favour, they consider that people are already voting with their feet. They believe the pedestrians and cyclists are already sufficiently distanced from traffic. They are concerned that punitive traffic tickets will result with the expansion of more streets being designated as Active Transportation routes.
I continue to collect feedback on this.
People continue to vote with their feet.
Placemaking builds on the habits of local neighbourhoods. In Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry pedestrians and cyclists have already determined that Churchill Drive in Riverview, North /South Drive and Crescent Drive in East Fort Garry are open parkways that they want to walk, jog, run, and cycle on.
It is important to point out, on existing AT routes, these roads are not completely closed to cars. Instead, the special designation makes them local access only. Cars are expected to travel no more than one block. So if you live on these streets, you can still leave your driveway, drive up a block, and proceed to where you want to go.