Cyclists across Winnipeg will be able to enjoy new streets and extended hours for city bike routes this summer.

The Enhanced Summer Bike Program was affirmed last week by Winnipeg's City Council, who voted to implement 13 new routes and expand operating hours for both new and existing Sunday and holiday routes.

Crews will begin work on the program as of Monday, May 3. Each route will be opened upon completion to allow their use to begin as quickly as possible, according to the city.

The new routes, which will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., include:

  • Lyndale Drive – Cromwell St to Gauvin St
  • Wellington Cres – Academy Rd to Guelph St
  • Wolseley Ave – Raglan Rd to Maryland St
  • Churchill Drive between Hay Street and Jubilee Avenue
  • Egerton Road between Bank Avenue and Morier Avenue
  • Kildonan Drive between Helmsdale Avenue and Irving Place
  • Kilkenny Drive between Burgess Avenue and Kings Drive / Kings Drive between Kilkenny Drive and Patricia Avenue
  • Alexander Avenue – Arlington Street to Princess Street
  • Ravelston Avenue – Wayoata to Brewster Street
  • Linwood Street – Portage Avenue to Silver Avenue
  • Harbison Avenue West – Henderson Highway to eastern terminus
  • Rose Lake Court surrounding Rose Lake Green
  • Youville Street – Eugenie Street to Haig Avenue

All routes are anticipated to be open and operational by mid-May 2021, with the exception of Youville Street which will be delayed by construction on Des Meruons Street. Construction on the Youville Street route is expected to be completed by fall 2021.

Four routes will now be open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays only:

  • Rover Avenue between Hallet Street and Stephens Street
  • Scotia Street – Armstrong Ave to Anderson Ave
  • Assiniboine Avenue – Parkside Drive to Ferry Road
  • Wellington Avenue – Maryland Street to Strathcona Street

An updated list of open routes can be found here. 

Once routes are operational, vehicle traffic on the streets will be limited to one block, except for Lyndale Drive between Lawndale Avenue and Highfield Street, where bay residents are allowed to use the route to access their properties.

The routes are being created to be solely used by cyclists, the city says. Pedestrians are not permitted on the roadway when a reasonably passable sidewalk is present, according to the Highway Traffic Act.

Routes are not considered open to cyclists until proper signage and barricades have been installed by the city. Until these are in place, cyclists and motorists are to continue to share the road under normal conditions.

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