Transportation 2050, touted by Councillor Janice Lukes, paints a picture of a Winnipeg transformed, where half of us walk, bike, or use public transit to get to work. The city envisions this shift taking place over the next 26 years, with millions of taxpayer dollars invested in infrastructure to promote alternatives to driving. But we need to ask, is this what Winnipeggers want? Are we sure this vision is grounded in the reality of our needs?
Winnipeg is a sprawling city, not a European metropolis with a dense, walkable core. Winters here are long and harsh, making cycling an option only for a small group of determined riders for much of the year. Our city’s economic and industrial landscape is unique; many jobs are dispersed across various zones, far from the downtown core. People are not flocking to city centers but, instead, to suburban communities, which are among the fastest-growing in Canada. This is not just a lifestyle choice but a practical one, as suburban living offers space, amenities, and access to our economic zones. These realities suggest that Winnipeggers may not be ready to trade their cars for bicycles or rely on public transit as their primary mode of transportation.
During my time as a city councillor, I asked for an accurate count of bike path usage—not once, but twice. The council has invested millions in these paths, yet we have little hard data on how many people use them. My requests for a tangible, count-based tracking system were denied. Instead, the council relies on online surveys and anecdotal evidence, which are not adequate for decisions involving significant public investment. Taxpayer dollars deserve more transparency and accountability, yet Councillor Lukes and Mayor Gillingham, along with other members of council, seem resistant to providing this.
Without solid data, it’s impossible to justify the continued expansion of bike lanes across Winnipeg. How can we accurately evaluate the return on these investments without knowing how many residents use these paths, particularly in winter when they remain empty but are plowed before many secondary roads? These decisions are being made without consulting the facts, with a council that appears more influenced by a small but vocal bike lobby than by the real needs of Winnipeggers.
Many business owners have voiced concerns over the negative impact of bike lanes on their operations. The narrow roads and reduced parking spaces drive potential customers away, especially in areas where foot traffic is already limited. Residents also question the rationale for spending millions on bike lanes, especially when our roads and public services are in dire need of upgrades. Meanwhile, other vital projects like fixing our aging infrastructure, addressing sewage issues, and upgrading the North End Treatment Plant get less attention. These projects benefit everyone, unlike the costly bike lanes used by a minority.
In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford has proposed legislation to review all existing bike lanes and assess their impact on traffic. The Ford government aims to bring common sense back to bike lane decisions, questioning the effectiveness of dedicating primary road space to a mode of transportation used by only 1.2 percent of commuters. This is not anti-bike; it’s pro-reality. Ford’s approach is an example of a balanced perspective: accommodating cyclists where practical but not at the expense of the 70 percent of people who rely on cars for commuting.
Ford’s proposal calls for provincial approval for new bike lanes and mandates a review of existing infrastructure that impacts vehicle traffic. It also gives the province the authority to remove underutilized bike lanes. Ford’s administration is saying, in essence, that decisions on bike lanes should not come at the cost of blocking traffic on primary roads. For routes like Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and Hospital Row, there are clear plans to review and potentially remove bike lanes if they interfere with major traffic flows. If Ontario can review the practicality of bike infrastructure, why can’t Winnipeg?
With our aging infrastructure, we need to re-evaluate where we allocate public funds. We cannot afford to keep spending millions on underutilized bike lanes while other critical projects wait. Clearing snow from bike routes before sidewalks, fixing sewer systems, and improving transit options would make a real impact. These projects would benefit the majority, not just a small group of hardcore cyclists. Democracy does not mean catering to every group’s demands, especially when those demands lack broad public support.
The time has come to change our thinking about bike lanes in Winnipeg. The current approach, with no accurate data on usage, is neither sustainable nor responsible. We should not make further investments in bike lanes without first implementing a tangible count system to collect accurate data. This means installing counters or using similar methods to determine the true usage of these paths year-round. If the data justifies it, we can invest confidently; if it doesn’t, we can prioritize projects that have a clear, positive impact on all Winnipeggers.
Bike lanes have become more symbolic than functional, and symbolism is not enough to justify millions in spending. Instead of building bike lanes to create the appearance of progress, let’s commit to tangible solutions that address Winnipeg’s real challenges.
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