Fast tracking a downtown cycling grid – Calgary did it; Edmonton is doing it; so what’s up in Winnipeg?  I am absolutely THRILLED to be hosting one of Winnipeg’s most thought provoking cycling conversations this year!   Please mark your calendar to attend this forum on fast tracking a downtown cycling grid in Winnipeg:

• Tuesday, October 18, 2016
• 6:30 pm Registration
• 7:00 pm SHARP – Forum begins
• Millennium Library, 215 Donald Street – Carol Shields Auditorium
  • Please enter/exit via the main level lobby at Graham and Donald
  • See maps of Millennium Library and bus routes and parking lots

The evening format will be comprised of a panel presentation and group discussion.  Refreshments, including Sargent Sundae’s pumpkin Ice cream, will be provided.  Apologies for the short notice, but fast tracking IS the theme of this conversation!    Here’s a brief of overview of what’s happening in Western Canada:

• Calgary: In June, 2015, Calgary opened a 6.5 km protected bike-lane network throughout its downtown. The percentage of Calgarians that reported travelling to work by bicycle DOUBLED from 0.87% in 2011 to 1.75% in 2016.
• Edmonton:  On October 11, 2016, Edmonton’s City Council gave the green light to add 7 km of bike lanes to downtown.
• Winnipeg:  On October 18, 2016, let’s get this conversation started!

Could Calgary’s 7th Street Cycle Track be an inspiration for fast tracking a downtown cycling grid in Winnipeg?

In record time, even by my standards, I’ve managed to pull together a stellar panel of experts to present, discuss and answer questions on “Fast tracking a Downtown Cycling Grid”.  The expert panel includes:

STANTEC’S ALBERTA OFFICES

• Tyler Golly and Ryan Martinson: Tyler and Ryan were key leads with Stantec on both the Calgary and Edmonton projects.  Ryan will share the Calgary challenges, opportunities and lessons learned during planning and engagement, building, operating and evaluating Calgary’s pilot network. Tyler will relay a similar yet different story on the Edmonton team, and the planning, design and public-political conversations leading up to City Council’s green light approval this week!  A HUGE thank you to Stantec for entirely supporting Tyler and Ryan’s attendance at our Winnipeg conversation.

WINNIPEG PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

• With City Council’s recent approval of Winnipeg’s award winning pedestrian and cycling strategies, we are now able to present a big picture overview of a strategic plan for our downtown cycling grid. This is a tremendous milestone – a first in Winnipeg’s cycling history!  A team of our Active Transportation and Public Works Department representatives will present Winnipeg’s 5-year downtown cycling plan and highlight the challenges/opportunities of building a downtown cycling grid. THANK YOU to the Public Works team for fast tracking the preparation of your presentation!

JANICE LUKES, City Councillor for South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward
Chair of Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal & Public Works

• Sitting on the ‘political side of the table’,  I will provide open and unfiltered political perspectives throughout the discussion. All members of Council have also been invited to attend and participate in the discussion.