A new shopping mall opening up in Tuxedo is asking for city’s permission to scrap more than half of its bicycle parking spaces.
Outlet Collection Winnipeg is under construction at the corner of Sterling Lyon Parkway and Kenaston Boulevard.
It wants more room for retail but it may come at a cost for bikers.
Ivanhoe Cambridge, the developer behind the project is asking the city to change its zoning bylaw and allow the mall to open with 80 bicycle parking spaces instead of the 231 that was first required.
"If we are going to grow that culture of cycling we need to have adequate parking where ever we go," said Dave Elmore, manager of Bike Week Winnipeg.
"Often times when you arrive at these places there is nowhere to parks except for a pole somewhere to lock your bike up to."
Winnipeg’s urban planning division explained that a detailed parking study has been done on the site and a final decision will be made later this week at city council's board of adjustment meeting.
"Eighty to me sounds quite substantial in terms of any kind of shopping mall," said Ross Eadie, city councilor for Mynarski ward.
"Usually when people are going shopping they don't usually use their bikes, they're going to take their car," he added.
But Dave Elmore argues a person can bike to the mall, when often times all they need is a few items, especially if they are only traveling a short distance.
"There are a number of apartment buildings going up in that area and they those people don't necessarily want to have to drive their car across the street," he said.
Outlet Collection Winnipeg plans to open in 2017.
