Petition looks to keep enhanced bike route on Wellington Crescent open
A petition is looking to keep the enhanced bike lanes on Wellington Crescent open a little longer as a motion at Winnipeg City Hall calls for an early end to the initiative on the street.
The program limits vehicle traffic on the street to one block from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Sunday, to allow access to cyclists.
It is scheduled to run from April to November, however in June a city hall committee voted in favour of reducing the bike route hours in September.
A petition signed by more than 1,200 people looks to keep the program running for as long as it was originally planned.
"We're concerned the city is poised to cut short the closure of Wellington Crescent and Kings Drive to daily traffic, and we're hoping they can stick with the pilot program as it is originally designed to go to November," said Bill Hamlin, a concerned resident.
The program has faced backlash from some residents in the area, with the city hearing concerns from homeowners who said the current setup is a "human rights issue" that "favours able bodied cyclists to the detriment of people who are unable to ride bikes but can only enjoy the street by motor vehicle."
Other homeowners said prioritizing access for cyclists is "discriminating against thousands of Winnipeggers."
READ MORE: Possible changes to Wellington Crescent as an 'Open Street' for cyclists
Hamlin said, while there are some residents opposed to it, many people across Winnipeg like the enhanced bike lanes
"They don't want it cut short," Hamlin said.
"They shouldn't cater to a few loud voices, they should stick with their original plan and then have a meaningful consultation after it's all over."
The proposed changes to the enhanced bike route along Wellington Crescent will go to city council for a final vote on Thursday.
-with files from CTV's Mike Arsenault, Mason DePatie and Michael D'Alimonte
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.