Possible changes to Wellington Crescent as an 'Open Street' for cyclists
Changes could be coming to limit cyclist and pedestrian access to one of Winnipeg's most "Open Streets" routes, Wellington Crescent.
Currently, Wellington Crescent, from Academy Road to Guelph Street, is open to cyclists (and pedestrian using the median walkway) from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, part of the expanded access to Sunday/Holiday Bike Routes program put in place in response to the pandemic. Motor vehicles are limited to one block of access under the same timeframe.
Linda Nugent, who lives along the stretch of Wellington Crescent, says there are some safety concerns for homeowners and cyclists alike.
"When you're backing out on to a street you have to be so careful as the driver," said Nugent, "But also the people on the street have to be just as vigilant."
Nugent is generally in favour of maintain cyclist and pedestrian access on Wellington Crescent.
"It’s really a matter of figuring out what is the safest for everyone in our community," she said.
Other homeowners, however, want to see immediate changes, some describing the limited access to cars on Wellington Crescent as form discrimination.
A collection of letters and statements put to the public works committee outlines the concerns of some homeowners, like Brent Trepel, who wrote that 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".
Gail Asper wrote that it is it is "simply unfair to ban all vehicles from having any opportunity to experience Winnipeg’s most beautiful street" and that the prioritized access to cyclists is "discriminating against thousands of Winnipeggers."
Brenlee Carrington-Trepel, who collected statements from homeowners, declined an interview with CTV News.
Some homeowners said that they have been verbally assaulted by cyclists for trying to get in and out of their driveways.
The public works committee did agree to request the removal of Wellington Crescent (and Kings Drive from Kilkenny Drive to Patricia Avenue) from the list of Sunday/Holiday Bike Routes, which will next be put before the executive policy committee.
The discussion was originally started by a motion submitted by area councillor John Orlikow, which intended to only allow the public works director, with input from the relevant city councillor, to change the times and dates pedestrians and cyclists can access bike routes like this stretch of Wellington Crescent.
Cyclists going down Wellington Crescent seen on June 10
Orlikow said the motion was all about providing flexibility as the economy starts to reopen in the months to come.
“When we get to Code Orange, do we need to adjust it? I would say we probably do,” said Orlikow on Thursday.
But Orlikow said he wanted to wait until usage data, outlining who is using the street and at what times, came before any actual changes were implemented to Wellington Crescent.
He is also aware of altercations between cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
“Cyclists feeling threatened by cars, pedestrians feeling threatened by cars, car people feeling threatened by cyclists," said Orlikow, "There has been conflict on the street about trying to fix that mix and match.”
Some pedestrians and cyclists who use Wellington Crescent certainly want to maintain the current level of access afforded to them.
Vic Keller uses the bike route almost every day and wants to see it kept open to cyclists.
"It needs to be kept open so that we can utilize seven days a week," said Keller. "It’s incredible to be able to get out and enjoy our city area like this."
Kim Ewert lives just off Wellington Crescent and also hopes it remains open.
"I really like it the way it is now," said Ewer. "I’ve grown up in this area where it’s usually been Sundays and holidays and I see how much use it’s getting."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.