Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Bike paths, please

I am writing regarding an article I read in the Free Press on cycle lanes (City will need to pedal harder, Aug. 5.)

My husband and I moved to Manitoba in 1991. The first thing that we noticed was how clean Winnipeg streets were. Another was how great the infrastructure was regarding play areas for children, including green areas in new developments.

Sadly to say, in many newer parts of the city when it came time for us to try to walk around, it was next to impossible -- there were hardly any sidewalks. So we decided to try cycling. What a great way to see a city for the first time. Sadly there were no bike trails. That was in 1991 and I am sad to say that things have not improved.

We now live just off Waverley. What a beautiful and very accessible part of the city (if you have a car.)

Our 19-year-old son recently started working on Kenaston. Being a young, fit man, and wanting to stay that way, he thought that he would cycle to work. Alas, due to a lack of cycle lanes this is simply too dangerous. It would take an hour to get to Kenaston on a bus -- if the buses were reliable. Walking would be a lot quicker and healthier, but there are no sidewalks. So, dipping into his university savings, he had to buy a car, he now reluctantly contributes every day to city pollution and global warming. We often hear how worried our government is about how unfit and obese our youth are becoming. Bike lanes and sidewalks would be a huge step in correcting this.

ANTOINETTE MORTON

Winnipeg

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 7, 2009 A9

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