Councillors back permanent bike lane for Wellington Crescent next year

The city is poised to scrap a long-awaited temporary bike lane pilot project on Wellington Crescent, which was expected this year, and speed up the construction of permanent bike lanes instead.

On Wednesday, council’s public works committee voted to accelerate the plan to construct permanent bike lanes in 2027, pending a final council vote. The city had planned to spend $5.5 million to do so in 2029.

Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, said the switch to pursue permanent protected bike lanes, with curbs to separate cyclists from vehicular traffic, is the best way to ensure lasting safety improvements.

“This is going to be a fundamental change in the way traffic moves, pedestrian cycling and vehicular traffic in this section, and I want to rip the Band-Aid off once… It’s going to be a big change for everyone,” said Lukes (Waverley West).

In addition to avoiding prolonged traffic disruption, the councillor said she wants to ensure city funding is promptly approved for the permanent bike lanes.

“I want the funding to move to this year so that it gets confirmed… and that we can continue with this project (and build it in 2027). It makes me nervous to see the funding three years out,” said Lukes.

The new proposal also directs city staff to explore whether a temporary alternative route near Wellington could be promoted for active transportation use this spring, potentially including traffic-calming measures and new signs.

The vote followed a passionate lobby from dozens of Winnipeg cyclists at Wednesday’s meeting, who argued bike safety improvements are desperately needed now.

“On Wellington Crescent, the time for action is now. No more delays, no more deaths please,” said Max Schreckenbach.

Many delegates noted the temporary bike lane pilot project was originally expected in Summer 2025 before it was delayed to 2026.

A city staff report had called for the temporary lanes to be built on Wellington Crescent, from Academy Road to Stradbrook Avenue, and reduce that area’s speed limit to 40 km/h from 50 km/h.

Many cyclists have called for new safety measures since cyclist Rob Jenner was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver on Wellington in June 2024.

“The killing of Rob Jenner on Wellington Crescent makes cyclists think twice before taking that street now… The safety benefits of a temporary bike lane pilot project are clear,” said Chris Kraljevic.

While the vehicle that hit Jenner was travelling at least 159 km/h in a spot where the posted speed limit is 50 km/h, many cyclists have stressed other near-crashes on the street could be avoided with a reduced speed.

Kraljevic said he also fears permanent bike lanes won’t arrive in 2027, noting the temporary pilot project was previously delayed.

“Does this committee want to allow for the possibility of even more serious and deadly collisions between now and God-knows-when in the name of preventing traffic disruption… or would you rather buck council’s trend of delay, delay, delay?” he asked.

The city has said past delays were needed to allow for more study and public consultation.

Meanwhile, Coun. Russ Wyatt lashed out against spending $5.5 million on the permanent bike lanes for Wellington Crescent. Wyatt said that amounts to letting that project jump the queue over other active transportation improvements, such as a Transcona Trail expansion in his area.

The councillor said accelerating the Wellington plan would amount to paying too much attention to the demands of certain “bike extremists.”

“If the bike lobby wants to once again take lanes away from cars by building a bike lane on Wellington Crescent, then they can do so by a local area improvement levy,” said Wyatt (Transcona).

Such levies charge residents of a specific area a fee for local improvements, when they’re deemed to directly benefit from them.

Lukes bluntly rejected that idea.

“That’s not happening,” she said.

City council is expected to cast the final vote on the matter on March 26.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X: @joyanne_pursaga