Biking to work highlights infrastructure failures

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/06/2023 (1089 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As we head into summer, more and more Winnipeggers are choosing to cycle to get to work or just enjoy the outdoors. On June 5, we celebrated Bike to Work Day, which kicked off the annual Bike Week Winnipeg celebration.

Whether you bike for transportation or recreation, Bike Week is a great opportunity for Manitobans of all ages to get together on their bicycless and experience all the city has to offer in the summer. I was happy to be able to join Concordia commuters who were biking to work at a pit stop at Kimberley Avenue on the Northeast Pioneers Greenway.

While Bike to Work Day is just one day a year, encouraging more people to regularly cycle to work has many benefits. Biking to work instead of driving reduces greenhouse gases and vehicle congestion on our streets. It is also a great way to be active on your commute and get in some exercise before and after work. However, we know that we need safer, more reliable roads and better infrastructure to support cyclists.

Unfortunately, the Progressive Conservative government has repeatedly failed to support infrastructure in this province. It froze municipal funding over the past seven years, meaning that Winnipeg roads keep getting worse because the money to fix them just wasn’t there. PeopleForBikes, a cycling advocacy organization based in Colorado, gave Winnipeg a failing grade in its Best Places to Bike report last year, due in part to the lack of supported infrastructure.

To make matters worse, the PCs have underspent on their infrastructure promises by more than $1 billion. They’ve also privatized many public services, including snow clearing, resulting in lower-quality services. Bike lanes are often left uncleared, making commutes even more dangerous for winter cyclists.

The past seven years of cuts and privatization by the government have left cities struggling to maintain crucial infrastructure. As a result, our roads are less reliable. This is hurting commuters, especially if you are biking to work. Manitobans deserve better. You deserve a government that invests in infrastructure and supports sustainable forms of transportation such as biking to work.

As MLA for Concordia, I want to hear what’s on your mind. You can reach my office at 106-1111 Munroe Avenue, and contact us at Matt.Wiebe@yourmanitoba.ca, or 204-654-1857.