Re-Open Winnipeg's 'Open Streets' in 2021!

Today at Public Works Committee, we passed a motion to begin bringing back (permanently) the Open Streets program, with what I hope are an additional 6 new streets. This program has been a huge success. This motion builds on a previous vote, asks for a report on using public feedback and data gathered during the 2020 opening. We can address public feedback both positive and negative and make these routes work even better than before. Looking forward to November report.

Motion goes to Council where I'm hopeful and optimistic it will be passed unanimously. The 6 new streets also help address equity concerns by adding routes in areas of greater socioeconomic need. It also asks the public service to recommend additional routes in one further ward.

The 6 new streets to be considered in report to add as Open Streets are:

1) Glenwood Cres

2) Alexander Ave - King Edward to McPhillips

3) Alexander Ave - Arlington to Princess

4) Youville St - Eugenie to Haig

5) Rosseau Ave W - Day to Plessis

6) Ellen St - William to Notre Dame

In St Boniface, Lyndale Drive Open Street was also a success. Some expressed concerns about specific elements of the route, such as access for the “flats” bays which are only accessible via Lyndale. This is an example of the type of detail which survey/report can help address on the various Open Streets.

Lastly, it proposes to add these routes to our ped/bike strategies document permanently, so that they can take their place in our overall network, and compliment the other active transport routes and investments the City is making.

Open Streets flow from years of activism to create the original 4 and the foundation bylaw we're using to expand them. COVID lockdown and social distancing dramatically expanded the program, and turned out to be a bright spot in a tough year. Let’s build on this success!

(Thanks to Brent Bellamy for supplying the photo taken on Wolseley Ave, one of many beautiful scenes of community and activity captured on Winnipeg’s 9 Open Streets streets in 2020)

----TEXT OF THE MOTION----

WHEREAS extending the Sunday/Holiday Bicycle Route has been a tremendous success, prompted first by the social distancing demands of the COVID-19 pandemic but evolving into a popular and beneficial amenity in our communities generally;

AND WHEREAS on June 26 2020, Council unanimously passed a motion to establish 10 new open streets 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm as well as asking the public service for recommendations for establishing permanent year-round active transportation routes;

AND WHEREAS Sunday/Holiday Bicycle routes have traditionally opened the first long weekend in May and closed after the Thanksgiving long weekend;

AND WHEREAS communities have been asking City Councillors to restore the Sunday/Holiday Bicycle routes that were established by Council on June 26, 2020;

AND WHEREAS if Council were to reinstate the Sunday/Holiday Bicycle routes at the September 30, 2020 meeting of Council, the streets would only be open from October 3 to October 12, 2020 and this period of time is not an ideal amount of time to reopen the streets to all road users;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following be recommended to Council:

1. That the Winnipeg Public Service be directed to include the following additional streets, or portions of streets, in their report back to the Standing Committee with recommendations for establishing permanent year-round active transportation routes, as directed by Council on June 26, 2020:

A. Glenwood Crescent

B. Alexander Avenue from King Edward Street to McPhillips Street

C. Alexander Avenue from Arlington Street to Princess Street

D. Youville Street from Eugenie Street to Haig Avenue

E. Vialoux Drive *added later in the 1st round of program

F. Rosseau Avenue West from Day Street to Plessis Road

**

2. That the Winnipeg Public Service be directed to add all streets included in the Sunday/Holiday bicycle route to the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies document.

3. That the Winnipeg Public Service be directed to Report back to the Standing Committee on options for additions to the Sunday/Holiday Bicycle Route in wards that have not previously been included in the listing.

4. That that the days and hours of operation of the open streets be in-line with the by-law, starting the long weekend in May, ending Thanksgiving weekend in October, and they they be open from 8 am to 8 pm every day

5. That the Proper Officers of the City be authorized to do all things necessary to implement the intent of the forgoing.

** Committee ammended on the floor to add: (Ellen St - William to Notre Dame) *