Perhaps the greatest transportation system in Winnipeg shut down yesterday. Within weeks, any proof of its existence will be wiped out.
But, no worries; it will be back again in about 10 months.
The Red River Mutual Trail — or just “the river trail” to most people — hosted its final skaters, skiers, cyclists and pedestrians of the season on the weekend.
And while many people might not consider it a true transportation system — after all, there’s not a huge market for commuters between the St. Vital Bridge and The Forks — it does provide a few lessons in how to modify our approach to driving, busing and biking to make them more appealing activities.
Make it fun: When you think about it, using the river trail is actually a bit of a pain. You have to make your way down to a specific stretch of the river, squat on a rickety bench to put your skates on, then lug your shoes and boots along for the trip. If you want to stop to do anything along the way, then you have to reverse the process.
Yet tens of thousands of people make the trek every winter with smiles on their faces, because it’s fun. So how do you replicate that experience on a regular commute?
Synchronizing traffic lights and ensuring speed limits are consistent makes driving more enjoyable. Cruising along rapid transit lines is more fun than being stuck on regular roads. Wi-Fi on buses would be a cool feature, and buying some double-decker models like Ottawa recently did would make transit a whole lot more charming. And how about turning water buses into something more than just a tourist attraction?
Keep uses separated: It’s somewhat amusing that the best example of a complete street in Winnipeg takes place on a frozen river, but the river trail is a great example of how keeping uses separate works well for everyone.
Skaters, pedestrians and skiers are all travelling the same route, but they each have their own space. It’s an efficient way to build the network, and it helps prevent accidents.
We should be able to enjoy the same safety and efficiency on our roads, with separate lanes for cars, buses, bikes and pedestrians.
Give us something to look at: Of course the river trail wouldn’t be nearly as interesting if it wasn’t for the warming huts. The varied designs and colours bring life to what could be a desolate stretch of frozen water.
In the same way, the city’s funding of public art and enhanced infrastructure can make it a more joyous experience to get around town. Sure, you can build another utilitarian bridge that takes you from one side of a river to the other, or you can invest in something like the Esplanade Riel that takes you much further than that.
So while our civic leaders put their skates away for another season, let’s hope they turn their attention to how we can make our daily commute a little more like cruising the river trail.
Colin Fast is a communications specialist and freelance journalist in Winnipeg. Out of guilt, he avoided looking directly at his unused bike while writing this column. Find him @policyfrog on Twitter.