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WFP: Pedestrian scramble pilot project proposed (Feb27'25)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Feb '25

27 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Pedestrian scramble pilot project proposed https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/02/26/pedestrian-scramb… CBC coverage: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-king-bannatyne-pedestrian-… THE city’s public service is seeking approval to test a pedestrian scramble in Winnipeg’s Exchange District. If approved by council’s public works committee in early March, the pilot project would introduce Winnipeg’s first pedestrian scramble, simultaneously allowing foot traffic at King Street and Bannatyne Avenue in all four directions. Two options were developed for the pilot, including the recommended $1,000 low-cost option that wouldn’t allow for diagonal crossing at the intersection. The high-cost option, which would permit diagonal crossings, is estimated to cost $360,000 as it would require infrastructure changes. A report to the committee said the recommendation for the low-cost option will allow the public works department time to better understand the benefits and trade-offs before making a decision on the high-cost option. “This is a relatively small investment to do a small trial pilot in one intersection,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “So I’m certainly open to proceeding with that and let’s see how that goes to test it out.” Pedestrian scrambles are said to improve safety by eliminating conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles trying to turn. There are two main types of pedestrian scrambles. Type 1 only allows pedestrians to cross during the scramble phase. Type 2 allows pedestrians to cross during the scramble phases and while motorists travel in the same direction. Type 2 is similar to most signalized intersections, with an added third phase that would halt all vehicle traffic to allow for pedestrian crossings in all directions. The report states a Type 1 scramble was not “considered feasible” at any intersection because of the extensive delays it would cause for people on foot, which would be “expected to negatively impact compliance and safety.” “I think we should do it,” said Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works. “It’s a pilot project … it’s $1,000 worth of signage. The scramble will not be a diagonal scramble for a thousand dollars. It will be intersection to intersection. The timing will allow pedestrians to go from one intersection through the other intersection … King to Bannatyne and across.” Lukes said the more costly option may not be worth the price. “If we are going to look at the diagonal scramble, then we need to do major infrastructure upgrades to that intersection because we have to have accessibility, we have to have lights … and that would require the report to be sent back to the department to find out what it would cost and then where it would fit in our level of priorities. I don’t think, personally, it would fit high in the level of priorities. But we’ll find out from the department.” King and Bannatyne was one of four intersections found most promising after screenings. The others included Albert Street and McDermot Avenue, Arthur Street and McDermot and Princess Street and Bannatyne. Osborne Street and River Avenue was considered in 2024 but was not recommended then, and when reviewed again recently was left off the short list. Considerations for each intersection included high-pedestrian and low vehicle volumes, smaller intersections and active land use. Other factors included construction feasibility and cost, collision history and road user delays for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, trucks and other motorists. “This intersection is adjacent to Old Market Square and considered a relatively high pedestrian activity area in the Exchange District with placemaking opportunities,” the report said regarding King and Bannatyne. “It was the only intersection assessed that showed a Type 2 scramble would reduce pedestrian delay while creating acceptable increases in motorist delay. “The other locations assessed shows pedestrian delay would worsen or stay about the same, which indicates a pedestrian scramble would not have much benefit over existing conditions.” The Type 2 pilot project would shorten pedestrian delays by nine seconds east and west and one second north and south while increasing motorist delays for westbound traffic by seven seconds and northbound traffic by 17 seconds. A Type 1 scramble would see an added 30-second delay for pedestrian traffic going east and west, and 28 seconds going north and south. Motorist delays would be the same as Type 2. If public works signs off on the project, city staff will report back to the committee in April 2026. — with files from Joyanne Pursaga scott.billeck(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: Peguis extension pricey but worth it: mayor (Feb27'25)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Feb '25

27 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Benefits for trade, investment outweigh $755-M cost, city says Peguis extension pricey but worth it: mayor https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/02/26/mayor-says-skyroc… THE cost to extend Chief Peguis Trail in north Winnipeg has risen by hundreds of millions of dollars but city officials predict its benefits would still outweigh its price. Extending the trail from Main Street to Brookside Boulevard would cost $755 million, plus $147 million in interest, if the city funds it solely through debt, a new city report notes. In 2019, the project was expected to cost $449 million, plus $38 million in interest (if funded by debt). Mayor Scott Gillingham said the project is worth its hefty tab, since it would better connect trade routes. “Right now, we as a community are facing the threat of tariffs … We need to be investor-ready so that we can pivot and open up the City of Winnipeg’s economy and the provincial economy to new markets,” said Gillingham. Chief Peguis Trail currently runs from Lagimodiere Boulevard to Main Street. The mayor said the city would need help from the provincial and federal governments to pay for the extension to Brookside Boulevard. He said he’s confident that funding will be provided. “This is an important project for all three levels of government … federal and provincial governments have keen interest in this,” said Gillingham. The mayor credited much of the price hike to construction inflation, while he stressed completing the project would result in a substantial boost to the economy over time. A financial analysis predicts the project would allow the city to develop 1,200 net acres of residential land and 600 net acres of employment land. Over 75 years, the project should create thousands of jobs and trigger a $1.83-billion revenue boost, after expenses are accounted for, according to the report. “It will unlock much-needed residential development, up to 15,000 homes, and needed employment lands,” said Gillingham. The report notes that the financial forecast assumes property tax rates will continue to grow by 3.5 per cent each year, while lower tax hikes would produce far less revenue. “Between 1991 and 2024, the compound annual growth rate in property taxes for the average homeowner has been 1.9 per cent — at this rate, the development would run a significant deficit for the entire analysis period,” writes Brad Neirinck, the city’s manager of engineering. The project is expected to start paying off much sooner if provincial and federal governments help fund it. City staff describe the trail extension as a “major transportation project” that is key to enabling development and supporting Winnipeg’s population growth. “(Chief Peguis Trail) is intended to provide a continuous east-west link between the east and west section of the Perimeter Highway via CentrePort Canada Way, thereby improving access to industrial parks in the vicinity of the airport and further (developing) the strategic road network,” writes Neirinck. He suggests Winnipeggers would also benefit from reduced vehicle travel times, new active transportation facilities and decreased greenhouse gas emissions (due to reduced fuel consumption), if the project is built. Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, said the city’s top infrastructure priority is completing a multibillion- dollar upgrade of the north end sewage treatment plant. However, Lukes echoed the mayor’s view that Chief Peguis Trail remains a key priority. “It’s a lot of money. And it’ll probably be more money by the time it gets around to being built. … But now with what’s going on in the world, with potential tariffs … Canada needs to think (about) how we move goods internally,” said Lukes. If threatened tariffs become a reality and deliver a substantial blow to the economy, Lukes said that could trigger stimulus spending that helps pay for the project. However, some councillors aren’t convinced the extension is worth its price. Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface) said a new road project that could cost more than $900 million is tough to justify while the city struggles with a multibillion- dollar infrastructure deficit. Allard said tax-increment financing grants that trigger the construction of new city buildings would likely create a much bigger return on investment than major road projects. “I do acknowledge there is some economic benefit (to the trail extension) but it also comes with a liability of having to maintain the road,” said Allard. If city council approves, staff will complete an independent “value for money” assessment of the project. The city could explore traditional construction, a public-private partnership and other options to build the extension, the report notes. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca> X: @joyanne_pursaga

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Bike-bus
by feaver＠mts.net 24 Feb '25

24 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/20/cycling-to-school-almos…

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WFP: Pedestrians to get five-second jump on traffic downtown (Feb15'25)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Feb '25

15 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Pedestrians to get five-second jump on traffic downtown https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/02/14/signal-change-wil… Winnipeg pedestrians will soon get a head start to cross many intersections more safely. Beginning in early March, city officials will start installing leading pedestrian intervals at about 80 per cent of signalized intersections in the downtown, a city staff report notes. “The head start allows pedestrians to be more visible in the intersection before the signal turns green for vehicles,” wrote David Patman, the city’s manager of transportation planning. Leading pedestrian intervals provide a four- to six-second head start for pedestrians to begin crossing an intersection before the signal turns green for vehicles travelling the same direction, Patman wrote. The downtown changes will signal pedestrians to cross five seconds before vehicles. On Friday, council’s public works committee welcomed the signal changes and expanded them. The committee instructed staff to implement the change citywide at all eligible signalized intersections within the year. A progress report is due back in six months. “It gives (foot traffic) a head start in crossing the intersection, versus pedestrians starting and cars just taking off… I strongly support anything we can do to support the vulnerable road user, which is the pedestrians,” said Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works. “Most of the death and carnage… (from collisions happens) at intersections.” Lukes (Waverley West) noted the change resulted in a 13 per cent reduction in collisions in other cities. The traffic signals branch will revise timing throughout downtown to support the reopening of pedestrian crossings at Portage Avenue and Main Street later this year, so the changes happen simultaneously. The public works department can do the work at no added capital cost, the report noted. “It’s a very cost-effective way to increase safety for the vulnerable road user…. If we can even do 50 per cent of (the installations) within a year … That’s fantastic,” said Lukes. The staff report notes some intersections aren’t suited to the change and selection will consider potential traffic delays, pedestrian crash risk and pedestrian volumes. “Not every intersection of downtown is being done. Where there’s… already delay or there’s congestion, we’re not including them,” Patman told the public works committee. Head start signals also won’t be added at intersections that already restrict vehicles from turning during the pedestrian crossing phase, the report said. The city previously installed head start signals at approximately 30 intersections, including at Bannatyne Avenue and Main Street, Broadway and Main Street, Main Street and Market Avenue, Main Street and McDermot Avenue, Osborne Street and Stradbrook Avenue and Osborne Street and River Road. Early results of video surveillance at those intersections (among those with sufficient data) found an average 35 per cent reduction of “near miss” incidents. Between 2012 and 2018, an average of 33 per cent of all road-related fatalities and 10 per cent of all major injury collisions in Winnipeg involved a pedestrian, with most taking place at intersections, according to the report. And from 2015 to 2022, about 275 pedestrians were involved in road-related crashes downtown, including 13 that resulted in major injuries and eight in fatalities. Staff expect the signal change to be completed at the selected downtown intersections in May. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca> X: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: Bus line to launch route from Winnipeg to Flin Flon / Kasper announces Winnipeg to Thompson service (Feb11'25)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Feb '25

11 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Bus line to launch route from Winnipeg to Flin Flon https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2025/02/11/bus-line-to-launch-ro… SEVERAL northern Manitoba communities will have another option for bus travel to Winnipeg come spring. NCN Thompson Bus Lines announced Monday it will launch a regular route from Winnipeg to Flin Flon through Dauphin and The Pas beginning April 1. The company also announced its investment in The Pas via a bus terminal building it has purchased and is redeveloping in the town — its third facility in the province, including Thompson and Winnipeg. NCN Thompson is investing more than $1.5 million to upgrade the building and expand its fleet this year, according to Siddharth Varma, co-owner and chief operating officer. The company has aspired to offer passenger bus service up the western side of the province since it started in 2018, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed those plans, he said. The expansion will add regular Monday to Friday daytime passenger service that will connect Flin Flon, The Pas, Swan River, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg. Freight pickups and drop-offs will also be available along the entire route, along with final mile deliveries. “We believe community members need something reliable, long-lasting and feasible, so we are here to facilitate that,” Varma said. NCN Thompson has not finalized the ticket pricing yet, but they “will be very affordable and competitive in nature,” he added. The expansion will create jobs in northern Manitoba. Seven new staff based in The Pas — four bus drivers, two bus depot staff and a mechanic — have already been hired. The announcement of NCN Thompson’s Winnipeg to Flin Flon route comes two-and-a-half months after Kasper Bus Lines, an Ontario-based company, launched a regular route from Winnipeg to The Pas through Dauphin. Transportation between northern Manitoba and southern Manitoba is vital, according to Andre Murphy, mayor of The Pas. Some community members don’t have their own vehicles, so they use the bus for medical travel and to connect with their family and friends. “Adding NCN is just going to expand that service level and fill that need that much further,” Murphy said. “We’re very happy with NCN. We’re very happy Kasper Bus Lines has joined us and this is a critical service that’s needed in northern Manitoba.” Kasper Wabinski, president of Kasper Bus Lines, doesn’t anticipate NCN Thompson’s new route impacting his business. “People know what we’re known for: safe and reliable transportation. I’m going to continue to offer a dependable, safe service,” Wabinski said. Varma founded NCN Thompson Bus Lines with James Pelk in 2018 to service Manitoba communities along Highways 6 and 280 after Greyhound ended its Manitoba routes. The company’s registered business name is Thompson Bus and Freight. NCN Thompson is partnered with Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN), a First Nation in Nelson House, about 80 kilometres west of Thompson. The company has been accused in the past by customers and former staff of running its buses with little heat in the middle of winter. Varma said Monday that while the company has had “some hiccups” in previous years, he and his colleagues are serious about the safety, security and comfort of NCN Thompson passengers. The company runs its buses 365 days a year, making close to 700 trips between Winnipeg and Thompson annually that transport more than 33,000 people, he said. “Yes, a couple of times we had issues and there have been negative social media posts in the past, but we are giving a lot of serious effort and investment toward making sure the buses are safe and secure and they have operational heat,” he said. By the end of February, NCN Thompson will have added five buses to its fleet, Varma added. Each bus carries around 50 passengers. Two of the buses are 2020 models and three are brand new 2025 models. Details about the new routes will be available on the company’s website soon, Varma said. Kasper announces Winnipeg to Thompson service HOURS after NCN Thompson Bus Lines publicized its Winnipeg to Flin Flon route, Kasper Bus Lines announced Monday on its Facebook page that it will offer a Winnipeg to Thompson route starting in the next month. The service will run Sunday to Friday and cost $100-$130 per ticket, according to Kasper Wabinski, who owns the Ontario-based company. The 30-passenger buses will include bathrooms, Starlink internet access and USB chargers. Kasper Bus Lines joins NCN Thompson and Greywolf Bus, which launched Dec. 26, 2024, in offering service from Winnipeg to Thompson. “Thompson was always part of the expansion plan,” Wabinski said, adding that he wants his company to service all of Manitoba. “I think it’s an appropriate day to make the announcement.” Kasper Bus Lines operates within Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. It has 42 employees and will add at least eight more in the coming months, according to Wabinski, who also heads the Coast to Coast Bus Coalition. aaron.epp(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: City waits to clear snow from sidewalks, then does it fast (Feb11'25)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Feb '25

11 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. City waits to clear snow from sidewalks, then does it fast Report finds only Sudbury allows more white stuff to fall before plows come out https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/02/10/city-waits-to-cle… WINNIPEG gets more snow than other Prairie cities, gets the least snowpack melt, has the fewest days when salt can melt snow — and takes longer than most cities to begin clearing sidewalks. A new city report shows that four of the eight cities that responded to a query from Winnipeg about their sidewalk snow clearing begin plowing as soon as the snow begins to fall. While Winnipeg waits until five centimetres of snow has accumulated before it begins plowing operations, the report found Edmonton, Steinbach, Quebec City and St. John’s begin plowing at the beginning of a snowfall. The report, being presented to the civic public works committee on Friday, found Winnipeg is behind three other cities: Calgary starts its plow as soon as the snow stops falling; Saskatoon starts when there are two centimetres on the ground; and Ottawa calls out the plows when 2.5 centimetres has accumulated. Only Sudbury, which waits until eight centimetres of snow has fallen, takes longer to start clearing sidewalks. Coun. Janice Lukes, the committee’s chairwoman, said while sidewalk plows aren’t deployed immediately, when they are they can cover the city faster because there are more of them — and she believes they are doing a good job. “Honestly, and I’m almost afraid to say this, I think I’ve had one complaint this year on the sidewalks and bike paths,” Lukes said. “Maybe it is because we have more machines and we’ve put more labour into it. We got 15 (more sidewalk-clearing) machines last year — this is the first year we’re really using them. We are out there sooner. We used to wait a lot longer before we went out.” Winnipeg also has more kilometres of snow to clear than most cities, Lukes said. The report states Winnipeg has 3,466 kilometres of sidewalks and paths, less than Edmonton’s 4,400 kilometres, but far more than Sudbury’s 538. City council made some sidewalk snow-clearing changes last year. While the starting amount for operations to begin had already been reduced from eight centimetres of snow to five centimetres, it was also changed to have a deadline of finishing all residential sidewalks within 36 hours. Disability advocates admit this year the city is doing a good job, but there are still problems. Melissa Graham, executive director of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, said the S(NO)W Plow campaign on Facebook it established with other organizations representing people with disabilities and seniors has received nine complaints this winter compared to 14 last winter. “There are still a lot of people who don’t get out because they feel it is unsafe. The plowing has been good when there has been a dump of snow, but what about the in-between? The snow comes down and it adds up. This impacts people,” Graham said. David Kron, executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, said he agrees the city has done a better job clearing sidewalks so far this year. “I’ve got to give them kudos. I think they’re doing a better job, but there is always room for improvement. It looks better. I think our (snow clearing) policy has been well established — as long as they follow it, ” Kron said. “I know this is a winter city and I’m willing to work with them.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP Weekly: Rebuilt bridge enhances transportation options (Feb5'25)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Feb '25

05 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Rebuilt bridge enhances transportation options https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/correspondents/2025/02/05… As someone who likes to ride a bicycle to get around in St. Vital and Winnipeg, I’d like to take a moment to say thank you to the City of Winnipeg for the quality of the newly renovated St Vital Bridge. With the completion of the freshly rebuilt span connecting St. Vital to Fort Rouge, the experience of people who walk and cycle and roll has been dramatically improved. The bridge has been completely modernized, with wide, high-quality sidewalks and cycling paths on either side, in addition to excellent and comprehensive connecting pathways and facilities on both sides. What was once a dangerous choke point that shoved walkers and cyclists up against each other on a narrow sidewalk has become a wide and accommodating deck. It feels welcoming and safe. No longer will people walking and cycling need to get into awkward conflict, with one or both being pinned to the side to pass each other. Those riding on both sides can now get on and off the bridge from convenient, direct pathways that link both back to the on-street cycling network and into the off-street pathway system. This is the latest major infrastructure upgrade in St. Vital to consider the needs of those young and old that travel the community by bicycle and on-foot. The nearby St. Anne’s Road and Fermor Avenue intersection is now a much-improved shared-use space that makes reasonable accommodation for all modes of transport in a busy location. It is heartening to see that the city is heading in the right direction, after many years of delays in trying to create more freedom and practicality of choice for the public. Thank you to the many leaders, activists, and officials who contributed to delivering this encouraging progress. It’s my fervent hope that this momentum continues in the years to come so that my children and generations to come have safe, empowering, and enjoyable streets and outdoors in Winnipeg. Ryan Palmquist is managing director of Save Our Seine and a community correspondent for St. Vital.

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Winnipeg Free Press: Driver fined for speeding 123 km/h near school
by Patman, David 05 Feb '25

05 Feb '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. This is absolutely ridiculous given what happened on Wellington so recently. Driver fined for speeding 123 km/h near school - Winnipeg Free Press<https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/02/04/driver-fined-for-….> Driver fined for speeding 123 km/h near school Posted: 3:37 PM CST Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 A motorist has been fined more than $1,000 for driving 123 km/h in a residential zone in Waverley West near a school that was hosting an event on Friday evening. The Pembina Trails School Division alerted families on Tuesday about a police stop that took place shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 31. "Officers stopped a motorist driving 123 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on North Town Road near Bison Drive, by one of our schools that had an event underway. Buses were in operation, and young pedestrians were present," the school division wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The intersection of Frontier Trail, which turns into North Town Road, and Bison Drive is under 10 minutes by foot from both Bison Run School and Pembina Trails Collegiate. The former, a kindergarten-to-Grade 8 school, celebrated its second birthday last week. The Winnipeg Police Service confirmed the driver was issued a $1,006 fine and a serious offence notice. The individual will have to attend a hearing in front of Manitoba Public Insurance that could result in a lengthy licence suspension. Police had no further details on Tuesday. "Excessive speed puts everyone at risk. It reduces reaction time, increases stopping distance, and makes collisions more severe," WPS wrote in a statement on social media urging motorists to slow down. fpcity(a)freepress.mb.ca [City of Winnipeg logo]<https://winnipeg.ca/> David Patman (he/him) Manager Transportation Public Works City of Winnipeg Telephone: 204-986-5895 Mobile: 204-806-6471 Email: dpatman(a)winnipeg.ca<mailto:dpatman@winnipeg.ca> Website: winnipeg.ca<https://winnipeg.ca/> Address: 101-1155 Pacific Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E3P1 Connect with us: [Facebook]<https://www.facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg> [X (Twitter)] <https://twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg> [YouTube] <https://youtube.com/thecityofwinnipeg> [LinkedIn] <https://linkedin.com/company/city-of-winnipeg> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/thecityofwinnipeg/> Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this message is intended solely for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any use, dissemination, distribution, copying or disclosure of this message and attachments, in whole or in part, by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and permanently delete the complete message and any attachments. Thank you.

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CBC: Winnipeg Transit puts wheels in motion to replace most of its bus routes this summer (Jan30'25)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Jan '25

30 Jan '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. New routes coming to most of the city on June 29, when spine-and-feeder system replaces hub-and-spoke model https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-transit-network-overhaul-1…

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WFP: Go with the floe: Ice Cycles back on river trail (Jan25'25)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jan '25

25 Jan '25

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Go with the floe: Ice Cycles back on river trail https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/2025/01/24/go-with-the… AN ICE bike rental company hopes to slide to success after mild weather cancelled its 2024 season. Ice Cycles has set up shop under the footbridge at The Forks and will be open for business starting today. The company rents four different models of ice bikes — vehicles with the body of a bicycle or tricycle, minus the front wheel and mounted on a blade similar to the kind used in skates or on a short ski. There are two models for individual riders, a tandem model and a “minivan” model that can accommodate up to two adults and three children. Due to their stability and ease of use, ice bikes are an accessible winter activity for people of all ages, according to co-owner Sinan Leylek. “This is a great way to open up Winnipeg’s famous river trail to people who say, ‘I don’t know how to (skate),’” he said. Ice Cycles is Canada’s first ice bike company. It’s a division of Spark Rentals Inc., an event equipment rental business Leylek started in 2015. The company provides audio-visual equipment, lighting, dance floors and staging equipment for weddings, socials, corporate events and film productions. Leylek discovered ice bikes while travelling in northwestern China in 2014. He decided to bring them to North America in 2021, after Spark’s business suffered due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Ice Cycles opened for business in January 2022. Leylek was disappointed last year’s warm weather meant Ice Cycles couldn’t operate in Winnipeg. The company is also an international wholesaler, though, and Leylek sold a fleet of the bikes to the City of Edmonton. He’s also sold ice bikes to customers in the Yukon, Ontario, Michigan and Vermont. “(We want to) validate the markets in Winnipeg and show you how much fun it is, how successful it can be, and then find other municipalities or rental operators that want to bring it into their own cities,” Leylek said. Ice Cycles kicked off its 2025 season Jan. 11 at the Assiniboine Park duck pond with free rentals as part of the park’s three-day We are Winter celebration. More than 500 people rode the bikes that weekend, according to Lewis Keller, Ice Cycles manager. “People were excited that it was back,” Keller said. “It just really proved that people love something to do (outside), even if it is the winter. We are ‘Winterpeg’ — the snow’s never stopping anyone from going out and having fun.” The bikes were a welcome addition to We are Winter, said Laura Cabak, Assiniboine Park Conservancy communications director. “For people who might not have skates, this was another fun activity we could offer,” she said. Ice Cycles will be open this weekend: today and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Captain America impersonator will be on hand for two hours Sunday starting at 2:30 p.m. to take pictures with customers. Walk-ups are welcome, but advanced reservations can be made online at sparkrentals.ca. “I’m hopeful for (good) weather to kind of keep the trail open until mid-March,” Leylek said. The Forks officially opened the Nestaweya River Trail on Dec. 31. The trail is currently four kilometres long and will be extended to its full six km length as soon as today, according to Zach Peters, spokesperson for The Forks. Weather conditions last year meant the trail did not open until late January, with only a small section of it open for nine days. In 2023, approximately 220,000 people used the trail, which was open for 72 days — only three days shy of the longest season (2019). aaron.epp(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca>

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