Clearing sidewalks should be priority over bike lanes, says Browaty

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A city councillor is lobbying for snow to be cleared off sidewalks before bike lanes, arguing the walking paths see much more winter use.

Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) took to Twitter on Monday to post images of a snow-packed sidewalk and a cleared bike lane, both located in the Exchange District.

“Typical sidewalk vs typical bike lane, today. #WrongPriorities #WalkingisATtoo,” Browaty wrote with the images.

The councillor said he believes the official prioritization of sidewalks is needed because winter cycling isn’t a mainstream local activity, while Winnipeggers must often walk to nearby bus stops and stores.

“It’s frustrating … when sidewalks are not done and bike lanes, which are very poorly used in my opinion, are plowed to the concrete,” said Browaty. “(And) you can’t do everything on day one. It takes a period of time to get (snow-clearing) work done.”

Browaty said he expects biking trails can sometimes be left snow-covered for up to six days without much impact, while he believes sidewalks in front of seniors’ blocks offer a “lifeline” to access the broader community.

But an advocate for cyclists argues all active transportation routes are worthy of regular snow clearing.

“It’s not an either-or situation. We have to recognize that different roads have different usage levels, whether it’s walking, biking or driving. So I think it’s important that we … are clearing that (whole) network,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg.

Cohoe said many paths allow both walking and biking, which would complicate any effort to prioritize one of the two.

He argues the city should make cycling practical by consistently clearing routes, since bike traffic can lessen vehicle demands on roads, produces no polluting emissions and promotes public health.

In contrast to Browaty’s claim, Cohoe said he also believes Winnipeg’s number of winter cyclists is growing.

“Certainly, people do want to get out there … and be active in winter,” he said.

Under current city rules, both active transportation paths and sidewalks are plowed by priority. Those along main roads are cleared first, followed by those next to collector streets and, finally, those adjacent to residential streets.

When an AT path isn’t next to a street, the snow-clearing priority relates to how often it is used, said Ken Allen, a city spokesperson, in an email.

Allen said Winnipeg currently has about 3,000 kilometres of sidewalks and about 400 kms of active transportation paths.

Browaty said he will lobby for his preference when Winnipeg city council considers funding for a $1-million plan to beef up its snow-clearing efforts along active transportation routes in the 2019 budget. If approved, that AT winter maintenance strategy would take effect next winter.

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