City snapshot shows spike in winter cycling numbers

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-snapshot-shows-spike-in-winter-...

A growing number of Winnipeggers are cycling long after snow hits the ground, according to a recent city count.

The total number of local cyclists who used some key active transportation routes during the winter nearly doubled during a March survey period, rising to a daily average of 236 in 2021, up from 119 in 2020, a report notes.

“It shows there is a pretty sizable demand for people to actually be able to bike in winter… I think there’s a bigger barrier (with winter weather) in perception than necessarily in the reality,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg.

City officials note last winter’s unusually mild weather made active transportation especially appealing. The report also credits the change to increased interest in cycling, especially as Winnipeggers engaged in more recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The counts were taken on 10 key routes over four days in early March in 2020 and 2021.

The results offer a “snapshot” of general increased interest in cycling, Cohoe said. He believes the trend is clearly linked to improved snow clearing on the routes, since those selected were prioritized for more frequent snow clearing a few years ago.

“It’s not really a surprise finding that when we plow our roadways and bike routes, people respond by actually biking,” he said. Coun. Matt Allard agreed.

“(It needs to be) where snow clearing is at the level of service where somebody riding their bicycle to work knows that when they get out the door they’ll have a path cleared of snow so they’ll get to their destination on time,” said Allard, public works committee chairman.

The cycling increase builds the case for greater investments in active transportation, he said. In addition to meeting a demand from Winnipeggers, it would also help reduce reliance on personal vehicles and combat climate change, he said.

“As we build dedicated cycling facilities and provide proper snow clearing, people will use the facilities more and more on their daily commute and for other purposes.”

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga