Many will recall that, a little over two years ago, the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works (SPC PW) considered a public service report that could have led to road safety improvements in Osborne Village, including the closure of a slip lane and installation of a scramble crossing as a pilot project at River Avenue. In the end, despite considerable support from the public and from area Councillor Sherri Rollins (who championed the initiative), the committee rejected the proposal, which predicted minor delays to drivers commuting through the Village were it to be implemented.

The public service has returned with a report outlining potential measures to increase safety in response to another motion made by Rollins, this one in January 2026. The report examines Osborne from Broadway to the St Vital Bridge. In the report, Osborne Street in the Village in particular is described as “… currently serving multiple, competing functions. It is a Regional-street and full-time truck route that accommodates over 30,000 vehicles per day. The route crosses the Assiniboine River (Osborne Street Bridge) and Red River (St. Vital Bridge) which makes it an attractive commuter route linking downtown to south Winnipeg. It exists in a dense, pedestrian-oriented development area that is close to rapid transit, which is at odds with the high flow of motor vehicles that travel daily along the corridor.”

With that description, it’s no surprise that the area contains three of the city’s top 11 worst intersections for pedestrian injuries. (And anyone who bikes along basically any part of Osborne knows it is no picnic to ride on, either.) Tragically, the area also recorded a fatality last year when author, journalist and area resident Rosalie Tennison died after a driver hit her as she crossed Osborne at Roslyn with the right-of-way.

The new report is on the agenda for this Thursday’s meeting of the SPC PW. This is an important second chance to be heard on improvements to road safety in our city, albeit in a piecemeal approach, until there is a decision to adopt Vision Zero like so many municipalities have done successfully. Please register to speak on the report, and if you aren’t available, be sure to submit comments to have your voice heard.

Here is the agenda (look for Item 13, In-Service Road Safety Review for Osborne Street)for the meeting which begins at 1 PM on Thursday, September 10 at City Hall. And all you need to know about participating in a meeting, either in person, virtually, or in writing, is here. Note: You must register to speak or send comments by noon on Wednesday. It is a hard deadline with no exceptions.

Mark your calendar and plan to join your neighbours for a fun, free, leisurely group ride through the St. Norbert-Seine River ward along with City Councillor candidates. We ride together to show our support for safer cycling infrastructure, a greener city, and a stronger community. All ages and abilities are welcome.

When: Saturday, September 19 at 11 AM (duration: approx. 60 minutes)
Where: Princess Auto Stadium (meet at the northeast corner, near Gate 3 where the Bombers run their bike valet) 

Stay tuned for the full route with stops and timing. Please watch the safety briefing videobefore attending our rides. Register for this ride here.

If you can, please sign up to volunteer as a bike marshal here.

Led by our Bicycle Mayor Patty Wiens, this is a casual, social ride, perfect for beginners and seasoned cyclists alike. Riders are encouraged to dress up (think dresses, suits, flower crowns, boas, decorated bikes) and bring music, good energy, and a working bicycle. 

When: Sunday, August 16 from 10 AM to 1 PM

Where: We will meet by the fountains at the Legislative grounds at 10 AM and ride for just under ten kilometres, ending at the same spot. You can view the route here. 

What to bring: your fanciest outfit, water, sunscreen and a bike in good working order

Cost: free!

Who’s welcome: everyone — women take the spotlight, but all are invited to ride in support

Volunteer ride marshals are still needed for this ride. Please sign up here!

Some works are fun, colourful, and interactive, and some encourage quiet contemplation. Join us on an informative excursion and get to know the artwork that punctuates and brightens our city! This ArtRide will focus on artworks along or near the Rapid Transit Blue Line.

When: Tuesday, August 11 from  6:30 to 9 PM (rescheduled from June 10)

Where: Rooster Town Kettle, Beaumont Station – Rapid Transit Blue Line 

The ride is free, but please click here to register and reserve your spot. 

Volunteer ride marshals are still needed for this ride. Please sign up here!

The Winnipeg Folk Festival

For many of our members, the journey is just as memorable as the music. Year after year, the festival has earned its reputation as a great celebration of active transportation. Caravans of bikes take to the path leading to Birds Hill Park, become a moving mosaic of human-powered energy.

We want to capture that spirit.

Whether it’s just travelling in the campground or filming the rolling parade of cyclists along the Duff Roblin Parkway Trail, or shooting a slow pan of the bike parking packed to the brim, please send it our way. 

We’ll be collecting the best submissions into a photo/video compilation for our next newsletter. It’s our chance to celebrate how active transportation plays a role in our Folk Festival experience.

So email us (contact [at] bikewinnipeg.ca), tag us or DM through social media with your favourites by Monday evening. Let’s fill the next newsletter with the colour, motion, and commitment to active transportation!  

Over the last couple of years, MPI executives have been encouraging their team to reach out to us at Bike Winnipeg for input on projects that affect cyclists. It’s been a welcome change, and we’re glad to say our relationship with them is much stronger than it used to be.

Take that ad, for example. The original version didn’t really give drivers clear direction, so we gave them some feedback, and they made significant improvements. We’re also working with them on driver education and the Driver Handbook to make sure the messaging around sharing the road is clearer for everyone.

That said, we’re not seeing the big picture improve just yet. Road safety in Manitoba still isn’t where it needs to be, and we’re pushing MPI to step up their efforts—specifically when it comes to educating drivers about cyclists, and cracking down on careless driving and speeding.

We’re curious to hear what you all think, so feel free to chime in with your comments on our social media posts!

From all of the Sea Bears home games to the three weekends of Princess Auto grand opening festivities to four different Canada Day celebrations across the city, everyone  appreciates the opportunity to leave their bikes in free, secure, monitored spaces. 

As always, the success of Bike Valet couldn’t happen without the support of our volunteers. Many thanks to the volunteers who make it happen!

If you haven’t volunteered for a bike valet shift, sign up now! It’s fun and easy way to make a difference, to show our city that more people biking more often is attainable!

When: Wednesday, July 1 at 10 AM

Where: Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre, 26 Molgat Ave