WINNIPEG - June 4, 2009 - Today, the City of Winnipeg joined partners from Bike to the Future, Climate Change Connection, Manitoba Cycling Association, Resource Conservation Manitoba, and Winnipeg Trails Association, at the Forks today to announce “Bike to Work Day” to be held on Friday, June 19, 2009.

“Bike to Work Day” is an active and energetic opportunity to highlight the environmental, health, and economic benefits of cycling by encouraging Winnipeggers to cycle to work or to school.  The City acknowledges the individual and community benefits of cycling and is working hard on the City of Winnipeg Active Transportation Plan launched last year by creating additional on-street and pathway cycling routes.

“Winnipeggers want safe and direct transportation alternatives, and we have shown our commitment and leadership to expanding our active transportation network,” said Councillor Russ Wyatt.  “This initiative is an opportunity to educate and promote cycling in our city and I encourage all members of City Council, the Public Service, and our citizens to join in on June 19 as we get active and bike to work.”

“Like a growing number of Winnipeggers, I have started cycling to work.  The transition from motorist to cyclist has been easier than I would have imagined”, said Ron Brown, Executive Director of the Manitoba Cycling Association.  “I support the work done by our civic leaders in following through with the Active Transportation Plan, and I look forward to participating in Bike to Work Day.”

Winnipeggers are encouraged to visit www.biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org to register and learn more about the event and active transportation in Winnipeg. 

This year the event will include four “Bike Oasis” locations in the city where cyclists can gather to start or end their commute to work (6:30 a.m. until 9 a.m.).  Drinks and snacks courtesy of Edna Fedya Restaurant will be available to the first 50 people at each Oasis and prizes and Bike to Work Day t-shirts will be available on a first come first serve basis at all four locations:

1. Natural Cycle Oasis at Polo Park (on Portage Avenue)
2. Free Press Oasis at Northgate Shopping Centre (on McPhillips)
3. Manitoba Public Insurance Oasis at Kildonan Crossing (in front of Moxies at Narin and Lagimodiere)
4. Alter Ego Sports Oasis at Smart Park (off Chancellor Drive) at the University of Manitoba (in front of Edna Fedya Restaurant)

"Catch the Wave" (escorted group rides) will be leaving from all four Oasis locations to downtown and the pancake breakfast at 7:15 a.m. (gathering at 7 a.m.). These rides will be along routes of the Active Transportation network that are highlighted in the 2009 Winnipeg Cycling map. People can "Catch the Wave" from the Oases, from anywhere along the routes, or just go directly to the Manitoba Lotteries Pancake Breakfast at the Forks.

The first 300 people to register on the website will receive a Bike to Work Day t-shirt, and Manitoba Lotteries will be providing a pancake breakfast to the first 300 cyclists to reach the Forks the morning of the event.

WINNIPEG - June 4, 2009 - The public is advised that the Louise Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic commencing on Saturday, June 6, 2009 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for an annual inspection and routine maintenance.

One sidewalk will remain open at all times for pedestrian traffic

WINNIPEG - June 4, 2009 - The public is invited to take part in the second major public event as part of the OurWinnipeg Initiative. The Imagine Your Winnipeg – City-Building Workshop is the next big step in Winnipeg’s year-long public discussion about channeling the city’s future growth and change, in a three-and-a-half-day public workshop scheduled for June 23-26. Its purpose is to sort through ideas collected so far and focus strategies that integrate the best approaches.

This city-building workshop, called a “charrette,” is part of the broader Speak Up Winnipeg project launched earlier this year. Individual citizens, elected officials, city staffers, neighborhood groups, non-profits, business leaders, and experts from a broad variety of disciplines have taken part in workshops, symposia, and other gatherings. Everything has been chronicled on Speak Up Winnipeg blogs where even more discussion has taken place. See www.speakupwinnipeg.com.

“Now it’s time to sort ideas and chart paths toward a long-term plan for the sustainable Winnipeg we envision,” says Chief Administrative Officer Glen Laubenstein. “At the charrette, we’ll sit down together, review what we’ve learned, and test out some of the concepts.”

For more information on how the upcoming charrette fits into the Speak Up Winnipeg process and to download a schedule of charrette sessions, go to www.speakupwinnipeg.com.

Save the Date

Speak Up Winnipeg City-Building Workshop
June 23-26, 2009

WHAT: A three-and-a-half-day public workshop (a “charrette”) to organize ideas and chart paths towards a new sustainable municipal land use and development plan for Winnipeg.

WHEN: June 23-26, 2009. To download a complete schedule and see an explanation of opportunities to participate, go to www.speakupwinnipeg.com.

WHERE: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Boulevard, Winnipeg. Click here for directions (http://www.wag.mb.ca/htmlfiles/visit.asp).

WHO: The charrette is open to everyone. It’s sponsored by the City of Winnipeg with support from the Province.