Winnipeg, MB - Additional signage is currently being installed along designated Sunday/Holiday Bicycle Routes to enhance awareness and visibility of new rules for these routes. Bright,noticeable "new" tabs will be attached to the existing Sunday/Holiday Bicycle Route signage to draw attention to the signs to increase safety as residents become accustomed to the new approach for these routes. The “new” tabs look like this:
There are four streets in the City of Winnipeg (Wellington Crescent, Wolseley Avenue, Lyndale Drive and Scotia Street) designated as Sunday/Holiday Bicycle Routes to give cyclists an opportunity to use the roadway with limited vehicle traffic during designated times.
Historically, vehicle traffic was discouraged but not prohibited on these streets at the posted times. A by-law amendment (Traffic By-Law section 17.1), approved by Council on July 16, 2014, has enabled a new approach for Sunday/Holiday Bicycle Routes. Beginning in 2015:
- Motor vehicle travel on the Sunday/Holiday Bicycle Route is limited to a distance of not more than one block.
- The dates are fixed in the By-law from the Sunday preceding Victoria Day to Thanksgiving Day Monday, inclusive, and include all Sundays and statutory holidays between these two dates, regardless of weather.
- The time of the closures is 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Signs are posted on all approach roadways to advise motorists they are entering a Sunday/Holiday Bicycle Route. Signs are posted at the end of the closures advising motorists that they are leaving the Sunday/Holiday Bicycle Route.
- Barricades will no longer be placed along the roadway.
- A violation of the Sunday/Holiday Bicycle Route by-law amendment will result in a fine estimated to be approximately $185.
The City would like to remind residents that these roads are not closed as motorists are restricted to traveling up to one block. Cyclists are reminded to use caution and continue to follow the rules of the road and pedestrians should not walk on the roadway.