Get out and enjoy open streets on September 11^th at Ciclovia 2016! Routes into ManyFest from Assinibione Park, Kildonan Park and the Chief Peguis Trail (along the Northeast Pioneers Greenway) will take you, your family and friends along a car-free route for walking, rolling and cycling.

First held in Bogotá, Columbia in 1974, Ciclovia events now take place around the world as cities open their streets to people-friendly transportation. Winnipeg’s first event took place in 2009, and it has grown steadily each year to include more routes and better signage. With ManyFest, downtown Winnipeg’s biggest festival, taking place on Broadway Avenue the same weekend, it’s a great time to get out and explore routes in your neighbourhood and across the city. Each year, Winnipeg adds more Active Transportation infrastructure.

Winnipeg approved its Pedestrian and Cycling Strategy in 2015. The plan will see $335 million dollars from the city’s Transportation Master Plan dedicated to consulting on, planning and building infrastructure to improve the experiences of people who walk and bike as their form of transportation. While it seems like a substantial amount of money, the funds will be spread over 20 years, and are only 6.5% of the overall transportation budget of 5 billion dollars. Learn more about the strategy’s numbers in Colin Fast’s Metro article here. What infrastructure is on the horizon? Visit the City of Winnipeg’s Walk Bike Projects page. Disappointed that your neighbourhood doesn’t have more AT infrastructure? Perhaps you’d like to be able to enjoy a car-free route from your neighbourhood to downtown every day of the year? Be sure to connect with your city councillor to voice your support!

At Ciclovia 2016, be sure to check out the new AT Crossing at Main and Assiniboine Avenue, the latest piece of infrastructure which connects the Assiniboine Cycle Track to The Forks. If you want to go “off road” from the festival, you can continue along Sherbrook Avenue on a partially-protected bike lane to Notre Dame Avenue. (Brave the additional block to McDermott Avenue and you can turn right onto a bike lane strait into the Exchange District).

Ciclovia 2016 has many events planned, as well as a Bike Zone where you can visit community organizations dedicated to healthy lifestyles. Be sure to take in the Cycle Chic Fashion Show at 4:30 on Broadway at Memorial – urban cycling means less lycra and more style!

We look forward to seeing you enjoying the routes and taking in the party!