Enhanced Summer Bike Route Program

Thank you to all who submitted input for the Enhanced Summer Bike Route Program. Feedback was collected from November 19 to December 17, 2021. Feedback is currently being considered and a summary of the engagement process will be posted online.

The 2021 Enhanced Summer Bike Route Program routes have now been added to the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies’ study prioritization list as potential locations for future permanent cycling infrastructure. Locations on this list are studied when time, budget, and resources allow.

We are now conducting a survey that will help us better understand how community members, residents, and cyclists experienced the pilot as well as whether there is desire to continue any or all of the routes in an interim fashion beyond 2021. Your feedback will be presented alongside information on costs, usage, and operational considerations in a report to Council in 2022.

On April 29, 2021, City Council approved for 13 new Sunday/Holiday Bike Routes and expanded operating hours for both the new streets and the City’s four existing Sunday/holiday bike routes.

These routes are collectively being called the 2021 Enhanced Summer Bike Route Program.

City crews will begin implementing the program on Monday, May 3, 2021 and will open one route at a time as quickly as possible. We anticipate all routes will be open by mid-May (with the exception of Youville Street which will be delayed by reconstruction on Des Meurons Street).

The list below will be updated as routes open.

• Lyndale Drive – Cromwell St to Gauvin St
• Wellington Cres – Academy Rd to Guelph St
• Wolseley Ave – Raglan Rd to Maryland St
• Churchill Drive between Hay Street and Jubilee Avenue
• Egerton Road between Bank Avenue and Morier Avenue
• Kildonan Drive between Helmsdale Avenue and Irving Place
• Kilkenny Drive between Burgess Avenue and Kings Drive / Kings Drive between Kilkenny Drive and Patricia Avenue
• Alexander Avenue – Arlington Street to Princess Street
• Ravelston Avenue – Wayoata to Brewster Street
• Linwood Street – Portage Avenue to Silver Avenue
• Harbison Avenue West – Henderson Highway to eastern terminus
• Rose Lake Court surrounding Rose Lake Green
• Youville Street – Eugenie Street to Haig Avenue (after the reconstruction of Des Meurons Street expected to be completed by Fall 2021 )
• Rover Avenue between Hallet Street and Stephens Street
• Scotia Street – Armstrong Ave to Anderson Ave
• Assiniboine Avenue – Parkside Drive to Ferry Road
• Wellington Avenue – Maryland Street to Strathcona Street

A few notes on the 2021 program:

• Once the routes are operational, motor vehicle traffic on the streets will be limited to one block (with the exception of Lyndale Drive between Lawndale Avenue and Highfield Street, where residents of the bays are allowed to use the route to access their properties).
• These routes are to be used solely by cyclists. In accordance with the Highway Traffic Act, pedestrians are not permitted on the roadway when a reasonably passable sidewalk is present.
• Routes are not "open" to cyclists until the City has installed proper signage and barricades. Until these are in place, cyclists and motorists should continue to share the road under normal operational conditions.

In November 2020, Public Works presented the initial findings from the public feedback program, as well as some key lessons learned. The report was approved. A second report on recommendations for the future of the Open Streets concept will be considered by Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works this coming Friday, April 16, 2021. The meeting agenda is now available online. To appear as a delegation, please contact the City Clerk’s office.

The public engagement summary is now available and provides an overview of the feedback collected for the project. Please visit the Document Library to view the public engagement summary. Findings of this report will be presented at a meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on November 10, 2020 (External link). Public Works will consider the findings of this report when making recommendations to SPC-IRPW on the future of the Open Streets. To appear as a delegation, please contact the City Clerk’s office.

Thank you to everyone who has taken time to provide feedback. We heard from a wide range of citizens; receiving 5,375 online surveys. City Council approved the use of Open Streets until September 7, 2020, and directed the Public Service to engage the community regarding the potential future implementation of Open Streets and report back on the collected data and public input at the November 3, 2020 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works.

The City recognizes that these routes are not experienced the same way by all users. We are interested in hearing from residents that live along Open Streets, residents that live on adjacent streets, and those who use the routes to better understand their experience.

Complete the survey before September 7.