City report proposes protected bike lane, lower speed limit pilot on Wellington Crescent

Winnipeg could pilot additional protections for active transportation users on a section of a city street where a cyclist was killed last year.

A report to the city's public works committee calls for a pilot of one-way bike lanes on both sides of Wellington Crescent from Academy Road to Stradbrook Avenue. It also recommends the speed limit to be lowered to 40 kilometres per hour on that stretch of road.

The proposed timeline for the project would see the bike lanes — separated by plastic bollards and concrete curbs — installed next spring, after the city gathers feedback from community members and communicates its design plans. 

The public service would be directed to report back in 270 days on the results of those consultations, the report says.

"I think it's really important like we do on any new road projects … to reach out and hear the concerns of the area residents," said Coun. Janice Lukes, who chairs the public works committee.

"Often what I've found is there's little things that percolate up that maybe the public works department's not thought [of]."

The proposed pilot comes just over a year after cyclist Rob Jenner, 61, was killed on Wellington Crescent just east of Academy Road as he was cycling to work, when he was hit by a speeding motorist who lost control of his vehicle. The driver, Beckham Keneth Severight, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop at the scene. He admitted to driving more than 150 km/h in the 50 zone.

Advocates have previously said the area has been the site of many close calls for cyclists.

Ian McCausland, a board member with Bike Winnipeg, said he's disappointed cyclists would still have to wait until 2026 for changes on Wellington under the proposed timeline.

The report said the pilot would be "atypical" since the infrastructure won't be put into place before the city collects any feedback. It said the proposed infrastructure could be implemented this year, with some modifications, to more closely resemble a typical pilot.

"For some reason for Wellington, it's the reverse. They're going to get all the feedback about how much people might not like the idea and then install the pilot," McCausland said.

"With a little bit of political courage, they could install the pilot … for this riding season. And, you know, I know a number of cyclists who would continue to use it throughout the winter."

Some 'not going to be happy': councillor

McCausland said he also takes issue with the 40 km/h speed limit. He and other cycling advocates have previously called a 30 km/h limit for Wellington.

"The minute you go above 30 kilometres, accident rates and instances of injury rise significantly," he said. "This being Winnipeg, we know if it's posted 40, people are going to do at least 50."

The project would cost $400,000, with the report recommending the funds be transferred from the city's 2024 active transportation studies project.

"I know that people are not going to be happy about this," Coun. Lukes said. 

"But I also know that … if we're going to do this and we're going to put $400K — maybe $500K, we'll see how much it costs — into this, that we want to do it as best as we can possibly do it for that price."

The pilot project still needs council approval. The report is set to be presented to the public works committee at its meeting next Thursday.