Wayfinding for Active Transportation

One of the six strategic goals, directions and actions in the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies Policy, adopted by Council on July 15, 2015, is to create awareness about walking and cycling in Winnipeg.

Wayfinding signage, and trip planning were identified as key support measures for both pedestrians and cyclists in Winnipeg through the public consultation for the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies Policy. One of the short-term strategic actions of the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies Policy was to develop pedestrian and cycling wayfinding guidelines, and wayfinding signage, to produce and annually update the Winnipeg Cycling Map, and to develop a comprehensive branding strategy and visual identity for all walking and cycling related communications from the City of Winnipeg.

On May 18, 2016, Council adopted the 2016 Pedestrian and Cycling Action Plan, which included direction for the Public Works Department to partner with the Planning, Property and Development Department in support of a Downtown Pedestrian Wayfinding project that would provide a framework for the application of a wayfinding system to the broader citywide context. Also on May 18, 2016, Council approved a recommendation to utilize $25,000 from the 2016 Bicycle Corridors account in support of the first phase of the Downtown Wayfinding Initiative. Previous funding The City of Winnipeg continues to invest millions into active transportation infrastructure, yet residents are not aware of the location of this infrastructure.

Therefore, on September 9, 2020, I moved a motion directing the Winnipeg Public Service to report back on the following:

1. A financial update of funding and actions between 2016 to 2020 towards the development of a city-wide pedestrian and cycling wayfinding;
2. The development of city-wide pedestrian and cycling wayfinding guidelines and installation of wayfinding signage by 2022; ( public works staff indicated they will not be reinventing the wheel and will look to guidelines in other cities to refer to )
3. The development of a 2021 Winnipeg Cycling Map; (this is occurring and map will be released in summer 2021)
4. The development of a comprehensive branding strategy and visual identity guidelines for all walking and cycling-related communications for the City of Winnipeg by 2022; and
5. Directing residual regional and local street renewal funding from the close of the 2020, 2021, and 2022 construction seasons to fund these projects.

On September 16, 2020, The Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works directed the Winnipeg Public Service to consider the recommendation of the Assiniboia Community Committee when drafting the update to the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies document.

In summary, it will be multiple years till the City installs a wayfinding system for cycling and pedestrian routes and it is beyond frustrating. I will continue to work on this issue.