This article is a follow up to the articles Bike safety for newcomers and Getting ready to bike safely.

Now that you know bike safety and the proper gear to bike safely, you can start heading out on adventures.

In Winnipeg, there are many different trails and paths to bike on. Here are some examples of the types of trails and paths we have in Winnipeg:

1. Multi-use path: This is a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians. These are off the road.
2. Protected bike lanes: These are bike lanes on the road. They are separated from cars by a curb.
3. Painted bicycle lanes: These are painted bike lanes on the road. They are not separated from traffic.
4. Neighbourhood greenway: These are bike routes on streets. They have a lot of signage to reduce vehicle speed limits. They are closed for vehicle traffic at certain times of the day in the summertime.

Download the Winnipeg Cycling Map for a list of all the bike trails and paths. They are also available for free at most Winnipeg bike shops and public libraries.

5 bike trails in Winnipeg to check out:

1. The Harte Trail

   This is a popular 6.5km trail. The path goes through Charleswood and is surrounded by trees and nature. The name comes from the Harte Line. This is the first section of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway built in 1894.

2. Seine River Trail (Bois-des-Esprit)

   This is a beautiful urban forest located in St. Vital. The trail is a 2km gravel path along the riverbank. Keep your eye out for many tree carvings along the way. These are called the forest’s spirit guards.

3. Cornish Path

   This protected 0.5km bike lane goes along Cornish Street beside the Assiniboine River. The trail connects to the bike lane on Assiniboine Avenue. Both paths lead to the Legislative Building and The Forks.

4. Wellington Crescent to Wolseley Avenue Greenway

   During the summertime, these streets are closed just for pedestrians. While biking, you can take in the beautiful old homes, some over 100 years old. Check out this website to see the status of all 20 neighbourhood greenways in Winnipeg.

5. Awasisak Meskanow Greenway

   This 18km multi-use path goes along Awasisak Mēskanôw (previously called Bishop Grandin). It leads to the neighbourhood Sage Creek and the nature reserve Fort Whyte. Along the way, you can stop at Fort Garry Bridge Park and the butterfly gardens. This is one of the main paths in Winnipeg. It connects to many other bike paths in the city.

Are you interested in biking but don’t know where to start? Here are some great ways to get started:

1. Join a bike club

   Many bike shops in Winnipeg have bike clubs you can join. There is no need for planning where to go. Plus, you get to bike with a group of people in your community.

2. Use the Link My Ride app

   This is an app that helps you explore, plan, and create bike rides with others. The app shows other bike riders and bike clubs in your area. You can look on a map to see where other people are biking. You can also engage with other bike riders on the app. This is free to download and use.

3. Join Bike Jam

   Are you interested in biking but do not want to go alone? Bike Jam is a group of people who ride their bikes together in the evening. They post a meeting spot on their Facebook page once a month. Then, everyone meets up at that location and bikes together. Since it happens in the evening, a lot of people decorate their bikes with lights. This is a fun and relaxed environment for new and experienced bikers.

 
By Alexis Ogaranko
 
Sources: Cyclists Map, and Neighbourhood Greenways, City of Winnipeg; Winnipeg Trails & Maps, Winnipeg Trails Association; and Find A Club, and New Cycling App for all, Manitoba Cycling Association. Retrieved October, 2024.