Winnipeg

Name – Ciclovia
When it started – September 13, 2009
Kilometres of road open – 7.5 km
Participants – 10 000
Organizers – Downtown Winnipeg BIZ
Unique features – One of the first Canadian cities to hold a Ciclovia type event, the event used a popular downtown street and had it open longer than most Car Free Sundays (8am to 6pm)



The Winnipeg Ciclovia debuted on September 13, 2009 and was a tremendous success.  The event was a held as a pilot project, but the amount of people that turned out will likely lead to its return in the coming years.  The event featured lots of activities such as a kids' zone with balloon bouncer, face painting, bike rodeo, straw maze and children's entertainers, fitness demonstrations including salsa babies, stroller fitness, zumba, yoga and stretching as well as three live bands.  There was also a bike zone which included bike polo, bike repairs, and information from various cycling groups.  A surprise hit was a sand box zone that consisted of five large sandboxes filled with toys and shovels for the kids.  The event was finished off with a large outdoor concert that featured a prominent local band.

In addition to the Ciclovia during the summer, Winnipeg is also taking full advantage of its cold winters. Laying claim to a Guinness World Record for the ‘Longest River Trail in the World’, 9.34 km, Winnipeg hosts a type of ‘Ciclovia on Ice’ along the Assiniboine River.  Once the river freezes over the Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail opens for people to skate, walk, or sled along the longest naturally frozen skatingtrail in the world.  The trail offers several access points, along with heated shelters and cabins to rest and relax in.  The trail also offers many other activities such as curling, hockey, cycling and broomball.  The 9.34 km trail links Assiniboine Park and The Forks and has been managed by the Festival du Voyageur inc. for close to twenty years.  We hope this continues as a tradition in Winnipeg and inspires many other winter cities to hold their own ‘Ciclovias on Ice’.