Councillor seeks car-free, open street event in Edmonton

An Edmonton city councillor wants to see cyclists, skateboarders and pedestrians roam free, and roam safely, on city streets.

Ward 8 Councillor Ben Henderson is putting a motion forward on Tuesday at the City Council meeting for staff to put together a formal report on an event called Cyclovia.

Cyclovia has been held in other cities and countries, though sometimes under a different name. The practice closes down sections of city streets to vehicle traffic, thereby allowing an open street concept where cyclists, runners and skaters hold court.

“I don’t think the city has ever tried one,” Henderson said.

Cities like Halifax and Winnipeg have held open street events for several years.

“I don’t know why Edmonton has never had it.”

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The motion comes out of the Community and Public Services Committee, and Henderson notes that city administration had already been looking into the idea.

He plans to push for a pilot of the idea for next summer and adds that community involvement will be a big part of the operation.

Though the official motion on the city website states Henderson wants staff to look at the cost of putting on four Cyclovia events, he said he is focused right now on holding one event and then going from there.

Henderson said the report will look at the cost of putting on Cyclovia since streets will have to be closed and traffic re-routed.

The councillor said potential sites for a Cyclovia event include Whyte Avenue or Jasper Place though he said no neighbourhood has been selected yet.