A city councilor just called a local cycling advocacy group “bicycle Nazis”.

When it comes to local government meetings when discussing bike lanes, you never know what will happen, and it's usually not the most positive outcome. At a recent public meeting in Toronto, one attendee expressed his desire to run over cyclists. Now, a city councilor in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and even a member of the public, have called a local cycling advocacy group “bicycle Nazis.”

Winnipeg City Councilor Russ Wyatt has come under fire for comments he made at an April 9 public works committee meeting when a Transcona consultant voiced his opposition to rezoning bike lanes.

Ian McCausland, director of Bike Winnipeg, said White's language violated the city council's code of conduct, prompting calls for him to be removed from the committee.

“While we recognize that not every politician will agree with our proposals, we expect a respectful dialogue,” McCausland explained in a Global News article.

Bike Winnipeg issued a statement after the meeting, calling for Wyatt's resignation, in which the group's executive director, Mark Coho, whom Wyatt called one of the “bicycle Nazis,” was respected and trusted for his conscientious advocacy of cycling and active transportation. from many officials and civil servants.

“As the City of Winnipeg moves toward its 2050 Transportation Action Plan, Bike Winnipeg looks forward to working with the City to find solutions that incorporate these goals. The key to this success is to engage in a respectful dialogue that meets the level of civility that Councilman Wyatt failed to meet at the Committee meeting,” the report said.

“We as the Board of Directors of Bicycle Winnipeg are calling for the immediate removal of Councilor from the Public Works Standing Policy Committee due to the seriousness of his breach of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.”

Global News later reported that Wyatt apologized, saying the use of the term “came out of a sense of offense…but the words were very poorly chosen, and I regret it, and I would like to take this opportunity to humbly apologize.” »

As cities evolve and adapt to offer active mobility options as a way to ease congestion, boost economic activity, combat the climate crisis, and offer healthier and better alternatives to private transportation, there is a constant and familiar refrain from some. It is the general public who cannot understand that these steps are for the good of all, including their own vehicles. But moving forward is an absolute necessity.

We are grateful to Bike Winnipeg for their efforts in helping residents of Manitoba's capital city to live more active and smarter lives by bike. If you live in Winnipeg, check them out.