A city councillor just referred to a local cycling advocacy group as ‘bicycle nazis’

When it comes to local governmental meetings when discussions of bike lanes are involved, one never knows what might happen, and it is generally not the most positive outcome. Recently, at a public meeting in Toronto one participant expressed a desire to run over cyclists slowing down his commute. Now, in the bustling city of Winnipeg, Manitoba a city councillor, not even a member of the general public, referred to the local cycling advocacy group as “bicycle nazis.”

Winnipeg city councillor Russ Wyatt is under fire for remarks he made during a public works Committee meeting on April 9 when the Transcona councillor expressed his opposition to reallocating road lanes to bicycles.

Ian McCausland, a director of Bike Winnipeg’s board, stated that Wyatt’s language violated the city council’s code of conduct, prompting calls for his removal 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 following the meeting calling for Wyatt’s removal stating that Mark Cohoe, the executive director of the group that Wyatt labelled as one of the ” bicycle nazis,” is respected for his sensible advocacy in cycling and active transportation, has garnered trust from many officials and public servants.

“As the City of Winnipeg moves toward its 2050 Transportation Action Plan, Bike Winnipeg looks forward to working with the City on finding solutions that embrace those goals. Key to that success is engaging in respectful dialogue that adheres to a level of decorum that Councillor Wyatt failed to meet in the Committee meeting,” read the statement, in part.

“We as the Board of Directors for Bike Winnipeg call for an immediate removal of the Councillor from the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works in light of the seriousness of his violation of the Code of Conduct for Members of Council.”

Global News later reported that Wyatt issued an apology stating that use of the term was  “expressed out of a sense of frustration… but was a very poor choice of words, which I regret, and therefore at this opportunity do wish to humbly apologize for.”

As cities grow and adapt to provide more active mobility options as a way to ease congestion, boost economic activity, fight the climate crisis and provide just more healthier and better alternatives to the private car, there is a constant and familiar refrain from some in the general public who can’t seem to grasp that these moves are for the betterment of everyone including those who will still to their private vehicles no matter what. But pushing forward is an absolute necessity.

Thanks to Bike Winnipeg for its efforts in helping bring active mobility and smart living by bicycle to the residents of the Manitoba capital. If you live in Winnipeg, check them out.