The War on Cars

TEASER: Winnipeg Bike Mayor Patty Wiens

Oct 15, 2024

Patty Wiens, the energetic Bike Mayor of Winnipeg, Canada, passionately advocates for better cycling infrastructure. She shares how her community rallies for safer streets in a car-centric environment. Patty discusses the impact of Winnipeg's extreme climate on biking and highlights social issues interconnected with cycling, such as homelessness and racial tensions. She also addresses the troubling rise in traffic violence, sharing a poignant story about the tragic death of Indigenous woman Tammy Bateman, urging for change and awareness.

03:37

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Patty Wiens

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Quick takeaways

Patty Wiens embodies the spirit of advocacy in Winnipeg as the Bike Mayor, rallying a community for safer streets against traffic violence.

Winter cycling in extreme temperatures fosters a unique awareness among cyclists, highlighting overlooked social issues that impact marginalized communities.

Deep dives

Challenges and Extremes of Winter Cycling

Winnipeg experiences extreme temperatures, ranging from highs of around 30 degrees Celsius to lows of minus 30. This climate creates a unique environment for winter cycling, where those who choose to ride during these cold months often become strong advocates for biking. The experience of biking in harsh conditions can transform individuals into passionate supporters of cycling as they navigate these challenges. This radicalization is common among winter cyclists, leading to a growing community that embraces biking despite the obstacles posed by the weather.

Challenging Perceptions: Biking in Winnipeg's Extreme Climate

4min

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Patty Wiens is the Bike Mayor of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. We met Patty on our trip to Edmonton for the Winter Cycling Congress back in February and were really struck with her energy and drive as an advocate for people who ride bikes in her city.

We talked with Patty about how she became a Bike Mayor and how people in Winnipeg are organizing to create better streets for people in a very car-centric place. She also told us about how the community has been protesting against recent traffic violence in the city, including one case in which an Indigenous woman named Tammy Bateman was struck and killed by police driving through a city park.

Thanks to Ali Lemer for editing this episode.

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