Calls for safer streets after pedestrian struck at Winnipeg intersection

Winnipeggers rallied at the site of a pedestrian crash to call for enhanced traffic safety.

Residents rallied at the corner of Main Street and Mountain Avenue on Monday evening, calling for improved road safety in Winnipeg’s North End following a recent collision involving a pedestrian.

The crash took place on May 21in the St. John’s neighbourhood at the Main Street and Mountain Avenue intersection. A woman in her 50s sustained serious injuries and was transported to hospital in unstable condition, police said.

The driver was uninjured and remained at the scene. The investigation is ongoing, and no update on the pedestrian’s condition has been released.

Rally organizer Robyn Dyck, who described herself as a concerned cyclist, parent and resident, said news of the crash prompted her to act.

“We heard that someone — a woman in her 50s — was struck here on Thursday, and of course…we’re always watching the news, because we’re cyclists, we’re parents, and so when you hear someone hit, you’re always like, ‘Oh my god, do I know them? Was it? Are they okay?’” she said

Dyck said the rally was intended to highlight what she described as a failure by elected officials to take meaningful action on road safety.

“I have so much anger and frustration around the inaction around safe streets,” she said. “So, the only way I feel like I can get over that anger and frustration is to take action.”

She called on Premier Wab Kinew, Mayor Scott Gillingham, and Coun. Janice Lukes, who is the chair of the public works committee, saying a combination of measures could make a difference.

“Whether it’s reducing speeds or putting in bike lanes or more restrictions on photo radar — there’s many things we can do to control the culture of car dangerous driving we have right now,” Dyck said.

Dyck said she looked at Transport Canada’s 2023 numbers and found Winnipeg above the national average for traffic fatalities and injuries.

“I think the percentage was 75% over the national average when it comes to injuries per 100,000 population,” she said.

Dyck acknowledged that, in this specific case, the cause of the collision has not been determined, but said she did not want to wait for more information before speaking out.

“We know a woman in her 50s was hit, and we shouldn’t have to wait for someone to die,” she said.

“They were a pedestrian, they’re a vulnerable road user, they should feel protected to move around in their neighborhood, just walking and cycling, not in a car.”

Dyck also referenced the death of Rob Jenner, who was killed by a speeding driver on Wellington Crescent two years ago, saying her group has been supporting affected families.

“You just want her to not feel alone,” Dyck said of the woman injured last Thursday.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage related to the May 21 collision is asked to contact the Winnipeg Police Service traffic division at 204-986-7085. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Winnipeg Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 or online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org.