Action Alert: Tell City Council you want shared-use pathways on BOTH sides of Millar Ave!

Members of Saskatoon Cycles,

We’re calling on you to help make Saskatoon a vibrant, cleaner, and safer city for everyone. You may recall that the City’s Transportation Department presented a report to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation (SPCT) earlier this year with solutions to increase safety and accessibility on Millar Avenue. We at Saskatoon Cycles were pleased to see the recommendations included shared-use pathways on BOTH sides of Millar Ave from 43rd Street to Marquis Drive.

When we look to the future, we imagine a city where families can move through neighbourhoods on foot or by bike without stepping into busy traffic. Where sustainable transportation is a real option for all citizens, not just those fortunate enough to live near existing bike routes. This is the “curb cut effect” in action: curb cuts were initially designed for wheelchair users, but they benefit everyone pushing strollers, pulling carts, or rolling luggage. Shared-use pathways work the same way. A smooth, separated path serves delivery workers with hand trucks, parents with strollers, allows for easier access to businesses, and connects directly to transit stops, making the entire network work better for everyone.

As members of Saskatoon’s cycling community, YOUR voice is what City Council needs to hear so we can push for an ever-improving city.

Visit the Action Alert page to make your voice heard:
👉 https://saskatooncycles.org/action-alert/

Why this matters now:

This has been a lengthy process with extensive consultation from the City and engineers working to ensure the best possible outcome. Consultation began in July 2024 with open houses and surveys. The Transportation Director reported findings in February 2026, recommending shared-use pathways on both sides of Millar Ave. However, some adjacent businesses opposed the recommended option, citing restricted access to their business and fears of losing revenue. This recommendation was rejected by the SPCT and administration was asked to consult with businesses again to find a solution.

City administration spent another nine months re-engaging with businesses and released a revised report that addressed their concerns. Notably, it offered a lease solution where the pathway right-of-way could be slightly reduced, with buffer space leased to existing businesses built in the 1950s that encroach on City property.

This compromise was also rejected. The SPCT instead moved to recommend building a pathway on ONLY the East side of Millar Ave, sparing businesses on the West side.

This is not a forward-looking solution. It’s passing the buck to a future Council, much like previous councils did with property-line issues that current Council now has to resolve. Building half a pathway now means the other half will still need to be built later, at higher cost, with more disruption, and without serving the people who live, work, and access transit on the West side.

On October 28, 2026, City Council will make a final decision on both Millar Avenue projects:

  1. 51st Street and Millar Avenue Intersection Improvement – Saskatoon Cycles recommends Option C, which includes a better road configuration, pedestrian accessibility ramps, and shared-use pathways on BOTH sides of Millar Ave.
  2. Connecting Millar Avenue (43rd Street to Marquis Drive) – Saskatoon Cycles recommends Functional Design Report Option 1, which includes shared-use pathways on BOTH sides of Millar Ave, connecting to the new pedestrian/cycling railway crossing at Assiniboine Road.

Saskatoon Cycles supports any motion that takes key steps toward creating an Active Transportation network of safer, continuous, and connected active transportation routes, free of gaps and danger zones, maintained appropriately, linking common Saskatoon destinations.

What you can do (deadline: 5 PM Monday, October 26, 2026):

A. Write a letter in support It’s critical for Council to see that the community cares enough to take time to voice support. Get your thoughts on the record with a letter stating why you support the full recommendations. There’s a sample letter on the Action Alert page, but anything original and personal you add has more impact.

B. Speak at the meeting Council members value hearing directly from thoughtful citizens. If you have the passion and time, add your name to the speakers list! You can speak in person or via Microsoft Teams. There is strength in numbers.

How to submit:

  1. Go to: www.saskatoon.ca/submit-letterrequest-speak-council-and-committees
  2. Enter your information
  3. Under “What do you want to do?” choose “Submit Comments” or “Request to Speak”
  4. For “What meeting do you wish to speak/submit comments?” write: Millar Ave Transportation Projects – City Council Meeting
  5. For “What agenda item do you wish to comment on?” write:
    • 9.2.2 51st St and Millar Ave Intersection Improvement
    • 9.2.3 Connecting Millar Avenue from 43rd Street to Marquis Drive
  6. Enter your comments (copy the sample letter on our Action Alerts page, modify it, or write your own, personalize as much as possible)
  7. Click “Submit”

Thank you for getting involved and pitching in to make Saskatoon a better place to live, ride, and walk.

In solidarity,
Saskatoon Cycles