Winnipeg couriers rate roads as slippery and 'horrible'

Slippery streets and rutted roads are leaving motorists frustrated and some roadways littered with crashes.

Courier Brenda Cardinal isnt surprised. She said roads are icy, and drivers arent slowing down.

Horrible! Its absolutely horrible! I have two deliveries on board that I am probably not going to do today, said Cardinal.

She spends about 10 hours a day doing deliveriesfor Dasher Courier and said the city is falling behind on keeping roads safe so far this winter.

I dont find theres much sanding this year at all, she said. There should be more right now.

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman seems to agree. Earlier this week, he said hed like to see a better job of sanding and grading.

Since then, sanding and grading machines have been out working on roads. Sanders were out all day Thursday, starting at 4 a.m.

Mother Nature throws a lot at us here in Winnipeg, Bowman said Thursday. All in all, we should be grateful for the work thats happening, but can we improve? Absolutely.

Bowman said he would be looking at plans to improve salting, sanding and grading services, as well as communication with Winnipeggers about when those things will be happening in their neighbourhoods.

Cycling on slippery winter roads

Its not just motorists who rely on the streets to be clear and safe.

Natural Cycle bike courier Kristjan Anderson navigates downtowns slippery roads every day, delivering parcels and packages on two wheels.

"Just a little while ago it melted and then it became like an ice rink out there. That was really bad," said Anderson.

He said while it hasnt been too bad this year, he knows it typically gets worse later in the year and already plows have been a little slow to clear roads.

"There have been some days after a heavy snow fall where I'm thinking, 'At this point, they should be clearing, said Anderson. Theres nobody out there clearing, and you can see traffic is backing up. Crashes are happening, and my job is a whole lot more difficult.

Anderson said motorists going too fast and spinning tires is only making the problem worse.

Both Anderson and Cardinal had the same message for motorists.

"Just be careful. It's not summer roads. It's winter driving, and winter driving you have to take it easy, said Cardinal. You're not doing 60 (km/h) in a 60. Sometimes you have to do 50 in a 60 not 80!"