People living in Manitoba’s capital have for years turned to the city’s rivers as a way to embrace the frigid winter.
The endeavour was six years in the making after one of the company’s co-founders used one for the first time while travelling in northern China. “Arenas were closed and there was nothing outdoors that we could … and we were very anxious,” he said. “Eventually restrictions loosened a bit. We got some ice time to try out. We liked what we had … and we moved forward.”The classic ice bike has a rear tire and a single blade at the front that is attached to a metal frame. The fat-tire trike has a rear tire and two sleds with blades underneath that sit at the front.
The bikes are suitable for all ages. Families with toddlers have rented them and one group reached out to request a fleet for a 90th birthday party. Erica Ament took advantage of the -6 C temperature with her 13-month-old daughter Addison. With Addison in a carrier on her back, Ament went for a 45-minute ride.