The Winnipeg Arts Council is hosting biking and walking art tours for people throughout the summer. 

Tamara Rae Biebrich is the Senior Public Art Project Manager at the Winnipeg Arts Council. 

"Throughout this summer we are going to be offering eleven public art tours. Four of them are art rides and seven of them are art walks," says Biebrich. 

The tours will be spread out between July 15 and October 15. Each tour is a different length and time of day so that the program can include as many interested people as possible. 

"It's a really great way for people to get out and learn about the city and some of the stories behind the artwork," she says. 

Two of the cycling tours will follow the blue rapid transitway as there are seven new pieces along the route for people to admire. 

"That's about a 13 km ride round trip and presented in partnership with Bike Winnipeg. People do have to bring their own bikes and helmet. We have a great tour guide, Sarah, who will share some of the stories behind the artwork."

ArtRide stops at Métis Land Use by Tiffany Shaw-Collinge at Markham Station. City of Winnipeg Public Art Collection. Photo by Susan Ainley.ArtRide stops at Métis Land Use by Tiffany Shaw-Collinge at Markham Station. City of Winnipeg Public Art Collection. Photo by Susan Ainley.

The tour isn't just a bike/walk and then listen to the guide. Rather the organizers want this to be an interactive experience with discussions. 

"The walks are mostly focused downtown and central neighbourhoods like the West End and St. Boniface where there is a bigger concentration of artworks within walking distance."

The Arts Council has run this program for seven years. 

"It's a great way to engage with Winnipeggers, get people outside thinking about our city and community and really just celebrating all the things that make Winnipeg, Winnipeg."

While the tours are free, people interested in joining will have to register on their website

"Respecting public health guidelines we're going to include only outdoor artworks."