The construction of two bike lanes along a Winnipeg street has angered some people living nearby. (City of Winnipeg)Some St. James residents are furious over the city's plan to build two 1.5-metre wide cyclist's paths along the sides of a residential street.

It's another battlefront in what's shaping up to be divisive issue for Winnipeggers.

The city is pushing to build more so-called active transportation infrastructure to encourage people to go green and leave their cars at home.

Berry Street resident Glenn Babcock said he feels the asphalt bike lanes on his street will reduce property values and prompt the removal of trees in favor of pavement.

He also disputes there are enough people who will use the paths to make the project worthwhile.

"We don't want it, we don't need it. It's useless – for what? Six people who want to ride a bicycle?," Babcock stormed in a Tuesday interview.

He said the project makes little sense and that the city should be focusing on fixing core infrastructure first. He said the street's water main was only partially replaced last year.

"That's our water main – this is the water we drink … they replaced half the watermain, not the other half. Now is that stupid or not?," Babcock asked.

Babcock also wonders how his recycling pickup will be affected. Currently, residents place blue boxes in the areas where the paths are being constructed.

However Coun. Scott Fielding (St. James-Brooklands) said the city's top tax assessment official has said there will be no decrease in property values due to the bike lane.

"So the one person that's in charge of that has clearly said he does not see any reason why there would be any change in valuation of the land," Fielding said.

The Winnipeg Realtors Association backed Fielding's claim, saying there's no evidence home values would drop.

With files from the CBC's Mychaylo Prystupa