Do you have an old helmet of two hanging around the garage or in the
basement. The Downtown Biz is looking for old helmets for use in a Ciclovia
art project. If you want to recycle that old helmet rather than trashing it,
just drop it off at the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, 426 Portage Ave between
8:30am-4:30pm Monday to Friday. Please drop off any helmets before August
16.
Thanks
Dave
o
_ ( \ _
(X)\ /(X)
http://www.americabikes.org/nyc_study_finds_protected_bicycle_lanes_boost_lo
cal_business
NYC Study Finds Protected Bicycle Lanes Boost Local Business
Posted by Mary Lauran Hall on November 01, 2012 . Flag
<http://www.americabikes.org/forms/flags/page.js?page_id=211>
The road to recovery is in sight, and it has a bike lane.
The typical city street is a busy place. People riding bikes, walking,
driving cars, and operating buses all have somewhere to to go and want to
get there safely - and quickly.
But while we normally think of streets as pipelines for people and goods,
public streets are about more than just moving from point A to point B.
They're also corridors for public life. Streets are places where locals
discover new hole-in-the-wall stores and restaurants, where window shoppers
duck into shops to peruse, and where children convince their parents to stop
- just for ONE second - to buy a cup of hot chocolate.
In other words, streets can also grow local economies.
A new study from the New York Department of Transportation shows that
streets that safely accommodate bicycle and pedestrian travel are especially
good at boosting small businesses, even in a recession.
NYC DOT found that protected bikeways had a significant positive impact on
local business strength. After the construction of a protected bicycle lane
on 9th Avenue, local businesses saw a 49% increase in retail sales. In
comparison, local businesses throughout Manhattan only saw a 3% increase in
retail sales.
NYCDOT_-_9th_Street.png
In many ways, these data come as no surprise. We know that when towns invest
in bicycle infrastructure, people will ride more
<http://www.good.is/posts/if-you-build-bike-lanes-they-will-ride/> - the
number of people traveling by bicycle increases when there is infrastructure
to make traveling by bike safe and easy.
We also know that people who travel along a street by bicycle have fewer
barriers to stopping at a local business than people who travel along the
same street by car. It's very easy to hop off a bicycle and find a place to
secure the bike; not so with finding parking for an automobile. In fact, a
recent study suggest that bicycle riders tend to spend more at local
businesses over the course of a month
<http://bikeportland.org/2012/07/06/study-shows-biking-customers-spend-more-
74357> .
This new study makes it clear: investing in bicycle improvements boosts
small businesses. And what town or city doesn't want to boost activity at
local businesses?
Better walking infrastructure encourages retail strength, too. In another
example from NYC DOT's study, retails sales increased a whopping 179% after
the city converted an underused parking area in Brooklyn into a pedestrian
plaza. Retail sales at businesses in the rest of the neighborhood only
increased by 18%.
NYC_DOT_-_Pearl_St.png
When a street does a good job of accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians,
it's much more likely to attract walking and bicycling locals, window
shoppers, and doting parents. Those people are ready to contribute to the
local economy - if a street makes it easy and attractive to do so.
View NYC DOT's full study below or download the PDF here
<https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/americabikes/pages/211/attachments/or
iginal/1351785187/2012-10-measuring-the-street.pdf?1351785187> .
Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a
local viewing of the following APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor,
303 Portage Ave). This will be followed by group discussion of local
applications.* *Detailed description provided below.
*Bike Signals
Wed, May 15th | 2:00-3:00 p.m.*
RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then!
cheers,
Beth
(204) 925-3772
*
* * * * **
BIKE SIGNALS
[image: image]Bike signals are a relatively new tool that can be used to
separate cycling movements safely. This webinar explores the latest
developments related to traffic signals that specifically accommodate
cyclists and includes examples of how these devices are used in Portland
and Tucson. This 75-minute webinar includes an extended Q&A period.
Presenters will review the current state of the practice, including
existing engineering guidance and warrants in the MUTCD, AASHTO Green Book,
NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide and other manuals; physical design and
operations (detection, signage and timing); and preliminary results of an
informal survey of compliance and cyclist behavior.
Examples from Portland include a scramble phase signal and demonstrate how
bike signals can encourage cycling. Examples from Tucson focus on
stand-alone signals, the Toucan and the BikeHawk. Toucan is used to help
cyclists transition from a neighborhood or residential street network to
larger arterial roads; the BikeHawk is a pedestrian hybrid beacon that has
been modified to accommodate cyclists as well as pedestrians.
Presenters:
- Ann Chanecka, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, City of Tucson
- Peter Koonce, PE, Manager, Portland Bureau of Transportation -
Signals, Streetlighting and ITS Division
- Dr. Christopher Monsere, PE, Associate Professor Civil and
Environmental Engineering, Portland State University
- Dr. Richard Nassi, PE, Traffic Engineering Consultant, Pima
Association of Governments
source:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/03/14/canada_failing_cyclists_and_pede…
Canada failing cyclists and pedestrians, UN report finds
Canada says the right things but needs to take action to protect vulnerable
road users, according to a new WHO report.
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[image: A United Nations' reports says Canada is failing behind when it
comes to developing policy to protect vulnerable road users.]
VINCE TALOTTA / TORONTO STAR
A United Nations' reports says Canada is failing behind when it comes to
developing policy to protect vulnerable road users.
*By:* Kristen E. Courtney Special to the Star, Published on Thu Mar 14 2013
EXPLORE THIS STORY
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Canada is falling to the back of the pack when it comes to policies aimed
at protecting vulnerable road users, according to a new report released by
the World Health Organization.
While 77 per cent of United Nations countries carry out safety audits to
ensure the safety of road infrastructure projects for cyclists and
pedestrians, Canada does not, and is contributing to a concerning trend of
countries promoting alternative forms of transportation without ensuring
their safety, according to the Global Status Report on Road
Safety<http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2013/en/in…>
.
While studies have consistently shown what types of walking and cycling
infrastructure are needed to improve road safety, including safe routes and
crossings for pedestrians, slower traffic speeds, and dedicated cycling
lanes, policies are not in place to ensure that these are incorporated into
road infrastructure projects, according to the report.
Eleanor McMahon, founder of Ontario’s Share the Road Cycling
Coalition<http://www.sharetheroad.ca/>,
says she’s not surprised that Canada is falling behind, as all too often
the debate over road infrastructure in Canada becomes less about safety and
more about playing
politics.<http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2012/04/23/cyclists_steer_through_pol…>
This is a familiar refrain to Toronto drivers, cyclists and pedestrians,
where “war on the
car”<http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2009/05/24/road_wars_can_cyclists_and_motor…>
rhetoric
seems to rear its head every time a new road construction or reconstruction
project reignites the battle for a slice of the street. “We shouldn’t be
having this conversation about cycling infrastructure as if cyclists were a
special interest group. They are not a special interest group; they are
everyday people getting from point A to point B . . . and all of these
deaths are preventable,” McMahon says.
The good news is that overall road deaths around the world are down
slightly, to 1.24 million per year from 1.3 million per year since the
previous Global Status Report on Road Safety in
2009<http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2009/en/>.
Canada mirrors this trend, with overall annual road deaths falling to 2,227
from 2,889.
However, 27 per cent of global road traffic deaths are among pedestrians
and cyclists, which has Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World
Health Organization, concerned: “To date, these road users have been
neglected in transport and planning policy. The world must now increase its
focus on making walking and cycling safer, and protecting these road users
from high-speed traffic.”
One of the three key recommendations emerging from the report is that
concerted effort is needed to make road infrastructure safer for
pedestrians and cyclists, by taking the needs of these road users into
account earlier, when road safety, policy, transport planning and land use
decisions are made. The report places a particular emphasis on the conduct
of formal audits of new and existing road infrastructure projects — by
independent assessors not involved in the planning or construction — to
minimize crash risk and the potential consequences for all road users. Such
audits can produce important safety gains for all, according to the report.
McMahon says she’s not aware of any consistent policies that exist at the
national, provincial or municipal level in Canada that require such safety
audits or assessments of road construction projects.
“As someone who lost their life partner to a cycling accident, safety is
absolutely paramount to me,” she says, “but we need a carrot and stick
approach. Dedicated infrastructure funding and political will are also
essential.” McMahon’s husband, OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart, was killed in
2006 while riding his bike on Tremaine Rd. in Milton.
While Ontario has a number of policies in place that are supposed to
encourage active transportation and ensure the safety of cyclists and
pedestrians, the political will necessary to implement these policies
effectively is lacking, says McMahon. “We’re starting to see some progress
. . . you would think that having these things in policies would help, but
we sure have a long way to go.”
The Global Status Report 2013 will serve as the baseline for Decade of
Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, declared by the UN General Assembly to
stem the rise in road accidents as one of the leading causes of death
worldwide.
**
*Kristen Courtney is an environmental lawyer and a Fellow in Global
Journalism at the Munk School for Global Affairs.*
Hi all,
I'm bringing this to your attention as some of the proposed amendments relate to the interests of pedestrians and cyclists.
Please find the link to more detail below.
Susanne Dewey Povoledo
Planning Property and Development Department
From: Ross, Andrew On Behalf Of PPD-Speakup
Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2013 8:43 AM
To: DeweyPovoledo, Susanne
Subject:
Good afternoon OurWinnipeg stakeholder,
The City of Winnipeg is making changes to its downtown and city-wide zoning to better reflect the vision of OurWinnipeg and the Complete Communities Direction Strategy and we want to hear from you! This project involves text amendments, or small adjustments, to zoning regulations, rather than a comprehensive review. There will be no zoning map changes.
We invite you to provide your thoughts and feedback on the proposed changes in any of the following ways:
1. By attending the following open house, where there will be detailed information, in-person discussion, surveys, and of course, refreshments!
Complete Communities /Zoning Alignment Open House
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (drop in anytime)
Forks Market Atrium -just off Centre Court
2. By visiting www.speakupwinnipeg.com/zoningalignment<http://www.speakupwinnipeg.com/zoningalignment>, where you will see information on the zoning changes that are being considered and will have the opportunity to leave your comments.
3. By emailing us anytime at SpeakUp(a)winnipeg.ca<mailto:SpeakUp@winnipeg.ca> to provide your feedback to us directly.
4. By checking back to www.speakupwinnipeg.com<http://www.speakupwinnipeg.com> after the open house to share your thoughts and to fill out an online survey.
5. By tuning in to SpeakUpWinnipeg's Twitter for reminders and updates.
Hope to see you and hear from you!
The SpeakUpWinnipeg team
[Hi folks, please see poster, call for volunteers and general event info
below. For those of you with little ones, note the opportunity to swap
bikes for children who may have outgrown the ones they have! - AS ]
[image: Inline images 1]
* Volunteer Opportunities*
*
*
* - Refurbish a bike for sale*
Every Sunday from 2-4:30 volunteers will be building bikes for the Bazaar
at the WRENCH (1057 Logan Ave.). Contact the Bike Cage, Bike Dump and Bike
Lab to see how you can get involved with Bazaar building at their shops.
* -Poster/ Handbill for the Bazaar*
Posters and handbills (in electronic and hard copy) will be available from
the WRENCH May 8th
We would love volunteers to post them around the Daniel Mac, Spence, West
Broadway, Central Park and Downtown neighbourhoods.
* - Solicit donations from local business. *
If you know of a local restaurant/grocery store that would make in-kind
(i.e. free) donations of ready to eat food please contact Pat at
programs(a)thewrench.ca
Business will receive a charitable tax receipt for donation if invoice
provided.
Letters asking for in-kind donations of food will be available from the
WRENCH May 8th
*- Volunteer at the Community Bike Bazaar *
Volunteers needed for: Set-up and tear-down
Bike sales area
Kids Bike Swap corral
Community Tune-up stations
Rodeo/activities
Food services
General event support
*Contact Robin at **volunteer(a)thewrench.ca* <volunteer(a)thewrench.ca>* to
sign up.*
--
*Pat Krawec*, Executive Director
The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub
1057 Logan Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8
www.thewrench.ca <http://www.TheWrench.ca/> # 296-3389
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/automobiles/where-share-the-road-is-taken-
literally.html?smid=tw-share
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/automobiles/where-share-the-road-is-taken
-literally.html?smid=tw-share&_r=2&> &_r=2&
Where 'Share the Road' Is Taken Literally
"Woonerf" is what the Dutch call a special kind of street or group of
streets that functions as shared public space - for pedestrians, cyclists,
children and, in some cases, for slow-moving, cautiously driven cars as
well.
Roughly translated as "living streets," the woonerf (pronounced VONE-erf)
functions without traffic lights, stop signs, lane dividers or even
sidewalks. Indeed, the whole point is to encourage human interaction; those
who use the space are forced to be aware of others around them, make eye
contact and engage in person-to-person interactions.
The Dutch term was coined in the 1960s when traditional urban architecture
was being rethought, and today the woonerf sign is common, with slight
variations, across Europe: a blue rectangle with stick-figure symbols of a
ball-playing child and parent, a car, a house. They can even be found in
pedestrian shopping zones like the bustling Alexanderplatz in Berlin.
In the Netherlands, more than 6,000 woonerf zones burnish these badges of
communal spirit where motorized traffic doesn't rule the road. Moreover,
after a period in which they fell out of fashion, the woonerfs are making a
strong comeback, and not only in the Netherlands. Woonerfs and their
derivatives - sometimes called shared spaces, complete streets or home zones
- are piquing the interest of urban planners in several countries.
The cities and towns that have adopted the model in one form or another span
the globe: the artsy Saint-Henri neighborhood in Montreal; narrow,
tourist-clogged Commercial Street in Provincetown, Mass.; the Bulgarian spa
town of Hisarya; and districts or suburbs of Cologne and Freiburg, Germany,
and Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand.
In England and Wales there are more than 70 registered home zones, the
British variant of the woonerf; from hundreds of applicants, Manchester,
Plymouth, Leeds and Nottingham were chosen to receive government money to
establish the zones.
In the United States, more than 400 cities either currently have, or soon
will develop, "complete streets," which are much more broadly defined than
woonerfs, even allowing for the likes of sidewalks and the authoritarian
stop sign. Yet, according to the Chicago-based National Complete Streets
Coalition, the spirit of the woonerf inspired even the American movement.
The key to the woonerf is the primacy of nonmotorized activities.
Although cars are allowed in most - but not all - of the zones, they are
generally restricted to "walking speed" (in Britain, the limit is higher, at
10 or even 20 m.p.h.) with the onus of responsibility for safety entirely on
the driver.
Legally, the automobile driver is generally liable for an accident. But
there tend to be fewer traffic mishaps when cars, people and bicycles mingle
in close proximity; studies have found that accidents dropped by 40 percent
or more in Dutch areas converted to woonerfs.
"You either love them or you hate them, depending on whether you're a car
driver or a parent with kids," said Dirk van den Heuvel, an urban
architecture expert in the Dutch city of Delft. "But they're popular places
to live here - low density and lots of greenery - and that's why the model
is making a comeback," he said.
