AT-Network April 2014

at-network@lists.umanitoba.ca

7 participants
30 discussions

AT webinar: Public Health Benefits of AT, Wed, Apr 16, 2-3pm, EcoCentre

by Beth McKechnie

Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg 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. Description provided below. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth (204) 925-3772 ** * * * ** *Public Health Benefits of Active Transportation* *Wednesday, April 16, 2014 | 2:00-3:00 pm Central* Active transportation creates important opportunities for routine physical activity. Effective collaboration between public health and active transportation can strengthen projects with better results for all residents, including children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and low-income families. By understanding the impact of different types of interventions on the behavior of drivers and pedestrians, transportation professionals can create and construct designs that meet community goals. This webinar looks at case studies in Charlotte, N.C. and Columbia, Missouri, where changes to the streetscape were studied for their effects on physical activity and social interactions. The interventions include replacing a pedestrian bridge with an at-grade, signalized crossing; and modifying the streetscape and street profile with landscaping, narrower driving lanes and additional bike lanes. Presenters also suggest techniques for breaking down professional silos and engaging transportation, public health and research professionals in a collaborative study and design process. *Presenters:* - Ian Thomas, PhD, Board of Directors, America Walks - Dwane Jones, PhD, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development, University of the District of Columbia

10 years, 1 month

WFP: City studying more sidewalk clearing around schools (Apr.9'14)

by Beth McKechnie

City studying more sidewalk clearing around schools <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/> By: Nick Martin http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-studying-more-sidewalk-clearing… The city could clear every sidewalk around every school in Winnipeg right after a snowfall next winter. But it will require city council to approve a major policy change at a significant but unknown cost this summer, right before October's municipal election. "We'd be looking at the impact of making the sidewalks around schools priority 1 or priority 2," said Jim Berezowsky, the city's manager of street maintenance. "The expectation is they want it to be done the first day." Pembina Trails School Division raised alarms earlier this winter when the city was considering reducing snow-clearing operations on residential streets. Berezowsky said that prompted the city to re-examine its snow-clearing policies, particularly on sidewalks around school properties. The city has three priority levels for sidewalks, he said. Depending on how major the roadway in front of a school, the front-entrance sidewalk and school-bus loading zone would currently be cleared in the first or second wave of operations. But most schools have the vast majority of their property, including school fields, along residential side streets, and those sidewalks along school property have been a third-level priority. That could change next winter, but it would mean buying more sidewalk snow-clearing machines and hiring people to operate them, Berezowsky said. He said the city clears sidewalks after five centimetres of snowfall. "It's going to be an increased cost to the city. As a policy decision, it would still have to go to council" after staff finishes their study and report back sometime this summer. It's a matter of safety, Berezowsky said. Most families drive their kids to school, but they'd let them off earlier if the kids could walk safely the rest of the way, he said. "It's because of the amount of traffic that picks up and drops off kids. They want to be able to drop them off farther away." He wrote Pembina Trails school board chairman David Johnson the city's decision will be announced in August. Berezowsky replied to the division's letter to Mayor Sam Katz "regarding priority concerns of snow clearing in and around schools within the Pembina Trails School Division. Previous discussions with school divisions appeared to be centred solely around residential streets for the priority enhancements during winter months," Berezowsky said. "Sidewalks never appeared to be a consideration during those previous talks. We will definitely analyze sidewalk clearing in conjunction with the street-service priority given in the winter months to the various schools. "I will provide you with an update in August 2014 on the status of sidewalks as they pertain to the winter enhanced service in and around schools," he wrote. Pembina Trails superintendent Ted Fransen was delighted. "We're very pleased to hear the city is taking our concerns seriously," Fransen said. nick.martin(a)freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 9, 2014 B1

10 years, 1 month

Active & Green: Cashengers, Got Potholes?, Commuter Challenge is Back!, Bike Blender Rental

by Beth McKechnie

Hope you enjoy the latest issue of Active & Green! Check out past issues or subscribe here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/active-green/>. Please share widely - thanks. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.<http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3f55cc&id=f3af20966b…> *Looking to improve commuter options at your workplace?* Request resources<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>on cycling, carpooling, commuting surveys and tracking progress, among others. Book a presentation<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>on creating a commuter friendly workplace, greening the workplace, and more. Rent our bike-powered blender<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>for your next workplace event -- always a hit! RRC Sustainability staff blend up some fun ------------------------------ *Upcoming Events* Pedestrian & Cycling Strategies Open Houses<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> April 12 & 15, 2014 Precautionary Principle - The Nicole Bruinsma Story<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> April 22, 2014 Earth Day - Winnipeg premiere Film screening & panel Earth Day at Fort Whyte<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> April 27, 2014 City Cycling for Beginners<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> May 3, 2014 Jane's Walks<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> May 3-4, 2014 City Cycling for Commuters<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> May 10, 2014 Commuter Challenge Week<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> June 1-7, 2014 Bike Week<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> June 16-22, 2014 ------------------------------ *10-minute walk* Where can you walk to within 1km in your neighbourhood? 31 restaurants 18 grocery stores 7 schools 14 shops 0 restaurants 1 grocery store 0 schools 0 shops *"Ca$hengers": What's fair? * When you're starting up a carpool with co-workers or others, it can be tricky (or even awkward) figuring out how to split costs. Sound familiar? Try these online tools and apps to help determine a fair fare<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>. If you already carpool, how did you<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> decide on the amount? *Open Houses - April 12 & 15 * Plan to attend one of the upcoming Open Houses<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> on walking and cycling in Winnipeg - this Saturday, April 12, or Tuesday, April 15. Come hear about the draft city-wide bicycle and pedestrian network as well as recommendations for new policies related to Active Transportation. Guaranteed to be way more interesting than it sounds! *Calling all wanna-cyclists* Looking to dust off your bike and try riding again? Maybe you're thinking about starting to cycle to work or school? Sign up for a hands-on-the-handlebars workshop with a CAN-BIKE certified instructor. Two courses are available through the Leisure Guide: City Cycling for Beginners<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>on Saturday, May 3rd, and City Cycling for Commuters<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>on Saturday, May 10th. *Commuter Challenge is back!* It's time to register your workplace<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>for the Commuter Challenge! This annual friendly competition encourages you and your co-workers to walk, run, cycle, bus, carpool, paddle, in-line skate or skateboard to work. Sign up for fun, for your health, for the environment -- not to mention a chance to win some amazing prizes. *Got potholes? * Explore some creative uses for potholes in this fun series of photographs<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> from around North America. *Open call: Jane's Walk 2014* Do you have an idea for a fun, informative, unusual way of looking at your city and neighbourhood? Jane's Walk<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>wants you to organize a walk in your community! *Winter is back (just kidding)* If you missed the International Winter Cycling Congress in February, don't fret. Check out the video<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>, conference photos<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> and presentations<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>from this Winnipeg event. You are receiving this email because you are an Active & Green subscriber. Unsubscribe<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> beth(a)greenactioncentre.ca from this list. Our mailing address is: Green Action Centre 3-303 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B4 Canada Add us to your address book<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/vcard?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3f5…> Copyright (C) 2014 Green Action Centre All rights reserved. Forward<http://us2.forward-to-friend2.com/forward?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3f55cc&id=f3…>this email to a friend Update your profile<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/profile?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3…> [image: Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp]<http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

10 years, 1 month

Vote The WRENCH

by Rivers West

Hi everyone, The WRENCH has been nominated for the MTS Future First Community Grant. Help them win $ 10,000 by voting now! http://www.mts.ca/mts/future+first/grants#poll Have a good day! -- *Sylvie Fouasse* Rivers West info(a)riverswest.ca (204) 925-2320 ext 108

10 years, 1 month

Fwd: Call for Nominations: Energy Efficiency or Active / Sustainable Transportation Behavior Change Case Studies (for peer-selection by Tools of Change Landmark panels)

by Jackie Avent (ASRTS)

FYI: Tools of Change is soliciting nominations for its 2014 *Landmark* behavior change case studies in two topic areas - (1) home / building energy conservation and (2) sustainable transportation. If you know of anyone working on a particularly effective or innovative approach for changing energy or transportation behaviors, please consider nominating them - or yourself. All nominations must include measured impact results. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jay Kassirer <kassirer(a)toolsofchange.com> Date: 1 April 2014 08:29 Subject: Call for Nominations: Energy Efficiency or Active / Sustainable Transportation Behavior Change Case Studies (for peer-selection by Tools of Change Landmark panels) To: asrts(a)greenactioncentre.ca Having trouble viewing this email? Click here <http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=nmzyc7n6&v=001PSxIp8rnBc…> You are receiving this email from Tools of Change because you subscribed to our newsletter mailing list or recently participated in one of our webinars or workshops. You may unsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001EBMcLcbjBgc3FB4imj3Nmcawz…>if you no longer wish to receive our emails. *Call for Nominations* *Landmark Behavior Change Case Studies(Energy Efficiency and Active / Sustainable Transportation)* [image: Tools of Change social marketing toolkit] *Quick Links* *Tools of Change Website <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uQTNpmC1GtXmLtw36L0tumL7G_rAKg5a6yqWZubWt6DQ…>* *More On Us <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uQTNpmC1GtVZKAS2uAEz1uHKsELMdervJcax1x51DV_9…>* *Join Our List* [image: Join Our Mailing List]<http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1011333490061> *Sponsors* We are pleased to acknowledge the generous contributions of the following sponsors: *Government of Canada* Health Canada Natural Resources Canada Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Transport Canada Federation of Canadian Municipalities National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Suncor *About Us* Tools of Change promotes best practices in social marketing and a healthier, more sustainable future. Our social marketing website was awarded the Society of Environmental Journalists' highest rating as an information source for environmental journalists, and is recognized by the Infography as one of six superlative references on social marketing. We also host a wide range of webinars on health, environment and safety issues. More about us<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uQTNpmC1GtWBhPSHFkozpDeNgwnq_jNXwXlRKHbsJGx-…> * For immediate Release - March 31,** 2014* *Dear Jackie,* *For Immediate Release. MS Word copies of media release and backgrounder are at *www.toolsofchange.com/en/landmark/<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uQTNpmC1GtXXbOcWov5auXNnQ-E0pVZTDSpRjkvnTDuL…> Tools of Change is soliciting nominations for its 2014 *Landmark* behavior change case studies in two topic areas - (1) home / building energy conservation and (2) sustainable transportation. If you know of anyone working on a particularly effective or innovative approach for changing energy or transportation behaviors, please consider nominating them - or yourself. All nominations must include measured impact results. Designation as a "*Landmark*" (best practice) case study through this peer selection process recognizes behavior change programs and approaches considered to be among the most successful, innovative, replicable and adaptable in the world. Designated programs gain exposure, credibility and free, on-line program case study materials, which may make it easier for them to attract clients and maintain or increase program funding. Nominations are screened by Tools of Change staff and then the most promising are rated by peer selection panels based on a standard scoring grid. Designated programs are highlighted in our webinars, the webinar transcripts and video recordings, and written case studies. Program organizers get a *Landmark* designation logo for use on websites and in electronic newsletters, providing click-through access to the program's case study materials. The nomination form, which can be downloaded from www.toolsofchange.com/en/landmark/<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uQTNpmC1GtXXbOcWov5auXNnQ-E0pVZTDSpRjkvnTDuL…>, must be submitted by May 30, 2014. Designations will be announced by October 2014, and case study webinars will be presented between January and May 2015. To view *Landmark* case studies designated in past years, go to www.toolsofchange.com/en/landmark/<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uQTNpmC1GtXXbOcWov5auXNnQ-E0pVZTDSpRjkvnTDuL…> Help us spread the news. If you know of others who might be interested, forward this to them. If you are a media writer or editor, tell this story. [image: Gray]<http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1011333490061&a=1116968716600&e…> Jay Kassirer, General Manager, Tools of Change *Backgrounder* *About Tools of Change * *Tools of Change* was launched in January, 2000 as a collaborative effort between Cullbridge(tm) and such partners as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Health Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Environment Canada, and Canada's National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. Founded on the principles of community-based social marketing, *Tools of Change* engages program planners and facilitators from around the world to share and learn from their collective experiences. Its mandate is to build the capacity for planning and implementing more successful health, safety and environmental promotion programs. The *Tools of Change* website, sections of which are based on a workbook co-authored by Jay Kassirer and Doug McKenzie-Mohr, currently hosts about 130 full-length case studies. An impact evaluation of site users found that most returned to the site many times, had improved their programs as a result, and had used the site to help explain and justify their ideas to colleagues and decision makers. Many had replicated ideas found on the site. The website was awarded the Society of Environmental Journalists' highest rating as an information source for environmental journalists, and was recognized by the Infography as one of six superlative references on social marketing. *Recent Landmark Designations * The following are some recent examples of programs that have been designated. Home / Building Energy: - *Class 5 Energy*'s comprehensive, long-term approach combines education, training, behavior change and goal setting with progress tracking, recognition, continuous improvement and social media, to reduce energy use in schools, hospitals and other institutional settings. Over eight years in the program, Cambridge-Isanti Public School district reduced energy use per person by about 36% and saved $2.6 million in energy costs. Designated in 2013. - *City of Burlington's Ice Rink Competition* employs a low-cost community-based social marketing approach to significantly reduce energy consumption, associated greenhouse gases and energy costs. With a program return on investment of more than 96%, it shows the substantive impacts that behavioral change programs can have over and above retrofits. The results are based on actual utility bills. The approach is applicable to any high energy consuming asset (facilities and buildings, vehicle fleet) and is scalable. It successfully modified entrenched, long standing staff behaviour towards the desired energy conservation behaviors, improved facility performance, and extended equipment life cycle - all without sacrificing facility service levels and user satisfaction. Designated in 2013. - *Opower* helps individual utility companies to send customized home energy use feedback reports to their residential utility customers. The full-colour reports include a comparison with other similar households, offer tips and strategies to reduce energy use, and provide seasonal energy consumption information. The program delivered 400 GWh (400,000,000 kWh) in energy savings over multiple regions in 2011. - BC Hydro's* Power Smart* program is a great example of applying the "loyalty group" approach to progressively engage participants in changing behaviours. Energy savings for FY2010 were estimated at 5.15 GWh (5,150,000 KWh) Sustainable Transportation - *Stockholm's Congestion Pricing* was introduced in 2006 as a "trial", followed by a referendum. The charges reduced traffic across the cordon by 20%, leading to huge congestion reductions all over the city. Perhaps more surprisingly, the initially hostile opinion turned, and the referendum led to permanent reintroduction of congestion charges. The traffic effects have proved persistent in the years since. Designated in 2013. - *CAC's HSBC Clean Air Achievers *program provides youth with a chance to meet high profile athletes and be inspired by personal messages to adopt healthier, more active and sustainable lifestyles. The program has dual goals of reducing air pollution and increasing physical activity levels via active transportation. For the 2011-2012 school year, program participants had a 30.6% average percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and 45.2% average percent increase in active transportation. Designated in 2013. - *Haliburton Communities in Action* is a rare, well-documented model for promoting walking and cycling in a small or rural community. Designated in 2012. - *Portland's Smart Trips Welcome Program.* Portland has refocused its Individualized Marketing efforts and incorporated an innovative and targeted communication strategy to help new residents develop environmentally-friendly and active transportation habits. As a result, the city's new residents took 10% fewer drive-alone trips and the proportion of their trips taken by green and active methods increased by 14%. This comprehensive approach includes a strong evaluation design and targeted social marketing strategies. Designated in 2012. - *Stepping It Up*, led by the regional transportation authority Metrolinx, illustrates a coordinated, highly replicable, and institutionalized approach for reducing car traffic and increase walking and cycling to school. The program worked with 30 elementary schools in the City of Hamilton and Region of Peel, Ontario. Designated in 2012. - *BIXI Bicycle Sharing*(Montreal) is a great example of how to make urban cycling a more practical and attractive transportation option. BIXI makes it convenient for commuters to cycle rather than drive, especially for frequent, short trips. The system was specifically developed to augment Montreal's existing transit system and between 2009 and 2013 Montrealers made more than 13 million trips with BIXI. It is a turn-key service that is inexpensive and replicable across many countries and cultures. In addition, by making cycling more chic and attractive, BIXI has had a major impact on cycling in North America. Designated in 2011. *Active /Sustainable Transportation Panel, 2013* 2014 will be the seventh year for our peer selection panel for active / sustainable transportation programs. The panel includes members from on-the-ground programs including: - Ryan Lanyon, City of Toronto - Patricia Lucy, Translink It also includes members from some of North America's most proactive consulting, NGO, and government organizations supporting sustainable transportation professionals, including: - Mark Dessauer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation - Jacky Kennedy, Green Communities Canada - Nathalie Lapointe, Federation of Canadian Municipalities - David Levinger, Mobility Education Foundation - Geoff Noxon, Noxon Associates - Phil Winters, CUTR and the University of South Florida - Chuck Wilsker, U.S. Telework Coalition * Home/ Building Energy Efficiency Panel, 2012 * 2014 will be the fifth year for our peer selection panel for home / building energy efficiency programs. This panel includes members from on-the-ground programs and from some of North America's most proactive NGO and government organizations supporting energy conservation professionals, including: - Arien Korteland, BC Hydro - Devin Causely, Federation of Canadian Municipalities - Doug McKenzie-Mohr, McKenzie-Mohr Associates - Edward Vine, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory - Dan York, IEEE *Help Spread the Word!* Use portions of this newsletter and / or our full case studies in your own newsletters, listservs etc. All we ask is that you include the following short credit: Courtesy of Tools of Change (www.toolofchange.com) which promotes best practices in social marketing and a healthier, more sustainable future. Forward email<http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=nmzyc7n6&m=1011333490061&ea=a…> <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001EBMcLcbjBgc3FB4imj3Nmcawz…> <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_News_115> This email was sent to asrts(a)greenactioncentre.ca by kassirer(a)toolsofchange.com | Update Profile/Email Address<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&mse=001EBMcLcbjBgc3FB4imj3Nmcawz…> | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001EBMcLcbjBgc3FB4imj3Nmcawz…>(tm) | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. Tools of Change - Cullbridge Marketing and Communications | 2699 Priscilla Street | Ottawa | Ontario | K2B 7E1 | Canada -- *Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 *|* Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>

10 years, 1 month

ITDP's Principles of Urban Development

by Beth McKechnie

TOD Standard The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy has released a report that outlines core principles of urban design, including those that create pedestrian and cycling networks and strong customer bases for public transportation. http://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/170522.aspx ITDP's Principles of Urban Development for transport in urban life: 1. [walk] Develop neighborhoods that promote walking 2. [cycle] Prioritize non-motorized transport networks 3. [connect] Create dense networks of streets and paths 4. [transit] Locate development near high-quality public transport 5. [mix] Plan for mixed use 6. [densify] Optimize density and transit capacity 7. [compact] Create regions with short commutes 8. [shift] Increase mobility by regulating parking and road us

10 years, 1 month

Your Brain on Bicycling

by Dave Elmore

http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/your-brain-bicy cling?cm_mmc=Twitter-_-Bicycling-_-Content-Story-_-yourbrain Your Brain on Bicycling It's no secret that cycling makes you fitter. It also sharpens your thinking and melts away stress. Now researchers are discovering why-and exactly how you can maximize the cognitive benefits of a good ride. Every morning Canadian neuroscientist Brian Christie, PhD, gives his brain <http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/mental-trainin g-cyclists> an extra boost. We're not talking about tossing back multiple strong shots of espresso <http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/nutrition-weight-loss/caffeine- alert> or playing one of those mind-training games advertised all over Facebook. "I hop on my bike, go to the gym <http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/gym-etiquette> for 45 minutes, then ride the rest of the way to work," says Christie. "When I get to my desk, my brain is at peak activity for a few hours." After his mental focus sputters to a halt later in the day, he jump-starts it with another short spin to run errands. Ride, work, ride, repeat. It's a scientifically proven system. In a recent study in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, scientists found that people scored higher on tests of memory, reasoning, and planning after 30 minutes of spinning on a stationary bike than they did before they rode. They also completed the tests faster after pedaling. Grow Your Mind Exercise is like fertilizer for your brain. All those hours spent turning your cranks create rich capillary beds not only in your quads and glutes, but also in your gray matter. More blood vessels in your brain and muscles mean more oxygen and nutrients to help them work, says Christie. When you pedal, you also force more nerve cells to fire. As these neurons light up, they intensify the creation of proteins like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and a compound called noggin (yes, really), which promote the formation of new brain cells. The result: You double or triple the production of neurons-literally building your brain, says Christie. You also release neurotransmitters (the messengers between your brain cells) so all those cells, new and old, can communicate with each other for better, faster functioning. This kind of growth is especially important with each passing birthday, because as we age, our brains shrink and those connections weaken. Exercise restores and protects the organ, says Arthur Kramer, PhD, a neuroscientist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "Our research finds that after only three months, people who exercised had the brain volume of those three years younger," says Kramer, referring to a study that examined the brains of 59 sedentary volunteers between the ages of 60 and 79 who either did an exercise program or were inactive for six months. A bigger, more connected brain simply works better. "Adults who exercise display sharper memory skills, higher concentration levels, more fluid thinking, and greater problem-solving ability than those who are sedentary," says Kramer. Ride Your Way Smarter So if a little exercise boosts your mental acumen, will going longer and harder earn you Mensa membership? Not so much, says Christie. More isn't always better, especially in the short term, he says. The same study that reported brain benefits from a short exercise session also revealed that more intense efforts can temporarily compromise memory and information processing, something Christie has seen firsthand. It's clear that physical activity like cycling boosts production of feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. Christie's teenage daughter also kicks off her day with exercise-specifically rowing practice, usually with searing interval sets. But instead of leaving her brain firing on all cylinders, the workout leaves her a little stalled out when she arrives at school. "Short term, you're on a U-shaped curve for exercise and mental benefits," says Christie. "Too little and your brain doesn't get what it needs to work optimally. Too much and your body has sapped the glucose and other resources it needs, so it's hindered until it recovers." The sweet spot for sharp mental acuity right after exercise is about 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic riding at roughly 75 percent of your maximum heart rate, or an effort of 7 on a scale of 1 (standing still) to 10 (going all out). Positive Spin Of course, there's a lot more to mental fitness than just improving your smarts. Plenty of science backs the idea that a good ride can also have emotional benefits. Cycling can elevate your mood, relieve anxiety, increase stress resistance, and even banish the blues. "Exercise works as well as psychotherapy and antidepressants in the treatment of depression, maybe better," says James Blumenthal, PhD, professor of behavioral medicine in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. A recent study analyzing 26 years of research finds that even just some exercise-as little as 20 to 30 minutes a day-can prevent depression over the long term. At the moment, scientists don't completely understand the exact mechanisms, but they do know that physical activity like cycling boosts the production of feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. "As soon as our lab rats start running on their wheels, they get a 100 to 200 percent increase in serotonin levels," says J. David Glass, PhD, a brain-chemistry researcher at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. As you pedal past the 20-to 30-minute mark, other mood-lifting chemicals like endorphins and cannabinoids (which, as the name suggests, are in the same family of chemicals that give pot smokers their high) kick in. When researchers asked 24 men to either run or pedal at a moderate intensity or sit for about 50 minutes, they found high blood levels of anandamide, a natural cannabinoid, in the exercisers, but not in sedentary volunteers. Even better, regularly riding your bike helps keep hormones like adrenaline and cortisol in check, which means you'll feel less stressed and you'll bounce back from anxiety-filled situations more easily. The sweet spot for sharpening mental acuity right after exercise is about 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic riding at roughly 75 percent of your maximum heart rate. Remember: Although it's healthy, exercise itself is a stress, especially when you're just getting started or back into riding. When you first begin to exert yourself, your body releases cortisol to raise your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels, says Monika Fleshner, PhD, a professor of integrative physiology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. As you get fitter, it takes a longer, harder ride to trigger that same response. "For people who are active, it takes a greater crisis to trigger the cortisol response as compared with sedentary people," says Fleshner. "So now you can go into a stressful environment and be okay. You can endure a lot more before you kick off a stress response." What's the cycling prescription for happiness? The authors of a recent review study on exercise and depression came up with the following guidelines to ward off the blues with aerobic exercise: Do three to five sessions a week. Each session should be 45 to 60 minutes long and keep your heart rate between 50 and 85 percent of your max. Of course, that's just a minimum recommendation aimed at the general public. You can go ahead and ride to your heart's-and mind's-content.

10 years, 1 month

WFP: Fielding's rapid transit stance on wrong track (Apr.4'14)

by Beth McKechnie

Fielding's rapid-transit stance on wrong track By: Bartley Kives http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/fieldings-rapid-transit-stance-on-wr… In a mayoral race in which six out of eight potential candidates can be safely described as right of centre, it makes sense for Scott Fielding to try to stand out from the field. The two-term councillor for St. James-Brooklands is positioning himself to be the populist fiscal conservative among a crew of fellow conservatives that either have more elitist trappings or lean closer to the centre. Fielding is no lunch-bucket-carrying everyman. He's a former pharmaceutical sales rep who has interests in a pair of businesses and lives in upper-middle-class Linden Woods. But Scott Fielding's voting record and political philosophy can safely be described as neo-libertarian, even if that's a word he'd never use to describe someone who's in small government and would prefer to see the market provide solutions to public-policy problems. Last week, Fielding was doing his best to prove his populist cred by campaigning against the extension of the Southwest Transitway, the city's first dedicated bus corridor. The 3.6-kilometre first phase of the transitway was completed in 2012 at a cost of $138 million. A seven-kilometre extension to the University of Manitoba comes with a $600-million price tag because it's packaged with two other Fort Garry projects -- a new Jubilee underpass and the Cockburn-Calrossie drain replacement. Fielding, who has never supported rapid transit, launched an online petition that attempts to mine the same anti-elitist sentiment directed against megaprojects such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Investors Group Field. Fielding wants prospective rapid-transit funding to be spent on road repairs instead and urged Winnipeggers to tell "the politicians, insiders at city hall that we need to address infrastructure, make that our No. 1 priority." As far as campaign strategy goes, it's not a bad gambit to gain attention. Mayor Sam Katz, who may or may not be running again, oversaw the construction of the transitway's first phase despite his well-documented ambivalence to rapid transit. Lawyers Gord Steeves and Brian Bowman, who most likely will run, can be painted as members of the political elite by the mere nature of their profession. Only Charleswood-Tuxedo Coun. Paula Havixbeck is also playing the populist card, though she's also courting union support for her potential mayoral run. Fielding's anti-rapid-transit position, however, runs the risk of driving away potential supporters across the political spectrum who may have seen him as a safe place to park their votes. Although he only garnered support of six per cent of Winnipeggers in the two mayoral-race polls to date, Fielding has room to grow because he has been strong on ethical reform at city hall and chose to break ranks with Katz. His rapid-transit hate-on, however, is a bad move in the long run, as the roads-not-transit argument fails to stand up to logical scrutiny. Winnipeg suffers from inadequate infrastructure because it's too spread out. The lack of density in this city requires too much money to be shovelled into road, sewer and water-main maintenance. And as any student of Winnipeg's recent history can tell you, one of the main contributors to this lack of density is the absence of a rapid-transit network. Winnipeg began pondering rapid transit in the 1950s and '60s, around the same time Toronto and Montreal started building subways. Decades of dithering allowed Winnipeg to be lapped by Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa, which pursued various permutations of light rail, subways and dedicated bus corridors. Development along transit lines and transit-station nodes has improved density in all of these cities. But Winnipeg kept on building roads and focusing on single-family-home development, with disastrous results. This city has started to improve density through modest means, such as insisting on smaller lot sizes for single-family homes and demanding more multi-family housing in new suburbs. But we are desperate for more rapid transit to promote real density. Without mass transit, you cannot build up instead of out. And if you build out instead of up, you cannot afford your roads. What Fielding is promoting spells disaster for Winnipeg. He's selling the promise of better roads when in fact the best way to do so would be to invest in transit. Fielding's ethics are unimpeachable. He is polite and appears popular with the constituents in his ward. But Winnipeg has waited too long for not just the Southwest Transitway, but a full network of transit corridors to endure another rapid-transit debate. Six decades is long enough. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 4, 2014 B1

10 years, 1 month

The Uniter: Breaking down barricades

by Beth McKechnie

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Terry Zdan <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2014 10:18:07 -0500 Subject: The U of W Uniter - Breaking Down Barricades http://uniter.ca/view/breaking-down-barricades "I replaced driving with a ten-minute walking commute. The psychological differences between driving through an environment and physically interacting with it on the ground cannot be understated. I now walk downtown with the familiarity everyone else has with their own cul-de-sacs. The normalization of this type of interaction with the city on a daily basis gives you a different appreciation of not only its buildings and its people, but also what it sorely lacks: people living there...." "And herein lies the toxic heart of how urban Winnipeg is approached: for serving the suburban population. And for the suburban population there must be suburban entities. Maybe we knew that already, but in exiling myself from suburban life, it took on a new level of understanding. It sunk in...." -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

10 years, 1 month

Doctors prescribing bike-share memberships to combat obesity

by Beth McKechnie

Doctors prescribing bike-share memberships to combat obesity *by *Lauren O'Neil<http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/author/lauren-oneil/> Posted: April 2, 2014 5:57 PM Last Updated: April 2, 2014 5:31 PM http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/doctors-prescribing-bike-… Doctors in Boston will soon have a new tool in their arsenal when it comes to improving the health of obese patients: the humble, yet powerful bicycle. In an effort to get sedentary Bostonians moving more, as well as provide affordable transportation for low-income residents, The City of Boston and the Boston Medical Center (BMC) have partnered together in creation of program they're calling "Prescribe-a-Bike." The program, launched today, allows all BMC medical professionals to write prescriptions for memberships to a local bike-sharing program called Hubway<https://www.thehubway.com/>, which currently boasts 1,100 bikes at 130 locations around the city. Much like Canada's own Bixi system<http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bye-bye-bixi-retooled-bike-sharing-se…>, Hubway users can borrow a bike from any location and then drop it off at another, providing themselves a convenient and healthy way to get around. Qualified low-income patients will pay only $5 for an annual membership to the program, which entitles them to an unlimited number of trips on Hubway bikes for up to 30 minutes at a time. They'll also receive a free helmet, according to the Boston mayor's office. "Obesity is a significant and growing health concern for our city, particularly among low-income Boston residents," said Kate Walsh, chief executive of Boston Medical Center, in a statement published by the Boston Globe<http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/03/27/new-program-will-allow-boston-m…>. "Regular exercise is key to combating this trend, and Prescribe-a-Bike is one important way our caregivers can help patients get the exercise they need to be healthy." To qualify for a prescription, patients must be 16 years or older either have a household income of no more than 4 times the poverty level or be enrolled in some form of public assistance according to the statement. The program's creators hope to enroll at least 1,000 low-income residents in Prescribe-a-Bike this year, and potentially expand to include more hospitals. "We have already received some calls from other hospitals and health clinics who are interested," said Nicole Freedman, director of bicycle programs for the City of Boston, to Boston Magazine<http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2014/03/26/prescribe-bike-bmc-bos…>. "It's a new way to reach out and promote health."

10 years, 1 month

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AT-Network April 2014