OK Boys and Girls.
Who wants to count bikes next Tuesday?
*Join the world in doing a "Super Tuesday" count Tuesday, September 1st
from 7am to 9am. *
To help, the only qualification is owning a smartphone capable of using the
free CounterPoint app <http://counterpointapp.org/>.
And having a passion for change.
Is Winnipeg in?
Are you?
*How it works: *
You will be doing a two hours count of bicycles.
You can pick or setup any new or existing location you like.
(It can be Main Street or out your front window, wherever you like.)
Your location gets to be compared with places around the world...and we'll
be spreading the need to count bikes as traffic everywhere.
Bicycle Network, Australia's national cycling advocacy organization, just
commissioned us (Green Action Centre and the made-in-Winnipeg CounterPoint
app) to create a special bikes only "gender" count.
The goal is to make it easier to help the 10000s of Australians who already
count bikes on this day annually, and to make the idea spread around the
world.
To see more about the Super Tuesday Global pilot project, or learn about
the amazing success of this project in Australia, visit the Bicycle Network
site page here.
<https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/for-government-and-business/3533/>
The count screen looks something like this:
On the big day, go to your spot.
Get comfy.
Now, imagine that our eyes are gently-powered lazers.
And that your eyes and fingers are the most accurate bicycle detector in
the world.
So accurate that your eyes can detect gender every bike that goes and give
a pretty good guess at the person's gender...all whilst your fingers tap
away on the right buttons on a screen.
That's how the app works.
Its better than Candy Crush.
Try it, you'll love it.
To participate in the Super Tuesday Global pilot project, visit the Bicycle
Network site page here.
<https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/for-government-and-business/3533/>
Anders Swanson
*The Counter*Point* Team* <http://counterpointapp.org>
see us on...
*Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/CounterPointApp> | Twitter
<https://twitter.com/counterpointapp>*
NOW: Download it from the AppStore free. Set up a counterpoint near you!
<https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/counterpoint!/id895869606?mt=8>
The Herald <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald>Active
Transportation Bridge gets some recognition
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/Active-Transportati…
Two recent construction projects in Elmwood were recognized by the Canadian
Public Works Association.
The Disraeli Active Transportation Bridge received the Canadian Public
Works Association (CPWA)’s 2014 Project of the Year award in the
Transportation Category for a construction project valued at more than $5
million.
"The Manitoba government is proud Winnipeggers can travel more easily and
enjoy public space in healthy ways, thanks to investments like this one in
the Disraeli Bridge," Minister of Labour and Immigration Erna Braun said in
a statement. "Investments in public infrastructure help build stronger
communities and a better quality of life for all Manitobans."
"The Disraeli Active Transportation Bridge is a key artery of active
transportation in our city and has already served our citizens well," Coun.
Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert), chair of the Standing Policy
Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works, said in a statement.
"Active transportation is important for the health, well-being and economic
development of our city, and we look forward to expanding our active
transportation networks in other areas of Winnipeg."
The City of Winnipeg’s Public Works East Yard Complex — located on Thomas
Avenue south of Nairn Avenue — was also honoured by the CPWA in the
Environmental Category. The yard’s long-term sustainability has been
recognized with a LEED Gold Certification.
Facebook.com/TheHeraldWPG
<http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/Facebook.com/TheHer…>
Twitter: @heraldWPG <https://twitter.com/HeraldWPG>
Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local
viewing of the following APBP webinar: *Streetscape Design to Improve
Walking and Cycling*.
The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303
Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local
applications.
RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then!
cheers,
Beth
** * * * **
Streetscape Design to Improve Walking and Cycling
*Wednesday, August 19th, 2-3pm, EcoCentre
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
Boardroom*
Learn how thoughtful streetscape design improves the function, enhances
safety, and boosts the aesthetic and ecological qualities of a street. This
session explores best practices in streetscape design and how two different
cities approach issues of policy, zoning and retrofitting. In Burnaby,
B.C., comprehensive guidelines support a broad range of outcomes to
integrate pedestrian, cyclist, transit and driving networks with the
sustainable storm water, urban forestry, street lighting, public art and
place-making functions of accessible, complete streets. Learn about the
multi-disciplinary process that built these guidelines, which are based on
existing plans and policies that support environmental, social and economic
sustainability. San Francisco’s WalkFirst initiative aims to improve
pedestrian safety. Learn about the methodology developed to prioritize
retrofitting projects in order to create the greatest benefit within the
constraints of limited funding.
*Presenters*:
- Stuart Ramsey, Manager, Transportation Planning, City of Burnaby, B.C.
- Grahm Satterwhite, Manager, Complete Streets Planning, San Francisco
Municipal Transportation Agency
- Ian Wasson, Urban Design Planner, City of Burnaby, B.C.
[Think about it: Assiniboine is currently the Portage Avenue for people on
bikes. Winnipeg Trails' email account often gets asked :"We are headed out
on our bikes, where can we go for coffee/grab a drink along Winnipeg
Trails?" Modern north american zoning is traditionally oriented around
roads (think how arterial roads are typically also commercial corridors).
Increasingly, the possibilities of transit spurring similar development
(think transit quality zones/TOD) is becoming better understood.
Pedestrians, of course, are occasionally integrated into the equation esp.
in urban areas (increased density, mixed use). However, what about
bicycles. Whjat about the opportunities created by new trails. There is
little known about the potential of new businesses to take advantage of the
places that people on bikes stop. Here is an interesting idea from two
business owners who've made $ along pathways; they think we need to start
thinking about a new category of commercial zoning: bike-in zoning. - Anders
]
*Bike-In Zoning*
"Linda Thorne and Lanny Tonning have stumbled upon an excellent idea:
specific zoning for businesses that wish to cater primarily to cyclists,
especially along existing multi-use trails.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=81&v=l-YxtMoXv1U"
How to cycle the world in 14 days? Hint: you don't leave Winnipeg
*http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/how-to-cycle-the-world-in-14-days-weeks-320576622.html
<http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/how-to-cycle-the-world-in-14-days-we…>*
They’re pedalling around the world in 14 days.
Newly engaged Michael Horbay and Lisa Kappel, both 45, are self-described
"avid" cyclists and runners. In summers past, their bikes have taken them
across the city, from Bombers games to The Forks and places between. Last
year, they cycled to 14 different Folklorama pavilions. This year, they’re
hoping to top that, biking to all of the 43 pavilions the festival offers.
"Second day in, it’s been an awesome adventure and we’re just, Lisa and I
are just pumped," said Horbay Monday evening, the second night of the
festival.
Already, he and his fiancee had been to three pavilions — Germany, Hungary
and Ethiopia — and were about to head out to three more: the Philippines,
Portugal and Spain.
For two weeks every summer, Folklorama’s pavilions offer Winnipeggers a
peek into cultures from all over the globe. Last year’s festival brought
out more than 400,000 visitors to the 43 venues, run by more than 20,000
volunteers. Now celebrating its 46th birthday, the festival’s 2015 run
began Sunday and will wrap up on Aug. 15.
In that time, Horbay and Kappel estimate they will cycle more than 400
kilometres — logging just over 30 the first night and assuming the next 13
will be similar — and catching between two and four shows a day. You’ll be
able to spot them by their bright red T-shirts, branded "Cycling Folklorama
#seeitall."
"Folklorama means a lot to us," said Kappel on Monday. "It’s a chance to
experience a holiday within our own city. We get to see the world on our
bikes."
After sampling a handful of pavilions by bike last year and loving it,
Kappel said she and Horbay decided to get serious this time round.
"This year, we actually took holidays and re-arranged our schedules for the
weeks to make it out to all of (the pavilions)," she said. "Michael sat
down, and we got the Folklorama (guide), and a lot of the pavilions are
kind of grouped together. We picked the furthest one of the grouping and
then we go to the other ones after that."
Horbay said the biggest motivation to ride to each event is pretty simple.
"You know, cycling is, first of all, a lot of fun," he said. There’s also
the added layer of convenience: no worries about finding parking, and
Horbay said staff at the pavilions have been "extremely gracious" in
helping store the cycles safely — plus, there’s no traffic. Kappel added
she appreciates that cycling is easier on the environment than driving
around in a car, and both value the chance to challenges themselves and get
some exercise.
The pair will be tweeting about their journey, using the hashtags
#michaelandlisafitnessfun and #seeitall — a challenge in itself, Horbay
noted.
"The cycling is the easy part, it’s all the social media we have to keep up
on," he quipped.
More than anything, Kappel said she hopes other Winnipeggers are inspired
to catch a Folklorama show — by bike or otherwise.
"I think sometimes we (Winnipeggers) tend to not take advantage of things
that are offered at home," she said.
"We just want to encourage Winnipeggers to get out there on their bikes and
to take advantage of what the city has to offer right here at home."
aidan.geary(a)freepress.mb.ca
*Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 4, 2015 A2*
[sigh..]
Councillors hire lawyer to persuade re-vote on contentious transportation
plan
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Councillors-hire-lawyer-to-p-3203271…
A trio of Winnipeg city councillors opposed to portions of the city’s
controversial pedestrian and cycling strategy are calling for a re-vote
after they produced a legal opinion that found there were no grounds to
block debate to the amendments they were proposing.
Couns. Russ Wyatt, Ross Eadie and Jason Schreyer hired local lawyer Dave
Hill following the July 15 council meeting, where Speaker Devi Sharma — on
the advice of the city clerk — refused to allow debate on the 20 amendments
to the strategy.
Sharma ruled the city’s procedure bylaw limits the number of amendments to
a motion to two, and that was taken up by two friendly amendments already
put forward by Couns. Scott Gillingham and Jenny Gerbasi.
Schreyer immediately rose to challenge Sharma’s ruling, but he couldn’t
muster enough support from other councillors to support him.
But in a written report to the three councillors, Hill said he could find
no provisions in the procedure bylaw to support Sharma’s ruling and added
perhaps the motion approving the strategy was illegal because council had
broken its own rules by refusing debate on all the amendments.
"I am not surprised there is now legal opinion backing up my challenge of
the Speaker," Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) said.
Wyatt (Transcona) said he hopes the legal opinion is enough to persuade
Mayor Brian Bowman to bring the strategy back to council for another vote.
"All we want is our amendments to be considered," Wyatt said Friday.
The three councillors said they used their ward allowance funds to hire
Hill, explaining his legal bill is expected to be in the range of $500 to
$750.
"It’s a travesty that well-thought-out amendments were denied democratic
debate," Eadie (Mynarski) said.
Bowman’s office said the mayor was unavailable for comment Friday.
City clerk Richard Kachur said council has always interpreted Section 27 of
the procedure bylaw as limiting the number of amendments to any motion to
two.
"I didn’t have to get a legal opinion, it’s always been interpreted this
way for the past 20 years," Kachur said. "There’s been lots of practice and
precedent to support this. This is how council conducts itself."
Council’s July 15 meeting was a wild affair, with Wyatt storming out of the
chambers after Sharma blocked debate on the 20 amendments.
Wyatt ran to the mayor’s office and taped a copy of each amendment to his
glass door and wrote "democracy denied" on each document.
At the July 15 meeting, Sharma ruled only the first two amendment motions
tabled for an item can be debated and voted on. She said, based on advice
from the city clerk, that if more motions are added for debate, it requires
a two-thirds vote of council to suspend the rules and allow the debate on
the additional amendments.
Only Wyatt, Eadie, Schreyer, Jeff Browaty and Shane Dobson voted to suspend
the rules.
That council meeting culminated a month-long campaign by Wyatt, Eadie and
Browaty to gather support for changes to the strategy. They had singled out
errors in the maps that marked out pedestrian and cycling routes. They even
took out radio ads promoting their concerns.
aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca