AT-Network April 2020

at-network@lists.umanitoba.ca

5 participants
31 discussions

by Anders Swanson

AT-Network: Winnipeg Trails has been working on developing a comprehensive response to emerging mobility concerns in this pandemic. We are supporting the efforts that have been announced thus far by the city of Winnipeg, and monitoring the emergence of the Open Streets movement across North America. With serious mobility issues looming regardless of the length of lockdown, we are hoping to advance the conversation and are seeking your input and help. Please see this and look for the links to offer feedback: https://www.winnipegtrails.ca/openstreets2020/ If you are inclined to share, please do so widely. Here are links to Twitter <https://twitter.com/WinnipegTrails/status/1252976273430896641>, Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/WinnipegTrails/posts/2905469946203199?__xts__%5B0%…> and Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/p/B_SrDn-AhKK/>. Anders WTA

4 years

Upcoming webinars on Quick Build Networks (including Minneapolis)

by Beth McKechnie

*Webinar Announcement* Upcoming Webinars on Quick Build Networks *Quick Build Networks for All (Part 1) Tuesday, May 19, 2020* 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern Time Register Here <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> *Quick Build Networks for All (Part 2) Wednesday, May 20, 2020* 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern Time Register Here <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> Cities across the US are planning and prioritizing low-stress networks that support bicycling and walking, working to integrate active travel into their transportation system. This two-part webinar series will profile the experiences of several cities – Houston, Minneapolis, and San Jose – as they start turning their plans into action. Using rapid deployment and quick-build techniques, these cities are delivering multimodal facilities to support safety and comfort and broader community goals. Learn about their experiences with community engagement and maintenance, integrating equity, universal design, micromobility, and a host of other factors. Part I will explain the value of Quick Build approaches and highlight examples from around the globe, and feature a detailed case study from Houston. Part II will dive deeper into examples from Minneapolis and San Jose. Panelists include representatives from Toole Design; Harris County, TX; Minneapolis, MN; and San Jose, CA. ------------------------------ PBIC offers free, public webinars approximately every month. To register for upcoming webinars and to access archived presentations, please visit www.pedbikeinfo.org/webinars <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> . Follow the PBIC on Twitter <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> and Facebook <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> and join the discussion [image: https://twitter.com/pedbikeinfo?lang=en] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> [image: https://www.facebook.com/pedbikeinfo] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> [image: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/index.cfm] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> ------------------------------ Since its inception in 1999, PBIC's mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ------------------------------ Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center 730 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Suite 300 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Add us to your address book <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/vcard?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e453ab5d&…> Phone: 1.888.823.3977 Fax: 919.962.8710 www.pedbikeinfo.org <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> View this email in your browser <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…>

4 years

Milan announces ambitious scheme to reduce car use after lockdown

by Beth McKechnie

Milan is to introduce one of Europe’s most ambitious schemes reallocating street space from cars to cycling and walking, in response to the coronavirus crisis. The city has announced that 35km (22 miles) of streets will be transformed over the summer, with a rapid, experimental citywide expansion of cycling and walking space to protect residents as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/21/milan-seeks-to-prevent-post-c…

4 years

WFP Editorial: Time to park cars outside parks (Apr20'20)

by Beth McKechnie

*Time to park cars outside parks * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/coronavirus/time-to-park-cars-out… AS the pandemic grinds on and confinement in our homes becomes bleak at times, Winnipeg’s abundant green spaces offer a therapeutic escape. It’s unfortunate motorized vehicles are allowed to intrude. A temporary ban on cars, trucks and motorcycles from city parks would go a long way toward helping pedestrians enjoy outings while still keeping the required physical distance. Pedestrians in parks could use the full width of the the roadways to keep a safe space from each other. Vancouver did it with Stanley Park on April 8, banning vehicles from its world-class park so pedestrians can walk on roads and enjoy the tonic of the natural world while remaining distanced from other people. Minneapolis-St. Paul has banned vehicle traffic from three of its parkways. Portland, Ore., has closed 10 of its parks to cars and trucks. Similar sensible measures are underway in U.S. cities including Cleveland, Philadelphia and Denver. Like all urban centres struggling to contain COVID-19, these cities banned vehicles from green spaces because of two pragmatic realities: 1) it’s physically and mentally healthy for people to enjoy the rejuvenating effects of nature as a break from being cooped up under stressful circumstances; and 2) city parks can accommodate a lot of people safely, with everyone heeding physical distancing guidelines, as long as vehicles are removed so pedestrians have room to spread out. Personally, the need to bar vehicles from Winnipeg parks was clear last weekend when my wife and I, in dire need of fresh air and exercise, walked the two-kilometre loop around Kildonan Park, the green-space jewel in north Winnipeg. The main walking path is a rind of the roadway’s edge, only one metre wide, so walkers are separated from traffic only by lines painted on asphalt. The vehicle traffic is often bumperto- bumper, so close that walkers could literally touch moving vehicles. With pedestrians at Kildonan Park squeezed into such narrow paths, we couldn’t adhere to the physical distancing guidelines as we met and passed other pedestrians. The vehicles also marred our walk in other ways. The constant din of vehicle engines erased the soothing sounds of birds and the wind blowing through branches. The smell of exhaust fumes overpowered the delicate scents of grass and tree foliage springing into new life. I’m told some pedestrians who use Assiniboine Park feel the same way. If vehicles were barred, people in search of a pandemic panacea would be better able to appreciate the sights, sounds and smells of the natural world. Some of our area’s most precious green spaces have been closed or changed by COVID-19 restrictions. The showcase gathering at Birds Hill Provincial Park, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, was cancelled on Tuesday, but the park itself remains open for people who want trees to massage their minds (although washroom facilities at Birds Hill remain closed). Unfortunately, Fort Whyte Alive is completely closed (perhaps the geese are wondering when the humans will flock back). Winnipeg is fortunate to have more than 1,200 neighbourhood, community and regional parks, and this pandemic crisis is a time when they are needed more than ever. Banning vehicles from parks to allow pedestrians room to roam is the natural next step after the city decided earlier this month to designate four streets in Winnipeg as bicycle/active transportation routes. Sections of Lyndale Drive, Scotia Street, Wellington Crescent and Wolseley Avenue have been largely freed from vehicles, so the space is free and clear for pedestrians, joggers and cyclists. Winnipeg’s green spaces have long been urban treasures that greatly enhance the quality of life by providing mini-oases amid the buildings, concrete roads and parking lots. That said, the trees that tower over Winnipeg’s green spaces have had a tough time in recent years, battered by the triple assault of Dutch elm disease, the emerald ash borer and a freak ice story in October that damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of trees. The mayor had planned a planting spree called the Million Tree Challenge to restore the giant sentinels, but now the roles can be reversed. Trees can restore us. Plenty of evidence shows connecting with nature can refresh our brains, relieve tension and brighten grim moods. These healing properties are particularly appealing to the many Winnipeggers whose lives have been disrupted by pandemic measures and might make one feel a bit stir-crazy after weeks of sitting at home and watching the walls. Winter-weary Manitobans traditionally have a zealous appreciation for spring and summer, but our usual methods of enjoying the warmer weather — cottages, camping, restaurant patios, picnics and festivals — have been cancelled, prohibited or declared inadvisable. City green spaces remain open, however, and if vehicles are banned from entry, our parks offer the breathing space we need to recuperate before returning to our residences to resume our submission to the necessary discipline of confinement. carl.degurse(a)freepress.mb.ca *Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board.*

4 years

East London council to block cars to protect cyclists and pedestrians from speeding drivers during pandemic

by Beth McKechnie

[*It seems the propensity to speed with the lower traffic volumes reaches far and wide*.] East London council to block cars to protect cyclists and pedestrians from speeding drivers during pandemic An east London council could be the first in the UK to cut rat running traffic on neighbourhood streets in a bid to ease pressure on its parks and pavements, as part of emergency plans to help people walk and cycle safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://road.cc/content/news/emergency-measures-stop-rat-running-drivers-an… A Hackney councillor has “crowdsourced” potential locations from residents on social media, and the council is in the process of creating a shortlist - but they are 100% planning to “filter” a number of residential streets to protect people from a growing number of speeding drivers on the borough’s roads. The council will use low-cost planters and bollards on selected streets to allow walking and cycling through trips, and access to key workers and emergency vehicles, but preventing people driving through – a process known as filtering. According to the government, traffic levels on London’s main roads have dropped by 63% during the crisis. Hackney Councillor, Jon Burke, said: “By creating those temporary liveable, healthy streets we could also be reducing pressure on some of our green spaces, as we approach some of the warmer months. If we heavily restrict the vehicles on the public highway people will be able to walk in the middle of the road safely, while socially distancing.” Burke wants to “use this as a teachable moment to see what’s possible around road closures”. He said: “We haven’t got weeks to deliver it, we need to deliver it now, because this crisis is happening now,” he says. The council will treat the changes like an “ongoing event” during the crisis, and after the restrictions on movement are lifted they will ask residents if they want the changes made more permanent. “I think we can create healthy urban environments in this moment. We might realise, with the support of the public, which might be able to stay afterwards, when we return,” he says. “This is in inflection point in our future, we are running around making sure vulnerable people have enough food but we aren’t doing something about the 40,000 people that are dying each year because of air pollution.” Although other councils may be quietly considering similar measures, Cllr Burke is the first politician in the UK to announce any action so far. Temporary cycle lanes on main roads won’t be part of Hackney’s plans, however, due to concerns over emergency vehicle access. There are also concerns over increased levels of speeding during the crisis. Cllr Burke says on 30mph roads across London, average speeds are now 37mph. “We have noticed a significant up-tick in speeding on our 20mph roads,” he says. “The kinds of speeds we usually see at night when the roads are empty, we are now seeing in the day.” He says while “the responsible drivers have heeded the government advice”, many of those still driving are behaving badly. Burke argues there is a case to “heavily fine and remove licenses of those individuals”. The council will create a shortlist of locations on Monday, and a final decision will need approval from the cabinet and Hackney mayor. Cllr Burke says they will have the final list on 20 April. Burke adds: “I think we have just got to throw stuff up against the wall and see what sticks, adding there is a risk that otherwise, “by the time we have got around to doing this the crisis will be over and we will be back to business as usual.” London’s walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman, says there are no citywide plans to implement emergency cycle lanes during the crisis. Norman said: “The Mayor and the Government’s clear message is that Londoners should stay at home to save lives. Our continued investment in walking and cycling over the past four years is making it easier and safer for critical workers to get to where they need to be and we’ve ensured that NHS staff, care workers and the police can use our Santander Cycles hire bikes free of charge.” “Any temporary cycle lanes on TfL’s road network would not be effective at keeping people safe without major changes to junctions. These changes would need to be installed by a significant number of on-site workers and the Mayor has made it clear that construction workers – including those who were constructing new cycleways - should not be travelling at this time.” He adds road traffic has halved, making it easier to take advantage of quieter streets to cycle. “We would remind drivers that breaking the speed limit is dangerous and especially reckless during this time of national crisis. Robust action will be taken against drivers who put themselves and others at risk.”

4 years, 1 month

Cycling Industries of Europe - online conference

by Anders Swanson

Coming up April 28th, if interested. Full agenda: https://cyclingindustries.com/fileadmin/user_upload/CIE_2020_Summit_Draft_A… Registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cycling-industries-europe-2020-summit-registra… [Anders note: Cycling is booming in many places worldwide. Beyond staying on top of the future of the cycling industry in crazy times, this esoteric event may be of particular general interest to some due to the keynote from the Deloitte global head of research and technology. Sharing this here as a unique chance to get a very specific view of what the future holds. Also you may appreciate Philippe Crist as moderator, and the panel featuring a few interesting MEPs who'll be looking at it from a EU-level strategic perspective. I'm personally interested to learn more about Karima Delli, a young French Green MEP, daughter of Algerian immigrants and younger than me who was tapped to lead the Volkswagen emissions scandal inquiry and now chairs the EU's transport and tourism committee.] <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cycling-industries-europe-2020-summit-registra…> This event is *free.* Stay healthy. -a

4 years, 1 month

WFP: Waverley West speed-limit cut given red light (Apr16'20)

by Beth McKechnie

Waverley West speed-limit cut given red light https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/waverley-west-speed-limit-cut-shelv… A PROPOSED three-year pilot project to reduce the speed limit on residential streets in Waverley West is set to be put in park. The councillor for the area, Janice Lukes, said she will tell councillors on the public works committee on Monday to put aside her motion for now. The proposal involved reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h. Lukes said it makes no sense to implement that when people are staying home and children are away from school because of the fight against COVID-19. “With Waverley West only having three or four specific entrances into it, I thought, ‘Let’s try for a pilot project on speeds here,’” she said on Wednesday. “We have a lot of speeding cars, but in light of the pandemic, what is most needed now is seeing more streets open for cycling and pedestrian access. Is (the pilot project) important now? No. There are other things the public works department could do, including identifying which streets can be closed.” The idea was to drop the speed limit on residential streets in Bridgwater Forest, Bridgwater Lakes, Bridgwater Trails, Bridgwater Town Centre, South Pointe and Prairie Pointe. Coun. Matt Allard, chairman of the committee, said it makes sense to delay the pilot project. “We do have a residential, citywide, street report coming… in June,” Allard said. “Not all roads are created equal in Winnipeg. We have priority one, two, three streets, we have streets with different engineering, we have high-speed streets (and) residential streets. I think all of this needs to be considered and there needs to be a response that makes sense citywide.”

4 years, 1 month

WFP: Enjoying the great outdoors during the COVID-19 era (Apr15'20)

by Beth McKechnie

Enjoying the great outdoors during the COVID-19 era https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/enjoying-the-gr… IN times of high anxiety and uncertainty, many people turn to physical activity as a means of stress relief. With gym closures and the city’s parks a little too crowded to keep a safe physical distance, many people are turning to the city streets to get their fitness fix by walking, running, biking and even — depending on snowfall — skiing. Though the April weather is unpredictable, here are five places Winnipeggers are getting a breath of fresh air right now, and you can join them — just make sure to stay at least two metres apart. *Harte Trail, Charleswood* Ridge Romanshin, 23, is an apprentice stage manager in Winnipeg’s temporarily closed theatre scene. To keep himself busy, he’s been going for plenty of walks in his neighbourhood of Charleswood, which boasts a semi-rural atmosphere full of trails and places to walk. Though Romanshin admits that some of the sidewalks are still icy — he’s been walking on the roads instead — he does have one favourite place: Harte Trail. The 6.5-kilometre walkway is part of the Trans Canada Trail and, according to Romanshin, is in decent shape for this time of year. “There are some pretty icy patches but it seems to be melting quickly,” he says. “The gravel is starting to show.” *Wellington Crescent* “My running route is the Wellington-Wolseley loop,” says Jack Maier. “I live about a block away from Wellington Crescent in North River Heights, so that’s where I start.” The route has served 22-year-old Maier well for the past three years, but spring weather and increasingly large numbers of people outside initially made it trickier than usual for Maier to maintain a safe distance and stay dry. “The sidewalks are soaked right now,” he says, “especially the central walking path on Wellington, which has basically turned to mud. Your options are running on the road or trying to leap and sidestep over the puddles.” Just a few days after Maier took to running on the road to stay dry, the city opened the seasonal Sunday and holiday bike routes to cyclists and pedestrians seven days a week, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The four roadway closures are Wellington Crescent between Academy Road and Guelph Street; Lyndale Drive between Cromwell Street and Gauvin Street; Scotia Street between Anderson Avenue and Armstrong Avenue; and Wolseley Avenue between Raglan Road and Maryland Street. Motor vehicles are restricted to one block of travel on these routes. *Central sidewalks* For people living in Winnipeg’s central neighbourhoods, the best trails seem to be the ones right outside the front door: sidewalks. While many folks in suburban areas report a higher number of pedestrians than usual, Charlene Van Buekenhout, who lives in the West End, has noticed the opposite. “The sidewalks are slushy, icy nightmares,” says Van Buekenhout, “but there haven’t been many people out.” Van Buekenhout has even noticed one huge positive: “People have been waving to us from inside their houses, which never happens,” she says. “That’s been a nice development.” Pedestrian activity in the West End, Downtown and the Exchange District is light, so if you live in one of these neighbourhoods, there’s a good chance physical distancing won’t be a problem. *La Barriere Park* “The sidewalks suck,” says Dolores Rintoul, “but the streets being virtually free of vehicles means we can walk on the road in a lot of cases.” Rintoul joins the ranks of many other pedestrians who have found sidewalks too icy, too wet or too narrow and have instead taken to walking on the road… but her partner goes one step further. “My partner goes for a ski by the river every couple of days, or to La Barriere Park.” While skiing may be out of the question now that the snow has mostly melted, Rintoul says that La Barrière Park — located south of Winnipeg in Ritchot — has plenty of room (and 2.9 km of trails) to safely move around and get some vitamin D. *Bike riding, anywhere* “The average city sidewalk is 1.5 metres (wide), and the recommended amount of space that individuals must have between them is a minimum of two metres,” says Mel Marginet of the Green Action Centre. “To ensure Winnipeggers are safe when walking and biking, the city must act quickly to reallocate road space.” While Winnipeggers wait for additional safe spaces to walk, there’s no better time to start cycling now that traffic has been reduced, and many bike shops in the city, such as Natural Cycle at 91 Albert St. in the Exchange, are still open as of Monday morning to help with all of your cycling needs. A complete list of bike routes in Winnipeg is available at wfp.to/bikeroutes frances.koncan(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @franceskoncan

4 years, 1 month

Fwd: Community engagement, but digital

by Mark Cohoe

This might be interesting as a number of projects moving forward (Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies update, Transportation Master Plan update, Leila Ave, University Crescent) may need to look into virtual engagement opportunities. Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: The Form-Based Codes Institute at Smart Growth America < info(a)formbasedcodes.org> Date: Tue, Apr 14, 2020 at 12:48 PM Subject: Community engagement, but digital To: <mark.e.cohoe(a)gmail.com> Problems viewing this message? Read it online. <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=d7XL7jbGMG%2Fz%2…> [image: Form-Based Codes Institute, a program of Smart Growth America] <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=QzlAuTvkcH7gx%2F…> <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=hjSbJlHDlMvjZLR0…> When in-peron engagement isn't possible A webinar series on virtual tools and techniques for community engagement How can community leaders continue to engage stakeholders and other members of the public in important local decisions when staying safe means staying home? The Form-Based Codes Institute at Smart Growth America and MSU National Charrette Institute <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=P3wGuos2ULwaobNL…> are partnering to deliver a series of three webinars to provide local leaders, developers and advocates with tools and examples for staying in touch, sharing ideas, and getting interactive feedback to keep critical decisions moving forward. Many of these techniques, while essential in this time of separation, have the potential to engage new, hard-to-reach segments of the community, and will be useful, even beyond this current crisis. Join us for the webinar and see how you can stay in touch and keep the wheels turning! *WEBINAR #1: Charrettes go virtual: Missoula, Montana hosts an online charrette to advance a community vision* <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=9TW%2Bo7DN%2Bsw3…> <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=EKeTfrlyZx5jZHKK…> Join us on April 28 when charrette organizers, Dover, Kohl and Partners <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=soonoVmHauB7o1q3…> (DKP), and local planners from Missoula, Montana describe how they successfully pivoted a long-planned community visioning effort for the Mullan Area Master Plan <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=8O13XtiNEyPjuCIe…> to a fully virtual format, designed to simulate the interactive and interpersonal experience of the “live” charrette. This new approach, created by DKP, uses a variety of online tools to generate thoughtful, place-sensitive solutions using high-quality design and urban planning best practices. Webinar speakers will share how the virtual charrette was structured, how the city prepared, the outcomes, and the pros and cons of using this virtual format. Webinar presenters include: - *Jason King*, AICP, CNU-A, Principal, Vice President, Project and Charrette Manager, Dover, Kohl & Partners - *Bill Lennertz*, Lead Trainer for NCI - *Tom Zavitz*, AICP, City of Missoula, Development Services Plan to join us for future webinars in the series when we will discuss other tools and strategies for virtual online community engagement. Announcement to come soon! This webinar <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=PXQ99mjCBdLMhx24…> has been approved for 1.0 continuing education hours by the AIA, and 1.0 certificate maintenance credits by AICP, and 1.0 professional development hour by ASLA (LA CES). Looking for more webinars? FBCI offers dozens of special topic webinars targeted to a range of audiences. Take advantage of reduced fees to maximize your social distance learning! <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=xQQ%2BuLY%2FpjeZ…> Top: Illustration and possible development scenario for the Hiawatha Farm Square Neighborhood in Missoula, MT (Image: Dover, Kohl & Partners) [image: Follow FBCI on Twitter] <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=Iqeosz%2BMwGplFM…> [image: Become a fan of SGA on Facebook] <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2BmhQf7UQvA%2Fi…> Know someone who might like receiving news from FBCI? Signing up is easy <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=7IT0qFbQzs9P9%2B…>. You have received this email from the Form-Based Codes Institute, a program of Smart Growth America. Click here to manage your subscription or unsubscribe <http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=ezsyWReE%2BkQE6L…> .

4 years, 1 month

Pop-up bike lanes help with coronavirus physical distancing in Germany

by Beth McKechnie

*Thanks to Lawrence Bird for the share...* Pop-up bike lanes help with coronavirus physical distancing in Germany Road markings redrawn after cyclists demand more space to comply with Covid-19 rules https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/13/pop-up-bike-lanes-help-with-c… German cities are redrawing road markings to create “pop-up” cycle lanes for the duration of the Covid-19 lockdown, as cyclists demand more space to physically distance on their commutes to work. Local authorities in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin trialled a temporary widening of two cycle lanes on 27 March, arguing it would help cyclists keep the required 1.5-metre distance apart while car traffic was down owing to Germany’s coronavirus restrictions. On Friday, the council declared the pilot scheme a success because it had improved cycling safety while not hindering traffic. An expansion of the scheme on further roads in Kreuzberg, as well as in the Schöneberg and Tempelhof districts, is planned for the coming weeks. The council said it had used removable tape and mobile signs to mark out the expanded lanes, which can be removed when the current restrictions on movement are lifted. Residents in 133 other German cities have formally submitted applications for similar pop-up bike lanes to their local authorities on the back of a campaign by Environmental Action Germany <https://www.theguardian.com/world/germany> (DUH), an environmental NGO. The campaign group cites new research <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/climate/air-pollution-coronavirus-covid.…> linking air pollution to higher coronavirus death rates as an argument for redrawing infrastructure across the country. “The coronavirus is showing us that clean air is an indispensable asset,” said DUH’s chair, Jürgen Resch. “It is now especially important to temporarily make it more important for people to move safely on their bikes. This will help improve air quality, enables exercise in fresh air while keeping a safe distance and avoids unnecessary accidents.” Proponents of the scheme cite the Colombian capital, Bogotá, as the example to emulate, where the mayor, Claudia López, opened up nearly 72 miles (117km) of new bike routes in mid-March in the hope of reducing congestion and person-to-person contact. In Berlin, opposition politicians from the pro-business Free Democratic party have described the pop-up cycle lane plans as an “unnecessary provocation” by the bike lobby, saying they will have little practical use. German states have encouraged the use of bicycles in spite of the current restrictions, under which gatherings of more than two people are banned, with exceptions for families. “The use of a bicycle allows citizens to meet the requirements for minimising contact,” a spokesperson for the transport ministry in Thuringia told the German news agency dpa. In Germany, bike repair shops are currently exempt from state-ordered closures because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Three federal states, Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, have also allowed bike vendors to stay open.

4 years, 1 month

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AT-Network April 2020