AT-Network October 2009

at-network@lists.umanitoba.ca

3 participants
9 discussions

Edmonton tests employee bike-share program

by Beth McKechnie

City Tests Employee Bike-Share Program June 04, 2009 http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/news/2009/city-tests-employee-bike-s… Downtown City workers can now sign out a bike for lunchtime rides or short commutes to meetings thanks to an employee bike-sharing pilot starting in mid-June. The program is designed to create health options and reduce the carbon footprint of employees. As part of the launch, Councillors Don Iveson and Ben Henderson test-rode 2 of the 25 bikes now available to employees working out of City offices in the downtown core. "Edmontonians have made their city a leader on many environmental fronts by their actions," said Councillor Henderson. "This pilot will encourage City employees to lead by example, as residents and representatives of the City, by getting active while cutting their greenhouse gas emissions. Councillor Iveson also highlighted the fact that programs like this have been proven to increase productivity and reduce workplace injuries or absenteeism. "The pilot not only reflects the City's ongoing efforts to promote sustainable modes of transportation, it's another way we're building a healthy workplace for our employees," said Councillor Iveson. The pilot is designed for workers who do not cycle or cycle very little, and will assess what kinds of barriers need to be addressed to get these individuals on a bike. While the bikes are available to any employee working out of downtown City offices, pilot organizers have recruited a test group of employees to help establish benchmarks and provide ongoing feedback during the project. Dot Laing, Active Edmonton program coordinator, is managing the pilot. She wants to boost her test group's weekly physical activity by 10 per cent. If successful, the 12-week pilot could be extended in 2010. The City will share the results with other organizations interested in starting similar programs for their own employees. The launch coincides with Edmonton's Bike Month and Canadian Environment Week. Whenever using a City-owned bike, employees are required to wear a helmet and follow prescribed security measures to prevent the bikes from being stolen. The pilot is led by Active Edmonton, an initiative of the Community Services Department. For more information: Dot Laing Title Active Edmonton, Program Coordinator, Community Services Telephone 780-994-2348

14 years, 6 months

Electric bikes allowed on ON roads (Oct.1'09)

by Beth McKechnie

Electric Bikes Allowed on Ontario Roads http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2009/10/electric-bikes-allowed-on-ontario-roa… October 1, 2009 1:00 PM McGuinty Government Announces New Safety Requirements E-bikes can share the road with cars, pedestrians and other traffic throughout Ontario -with new safety requirements. E-bikes reach a maximum speed of 32 kilometres per hour and offer another option for clean, green commuting and travel. Effective October 3, 2009, new requirements that will increase rider safety include: a.. Limiting the maximum weight of an e-bike to 120 kilograms a.. Requiring a maximum braking distance of nine metres a.. Prohibiting modifications of the e-bike's motor to enable power-assisted speeds greater than 32 kilometres per hour. All riders must be at least 16 years of age, wear approved bicycle or motorcycle helmets and follow the same traffic laws that apply to bicyclists such as keeping as close to the right edge of the road as possible. Municipalities can determine where e-bikes may be ridden on their streets, bike lanes and trails. QUICK FACTS a.. E-bikes will not be permitted on 400-series highways, the Queen Elizabeth Way, the Queensway in Ottawa, the Kitchener-Waterloo Expressway and other areas where bicycles are not permitted. b.. An e-bike can be pedaled like a regular bicycle or, with the assistance of an electric motor, can be ridden at a maximum speed of 32 kilometres per hour. c.. Riding an e-bike under the age of 16 or riding an e-bike without an approved helmet carries fines ranging from $60 to $500. For all other traffic offences, e-bike riders will be subject to the same penalties as cyclists. LEARN MORE a.. Read about Ontario's three-year e-bike pilot and its results, including new operating and equipment standards. b.. Find out what new and alternative vehicles are permitted on Ontario roads.

14 years, 6 months

WFP: Future bike trails - Let's grab abandoned rail lines, Katz says (Oct.23'09)

by Beth McKechnie

Local News Future bike trails: Let's grab abandoned rail lines, Katz says By: Bartley Kives WINNIPEG should gobble up as many abandoned rail lines as possible to build more bike-and-pedestrian trails, Mayor Sam Katz says. The popularity of the Northeast Pioneers' Greenway -- a 6.7-kilometre commuter path built over the former CPR Marconi Line -- has led Katz to believe the city must work more closely with railways to purchase unused lines as soon as they become available. "If it's abandoned, the city should be grabbing it. They make ideal active-transportation routes," the mayor said Thursday in an interview. "Nothing is more obvious than what we did with the Northeast Pioneers' Greenway. If you go there you'll see it's used by all kinds of people for all kinds of reasons, on foot, on bikes (and on in-line) skates." Winnipeg acquired what's now the Northeast Pioneers' Greenway in 2006, when philanthropist John Buhler bought the Marconi Line from the Canadian Pacific Railway for $1.5 million, flipped it to the city at the same price and kicked in $150,000 to help pave the trail, which runs through East and North Kildonan. City documents show Buhler was able to whittle down the asking price from almost $4 million. Katz said the city could avoid tough negotiations in the future by working with railways to ensure the city always gets the first crack at abandoned lines. The city's failure to secure unused lines in River Heights that eventually fell into the hands of real estate developers was "a major, major blunder," Katz said. But the city has experienced rails-to-trails successes, most notably the community-led acquisition of Charleswood land that led to the creation of the Harte Trail, said Janice Lukes, executive director of the non-profit Winnipeg Trails Association. Land acquisition is the most difficult part of creating any new trail, so a concerted effort by the city to pursue railway property will go a long way toward future trail-building efforts, she added. "There are a lot of pieces we should be grabbing right now. There are little bits and pieces all over the city," said Lukes, who praised Katz for the unexpected policy statement. "That's fabulous. I'm practically having a heart attack." Katz declined to say which abandoned lines the city plans to purchase next, claiming the identification of specific properties might drive up prices. Winnipeg is in the midst of the most aggressive trail-building spree in the city's history. Over the past four years, the city has more than doubled the size of its network of multi-use pathways, bike lanes on streets and sharrows, adding 159.5 kilometres to an active-transportation network that now stands at 274 kilometres. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca

14 years, 6 months

NYC DOT explains Bike Lanes in the Big Apple - Streetfilms

by David Wieser

Bicycling infrastructure explained: In New York City, they have 3 classes of bike routes Class 1 - Protected Path Class 2 - Standard 5 foot wide Bike Lane Class 3 - Shared Lane (ie Sharrows) http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/bike-lanes-in-the-big-apple/ David Wieser

14 years, 6 months

Active Transportation - Canada: October 17, 2009

by Beth McKechnie

----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Haynes Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 2:02 PM Subject: Active Transportation - Canada: October 17, 2009 Active Transportation - Canada features a regular posting of news articles, studies, reports, and other items that have relevance in this field, with previous postings available in an archive. In addition, pictures of existing Active Transportation infrastructure from communities across Canada will be profiled each week. The following items have recently been posted to the Active Transportation - Canada Blog. To view in more detail, go to: http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.com **************************************************************************************************** AT Infrastructure Example: Lac des Seize Iles QC - Separated Bicycle Route 1.. Keeping children safe: rethinking how we design our surroundings 2.. The Top 10 Facts on Bicycling and Walking in the United States 3.. Health & Transport Action Plan - Grampian, Scotland 4.. Newsletter: The Centre for Sustainable Transportation 5.. Could this be the fittest generation? 6.. Fast lane to safer cycling 7.. Clarifying the Share the Road Project 8.. Newsletter: Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation 9.. Newsletter: Biking Toronto.com 10.. Completing Toronto's Streets 11.. Here's a novel idea: walking to school 12.. Walking to school better in every way for kids 13.. City’s Swedish study tour set to lift off 14.. Is it Safe to Let Your Kids Walk to School? 15.. Bikes and the bad-for-business rap 16.. Scots Government cycle tax idea abandoned 17.. Bike path to link coastline 18.. Dutch move into fast lane with 'bicycle highways' 19.. For the Danes, city planning is all about the bike 20.. Dubai building 6,000 bicycle parking spots **************************************************************************************************** A reminder e-mail of new postings will be sent no more often than once per week. To continue to receive these updates, you need take no action. Should you not wish to receive updates, please return this e-mail with "Unsubscribe" in the Subject area. Interested in an AT workshop in your community? For more information, please contact: Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions activetransportation(a)rogers.com 613.424.2803

14 years, 6 months

Come on Google - Get more cycle-friendly

by Beth McKechnie

[Snipped from the Centerlines e-newsletter #216 published by the National Center for Bicycling and Walking] COME ON GOOGLE -- GET MORE CYCLE-FRIENDLY! According to the Nov. 27th Life Cycle UK newsletter, "A global campaign is underway to persuade the planet's favourite search engine to be more cycle-friendly. Many of us use the wonderful Google maps to find our way around. The maps show a street plan, or at the click of a button, an aerial photo to help you get a feel for the terrain. Another click and you can summon up live traffic info, and car drivers can get detailed directions from A to B. For the USA and some other countries Google has also added a mass transit directions option which tells you how to reach your destination by bus, tram or train. Now cyclists are asking for a Bike There feature. "The organisers of the campaign say: 'By implementing the "Public Transit" option, Google and the Google Maps team have shown themselves to be concerned and capable world citizens. A "Bike There" feature would be the ultimate statement in support of sustainable development, self-reliance, exercise and healthy living: that's bicycle directions.' "Campaigners envisage the "Bike There" feature showing cycle lanes, bike paths and other infrastructure, and giving cyclists the option of seeing either the most direct route or the quietist and safest. The feature would make cycling easier and more pleasant for millions of people around the world. It would empower world citizens to adapt their lifestyles to face the challenges of global climate change and it would help Google fulfill its mission of "organising the world's information and making it universally accessible and useful. More than 40,000 people have already signed the on-line petition. Add your voice to the campaign now!" To learn more, go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/bikether/petition.html

14 years, 6 months

Globe & Mail: Where you live affects your chance of obesity (Oct.13'09)

by Beth McKechnie

Leslie Beck On Health Where you live affects your chance of obesity A new study finds that people in areas that support more physical activity are 38 per cent less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes... http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/where-you-live-affects-your-chan…

14 years, 6 months

AT Workshop - Oct 17

by Beth McKechnie

We still have a few spots available for an exciting AT workshop this Saturday, Oct. 17th, with renowned social marketing expert Francois Lagarde (bio attached). The recent announcement of $20 million towards Active Transportation infrastructure in Winnipeg presents a timely opportunity for the AT community to come together to move things forward. Please see details below and the attached agenda plus bio for Francois Lagarde. RSVP to Lisa Scharf at: lscharf(a)heartandstroke.mb.ca cheers, Beth --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14 years, 6 months

STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists

by Kevin Miller

Two local media stories appeared this morning. Links to them are at http://biketothefuture.org under the Local Media red banner, which is near the bottom of the centre panel. Date: Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:16:12 -0500 From: Mark Cohoe <mcohoe(a)mts.net> I just got a call from Bartley Kives asking for feedback, so I reiterated Kevin's excellent quotes on stop as yield. I said we had asked for a review of the Highway Traffic Act, and that two other things I would like to see are a safe passing distance, and passing on the right. I guess we can look for something in the FP tomorrow. Subject: Fw: STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 13:03:16 -0500 From: Bike to the Future <admin(a)biketothefuture.org> Today on CBC Radio One (89.3 FM), Up To Speed with Margaux Watt at 3:00 PM: Councillor Gord Steeves will be interviewed at 3:10 about the "STOP as YIELD" agenda item for this coming Friday's Standing Committee on Protection and Community Services meeting. I'll be interviewed at 3:40. Kevin Miller Bike to the Future, Co-Chair http://biketothefuture.org From: Bike to the Future <admin(a)biketothefuture.org> Date: Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 10:59 AM Subject: Re: STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists To: City Councillor Gord Steeves <gsteeves(a)winnipeg.ca> Cc: Dave Elmore <safety_education(a)biketothefuture.org>, Jackie Avent <co-chair2(a)biketothefuture.org>, Curt Hull <chull23(a)mts.net>, Jenny Gerbasi <jgerbasi(a)winnipeg.ca> Councillor Steeves: Below is a conversation between Councillor Gerbasi and I. She has also talked with you. I've phoned you at 986-5088 a few times in the past few days, but your phone has always gone to voice mail. I would like to give a brief presentation about "STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists" at a Standing Committee on Protection and Community Services meeting. Detailed information about his topic can be found on our "STOP as YIELD" website page at http://biketothefuture.org/design-for-the-future/stop-as-yield . If you wish to discuss my request by voice, I'm available at work this afternoon from 1:15 to 4:15 (946-4520). Home is 224-3628. Thanks. Kevin Miller Bike to the Future, Co-Chair http://biketothefuture.org From: Gerbasi, Jenny <JGerbasi(a)winnipeg.ca> Date: Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 11:28 AM Subject: RE: STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists To: "Gerbasi, Jenny" <JGerbasi(a)winnipeg.ca>, Bike to the Future <admin(a)biketothefuture.org> Cc: Dave Elmore <safety_education(a)biketothefuture.org>, Jackie Avent <co-chair2(a)biketothefuture.org>, Curt Hull <chull23(a)mts.net> Hi there, I talked with Councillor Steeves and he said that you can give him a call regarding appearing at the committee regarding the issue of yield signs/stop signs. �His number is 986 5088. -----Original Message----- From: Gerbasi, Jenny Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 9:17 AM To: 'Bike to the Future' Cc: Dave Elmore; Jackie Avent; Curt Hull Subject: RE: STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists What happened was I raised the issue as new business and it isn't officially in the minutes. �I asked Gord to have the item discussed at our next meeting. �I'll talk to him about it and get back to you. They won't let delegates register unless the Chair puts the issue on the agenda so I need to confirm with him first. I think it would be great to have you make a presentation about this...either at this meeting or the next. �I'll see what I can nail down and �let you know more as soon as I can. -----Original Message----- From: Bike to the Future Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 11:41 PM To: Gerbasi, Jenny Cc: Dave Elmore; Jackie Avent; Curt Hull Subject: Re: STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists Great! Thanks. We discussed this issue further at September Monthly Meeting last Thursday, and we view it as a priority item for making cycling much more convenient and faster. Is there anything more we can do to advance it? Perhaps appear at the Protection and Community Services meeting? Kevin Miller Bike to the Future, Co-Chair http://biketothefuture.org From: Gerbasi, Jenny <JGerbasi(a)winnipeg.ca> Date: Mon, Sep 21, 2009 at 9:06 AM Subject: RE: STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists To: Bike to the Future <admin(a)biketothefuture.org> I raised this issue at the last Protection and Community Services meeting and ask that we discuss the issue at the next meeting which is on Friday October 9th at 9:00 AM -----Original Message----- From: Bike to the Future Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 4:46 PM To: Steeves, Gord Cc: Wyatt, Russ; Pagtakhan, Mike; Gerbasi, Jenny; Orlikow, John; Swandel, Justin; Thomas, Lillian; Vandal, Daniel; Browaty, Jeff; Fielding, Scott; Smith, Harvey; rob.altemeyer(a)leg.gov.mb.ca Subject: STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists Councillor Steeves: Your interview with Alex Freedman on CBC Radio One's Up To Speed this afternoon at 3:45 PM was very refreshing. I appreciate your honesty about sometimes slowly rolling through STOP signs (treating them as YIELD signs) when you ride a bike, and your open mindedness about "STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists" and wanting to learn more. We have created a web page of information about "STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists" on the Bike to the Future website: http://biketothefuture.org/design-for-the-future/stop-as-yield . On that page, we've tried to order the list of items with the most interesting and illuminating ones first. Thank you. Kevin Miller Bike to the Future, Co-Chair http://biketothefuture.org

14 years, 6 months

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AT-Network October 2009