AT-Network March 2009

at-network@lists.umanitoba.ca

2 participants
11 discussions

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

CBC News: Transit use associated with better fitness, say Canadian Researchers (Mar.27'09)

by Beth McKechnie

Transit use associated with better fitness, say Canadian researchers http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/03/27/transit.html Last Updated: Friday, March 27, 2009 | 11:12 AM ET People who use public transit are three times more likely to meet fitness guidelines than those who don't, say researchers at the University of British Columbia. That conclusion comes from an examination of telephone travel surveys from metropolitan Atlanta, Ga., showing transit riders met requirements by walking to and from stops. Researchers used the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's suggested daily minimum of physical activity of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, five days a week. The survey also suggests the more people drove their cars, the less likely they were to get their 30 minutes of daily physical activity. "The idea of needing to go to the gym to get your daily dose of exercise is a misperception," associate professor Lawrence Frank, who teaches community and regional planning, said in a release. "These short walks throughout our day are historically how we have gotten our activity. "Unfortunately, we've engineered this activity out of our daily lives." The report, published in the current Journal of Public Health Policy, does not examine motivation, but its authors suggest some possibilities. "Whether these results may be caused by transit users' preference for an active lifestyle, travel constraints, or choice of residential location warrants further analysis," they write. The researchers conclude that making transit incentives more broadly available may produce indirect health benefits by getting people walking, even if it's just in short bouts. The survey was based on interviews with 18,326 people who were asked to keep diaries of their modes of travel over the course of two consecutive days in 2001 and 2002.

15 years

Active Transportation - Canada: March 21, 2009

by Beth McKechnie

----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Haynes To: undisclosed recipients: Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 11:23 AM Subject: Active Transportation - Canada: March 21, 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: Bike Ramps on Stairs 1.. Press Release - US: 'Complete Streets' Bill Introduced to Help Americans Save on Transportation Costs, Cut Congestion 2.. Video - Bicycle Counters in Vanacouver 3.. Report - Creating Walkable and Transit-Supportive Communities in Halton 4.. Ontarians Walking NOW: Pickpockets, Placemakers, and Planning 5.. Article - The secret Canadian exercise weapon: Walking 6.. Article - Edmonton cyclists to lobby for $100M bike plan 7.. Article - Bike, sidewalk plans get support 8.. Article - Active Transportation Plan Being Developed 9.. Article - City plans to get active at last 10.. Article - Plateau unveils plan to ease congestion 11.. Article - US: Traffic, safety committee scrutinizes Portsmouth's skateboard ordinance 12.. Article - In Markham, the dream of an urban village that never was 13.. Study - Walk 100 Steps a Minute for 'Moderate' Exercise 14.. Article - The benefits of walking around your neighborhood 15.. Article - US: Salt Lake City plans for bicycle transit station **************************************************************************************************** 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

15 years

Job posting: Centre for Sustainable Transportation

by Beth McKechnie

Employment opportunity: The Centre for Sustainable Transportation FYI: Attached is a job posting with CST. Please pass it along if you know someone who might like the work. --------------------------------------------------------------- Marika Olynyk Researcher The Centre for Sustainable Transportation at The University of Winnipeg (204) 982-1152 m.olynyk(a)uwinnipeg.ca

15 years

March 25th webinar: Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business

by Beth McKechnie

---------- Forwarded Message ----------- From: Jackie Avent <co-chair2(a)biketothefuture.org> Hi Folks, Just a reminder that Bike to the Future is hosting this webinar in the Eco-Centre boardroom (3rd Floor, 303 Portage Avenue) at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, March 25th. Please spread the word to folks from the various Biz's, your interested colleagues, and other listserves you know about. There is space for about 25 people. Thanks! Jackie EVIDENCE SHOWS BIKE LANES ARE GOOD FOR BUSINESS * Upcoming webinar: March 25, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. CST Is your community considering investing in its public realm through an improved pedestrian environment or increasing transportation options through the installation of on-road bike lanes? Often, such proposals involve removing some on-street parking and are met with opposition from merchants who fear that the reallocation of road space would hurt business. A recent study in Toronto found that contrary to common public perception, the evidence shows that removing on-street parking to install a bicycle lane or widened sidewalk would likely increase not decrease commercial activity. The study conducted in July of 2008 surveyed the opinions and preferences of merchants and patrons on Bloor Street and analyzed parking usage data in the Annex area. Among the studys findings: · Only 10% of patrons drive to Bloor-Annex neighbourhood; · Even during peak periods no more than about 80% of parking spaces are paid for; · Patrons arriving by foot and bicycle visit the most often and spend the most money per month; · There are more merchants who believe that a bike lane or widened sidewalk would increase business than think would reduce it; · The reduction in on-street parking supply from a bike lane or widened sidewalk could be accommodated in the areas off-street municipal parking lots. The Clean Air Partnership is pleased to invite you to participate in a webinar profiling the findings of the study, the tools and methodology used and a discussion on how a similar study could be conducted in your community. The findings of this study will also be presented in May at Velo-City 2009 in Brussels the worlds largest conference devoted to bicycling. Date: March 25th, 2009 Time: 2:30 pm Eastern Standard Time Host: The Clean Air Partnership Presenter: Fred Sztabinski The studys lead researcher is an urban planning and policy researcher currently based in Amsterdam. Prior to this, Fred worked as the Project Coordinator and Active Transportation Researcher for the Toronto Coalition for Active Transportation and the Clean Air Partnership. Fred has a Masters in Planning from the University of Toronto. Fred's previous work experience, including time spent with the provincial government, the transit industry, and a transportation demand management association, has consistently aimed at raising the profile of more sustainable modes of transportation and promoting travel choice alternatives to the private car. To read the study report please click here. Support has been provided by a grant from the Toronto Community Foundation. The Clean Air Partnership would also like to thank Transport Canada and the City of Toronto for their generous support. ------- End of Forwarded Message -------

15 years

2009 Wpg Bike Map Preview - Tues, Mar. 24, 5-7 p.m., Library

by Beth McKechnie

Friendly reminder to come out this Tuesday evening for an advance look at the NEW Winnipeg Bike Map. The map provides suggested cycling routes in Winnipeg based on the City's Active Transportation Network. Stop by the Carol Shields Auditorium on the second floor of the Millennium Library between 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24th. Thanks to all who have contributed to date. Hope to see you on March 24! cheers, Beth On behalf of the 2009 Winnipeg Bike Map steering committee: * Curt Hull, Climate Change Connection * Anders Swanson, One Green City * Janice Lukes, Winnipeg Trails Association * Ted Mann, Bike to the Future * Beth McKechnie, Resource Conservation Manitoba * Kevin Nixon, City of Winnipeg * Ron Brown, Manitoba Cycling Association * Tim Woodcock, Manitoba Cycling Association

15 years

NEW Winnipeg Bike Map Preview - March 24, Millennium Library, 5-7 p.m.

by Beth McKechnie

Come see the 2009 Winnipeg Bike Map! Sneak a peek at the **NEW** Winnipeg Bike Map before it goes public. Stop by the Carol Shields Auditorium on the second floor of the Millennium Library between 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24th. Thanks to all who have contributed to date. See you March 24th! cheers, Beth On behalf of the 2009 Bike Map Steering Committee: * Curt Hull, Climate Change Connection * Kevin Nixon, City of Winnipeg, Public Works * Anders Swanson, One Green City * Ron Brown, Manitoba Cycling Association * Janice Lukes, Winnipeg Trails Association * Ted Mann, Bike to the Future * Beth McKechnie, Resource Conservation Manitoba * Tim Woodcock, Manitoba Cycling Association

15 years, 1 month

Active Transportation in River Heights - Fort Garry By Election - Candidates comments

by Janice Lukes

RIVER HEIGHTS - FORT GARRY BY ELECTION CANDIDATES FEEDBACK related to ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION: http://biketothefuture.org/news/archives/2009/03/05/river-heights---fort-gar ry-by-election-candidates-meetings Over the next 2-4 years, the majority of Active Transportation infrastructure spending will occur in the River Heights - Fort Garry ward due to significant projects (Bus Rapid Transit, Bishop Grandin Trail expansion, potential Kenaston Expansion, etc.) The Winnipeg Trails Association and Bike to the Future held two separate meetings for members and general public with the candidates. We presented a PowerPoint overview of Active Transportation in Winnipeg and the River Heights - Fort Garry ward, and then had question period. If you live in River Heights, I encourage you to look over the feedback. The PowerPoint and candidates feedback have been posted to the Bike to the Future website (link above) and I've attached a PDF of the candidates summary. It makes for an interesting read. thanks Janice Janice Lukes Winnipeg Trails Coordinator Winnipeg Trails Association 202 - One Forks Market Road Winnipeg, MB R3C 4L9 Cell (204) 952-4222 Fax (204) 943-7915 <mailto:jlukes@shaw.ca> jlukes(a)shaw.ca winnipegtrails.com

15 years, 1 month

Active Transportation Plan Winnipeg - IKEA and surrounding lands

by Janice Lukes

fyi _____ From: Elizabeth Fleming [mailto:enfleming2006@hotmail.com] Sent: March 7, 2009 12:20 PM To: Elizabeth Fleming Subject: Meeting re Kenaston/Sterling Lyon Parkway Plan Winnipeg amendment Dear Winnipeggers, You are invited to a meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9th at the University Women's Club, 54 Westgate, to discuss the huge Plan Winnipeg amendment to permit redevelopment of land at Sterling Lyon Parkway and Kenaston Boulevard that was announced Thursday, March 5th. This application is being rushed prior to an open house being held on Wednesday, March 11th at the J.B Mitchell School Gymnasium (4:00 to 8:00 p.m.) and a hearing by the Executive Policy Committee at 510 Main Street on Wednesday, March 18th beginning at 9:00 a.m. The application and recent media reports can be found at these links: <http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/planning/SterlingLyon/> http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/planning/SterlingLyon/ <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/ikea_project_to_add_6m_to_cit y_taxes-40835312.html> http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/ikea_project_to_add_6m_to_city _taxes-40835312.html <http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/03/05/mb-city-ikea.html> http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/03/05/mb-city-ikea.html MMM is proposing, on behalf of Winnipeg Intermodal and 5083851 Manitoba Ltd., to redesignate 196.3 acres of land at the south west and north west corners of Kenaston and Sterling Lyon Parkway from industrial to neighbourhood policy area to create a "super regional" commercial "destination centre" larger than Polo Park. IKEA is to be the 350,000-square-foot anchor tenant. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg for a much larger development that will also include a separate 200,000-square-foot big-box store, two stores in the 140,000 to 200,000 square-foot range, numerous smaller stores, a 500-unit condo development, a 100-room hotel, a 16-screen movie theatre and a 150,000-square-foot office park. The citizens of the bordering River Heights-Fort Garry ward will feel the traffic affects. They have been without a representative at city hall for almost a year and will have cast their votes for a new, rookie councillor the day before the EPC hearing. We were hoodwinked on one Plan Winnipeg amendment - "Hoodwinked? Winnipeggers were promised a utopian suburban Waverley West, but scaled-back plans have dashed expectations and created a very different reality." Winnipeg Free Press, February 15, 2009. <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/hood-winked-39632472.html> http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/hood-winked-39632472.html Are we prepared to stand by to be hoodwinked on another Plan Winnipeg amendment? The priority in Plan Winnipeg - approved by City Council and the province - is Downtown First. Who is standing up for downtown and planning in Winnipeg? City Council has also made a commitment to facilitate a reduction in community-wide greenhouse gas emissions. Although transportation is the largest source of GHG emissions in Winnipeg, they appear poised to approve what will likely be the most auto-dependant large retail development in Winnipeg's history. Hope to see you Monday evening. Elizabeth Fleming

15 years, 1 month

Active Transportation - Canada: March 2, 2009

by Beth McKechnie

----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Haynes To: Michael Haynes Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 9:00 AM Subject: Active Transportation - Canada: March 2, 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 **************************************************************************************************** 1.. Press Release - US: Trails, Walking and Biking Earn $800 Million in Stimulus 2.. Article - Korea: Commission lays out detailed plan for green growth 3.. Article - Australia: Melbourne to get more bike lanes 4.. Article - US: Is 1-mile bike path worth $9.2 million? 5.. Report - Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention, Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity: A Global Report 6.. Article - Federal government missing the boat on green opportunities 7.. Article - Elite sports facility ridiculous waste of public money 8.. Article - Calgary plans two bridges - but not for cars 9.. Article - Long-awaited bicycle transportation plan finally goes to city council 10.. Article - Bike Racks to be Installed on Four City Bus Routes 11.. Blog - The impact of unsupportive parents in skateboarding 12.. Article - US: City aims to build center for bike commuters 13.. Article - London 2012 aims for step change in walking and cycling habits with publication of new plans 14.. Article - UK: Full extent of school 20mph zones revealed today 15.. Article - Bluesky computer modelling maps easier walking routes around Britain’s cities **************************************************************************************************** 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 community? For more information, please contact: Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions activetransportation(a)rogers.com 613.424.2803

15 years, 1 month

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