This looks like a big email - and it is - but contains VERY significant
active transportation - election - information - please circulate widely.
Last night, at 5:00 pm - in Erna Braun's (MLA Rossmere) campaign office -
Premier Selinger, flanked by NDP candidates from Concordia, Elmwood,
Radisson, and River East announced to 20+ area residents - that if
re-elected
- they would build a safe pedestrian / cycle crossing (bridge) over the
Perimeter Hwy from the Northeast Pioneers Greenway into the RM of St. Paul.
See Sigrun Bailey's (Co-Chair of River East Neighborhood Network - Trail
Committee) email below. Sigrun, a resident of NK, was in attendance at the
event.
Some may have a hard time understanding the significance of this safe
pedestrian / cycle crossing over the Perimeter - There is a BIG PICTURE
VISION to what seems to be a whole bunch of bits and pieces -
I'll try to briefly summarize:
CentrePort:
http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/2011/08/22/centreports-impact-on-active-transpo
rtation/
- as per the Manitoba's Director of Highway Planning & Design, and with the
development of CentrePort - "over the next 20 years, traffic volume on the
Perimeter Hwy is projected to go from 14,500 to 40,000 vehicles / day".
Infrastructure changes on the Perimeter Hwy are occurring around the city to
develop the Perimeter into expressway. In the north east quadrant, the
interchange of the Perimeter and Hwy 59 is undergoing an $80 - $100 Million
overhaul projected to be completed by 2017.
RM of East St.Paul:
- according to the latest census, East St. Paul is one of the fastest
growing municipalities in Manitoba.
Birds Hill Provincial Park:
- the most heavily used Provincial Park in Manitoba - Conservation / Park
officials identify need to reduce 'stress' on the park and support trail
systems leading out of park onto floodway
Northeast Pioneers Greenway:
http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/trails-maps/northeast-pioneers-greenwaynew/
- the most heavily used trail in Manitoba - primarily used by area residents
Economic Benefits Provincial Cycle Tourism:
- see story Margo Goodhand, Free Press editor wrote last Saturday on cycle
tourism & economic benefits in Wisconsin:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/travel/Wisconsins-cycling-secrets--13002077
3.html
- see economic benefits in the Province of Quebec from the 'RouteVert'
cycle tourism route: page 16 in Greater Strides report to Province of
Manitoba: http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pdf/atag_report6.pdf
- google economic benefits and you will see countless other examples.
The Long and Winding Trail from Winnipeg to Birds Hill Provincial Park &
Lockport:
2004 - Red River Floodway Expansion is announced: see Page 3
http://www.floodwayauthority.mb.ca/pdf/floodnewsletter_all.pdf
2004 - Rivers West enables formation of Red River Floodway Trails Coalition
2004 -2006 Multiple studies investigating recreational opportunities were
conducted by the Manitoba Floodway Authority
http://www.floodwayauthority.mb.ca/reports.html & Rivers West
http://www.riverswest.ca/index.cfm?pageID=5 and see page 5
http://www.floodwayauthority.mb.ca/pdf/newsletter_08_11_05.pdf
2006 - John Buhler engage City of Winnipeg in purchase of Marconi rail line
- to convert into multi use trail
2007 - at grand opening of the 'Northeast Pioneers Greenway' then Premier
Doer states this trail will ultimately connect to Birds Hill Provincial
Park.
2007 - The Forks /Paul Jordan (then co-chair of Winnipeg Trails
Association), Bike to the Future, River West, River East Neighborhood
Network - Trail Committee initiate discussions with RM St. Paul for 'The
Forks National Historic Site to Birds Hill Provincial Park' trail connection
2008 - Phase one of Winnipeg's Rapid Transit is announced - and will include
separate active transportation / cycling pathway
2009- construction of asphalt trails on floodway begin - note an asphalt
trail from Birds Hill Park to Lockport is also being constructed (attached
is a DRAFT - which will be finalized and on WTA website next week)
2010 - following strong advocacy, City of Winnipeg includes separated
pedestrian /cycle bridge for Northeast Pioneers Greenway users to SAFELY
cross over the $100M Chief Peguis Expansion (Chief Peguis Expansion another
key link in CentrePort transportation route)
construction of pedestrian / equestrian / cycle bridge over 59 Hwy
connecting Birds Hill Park to Floodway begins
summer 2011 - Manitoba Floodway Authority highlights overall recreational
plan Page 3
http://www.floodwayauthority.mb.ca/pdf/floodway_nwsltr_eng_2011.pdf
summer 2011 - Winnipeg Trails Association, River East Neighborhood Network -
Trail Committee, Prairie Pathfinders Hiking Club, One Green City, & Bike to
the Future launch Winnipeg to Birds Hill Awareness Campaign - citing the
need to include SAFE active transportation in the PTH 101 / PTH 59
interchange $80-$100 M rehabilitation
fall 2011 - NDP promise 'if re-elected' they will build a safe pedestrian /
cycle crossing over the Perimeter Hwy.
The Future:
The dream is to go from University of Manitoba through the city of Winnipeg
to Birds Hill Park and then to Lockport on a completely separate multi use
pathway - and while there are still a few missing pieces that need to come
together - I and many others are confident this will occur within the next 5
years. Yet to occur:
In Winnipeg:
- a separate pathway from Chalmers to The Forks (route has been identified)
- safe / civilized pedestrian cycling crossing on Osborne under the rail
line (in City of Winnipeg 5 year budget projection and will have to occur as
rail line needs maintenance overhaul)
- Phase Two of Rapid Transit to U of M (also to include an active
transportation pathway) - perhaps in the next 4 years? the Stadium's
location at U of M is helping move Phase Two up the ladder of priorities
In RM Birds Hill:
- asphalting / upgrading of Raleigh / Gateway route which is currently on
roadway
Floodway:
- Dunning Road crossing is currently seasonal and related to floodway levels
- a separated year around route is being investigated by Manitoba Floodway
Authority
Lockport:
- the trail is being constructed and refinements into Lockport will occur in
the next few years.
In Summary:
Many many folks & organizations have been working towards this vision. HUGE
HUGE thank yous to all who have helped the vision get this far.
BUT
The development of CentrePort - positioning Manitoba as a 'global
transportation hub' - will impact countless pedestrian and cycling crossings
in the year to come- in Winnipeg and in Manitoba.
There are opportunities to enable SAFE pedestrian and cycling crossings in
the development of this trucking network - as we've are seeing in the Forks
/ Birds Hill / Lockport / Floodway trail
BUT STRONG / NON STOP / HARD CORE ADVOCACY was required - I know I've been
involved since 2004 and it hasn't been an easy ride at all to get to last
night's announcement!
IF the Province had a Provincial Active Transportation policy - gov't would
consider active transportation when they are investing billions of tax
payers dollars into roadways. Pedestrians and cyclists would have far higher
odds of having SAFE transportation routes and crossings.
We have yet to hear a FORMAL commitment from any party stating they would
implement an Provincial Active Transportation Policy. When candidates come
knocking - please stress the need for a Provincial Active Transportation
policy. Provincial Election Active Transportation details can be found
here: http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/2011/08/23/provincial-election-2011/
Janice Lukes
Manager, Special Projects - Winnipeg Trails
Winnipeg Trails Association
235-614 Des Meurons Street
Winnipeg, MB R2H 2P9
Cell (204) 952-4222
Fax (204) <tel:%28204%29%20237-4618> 237-4618
<mailto:jlukes@riverswest.ca> jlukes(a)riverswest.ca
<http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/> www.WinnipegTrails.ca
Member of City of Winnipeg Active Transportation Advisory Committee
Chair, Province of Manitoba Active Transportation Advisory Group
-----Original Message-----
From: Sigrun Bailey [mailto:sigrun.bailey@gmail.com]
Sent: September 20, 2011 6:58 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Important AT Announcement
Today Premier Selinger along with all of the NDP candidates in the NE
quadrant of the City promised to build a safe crossing (flyover) of the
Northeast Pioneers Greenway at the Perimeter Hwy. If they get elected it
will be one of the first things they do!
It will be a joyous day for AT. Our vision of connecting The Forks National
Historic Site to Birds Hill Provincial Park is one step closer to reality.
Sigrun
RENN-TC, Co-Chair
Manitoba Recreational Trails Association
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Manitoba Recreational Trails Association (MRTA) is seeking an Executive
Director to join our team. The MRTA is a volunteer based, non-profit
organization, whose primary purpose is the management of the Trans Canada
Trail in Manitoba. The MRTA represents 18 regional trail associations who
are tasked with the construction and maintenance of the Trans Canada Trail.
The successful candidate should have experience working independently while
managing multiple demands. They should have in-depth experience with
volunteer boards and a demonstrated background in liaising effectively with
government agencies. Effective communication to maintain close partnerships
with our regional trails groups is vital.
The successful applicant should possess a thorough understanding of
volunteer sector issues, marketing and fundraising. Training and/or
experience in project management would be considered an asset, including
budget plan development and execution.
The Executive Director also must possess strong oral and written
communication skills and excel at organizing, time management, prioritizing
and problem solving.
A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is essential. Must
be available to work evenings and weekends as required and travel
extensively throughout Manitoba.
A more detailed job description, including salary range, is available at the
MRTA website: www.mrta.mb.ca
Send resume and cover letter in confidence by September 30th 2011 to:
margaret {at} mrta.mb.ca
Only candidates to be interviewed will be contacted. No phone calls please.
Regards,
Margaret Boyechko
Administration Assistant/Bookkeeper
Manitoba Recreational Trails Association
1007 Century Street
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0W4
204-633-9879
204-945-1365 (fax)
www.mrta.mb.ca
*"In every walk with nature one receives *
*far more than he seeks."* - John Muir
[See highlighted paragraphs at end of article regarding snow removal on
pathways and AT routes...]
Snow-shovelling relief on way for some City to improve lane plowing where
front access lacking
By: Jen Skerritt
Posted: 09/14/2011
THE bad news is Winnipeggers with back lanes will still have to dig out of
windrows this winter.
The good news is relief may be on the way for some neighbourhoods in 2012.
On Tuesday, city council's public works committee approved a plan to spend
an additional $50,000 to remove windrows and enhance snow-clearing in back
lanes with no front-street access in 2012 and beyond. That means residents
in neighbourhoods such as Wildwood Park will no longer have to shovel their
way through piles of snow to back out of their lanes.
Public works director Brad Sacher said some residents in neighbourhoods such
as Wildwood Park and parts of Transcona don't have a front street to park on
because they are bordered by sidewalks or parks. In these areas, Sacher said
wider back lanes essentially function as front streets.
"They literally would have to shovel their way out to get to these paths
that we had created," Sacher said. "It wasn't working very well with those
residents."
If the plan is approved by executive policy committee and then council,
Sacher said snowplows will clear those back lanes and remove any windrows
left behind by plows. In neighbourhoods where residents with back lanes also
have front streets, Sacher said there will not be any changes to how plows
clear snow from the back lanes.
At the same time, the city will consider a plan to spend an additional
$250,000 in 2012 to clear more snow from active transportation routes.
Sacher said the idea is to encourage more people to use the trails for
recreation and to commute during the winter. Last year, the city spent about
$125,000 to plow active transportation trails, and Sacher said the new
routes that could be targeted would be determined with input from commuter
cyclists and recreational users.
The city does not track how many people cycle during the winter, but Sacher
said the department suspects it is on the rise.
"It's a significant increase in the number of trails we're going to be able
to address," he said.
Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi said more people are using active
transportation corridors than ever before and the move is a positive step
for the city.
"There are more hardy winter riders," Gerbasi said.
jen.skerritt(a)freepress.mb.ca
Bicyclists top million commuting miles Pedaling to, from work shows value
7:01 AM, Sep. 8, 2011
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110908/APC0101/109080473/Bicyclists-t…
For Neenah resident Gregg Warning, getting serious about bicycling this year
has paid short- and long-term benefits.
Since last spring, Warning, 50, has logged about 2,500 miles commuting to
work by leaving his van parked at his home and biking nine miles to the UPS
Center on the north side of Oshkosh.
Two weeks after starting his bike commute, Warning lost 10 pounds and found
himself more alert and full of energy at work. He also noticed a difference
in his wallet.
"It's (saving) like the price of a gallon of gas per day — at least $20 a
week in fuel," Warning said.
He is among the nearly 4,600 bicyclists statewide who have logged more than
1 million miles going to and from work since May 16 as part of the Scott Get
Up and Ride Wisconsin Bike Challenge. The challenge, which ends Sept. 30,
surpassed the 1 million mile mark last week.
All challenge participants and bicycling enthusiasts are invited to help
celebrate the milestone and other biking-related successes in the Fox Valley
at Fed Fest on Saturday at Appleton's City Park. It is one of several events
scheduled across the state by the Bike Federation of Wisconsin to promote
bicycling, recognize the bike challenge success and spread the word about
Share & Be Aware, a statewide safety program sponsored by the state
Department of Transportation.
Scott Reilly, of Appleton, a BFW Share & Be Aware ambassador, has been
attending public events such as farmer's markets, festivals and concerts
while also teaching bike safety and skills classes to spread the word about
the safety program launched earlier this year. There have been 32 bike and
pedestrian fatalities in Wisconsin so far this year.
The safety program's basic messages are: bicyclists and motorists must yield
to pedestrians in a crosswalk; bicyclists have the same rights and
responsibilities on the road as a motorist, including stopping at red lights
and stop signs; and motorists by law need to leave at least three feet of
space when passing someone on a bicycle.
"Our goal is to educate drivers, bicyclists and the general public on our
shared responsibilities on the roads here in the state by attending public
events and offering classes on bike safety with the hope of reducing the
number of accidents involving bikes and automobiles," Reilly said.
*— Michael King: 920-729-6622, ext. 33, or mking(a)postcrescent.com*
Wisconsin Bike Challenge at a glance
Official name: Scott Get Up and Ride
Wisconsin<http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110908/APC0101/109080473/Bicyclists-t…>Bike
Challenge
Teams registered: 1,188
Riders: 4,546
Distance: 1,094,653 miles (as of Wednesday)
Calories burned: 36.6 billion
CO2 saved: 556,578 pounds
Dollars saved: $275,553
On the Web: www.challenge.bfw.org
Source: www.endomondo.com
Hi AT folks
I must share this news with you - can barely type it out!
Pass this on to your members / friends / anyone interested in AT.
Tonight I attended the CAA election forum on infrastructure, consumer and
safety issues at the Free Press News Cafe. (photo attached)
http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/elections2011/2011.09.02-PGA-0018_Electio
nEblast.html
- Dan Lett Free Press columnist moderated.
- A lot of heavy weights were there asking questions - CAA President, MPI
Insurance, AMM President, and others.
- Jeremy Hull from Bike to the Future also attended and asked a question on
education / road safety.
As a CAA member and WTA representative - I was able to ask a question of the
three candidates - Goertzen, Mackintosh and Stewart.
Fortunately Mackintosh - through previous questions from the audience -
spoke multiple times of how the NDP were 4 years into an unprecedented $4B
roadways investment and how CentrePort investment was going to be the
'jewel' of Canada from a transportation perspective - thus setting the stage
for my question/s.
I spoke as a 'vulnerable road user' (explaining the MPI term), articulating
that we too pay taxes to use roads - spoke of current situation:
- as these billions of roadways money were being spend - the complete lack
of an AT policy meant there was no lens of active transportation being use
to consider AT opportunities
- not one single person in gov't solely dedicated to AT
- simply no mechanism to gather public input on AT issues
Then highlighted the Greater Strides report with 25 recommendations - a
PLAN - which was released in a ditch in Southdale this June - and 500
printed copies were sitting in a closet in gov't offices and were not being
distributed for purely political reasons (and gave them each a copy) - and
asked the QUESTION:
Within one year of becoming elected - would your government commit to:
1. developing a Provincial active transportation policy
2. dedicate full time resources to oversee implementation of policy,
education and AT planning
3. ensure formation of an avenue to gather public input / advice?
I did not highlight these are the three actions that are resulting in the
City being so successful in moving AT forward - there is always a friction
between the two levels of gov't.
Each one of them, said yes
- and as the first one started to ramble an answer ( I believe it was
Mackintosh)
I interrupted - articulating the question to get a black and white answer
vs jargon -
Dan Lett jumped in, drilled them a bit more on it - and YES - they all
clearly said these were significant points in light of the increase in
public's engagement of active transportation AND they would commit to these
actions.
POST FORUM
I went up to each one of them to AGAIN confirm - and yes -
Goertsen said it was in the PC health announcement from today - and exact
details would be forthcoming soon
Mackintosh said yes - for sure - but wasn't sure how the public input aspect
would look exactly
I thanked Stewart for being involved in tonight's event.
VALUE OF AN ELECTION PROMISE:
In last Provincial election - NDP promised WTA $1.8 M
They delivered on every single penny (albeit with some heavy handed
hounding) -
WTA used the promise to leverage an additional $5M in trail funding from
Feds / City and private for trails and trailheads.
VALUE OF AN ELECTION PROMISE . . . x THREE:
can it get any better ? the odds seem very good.
Am now hoping we have a more 'official' AT announcement from each party - I
expect it will occur.
If I can get recording in an an MPwhatever format - I will pass it on also.
this is almost surreal.
Janice Lukes
Join Bike to the Future on Tuesday September 27th at the Norwood
Community Centre for a community workshop to help refine the cycling
network in St. Boniface.
* learn more about the city’s cycling routes in your neighbourhood
* discuss barriers to cycling in St. Boniface
* discuss the best opportunities to overcome those barriers
* help us fill in the gaps where existing routes don’t quite connect
* free bike valet service <http://www.bicyclevaletwinnipeg.ca/>
*When*: Tuesday September 27th, 2011
6:00-6:15 pm—Registration (Bike Ride & Sessions)
6:15-7:30 pm—Neighbourhood Bike Ride (optional)
7:30-7:45 pm—Snacks/Late Registration (Sessions Only)
7:45-9:45 pm—Short Presentation & Breakout Sessions
*Where*: Norwood Community Centre, 87 Walmer Street (see map
<http://maps.google.com/maps?q=norwood+community+centre&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&h…>)
We want to know where you cycle to and from, which routes you like best,
which routes you avoid, and where you encounter barriers. Most
importantly, we want to hear how you think barriers can be removed from
the cycling network, and where the best opportunities exist to improve
cycling connections in and around St. Boniface.
We’ll start the evening with a short neighbourhood ride (see map
<http://biketothefuture.org/attachments/0000/1687/st-b-neighbourhood-ride-ma…>)
highlighting existing infrastructure, barriers and opportunities (see
map). Registration for the ride will run from 6:00 – 6:15pm in front of
the Community Centre. We’ll head out at 6:15 sharp, traveling
approximately 13km at a moderate pace. All ride participants must have a
roadworthy bike, and should have the skills necessary to be confident
riding in traffic.
If you can’t fit the neighbourhood ride into your schedule, feel free to
take advantage of the late registration from 7:30 until 7:45 and join us
for the remainder of the workshop.
After a snack and quick overview of cycling facilities being used in
Winnipeg and other cities, we’ll break into groups and get down to the
business of making St. Boniface a better place to bike. Each group will
be asked to focus in on 2-3 three specific areas or issues, and will
summarize their discussion and ideas at the end of the evening.
Following the workshop, we’ll compile your ideas and discussion into a
public report that we will bring forward to the city’s active
transportation committee, where we will push for improvements to the
cycling network in St. Boniface.
If you can't make it to the workshop, please send you ideas to
markc(a)biketothefuture.org
Event Poster
<http://biketothefuture.org/attachments/0000/1686/st-boniface-at-network-wor…>
Map of Neighbourhood Ride
<http://biketothefuture.org/attachments/0000/1687/st-b-neighbourhood-ride-ma…>
Apologies if you've already seen this!
*Provincial candidate forum on the environment
*
This Wednesday, candidates from the NDP, Progressive Conservatives,
Liberals and Greens square off for a provincial environment forum. The
event is organized by the Manitoba Eco-Network, Green Action Centre,
the Provincial Council of Women and the Green Action Committee of the
First Unitarian Church. Candidates from all parties intending to run
candidates across the province were invited to participate. The forum
will be moderated by CBC Radio’s Terry MacLeod.
“Many of Manitobans' key concerns this election such as water quality
in Lake Winnipeg, greenhouse gas emissions or hydro-electric
development are environmental issues. This forum will give the public
a chance to hear all the party positions, to ask important questions
and to decide for themselves which platform will best promote
sustainability in Manitoba” said event coordinator, Josh Brandon.
Who: Jennifer Howard, NDP candidate, Fort Rouge,
Heather Stefanson, PC candidate, Tuxedo
Paul Hesse, Liberal candidate, Fort Rouge
James Beddome, Green candidate Wolseley
Where: First Unitarian Church
603 Wellington Crescent.
When: Wednesday, September 14, 7:00 pm
Event website: http://greenactioncentre.ca/event/provincial-election-forum/
Contact: Josh Brandon. Manitoba Eco-Network, (204) 898-6460
------------------------------
How young is too young to bike with your kid? madeleine white From
Friday's Globe and Mail Published Thursday, Jul. 28, 2011 4:54PM EDT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/young-children/children-trend…
Biking has always been a big part of Todd Beernink’s life. The Vancouver
resident has worked as a bike courier, competed in cycling races and uses a
bicycle as his main mode of transportation.
Then his son Tayo was born. Mr. Beemink wanted to start riding with his baby
as soon as possible. “I would get so excited thinking about my son enjoying
something I enjoy too,” he says. But his in-laws weren’t so excited. In
fact, they were terrified.
To allay their concerns – and his own – Mr. Beernink reconfigured an old
bike trailer to hold his son’s car seat. He knew that most cycling safety
sites warn against infants under one wearing helmets, since a baby’s neck is
too weak to support the weight. So he improvised and put toques and blankets
around Tayo so that his head was cushioned and didn’t have much room to
move. It was his imperfect solution: All cyclists and passengers are
required to wear a helmet under B.C. law.
By the age of three months, Tayo was hooked into his five-point harness in
the car seat and fastened into the trailer. His father still vividly
remembers their first ride together, in January.
“I rode so slow that my fingers froze because my heart rate was so low,” he
said. “There were dogs passing us.It took us an hour and a half to go five
kilometres.”
The ride was a success, and he’s been cycling with Tayo since. But having
been in a few accidents before he had a child, he’s well aware that biking
comes with risks. And given that, beyond city safety by-laws, there are no
federal guidelines for cycling with kids, he and other parents are left to
answer for themselves a critical question: How young is too young to bike
with a baby on board?
One vocal opponent to parents riding with their babies is Pat Hines, founder
and executive director of Safe Moves, a safety organization in the United
States. In an online video, Ms. Hines flatly states: “There is no age when a
child should go on a bicycle with a parent … Who would want to take a chance
of the child falling? Even if you weren’t in danger of being hit by a car,
just a slip, the baby goes down and the baby would go down very hard.”
Jennifer Gruden, a Toronto mother of two boys, shares Ms. Hines’s fear of
falling, especially since she was in a serious crash when she was 25. It
took two years of physiotherapy to fully recover from the accident, caused
by a dog rushing up and clipping her wheel . A doctor told her that if she
hadn’t been wearing a helmet, she would have cracked her skull.
So when she became a mother, Ms. Gruden decided against biking with her son
Noah, now 5, until he was old enough to wear a helmet.
Ms. Gruden is now looking forward to biking with her second baby, who’s six
months old. This time around, though, she expects to try a bike trailer –
generally considered the safest way to transport kids, since it’s low to the
ground in the case of a fall – rather than the front-facing bike seat that
Noah rode in.
“It is a sliding scale for me,” she says. “From zero to 12 months, it’s not
worth it to me to put him on a bike. From one to three, I think it’s about
picking the time and place and using a trailer. But after that, I feel that
the risks turn around – if you’re not as a family doing [physical]
activities, then there are long-term health risk that are too easy to
ignore.”
But the health benefits of cycling are limited to safe roads, she says.
Without bike lanes, Ms. Gruden said she would be too nervous to commute on
busy roads with her sons. She admits that she probably wouldn’t ride daily
with her older son if they lived downtown.
Cycling advocate Todd Litman, Executive Director of the Victoria Transport
Policy Institute, says many people overestimate the risk of riding with
children. “There is no greater risk to biking with children than there is
taking them in a car,” says Mr. Litman, who rode a bike with his sons (now
university-aged) when they were three weeks old.
Statistics Canada does not collect data on how many parents bike with their
kids. But it does monitor cycling fatalities involving young children.
According to StatsCan, no children aged zero to four died from being on a
bike with their parents from 2001 to 2007.
That reassures Edmonton mom Sarah Chan, who rigged a platform on her Madsen
cargo bike for her son Dexter’s car seat when he was four months old.“There
is a whole culture of fear around parenting, and it doesn’t begin or end
with a bike,” says Ms. Chan. “If parents are careful on their bikes, it
isn’t that dangerous. It’s actually fun.”
Especially for Dexter who, now age two, sits up in her cargo bucket,
pointing and waving to passers-by. And much to his mom’s delight, he copies
her hand signals when they’re out in traffic.
*Ciclovia* is back for the third year *Sunday, September 11th from 11am to
8pm*! Ciclovia is a huge street festival and active transportation
celebration! There are street closures from Assiniboine Park to The Forks,
with many activities, kiosks, and displays on Broadway Avenue.
Ciclovia info <http://www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com/home/events/ciclovia/>(including
a route map and a list of activities/kiosks/displays)
Ciclovia needs over 200 volunteers to make the day a success. If you are
able to give some time, sign up to
volunteer<http://manyfest.volunteerhub.com/SignIn.aspx?ReturnUrl=/Default.aspx>and
receive a free T-shirt, meal voucher, and more.
*Also, we are in huge need of marshals for the Ciclovia route. This
position was not posted on the Ciclovia hub, given the need for a specific
type of volunteer. Please call Stephanie at 958-4621 if you can help with
marshalling!*
*If you know anyone that would like to take part in our free block-long
garage sale on Sunday between 11am-8pm, please have them call Rose at
958-4636.*
Also, if you would like to like us on Facebook and share with your contacts,
that would be awesome - plus there's a chance to win!
*Like us on Facebook…and win!* Like ManyFestWinnipeg on Facebook and enter
to win a Downtown Star Treatment.
*Like CicloviaWinnipeg on Facebook and enter to win a* *$500-value prize
package at Mountain Equipment Co-op.*
*http://www.facebook.com/manyfestwinnipeg*
*http://www.facebook.com/CicloviaWinnipeg*
Thanks for your help and I hope to see you there!
** **
** **
****
* *
*SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11*
* *
*part of *
*MANYFEST: ALL TOGETHER DOWNTOWN!*
*SEPTEMBER 9 TO 11 ON BROADWAY!*
Join downtown’s biggest street party! Enjoy many events over one weekend
this September, with music, light, art, dance, wine, food and fun on
Broadway in the heart of downtown ****Winnipeg****! Bring a tin for the bin
for Winnipeg Harvest. Cash donations gratefully accepted in support of
Change for the Better, providing jobs to the less fortunate. *Last year it
was* *Lights on Broadway: Five Events, One Weekend, *this year it's Many
Events - ManyFest! The north side of Broadway will be closed to traffic.
www.manyfest.ca****
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*Ciclovia *
*Sunday, Sept. 11, 11am-8pm*
Walk, jog or cycle all the way from ****Assiniboine** **Park**** to The
Forks during this eco-friendly festival. Stop at Broadway to enjoy a
farmers’ market, music, fitness demos, kids zone, bike show, garage sale and
more!****
** **
*Featured Ciclovia Actvities*
- A Soap Box ****Derby**** by Ace Art ****
- RBC Blue Water Zone, with 1,500 collapsible water bottles to give away
in their zone ****
- 2nd annual Tweed Ride - Wear your newsboy or slouch hat, bring your
parasol, knickers, pipe, vest, pantaloons and anything tweed circa early
1900s for a bike ride in Winnipeg! (Departure at 2pm) ****
- Bike Show: bring out your old bikes, fancy bikes, pretty bikes! ****
- Community groups still wanted for displays! Call Rose at 958-4636. ****
- Bike Valet: Leave your bike or stroller for free! (Memorial Park,
Broadway at Osborne). Hours: Friday and Saturday: 11:30am – 11:30pm; Sunday:
7:30am – 8:30pm. Location: In Memorial Park on Broadway at ****Osborne
Street****. ****
** **
(Music in orange; fitness in black.)****
*Memorial Stage*
11:00am Enjoy Your Pumas****
11:45 Prenatal/Postnatal Fitness ****
12:30 Fire & Smoke****
1:15 Belly Dancing****
2:00 Tom Foolery****
2:45 Zumba****
3:30 Craig & Ash****
4:15 Zumbatonic****
5:00 Retro Rhythm Review****
5:45 Body Combat****
6:30 Mike & The Eastwood Gang****
7:15 Cha Cha****
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*****Carlton****** Stage*
11:00am Zumba****
11:45 Flying Fox & Hunter Gatherers ****
12:30 Spin Class****
1:15 Melissa Plett & These Guys****
2:00 Spin Class****
2:45 Drum Cafe****
3:30 Zumba****
4:15 Les Jupes****
5:00 Spin Class****
5:45 The Kathy Kennedy Blues Band****
6:30 Zumba****
7:15 Tree****
*After party at the Pony Corral Downtown!*
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****
*SCHEDULE OF MANYFEST EVENTS *
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*Giant Movie in the Park – **NEW THIS YEAR!***
*Friday, Sept. 9, starting at sun down, approx 8pm*
Roll out your blanket in Memorial Park and watch a movie on a giant outdoor
screen under the stars! The movie is Toy Story 3. Sponsored by S&J
Construction. ****
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*Lights on Broadway *
*Saturday, Sept. 10, starting at sun down, approx 8pm*
Stroll beneath Broadway’s lit elm trees, and add your own touch of warmth
with a complimentary candle – while supplies last! Get a glimpse of what the
final permanent, year round tree lighting design could look like, courtesy
of Epic Production Technologies, winner of last year’s lighting design
competition. Sponsored by ****Manitoba**** Hydro.****
** **
*Big Dance on Broadway *
*Saturday, Sept. 10, 4pm-11pm*
It's a dance party like no other with two stages playing various genres of
music. Jive, swing, bop and groove beneath a canopy of light. Sponsored by *
***Winnipeg**** Arts Council.****
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*Music on Memorial*
4:00pmTed ****Kernoski Square**** Dancers****
5:15 Sol James featuring Heitha Forsythe****
6:45 Tune Raiders****
7:45 Paradize Band****
9:15 Big J **Harrison** Big Band ****
*Dance on Carlton*
4:00pmTwo Dollar Pistol****
5:15 Hip Hop lessons with Loa Olafson****
6:15 Tye Dye Adam****
7:45 Viva Brasil Capoiera****
9:00 DJ Penny Lane****
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*After party at the Pony Corral Downtown!*
** **
*****Winnipeg****** 10 & 10 & 5 Race*
*Sunday, Sept. 11, 8am-11am*
Lace on those runners and enjoy the scenic route of a 5 km, 10 km or 10 mile
****
run that starts and ends in Memorial Park. Group discounts of 10% for groups
of 6 or more. *NEW THIS YEAR: 5 km run or walk, perfect for families!
*Presented
by Investors Group.**
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*Cost:* 5 km: $25 (to Sept 8), $35 (on Sept 9 & 10); 10 km: $30 (to Sept 8),
$40 (on Sept 9 & 10); 10 miler: $35 (until Sept 8), $45 (on Sept 9 & 10)****
*Register: www.events.runningroom.com*
*Sept 11, Race Day:* 8:30am - 10 Miler; 9:00am - 10 Km; 9:15am - 5 Km****
** **
*Broadway Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market *
*Saturday, 4pm-11pm & Sunday, 11am-8pm*
Stroll among dozens of vendors, browse handmade jewellery, and pick up some
fresh home-grown veggies. Sponsored by ****Portage Place****.****
** **
*Kids’ Zone *
*Saturday, 4pm-11pm; Sunday, 11am-8pm*
Bring out the whole family to enjoy bouncers, clowns, giant sand boxes,
inflatable slides, crafts, buskers, pony rides, bike rodeo by MPI,
activities, and much more on Memorial Blvd! Sponsored by Fido.****
** **
*Taste of Downtown Winnipeg Wine & Cheese Festival **- ALL WEEKEND LONG!*
*Friday, Noon-11pm; Saturday, Noon-11pm; Sunday, Noon-8pm*
Sip cabernets and chardonnays during this wine and cheese event held in
Memorial Park. Free admission. Tasting tickets sold at the event in support
of Winnipeg Harvest. Hosted by the Downtown ****Winnipeg**** BIZ. Presented
by the Independent Specialty Wine Stores of Manitoba in collaboration with
the Manitoba Chefs Association. Also sponsored in part by the Bay Downtown.*
***
** **
*Wine Merchants Include:*
• Kenaston Wine Market ****
• Fenton’s Wine Merchants****
• De Luca Fine Wines****
• La ****Boutique** **Del**** Vino****
• Banville & Jones Wine Co.****
*Gourmet Foods and Cheese Sponsors:*
• Bothwell Cheese
• City Bread****
• De Luca’s Specialty Foods****
• Piazza di Nardi****
• Fenton’s Gourmet Foods****
** **
*For more information, visit www.ManyFest.ca. *
** **
The Downtown BIZ, City of Winnipeg, the Running Room and the Independent
Specialty Wine Stores of Manitoba are hosting the festival along with many
other partners and sponsors: Investors Group, S&J Construction, Portage
Place, Winnipeg Arts Council, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Fido, Manitoba
Hydro, Travel Manitoba, Fusion Group, Dental Designs, RBC Blue Water
Project, Best Western Charterhouse Hotel, Audioworks, The Bay Downtown, East
India Company, the Pony Corral, MPI, MTS Centre, Johnson Waste Management,
Bee Clean, Assiniboine Credit Union, Lawton Partners, Neptune Properties,
Brad’s Window Cleaning, Winnipeg Parking Authority and the Prolific Group.
Media sponsors include the ****Winnipeg**** Sun, CTV, 92 CITI, 102 Clear FM
and CBC Radio One 990.****
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** **
** **
*Stephanie Voyce*
Project Manager,* *Image & Transportation
*Downtown **Winnipeg BIZ
*204.958.4621 office
204.958.4630 fax
Visit our website at www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com!
This email is intended for the person(s) to whom it is addressed and the
contents may contain private and confidential information to which rights
are claimed. If you receive this email in error, the review, copy,
distribution, or otherwise use of the contents is prohibited and we ask that
you notify the sender immediately to advise of the error. Thank you.****
** **
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A blunt assessment of our safety v. European cyclists, from The Economist:
Calm down
With a very few exceptions, America is no place for cyclists
Sep 3rd 2011 | SEATTLE | from the print edition
*
DYING while cycling is three to five times more likely in America than in
Denmark, Germany or the Netherlands. To understand why, consider the death
of Michael Wang. He was pedalling home from work in Seattle on a sunny
weekday afternoon in late July when, witnesses say, a brown SUV made a left
turn, crunched into Wang and sped away.
The road where the 44-year-old father of two was hit is the busiest cycling
corridor in Seattle, and it has clearly marked bicycle lanes. But the lanes
are protected from motor vehicles by a line of white paint-a largely
metaphorical barrier that many drivers ignore and police do not vigorously
enforce. A few feet from the cycling lane traffic moves at speeds of between
30 miles per hour, the speed limit for arterials in Seattle, and 40 miles
per hour, the speed at which many cars actually travel. This kind of speed
kills. A pedestrian hit by a car moving at 30mph has a 45% chance of dying;
at 40mph, the chance of death is 85%, according to Britain's Department of
Transport.
Had Mr Wang been commuting on a busy bike route in Amsterdam, Copenhagen or
Berlin, his unprotected exposure to instruments of death-namely, any vehicle
moving at 20mph or more-would be nearly nil. These cities have knitted
together networks for everyday travel by bike. To start with, motor vehicles
allowed near cyclists are subject to "traffic calming". They must slow down
to about 19mph, a speed that, in case of collision, kills less than 5%.
Police strictly enforce these speed limits with hefty fines. Repeat
offenders lose their licences.
Calmer traffic is just the beginning. In much of northern Europe, cyclists
commute on lanes that are protected from cars by concrete buffers, rows of
trees or parked cars. At busy crossroads, bicycle-activated traffic lights
let cyclists cross first. Traffic laws discriminate in favour of people on
bikes. A few American cities have taken European-style steps to make streets
safer for cycling, most notably Portland, Oregon, which has used most of the
above ideas. The result: more bikes and fewer deaths. Nearly 6% of commuters
bike to work in Portland, the highest proportion in America. But in five out
of the past ten years there have been no cycling deaths there. In the nearby
Seattle area, where cycling is popular but traffic calming is not, three
cyclists, have been killed in the past few weeks.
