News Release
November 19, 2013
PROVINCE, CITY ANNOUNCE FUNDING
TO EXTEND RAPID TRANSIT INTO SOUTHWEST WINNIPEG
- - -
Project Expanded to Include More Lanes
At Pembina-Jubilee Underpass
The Government of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg announced funding today
to build the second phase of rapid transit in southwest Winnipeg and
redevelop the Pembina-Jubilee Underpass to include additional vehicle and
bike lanes, with each government providing up to $225 million toward the
integrated project and seeking federal funding for the balance, Premier
Greg Selinger and Mayor Sam Katz said.
"Each day more and more people are making the move to Manitoba. The City of
Winnipeg is expected to reach a population of one million within the next
20 years and the hallmark of any thriving big city is a modern, efficient
public transit system," said Premier Selinger. "Building rapid transit
will mean good jobs to get the work done and it will connect families with
opportunities across this great city, well into the future."
"Rapid Transit provides faster, more reliable transit service while helping
to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions as well as congestion on regional
streets," said Mayor Katz. "Today's announcement for Stage 2 of the
Southwest Transitway helps complete the vision of a rapid transit corridor
from the downtown to the southwest regions of Winnipeg, substantially
increasing the competitiveness of transit for thousands of Winnipeggers.
With this announcement, the City of Winnipeg will continue its focus on the
development of a rapid transit network across Winnipeg with additional
projects such as the Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor."
The premier and the mayor noted that combining the Pembina-Jubilee
Underpass work with the rapid transit work is expected to speed up
construction on both projects by at least two years and reduce disruption
for families and businesses while they are built.
The seven-kilometre second phase of rapid transit in the city will run from
Pembina Highway and Jubilee Avenue to southwest Winnipeg. Public
consultations, and design and engineering work on the project are underway
with construction scheduled to be completed in 2019.
The mayor noted the investment from the Manitoba government allows the City
of Winnipeg to proceed with its application to the Government of Canada for
the outstanding 25 per cent of project costs through the P3 Canada Fund.
It will also allow the city to address storm-water and drainage issues in
the underpass.
"The extension of bus rapid transit service to our Fort Garry campus is
critical to the future of our university community," said David Barnard,
president and vice-chancellor, University of Manitoba. "It will provide
students, faculty and staff a fast, safe and environmentally sustainable
means of getting to the university. It also makes our university more
accessible to people who come to our campus for sporting events, concerts,
gallery exhibits, public lectures and a variety of other activities that
enhance the vibrancy of our city."
The premier noted in addition to supporting investments in a new rapid
transit corridor, the Manitoba government will continue to fund 50 per cent
of Winnipeg Transit's operating costs.
- 30 -
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--
*Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School
Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773
Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living.
Support our work by becoming a
member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>
Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
[Definitely party-worthy when Portage & Main finally reopens...]
Take back Portage & Main
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/take-back-portage--main…
It's often said the big-box developments in Winnipeg's suburbs are symbols
of a city that has surrendered to the culture of King Car.
Maybe so, but the worst example of Winnipeg's automobile mentality is
Portage and Main.
The famous intersection was closed to pedestrians in 1979 as part of an
agreement with the owners of the businesses at the four corners to direct
human traffic underground and into the shops of Winnipeg Square.
There have been cries of protest ever since, and even a few demonstrations
led by the likes of activist Nick Ternette and former city councillor Joe
Zuken, who illegally crossed the intersection to draw attention to the
issue.
The official reason it has remained behind hideous concrete barricades all
these years is the legal agreement designed to support subterranean
commercial activity, but civic traffic planners and others have disliked
the idea of mixing pedestrians and cars at the busy intersection.
One civic study even said it would be dangerous for pedestrians to cross in
some places because of turning lanes and the rapid movement of cars.
Architectural historian Jeffrey Thorsteinson, however, has debunked this
excuse for eliminating humanity from the intersection.
As Mr. Thorsteinson explained on these pages recently, there are busier and
seemingly more dangerous intersections in Winnipeg where pedestrians are
allowed to cross the street.
About 154,000 cars navigate Portage and Main every day, while nearly
190,000 vehicles pass through Regent Avenue and Lagimodiere Boulevard,
where people are welcome.
Confusion Corner also witnesses more traffic than Portage and Main, Mr.
Thorsteinson said, yet no one has seen fit to ban those who walk on two
feet in favour of those who move on four wheels.
As for the famous legal agreement, always touted as the reason nothing can
be changed until it expires in 2017, well, the city has a legal opinion
that it can easily be broken.
That's because it was written in the form of a bylaw, and not a contract
that implies penalties and redress if broken. Bylaws are passed by council,
and they can be rescinded the same way, the city was told in a legal
analysis prepared for CentreVenture Development Corp.
The agreement with the property owners apparently also permits pedestrian
surface crossings, provided they can enter the concourse at the four
corners.
Of the seven property owners affected, six have said they are not opposed
to reopening the intersection to pedestrians. The seventh has since been
replaced by another company, whose opinion has not been disclosed.
The bottom line is there seems to be very little stopping the city from
demolishing the barricades and allowing pedestrians to once again cross the
windy corner.
Council recently passed a motion asking administrators to prepare a study
on what the city would have to do if an opportunity arose for removing the
barricades.
What the city really needs to do, however, is pass a motion to take back
the corner, starting with the removal of the barricades and the erection of
the proper traffic and pedestrian signals. It should set a date, say June
1, to get the ball rolling.
A deadline would then force the city to determine the costs and other
requirements that would be needed to make it work.
The city could also re-examine some design options for improving the
intersection, but it shouldn't postpone the process of reopening Portage
and Main to people.
If cars have to wait an extra few minutes, well, that's the price of
vibrancy.
The heart of the city currently looks dead, but that would change if people
were actually allowed to take back the street.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 18, 2013 A8
Planning strategy guides growth along city's rivers
By: Aldo Santin
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/planning-strategy-guides-growth-alon…
Winnipeg's future identity will be linked to its rivers.
A new report to city hall proposes a 20-year planning strategy to guide
development along the Red and Assiniboine rivers.
An administrative report supporting the new strategy, Go To the Waterfront,
proposes all development along the two rivers "acts as a magnet for new
investment in housing, business and mixed-use development."
The proposal will need to be adopted by council, but the first step is its
review at Monday's meeting of the downtown development, heritage and
riverbank management committee.
Coun. Mike Pagtakhan, who chairs the committee, said as the city's
waterfront properties begin a rebirth, such a strategy is needed to ensure
development is consistent with the city's goals.
"It is a vision for Winnipeg's rivers," Pagtakhan (Point Douglas) said,
adding the proposal is consistent with other planning documents that guide
the city's growth.
The strategy focuses on development along 40 kilometres of riverbank
connecting six neighbourhoods: Armstrong's Point and Wellington Crescent;
Assiniboine Avenue and Osborne Village; St. Boniface and The Forks; Norwood
and Riverview; Exchange District and north St. Boniface; Point Douglas,
Archibald and Elmwood.
The plan was drawn up following a series of public consultations and
involved participation of The Forks, Tourism Winnipeg, Economic Development
Winnipeg, CentreVenture, Enterprise Riel, Rivers West and other
organizations.
The document envisages development that links the six neighbourhoods
through a series of riverfront pathway networks -- scenic drives, paths,
sidewalks and pedestrian bridges, "to build and celebrate Winnipeg's
identity as a river city."
A long-term goal is to extend the linkages to include the city's three
regional parks: Kildonan Park, Assiniboine Park and St. Vital Park.
"The more that we can capitalize on our public waterfront, the more we can
define our city as a real tourist attraction and for the benefit of our
citizens," Pagtakhan said.
The administrative report says there is no cost associated with the
strategy, but the city could incur expenses as it requires private
developers and its own initiatives to conform to the strategy.
aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca
*Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 16, 2013
B2*
Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local
viewing of the following APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303
Portage Ave). This will be followed by group discussion of local
applications. Detailed description provided below.
Please note this webinar is 75 minutes (rather than the usual one hour).
*Wednesday, Nov.20th | 2:00-3:15 p.m.*
RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then!
cheers,
Beth
(204) 925-3772
** * * * **
Is There Safety in Numbers for Cyclists and Pedestrians?
*Wednesday, Nov.20th | 2:00-3:15 p.m.*
Is there safety in numbers? At this webinar, learn if increasing the number
of cyclists and pedestrians can lead to a better safety regimen. Our
presenters review the research related to safety analysis and the
relationship between volume of users and facilities, as well as the policy
implications for practitioners who seek to increase cycling and walking.
The webinar presenters will talk about these points related to the
phenomenon of safety in numbers:
- When do we observe "safety in numbers” and how can we explain it?
- What factors affect cyclist safety, and can we build a framework to
understand how these factors interact?
- What approaches might a municipality take to analyze and understand
cyclist safety?
*Presenters*:
- Simon Blenski, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, City of Minneapolis
- Dr. Luis Miranda-Moreno, McGill University, Montreal
- Dr. Krista Nordback, Research Associate, Oregon Transportation
Research and Education Consortium (OTREC), Portland State University
*Apologies for the confusion. Please note the time change to 2:00 pm -
2:45 pm on Monday November 18th for this session!*
Dr. Ryan Meili will be at the Eco-Centre on *Monday, November 18th* - 3rd
Floor, 303 Portage Avenue *from 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm* for a discussion about
the Winnipeg launch of *Upstream: Institute for a Healthy Society*. See
this short animated film for an introduction!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qarQXqKbmLg
Feel free to spread the word, and kindly RSVP to
asrts(a)greenactioncentre.caso we know how many seats to arrange. As
it's a short gathering, please
ensure to be early or on time.
Hope you can make it!
Jackie
*About Upstream*
Upstream is a movement to create a healthy society through evidence-based,
people-centred ideas. Upstream seeks to change the current conversation,
reframing public discourse around the goal of true health and helping
citizens understand the best ways to reach that goal.
>From the emergency room, to homeless shelters, to the prison system, we see
the consequences of downstream thinking all around us. Upstream thinking
means investing wisely for future success rather than spending all of our
time and resources responding to failure.
If health for all is our goal, then upstream thinking is about addressing
the things that have the greatest influence on our health, including
income, employment, education, early childhood development, housing,
nutrition and the wider environment.
Upstream works with the growing body of evidence on these social
determinants of health and use that knowledge to guide recommendations for
change.
By sharing stories through a variety of media, Upstream seeks to creatively
engage citizens, sparking within them a personal stake in the social
determinants of health and a demand for upstream alternatives to the status
quo.
Upstream uses this evidence and storytelling to foster a vibrant network of
organizations and individuals who share this vision.
By demonstrating that a better way is possible, we can help create the
conditions for wiser decisions and a healthier Canada.
Learn more at www.thinkupstream.net
--
*Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School
Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773
Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living.
Support our work by becoming a
member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>
Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
--
*Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School
Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773
Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living.
Support our work by becoming a
member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>
Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
Some interesting things going on around walkability and cyclability across
Canada!
Jackie
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jacky Kennedy <asrts(a)sympatico.ca>
Date: 14 November 2013 12:23
Subject: News from Canada Walks
To: stp(a)greenactioncentre.ca
Walkolution News - November 2013
Please share this
newsletter with a friend!
[image: Walkolution
banner]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
Visit and "Like"
Canada Walks<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>,
Walk Friendly Ontario<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>&
Sustainable
Happiness<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>Facebook
pages!
[image: Twitter]
Follow us on Twitter at
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
@walkfriendlyON<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
and @CanadaWalks<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
*In This Issue*
- WALK Friendly Communities Awards <#14257da7923b13a3_WFO>
- International Walk to School Month 2013 <#14257da7923b13a3_IWALK>
- Community Progress in Active School Travel <#14257da7923b13a3_AST>
- Sustainable Urban Transportation Award <#14257da7923b13a3_TAC>
- Canada's favourite Crossing Guard Contest<#14257da7923b13a3_CrossingGuard>
- York Region ASRTS Campaign <#14257da7923b13a3_York>
- Ottawa's Transportation Master Plan <#14257da7923b13a3_Ottawa>
- Ontario's First Youth Bike Summit <#14257da7923b13a3_Summit>
- Talking Walking, Ghost Pedestrians, WalkABle
Alberta<#14257da7923b13a3_Talkingwalking>
- UWALK, Car Less in Calgary, The Walkable City <#14257da7923b13a3_UWALK>
- International Inspiration for Walking <#14257da7923b13a3_International>
- Winter Walk Day 2014 <#14257da7923b13a3_WWD>
-
Canada walks can help you reach your walkability
goals!<#14257da7923b13a3_Walkabilitygoals>
[image: WFO][image: Walk Friendly ON]
*Ontario's first WALK Friendly Community designations awarded at provincial
healthy communities conference in Toronto*
It is with great pride that we announce the first five Ontario
municipalities to be awarded WALK Friendly designations:
*Silver designation: City of Ottawa and City of Hamilton*
*Bronze designation: Town of Richmond Hill, City of London and Town of
Wasaga Beach*
"We offer our congratulations to all of the communities that have achieved
a designation and hope that the recognition they receive will inspire
further action, and a little healthy competition, to create a culture of
walking in cities and towns across the province," said WALK Friendly
Ontario program manager Kate Hall.
The designation application requires communities to report their progress
on more than 200 key walkability indicators including sidewalk policies and
networks of connected walking infrastructure, progressive design standards,
street festivals, public art, staff training, and citizen engagement to
name just a few of the criteria. All applications are reviewed and scored
by Canada Walks' panel of experts.
"Walkable communities contribute significantly to healthy and active
lifestyles for Ontarians of all ages and abilities," said Michael Chan,
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "What's more, offering welcoming,
walkable routes give residents and visitors alike unique ways to explore
and experience communities all across the province."
The awards were presented at HC Link's conference, Linking for Healthy
Communities: Collaborating for
Change<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>,
where more than 150 participants from across Ontario gathered to learn new
strategies and strengthen networks that support healthy communities.
We thank the Ontario government and the Metcalf Foundation who generously
provided funds for this initiative. Applications will be accepted for the
2014 designations in February-March and in August-September. The
Application Guide to help communities prepare is available at
www.walkfriendly.ca<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
.
[image: IWALK]
*International Walk to School celebrations in Ontario*
St. Marguerite d'Youville, Hamilton -
We LOVE to Move! for IWALK
St. Marguerite d'Youville put their heart in their IWALK event on Oct. 9
with more than 500 students and staff walking or wheeling to promote
healthy and strong bodies.
Follow the walk to school campaign on
Twitter<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
!
Be part of the conversation - use hashtags #walktoschool and #biketoschool
to share your IWALK experiences and post your stories on the Smart
Commute<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
and Canada Walks<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
Facebook
pages.
Schools and active school travel practitioners can also support
ParticipACTION's Park the Car, It's Not That
Far<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
campaign,
one of the actions resulting from the 2013 Active Healthy Kids Canada
Report Card<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
where
Canadian children and youth were assigned a D for Active
Transportation.
Use hashtag #parkthecar to participate in the conversation. See
ParticipACTION's
Facebook<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
page and Twitter<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
to
follow the campaign and to participate.
*London's Walk to School Program helping to create walkable neighbourhoods*
London's Mayor Joe Fontana participated in a Walking School Bus (WSB) on
IWALK Day: "This walk is exactly what the city needs," Fontana said. "We
want a walkable city, we want walkable neighbourhoods, we want to promote
active living and we want parents to feel their children are safe on their
walk to school." This WSB is one of three at Lorne Avenue Public School,
organized through London Block Parent® Walking School Bus Program and the
London Active & Safe Routes to School initiative. Joining Mayor Fontana was
School Trustee Matt Reid: "I love being able to support volunteers who are
helping make sure our kids get to school safely and on time." Across town
the Old South Community Association (OSCO), in partnership with ASRTS and
the Middlesex-London Health Unit, organized a special IWALK event for
neighbourhood schools in the Wortly neighbourhood GreenSPACE. Three local
schools attended the event that featured games, snacks and local athletes
to share their commitment to physical activity. The children presented
skits on physical activity as a celebration of IWALK, and London's In
Motion<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>October
challenge team was in attendance. OSCO is a strong supporter of
walkable neighbourhoods and are planning a Winter Walk Day event with the
local schools in February.
*Toronto French School embraces active school travel*
TFS - Canada's International School is a bilingual, coeducational and
non-denominational independent school for students from age 2 to university
entrance. TFS has a conscientious Eco-Council, comprised of parents,
students, teachers and staff. Early 2013, TFS' Toronto campus successfully
launched an *Active Transportation* campaign with a very chilly *Winter
Walk Day*. Interest and awareness quickly increased and in the spring, *Walking
Wednesdays* was introduced; scores of students either walked, cycled or
scootered to school. This year, TFS' Eco-Council will include metrics
behind their campaign and start to track how many students are using active
transportation, which will, in turn, earn them 'house points' for their
efforts.
TFS Mascot Tuff welcoming walkers
October 9, 2013, TFS hosted its first annual
*International Walk to School Day.*Its success generated high participation
and noticeably quieter parking lots and traffic. The TFS community is very
aware of their carbon footprint. Having passed the Ontario EcoSchool
certification and receiving Gold standing in the spring of 2013, it's no
surprise their level of commitment. Two senior school students undertook a
9km walk; a Grade 2 class met at a local park and walked to school together
and many families either biked or walked together for the first time.
Welcome table highlighting international IWALK event
TFS' Junior School principal, Mme Kay Scarlett, led an active
transportation themed assembly that highlighted the benefits of personal
health and the effects on the environment. She inspired her Grades 2 - 5
audiences, with a powerful message that included fascinating videos that
underlined the day's international theme. Showcasing contrasting habits of
North American families, who typically drive to school, with underdeveloped
countries where eager school children must endure long and quite often,
dangerous journeys - truly struck a chord with students and generated
further discussion.
Southwood Park's Walk and Wheel Wall
*Southwood Park Public School **in Ajax* kicked off a year of ASRTS on
IWALK Day. The initiative is supported by the Town of Ajax as part of
their active
transportation<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
strategy<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>.
Southwood
Park students are looking forward to the next challenge in November when
they will be creating active travel themed posters.
During IWALK month we encouraged schools to track their active travel
kilometres using the *ischooltravel calculator*. The calculator helps
students understand the impact of their family's travel choices and
determines how many calories they burned, the cost of fuel saved, as well
as greenhouse gas emissions avoided. This tool is a great way to empower
students to make a difference in their world.
English calculator<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
French calculator<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
[image: AST]
*Active School Travel Gets Important Boosts in Ottawa*
Last month saw two important boosts for active school travel in the
nation's capital:
- On October 3 the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) along
with the Ottawa-Carleton District and Ottawa Catholic school boards, signed
a school active travel charter. It represents a first step in the creation
of a new School Active Transportation Support
Network<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>,
created to boost walking and cycling, in collaboration with the two school
boards, OSTA, the City of Ottawa and Green Communities Canada (GCC). Great
coverage in the Ottawa
Citizen<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
.
Students Jamie McWilliam (left) and Sasha Rogers share stories about why
they like to walk to school
during the signing ceremony for Ottawa's active school travel charter
From left to right: Mark Mullan, Chair, Ottawa Catholic school board;
Vicky Kyriaco, General Manager, Ottawa Student Transportation Authority;
Jennifer McKenzie, Chair, Ottawa-Carleton Distribt school board; Walter
Piovesan, Associate Director of Education, Ottawa-Carleton District school
board.
- Ottawa Public Health has unveiled its plans to introduce new school-based
active transportation
initiatives<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
at
all 230 English and French-language schools across the city in 2014.
*Vaughan Active Routes are the Way to Go! Program Engineering Initiatives *
Prior to the opening of the new St. Michael the Archangel Catholic
Elementary School in September 2012, staff at the City of Vaughan worked
with various partners to develop a school travel planning pilot, called
Active Routes are the Way to Go! As part of this pilot, staff developed an
action plan consisting of various soft initiatives to encourage walking and
cycling, including Walking Wednesdays. Engineering staff contributed to the
pilot with funding for hard initiatives, including new road safety signs
and pavement markings to encourage motorists to slow down and remind
pedestrians to be more aware when crossing the road. Staff organized a
colouring contest with the school children to design the sign. Students
were asked to use messages such as: "WATCH FOR CHILDREN"; "PLEASE DRIVE
SLOWLY"; or "GO SLOW". The winning entry was enlarged to create two 60cm x
75cm reflective signs. No regulatory signs were removed. To complement the
new signs, engineering staff installed diagonal pavement markings and the
words "SLOW DOWN" in front of the school. Traffic in the kiss and ride has
already been reduced by 108 cars before the morning bell due to the soft
school travel planning initiatives. Staff will also be monitoring traffic
speeds following the installation of pavement markings to determine whether
vehicular speeds have been reduced.
New road safety sign (June 2013)
New pavement markings and road safety sign (November 2013)
New diagonal pavement markings (November 2013)
* [image: TAC]*
* Transportation Association of Canada's (TAC) **2013 Sustainable Urban
Transportation Award *has been awarded to the Stepping It Up school travel
planning project, a collaboration of Metrolinx, Green Communities, City of
Hamilton, Region of Peel and the University of Toronto. Project Manager
Jennifer Lay of Metrolinx attended the TAC conference to personally receive
the award on behalf of the Stepping It Up team. The Stepping It Up school
travel planning
project<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>,
2009-2011, worked with 30 schools, 3 school boards, and a host of community
stakeholders.
[image: CrossingGuard]
Reminder: *Canada's Favourite Crossing Guard*: Do you know a crossing guard
in your area who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help
children get to school safely? Enter him or her in "Canada's Favourite
Crossing Guard Contest<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>,"
run by Parachute, a national charity dedicated to preventing injury and
saving lives, and FedEx Express Canada. The winning crossing guards will
receive $500 and an engraved plaque and the school will receive $500.
Applications accepted until *November 22, 2013*.
[image: York]
York Region's ASRTS launches a new campaign: *Heading to School? Walk
Safe. Drive Safe. Be Safe*! Learn more by watching their
video<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
and
visiting their website<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
.
*Ottawa's New Transportation Plan Endorses Complete Streets **[image:
Ottawa]*
The City of Ottawa has tabled a new draft Transportation Master
Plan<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>that,
if approved in December, will see it join a growing list of Canadian
municipalities that are adopting a Complete Streets policy for road design,
operation and maintenance. It includes a commitment to revise road design
guidelines and standards to incorporate Complete Streets principles.
[image: Summit]
Share the Road Cycling
Coalition<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>held
Ontario's first Youth Bike Summit in Toronto,
October 6-7. Attended by 80 high school students, teachers and
transportation professionals from across the province, participants were
treated to keynote addresses from Ontario Minister of Transportation Glen
Murray, motivational speaker Kelly Lovell, and Toronto
Youth Bike Summit Co-chairs Akehil Johnson and Justice Betty
Councilor Mike Layton. They learned about Toronto's Central Commerce
Collegiate's for-credit bike maintenance course, and experienced an
interactive advocacy training workshop facilitated by Brown & Cohen
Communications and Public Affairs Inc. The 'Youth Agenda for a
Bicycle-Friendly Ontario' was released by the youth leaders at a reception
held at Queen's Park and attended by 20 MPPs, Minister Murray and members
of the Provincial Cycling Causus.
Share the Road thanks the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Canadian
Automobile Association, the Co-operators, the City of Toronto, the Trillium
Foundation, Mountain Equipment Co-op, JoyRide150, Cervelo and Les
Domestiques for their generous support of the Youth Bike
Summit<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
. Twitter @YouthCycleON and @STRCanada.
If you missed our September 25 webinar *Bikeability for School Children*,
you can listen to the
archive<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
. You can access the projects presented:
- Bikeability (UK)
www.dft.gov.uk/bikeability<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
- Right to Bike (BC)
http://bccc.bc.ca/projects/right-to-bike/<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
- Share the Road Cycling Coalition (ON)
www.sharetheroad.ca<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
- The Guide to Ride Program
www.phecanada.ca<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
[image: Talkingwalking]
*Talking Walking *is celebrating its fifth anniversary; 45
interviews<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>related
to walking have been recorded and published to date. To celebrate
its fifth year Talking Walking is asking walking advocates for their 5-year
outlook for walking - listen to the podcasts
here<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>.
Canada Walks' Jacky Kennedy recently recorded her forecast for
walking/walkability in Canada.
*Walk Ottawa launches 'ghost pedestrians'*:
Similar to 'ghost bikes' that memorialize the death of cyclists, the
'walk' symbol is being used to mark locations where
pedestrians<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>have
been killed.
The Province of Alberta's'*Strategic Approach to Wellness*' was showcased
at the close of the International Wellness for Life Conference held in Lake
Louise, AB, Oct. 1-2. Alberta Health Services featured their '*WalkABle
Alberta
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>*
' program, resulting from the 2011 Walkability Roadshow developed in
partnership with Canada Walks and Walk21.
[image: UWALK]
UWALK.ca<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
is an Alberta-wide initiative that aims to increase the physical activity
of Albertans. Developed by the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation
at the University of Alberta and funded by the Government of Alberta.
UWALK.ca is fun, free and interactive!
Documentary Car Less In Calgary premiered this fall - watch the
trailer<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>,
rent or own here<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
.
Check out Jeff Speck's Ted
Talk<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>;
Jeff is the author of The Walkable City, detailing the health, economic,
and environmental reasons to make our cities walkable.
Dr. Michael Evans'
video<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
on
the dangers of 'sitting disease' and how to 'tweak the week' with life
enhancing actions like walking.
[image: International]
*International inspiration for walking*:
- Measuring walking is a challenge for municipalities but we must start
to do a much better job - after all, if we don't measure something can we
say it really exists? Australia's Victoria Walks has recently released a
series of super documents as part of an online toolkit Smart Steps for
Councils<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
. Measuring Walking: A Guide for
Councils<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
provides straightforward advice on when to measure, how to measure, and
how to use the measurements to increase walking as a transportation mode
share. The document sits aside Developing a Walking Strategy: A Guide
for Councils<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>.
We encourage Canadian municipal officials to check these out and adapt for
your local needs.
- Walk21 Munich 2013 conference presentations and photos are now online
www.walk21munich.com<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
.
[image: WWD]
[image: WWD]
*Winter Walk Day - February 5, 2014*
Tips for keeping warm and being seen on colder and darker winter days:
- Keep hands and head covered to prevent heat loss
- On really cold days cover your face and mouth with a scarf, neck
warmer or balaclava
- Wear warm, waterproof boots
- Wear a warm coat that deflects the wind or alternately layer clothes
underneath a warm, windproof coat
- Woolen or synthetic fleece clothing helps to retain the heat
- Wear clothing or carry knapsacks with reflective material - it's
important to be seen
- If possible, change wet clothes at school - tuck an extra pair of
socks and mitts into knapsacks
- Below -25oC is considered too cold for walking so move your walk
in-doors or select another day for outdoor activities or walking to school
Posters and printable images are available
here<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
.
*Canada Walks can help you meet your walkability goals*! *[image:
Walkabilitygoals]*
We offer a full range of workshops and consulting services to help you:
You can find out more information about our services
here<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
or contact us <asrts(a)sympatico.ca> for details.
[image: Ride]
If you have story ideas or walking news you'd like to share please send to
us at info(a)saferoutestoschool.ca. Be sure to include your contact details.
[image: foot]
Incentive items for active school travel initiatives can be ordered through
M.P. Russo & Associates
www.mprusso.com.<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
* Let them know you heard of them through us! *
[image: Donate Now]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001U-eXhMxSZZFemWtBbOgbKRyqb9xuLxotzqvq8qUj0LKi…>
Canada
Walks Walkolution News profiles actions across Canada undertaken by Green
Communities Canada and our many local partners to help create communities
where walking is safe, easy, enjoyable, and inviting. By making a donation
to the Green Communities Foundation you can provide vital support for this
work. Just click on the Donate Now button and indicate in the comments
section that you'd like your gift to go to the work of Canada Walks.
*Our Partners*
*Canada Walks*
Tel: 416.488.7263
Toll free: 1.877.533.4098, ext. 411
Fax: 416.488.2296
Email: asrts(a)sympatico.ca
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| 416 Chambers St | Peterborough | K9H 3V1 | Canada
--
*Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School
Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773
Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living.
Support our work by becoming a
member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>
Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
Dr. Ryan Meili will be at the Eco-Centre on *Monday, November 18th* - 3rd
Floor, 303 Portage Avenue *from 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm* for a discussion about
the Winnipeg launch of *Upstream: Institute for a Healthy Society*. See
this short animated film for an introduction!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qarQXqKbmLg
Feel free to spread the word, and kindly RSVP to
asrts(a)greenactioncentre.caso we know how many seats to arrange. As
it's a short gathering, please
ensure to be early or on time.
Hope you can make it!
Jackie
*About Upstream*
Upstream is a movement to create a healthy society through evidence-based,
people-centred ideas. Upstream seeks to change the current conversation,
reframing public discourse around the goal of true health and helping
citizens understand the best ways to reach that goal.
>From the emergency room, to homeless shelters, to the prison system, we see
the consequences of downstream thinking all around us. Upstream thinking
means investing wisely for future success rather than spending all of our
time and resources responding to failure.
If health for all is our goal, then upstream thinking is about addressing
the things that have the greatest influence on our health, including
income, employment, education, early childhood development, housing,
nutrition and the wider environment.
Upstream works with the growing body of evidence on these social
determinants of health and use that knowledge to guide recommendations for
change.
By sharing stories through a variety of media, Upstream seeks to creatively
engage citizens, sparking within them a personal stake in the social
determinants of health and a demand for upstream alternatives to the status
quo.
Upstream uses this evidence and storytelling to foster a vibrant network of
organizations and individuals who share this vision.
By demonstrating that a better way is possible, we can help create the
conditions for wiser decisions and a healthier Canada.
Learn more at www.thinkupstream.net
--
*Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School
Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773
Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living.
Support our work by becoming a
member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>
Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
Time to open up Portage and Main
By: Jeffrey Thorsteinson
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/time-to-open-up-portage-a…
In 2017, the agreement that closed the corner of Portage and Main to
pedestrians ends. With this in mind, city council has directed staff to
study re-opening the intersection to foot traffic.
It's admirable the city is taking this step. The arguments that have been
made in favour of turning Portage and Main into a more pedestrian-friendly
urban space are all correct. But it's important to remember we've been here
before, without results.
Only eight years ago a large competition calling for a re-design of the
site was held. The winning scheme, by local architecture firm Corbett
Cibinel, viewed the corner as a pedestrian hub with plans to improve the
subterranean realm below. The proposal opened the intersection to foot
traffic for evenings and weekends or entirely. But progress halted when
then-mayor Glen Murray stepped out of civic politics and into an ill-fated
federal election campaign.
The meantime hasn't been all bad. The words "Portage and Main" still have
an evocative power. It's here that crowds gathered when the Jets' return
was announced. It's here that you find local treasures by prominent
international firms: McKim Mead and White's Beaux-Arts Bank of Montreal and
Skidmore Owings & Merrill's Richardson Building. Recent gestures add life
and point in the right direction: a Starbucks at the base of the RBC tower
and Hy's Steakhouse anchoring the Richardson building. New art has also
appeared, paid for by building owners.
The potential is clear, but we're still left largely with emptiness and
barricades.
Why? There is, of course, the agreement. But this document's language and
legality is unclear. It leaves room for surface-level pedestrian crossings
of the intersection as long as they "tie-in to the concourse." And with the
assent of the corner's property owners, it could certainly be scrapped.
In 2007, six out of seven owners agreed to this plan. The seventh, Oxford
Properties, has since been replaced by Crown Realty, whose opinion on the
matter is unknown. What's missing is leadership. In his 2010 re-election
campaign Mayor Sam Katz stated that "Evenings and weekends are a reasonable
compromise," but nothing's changed.
Unmotivated politicians are just part of the picture. The larger reason
behind the current state of affairs is a widespread conviction the corner
must remain closed to avoid traffic headaches. More than any other, it's
this notion that motivates keeping the corner closed. And it's an idea that
hasn't yet received the critique it's due.
Happily, it's easily refutable. If you take the time to look at the city's
traffic map, it's clear Portage and Main isn't even Winnipeg's busiest
corner. Regent and Lagimodiere, which is open to pedestrians, has
approximately 189,500 cars pass through on a typical day. In contrast,
Portage and Main gets 154,000. If you add up the streets feeding into
Confusion Corner, whose name indicates its difficulty to navigate, you'll
see that it too gets more traffic than Portage and Main. And yet I've never
heard it suggested these corners be shut down to foot traffic.
In fact, it's obvious countless cities around the world allow pedestrians
to cross intersections with far higher traffic volumes than Portage and
Main and that problems do not arise. If these cities adopted our route,
Manhattan and Paris would be dominated by shady underground malls. Sites
such as New York's Times Square, Herald Square and Columbus Circle are all
busier than Portage and Main and all are open to foot traffic. Recently,
New York City has given more space to pedestrians and amenities and has
found traffic delays have gone down.
Portage and Main was not shut to pedestrians because of the difficulty of
mixing foot traffic and cars. The concourse was sold to Winnipeggers by the
city mostly on the notion that a climate-controlled connection would
greatly enhance life downtown. This has not been the case. We don't need to
live by the mistaken assumptions of the past. And, importantly, even if
pedestrians are allowed to cross above, if you like the concourse, its warm
halls will still be there for you.
These, hopefully, are the type of findings the city report will come to.
When the day the agreement's end arrives, let's open the corner up and
invite people back to Winnipeg's central landmark site. Or, better yet:
don't wait.
Jeffrey Thorsteinson is a Winnipeg architectural historian and writer with
an interest in urban planning.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 13, 2013 A9