AT-Network May 2013

at-network@lists.umanitoba.ca

10 participants
28 discussions

by Dave Elmore

Do you have an old helmet of two hanging around the garage or in the basement. The Downtown Biz is looking for old helmets for use in a Ciclovia art project. If you want to recycle that old helmet rather than trashing it, just drop it off at the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, 426 Portage Ave between 8:30am-4:30pm Monday to Friday. Please drop off any helmets before August 16. Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X)

10 years, 11 months

New York Study

by Dave Elmore

http://www.americabikes.org/nyc_study_finds_protected_bicycle_lanes_boost_lo cal_business NYC Study Finds Protected Bicycle Lanes Boost Local Business Posted by Mary Lauran Hall on November 01, 2012 . Flag <http://www.americabikes.org/forms/flags/page.js?page_id=211> The road to recovery is in sight, and it has a bike lane. The typical city street is a busy place. People riding bikes, walking, driving cars, and operating buses all have somewhere to to go and want to get there safely - and quickly. But while we normally think of streets as pipelines for people and goods, public streets are about more than just moving from point A to point B. They're also corridors for public life. Streets are places where locals discover new hole-in-the-wall stores and restaurants, where window shoppers duck into shops to peruse, and where children convince their parents to stop - just for ONE second - to buy a cup of hot chocolate. In other words, streets can also grow local economies. A new study from the New York Department of Transportation shows that streets that safely accommodate bicycle and pedestrian travel are especially good at boosting small businesses, even in a recession. NYC DOT found that protected bikeways had a significant positive impact on local business strength. After the construction of a protected bicycle lane on 9th Avenue, local businesses saw a 49% increase in retail sales. In comparison, local businesses throughout Manhattan only saw a 3% increase in retail sales. NYCDOT_-_9th_Street.png In many ways, these data come as no surprise. We know that when towns invest in bicycle infrastructure, people will ride more <http://www.good.is/posts/if-you-build-bike-lanes-they-will-ride/> - the number of people traveling by bicycle increases when there is infrastructure to make traveling by bike safe and easy. We also know that people who travel along a street by bicycle have fewer barriers to stopping at a local business than people who travel along the same street by car. It's very easy to hop off a bicycle and find a place to secure the bike; not so with finding parking for an automobile. In fact, a recent study suggest that bicycle riders tend to spend more at local businesses over the course of a month <http://bikeportland.org/2012/07/06/study-shows-biking-customers-spend-more- 74357> . This new study makes it clear: investing in bicycle improvements boosts small businesses. And what town or city doesn't want to boost activity at local businesses? Better walking infrastructure encourages retail strength, too. In another example from NYC DOT's study, retails sales increased a whopping 179% after the city converted an underused parking area in Brooklyn into a pedestrian plaza. Retail sales at businesses in the rest of the neighborhood only increased by 18%. NYC_DOT_-_Pearl_St.png When a street does a good job of accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians, it's much more likely to attract walking and bicycling locals, window shoppers, and doting parents. Those people are ready to contribute to the local economy - if a street makes it easy and attractive to do so. View NYC DOT's full study below or download the PDF here <https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/americabikes/pages/211/attachments/or iginal/1351785187/2012-10-measuring-the-street.pdf?1351785187> .

10 years, 11 months

AT Webinar: Bike Signals, Wed, May 15th, 2-3 pm, EcoCentre

by Beth McKechnie

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future 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. *Bike Signals Wed, May 15th | 2:00-3:00 p.m.* RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth (204) 925-3772 * * * * * ** BIKE SIGNALS [image: image]Bike signals are a relatively new tool that can be used to separate cycling movements safely. This webinar explores the latest developments related to traffic signals that specifically accommodate cyclists and includes examples of how these devices are used in Portland and Tucson. This 75-minute webinar includes an extended Q&A period. Presenters will review the current state of the practice, including existing engineering guidance and warrants in the MUTCD, AASHTO Green Book, NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide and other manuals; physical design and operations (detection, signage and timing); and preliminary results of an informal survey of compliance and cyclist behavior. Examples from Portland include a scramble phase signal and demonstrate how bike signals can encourage cycling. Examples from Tucson focus on stand-alone signals, the Toucan and the BikeHawk. Toucan is used to help cyclists transition from a neighborhood or residential street network to larger arterial roads; the BikeHawk is a pedestrian hybrid beacon that has been modified to accommodate cyclists as well as pedestrians. Presenters: - Ann Chanecka, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, City of Tucson - Peter Koonce, PE, Manager, Portland Bureau of Transportation - Signals, Streetlighting and ITS Division - Dr. Christopher Monsere, PE, Associate Professor Civil and Environmental Engineering, Portland State University - Dr. Richard Nassi, PE, Traffic Engineering Consultant, Pima Association of Governments

10 years, 11 months

Canada failing cyclists and pedestrians, UN report finds

by Anders Swanson

source: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/03/14/canada_failing_cyclists_and_pede… Canada failing cyclists and pedestrians, UN report finds Canada says the right things but needs to take action to protect vulnerable road users, according to a new WHO report. Text size:IncreaseDecreaseReset Share via EmailPrint Report an Error Save to Mystar [image: A United Nations' reports says Canada is failing behind when it comes to developing policy to protect vulnerable road users.] VINCE TALOTTA / TORONTO STAR A United Nations' reports says Canada is failing behind when it comes to developing policy to protect vulnerable road users. *By:* Kristen E. Courtney Special to the Star, Published on Thu Mar 14 2013 EXPLORE THIS STORY 1PHOTO80COMMENTS Save to Mystar - - - **4<http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta…> - Canada is falling to the back of the pack when it comes to policies aimed at protecting vulnerable road users, according to a new report released by the World Health Organization. While 77 per cent of United Nations countries carry out safety audits to ensure the safety of road infrastructure projects for cyclists and pedestrians, Canada does not, and is contributing to a concerning trend of countries promoting alternative forms of transportation without ensuring their safety, according to the Global Status Report on Road Safety<http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2013/en/in…> . While studies have consistently shown what types of walking and cycling infrastructure are needed to improve road safety, including safe routes and crossings for pedestrians, slower traffic speeds, and dedicated cycling lanes, policies are not in place to ensure that these are incorporated into road infrastructure projects, according to the report. Eleanor McMahon, founder of Ontario’s Share the Road Cycling Coalition<http://www.sharetheroad.ca/>, says she’s not surprised that Canada is falling behind, as all too often the debate over road infrastructure in Canada becomes less about safety and more about playing politics.<http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2012/04/23/cyclists_steer_through_pol…> This is a familiar refrain to Toronto drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, where “war on the car”<http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2009/05/24/road_wars_can_cyclists_and_motor…> rhetoric seems to rear its head every time a new road construction or reconstruction project reignites the battle for a slice of the street. “We shouldn’t be having this conversation about cycling infrastructure as if cyclists were a special interest group. They are not a special interest group; they are everyday people getting from point A to point B . . . and all of these deaths are preventable,” McMahon says. The good news is that overall road deaths around the world are down slightly, to 1.24 million per year from 1.3 million per year since the previous Global Status Report on Road Safety in 2009<http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2009/en/>. Canada mirrors this trend, with overall annual road deaths falling to 2,227 from 2,889. However, 27 per cent of global road traffic deaths are among pedestrians and cyclists, which has Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, concerned: “To date, these road users have been neglected in transport and planning policy. The world must now increase its focus on making walking and cycling safer, and protecting these road users from high-speed traffic.” One of the three key recommendations emerging from the report is that concerted effort is needed to make road infrastructure safer for pedestrians and cyclists, by taking the needs of these road users into account earlier, when road safety, policy, transport planning and land use decisions are made. The report places a particular emphasis on the conduct of formal audits of new and existing road infrastructure projects — by independent assessors not involved in the planning or construction — to minimize crash risk and the potential consequences for all road users. Such audits can produce important safety gains for all, according to the report. McMahon says she’s not aware of any consistent policies that exist at the national, provincial or municipal level in Canada that require such safety audits or assessments of road construction projects. “As someone who lost their life partner to a cycling accident, safety is absolutely paramount to me,” she says, “but we need a carrot and stick approach. Dedicated infrastructure funding and political will are also essential.” McMahon’s husband, OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart, was killed in 2006 while riding his bike on Tremaine Rd. in Milton. While Ontario has a number of policies in place that are supposed to encourage active transportation and ensure the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, the political will necessary to implement these policies effectively is lacking, says McMahon. “We’re starting to see some progress . . . you would think that having these things in policies would help, but we sure have a long way to go.” The Global Status Report 2013 will serve as the baseline for Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, declared by the UN General Assembly to stem the rise in road accidents as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. ** *Kristen Courtney is an environmental lawyer and a Fellow in Global Journalism at the Munk School for Global Affairs.*

10 years, 11 months

Complete Communities/Zoning Alignment Project

by DeweyPovoledo, Susanne

Hi all, I'm bringing this to your attention as some of the proposed amendments relate to the interests of pedestrians and cyclists. Please find the link to more detail below. Susanne Dewey Povoledo Planning Property and Development Department From: Ross, Andrew On Behalf Of PPD-Speakup Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2013 8:43 AM To: DeweyPovoledo, Susanne Subject: Good afternoon OurWinnipeg stakeholder, The City of Winnipeg is making changes to its downtown and city-wide zoning to better reflect the vision of OurWinnipeg and the Complete Communities Direction Strategy and we want to hear from you! This project involves text amendments, or small adjustments, to zoning regulations, rather than a comprehensive review. There will be no zoning map changes. We invite you to provide your thoughts and feedback on the proposed changes in any of the following ways: 1. By attending the following open house, where there will be detailed information, in-person discussion, surveys, and of course, refreshments! Complete Communities /Zoning Alignment Open House Wednesday, May 15, 2013 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (drop in anytime) Forks Market Atrium -just off Centre Court 2. By visiting www.speakupwinnipeg.com/zoningalignment<http://www.speakupwinnipeg.com/zoningalignment>, where you will see information on the zoning changes that are being considered and will have the opportunity to leave your comments. 3. By emailing us anytime at SpeakUp(a)winnipeg.ca<mailto:SpeakUp@winnipeg.ca> to provide your feedback to us directly. 4. By checking back to www.speakupwinnipeg.com<http://www.speakupwinnipeg.com> after the open house to share your thoughts and to fill out an online survey. 5. By tuning in to SpeakUpWinnipeg's Twitter for reminders and updates. Hope to see you and hear from you! The SpeakUpWinnipeg team

10 years, 11 months

Local Event: Community Bike Bazaar May 25th

by Anders Swanson

[Hi folks, please see poster, call for volunteers and general event info below. For those of you with little ones, note the opportunity to swap bikes for children who may have outgrown the ones they have! - AS ] [image: Inline images 1] * Volunteer Opportunities* * * * - Refurbish a bike for sale* Every Sunday from 2-4:30 volunteers will be building bikes for the Bazaar at the WRENCH (1057 Logan Ave.). Contact the Bike Cage, Bike Dump and Bike Lab to see how you can get involved with Bazaar building at their shops. * -Poster/ Handbill for the Bazaar* Posters and handbills (in electronic and hard copy) will be available from the WRENCH May 8th We would love volunteers to post them around the Daniel Mac, Spence, West Broadway, Central Park and Downtown neighbourhoods. * - Solicit donations from local business. * If you know of a local restaurant/grocery store that would make in-kind (i.e. free) donations of ready to eat food please contact Pat at programs(a)thewrench.ca Business will receive a charitable tax receipt for donation if invoice provided. Letters asking for in-kind donations of food will be available from the WRENCH May 8th *- Volunteer at the Community Bike Bazaar * Volunteers needed for: Set-up and tear-down Bike sales area Kids Bike Swap corral Community Tune-up stations Rodeo/activities Food services General event support *Contact Robin at **volunteer(a)thewrench.ca* <volunteer(a)thewrench.ca>* to sign up.* -- *Pat Krawec*, Executive Director The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub 1057 Logan Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 www.thewrench.ca <http://www.TheWrench.ca/> # 296-3389

10 years, 11 months

Where 'Share the Road' Is Taken Literally

by Dave Elmore

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/automobiles/where-share-the-road-is-taken- literally.html?smid=tw-share <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/automobiles/where-share-the-road-is-taken -literally.html?smid=tw-share&_r=2&> &_r=2& Where 'Share the Road' Is Taken Literally "Woonerf" is what the Dutch call a special kind of street or group of streets that functions as shared public space - for pedestrians, cyclists, children and, in some cases, for slow-moving, cautiously driven cars as well. Roughly translated as "living streets," the woonerf (pronounced VONE-erf) functions without traffic lights, stop signs, lane dividers or even sidewalks. Indeed, the whole point is to encourage human interaction; those who use the space are forced to be aware of others around them, make eye contact and engage in person-to-person interactions. The Dutch term was coined in the 1960s when traditional urban architecture was being rethought, and today the woonerf sign is common, with slight variations, across Europe: a blue rectangle with stick-figure symbols of a ball-playing child and parent, a car, a house. They can even be found in pedestrian shopping zones like the bustling Alexanderplatz in Berlin. In the Netherlands, more than 6,000 woonerf zones burnish these badges of communal spirit where motorized traffic doesn't rule the road. Moreover, after a period in which they fell out of fashion, the woonerfs are making a strong comeback, and not only in the Netherlands. Woonerfs and their derivatives - sometimes called shared spaces, complete streets or home zones - are piquing the interest of urban planners in several countries. The cities and towns that have adopted the model in one form or another span the globe: the artsy Saint-Henri neighborhood in Montreal; narrow, tourist-clogged Commercial Street in Provincetown, Mass.; the Bulgarian spa town of Hisarya; and districts or suburbs of Cologne and Freiburg, Germany, and Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand. In England and Wales there are more than 70 registered home zones, the British variant of the woonerf; from hundreds of applicants, Manchester, Plymouth, Leeds and Nottingham were chosen to receive government money to establish the zones. In the United States, more than 400 cities either currently have, or soon will develop, "complete streets," which are much more broadly defined than woonerfs, even allowing for the likes of sidewalks and the authoritarian stop sign. Yet, according to the Chicago-based National Complete Streets Coalition, the spirit of the woonerf inspired even the American movement. The key to the woonerf is the primacy of nonmotorized activities. Although cars are allowed in most - but not all - of the zones, they are generally restricted to "walking speed" (in Britain, the limit is higher, at 10 or even 20 m.p.h.) with the onus of responsibility for safety entirely on the driver. Legally, the automobile driver is generally liable for an accident. But there tend to be fewer traffic mishaps when cars, people and bicycles mingle in close proximity; studies have found that accidents dropped by 40 percent or more in Dutch areas converted to woonerfs. "You either love them or you hate them, depending on whether you're a car driver or a parent with kids," said Dirk van den Heuvel, an urban architecture expert in the Dutch city of Delft. "But they're popular places to live here - low density and lots of greenery - and that's why the model is making a comeback," he said.

10 years, 11 months

Get out for a Jane's Walk this weekend!

by Beth McKechnie

*Check out one of the 18 Jane's Walks happening in Winnipeg this Saturday and Sunday!* Find a complete list of the walks with starting times and meeting locations at: http://janeswalk.net/index.php/walks/canada/winnipeg/ Here's a few samples: - Back by popular demand: blogger and journalist Rob Galston takes walkers on a tour of his beloved neighbourhood in Village Urbanism: Explorations in North Point Douglas<http://janeswalk.net/index.php/walks/canada/winnipeg/village-urbanism-explo…> - Get to know the area around the new Neechi Commons with the building’s architect in The Edge Condition: Main Street between the Disraeli and Neechi Commons<http://janeswalk.net/index.php/walks/canada/winnipeg/edge-condition-main-st…> by Wins Bridgman - A favourite guide every year, Jino Distasio explores Riverview: Beer, Bears and Boxing and Roller Coaster Ride through Time<http://janeswalk.net/index.php/walks/canada/winnipeg/riverview-beer-bears-b…> - Researcher Abigail Auld explores how the Hudson’s Bay company left an indelible mark on our city in WPGxHBC - A Company’s influence on the City<http://janeswalk.net/index.php/walks/canada/winnipeg/wpgxhbc-companys-influ…> - Sandy Gessler examines a forgotten area that played a major role in the 1919 strike in Victoria Park: Invisible Memories and Lost Meaning<http://janeswalk.net/index.php/walks/canada/winnipeg/victoria-park-invisibl…> - In Broadway Modern<http://janeswalk.net/index.php/walks/canada/winnipeg/broadway-modern/>, Susan Algie from the Winnipeg Architecture Foundation celebrates and discusses the abundance of modernist architecture on Broadway Avenue - Find out about The Communities, the Campus & the Re-Generation<http://janeswalk.net/index.php/walks/canada/winnipeg/communities-campus-re-…> with University of Manitoba Campus Planner Michelle Richard and Winnipeg Trails Association/community resident Janice Lukes - Mark Cohoe of Bike Winnipeg makes us ask "What if there was an alternative to riding your bike on McPhillips?" <http://janeswalk.net/index.php/walks/canada/winnipeg/what-if-there-was-alte…> Be sure to also visit our Facebook Event<https://www.facebook.com/events/528987633810342/>page and share with your networks!

10 years, 11 months

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AT-Network May 2013