AT-Network July 2013

at-network@lists.umanitoba.ca

10 participants
23 discussions

by Janice Lukes

Just following up on all the great media coverage Anders landed with his Biking to the Bombers video - It's a beautiful day for a bike ride - If anyone finds they have some time and would like to help tonight at the bike valet - pick a time slot and sign up here: http://www.doodle.com/iky46pck2fwbn2yk And back to more south end great news: The Bombers transportation team have 'confirmed' they will be expanding the bike valet to accommodate many many more bikes! We did a walk through on Wednesday and they identified an ideal location. Watch for further details in the very near future! Janice Lukes AT rep on the Stadium Partners - Event Day Stadium Advisory Committee

10 years, 9 months

Webinar: The Latest Spin on University Bike Share Programs, Thurs, July 25, 1-2:15

by Beth McKechnie

Hello everyone, Please note this FREE webinar (no registration required) on University Bike Share Programs next *Thursday, July 25, 1-2:15 pm*. If you like, come join us in the EcoCentre boardroom (303 Portage Ave, third floor) for a group viewing or simply watch from your own desk. cheers, Beth ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Bond, Julie <bond(a)cutr.usf.edu> Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 8:15 AM Join us for an intriguing look at three University Bike Share programs during a FREE Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) webinar. **** ** ** *Date*: Thursday, July 25, 2013**** *Time*:1:00 - 2:15 pm (Central / local)** ** ** *Join the Session: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/cutr/join?id=bwcbikeshare&role=attend&pw=web… * * * *Add to your Outlook calendar: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/cutr/meetingICS?id=bwcbikeshare&role=attend&… * * * *Speakers:* * * *Holly Parker, Director ***** *Sustainable Transportation Systems***** *Yale University***** Still unsatisfied with the existing bikeshare models available at the time, Yale started “Y-Bike,” a departmental bikeshare program in 2008—in which a bicycle was provided to a Yale department for anyone in the department (a small, controlled environment) to use. The expense of the kiosk-based bikeshare system was prohibitive, and it was felt that getting staff members—some of whom hadn’t been on bikes since childhood—to use bikes for travel between campus locations would be a good way to build bike culture. In addition to the over 40 Y-Bikes on campus (and 8,000 collective miles pedaled later), Yale now provides 50 shared-use bicycles to anyone who registers with a valid Yale email address. Listen to how Yale designed this 6-month pilot and how they plan on evaluating it. **** **** *Jim Simon, Sustainability Engagement Coordinator***** *University at Buffalo***** When the community bicycle sharing program closed, a search began for alternatives that would meet the needs of the campus in light of their goal of becoming climate neutral by 2030. Counseled by a report prepared by an undergraduate planning class and examined options that would promote synergy in the community with partners working on providing bike share in their city and region, they engaged in a partnership with a start-up company that offers a GPS-enabled bike that can be located and borrowed using your mobile phone. The technology meets students where they are—on their mobile phones and computers—and is accessible at any time. By becoming the first college or university to partner with this company, they have learned and applied several important lessons about innovation, partnership, and the development of learning opportunities for our students. Participants will learn how being on the leading edge of innovation through embracing new technology can benefit the research, teaching, and public service mission of your university. Additionally, participants will learn how to involve students in campus decision making through classroom learning opportunities and how the immediate risk of working with a start-up organization can lead to rewarding opportunities for collaboration with students, the community, and the campus. **** **** *Joshua Cantor, Director* *Parking and Transportation* *George Mason University* George Mason University’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and fostering a bicycling community on campus has led to a series of new projects, including a bike path that would stretch from the Fairfax campus to the Vienna-Fairfax-GMU Metro Station and Patriot Bike Share, a bike-sharing program on campus. George Mason’s Office of Sustainability has joined with the local bicycling community to create a series of new initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2015. Chief among them is the Patriot Bike Share program on campus, which allows students to rent bicycles for two hours and return them at one of four locations across campus. The program was started by Tyler Orton, bike program manager for the Office of Sustainability, who brought his idea to the Office of Sustainability and was given $36,000 to invest in the project as part of the office’s new “Patriot Green Fund”. Listen to the challenges and opportunities that existed for this customized bike share solution.**** **** *Moderator:* Julie Bond, Program Manager, Best Workplaces for Commuters**** National Center for Transit Research, University of South Florida**** ** ** A Q and A session will follow the presentations. Visit www.bestworkplaces.org for further information, and learn how you can become a member.**** ** ** If you have questions, please email bond(a)cutr.usf.edu.**** ** ** Best regards,**** ** ** ** ** Julie Bond**** Program Manager, Best Workplaces for Commuters**** National Center for Transit Research**** Center for Urban Transportation Research**** University of South Florida**** 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CUT100**** Tampa, FL 33620**** Direct Line: 813.974.9799**** [image: cid:image002.png@01CE0EB7.27D18690]**** ** ** ------------------------------

10 years, 9 months

Bike to the Bombers a big hit for cyclists

by Dave Elmore

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/07/17/mb-bombers-bike-cycl ing-game-stadium-valet-paths-infrastructure.html Bike to the Bombers a big hit for cyclists More than 1,200 football fans biked to CFL team's home opener By Leslie McLaren, CBC News <http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html> Anders Swanson made a video of his bike ride to Investors Group Field to share the experience and show how many people like to cycle to events. Anders Swanson made a video of his bike ride to Investors Group Field to share the experience and show how many people like to cycle to events. (CBC) A Winnipeg cycling advocate has made a video called "Bike to the Bombers" after more than 1,000 football fans cycled to the team's home opener June 27, far more than expected. Anders Swanson says he counted 1,222 bikes at the game, overwhelming the free <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/07/17/mb-bombers-bike-cyc ling-game-stadium-valet-paths-infrastructure.html> bike valet at the stadium which has a capacity of about half that. Cyclists had to lock up hundreds of bikes along walkways and fences, wherever they could. "It was just a literal sea of bikes," he said. "Winnipeg looked like Amsterdam for a minute there. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least, so basically I just went around the stadium counting every single bike that I could see locked up to either a fence or in the bike valet." Swanson's video had hundreds of hits after it was published on Tuesday. He said he made it to share the experience, and prove a point - people want to cycle to events. "It was really special for me to show up at the stadium and see just how many people rode their bike," he said. "I don't think anybody expected that there was going to be that many people, to the point where they really just weren't prepared for it." Swanson said the bike valet service, which is free, was fantastic. It just wasn't big enough. He took the trouble to count the total number of bikes because "data is important." "I wanted to be able to show that there was that many people, so that they know what to do for next time, to make sure there was enough people in the bike valet, to make sure there's enough bike racks," he said. "All you have to do is make it really easy and people will do it." Bombers plan to expand bike stands Blue Bombers spokesperson Darren Cameron said it's great to hear that the number of people riding their bikes to games has jumped. He said at the old stadium, usually between 60 and 70 cyclists would show up. He confirms that it was 1,200 at the home opener. "Compared to the old place, it's night and day," he said. "One of the things we asked fans to do was to consider biking to the game, and obviously people have taken advantage of that option which is great. We are looking at possible options to expand but at this point do not have anything set in stone." 10K fans cycling to games a 'possibility' Swanson said cyclists had a very different experience getting to the game than motorists, and he wanted to send fans in cars <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/07/17/mb-bombers-bike-cyc ling-game-stadium-valet-paths-infrastructure.html> and buses a message. "There was a lot of stories about the traffic chaos and people stuck in their cars for hours and waiting for the bus," he said. "I just wanted to show them, 'Hey, just hop on a bicycle and you'll have a smile on your face all the way there and all the way back.'" His video is a fast-paced romp along bike paths but it also shows the number of stop signs and busy crossings cyclists encounter. He said Winnipeg has come a long way, but those disruptions show the big gaps in Winnipeg's cycling infrastructure. "I wanted to show that it wasn't perfect yet. That there's a lot of stops, that there's some big, major intersections to cross." Swanson said well-designed bike paths don't have gaps like that. "A true, proper world-class city that has good bicycle infrastructure means that you get on something (and) you know you can get to wherever you need to go. It doesn't matter whether its Polo Park, Northgate shopping centre or the stadium. You know you can get on. with your kids, and they don't have to be experts. They'll be able to get there." Swanson said while he did see a lot of bikes at the stadium, he noted there were few children's bikes. "Theres a lot of kids that like to go to the Bombers game. I think the true test is whether or not anybody can leave from their home with an eight-year-old kid and get to the Bombers game and feel safe about it." He believes even more people would cycle to the stadium with better infrastructure and a secure place to leave their bikes. "You have to look no further than a soccer game in Germany or a field hockey game in the Netherlands. You can get literally 20 to 30 per cent of the people showing up by bicycle, so that means what, 10,000? It's possible. It's just a matter of a city that takes it seriously. It's not rocket science." He said there's no question Winnipeg can be a world-class cycling city. "We're flat. We're fun. We've got lots of trees covering us. There's a lot of things that are very special actually about Winnipeg. And a lot of people are realizing that and jumping on a bike even though there's a lot of work left to be done," he said.

10 years, 9 months

Handouts for Today's Webinar: From Paint to Preform: Getting the Most from Pavement Markings

by Bike Winnipeg

For those who were at today's webinar, or those who missed it but would like to have a peak, handouts can now be downloaded from http://www.apbp.org/?page=Webinar_Downloads -- Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg (formerly Bike to the Future) http://bikewinnipeg.ca <http://biketothefuture.org>

10 years, 9 months

Portage Daily Graphic - AT gets a boost

by Beth McKechnie

Active transportation gets a boost By Svjetlana Mlinarevic<http://www.portagedailygraphic.comportagedailygraphic.com/>, QMI Agency | Sunday, July 14, 2013 3:22:13 CDT PM http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/2013/07/14/active-transportation-gets-a-… During the last City of Portage la Prairie council meeting, councilors approved the construction of a 1,500-metre pathway to be built in the north end, July 8. The limestone cycle/walkway will stretch from Berkley Avenue to 3rd Street NE and then at North Memorial Park from Oak Bay to 6th Avenue. “It’s all part of trying to promote active transportation within Portage la Prairie. Not only to allow communities and members of our community to get out and get active, but it brings people together and it ties in all areas of our community,” said Coun. Diane Stasiuk, who spoke on behalf of transportation committee chair Coun. Brent Froese, as he was not in council. The total cost for construction of the pathway is $17,500; $7,500 for labour and $10,000 for equipment. “The $10,000 is an in-kind donation in terms of, it’s what we call an almost rental, to the citizens to be using our equipment. It’s not really a cost to the city. We’re providing the equipment for the work to be done,” she said. Council has also earmarked $10,000 to hire a consultant to develop an active transportation network strategic plan. The plan is expected to be presented to them on Aug. 12. The city has been looking at active transportation since the last election when the committee first approached them. The plan to connect all areas of the city by a pathway system will take years to compete, which will be done in phases, according to Stasiuk. “It takes time. It takes money,” she said, adding there has not been a discussion yet on an on-road aspect of active transportation, such as a cycling path, but that it was clearly needed. “You see that in more cities – Brandon, Winnipeg – bicycle traffic is becoming more popular and people are commuting to and from work and recreational activities and just getting around town on other forms of transportation. We have to get with the program,” said Stasiuk. When asked if a public transportation system will be developed in Portage, Stasiuk said it was something that council has looked into since the last election. The Portage Community Revitalization Committee, seniors and families have also brought up the issue with councillors, according to Stasiuk. “Perhaps we just need to find better ways of utilizing our existing shuttle and taxi service and not look at a public transportation system, per say. We need to look into that and we need to look at the feasibility of it. The city is not committed to it, but it’s certainly something that has been raised and will likely be raised in the next strategic planning process,” she said. The north end pathway is expected to be completed by July 31. svjetlana.mlinarevic(a)sunmedia.ca Twitter@PDGSvjetlana

10 years, 9 months

VIDEO - Biking to the Bombers: Downtown to the Stadium

by Anders Swanson

Hi, You may have heard about all the bikes at the first Bomber game (I counted an astounding 1222 bikes parked around the stadium at game time)....but its another thing to see what that looks like. Consider watching this: http://vimeo.com/activetransportation/ biketothebombers-downtown I took a camera with me that day, and put together a short film with the footage I took. I tossed in a little animated bomber dude on a cycling map to help you keep your bearings - and there's some footage of the bike valet in action. Its only 7m47secs. Turn up the sound. Please feel free to share widely...especially with folks who may be going to the football game this friday. After all, friends don't let friends wait in traffic, do they? Cheers, Anders Swanson @SwansonAnders P.S. ..and if they aren't the type to be arriving early, tell them to bring a lock. ; )

10 years, 9 months

On-street cycling infrastructure in Toronto and Montreal

by Erik Dickson

Here's an interesting video from the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation that explores the history, differences in and future of on-street cycling infrastructure in Toronto and Montreal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bMDXOMrzYw <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bMDXOMrzYw&feature=youtu.be> &feature=youtu.be Also in case you missed the news yesterday, a team from the U of T set a new record last month designing the first working bike-powered helicopter. Their next goal is to design bicycles capable of 120 km an hour! http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/u-of-t-engineers-make-history-with-first-huma n-powered-helicopter-1.1362742 Happy Friday! Regards, Erik Dickson Suite 1120 - 201 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3B 3K6 ph: (204) 927-3444 ext. 242 fax: (204) 927-3443 web: www.scatliff.ca blog: http://scatliff.tumblr.com Please consider our environment before printing this message.

10 years, 9 months

AT Webinar: Getting the Most from Pavement Markings - Wed, July 17th, 2-3pm, EcoCentre

by Jessie Klassen

Hope everyone is enjoying this sunny summer weather! Bike Winnipeg and Green Action Centre invite you to join us for a local viewing of the following APBP webinar in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave). This will be followed by group discussion of local applications. RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! Jessie Klassen (204) 925-3772 >From Paint to Preform: Getting the Most from Pavement Markings Wednesday, July 17 | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST Most low-cost retrofits for bicycle and pedestrian improvements involve pavement markings, whether striping a crosswalk or a bike lane or colorizing a conflict zone. This presentation will examine the effectiveness of different pavement marking materials including factors like durability, winter maintenance issues, retro-reflectivity, slip resistance and accessibility with a particular focus on application for innovative markings such as colorized paint and specialized symbols. The session includes an overview of MUTCD guidance on pavement marking materials, a presentation from Los Angeles that discusses an evaluation and comparison of different materials for green lanes, and information from Chicago related to the effect of winter conditions on pavement markings. Presenters are Zaki Mustafa, Executive Officer, Project Delivery, LADOT; Nathan Roseberry, Senior Transportation Engineer, T.Y. Lin; and Bill Schultheiss, Senior Engineer, Toole Design Group.

10 years, 10 months

RE: [At-network] City halts bike/ped planning

by Janice Lukes

The leadership decision to halt the $200,000 plan to improve safety and walking conditions for pedestrians and the $200,000 plan to do the same for cyclists - while simply unbelievable - may be more strategic than we see at first glance. The completion of the consultation and release of the final report would occur just months before the 2014 fall civic election. The plans would clearly identify 'Active Transportation Corridors' - specific streets that would receive strategic investments to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Odds are, some folks would not be in agreement with the streets chosen for the 'Corridors' - or perhaps not in agreement with the type of infrastructure required to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. If memory serves me correctly from the 2010 election, no candidate wants to be debating pedestrian and cycling infrastructure during an election campaign - therefore better to cancel the planning process now and not have a final report released - just before 2014 election. Is this a strategic move that will benefit AT - or hinder AT. Where are Winnipeggers at on the 'acceptance of AT'? IMO: Discussion = Education = Understanding And will the AT planning process be resurrected post 2014 ? - kind of like a reenactment of the re-emergence that occurred with rapid transit ? - and more cost more than the original $400K? IMO - 'Silly season has started at City Hall' Janice Lukes From: at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca [mailto:at-network-bounces@lists.umanitoba.ca] On Behalf Of Dave Elmore Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 6:06 PM To: at-network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca Subject: [At-network] City haults bike/ped planning http://globalnews.ca/news/705158/city-halts-bike-path-planning/ City scraps bike path study Planning for new bike and pedestrian paths in Winnipeg has reached the end of the line. City officials confirmed Tuesday that a study to develop pedestrian and cycling strategies has been "suspended." Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi says she discovered the change in direction when she asked city staff for an update and received this email from the public works department: "Due to the current and foreseen short to medium term human resource pressures within the Public Works Department, we are suspending the pedestrian and cycling Strategy until further notice. What we have completed to date will serve the citizens of Winnipeg well for many years to come. We look forward to being able to pick up where we left off, sometime in the not too distant future. " Since last December, the city has hired professionals to look at bridging gaps between bike paths across the city along with all other improvements. "The rug has completely been pulled out from under our future transportation network when it comes to walking and cycling," said Gerbasi. "They basically put a stop to all planning." According to Gerbasi, a $400,000 contract to develop pedestrian and cycling routes has been stopped when the work is just starting. The city did not make any officials available for an interview or to answer questions about the change and why it was made. Late in the day Tuesday unnamed officials sent an email with this statement: "The Public Works Department confirms that the only initiative being suspended at this time is a study to develop Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies for Winnipeg. "Currently, there are numerous Active Transportation projects underway in Winnipeg, including as examples, completion of the Disraeli pedestrian and cycling bridge, construction on the west side of the Red River at Fort Garry Bridge (Glengarry Drive to Plaza Drive) and Archibald Street/La Verendrye Street/Mission Street Intersection cyclist enhancements and renewal of paths in Frontenac Park, Chornick Park, Niakawa Trail, Muys Park, Assiniboine Forest." The mayor told Global News the money will go towards building bike paths, not planning them. "There are a lot of people who think we spend too much money on consultants every time the reports come out," said Sam Katz. "What is being suggested is we take the $400,000 and build some active transportation."

10 years, 10 months

City haults bike/ped planning

by Dave Elmore

http://globalnews.ca/news/705158/city-halts-bike-path-planning/ City scraps bike path study Planning for new bike and pedestrian paths in Winnipeg has reached the end of the line. City officials confirmed Tuesday that a study to develop pedestrian and cycling strategies has been "suspended." Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi says she discovered the change in direction when she asked city staff for an update and received this email from the public works department: "Due to the current and foreseen short to medium term human resource pressures within the Public Works Department, we are suspending the pedestrian and cycling Strategy until further notice. What we have completed to date will serve the citizens of Winnipeg well for many years to come. We look forward to being able to pick up where we left off, sometime in the not too distant future. " Since last December, the city has hired professionals to look at bridging gaps between bike paths across the city along with all other improvements. "The rug has completely been pulled out from under our future transportation network when it comes to walking and cycling," said Gerbasi. "They basically put a stop to all planning." According to Gerbasi, a $400,000 contract to develop pedestrian and cycling routes has been stopped when the work is just starting. The city did not make any officials available for an interview or to answer questions about the change and why it was made. Late in the day Tuesday unnamed officials sent an email with this statement: "The Public Works Department confirms that the only initiative being suspended at this time is a study to develop Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies for Winnipeg. "Currently, there are numerous Active Transportation projects underway in Winnipeg, including as examples, completion of the Disraeli pedestrian and cycling bridge, construction on the west side of the Red River at Fort Garry Bridge (Glengarry Drive to Plaza Drive) and Archibald Street/La Verendrye Street/Mission Street Intersection cyclist enhancements and renewal of paths in Frontenac Park, Chornick Park, Niakawa Trail, Muys Park, Assiniboine Forest." The mayor told Global News the money will go towards building bike paths, not planning them. "There are a lot of people who think we spend too much money on consultants every time the reports come out," said Sam Katz. "What is being suggested is we take the $400,000 and build some active transportation."

10 years, 10 months

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AT-Network July 2013