*** Friendly reminder re tomorrow afternoon's APBP webinar ***
Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local
viewing of the APBP webinar: *Law Enforcement Strategies to Improve
Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety**. *
The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303
Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local applications.
RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then!
cheers,
Beth
** * * * **
Law Enforcement Strategies to Improve Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
*Wednesday, May 20th, 2-3pm, EcoCentre
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
Boardroom*
Effective law enforcement is a key factor in ensuring that pedestrians and
cyclists have safe, equitable access to the public right-of-way. Attend
this webinar to learn about law enforcement programs that raise awareness
of traffic safety, shape behavior, and improve safety for vulnerable users.
This session focuses on three approaches to law enforcement:
1. Seattle’s data-driven SeaStat program, a collaboration between
Seattle’s DOT and Police Department that identifies hot spots and dangerous
behavior through collision record analysis and speed and traffic volume
data.
2. Seattle’s School Zone Safety Photo Enforcement Program, which
measures success by the reduction in speeds and violations. Revenue from
the speed cameras goes into safety improvements around schools.
3. Behavior change brought about by programs focused on education and
positive interactions between law enforcement officers, motorists, cyclists
and pedestrians.
*Presenters*:
- Jim Curtin, City of Seattle Department of Transportation
- Brian Dougherty, City of Seattle Department of Transportation
- Major Jim Russell, Deputy Chief of Police, Florida State University
Police Department
--
*Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre
<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/>
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living.
Support our work by becoming a member
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at
CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/>
<http://canadahelps.org/>
Editorials <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials>A cycling
city is good for business
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/a-cycling-city-is-good-…
Winnipeg's city councillors should get mobile, get on a bike and tool
around a bit. Maybe cycle to work on any given day. They might have an
epiphany of sorts -- and then get on with the job of turning Winnipeg into
a city that welcomes cyclists -- instead of falling prey to urban myths
about bike lanes endangering downtown businesses.
What else besides simple ignorance could explain Mayor Brian Bowman's
decision this week to delay the vote on adopting Winnipeg's pedestrian and
cycling strategy? The strategy is a long-identified pillar in the city's
active transportation plan. There were numerous community consultations,
one last year at the Manitoba Hydro headquarters on Portage Avenue, where
the public and interested parties -- downtown businesses -- were asked to
feed into the city's vision.
Now Coun. Russ Wyatt says downtown businesses were blindsided, caught
entirely without consultation. His target is the matrix of protected
bicycle lanes proposed for downtown. It will steal precious parking spots,
he believes.
First of all, cycling lanes and on-street parking are not mutually
exclusive. Sherbrook Street's protected bike lane is just one example how
the two can coexist.
Second, downtown Winnipeg doesn't have a parking problem -- a truism often
cited as a symptom of downtown's real challenge, which is to attract people
to its streets and shops outside of standard work hours. This city has an
embarrassingly excess amount of surface parking, with rates so cheap they
are the envy of motorists in other major Canadian cities.
The proposed protected bike lanes are the priority of the pedestrian and
cycling strategy made public this week. The planning document is written to
launch more formal consultation and then design of a future
pedestrian/cycling network. Rough estimates are it would cost $330 million
to build the active transportation projects over the next two decades. But
for a couple of million dollars to be spent this year, none of that cash
has been found or approved.
This plan, though, does give hope that Winnipeg may finally evolve from its
car culture to one with streets, bridges and major corridors designed for
people.
Winnipeg's pedestrian and cycling strategy document shows what can be done.
It also shows there's a lot of work ahead. Some of the proposed routes
mysteriously end mid-street, starting up again a couple of kilometres on.
Most of the strategy favours bike lanes that share the road, a drawback
especially in winter. There's talk in the report of some 16 new river or
rail crossings for cyclists and pedestrians. Major routes, such as Main,
Portage and Pembina, will continue to be big obstacles for cyclists, with a
possibility of future study on them.
Right now, Winnipeg says it has more than 300 kilometres of cycling and
bike/pedestrian routes. Most of this is in trails and paths and in narrow,
painted curb lanes for cyclists, where they still must compete for space on
busy streets.
By comparison, Minneapolis, regarded as the best city in North America for
cyclists, has about 200 kilometres of on-street protected bike lanes alone,
and 150 kilometres of trails. Another 80 kilometres are to be added by
2020. People move to Minneapolis specifically because it makes cycling an
infrastructure priority. The cycling routes are regarded as a boon to
businesses and merchants.
Downtown business should embrace this strategy. The payback of ceding
ground to bicycles goes beyond the dividends to cyclists and health
budgets. Cycling routes encourage people to get out, explore and enjoy
their cities. That's something Winnipeg needs, and the downtown could
desperately use.
*Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 16, 2015 A14*
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/dont-brake-on-bikes-in-dow
ntown-303983971.html
Don't brake on bikes in downtown
But having a clear pathway is necessary
By: Stefano Grande
The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ supports the city's active-transportation
blueprint. Now it's time to proceed to the next step: consulting with the
downtown community.
Many of us have travelled to other cities to see first-hand how downtowns
are benefiting from increased bike lanes, which encourage cyclists to visit
their downtowns and to frequent businesses.
An increase in cycling is a trend that is taking over North America and the
marketplace. More residents are discovering their neighbourhoods by bicycle,
hanging out at their local pubs and cafés.
Office workers are commuting downtown from the inner city or even as far as
the suburbs. Tourists are renting bicycles to explore unique destinations.
The need for more cycling amenities and infrastructure is being driven by
these people as part of an emerging trend.
Many cities have done it wrong and have made every imaginable mistake.
Inadequate education for the public and stakeholders, or a rush to roll out
cycling infrastructure without paying attention to the details and the needs
of property owners and business owners -- these foreseeable challenges could
be mitigated if we put community first.
Some downtowns have eliminated on-street parking hastily to facilitate the
creation of bike lanes, with little regard to understanding that on-street
parking is the lifeblood of our storefront retailers, restaurants and shop
owners. Realities such as the need for loading zones, deliveries,
accessibility for people in wheelchairs and other mobility challenges, and
dozens more issues are often not properly taken into consideration.
In these cities, you will find staunch opposition, and rightfully so. The
rush to roll out cycling lanes without proper process, thought, foresight
and consultation, can lead to tensions among the community, extra costs to
address the issues after the fact, and in some cases, negative economic
impact.
But some cities are doing it right.
A city we can all relate to is Minneapolis. Their residents have a love for
cycling and biking lanes. One evening when I was there, I saw thousands of
cyclists strolling downtown, milling about, and gobbling up every inch of
space found on hundreds of bike racks installed by the city and businesses.
They were there for restaurants, cafés, live art and theatre performance and
to just hang out. There is no doubt in my mind the City of Minneapolis has
foresight.
As their downtown has developed and evolved, they have wanted to accommodate
the cycling community and by working hand in hand with their stakeholders --
their efforts are working. Through proper planning, education, listening to
the needs and concerns of the community, Minneapolis is seen as the best
practice approach in the world when adopting more cycling amenities and
infrastructure.
Winnipeg is perhaps where Minneapolis was 10 years ago -- with increased
development activity, from more classrooms, to more condos and apartments,
and the growing office workers and more visitors coming to the MTS Centre
and the sports, hospitality, and entertainment district (SHED). Do we want
to have safer bike lanes for those working, living and coming to the
downtown in a balanced and well-thought-out manner? The Downtown BIZ
believes so.
Rolling out the cycling strategy in an incremental, engaging and planned
process with the downtown community is imperative. Businesses can create
reasons for people to jump on their bikes to hang out downtown, so it's not
just about adding bike lanes. It's about taking into consideration how bike
parking is going to be accommodated at key locations. It's about allowing
businesses on bike-lane streets to allow for advertising signage and
banners, more outdoor seating, or reduced on-site parking requirements to
help businesses attract more customers.
Some other downtowns have also integrated the rollout of cycling lanes with
marketing and branding efforts so different streets become well-recognized
destination corridors. In some cities, changing traffic flows to better
accommodate the flow of cars and bikes collectively are acted on. In other
cities, limiting cycling lanes to the times of busiest activity works well,
too.
As our city has now provided its vision and recommendations for development
of the pedestrian and cycling strategies, it has clearly stated that the
plan will evolve based on the next step to further involve community and
drill down on the feasibility and designs. This is the next step, and we
need to get this right. Much trust will need to be placed in the hands of
the city, even if the process takes longer than anticipated.
It's easy to focus on the failures of other cities or to debate about the
next steps, and hold them up as examples and excuses of not to do anything.
We have done that with rapid transit for decades. We are now catching up.
These are the cities young people are not gravitating toward to stay, learn,
work and live.
It's much harder to move forward collectively with the community, and
learning from best practice, learning by listening to each other, minimizing
the issues and maximizing the opportunities, making decisive decisions and
creating a city for everyone.
Stefano Grande is the executive director of the
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 16, 2015 A15
Hi,
You may have seen some of Russ Wyatt's accusations about limited public
consultation and early access/undue influence on the part of Bike
Winnipeg
(http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/Russ-Wyatt-proves-to-be…).
You can view our response at our webiste
(http://bikewinnipeg.ca/2015/05/14/russ-wyatts-antics-nothing-more-than-fear…)
or on our Facebook site (facebook.com/BikeWinnipeg). Please feel free to
share widely.
Here is the letter to the editor we submitted to the FP
I told you the day would work out ok!
Cheers,
Mark
Wyatt’s Antics Nothing More Than Fear Mongering
Russ Wyatt claims the Pedestrian & Cycling Strategies are flawed because
of a lack of consultations, alleging that advocacy groups like Bike
Winnipeg have undue influence at city hall (we wish!).
Like the rest of the public, we first saw the completed strategies (and
proposed cycling network) on May 1^st . That’s not to say we and the
rest of the city didn’t have plenty of time to review and comment on the
strategies. 18 months of public consultations on the strategies
culminated in three open houses in April 2014. The consultation process
engaged over 3,000 people.
Bike Winnipeg and hundreds of other Winnipeggers took advantage of that
time to comment on the draft network and recommendations. We were
pleased to see those contributions reflected in the documents released
May 1^st .
Wyatt’s so-called evidence that Bike Winnipeg had prior access to the
strategies is an email we sent him on January 23, 2015 asking for a
meeting to discuss opportunities to improve cycling options in Transcona
and throughout the City of Winnipeg. You can read the full text of that
email at bikewinnipeg.ca. Councillor Wyatt failed to respond to our
invitation.
Mark Cohoe
Executive Director
Bike Winnipeg
Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local
viewing of the APBP webinar: *Law Enforcement Strategies to Improve
Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety**. *
The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303
Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local applications.
RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then!
cheers,
Beth
** * * * **
Law Enforcement Strategies to Improve Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
*Wednesday, May 20th, 2-3pm, EcoCentre
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
Boardroom*
Effective law enforcement is a key factor in ensuring that pedestrians and
cyclists have safe, equitable access to the public right-of-way. Attend
this webinar to learn about law enforcement programs that raise awareness
of traffic safety, shape behavior, and improve safety for vulnerable users.
This session focuses on three approaches to law enforcement:
1. Seattle’s data-driven SeaStat program, a collaboration between
Seattle’s DOT and Police Department that identifies hot spots and dangerous
behavior through collision record analysis and speed and traffic volume
data.
2. Seattle’s School Zone Safety Photo Enforcement Program, which
measures success by the reduction in speeds and violations. Revenue from
the speed cameras goes into safety improvements around schools.
3. Behavior change brought about by programs focused on education and
positive interactions between law enforcement officers, motorists, cyclists
and pedestrians.
*Presenters*:
- Jim Curtin, City of Seattle Department of Transportation
- Brian Dougherty, City of Seattle Department of Transportation
- Major Jim Russell, Deputy Chief of Police, Florida State University
Police Department
--
*Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre
<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/>
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living.
Support our work by becoming a member
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at
CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/>
<http://canadahelps.org/>
Thanks Terry. Very appropriate today! Keep an eye on our site, I think things will come out fine for BW by the end if the day.
Mark
Sent from my mobile device.
----- Reply message -----
From: "Terry Zdan" <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com>
To: "AT network" <AT-Network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca>
Subject: [At-network] shed the monster
Date: Thu, May 14, 2015 10:19 AM
We
all have those days. Full inbox, stuck in traffic, spilled coffee, barking
dogs…
The
everyday stresses of life can take a toll. We get cranky, grumpy and irritated
by things that aren’t a big deal.
But if you
ride, you know there’s always one thing you can count on: the power of a bike
ride to erase the stress and lighten your day. Hop on a bike and shed the
monster.
Watch
the video: PeopleForBikes.org/shed
--
Terry Zdan126 Duncan Norrie Drive
Wpg MB R3P 2J9
CANADA
tjzdan50(a)gmail.com
[image: Watch the video]
<http://peopleforbikes.org/page/m/67f218cb/3a9fcb02/7f0881/3af1d302/16556347…>
We all have those days. Full inbox, stuck in traffic, spilled coffee,
barking dogs…
The everyday stresses of life can take a toll. We get cranky, grumpy and
irritated by things that aren’t a big deal.
But if you ride, you know there’s always one thing you can count on: the
power of a bike ride to erase the stress and lighten your day. Hop on a
bike and shed the monster.
*Watch the video: PeopleForBikes.org/shed
<http://peopleforbikes.org/page/m/67f218cb/3a9fcb02/7f0881/3af1d309/16556347…>
*
--
Terry Zdan
126 Duncan Norrie Drive
Wpg MB R3P 2J9
CANADA
tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>
http://globalnews.ca/news/1996785/bowman-delays-cycling-and-pedestrian-stra…http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.2373078http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/05/13/epc-backpedals-on-active-transportati…http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/cycling-plan-hits-speed-bump-3037084…
Cycling plan hits speed bumpEPC agrees to delay vote on $330-million
strategy
By: Kristin Annable
A lineup of advocates for the city's pedestrian-and-cycling strategy
arrived at city hall Wednesday to address Mayor Brian Bowman's decision to
delay the adoption of the city's $330-million, 20-year strategy.
There were few opponents.
Yet, council's executive policy committee unanimously approved Bowman's
motion to delay the vote on the strategy by more than a month.
The delay is to allow further consultation with business owners and
residents on infrastructure recommendations in the document.
Bowman said a handful of downtown businesses approached him with concerns
involving parking and asked for additional time to read the extensive
document.
"The feedback I received from some is that they didn't feel that they had
enough time or avenues to provide their input to the process, and I wanted
to let them know we are listening," he said after the meeting.
"When you look at the map, if you are under the presumption that the
strategies are the final product, then I can understand and appreciate the
concern of anyone looking at it."
The 356-page document recommends a dense network of protected bicycle lanes
be focused within the downtown core. This year, if approved by council on
May 27, the city will allot $205,000 for the development of a functional
design for the first phase of a downtown protected bike-lane network at
Fort Street and/or Garry Street.
Coun. Russ Wyatt has led the charge against the quick adoption of the
strategy and has been advocating the city take a second look before
adopting the document. Earlier this week, the Free Press learned the
Transcona councillor sent multiple letters to downtown businesses to inform
them of the possible loss of parking resulting from the proposed protected
bike lanes.
After the meeting Wednesday, Wyatt said Bowman's announcement Tuesday he
would delay the strategy's adoption quelled the naysayers.
"I think it was a genuine gesture by the mayor and the mayor's staff so
they want to respect that," he said when asked why none of business owners
concerned with the strategy attended the meeting.
Wyatt also takes issue with the proposal of creating "neighbourhood
greenways" for non-arterial roads. The idea is to encourage cycling,
walking and local traffic, which can include the use of traffic-calming
measures such as speed humps or traffic-calming circles.
The strategy suggests Point Douglas, Seven Oaks East, River Heights and St.
Boniface West are well-suited for extensive neighbourhood greenways.
Bowman was quick to remind councillors the document is only a strategy and
said "nothing is cast in stone" when it comes to its contents. He said if
there is anything council does not agree with, the action plans will still
be voted on by council and further public consultation will occur.
Advocates such as Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, resident Len Van Roon, Winnipeg
Trails Association co-ordinator Anders Swanson and Stephanie Voyce of the
Downtown BIZ all came to the meeting to speak in favour of the strategy.
Van Roon told members there is room for public consultation, but said he
supports the 20-year strategy.
"We worry about the cost of cycling and walking infrastructure, but we are
subsidizing cars and the repair costs," Van Roon said, repeating the
argument more cyclists will save the city money on road repairs.
kristin.annable(a)freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 14, 2015 B1
http://www.citylab.com/work/2013/09/no-bike-lanes-dont-hurt-retail-business…http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2015/03/the-complete-business-case-for-con…http://www.citylab.com/work/2013/12/safer-streets-pay-businesses/7880/
David Patman, P. Eng.
Transit Planner
Winnipeg Transit | Service Development Division
421 Osborne Street | Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 2A2
P: 204-986-5737 | dpatman(a)winnipeg.ca<mailto:dpatman@winnipeg.ca>
From: at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca [mailto:at-network-bounces@lists.umanitoba.ca] On Behalf Of Beth McKechnie
Sent: May-12-15 8:33 AM
To: AT network
Subject: [At-network] WFP: Wyatt wary of two-wheel traffic - says bike-pedestrian paths could hurt downtown business (May12'15)
Wyatt wary of two-wheel traffic
Says bike-pedestrian paths could hurt downtown business
By: Bartley Kives
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/wyatt-wary-of-two-wheel-traffic-3033…
Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt is trying to put the brakes on Winnipeg's new bike-and-pedestrian strategy by warning protected bike lanes could harm downtown businesses.
The fourth-term councillor has penned a letter to downtown business owners, warning the creation of 13 protected bike lanes over the next 20 years may lead to a loss of parking.
"I thought you may want to know this. This is not just a 'strategy,' but calls for the amending of the city's transportation master plan, designating and setting out these streets for this treatment. Once it is in the plan, you are then on the defensive if you want to stop or change it," Wyatt wrote in an email to an undisclosed number of businesses.
In the letter, Wyatt noted he spoke against the city's bike-and-pedestrian strategy last week at council's public works committee, "assuming many in the business community have never been consulted."
He noted the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ spoke in favour of the plan at the meeting.
Wyatt wrote he supports bike-and-pedestrian paths but called the documents making their way through council committees "unrealistic plans that ignore the facts" of how roads are used.
"Maybe a street or two could be designated to improve the protected bike lane system in our downtown, but to designate a dozen or more streets seems a bit over the top," he wrote, offering to meet with downtown business owners who are concerned about the plans.
In an interview, Wyatt said he contacted "three or four" downtown business owners because he feared Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, who represents the southern half of downtown, would not.
"Downtown Winnipeg belongs to all Winnipeggers," he said. "It appears to me we've forgotten the lessons of the Assiniboine Bikeway audit."
That audit, conducted following a troubled city effort to conduct $20 million worth of bike-and-pedestrian upgrades in 2010, concluded businesses were not adequately consulted about the construction of a protected bike lane on Assiniboine Avenue as well as traffic-flow changes on the downtown street.
St. Norbert Coun. Janice Lukes, city council's public works chairwoman, said she isn't sure why Wyatt is trying to foment downtown opposition to the pedestrian-and-cycling strategy, which comes before council's executive policy committee on Wednesday.
"He's free to do what he wants," said Lukes, the former director of the Winnipeg Trails Association. "Any dialogue toward active transportation is a good thing, as nothing can be built until we have consultation."
Lukes, however, questioned why Wyatt is so concerned with the relocation of on-street parking spaces when downtown suffers from a surfeit of surface parking.
She also called the Assiniboine Bikeway one of the most utilized bike lanes in the city, despite the fact it's interrupted by the Heritage Landing apartment construction.
"It's a proven fact more people walking and biking bring value to businesses," she said. "I have no idea what he's doing, but I'm pleased to see he's engaging."
The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ plans to consult with its members about the protected bike lanes as well, executive director Stefano Grande said.
"We've advised them consultations are just starting. There are no designs," Grande said.
Gerbasi concurred, saying nothing will move forward without "extensive consultations" that may include plans to create more parking-protected bike lanes such as the one on Sherbrook Street, where parking stalls are placed between traffic and a bike lane.
bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca>
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 12, 2015 0