AT-Network May 2017

at-network@lists.umanitoba.ca

6 participants
16 discussions

Debunking John Forrester & Vehicular Cycling

by Beth McKechnie

Hello everyone, In case you are looking for a solid piece on debunking the idea of 'Vehicular Cycling', as put forward by Councillor Morantz yesterday, I would recommend the following piece: http://shifter.info/heres-what-happened-when-one-city- rejected-vehicular-cycling/ <http://shifter.info/heres-what-happened-when-one-city-rejected-vehicular-cy…> cheers, Beth -- *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 green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/>

6 years, 10 months

Join us Tomorrow for the Commuter Challenge Kick-off!

by Heather Mitchell

Greetings, *Join Green Action Centre to kick off the most popular green commuting event in Canada!* [image: Inline image 1] *What:* The annual Commuter Challenge is a national celebration of healthy and sustainable transportation taking place during the first week of June. Close to 8,000 Manitobans participate every year by taking the bus, carpooling, walking or cycling to work. Winnipeg has won the past 12 out of 13 years as the top performing city in Canada. *When:* *Thursday, June 1st at 12:00-12:45 pm.* *Where:* Red River College, Paterson GlobalFoods Institute (Bijou Park, 504 Main Street). *Who:* Green Action Centre is pleased to welcome guest speakers The Honourable Cathy Cox, Minister of Sustainable Development, Councillor Brian Mayes, and Paul Vogt, President of Red River College. Trevor Dineen of CBC will host. *Why Participate?* It's great for the planet, saves money, promotes a healthy lifestyle, and you have the opportunity to win great prizes! This is also a great opportunity to *Challenge Your Co-workers To Be Green <http://greenactioncentre.ca/healthy-travel/challenge-your-coworkers-to-be-g…>* ! *** If you haven't done so yet, be sure to register your workplace <https://commuter.commuterchallenge.ca/register/workplace> and yourself <https://commuter.commuterchallenge.ca/register/individual> for the Commuter Challenge <http://greenactioncentre.ca/module/commuterchallenge/participate-in-commute…>, starting June 4th! *** Happy Commuting, *Heather Mitchell *| Workplace Commuter Options Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> | 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue (204) 925-3772 Green Action Centre is your green living hub. Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/green-action-centre/>. <http://canadahelps.org/>

6 years, 10 months

Metro Wpg: Winnipeg mayor weighs in on adjustable bike grid idea (May31'17)

by Beth McKechnie

'Playing catch-up': Winnipeg mayor weighs in on adjustable bike grid ideaCoun. Janice Lukes has been trying to get her council colleagues on board with a plan to catch up to other major cities quickly with a downtown bike grid. *By:* Braeden Jones <http://www.metronews.ca/authors.jones_braeden.html> http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2017/05/30/winnipeg-mayor-weighs-in-o… Winnipeg’s Mayor Brian Bowman is setting off for the Big City Mayors’ Caucus meeting in Ottawa this week, where he’ll sit on a panel with his colleagues from the west, Mayors Gregor Robertson, Don Iveson and Naheed Nenshi. They’re not meant to discuss cycling, but among that company, Bowman is the lone leader who hasn’t fast-tracked the expansion of downtown bike lanes. On Tuesday, after the current and former chair of Winnipeg’s public works committee traded jabs over the former’s attempt to get a downtown adjustable grid fast tracked — in vain — Bowman weighed in on the concept, and whether or not Winnipeg is late to the game Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary are already playing. “I don’t agree we are falling behind, we are actually playing catch-up significantly,” Bowman said. He explained this current council “inherited” poor active transportation (AT) infrastructure, and said it’s “going to take time to play catchup,” but noted progress has already been made during his tenure. “It’s a 20-year long-term plan, but let’s even look at this year,” he said. “This year we increased the AT budget by 57 per cent, a sizeable improvement from the previous year.” He also lauded the council-supported pedestrian and cycling strategy. But even with that plan, AT upgrades in Winnipeg are tied to road renewal in most cases, far from the quick turnaround pushed for by big-city mayors he’s meeting with this week. Innovative solutions like Edmonton’s efforts to install adjustable pre-cast curbs to rapidly build bike lanes downtown, which is still underway but was just initiated last fall, are exactly what former public works chairperson Coun. Janice Lukes tried to get current chair Coun. Marty Morantz to consider Tuesday. Bowman said he’d look at “any opportunities” the city has “to do things more efficiently,” but he wouldn’t voice support for the idea, even in principle. “It would be nice to fix all of the roads, to build all the bike paths, and fix everything with transit all in one year, but we are committed to a thoughtful plan that is an award winning plan, and pursing its implementation,” Bowman said.

6 years, 10 months

CBC News: Winnipeg city councillors exchange barbs over bike lanes (May31'17)

by Beth McKechnie

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/downtown-winnipeg-cycling-grids-1.41… Winnipeg city councillors exchange barbs over bike lanes Former public works chair accuses successor of ignorance after he quizzes her on urban-cycling theory By Bartley Kives, CBC News <http://www.cbc.ca/news/cbc-news-online-news-staff-list-1.1294364> The question of whether bike lanes help or hinder traffic safety generated a cycle of barbs at city hall in a dispute between council's current and former public works chairs. On Tuesday, Coun. Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) appeared before the committee she used to oversee to express concern that the city is about to delay the construction of an adjustable grid of downtown bike lanes. This prompted her successor, public works chair Marty Morantz (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge), to suggest bike lanes do not protect cyclists from traffic accidents at intersections. Morantz also asked Lukes if she is familiar with the work of 87-year-old U.S. cycling activist John Forester, who lobbied in the 1970s for cyclists' right to use the road and argued against keeping bicycles separated from motor-vehicle traffic. Lukes, the former director of the Winnipeg Trails Association, asked Morantz if he was familiar with anything about cycling before he became public works director. Outside the committee room, Lukes called Morantz ignorant. "I think he just doesn't understand. He doesn't follow this," Lukes said. "It's just ignorance." Lukes said she remains upset that Morantz amended her request to ask the city to study the idea of installing an adjustable downtown bike grid as a means of quickly creating more room for cyclists. Morantz, she said, amended that motion to simply find out whether the grid is consonant with city active-transportation guidelines. "Had he read it in the first place, he would have seen that it was in there, but this was more of a delay tactic," Lukes said. "This probably won't happen in two or three years or longer. The only way it will happen sooner is if it's the mayor's priority." Morantz said he has conducted his own research into urban cycling and he believes there is an alternative to what he described as the "conventional wisdom" about protected bike lanes. "I don't think any debate is ever settled," Morantz said. "I think it's important for people to know that there's another school of thought." Morantz said city hall should be lauded for spending more on cycling infrastructure "than we ever had before" and denied he is attempting to scuttle an initiative favoured by Lukes, who was removed from the city's executive policy committee last fall by Mayor Brian Bowman. Bowman, for his part, said he believes protected bike lanes do serve cyclists well. "That's what the experts tell us," the mayor said. "When we developed our pedestrian-cycling strategies, it contemplates protected bike lanes in many cases." The city plans to spend $4.7 million this year on conventional bike-and-pedestrian infrastructure, plus another $3.6 million to extend buffered bike lanes along Pembina Highway between DeVos Road and Killarney Avenue and $1.6 million to create protected bike lanes on Empress Street between Portage Avenue and St. Matthews Avenue.

6 years, 10 months

ON spending up to $42.5M this year on cycling infrastructure out of cap-and-trade fund

by Beth McKechnie

Good to see Ontario using their cap-and-trade monies on cycling infrastructure and other GHG emissions reduction projects. Would like to see the same approach for future carbon tax revenues in Manitoba. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/05/29/ontario-to- spend-up-to-425-million-this-year-on-cycling-infrastructure.html -- *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 green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/>

6 years, 10 months

Metro Wpg: Bike grid discussion returns to City Hall Tuesday

by Beth McKechnie

Bike grid discussion returns to City Hall TuesdayCoun. Janice Lukes says she plans to reiterate her call for city staff to look into the feasibility of fast tracking a downtown bike grid, Tuesday. http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2017/05/28/winnipeg- still-lags-behind-on-protected-bike-grid-talks.html In the time it took Winnipeg’s public service to report back on whether an adjustable grid of bike lanes would fit the city’s existing plans, Edmonton has installed nearly 7 km of protected cycling infrastructure <http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/05/10/edmonton-downtown-bike-gri…> in its downtown. That really frustrates Coun. Janice Lukes, who last fall pitched a similar idea <http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/10/13/winnipeg-forum-planned-for…> of adjustable infrastructure to expedite the bike-lane build <http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/11/10/winnipeg-councillor-pushin…> out locally, around the time councillors out west unanimously supported fast-tracking their version by this spring. She hosted a well-attended info session with experts involved with bold cycling infrastructure projects in Calgary and Edmonton on a panel, then tried to get the Infrastructure and Public Works committee (IRPW) to order a report on what it would take to follow suit in Winnipeg. <http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/11/29/winnipeg-pumps-breaks-on-b…> But rather than research cost and feasibility, the committee asked administration to take 120 days to report back on whether the concept aligned with existing pedestrian and cycling strategies (PCS). “Surprise,” Lukes said Sunday. “They’ve come back and said it is in the plans. Imagine that.” An administrative report going to the IRPW committee Tuesday confirms what Lukes said about half a year ago, council had already looked at the roads a downtown “grid” would go on, and “adjustable methods” are already “considered as an implementation method at some locations.” The report notes “adjustable” bike lanes are a deployment method of protected cycling facilities, and concluded with “this being the case, adjustable methods for the implementation of a protected bike facility fits within the goals and objectives of the PCS.” Administration recommends the committee accept the report for information—there is no further action advised. “I guess what I am going to have to do then is come back with my original motion… direct the department to study it again,” Lukes said. “Now that we see it is in fact in the strategies, hopefully (the committee) will say, ‘okay, let’s study what it’ll cost to implement downtown in a short window.’” While she is pleased IRPW committee members will now know the public works department is acquainted with her preferred implementation method, and hopeful it can gain traction, she’s less happy with how the process has been delayed. “We need to start it now, then refine it, that’s the whole idea with an adjustable grid,” she said. Lukes explained that a protected bike grid allowing people to travel safely around the heart of a city is part of a bigger picture, with growth, civic pride, place making, bolstering the economy, and attracting new businesses and workers all in the frame. Without that bigger picture in the equation, she thinks it’s worth moving quickly on this item “for safety” at the very least. But she worries the IRPW committee, whose chairperson said “taking a baby step forward on this is a good idea” when her motion was changed in November, will concur with the administrative report to the point that there is no action taken, and no appetite for catching up to similar cities rolling out grids across the country. Even if the committee does support her original motion, she still has little hope that a new report would be ready in time to get a plan into the 2018 budget by the fall, pushing the whole idea back to 2019 at the earliest. “It’ll never get in unless the mayor made it a priority,” she said.

6 years, 10 months

Connecting cities' scattered bikeways

by Beth McKechnie

*Excellent article and resources on StreetsBlog:* For 20 to 30 years now, many cities have been laying down bike infrastructure where it’s cheap and easy.. ...cities are now looking systematically for possible connections between their existing bikeways. These examples [in Austin, New York City, Tallahassee, Seattle and Vancouver B.C.] demonstrate the value in shifting away from focus on the “low-hanging fruit” of bike infrastructure – streets with excess auto capacity or unused parking – and toward the most important roads for bicycle connectivity, even if they require difficult tradeoffs. These changes may be more politically difficult, but if chosen well they promise bigger payoffs in ridership and safety. http://usa.streetsblog.org/2017/05/22/connecting-cities-scattered-bikeways-…

6 years, 10 months

Metro Wpg: Racks, corrals and cages - Winnipeg adding more bike parking (Apr.27'17)

by Beth McKechnie

Thought others might also have missed this article published last month (or was it just me?)... Racks, corrals and cages: Winnipeg adding more bike parkingCyclists will have more parking options this summer, especially downtown where the downtown BIZ has plans for three eight-spot corrals. http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2017/04/27/winnipeg-adding-bike-racks… Considering the plethora of parking lots in Winnipeg, it can be hard to believe that some commuters struggle to find a spot – but that's often the reality for cyclists. And that's why Mark Cohoe said it was a good thing that city council approved a grand total of $185,000 in grants to create more bike parking Wednesday. "There's some areas where (bike parking) is better… but if you get into other areas it drops off significantly," said Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. "There's definitely some spots where it's really hard to find." Stephanie Whitehouse, the city's active transportation coordinator, said the money allocated this week "is a culmination of two years of budgets," as 2016 grants "hadn't gone out." She explained the grants follow the city's approved strategies by giving groups like business improvement zones (BIZ's) funding to increase their area's bike parking. "They hear from local businesses and people where the demand is and then they facilitate and install the facilities," she said, adding it often factors into "beautification" efforts. Once the group decides what they'd like to install and where, the public works department reviews the plan prior to installation. Grants approved this week include $45,000 to the Downtown BIZ, $15,000 for the Exchange District BIZ, $5,000 for the Old St. Vital BIZ, and $10,000 each for the Corydon, South Osborne, Transcona, West Broadway and West End BIZ's. Melanie Andrushko, the acting transportation project manager for the Downtown BIZ, said the plan is to spread new bike racks "throughout the downtown and the Exchange District in 2017." "We will be looking to add to the current inventory of bike racks situated on the sidewalks, but we would also like to try and add two on-street bike parking locations." Known as "bike corrals," the on-street parking is meant for high traffic locations and can fit eight bikes or more–the grant approved for the Downtown BIZ is for three corrals, worth approximately $32,000, as well as other short-term racks. Andrushko said 400 responses to a recent BIZ-led transportation mode survey found "most respondents would like to use cycling more as their preferred mode of transportation," so the new racks and corrals are helping make that feasible. Whitecourt said she's eager to "get the ball rolling" on the corrals, which could be permanent fixtures. "We did have some in the past but they had to be installed then removed, they were seasonal… they don't always weather well," she said. "We're looking for a durable one." Council also approved $30,000 for Bike Winnipeg to install racks in areas without a local BIZ, and $30,000 for the Green Action Centre to install racks and bike cages at schools. Whitehouse said the bike cages, which are exactly what they sound like, are a response to bike theft happening "repeatedly," which is "particularly traumatic for children." "To lose such a valuable piece of equipment for them is hard… also we are looking to encourage more kids to bike to school," she said. For anyone adding it all up on their calculator who noticed that all amounts to just $175,000, kudos, the final $10,000 is for the Winnipeg Public Service itself to install a bike cage downtown at 180 King St. for city staff to use. That installation follows the city's pedestrian and cycling strategy goals, which binds the city to demonstrating "leadership in providing short-term bicycle parking for visitors to the City of Winnipeg facilities and secure long-term parking and end of trip facilities for employees at municipal buildings."

6 years, 11 months

Sustainability Planner: City of Winnipeg

by Beth McKechnie

*Sustainability Planner (Temporary)City of WinnipegPlanning & Land Use* https://careers.winnipeg.ca/psc/cgext/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_ HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS= Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=115282&PostingSeq=1 *Closing date: June 1, 2017 *The Sustainability Planner works collaboratively with City Departments, other levels of government, and the community to achieve the City’s goals of sustainability and environmental quality as directed by the Mayor and Council by providing the administrative support and coordination appropriate to develop, maintain and enhance sustainability initiatives. In addition to sustainability initiatives, under the direction of the Principal Planner, this position also participates in divisional projects and tasks related to mid- and long- range planning as required. *As The Sustainability Planner You Will Be* - Assisting the Environmental Coordinator in prioritizing and supporting the sustainability goals and actions of the City of Winnipeg. - Developing detailed action plans, including project scope, key stakeholders, timelines and budgets. - Working collaboratively with other departments, community agencies, levels of government, community groups, etc. and represent the Planning, Property and Development Department on working groups and community groups dealing with sustainability initiatives. - Drafting briefing notes, Council reports, memos, discussion papers and other written communication on proposed sustainability policy and initiatives and presents to the Environmental Coordinator. - Participating in major planning initiatives, such as the preparation of local area plans and the review of Plan Winnipeg (OurWinnipeg). *Your Education And Experience Includes* - Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Environmental Studies/Science, Geography, Natural Resource Management or Planning with a demonstrated knowledge of municipal environmental issues, or an equivalent combination of academic and experience (critical). - Master’s Degree in Natural Resource Management, Planning, Environmental Studies/Science, Geography, Public Administration would be considered an asset. - A minimum of twelve (12) months experience in planning/implementing environmental/sustainability initiatives. - Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective professional and working relationships with a wide variety of people (including elected and senior appointed officials). - Demonstrated highly developed oral and written communication skills. *Conditions Of Employment* - Applicants will be required to undergo testing to determine their knowledge, abilities and skills as they relate to the qualifications of the position. If YOU are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application, including a detailed resume, online at winnipeg.ca/hr . OR, by mail quoting *Posting #: 115282 Sustainability Planner by June 1, 2017* to: Mark Laubmann, Recruitment Clerk, Planning, Property & Development, 2nd Floor - 65 Garry St, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4K4. We have great benefits and competitive salaries, and we are committed to ongoing learning and career development! For more information on this opportunity and other careers within the City, visit: *www.winnipeg.ca/hr <http://www.winnipeg.ca/hr>*. WE SEEK DIVERSITY IN OUR WORKPLACE. INDIGENOUS PERSONS, WOMEN, VISIBLE MINORITIES, AND PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY ARE ENCOURAGED TO SELF-DECLARE. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Requests for Reasonable Accommodation will be accepted during the hiring process.

6 years, 11 months

Compost Courier (Driver/Cyclist) Employment Opportunity - Compost Winnipeg

by Beth McKechnie

*** Please share widely. Thanks! *** *Green Action Centre seeks Compost Courier (Driver/Cyclist) for Social Enterprise Operations* *Position Description: * Green Action Centre seeks an independent and energetic individual who is a proficient driver and cyclist to assist the weekly operations of our social enterprise, Compost Winnipeg. *Background: * Green Action Centre is non-profit, non-governmental organization, based in Winnipeg and serving Manitoba. We promote greener living through environmental education and encourage practical green solutions for homeowners, workplaces, schools and communities. We recently launched the social enterprise Compost Winnipeg, a fee for service operation that offers compost collection services to offices, food vendors and households in Winnipeg. *Responsibilities: * In cooperation with other Green Action Centre staff, the Compost Courier has the following duties and responsibilities: - Pick-up, weighing and tracking of organic waste from Compost Winnipeg customers; - General customer service; - Cleaning and maintenance of compost collection bins as required; - Transportation of organic waste to composting facilities; - Promotion of Compost Winnipeg services to potential customers; - Regular communication and logistics planning with the Compost Winnipeg project manager; and - Other duties, as assigned. *Qualifications: * Must be reliable and able to work without close supervision. Key qualifications include: - Organized, punctual, responsible and self-disciplined; - Good communication skills; - Able to work well with others; - Valid driver’s license; - Competent driver with clean driving record; - Competent cyclist; - Ability to consistently and safely lift 25 kilograms; - Available to work Tuesday - Friday 8:00AM – 3:30PM; and - Knowledge of composting or willingness to learn. *Date: * Starts Tuesday June 20, 2017. *Term: * This is a permanent position with the possibility of increased hours. *Remuneration: * Begins at $15 per hour (28 hours per week). *Additional Information:* This position reports to the Compost Winnipeg Project Manager. A criminal record check will be required. *Deadline: * Resume and cover letter must be received by 4:00 PM CDT, Tuesday June 6, 2017. *To Apply:* Submit a resume and cover letter to Kelly Kuryk info(a)compostwinnipeg.ca. Digital applications are preferred. Printed applications can be dropped off or mailed to our office (Green Action Centre 303 Portage Ave, 3rd Floor, Winnipeg MB, R3B 2B4). *No phone calls please.* *Visit: * www.compostwinnipeg.ca and www.greenactioncentre.ca for more information. -- *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 green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/>

6 years, 11 months

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AT-Network May 2017