Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of
the recorded February APBP webinar in the EcoCentre
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…>
boardroom.
This will be followed by discussion for those who wish to stay.
cheers,
Beth
*AT Webinar: Tues, March 5th, 2-3pm*
Viewing Low-Stress Networks through an Equity Lens
Our state of practice has improved the tools for assessing the quality of
bicycle and pedestrian networks through the lens of comfort and safety, but
– in planning these networks – are we including all potential users? This
webinar will examine inclusive strategies for developing plans and metrics
that are meaningful across social and cultural demographics.
Presenters:
- Dr. Adonia Lugo - urban anthropologist and mobility justice strategist
- Tamika Butler - Toole Design
- Carrie Modi - Fehr & Peers
--
Beth McKechnie* | *Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | 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/>
<http://www.gomanitoba.ca>
BC's Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure wants "to make active
transportation safer, easier, more affordable and attractive." and is
hosting a series of regional forums to gather stakeholder feedback.
From: Transportation, Active TRAN:EX <ActiveTransportation(a)gov.bc.ca>
Date: Tue, Feb 26, 2019 at 1:41 PM
Subject: B.C. Active Transportation Strategy – Regional Forums
Our government is committed to protecting nature and making life better for
people. Recently we introduced a CleanBC plan that puts our province on the
path to a better future, and in the coming months British Columbians will
have an opportunity to shape CleanBC initiatives.
In partnership with communities across the province, we’re working to make
active transportation safer, easier, more affordable and attractive.
To help shape the future of active transportation in our province, the
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure would like to invite you to
participate in an interactive regional forum.
Eight regional forums are being held across the province to collect input
and ideas from stakeholders like you. You are welcome to attend whichever
one of the forums is more convenient for you. All forums will provide the
same input opportunities.
City Centre Library, Surrey
(Room 418 – 10350 University Drive, Surrey, B.C. V3T 4C3)
March 1 from 9:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
SFU Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Vancouver
(Room 320 – 580 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5K3)
March 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, Penticton
(Meeting Room 6 & 7 – 273 Power Street, Penticton, B.C. V2A 7K9)
March 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Florence Filberg Centre, Courtenay
(Rotary Hall – 411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 6C6)
March 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Prestige Lakeside Resort & Convention Centre, Nelson
(Selkirk Salon – 701 Lakeside Drive, B.C. V1L 6G3)
March 11 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Best Western, Terrace
(Kokanee Room – 4553 Greig Avenue, Terrace, B.C. V8G 1M7)
March 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, Prince George
(Room 208 – 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, B.C. V2L 5T6)
March 14 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Royal BC Museum, Victoria
(Newcombe Conference Hall – 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, B.C. V8W 9W2)
March 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Light refreshments will be provided. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the
listed start time to allow for registration and familiarizing yourself with
the project and workshop structure.
To register for a forum, please email ActiveTransportation(a)gov.bc.ca with
subject line “[community name] forum” and with your name and organization
in the body of the email.
If you are unable to attend, or would like to designate a representative,
please forward this invitation internally to an alternate. We want to make
sure we hear from your group or organization. Please email us with any
questions you may have. In addition, there will be an opportunity to
provide input online through the EngageBC website in the coming weeks.
Working together, we can make communities more livable with investments in
cleaner transportation options that are healthy, convenient and affordable.
To learn more about the CleanBC plan, please visit
https://engage.gov.bc.ca/cleanbc
A good article on the difference in road safety trends for pedestrians and
cyclists v. automobile occupants, especially in urban areas:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90310016/the-urban-design-problem-thats-killing-
pedestrians-and-cyclists
As cities strive to improve the quality of life for their residents, many
are working to promote walking and biking. Such policies make sense, since
they can, in the long run, lead to less traffic, cleaner air and healthier
people. But the results aren't all positive, especially in the short to
medium term.
In Washington, D.C., for example, traffic fatalities as a whole declined in
2018 compared to the year before, but the number of pedestrian and bicyclist
deaths
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/pedestrians-contin
ue-to-be-at-high-risk-on-washington-regions-roads-data-show/2019/02/09/e6a4e
7a8-1f52-11e9-8b59-0a28f2191131_story.html?utm_term=.bf31bf0e0b04> increased
by 20%. Pedestrian deaths also have
<https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/01/nyregion/traffic-deaths-decrease-nyc.htm
l> risen in New York, and pedestrian and cycling fatalities have
<https://www.outsideonline.com/2313301/would-you-ride-bike-los-angeles>
increased in Los Angeles in the past several years.
Across the nation (USA), cyclist fatalities have increased by 25% since 2010
and pedestrian deaths have risen by
<https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/facts_stats/> a staggering 45%. More people are
being killed because cities are encouraging residents to walk and bike, but
their roads are still dominated by fast-moving vehicular traffic. .
Charles Feaver
<mailto:charles@bikewinnipeg.ca> charles(a)bikewinnipeg.ca
Hi AT folks – see information below regarding focus groups on cycling in Winnipeg.
Kristine
Kristine Hayward
Physical Activity Promotion Coordinator
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
2nd floor - 490 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, MB R3A 0X7
Cell 204 232-7546
Fax 204 940-2690
Email khayward(a)wrha.mb.ca
Bike racks are available in front of the building at the corner of Hargrave and McDermot.
Plan your Winnipeg Transit trip: http://winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo
Metred street parking and pay lots in the area – please note designated loading zones and spots requiring a disability permit.
Follow Winnipeg in motion on Twitter - @wpginmotion
Check out our videos on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/Winnipeginmotion
Hey friends,
Participants are needed next week for two focus group sessions on bicycling in Winnipeg. The objective of the focus group is to better understand public opinions about bicycling.
The first session, Tuesday February 12, is for people who ride their bikes often. The second session, Wednesday February 13, is for people who do not ride a bicycle or people who do not ride a bicycle often. Both sessions are 6 PM to 8 PM; refreshment will be served and participants will receive $25 as compensation upon completion of the session.
This study is being conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), a non-profit charitable organization in Ottawa, Ontario and the Spatial Pattern Analysis and Research Lab at the University of Victoria (SPARlab), with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Please see attached posters for more information, including contact information if you are interested.
Please share widely and generously,
Joseph
Joseph Stothers, Community Liaison & Communications Coordinator
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Spence Neighbourhood Association
430 Langside Street | Winnipeg, MB | R3B 2T5
Treaty 1 Territory, traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples and Homeland of the Metis Nation
204-783-5000 ext. 109
www.spenceneighbourhood.org<http://www.spenceneighbourhood.org>
Donate<https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/spence-neighbourhood-association-i…> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/SpenceNeighbourhoodAssociation> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/SNAcommunity> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/SNAcommunity/>
<https://www.instagram.com/SNAcommunity/>The Spence Neighbourhood Association works with the people of Spence to revitalize and renew their community in the areas of Holistic Housing, Community Connecting, Community Economic Development, Environment and Open Spaces, and Youth & Families.
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this message is intended solely for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any use, dissemination, distribution, copying or disclosure of this message and attachments, in whole or in part, by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and permanently delete the complete message and any attachments. Thank you.
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*Calgary winter cycling numbers stay strong, city says*
https://livewirecalgary.com/2019/02/05/calgary-winter-cycling-numbers-stay-…
More than 280 cycling advocates, engineers, academics and planners from
around the world will be in Calgary over the next couple days as the city
hosts the 2019 Winter Cycling Congress.
It’s the seventh annual international event, which discusses opportunities
and best practices for cycling in cold climate cities, and Tom Thivener,
active transportation projects coordinator with the City of Calgary, said
it’s the perfect time for the event to be held in Calgary.
“It’s a privilege to host it – the first time in Western Canada,” said
Thivener.
Thivener said the city has come a long way in providing alternative modes
of transportation over the past few decades. Starting with the CTrain in
the 80s, the extensive pathway system through the early part of the new
millennium and now the extension of that system to the on-street cycling
network.
“Low and behold we have 90 kilometres that have been created or modified
since the cycling strategy took hold,” he said.
“If you look at where we’ve come from and where we’re headed, it definitely
a good time to bring the Congress to Calgary.”
The city’s fickle winter climate does pose challenges other cities don’t
face – Chinooks melting snow, creating ice patches that can be tough for
city crews to track down – but it also provides the benefit of being able
to ride year round, often in milder temperatures.
Thivener said when you compare it to a place like Finland, where they often
ride on packed snow, avoiding frequent icy conditions, Calgary is a unique
place to cycle in winter. Other cities deal with icy rains and freezing
temperatures which make winter riding uncomfortable and wet at the best of
times.
When diving into Calgary’s winter cycling data, Thivener said the one thing
that stands out to him is the fact that there are more cyclists using the
on-street network in the winter now than there were cycling on Calgary
streets during the summer prior to the cycle track.
“It’s a really a credit to the infrastructure, but also the determination
of riders to want these transportation options and want them to be
available year-round.”
He did note that winter trips are 30 per cent of those on a typical summer
day but attributed that to the likelihood that the same riders were still
out there, just limiting their trips by bundling outings together.
“In the winter it’s a fair number of the same people. Only a certain number
are fair weather cyclists out there,” he said.
Still, Thivener acknowledges ongoing challenges with maintenance,
especially in areas where they can’t respond immediately, or where there
are gaps in snow clearing. One area in particular they’re addressing is in
clearing bike boulevard connectors on some of the city’s dead-end streets
where larger equipment can’t turn around.
He said a recent boost to the operations budget for pathways and the
cycling network should help them address some of the shortcomings –
hopefully in time for next winter.
“The river pathway system stays busy year round and the on-street stuff is
no different. We’re trying to level the playing field by getting similar
quality maintenance protocols on each so people can predict them,” he said.
While some may question the need for cycling infrastructure given Calgary’s
northern climate, Thivener said the city’s made major strides in providing
more transportation options.
We have to step back and see how far we’ve come. We can debate about how
fast we’re moving, and that’s healthy debate, but in the end, we’ve made a
lot of progress in the last couple decades around sustainable
transportation.”
The Winter Cycling Congress runs from Feb. 6 to 8 at the new Central
Library.
*Tap the brakes on electric scooters *
MAYBE it’s a movement — a forward-surging trend that seeks to embrace a
more carbon-friendly style of commuting. Or perhaps it’s just a fad — a
kooky cyber-age craze that’s destined to disappear as quickly and
mysteriously as it materialized.
Whatever the case, the suggestion last week by Coun. Matt Allard that
Winnipeg should ready itself to become part of the electric-scooter wave
that has swept through many cities in the United States and Canada is sure
to generate as much controversy as it does conversation.
“We want to be ready for electric scooters because this is happening across
North America,” the chairman of the city’s public works committee said
Wednesday. “They’re coming, so let’s get it right.”
While Mr. Allard is to be commended for imploring a proactive approach to
what might become an issue of public concern, one surely hopes he is
mistaken in suggesting that Winnipeg will have no say whatsoever in
deciding whether thousands of pay-per-ride motorized scooters suddenly roll
into its streets.
A clutch of California-based companies, including Lime, Bird, Skip and
Spin, last year put tens of thousands of electric scooters into service in
major urban centres around the world. The concept is simple: riders
download a smartphone app, input credit card information and then use the
app to unlock a scooter for pay-as-you-ride use.
The cost is typically around $1 to start, and then about 30 cents for each
minute of ride time.
In other cities in which they’ve been introduced — suddenly, and in great
numbers — the scooters have proven quite popular. But within the first
year, the electric-scooter concept has also experienced significant
backlash from municipal leaders who view them as some combination of a
nuisance and a menace.
San Francisco issued cease-and-desist letters to the scooter companies,
resulting in the two-wheelers being temporarily removed from that city’s
streets (their reintroduction carried numerous conditions). One California
community instructed its police department to enforce traffic laws to the
letter, requiring scooter operators to wear helmets and carry valid
driver’s licences.
Other cities have banned them from certain areas. The mayor of Boston
declared they would be immediately impounded if they showed up there.
At issue for many civic lawmakers is the manner in which the scooter craze
has been unleashed — seemingly overnight, and without any permission sought
from the communities in question. Also of concern, of course, is the safety
issue — the scooters are capable of speeds approaching 25 km/h, which means
novice riders thinking they’re jumping aboard a children’s toy often find
themselves careening toward a catastrophic injury. Electric scooters are
motor vehicles, and should be regulated as such.
And that means the scooter trend’s arrival in Winnipeg should not be
treated as a foregone conclusion. City council and civic administrators —
and, for that matter, the province, which oversees the Highway Traffic Act
— should treat very seriously the suggestion that any company can turn up
unannounced with a few truckloads of motorized scooters and declare they’re
ready to ride on Winnipeg’s streets.
Of course, hereabouts there are also the issues of five months of frozen
streets, a woefully inadequate and often pothole-impeded cycling
infrastructure and an alarming rate of theft of two-wheeled conveyances to
be considered. In Winnipeg, that’s how we roll.
In other words, while it’s always best to be ready, there’s a whole lot
that needs to be made right before anyone declares, “They’re coming.”