March 2020 - AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP: BLUE line brings rapid transit to southwest
by Beth McKechnie 31 Mar '20

31 Mar '20

*BLUE line brings rapid transit to southwest* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/BLUE-line-bring… Starting April 12, a dedicated 11-kilometre transitway will open in the southwest, giving bus riders a faster, easier commute. BLUE is a new rapid transit line that will provide frequent, reliable, high-speed service between Winnipeg’s downtown, the University of Manitoba and St. Norbert, according to Adam Budowski, a transit planner with Winnipeg Transit. The idea of rapid transit was first introduced in Winnipeg in the 1970s, with city council acting on it in the early 2000s when a task force was established. The first stage was opened in 2012 with the 3.6 km-long rapid transitway running from Queen Elizabeth Way to Jubilee Avenue. Planning for stage two of the transitway began in 2012, with most of the construction completed by the end of 2019. "A big piece of this has been route planning," Budowski said. "We started developing route plans for the transitway about two years ago and started doing public engagement in the spring of 2019." Transit "hollowed out" a retired bus, equipped it with poster boards and drove this Ideas in Motion bus to transit hubs and community events to catch people during their daily activities, according to Budowski. They also received responses via email, for a total of around 1,000 responses. "We’ve designed a high frequency line in a well-planned area, with 14 new community feeder routes. People can wait at heated shelters which also feature digital displays for real-time bus information. The transitway is designed to move large numbers of people to where they want to go, quickly and in a way that avoids congestion on Pembina Highway," Budowski said, adding that there will still be buses running on Pembina for those needing local transportation. The City of Winnipeg has been working on weekends to change the bus route signs in the southwest. The transit stops now feature a blue sign showing the new route numbers, and an orange, temporary sign showing the old route numbers. "We want people to know that their current bus is still coming, and get them used to the new routes that will launch April 12," he said, adding there are around 1,500 bus stop signs being changed. Funding for the BLUE line included $163.8 million from the City of Winnipeg, $93.3 million from the province and $163.3 million from the federal government.The BLUE line will feature 28 new articulated buses, which can carry around 100 passengers each. Each bus will feature a front rack that can carry two bikes. There will also be bike lockers at each station and bike racks. "The buses will run approximately every four to five minutes during rush hour," Budowski said. Passengers will be able to park their cars and hop onboard a bus, thanks to more than 1,000 park and ride spots installed at Seel Station and Clarence Station. The parking spots are available for special events at attractions along the BLUE Rapid Transit Line, including Investors Group Field, and are provided free of charge for anyone using Transit services. For those interested in active transportation, such as biking or walking, a protected and accessible path runs the full length of the transitway, connecting to existing active routes. It will be illuminated at night to enhance safety and visibility. Winnipeg Transit mailed information brochures to 75,000 households in the southwest, as well as putting up information signs at 86 bus stations in the downtown regarding route changes. For more information on the BLUE transitway and route changes, see winnipegtransit.com/en/service/blue-rapid-transit/ To start planning bus routes, use the Navigo Trip Planner at winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo and type in April 12 as the date you want to make a trip.

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WFP: Active transportation changes seen as part of virus response (Mar31'20)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Mar '20

31 Mar '20

Active transportation changes seen as part of virus response https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/active-transportation-changes-seen-… BARRICADES for seasonal Sunday and holiday road closures could go up early this year to make space for pedestrians and cyclists struggling to keep their distance as Winnipeggers head outdoors amid the COVID-19 crisis. A spokesman for the City of Winnipeg said Monday that officials are considering whether to provide pedestrians access to roadways and enhanced active transportation routes as physical distancing becomes a challenge on sidewalks in some communities. “There’s just no way possible in areas where there is density on beautiful days that we can maintain the physical distance,” Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said. “We didn’t have a wicked winter, but we want to get outside, the sun is shining, the snow is melting.” Lukes says she’s formally asked the mayor’s office and the city’s interim chief administrative officer to implement road or lane closures for people to get outside and maintain the two metres of distance between individuals recommended by public health officials. “We’ve got thousands and thousands of kilometres of roadway in the city, the traffic volumes are down: take to the streets, take to the residential roads,” she said. The city did not accommodate a request for an interview Monday but said in an email that more information on road closures and pedestrian access will be released this week. City owned playgrounds, recreation centres and picnic shelters have been closed as part of the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but parks remain open at this time. On Friday, Mayor Brian Bowman said city officials are reviewing what outdoor recreation options can be made available to the public. “We’re trying collectively as governments to ensure that while we’re telling people to get outside and social distance, we’re not shrinking the available public spaces that they can spread out,” he said. Over the weekend, the City of Calgary closed vehicular lanes alongside popular pedestrian corridors to traffic in anticipation of people heading outdoors to take advantage of warm weather. The locations of the temporary closures were not promoted to avoid crowds of people congregating at select spots. Each May, the city restricts through-traffic on four roads on Sunday and holidays and give cyclists priority. The restrictions are in place for Lyndale Drive, Wolseley Avenue, Scotia Street and Wellington Crescent from Academy Road to Guelph Street. “We’ve already got a framework, let’s put it in play seven days a week for now,” Lukes said. “The thing is, people are going to go outside whether you want them to or not. So we need to make it safe for them and we need to reinforce social distancing.” Winnipeg Trails executive director Anders Swanson said enhancing the city’s overall active transportation network throughout the duration of the COVID-19 response will be critical to ensure the safe movement of people across the city. “If you have to take half the people off the bus to maintain physical distancing for the next however many months, we’re going to need some sort of system,” Swanson said. “We’ve been calling for this for decades, but this is a life changing moment,” Swanson said. “The space is there and it would be not just impractical to not rededicate that space to people so that they can move, but it would be rude to not do that now.” Separated and dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, addressing “mode gaps,” and speed limit changes should all be considered as quickly as possible, he said. “The simplest message is to stay home if you can,” Swanson said. “We’re not trying to say the most important thing is for everyone to go out for a jog. “But what we’re voicing is the concern that when you make rules to recognize walking and cycling is very competitive with a transit trip, if necessary, given the right infrastructure,” he said. danielle.dasilva(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Today: Virtual Cycling conference with great speakers - Digital Worldbike
by Anders Swanson 31 Mar '20

31 Mar '20

Good morning, Apologies for the late notice, but there is a conference with some terrific speakers happening today from 1-6pm Central European time. Organized pre-pandemic, its perfect timing for a virtual conference on a topic that offers a rare glimmer of hope. You can see the program here (skip to section 3 for the urbanism/transport stuff): https://twitter.com/DigiWorldBike/status/1244897866046484480 You can register here, free, to enter the virtual conference: https://t.co/k1BFYPvSC7?amp=1 Or check out the a live stream: https://t.co/yEDKeBfYXi?amp=1 As I send this, Marco te Brömmelstroet (fietsprofessor and head of the urban cycling institute at the University of Amsterdam) is talking about the language of mobility. Again, apologies for the short notice. Enjoy! Anders

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BBC News: Climate change: vision for future UK transport
by Charles F 29 Mar '20

29 Mar '20

UK transport minister says it's time to reduce car - driving...How do we get Canada/ manitoba | Winnipeg leadership to adopt this direction sooner rather than later?Climate change: 'Gob-smacking' vision for future UK transport - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52064509* Disclaimer *The BBC is not responsible for the content of this email, and anything written in this email does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the email address nor name of the sender have been verified.Sent from my phone.

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CROW Design Manual - free webinars (Urban Cycling Institute)
by Beth McKechnie 28 Mar '20

28 Mar '20

The CROW 'Design Manual for Bicycle Traffic' is widely regarded by experts as the best bikeway engineering guide in the world. In the coming weeks, the Urban Cycling Institute will offer a series of free webinars, each focused on one chapter of the book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-17vjmIkwG8

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WFP: UMSU votes yes on U-Pass
by Beth McKechnie 28 Mar '20

28 Mar '20

*VOTES YES ON U-PASS * THE University of Manitoba Students’ Union says Winnipeg Transit’s U-Pass program will continue at the school. The UMSU board of directors has voted in favour to “save” the U-Pass program, at an increased rate of $200/full-time student per term, up from $136.25/term — a hike the City of Winnipeg said is needed to cover costs.

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Globe & Mail: Coronavirus is reshaping the way we get around cities (Mar25'20)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Mar '20

26 Mar '20

Coronavirus is reshaping the way we get around cities https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/mobility/article-coronavirus-is-resha… The rising need for social distancing has been changing how we get around cities – and whether we get around at all. Right now, schools and some businesses are closed and more people are working from home to try to slow the COVID-19 outbreak. That means less traffic and fewer people taking transit. “There’s a huge reduction in traffic and urban personal travel,” says Lawrence Frank, a professor of public health at the University of British Columbia (UBC). In some places, the need to keep space between us is leading to a push, at least temporarily, for more active ways to get around. *Bogota, for instance, added 76 kilometres of temporary bike lanes to its 550-km bike network.* *“They took some of their transit lanes and gave them to cyclists – this is a smart idea and their weather allows it,” says Ahmed El-Geneidy, a professor at McGill University’s School of Public Planning. “When you cycle, you’re distanced from other people.”* *If the crisis continues for a longer period of time, El-Geneidy says he expects Canadian cities, including Toronto and Montreal, to look into temporarily adding more bike lanes.* “If you’re not sick, you can take a walk around the block – you can take a bicycle ride as long as you’re staying away from people,” El-Geneidy says. “I’m not an expert in public health, but if we have congestion on cycling routes, then it’s useless.” LONG-TERM CHANGES? But what happens after all this is finally over and we don’t need to keep two metres away from each other? “It will change something – what it will change, I don’t know for sure,” El-Geneidy says. “It can be a good time now to try biking and walking, and maybe in some places, we could see a return to more corner stores that people can walk to because people don’t want to take their cars or transit.” Although, it’s also possible that the roads could be more crowded, at least temporarily, with individual vehicles than ever because some people will be spooked off public transit. “Transit is not bad – we cannot allow this to be used to say that we shouldn’t be taking collective forms of transportation,” UBC’s Frank says. “That’s ridiculous. This is a short, unprecedented situation and we had time to react in advance.” REDUCTION IN POLLUTION? In China and Italy <https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/covid-19-air-pollution-1.5501810>, one side-effect of people staying home because of COVID-19 is a drastic reduction in air pollution, Frank says. According to the most recent Global Burden of Disease study, an estimated 3.4 million people worldwide died prematurely because of outdoor air pollution in 2017. During the lockdown, Frank expects China and Italy to see a drop in deaths from chronic diseases that are caused or worsened by pollution. “This shows us that how we get around has a dramatic effect on pollution,” Frank says. “We’re monitoring COVID-19 and it’s terrifying, but at the same time, it might be that more lives were saved because of the reduction in vehicle use and air pollution.” When these temporary restrictions end, this could be used as an opportunity for governments to change how we get around cities. They could invest more in transit, electrification and active transportation, including cycling , e-scooters and e-bikes, Frank says. That would mean more urban density instead of increasing sprawl out to the suburbs, Frank says. People who get around by walking or cycling instead of solely in vehicles are, generally. healthier overall. “You want to design a transportation system and lay out your cities so that there’s less vulnerability should something like this happen again,” Frank says. “We’d have to think past a contagious epidemic and make cities more conducive to biking and walking. It could have an incredible impact on chronic disease.”

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TOMORROW: Webinar on Public Health & Transportation
by Beth McKechnie 23 Mar '20

23 Mar '20

******************************************************** Caution: This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. ******************************************************** Join us on tomorrow at 2pm ET to discuss ways urban planners can collaborate with transportation and public health professionals. WEBINAR Urban Planning, Transportation, and Public Health Collaborations March 24, 2020 from 2:00pm - 2:30pm ET <https://enotrans.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d2579cc7754f7b743881bff9…> *Join us TOMORROW at 2pm ET for the latest webinar in our series! If you haven't registered yet, be sure to save your spot as space is limited. After the immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic has occurred, there are ways transportation agencies could benefit from better collaboration with public health agencies in the future. *This webinar will describe several ways in which urban planners are working with data sources and colleagues in public health and healthcare. Case studies show how collaboration is being used to improve planners’ ability to make data-driven decisions, measure the outcomes of a program that expands transit access, and broaden their understanding of how well the built environment and transportation access are helping to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of residents. This webinar will inform planners, DOTs, and researchers of existing resources that can be used in new ways. *Speakers:* *Renee Autumn Ray,* *Strategy and Innovation Leader, Conduent Transportation* *Alice Grossman, Ph.D,* *Senior Policy Analyst, Eno Center for Transportation* March 2020 24 REGISTER <https://enotrans.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d2579cc7754f7b743881bff9…> *Connect with us and don't miss out on other great resources!* [image: Facebook] <https://enotrans.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d2579cc7754f7b743881bff9…> Facebook <https://enotrans.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d2579cc7754f7b743881bff9…> [image: Twitter] <https://enotrans.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d2579cc7754f7b743881bff9…> Twitter <https://enotrans.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d2579cc7754f7b743881bff9…> [image: VIEW UPCOMING WEBINARS] <https://enotrans.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d2579cc7754f7b743881bff9…> VIEW UPCOMING WEBINARS <https://enotrans.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d2579cc7754f7b743881bff9…> *Copyright © 2020 Eno Center for Transportation, All rights reserved.* You are receiving this email because you opted in to our email list. *Our mailing address is:* Eno Center for Transportation 1629 K St. NW Ste 200 Washington, DC 20006

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WFP: The Unicycle Guy relishes being the most noticeable commuter on the road (Mar21'20)
by Beth McKechnie 21 Mar '20

21 Mar '20

******************************************************** Caution: This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. ******************************************************** The Unicycle Guy relishes being the most noticeable commuter on the road ‘A WEIRD KIND OF FAMOUS’ https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/a-weird-kind-of-famous-568977702.ht… EACH morning, to get to work, most of the city climbs into sedans or minivans, a fair number sit on the bus, some bike, others who live close enough to do so walk — every trip moves along with the flow of traffic, and every commuter somewhat disappears into the thrum of urban movement. Not Daniel Voth. For one thing, he’s deceptively gangly, standing six-foot-three, often towering over the people he meets. And then, there’s that thing he’s sitting on to get to work every winter morning: a 36-inch high unicycle, decked out in neon green decals, in case you weren’t already staring. He wants you to stare. He dares you to smile. He loves your attention. “I call myself Dan, but people can call me the Unicycle Guy,” he says. So we will. The Unicycle Guy lives in an apartment on Garry Street, with his cat Jam Jams and five unicycles, a collection he’s been accruing for nearly three years. Every morning, around 8 a.m., he descends, wheel in the air, passing tenants who know him if not by name, then by his mode of transport. He started riding a unicycle three years ago, when he saw a man riding one along the Assiniboine Park walking bridge. The Unicycle Guy, who was then strictly a Car Man, was intrigued. The next day, he called every bike shop in the city, and bought the cheapest ’cycle he could find. His mother, Debbie-Lee Olfert, is no unicyclist herself — she says she can barely ride a bike. But she was not surprised to find out her son was picking up such a peculiar talent. “He is the most quirky person you’re going to meet,” she says. “And as the mother of grown-ass men, you stop telling them what to do and hope they make choices that aren't illegal, immoral, or life-threatening,” she says. “I say have fun, be safe, be smart.” At the time a Charleswood resident, the Unicycle Guy was determined to learn. He wouldn’t stop practising that first day until he could reach the bottom of the driveway without bailing, and soon enough, he could. “The origin to my interest is that riding a unicycle has always seemed like an impossible task, and I always liked the idea of doing something often perceived as undoable,” he says before a commute one March morning. “I always describe this as the easiest thing to learn that looks the hardest to do.” The Unicycle Guy isn’t wrong: from a distance, and up close, it seems like every moment not spent falling is a miracle, but ultimately, the pursuit of one-wheeled balance is one grounded in patience and trust. When talking about the unicycle, the Unicycle Guy takes on a somewhat spiritual tone: if you will it, you can ride. Soon after he got down the driveway, he aimed higher, and further: he wanted to ride to work. So, last summer, he sold his rattly car, forwent his $100 per month parking expenses, and rode away. The commute was 20 minutes by car, and though Google Maps doesn’t have a unicycle option, it took about an hour from Point A to Point B, an office on Market Avenue. In the summer, the ride was smooth, if not slightly scary. The unicycle shared lanes with its two- and four-wheeled brethren harmoniously, aside from a few heckles from the seatbelted population. Some passersby rolled down their windows to sing circus music — da da dada dada da da dada. The Unicycle Guy was unperturbed. In fact, he was delighted. He started riding his unicycle in even more unconventional ways. To the arena, he lugged his hockey bag. While eating sushi with chopsticks, he pedaled around. Jam Jams has joined him for a ride here and there. “I’m trying to stick out like a sore thumb, because I think the image is funny,” he says. “The looks I’ve gotten — I get a kick out of it.” Later in the year, he moved to Garry Street, where his daily commute shortened to 15 minutes, but the amount of recognition he’s received expanded ten-fold. A woman waiting with her children for the school bus says her kids look forward to seeing him every day. A bus driver on Waterfront Drive waves to him daily. On Broadway, one woman says she’s begun to text friends whenever she sees him roll by. “My friends in the Exchange speak of a unicycle guy,” she says. “He’s sort of a weird kind of famous.” His route shifts, but on this day, he darts across Main, and at the Via Rail station, makes a sharp left turn. As cars sit and wait, jammed bumper to bumper to bumper, the Unicycle Guy floats above it, zooming past a stationary Kia Soul and an idling Volkswagen Golf at nearly 20 kilometres per hour. Soon, he arrives at work, storing his wheel at his desk. This summer, he plans to ride to Kenora on his unicycle to raise money for charities of his choosing; he’s starting to figure out which now. Upon hearing those plans, his mom was once again unsurprised. “It’s such an absurd thing, but if it’s what he wants to do, I am not going to talk him out of it,” she says, adding that she’s proud he’s cut down his carbon footprint. As for riding to work in the winter, “All the power to him,” she laughs. “I always tell people, if I die or get hurt on the way to Kenora, I accept it,” the Unicycle Guy says, taking a serious turn. “But if I’m not doing the things that I enjoy in life, then what am I doing?” “I could just stay at home all day every day and not go out into the world, but if something’s going to happen, something is going to happen doing what I love,” he says. “I don’t walk anywhere unless I have to.” ben.waldman(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Study (US): Most car owners wish they didn't have to drive
by Beth McKechnie 20 Mar '20

20 Mar '20

Most people who get behind the wheel every day don’t want to be there. More than half of drivers wish they had another option for getting around besides their cars, according to a new poll from Data for Progress <http://filesforprogress.org/memos/gnd-for-transit-polling.pdf> — a startling revelation that busts the stubborn myth that most Americans simply *prefer *driving to greener modes of transportation. In fact, the survey suggests that when we put cars at the center of our planning decisions, we’re not truly serving the will of the people. Read article: https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/03/19/study-most-car-owners-wish-they-didn…

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EOI for bikeshare/e-bikeshare in Winnipeg
by Patman, David 19 Mar '20

19 Mar '20

City of Winnipeg has released an EOI looking for firms operating bikeshare and e-bikeshare systems. https://www.merx4.merx.com/mbgov/solicitations/open-bids/Bicycle-and-E-Bicy… David Patman, P.Eng. Manager - Transportation Public Works City of Winnipeg Sent from my iPhone

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BMJ: People who cycle to work have higher rick of injury but benefits offset this risk (Mar11'20)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Mar '20

18 Mar '20

Commuters who cycle to work are at higher risk of injury compared to those who walk to work, use a car or take public transport. The findings are released today in a study by the University of Glasgow and published in the *British Medical Journal (BMJ)*. Overall, commuting exclusively by bicycle was associated with a 45% higher risk of injury that required a visit to hospital, and cycling commuters were also at a 3.4 fold higher risk of injury where the cause was listed as a transport accident. The risk of injury was higher still in those that cycled longer distances to work. However, the researchers found that the risk of injury is counterbalanced by the lower risk of cancers, heart disease and deaths seen in cycling commuters. Senior author of the study, Dr Paul Welsh, from the University of Glasgow, said: “We know there is a perception that cycling in commuter traffic is dangerous, and that this perception may be putting people off actively commuting by bike to work. “Now, as a result of this research, we can to some extent quantify the risk associated with this form of commuting. If 1000 people incorporate cycling into their commute for 10 years we would expect 26 more injuries, but 15 fewer cancers, 4 fewer heart disease events, and three fewer deaths. So, the benefits offset the risks, and this should be encouraging, but more needs to done to make commuter cycling safe.” https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_714428_en.html

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A Surge in Biking to Avoid Crowded Trains in N.Y.C.
by Beth McKechnie 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

A growing wave of New Yorkers are embracing cycling to get to work and around the city as their regular subway and bus commutes have suddenly become fraught with potential perils, from possibly virus-tainted surfaces to strangers sneezing and coughing on fellow passengers. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/nyregion/coronavirus-nyc-bike-commute.ht…

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AT Webinar: Implementing Bicycle Infrastructure Quickly in Edmonton & Bellingham (March 18th, 2-3pm)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of the monthly 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. Will be interesting to hear what Edmonton is doing! * * * * * Implementing Bicycle Infrastructure Quickly in Edmonton & Bellingham *Wed, March 18th | 2:00-3:00 PM* Presenters: - Chris Comeau, Public Works Engineering, Bellingham, WA - Daniel Harman Vriend, City of Edmonton - Olga Messinis, City of Edmonton -- Beth McKechnie (she/her) *| *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>

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MP Andy Fillmore to lead National AT strategy development
by Beth McKechnie 11 Mar '20

11 Mar '20

Minister of Infrastructure and Communities has tasked Andy Fillmore (MP, Halifax) with leading the development of a national active transportation strategy. https://twitter.com/AndyFillmoreHFX/status/1237726425840594944

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Get Moving on Climate | Friday, March 13th
by Beth McKechnie 11 Mar '20

11 Mar '20

This Friday! Register here <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/get-moving-on-climate-a-transportation-event-t…> [image: CAT-Get_Moving_On_Climate-Event-Poster-FIN-683x1024.jpg]

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New Bicycle Registry Established by Portage la Prairie RCMP
by Ian Wassink 10 Mar '20

10 Mar '20

First announced December 15, 2019. The Portage la Prairie RCMP is rolling out a new initiative to help return stolen bikes to their owners. Cst. James Cameron is heading up the program. "I'm a new member to the RCMP, arriving in Portage la Prairie in June of this year," says Cst. Cameron. "During my time here, I saw an opportunity in the community to assist in recovering stolen and lost bicycles. RCMP have responded to over 50 calls of theft of bicycles this year alone." He says you can get your registration card at the detachment and it doesn't take much of your time. The information on the card is entered into a database and they will contact you if your lost bike is found. "The service is free and could assist in getting you your bicycles returned to you," says Cst. Cameron. "I hope that you take part in it, and we encourage that all members of the community that own bicycles to participate." https://www.portageonline.com/local/sign-up-for-the-rcmp-s-bicycle-registry… More info: The RCMP in Portage recently established a bicycle registry. This is voluntary and will assist in recovering stolen, missing, abandoned bicycles to owners. Serial numbers are crucial. RCMP will work with Portage Fire Department to enhance returning bikes to owners. Process to Register a Bike: Person submits Portage la Prairie RCMP Bicycle Registry business card with bike info to RCMP station. Additional info can be added on the back of the card, ex: owner name and address, unique features of bike. RCMP local detachment maintains a database (Excel spreadsheet) with above information. RCMP is open to enhancing this initiative as it rolls out to the public. Bicycle Registry cards are available at Two Tired Boys, The Greasy Chain, and RCMP detachment. It is not mandatory that a bicycle be entered into this registry at point of sale, however, The Greasy Chain will endeavor to do this as much as possible on sold and repaired bicycles. Process to be established for The Greasy Chain.

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WFP: Self-driving cars focus of bill (Mar5'20)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Mar '20

05 Mar '20

Self-driving cars focus of bill THE provincial government has introduced legislation to set the ground rules for the testing of self-driving vehicles in Manitoba. Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said the proposed Vehicle Technology Testing Act (Bill 23) would create a framework to enable examination of automated vehicles. “It is something that industry has asked for, that they be allowed to test on our roads,” he said of vehicle manufacturers. “They would like to have some kind of structure put in place.” Schuler said the province has considered the move for more than two years. He said following passage of the bill, the government would develop regulations and a permitting system in consultation with stakeholders. “By enabling developers to safely test emerging vehicle technologies on provincial roadways, we are supporting Manitoba’s large agricultural, trucking, heavy-vehicle manufacturing and technology development sectors,” Schuler said. Companies would have to obtain special insurance coverage, he said. “We are not going to ask Manitoba ratepayers at MPI to cover off, should something happen.” — Larry Kusch

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Montreal pulls the plug on e-scooters
by Beth McKechnie 04 Mar '20

04 Mar '20

The Montreal Gazette reported Bird and Lime e-scooters were popular, but compliance with helmet and parking rules was poor. E-Scooters may have had their problems, but they have a huge potential because the average trip on the scooters was just 1.5 kilometers (1 mi), and in 2019, 25% of the trips were linked to public transit. More than 50,000 riders took more than 200,000 trips in 3 months. The city's executive committee recently outlawed self-service rental vehicles following a pilot last summer that saw the vehicles deployed in various locations across the city. While the system called for the scooters to be returned to designated areas after their use, in many cases users simply left them on streets and sidewalks when they were done. Police also issued more than 300 tickets to users who ignored the city regulation requiring they wear a helmet while riding the scooters. https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-pulls-the-plug-on-e-sc…

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Upcoming Webinars: Health-in-all Policies Approach for Municipalities | Public Health Collaborations with Municipalities
by Beth McKechnie 04 Mar '20

04 Mar '20

Hi everyone, Here are a couple of free webinars that might be of interest to watch from the comfort of your desk: Health in All Policies: The importance and impact of a health-in-all-policies approach for municipalities <https://cc.readytalk.com/registration/#/?meeting=hd41ls8eu2ch&campaign=hitk…> (Friday, March 13th) *Public Health Sector - Collaborating with Municipalities <http://www.ncchpp.ca/182/presentations.ccnpps?id_article=2033>* (Tues, March 31st) cheers, Beth -- Beth McKechnie (she/her) *| *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>

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WFP: City to boost street construction standards (Mar4'20)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Mar '20

04 Mar '20

*City lays down plan for tougher roads * * New construction rules geared to more durability* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-to-boast-street-construction-s… WINNIPEG is adding new road construction rules with an eye to making its streets last longer. The changes should allow concrete construction to last 25 per cent longer and add 15 per cent to the lifespan of asphalt, said Brad Neirinck, City of Winnipeg engineering manager, noting local construction standards have lagged behind those of other Canadian cities. “We’re behind the times. We’re trying to move our specifications up to match what other jurisdictions are doing and improve our life cycle,” he said Tuesday. The new standards would ensure a higher quality of limestone, gravel and concrete are used to build certain roads, which would be stiffer and offer better drainage, helping them hold up better, said Ahmed Shalaby, a civil engineer who works with the city. “The improvement in performance is actually quite significant. Some of these materials can be twice as good as what we were using previously,” Shalaby told reporters. “It will drain faster, it will be stronger, it will have fewer cracks.” During Tuesday’s public works committee meeting, Shalaby warned councillors Winnipeg’s previous road standards were “in a way, obsolete.” The higher standards should also prevent some streets from requiring repairs every five or 10 years, he said. Developers at the meeting raised a series of concerns, including the spectre of increased costs and sending more rejected road materials to the landfill. Other issues about the new material rules could make it difficult for contractors to budget for work, said Chris Lorenc, president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. “We don’t know the extent to which it’s going to be subject to rejection… That creates risk, uncertainty and a potential spike in prices,” he said. However, city council’s public works chairman expects the changes will finally address citizen complaints that local roads haven’t been built to last. “We needed to get with the times and join other jurisdictions in building roads that are going to be built better and last longer,” said Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface). Despite industry concerns, it’s not clear if the change would actually increase construction project costs, Allard said. Even though the city would require that higher-quality materials be used, projects may also use smaller amounts of them, he said. “We need to go into the field and apply it to know exactly how much it’s going to cost,” Allard said. After hearing multiple presentations from concerned members of the construction industry, city staff said two key compromises should help address any potential issues: the higher standard for construction work will be implemented this year on contracts and subjected to ongoing review by a working group with industry members, and developers of some private-sector projects will be exempt from the new rules until 2021. In October, the city’s public service is expected to provide an update on how the new standard works out. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Webinar on cycling in suburban communities
by Orly Linovski 02 Mar '20

02 Mar '20

FYI Webinar: Incubating Cycling in Suburban Canadian Communities Wednesday, March 4th | 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST Learn how to incubate cycling through a community bike hub approach and tap into the cycling potential that exists for short bike trips in suburban environments, where cycling rates remain stubbornly low. TCAT’s approach can be used as a framework to increasing cycling in suburban communities across Canada. Safe infrastructure is a key enabler to more cycling, but it can be difficult to champion in places where a cycling culture doesn’t yet exist. A community bike hub can help to jump-start the process. Discover how unlikely partnerships and a targeted approach can grow cycling, and dig into the potential that exists within your own community. Link to register: incubatingsuburbancycling.eventbrite.ca<https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/webinar-incubating-cycling-in-suburban-canadian…> https://www.tcat.ca/webinar-incubating-cycling-in-suburban-canadian-communi… -------------------------------- Orly Linovski, Ph.D. (RPP, MCIP) Assistant Professor, Department of City Planning University of Manitoba 204-474-6424 / orly.linovski(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:orly.linovski@umanitoba.ca> http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~linovsko/

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