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WFP: Pedestrian deaths up in 2019, MPI warns (Sep25'19)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Sep '19

25 Sep '19

*Pedestrian deaths up in 2019, MPI warns* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/mpi-issues-alert-as-annual-pedestri… MANITOBA Public Insurance is warning pedestrians and motorists alike to stay alert on the roads, as this year’s pedestrian fatality count approaches a record high. Manitoba has seen 12 pedestrian deaths on public roadways so far in 2019 — the same number as the annual average over the past five years, and the highest nine-month count in the past 20. “This isn’t about pointing the finger of blame, this is all about raising road-safety awareness so both (pedestrians and motorists) can use the road safely and get home safe,” MPI spokesman Brian Smiley said Tuesday. A total of 972 pedestrians were involved in incidents — 147 of which resulted in serious injuries, while 68 were fatal — in 2013-18. The record-high of 16 pedestrian fatalities during a single year occurred in 2007. Historical data indicates about half of all pedestrian deaths occur at intersections. One in 10 deaths take place either between intersections or when pedestrians are walking on roadways. Smiley said while MPI has observed bumps in statistics during January and February, when roads are covered in ice, and in July and August, when pedestrians are out and about in the warm weather, collisions involving pedestrians are a year-round concern. Last year, MPI launched “Save the 100,” a roadsafety campaign with the same premise as the Vision Zero strategy. “One fatality is far too many,” Smiley said. A road-safety strategy born in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero seeks to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while simultaneously making a city safer and accessible for all residents and visitors to navigate. Similarly, Towards Zero (fatalities) is a traffic-safety approach that recognizes pedestrian deaths are preventable while driver error is unavoidable, so traffic infrastructure must be forgiving of that. The City of Winnipeg has adopted the latter and is seeking applications for a $275,000 contract to develop a five-years-and-beyond plan to assess road safety. Applications are due by Oct. 8. Meanwhile, next week, world-renowned traffic safety experts will be in Winnipeg for the second annual Mode Shift festival, five days of events centred around transportation, culture and health, to discuss how the city can mimic the successes seen in other parts of the world (such as Amsterdam). The Forks is hosting a Vision Zero panel discussion Oct. 1. “We need to undo some of the endemic issues we have with the built environment by investing heavily in things like traffic calming, upgraded crosswalks, changing laws around speed limits,” said Anders Swanson, program director at Mode Shift 2019, organized by the Winnipeg Trails Association. Swanson is in favour of a policy on the table at city hall to lower the standard residential speed limit in Winnipeg to 30 km/h from 50 km/h. “If we design a city that’s intended to move machines around as quickly as possible, we have a city that’s not worth living in,” he said. Smiley agreed, noting the chance of survival after being hit by a car going 50 km/h or less is much higher than otherwise. A future with zero annual fatalities, he said, must involve a number of partners, with municipalities and law enforcement at the forefront. More traffic circles, speed-reducing bumps and jaywalking tickets could improve safety, Smiley added. maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie

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Selective enforcement of rule-breaking on public roads & sidewalks
by Charles Feaver 24 Sep '19

24 Sep '19

An interesting point of view regarding Amsterdam scofflaw cyclists, relevant to enforcement for successfully implementing Vision Zero policy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XypDTdd4qr0 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XypDTdd4qr0&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1wReLh wF5X83Gv3-FUL4HwvI4W1XPibQIf6-gb7qkKxzYgl3U2A8fd5gw> &feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1wReLhwF5X83Gv3-FUL4HwvI4W1XPibQIf6-gb7qkKxzYgl3U2 A8fd5gw Having ridden in Amsterdam at dusk in rush hour, I can confirm that there is a lot of crazy rule-breaking going on, but nobody gets excited. Charles

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Mode Shift Video Release and Nuit Blanche
by Anders Swanson 24 Sep '19

24 Sep '19

Mode Shift just released a new short film for 2019 on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/WinnipegTrails/videos/484319538788135/?__xts__[0]=…> or Twitter <https://twitter.com/WinnipegTrails/status/1176512183229984768> or Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/p/B2zGGB0AtXd/>. Like Mode Shift Festival itself, the film is blend of sharing new ideas and taking action. So, it is a piece about things that have happened, things that should happen. This one touches on speed limits and a kid's right to street hockey, but also family, dance, fairness, the joy of experiencing the world under your own power no matter how you move ...or who you are and the urgency of building better cities. It is meant to be about perspectives on how we connect as people, and intends to people excited for the many events happening next week, - which is why I am sharing it with you. As an annual event, Mode Shift intends to release a new video like this each year, to capture some of the changes that have gone on in the time between events and to provoke conversation on the salient issue being discussed as a city so we can look back and see these moments in time and watch ourselves change. If you enjoy it, please share. And if you see a GIANT version of this projected on a building somewhere during Nuit Blanche <https://nuitblanchewinnipeg.ca/> this Saturday, come say hi to the team! Anders

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Children's independence & long term health
by Charles Feaver 24 Sep '19

24 Sep '19

Worth the read: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/article-our-societys -culture-of-fear-is-holding-back-childrens-fitness/ Our society's culture of fear is holding back children's fitness . Larouche is the lead author of one of the two new studies, which together make the case that fitness patterns established in childhood have lasting effects on adult health, and these patterns can be influenced by a wide variety of sometimes unexpected factors such as parental attitudes about traffic and morning temperatures. . . The biggest and most easily modifiable factor affecting how much the children moved was the amount of time they spent outdoors. "Studies comparing physical activity in indoor versus outdoor environments have consistently found that children are more active outdoors," Larouche says. "Other studies suggest that children may be more active if, as adults, we back off and let them play." There were also some more subtle indicators that, in some cases, varied by gender. Boys were less active if their parents reported driving to work, were worried about traffic or were worried about other people in their neighbourhood. Girls were more active as the morning temperature warmed, adding 77 steps a day for each additional degree Celsius. Active travel to school also played a role, but in general the children (who were between 8 and 12 years old) had low levels of independent mobility, as assessed by whether they were permitted to do six things on their own: travel to and from school, travel to other places within walking distance, cross main roads, go on local (non-school) buses and go out alone after dark. On average, the children in the study were permitted to do two of these things . Charles Feaver

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Safety in numbers vs bike infrastructure
by Beth McKechnie 19 Sep '19

19 Sep '19

Don't like reading studies? Check out this 3:25' video explaining the research and conclusions. (If only all research was summarized this way!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwYeNz1jCkM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR13u… *WHY CITIES WITH HIGH BIKING RATES ARE SAFER FOR ALL ROAD USERS* In a study published in the Journal of Transport & Health, which analyzed 13 years of data from 12 large US cities, researchers investigated over 17,000 fatalities and 77,000 severe injuries. (Why Cities with High Bicycling Rates are Safer for all Road Users: http://bit.ly/2KGADSS <https://pps.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c803e70a8ad33c13a95a1ee6&id=…> ) Their results suggest that more bicyclists is not the reason these cities are safer for all road users. Better safety outcomes are instead associated with a greater prevalence of bike facilities--particularly protected and separated bike facilities--at the block group level and, more strongly so, across the overall city. Higher intersection density, which typically corresponds to more compact and lower-speed built environments, was strongly associated with better road safety outcomes for all road users. A companion video explains the paper and findings: http://bit.ly/2QqcWTw <https://pps.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c803e70a8ad33c13a95a1ee6&id=…> -- Beth McKechnie (she/her/hers) *| *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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France subsidizes e-bike purchase | California provides e-bike / bikeshare vouchers for car trade-in
by Beth McKechnie 19 Sep '19

19 Sep '19

*FRANCE SUBSIDIZES E-BIKE PURCHASE, US DOES NOT* Streetsblog reported that lawmakers in France announced last week e-bike owners in the greater Paris area may soon be able to get half the cost of their wheels--up to 500 Euros ($553)--paid for by the government as part of an effort to boost the eco-friendly vehicles. In the US, federal tax breaks that can knock up to $7,500 off the cost of a new electric vehicle have been available to car drivers for years, but those hoping to upgrade their old 10-speed to an e-bike have always had to pay cost. Presently, there isn't a hint of federal legislation that would provide tax relief for e-bikes, whose widespread adoption studies say could significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. http://bit.ly/2QhfTpb <https://pps.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c803e70a8ad33c13a95a1ee6&id=…> *CA: TRADE IN CAR FOR E-BIKE OR BIKE SHARE VOUCHER* Electrek reported California's "Clean Cars 4 All" program has already helped many people trade in old, polluting gas cars for subsidies to buy electric cars or hybrid cars. A new bill recently signed into law now includes vouchers for electric bicycles and bike-sharing programs in the program. (SB-400 Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emissions: Mobility Options: http://bit.ly/2At6lg6 <https://pps.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c803e70a8ad33c13a95a1ee6&id=…>) http://bit.ly/2AsoFGb <https://pps.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c803e70a8ad33c13a95a1ee6&id=…>

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ModeShift Program Announcement
by Anders Swanson 17 Sep '19

17 Sep '19

Hello AT-Network, Check out the program-at-a-glance and new event details <https://modeshift.ca/events/>. We feel that it is rare, exciting, worthwhile and... ambitious event. *If you are willing to share on social media, it is much appreciated. * Share the program on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/WinnipegTrails/posts/2433602183389980?__xts__%5B0%…>, Twitter <https://twitter.com/WinnipegTrails/status/1173992349187366912> and Instagram <https://www.facebook.com/WinnipegTrails/posts/2433602183389980?__xts__%5B0%…>. Some recent highlights now confirmed: - SpaceMODE: an attempt to recreate the famous advocacy image showing the space taken up by 4 kinds of transportation, outside the CMHR. Sign up here - KidMODE: a new conference stream for you and youth at heart, including a contest being fanned out to schools in Winnipeg, teaching about traffic calming, street hockey and redesigning streets - A day long Street Party at IRCOM on Ellen with street furniture building, street food, painting, games, hockey, the Walktober launch, masterclasses and walkabouts on Wednesday October 3 - We have a number of new panelists joining on the topic of road safety technology, chronic disease prevention and vision zero including Karen Laberee Dr.Gillian Booth and Craig Milligan. - We are also very excited to welcome our own Dr.Gillian Booth, Janell Henry and more. Depending what you are into, the best may be yet to come. Stay tuned for more for more details about MovieMODE and DanceMODE... ....and a very special Vision Zero event at the Forks! You can register here. <https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/winnipeg-trails-association-17054822883> Hope to see you there! Anders ModeShift PS. Huge kudos to the many of you on this mailing list or part of our sponsor and organizing team who have helped make it happen. Really.

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WFP Editorial: For cyclists, permanent protection preferred route (Sep16'19)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Sep '19

16 Sep '19

*For cyclists, permanent protection preferred route * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/for-cyclists-permanent… A recent City of Winnipeg report shows that when it comes to safe cycling infrastructure, half-measures don’t cut it. The report, which was sent to the city’s public works committee this week, says temporary plastic pylons separating the cycling lane along Pembina Highway from the other lanes of traffic were both expensive (part of a $21-million cycling-path initiative) and largely ineffective (they were flimsy and often driven over by motorists). Cycling lanes in other parts of the city employ similar pylons; the one on Sherbrook Street has a variety of rider-safety mechanisms, depending what block you’re cycling along. They include concrete curb-height barriers between the bike lane and motorist, the aforementioned pylons and nothing more than a line of paint. Trails Winnipeg executive director Anders Swanson and Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe agree that the inconsistent nature of cycling lane infrastructure along Pembina Highway has been a disincentive to cyclists using it. This is a bit like being at a pedestrian crossing that sometimes lets you cross a busy thoroughfare but most of the time doesn’t let you cross at all. You’d quickly find another place to cross the street. So it is with safe, permanent bike lanes. The pylons have typically been removed in the winter, which meant the bike lane effectively became invisible. Non-cyclists may argue that nobody rides their bike in the winter (demonstrably not true, even in Winnipeg), but it becomes something of a chicken-or-egg question: if the lane intended to allow cyclists to ride safely isn’t reasonably clear of snow and visible to motorists, why would anyone on a bicycle risk using it in the winter? The simple reality that it’s easier to effectively clear snow from permanently protected bike lanes makes the argument for them stronger. Yes, a permanent cycling-lane barrier, even one not as wide as a sidewalk, takes up room on the road. However, the reason it’s there is safety. And although an adequate bike lane and a corresponding permanent barrier could remove an entire lane of vehicular traffic, the safety that is gained actually means less traffic headaches for motorists. First, it prevents motor-vehicle drivers from plowing over flimsy plastic barriers and risking a collision with a cyclist, while at the same time preventing cyclists from weaving out of their lane to avoid a puddle or a pothole. Second, on any Winnipeg street, consider how many cars passing by have more than one occupant. Given this city’s car-focused infrastructure and Winnipeggers’ seemingly unshakable attachment to their automobiles, the ratio is often one human to one vehicle. If a safe-cycling option convinced even a fraction of those motorists to trade four wheels and internal combustion for two wheels and pedal power, it would remove a lot of vehicles from rush hour. That would also hold true for increasing the number of year-round cyclists. The pesky Pembina pylons were installed before the city’s active transportation plan was introduced in 2014, so they were a stopgap measure at best. As the city moves forward with making its infrastructure work for everyone, permanent barriers that allow motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to navigate our streets safely is an option that should be built in.

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CTV News: City councillor wants better solution for sidewalk being narrowed in Exchange District (Sep15'19)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Sep '19

16 Sep '19

City councillor wants better solution for sidewalk being narrowed in Exchange District https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/city-councillor-wants-better-solution-for-sidew… The city councillor for Winnipeg’s Exchange District would like to see a better solution for a Main Street sidewalk being narrowed to make way for a loading zone. Vivian Santos, who represents the Point Douglas ward, said she learned about the construction on social media this week. “It didn't come across my desk,” Santos said a phone call with CTV News Sunday. The sidewalk in question, which appears to be shrinking to about half its size, is located on Main Street near the corner of Bannatyne Avenue. In an email to CTV News, the city said the new version of the sidewalk is about 2.2 metres wide and within acceptable accessibility standards for a downtown sidewalk. “The project was undertaken as a result of a unique situation identified through feedback received from 211 Bannatyne and its users to ensure a safe pick-up and drop-off location for families and children using the facility for music and dance lessons,” the city said. “Transportation planning in the downtown, given the limited space within the existing public right-of-way, is a matter of balancing the needs of all users including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, and sometimes involves making compromises to achieve an acceptable solution for all users,” the city said. Located inside 211 Bannantyne Avenue is a dance school, restaurant and offices. Santos said the issue about a lack of space in the area stems back to 2018 when some on-street parking and loading zones were removed to create bike lanes. Santos said she is familiar with the area and believes other options could have been explored. She said she would like to meet with the public works department about the project. “Safety is always my concern,” Santos said. The city said the loading zone on Bannatyne was removed in June 2018 when construction started on the bike lane. It is anticipated the project will be completed by the end of October, the city said. *‘Backwards priority system’: Winnipeg Trails Association* Winnipeg Trails Association executive director Anders Swanson said the move to narrow the sidewalk is as a result of a ‘backwards priority system’. “I was really surprised in 2019, Winnipeg is taking away any space for pedestrians at all. We have a massive wide street, very fast moving cars,” said Swanson. “We’ve created a city where machines are more important than people walking around.” He said the association plans to raise the issue at the city’s next active transportation advisory committee meeting. “It means you can’t have bike parking, and it makes it more difficult for people two people to walk side by side,” said Swanson. “It should be designed for two people in wheelchairs going somewhere,” he said. *‘A practical issue’: The School of Contemporary Dancers* Faye Thomson is the co-director of The School of Contemporary Dancers, which moved into 211 Bannatyne in the early 2000s. She said until the bike lanes on Bannatyne were installed in 2018, people coming to the school used the loading zone on Bannatyne. When the drop-off disappeared, she said the school requested a meeting with the city, which was sympathetic to its concerns. “The solution has nothing to with us. We just have hundreds of kids who need to unload in a safe unloading zone,” said Thomson in a phone call with CTV News Sunday. She said over 100 students a day come to the school because there are rehearsals up to seven days a week, and some of the students are as young as two-years-old. CTV News asked Thomson about the city councillor for the area wanting a better solution. “I think our view is, we need a safe loading zone that’s on the side of the building. How they come to that is for their planning department to come up with.” Thomson said many of the students are supportive of bike lanes. “This is not a philosophical issue. It’s a practical issue,” Thomson said.

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Bikelash & how to reduce it
by Beth McKechnie 15 Sep '19

15 Sep '19

*Thanks to Terry Zdan for the share...* *Globe & Mail: Bike lanes could ease gridlock – so why do drivers hate them so much? * https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/mobility/article-the-bikelash-is-real… *Civic crowdfunding reduces the risk of 'bikelash'* http://theconversation.com/civic-crowdfunding-reduces-the-risk-of-bikelash-…

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