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WFP: More Winnipeggers are forgoing their cars (Mar2'19)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Mar '19

02 Mar '19

*More Winnipeggers are forgoing their cars, creating new attitudes and business opportunities* *Take my keys, please * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/take-my-keys-please-50… FOR a long time, Mel Marginet’s car sat in her driveway, unused. She had started biking and taking the bus to work, and was making a conscious effort to be an active commuter. “I knew the heavy environmental impact driving a car as your primary mode of transportation has, and I knew (Manitoba) had a really high rate of people driving alone,” says Marginet, who now, fittingly, works in workplace commuter options at Green Action Centre. “To me, you can be part of the problem or part of the solution. I didn’t want to be a person who complained about things, then did nothing.” And so, two years ago got rid of her car. Marginet is part of a small but growing segment of Winnipeggers who are ditching their cars— a move that might seem incongruous or even illogical, depending on who you ask. Winnipeg, after all, is a city built for cars. Many people can’t imagine living here without one. Some might be able to picture a car-fee life during those days when the bus-scheduling gods have smiled down upon us and everything is running on time, or during an idyllic summertime bike commute under the city’s sun-dappled elm canopies. But when it’s February and freezing, busing seems unappealing and biking seems “extreme,” to borrow a word from Coun. Jeff Browaty. Marginet, who’s in her 30s, felt similarly once upon a time. “I thought people who biked in the city were crazy,” she says with a laugh. The more she did it, though, the easier it became. “I actually found owning a car more stressful,” she says. “I always had to be concerned about finding a parking space, whether it would start or not, shovelling out the drive or, ‘Am I going to get stuck in the backlane?’” She’s seen other positive upshots to active commuting, too. “I haven’t had a gym membership since I’ve started commuting by bike,” she says. “If I had to go to a gym to put in those kilometres, I wouldn’t have time.” She’s saved a pile of money, too. But her biggest motivator is the environment. Transportation makes up the biggest piece of our province’s carbon footprint pie, and she wanted to do her part by reducing hers. Active transportation, she points out, does not have to be all-or-none. It is also possible to develop a transportation plan, as Marginet has, that incorporates biking, Winnipeg Transit and, yes, even driving. “Peg City Car Co-op was the final push for me to get rid of my car,” Marginet says. “There’s always those trips where you have to have a car in Winnipeg; getting big, heavy bulky shopping done, or there’s just parts of town that are impossible to get to.” Peg City Car Co-Op is Winnipeg’s only car-sharing program. Through a membership, people access to a car when they need it. When Peg City launched in 2011, it had three vehicles; it has since grown to 33 vehicles, and 1,200 members. “In the past 12 months, we’ve seen a growth in our fleet and membership of 30 per cent, and we’re continuing that trajectory,” says Philip Mikulec, operations manager at Peg City Co-op. “Besides the laudable environmental goals, people who are joining car-sharing are largely doing it for economic reasons. This speaks to the change in the way people use our service and the kind of demand we’re seeing in our fleet. As we mature, we’re seeing more and more people joining because I think they see the economic benefits to themselves of not owning a car and having a reliable service they can use.” So who uses car-sharing? At first, Peg City’s membership base was mostly the early adopters, or “avid non-car owners.” As the idea of a car co-op has become more accepted and mainstream, that base has widened to include people from a wide cross section of socio-economic backgrounds. Based on Peg City’s data, the co-op’s core membership is made up of young, highly educated professionals who live in six-figure households. They tend to live and work either downtown or in the Exchange District. “They’d rather not spend $300 a month on parking alone,” Mikulec says. Car-share users tend to be under 40, and generally have no children or one child. “The whole industry is trying to figure out how to do better on dealing with the child gap in car-sharing,” Mikulec says. “There are people who like the service, but they find there are a lot of barriers, especially if they have a child who still uses a car seat or booster seat.” Car-sharing doesn’t just help reduce household budgets by lessening the financial burden of car ownership. It also helps reduce carbon footprints. Car-share vehicles tend to be newer, more efficient and better maintained. Mikulec says industry data show that for every car-share vehicle put on the road, 10 to 15 vehicles are shed. Mikulec believes Winnipeg has the potential to support 100 to 200 shared cars. Even avid drivers are coming around on the idea of car-sharing. “We’re still speaking the same language — it’s about cars,” Mikulec says. “Many people who are avid car owners have positive attitudes toward what we’re doing. There isn’t a sense of getting their back up over what we’re doing.” And then there are people such as Tim Brandt, who hasn’t driven in 18 years. He’s a year-round cyclist, and happier for it. His wife still drives, but the couple no longer owns a car. He’s a vocal advocate for car-free living; he also appears in Winnipeggers Janine Tschuncky and Kenneth George Godwin’s documentary on this subject called Carfree: Stories from the Non-Driving Life. Brandt, who’s in his 60s, used to drive — and professionally at that. “I owned cars, I drove a taxi in the ’80s, I drove a courier car. It was through reading and more and more interest in environmental issues that I weaned myself off cars.” Brandt biked to school with his son throughout elementary school; when he got older, they took bike trips together. He got involved in local cycling culture, participating in Critical Mass rides. “I was older than a lot of the riders, but I made a lot of friends.” He started organizing car-free events, and found it empowering. He says he hasn’t experienced a lot of animosity between himself and motorists. As he fell in love with biking, he fell out of love with driving. Katie Alvord’s 2000 book Divorce your Car! Ending the Love Affair with the Automobile was “a real eye opener” for him. Brandt’s main motivation for living car-free is the environment. He’s concerned about society’s reliance on cars and car culture’s environmental impact. Making space for other modes of transportation in our car-forward city requires a shift in thinking and priorities by individuals as well as those who make decisions for our city. “I have really mixed feelings about actually building infrastructure for cycling, lanes and stuff,” Brandt says. “My No. 1 wish would be to lower speed limits for cars just to make it safer for everyone — not just cyclists but pedestrians and motorists, too. I feel lowering speed limits would do a world of good and make it easier for cars and bikes to get along. But I know that’s a tough hill. I also think that change has to happen to help wean people off their cars, to show them they can’t just speed around all the time.” “My wish would be that for every infrastructure project the city does, they place priority on the health, safety and comfort of people who are walking, biking or using Transit ahead of personal vehicles,” Marginet says. “Right now, we place the convenience of personal vehicles first and everything else is just an afterthought.” jen.zoratti(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @JenZoratti

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WFP: Preliminary budget avoids huge property tax hike through road repair funding cuts (Mar2'19)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Mar '19

02 Mar '19

*Road repair funding cut to make up difference* * Preliminary budget avoids huge property tax hike * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/budget--506560481.html THE sky isn’t falling after all. Despite repeated threats from Mayor Brian Bowman warning of massive tax increases or infrastructure cuts or both to cope with a reported $40-million funding dispute with the Pallister government, the mayor and members of his executive policy committee tabled a preliminary 2019 budget Friday that proposes a property tax increase of 2.33 per cent — the same percentage increase for the fifth consecutive year. Instead of the 9.4 per cent property tax increase Bowman had previously said was possible, the budget proposes to more than make up the shortfall from the province with a cut to its roads and sidewalk budget. While council in September approved spending $128.4 million for 2019 on roads and sidewalks, the budget lowers that amount to $86.4 million. The City of Winnipeg said the effect of the property tax bump on the average home will be about $40 (a tax bill of $1,774 for a home assessed at $296,560). “Preparing this year’s budget was complicated by ongoing uncertainty regarding provincial government funding support to the city,” Bowman told reporters. “I fully support the provincial government’s efforts to eliminate its budget deficit, but I don’t believe this should be achieved on the backs of Winnipeg property taxpayers.” Total spending by the city will climb 3.9 per cent, to $1.22 billion — more than double the 1.2 per cent increase between 2017 and 2018. Aside from the reduction in the planned amount of infrastructure spending, the 2019 preliminary budget shows little effect from city hall’s public feuding with the Manitoba government: • No staff layoffs; • Police spending increases 3.4 per cent, to $301.4 million; • Fire paramedic service spending increases 4.2 per cent, to $201.5 million; • The business tax rate will be reduced for the fifth year in a row; • Freezes on water and sewer rates, transit fares, frontage levies and parking rates; • And no new fees. Bowman told reporters the “responsible” way to address the $40-million shortfall was to reduce the number of road projects rather than recover the entire amount through an additional 7.1 per cent property tax increase. Council will be asked to make up half of the $40 million from the 2019 local street renewal reserve fund. The remaining $20 million will be referred to the 2020 capital budget process. Bowman said reduced spending on roads in future years will become “the city’s new reality.” Rolling back infrastructure spending means fewer roads will be repaired, but $86.4 million remains a significant amount compared to the spending during the 10 years of the Sam Katz administration (2004-14), and is slightly more than the $84 million council approved in 2014. *Also affected by the infrastructure rollback will be sidewalks, bike trails and pedestrian pathways — $2.7 million less than was projected in the 2018 budget, and a total of $17.5 million over six years.* Finance chairman Coun. Scott Gillingham said the preliminary budget was produced by the EPC, but it also reflects concerns from other members of council and the public. “We are dealing with a new fiscal reality with the province of Manitoba,” he said. Gillingham said revenue collected from the impact fee (the charge on new residential development on the suburban areas) will continue to be held in a reserve account and not used for spending this year. Total capital projects spending for 2019, including utilities and special operating agencies, is set at $367.5 million, a reduction of $12.5 million from 2018. There is $2.1 million set aside for continued planning on the Kenaston Boulevard/Route 90 widening but no funds for construction. The Arlington Street bridge replacement was not identified as a project. *Those hoping to see an introduction of a low-income bus pass this year will be disappointed. However, that’s planned to be introduced in April 2020, with a 30 per cent discount on the full adult fare, rising to 50 per cent in 2022.* *Winnipeg Transit will benefit with the purchase of 34 new buses, $1 million for heated bus shelters and $500,000 for improving bus-stop accessibility.* The budget will also see a reduction in dividends taken from water and sewer rates — to 11 per cent from 12 per cent. (The dividend is the amount of revenues from the water and waste department that is skimmed off to offset property taxes. The Katz administration imposed an eight per cent dividend in 2011; Bowman increased it to 12 per cent in his first budget in 2015.) A surprise in the budget is the size of the funding increase to the Winnipeg Police Service. Despite assurances the WPS budget would be limited to the rate of inflation, police will get a 3.4 per cent increase in 2019, to $301.4 million from $291.5 million. Other highlights: • Spending on community centre renovation grants double, from $920,000 to $2 million; • $169 million over six years to reduce the incidence of combined sewer overflows; • $22.2 million for 34 Winnipeg Transit buses; • $1-million study on electrification of transit buses; • $18 million in savings from vacancy management; • And $12 million in savings from department efficiencies. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca The highlights ● How much money does the city need this year for its current operating budget? $1.124 billion. ● What kind of a property tax increase is the city looking for? The proposed budget calls for a 2.33 per cent property tax increase, the same annual increase Mayor Brian Bowman campaigned for during the civic election. ● What does it mean to your wallet? If your home is worth $296,560 — the average cost of a house here — you’ll be paying an additional $40.38. That means your tax bill (not including what you’ll be paying to your local school division) will go from $1,733 to $1,774. ● What will that extra tax money go to? The city says the entire 2.33 per cent increase goes to infrastructure, not for salaries or to pay for new goodies. Two per cent would go to rebuilding and repairing regional and local roads, while the rest, 0.33 per cent, would go to complete the Southwest Rapid Transitway. ● I’ve heard the city is at loggerheads with the provincial government over funding — what does that mean for the city’s budget and my pocketbook? A lot, according to the proposed budget. There will be slashes throughout the budget, including: • Spending only $86.4 million on regional and local road renewals and repairs in 2019, down from the proposed $128.4 million. It would be the lowest annual expenditure since 2014. • Reducing the city’s overall road renewal plan from $976 million over the next six years to $801 million. • Cutting spending on sidewalks, bike corridors and recreational walkways from almost $5.7 million to $3 million, a near-50 per cent reduction. ● What new things is the city spending money on? • The city plans to strip away part of the corporate support services department for a new innovation, transformation and technology department. It will take the old department’s $20-million budget for innovation needs and add an additional $4.6 million to it. • Transit bus drivers will finally be protected by safety shields. The city will spend $3.15 million over the next year for their purchase and installation. • The purchase of 34 new buses at a cost of $22.2 million. • A plan to spend more than $1 million for more heated bus shelters. • Implementing a low-income bus pass, but it won’t start until April 2020. The pass would give a 30 per cent discount for adult monthly passes in 2020, 40 per cent in 2021 and 50 per cent starting in 2022. • Spending $1 million to study how to incorporate electric buses into the current transit system and create a budget estimate for buying between 12 and 20 battery-electric vehicles. • No new fees are proposed. No water and sewer rate increases. No frontage levy rate increase. Parking rates will not go up. ● Who are the winners in this budget? • Bus riders. For the first time since 2007, transit fares will not go up. • Cyclists. The city is looking at earmarking $432,000 of the $35-million snow-removal budget to keep bicycle corridors free of snow and ice. • Police officers. The Winnipeg Police Service is one of the few departments, along with Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, that will get an increase higher than the cost of living. The budget proposes giving it an extra $9.9 million, up from $291.5 million to $301.4 million. • Firefighters. The department will get a budget increase of 4.2 per cent. As well, they will get more than $16 million in capital support to pay for a new computer-aided dispatch system, new air compressors, cardiac monitors, defibrillators and power stretchers and $3.4 million to maintain and repair fire-paramedic stations. • Community centres. The city-owned centres needing repairs will have more money to draw from. The city is looking at doubling the funding to the Community Centre Renovation Grant Program from just under $1 million to $2 million and increasing eligible grants from $50,000 to $100,000. • Winnipeg’s rivers. The city is looking at spending $31 million this year, part of a $169-million plan over six years, to reduce the amount of sewage getting out of the city’s combined sewer overflow into rivers during major rain events. The city is hoping to reduce sewage overflows into the rivers by at least 85 per cent by 2045. • Athletes and culture lovers. Museums, community centres and other organizations will get $42.9 million in grant support this year. ● How much do we pay for our police and fire protection? A lot. Between the two of them, the Winnipeg Police Service and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service account for $503 million, or 45 per cent, of the city’s entire tax-supported budget. ● Property taxpayers have to pay more in this budget — how about small businesses? The city proposes to reduce the business tax from 5.14 per cent to 4.97 per cent while also increasing the business tax threshold from $33,300 to $33,900. This is about a 13 per cent decrease from 2014, as the city moves toward the tax’s eventual elimination. ● Will our water and sewer bills subsidize our tax dollars? Yes, but not as much as before. For the first time since it was put into place in 2011, the city will reduce the water and sewer dividend rate from 12 to 11 per cent. This is the amount taken from water and sewer and put into general revenue. The city says this will help the city fund the waste-water treatment infrastructure, which the province has ordered it to do. ● What about the capital budget, which pays for major construction projects in the city including roads, bridges, underpasses, police stations and park upgrades? The city is proposing spending $367.5 million this year, a bit less than the $380.1 million it spent last year. The city is also budgeting to spend $2.3 billion in capital investment in the next six years. ● What will this budget pay for over the next six years? More than $800 million on renewing existing local and regional roads, more than $169 million to reduce combined sewer overflow incidents, more than $11.8 million to build a new recreation facility in Waverley West and more than $23 million for the urban forest enhancement program. The city is also proposing sliding up to $3 million now into the 2020 capital budget for renovating and renewing Rainbow Stage. This project is subject to Rainbow Stage’s board successfully securing matching funds from other levels of government and private donors. ● What happens now? City committees — infrastructure renewal and public works; water and waste, riverbank management and the environment; protection, community services and parks — and the Winnipeg Police Board now get a chance to look through the budget and allow the public to give feedback before it goes back to executive policy committee and onto city council. — Kevin Rollason

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AT Webinar: Viewing Low-Stress Networks through an Equity Lens - Tues, March 5th, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 27 Feb '19

27 Feb '19

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>

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BC moving forward on provincial active transportation strategy
by Anders Swanson 26 Feb '19

26 Feb '19

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

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Disturbing trends in road injuries & fatalities
by Charles Feaver 25 Feb '19

25 Feb '19

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

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FW: [WestCentralConnect] Focus Groups on Bicycling in Winnipeg
by Kristine Hayward 08 Feb '19

08 Feb '19

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. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "West Central Connect" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to west-central-connect+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com<mailto:west-central-connect+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com>. To post to this group, send email to west-central-connect(a)googlegroups.com<mailto:west-central-connect@googlegroups.com>. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. This email and/or any documents in this transmission is intended for the addressee(s) only and may contain legally privileged or confidential information. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, distribution, copying or dissemination is strictly prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and return the original. Ce courriel et tout document dans cette transmission est destiné à la personne ou aux personnes à qui il est adressé. Il peut contenir des informations privilégiées ou confidentielles. Toute utilisation, divulgation, distribution, copie, ou diffusion non autorisée est strictement défendue. Si vous n'êtes pas le destinataire de ce message, veuillez en informer l'expéditeur immédiatement et lui remettre l'original.

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Calgary winter cycling numbers stay strong, city says
by Beth McKechnie 05 Feb '19

05 Feb '19

*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.

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WFP Editorial: Tap the brakes on electric scooters (Feb4'19)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Feb '19

04 Feb '19

*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.”

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Wolseley to Downtown Walk Bike Project - Phase 1 Public Engagement Report
by Beth McKechnie 31 Jan '19

31 Jan '19

The City is currently undertaking the Wolseley to Downtown Corridor Project <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/walkbikeprojects/wolsele…> to identify options to improve travel choices, accessibility and connectivity. When completed, the corridor will provide improved connections to the Omand’s Creek pathway, the protected bicycle lane on Assiniboine Avenue and Sherbrook Street, the bike lane on Maryland Street, and the planned neighbourhood greenway on Ruby Street <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/walkbikeprojects/wolsele…> . Input from the community is an essential component of the study process. The first round of public engagement for the Wolseley to Downtown Walk Bike Project took place in November, 2018 involving a variety of in-person events, school travel planning and opportunities to participate online. The input received has been summarized in the Phase 1 Public Engagement Report and will be used to inform the development of concepts, alongside technical information. Phase 1 reports are available at the links provided below: - Phase 1 Public Engagement Report <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/pdf/wolseleytodowntown/2…> - Phase 1 Public Engagement Summary Report <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/pdf/wolseleytodowntown/P…> Phase 2 of public engagement is expected to begin in late winter 2019. This phase will provide members of the public and area stakeholders the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the preliminary design options and alternatives. Phase 3 of the public engagement is planned for late spring 2019 and will focus on sharing the final design recommendation and highlighting where public input influenced the design of the project. More information For more information visit winnipeg.ca/walkbikeprojects <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/walkBikeProjects/default…> .

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WFP: City aims to ride e-scooter wave (Jan31'19)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Jan '19

31 Jan '19

*Councillor wants to amend bylaws so Winnipeg is prepared when craze hits* * City aims to ride e-scooter wave * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/allard-wants-city-to-prepare-gettin… THE latest craze to hit urban streets across North America is poised to roll into Winnipeg, and Coun. Matt Allard wants to be prepared. “We want to be ready for electric scooters because this is happening across North America,” Allard said. “They’re coming, so let’s get it right.” The scooter craze that swept up young people almost 20 years ago has gone high-tech. Several companies, including Lime, Bird, Skip and Spin, have put thousands of electric scooters on the streets in major cities around the world. Even ride-hailing pioneers Uber and Lyft have e-scooter operations. “There have been problems in other cities and I see this as an opportunity to put the rules in place before the industry gets here,” Allard told the Free Press. Allard, chairman of council’s public works committee, has authored a motion for Tuesday’s committee meeting. It directs city administration to prepare a report in 180 days about bylaw changes to facilitate dockless electric scooter and electric bike-sharing. While billions of dollars are being invested in e-scooter and e-bike ventures across the globe, the headlines are dominated by the nuisance the scooter industry is creating for many municipalities. They’ve become so common in many downtown neighbourhoods that they’re considered litter. People who dislike them have thrown them into garbage bins, rivers and lakes and collected them in piles and set them on fire. “We don’t want to see that happening in Winnipeg, so we need to get the rules in place,” Allard said, adding a representative from Lime has approached him. The introduction of dockless electric bikes and scooters into Winnipeg is inevitable, said Anders Swanson, CEO of the Winnipeg Trails Association, adding that developing policies to regulate them should be a simple process for city hall. “Any new technology comes with questions, but the era of electric bicycles is here already,” Swanson said. “Electric bicycles have become extremely popular around the world and I’ve seen electric scooters in Austin and hundreds of people using them. Anything that gets people out and active is a really good idea.” Dockless electric bikes and electric scooters are rented via a smartphone app, which allows the renter to locate the nearest bike or scooter, unlock the device, then lock it when the ride has ended. The first authorized use of dockless electric scooters in Canada began in October at the University of Waterloo. It’s a pilot program between Lime, the City of Waterloo and the university. The scooters are restricted to a 6½-kilometre set of trails linking the Waterloo campus with its nearby technology park. News reports indicated the pilot, which was suspended for the winter but will resume in spring and end in August, will be used by the city to determine if and where it can be expanded. Chris Schafer, Lime’s representative in Canada, said the company wants to work with municipalities to put rules in place that deal with the number of scooters and bikes that can be deployed, and where they can be parked. “This is a phenomenon that is happening globally and in Canada. It’s a good time for Winnipeg to take a look at it,” Schafer said. “This is another option for active transportation.” In October, Calgary gave Lime the go-ahead to operate a fleet of 375 rental electric bikes for a two-year trial period. A second operator will put its fleet into operation this spring. Schafer said administrations in Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria and Windsor, Ont., are studying how dockless electric scooters can be put in place. This month, Edmonton instructed its administration to have dockless electric bikes and electric scooters operating on city parkland by June. Council is asking the Alberta government to allow electric scooters on its active transportation network. Schafer said electric scooters are designed for short trips, as an alternative to a private car or taxi. Lime charges $1 to “unlock” the electric bikes and scooters and 30 cents per minute. “They’re designed to be the first-kilometre, last-kilometre mode of transportation, to get you in and around the city,” Schafer said. “You’re not taking a scooter from Winnipeg to Brandon.” The bikes are powered by swappable batteries, which are replaced as needed by independent contractors, known as “juicers,” or local Lime staff, Schafer said. The electric scooters are charged overnight, he said, collected either by local Lime teams or juicers, who are responsible for placing them back onto the street the following morning. Ideally, Schafer said, electric scooters would be allowed on all shared active transportation networks: roadway bike lanes and dedicated AT path networks. “Electric bikes and scooters tick all the sustainable boxes for cities. It’s not a car, it’s shared and people can access it when and where they need it,” Schafer said. Allard believes minimal change is required to accommodate electric bike-sharing since e-bikes are permitted on city streets. But scooters — whether manually driven or the electric variety — are not permitted on Manitoba roadways and will require changes to the Highway Traffic Act and city bylaws. Allard said he wants the administration to consider how the e-scooter and e-bike businesses can be regulated and where scooters and bikes can be parked while waiting for customers to use them. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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