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WFP: Probe of bridge at The Forks on hold (Dec28'23)
by Beth McKechnie 28 Dec '23

28 Dec '23

Warm weather prevents engineers from assessing structural integrity Probe of bridge at The Forks on hold https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/12/27/warm-weather-keep… MILD weather has delayed efforts to assess the structural integrity of The Forks Historic Rail Bridge, which has remained closed for months with no reopening date in sight. The former railway structure, which allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Assiniboine River from South Point Park to The Forks, has been closed since an assessment in June revealed potential safety issues, The Forks North Portage chief executive officer Sara Stasiuk told the Free Press. “We are doing some pretty extensive investigations with engineers to find out what exactly is wrong with it,” Stasiuk said, speaking Dec. 22, after an unrelated announcement. “It is kind of deemed not safe at the moment and we need to look at the structural steel and concrete to see what exactly the issue is and what our solutions might be.” While the initial assessment is expected to be completed this winter, the work cannot begin until the river ice below freezes solid, allowing engineers and equipment to access the underside of the bridge. At this point, the extent of required maintenance is unknown, Stasiuk said. “There is the potential that it could be closed for a long time and that the work is very expensive and extensive.” The Forks first alerted the public to the Winnipeg bridge’s indefinite closure in social media posts June 5, but it has not released subsequent updates, frustrating some active transit proponents. “You’d think they would actually be more forthcoming and give at least some proper notice or knowledge to people about what is going on, letting people know where they are at with it and how long it’s going to take,” said Tim Woodcock, owner of Woodcock Cycle Works. “Even if they don’t have all that completely, just some communication would be helpful because it is a main artery for people commuting. Whether by walking or cycling, that’s a very popular route to get through to St. Boniface or vice versa.” The lack of information highlights a disparity between cyclists and motorists, Woodcock said, asserting the latter receives regular updates when traffic routes are disrupted. Cyclists and pedestrians who are familiar with the bridge have found alternative routes in the interim, but newcomers or visitors to the city might find themselves stranded — particularly if they rely on cycling maps provided by the City of Winnipeg, which still present the bridge as an active route, Woodcock said. “It’s pretty straightforward, things do wear out and (The Forks is) doing it for people’s safety, well, come out and say that,” he said. “You might wonder why people get upset about it… but when there is no information whatsoever, it opens it up to speculation and people look at it in more of a negative light than it needs to be.” Such speculation includes a belief among some in the cycling community the closure was possibly influenced by the May 31 collapse of an elevated walkway at Fort Gibraltar that sent 17 people to the hospital, Woodcock said. The Forks has repeatedly said the Historic Rail Bridge inspection was routine and unrelated to the incident at the nearby site. Stasiuk acknowledged the impact of the closure and offered assurances that further updates and information will be released to the public as they are available. “It’s a huge impact. It’s super frustrating and disappointing for active transportation,” she said. “We recognize that it’s a huge deal, but safety (comes) first.” Construction on The Forks Historic Rail Bridge began in 1913, placing it among a raft of aging local structures that continue to carry pedestrians and traffic despite being more than a century old. Others include the Redwood/ Harry Lazarenko Bridge (1907-08), Louise Bridge (refurbished for automobile traffic in 1910) and Elm Park Bridge (1912-13). The Arlington Bridge (1910-12) closed indefinitely Nov. 21, due to safety concerns relating to its structural integrity. That closure has been similarly disruptive for cyclists and pedestrians travelling in the northwest region of the city, Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe said. “The deciding factor for somebody who is considering cycling is not the best part of the ride, but the worst part,” Cohoe said. “The city is working to close those gaps… but as we close those gaps, it’s obviously critical that we don’t open new gaps — and these are both two new gaps.” Cohoe said if the rail bridge assessment identifies the need for extensive reconstruction, he would like to see the city pitch in to help The Forks cover the expense and ensure the active transit “thoroughfare” is not permanently closed. — with files from Jura McIlraith tyler.searle(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: City study of Osborne slip lane due in spring (Nov28'23)
by Beth McKechnie 28 Nov '23

28 Nov '23

City study of Osborne slip lane due in spring https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2023/11/27/city-study-of-osborne-sl… A municipal study on getting rid of an Osborne Village slip lane has yet to begin, but a local architect says making pedestrian-friendly changes is long overdue. Slip lanes, which allow drivers to make a right turn while bypassing an intersection, can speed up car commutes but slow down pedestrians and cyclists who must cross that uncontrolled lane of traffic. Architect Brent Bellamy, creative director at Number Ten Architectural Group, bikes daily through the slip lane at Academy Road and Stafford Street. He describes them as “highway infrastructure that have somehow crept into the design of residential streets,” and have no place in pedestrian-frequented areas. “Every single morning I think, this is what they’re going to write on my tombstone: ‘He died crossing the slip lane,’” Bellamy said with a laugh. “Because I’ve had so many close calls and they are just the bane of my existence.” A City of Winnipeg report on replacing the slip lane at Osborne Street and River Avenue with pedestrian sidewalks isn’t expected to be complete until the spring and submitted to the public works committee on May 7, a city spokesperson said. The city is considering whether to eliminate that slip lane as part of a traffic-calming proposal that also looks at closing Assiniboine Avenue to vehicles between Fort and Main streets. The idea to replace the Osborne Village slip lane with some kind of pedestrian scramble was proposed in the spring in a new blueprint for the neighbourhood by the Osborne Village Business Improvement Zone. The city’s public service has been tasked with studying the elimination of the slip lane and considering, instead, wider sidewalks, continuous sidewalks or a pedestrian scramble, according to an Oct. 10 directive from the standing policy committee on public works. “We should do everything we can to invite pedestrians to Osborne, not make them feel unsafe or uncomfortable for being there,” Bellamy said. Other cities, such as Montreal and Edmonton, have removed some slip lanes, sometimes placing planters there instead in a process that is neither lengthy nor too expensive, Bellamy noted.

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WFP: NEW BIKE REGISTRY ROLLING FORWARD (Nov1'23)
by Beth McKechnie 01 Nov '23

01 Nov '23

*NEW BIKE REGISTRY ROLLING FORWARD* A CALL to endorse a new bike registry for Winnipeggers is rolling forward. On Tuesday, council’s community services committee voted in favour of a call to end a city-run bike registry and instead urge citizens to register their bikes with 529 Garage, a free, cloud-based system. The city registry has a $7.35 registration fee. If council approves, the new registry would share data with hundreds of police agencies and Winnipeg civic officials in hopes of getting more stolen bikes returned to their owners. The proposal also includes about $50,000 in each of the next four years to implement a new registration and theft-prevention program. The city sought new bike registration options in June, noting up to 2,000 bicycles are reported stolen in Winnipeg each year; about 1,000 are recovered but less than 10 per cent are successfully returned to their owners.

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WFP: City boosts bike path plowing (Nov1'23)
by Beth McKechnie 01 Nov '23

01 Nov '23

Aim to clear snow on active routes quicker City boosts bike path plowing https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/11/01/city-boosts-bike-… SNOW is expected to be removed from most active transportation routes in less than two days this winter, as the city adds special plows to its snow-clearing arsenal. Avid cyclists hope more snow-free paths will mean fewer road rage incidents, as cyclists won’t be forced into the street. Michael Cantor, the city’s manager of streets maintenance, said snow days for active transportation paths will be shorter, now that the city has added 15 new bike path and sidewalk snow-clearing machines to its fleet of 31. Cantor said the extra machines, coupled with ones owned by private contractors, will allow the city to clear the sidewalks and paths along major streets and bus routes within 36 hours, if five centimetres of snow has fallen. Paths and sidewalks beside residential streets will be cleared in five days. “These machines are like a small truck plow that has a blade at the front or a snow blower and they are both on these new units,” he said. “They can also pull sand behind them. They look exactly like a snow blower you use at home only they are bigger, wider and stronger.” Cantor said the extra machines should allow the city to meet snow-clearance times mandated by council. St. Boniface Coun. Matt Allard, who regularly cycles to city hall from his ward, said he’s pleased the city has more capacity to clear bike paths because it is safer for cyclists and reduces road rage incidents. But Allard said he has noticed a change in how cyclists are treated on the streets in recent years. “I think attitudes are changing. There’s an understanding now that there are many road users, not only motorists, but also cyclists and pedestrians,” he said. “Yes, there are still some moments where a motorist, when there is no active transportation route or it hasn’t been plowed, gets upset and they honk or they come close, but I think public opinion is moving to a much greater appreciation for those who use active transportation. “In general, we need to be kind to each other.” Bike Winnipeg’s Mark Cohoe said he has also noticed more positive change in peoples’ attitudes while cycling. He said it could be because there are more bike paths in the city — and more are on their way, including paths along River and Stradbrook avenues, as well as Goulet Street and University Crescent. But there are still major gaps, Cohoe said, including Regent and Nairn avenues, where there aren’t dedicated bike paths. Ian Walker, an elementary school teacher, said he was recently targeted in a road rage incident on Nairn. “The driver in a pickup truck didn’t like I was taking the lane and he came up behind me and then went around me horn blaring, scaring me,” Walker said. “I then felt a bunch of liquid on me and thought it was a snowball. It turned out it was coffee. I had to go to a meeting with principals covered with coffee. Walker said motorists have vented their rage at him in the past when he had to pedal on the street with no bike path, or when it was filled with snow. Despite the recent incident on Nairn, Walker said it is still better to ride a bike now than a few years ago. “I think it is getting better, honestly. I think people are more tolerant.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: City eyes imposing speed limits on active transportation paths (Oct28'23)
by Beth McKechnie 28 Oct '23

28 Oct '23

City eyes imposing speed limits on active transportation paths https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2023/10/27/city-eyes-active-transpo… THE City of Winnipeg will study the idea of imposing speed limits for electronic bikes and scooters. On Thursday evening, Winnipeg city council approved a call to have city staff study the potential new restriction, which could affect all motorized devices used on active transportation pathways. Traditional bicycles will be excluded. Coun. Janice Lukes said it’s great to see a hike in the number of people relying on active transportation. However, she said concerns about unsafe speeds of travel are triggering complaints and raising a need to consider new rules. “We’ve got people calling (about) getting hit (while) standing in the (path) and a dog’s leash got caught up in an e-bike… There are scenarios that are unfolding that are requiring us to look to see what other cities are doing that have addressed this issue,” the public works chairwoman said during the meeting. She noted Calgary has already imposed such a speed limit. The Alberta city requires all pathway users, including those riding manual bikes, to travel at or below posted speed limits. The maximum speed is typically set at 20 km/h, the City of Calgary’s website notes. The decision comes amid criticism an active transportation speed limit could prove difficult to enforce. Prior to ordering the report, the majority of Winnipeg council members opted to remove traditional bicycles from the potential speed limit. Coun. Matt Allard, who moved that amendment, told council members he feared including manual transportation could prove complicated. “I do believe that some of these (electronic) devices, particularly those that have been modified from the original manufacturer’s specifications, may achieve speeds that are significant. I would hope that we would not move in the direction of establishing maximum speeds for (traditional) bicycles because that would… likely mean installation of speedometers on bicycles and all sorts of issues with enforcement,” said Allard. Coun. Ross Eadie, who said he was once struck by a manual bicycle many years ago, voted against removing traditional bikes from the potential speed limit, suggesting all active transportation options should be limited to a maximum speed of 30 km/h. “If somebody gets hit by a bike moving really fast, believe me, it hurts… The older you get, the worse the injuries are,” said Eadie. Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act already sets a restriction of 32 km/h for “power-assisted” bicycles with motors of up to 500 watts. Coun. Shawn Dobson, who raised the speed limit motion, argues an even lower cap is needed. “Thirty-two (km/h) on an active transportation path is way too fast. Probably anywhere from 10 (km/h) to 20 (km/h) would be reasonable,” Dobson said in an interview Friday. Dobson said he supported the call to remove traditional bikes from the speed limit to avoid holding up the report, but believes the option could be revisited in the future. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca X: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: City to consider new bike registry (Oct26'23)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Oct '23

26 Oct '23

CITY TO CONSIDER NEW BIKE REGISTRY WINNIPEG could soon endorse a new bike registry in hopes of reuniting more stolen cycles with their owners. A new public service report calls for the city to urge citizens to register their bikes with 529 Garage, a free, cloud-based system that would replace an internal city-run bike registry that has a $7.35 registration fee. Council would also consider providing about $50,000 in each of the next four years to implement a new registration and theft-prevention program. The city sought new bike registration options in June, noting up to 2,000 bicycles are reported stolen in Winnipeg each year; about 1,000 are recovered but less than 10 per cent are successfully returned to their owners. If council approves, the new registry would share data with hundreds of police agencies and Winnipeg civic officials to help get more bikes returned.

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WFP: City seeks feedback on speed-limit reductions (Oct19'23)
by Beth McKechnie 19 Oct '23

19 Oct '23

(Adding to Dave Elmore's earlier message) *City seeks feedback on speed-limit reductions* THE City of Winnipeg is seeking feedback from residents in select neighbourhoods where speed limits have been reduced for several months. The city announced Wednesday it is entering the second phase of its reduced-speed neighbourhood pilot, in which speed limits in the Bourkevale and Tyndall Park neighbourhoods were reduced to 30 km/h, and limits in Worthington and Richmond West were reduced to 40 km/h per hour. “The pilot will tell us if changing the speed limit changes how fast vehicles actually travel, and if lowering the speed limit within a residential area affects neighbourhood livability,” the city said in a news release. The city has created separate surveys to assess the effectiveness of the program — one for residents living within the reduced speed limit areas, and another for the rest of Winnipeg residents. “Survey responses will help us understand both pilot area residents’ experience with the speed limit change and broader perspectives on speed limits in general,” the city said. In addition to the surveys, the city released the findings of a public engagement survey conducted in the program’s first phase before the limits were reduced. Sixty per cent of respondents felt residential speed limits should not be changed, while 40 per cent agreed with lowering them. The city is organizing a series of forums to be held early next year in which residents will be able to discuss the program. The first forum will take place at the Bourkevale Community Centre on Jan. 29 at 4:30 p.m. Further discussions will continue in each respective neighbourhood between Jan. 30 and Feb. 1. The survey is available online <https://www.winnipeg.ca/news/2023-10-18-winnipeggers-invited-talk-residenti…> on the City of Winnipeg website, along with a list of forum dates and locations.

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Thanks
by Dave Elmore 19 Oct '23

19 Oct '23

The City of Winnipeg put this survey about residential speed limits and the neighbourhood pilots. Please share widely! https://www.winnipeg.ca/news/2023-10-18-winnipeggers-invited-talk-residenti… Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X)

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WFP Editorial: Cities must adapt to new bike tech (Oct17'23)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Oct '23

17 Oct '23

*Cities must adapt to new bike tech* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/2023/10/17/cities-must… IT’S a bike, it’s a car, it’s something in between. If you spent any time travelling around Winnipeg this summer, you probably noticed some new vehicles whizzing around the city’s roadways and active transportation routes. Electric bicycles and scooters have accelerated into common use recently with riders of all stripes jumping on the bandwagon. The battery-powered vessels have seen a surge in popularity thanks to their environmental advantages, accessibility and fun factor. But their presence isn’t beloved by all. Last week, the city’s public works committee agreed to commission a report on the viability of establishing speed limits on active transportation paths for bikes, e-bikes, scooters and other devices. The motion, raised by Coun. Shawn Dobson last month, argues speed restrictions are necessary to protect all path users from collisions. The department has 300 days to report back. As in other jurisdictions, the issue is proving to be a contentious one, with some Winnipeggers expressing safety concerns about mingling with the speedy personal vehicles on pathways and others raising questions about the effectiveness of speed limit enforcement. All are valid viewpoints, which is why the city needs to take an holistic approach to regulations. With every new form of transportation technology, governments have had to grapple with their application on roadways. When horses and buggies were the norm, they were barred from being “driven at a gallop” on New York streets or risked incurring a hefty fine. Alberta introduced its first speed limits in 1906, capping automobile travel at 32 and 16 km/h on highways and within city limits, respectively. Road safety has improved as speed limits have increased thanks to a combination of regulation, enforcement, infrastructure and public education. The city must acknowledge each of these factors when drawing up new rules around e-bikes and scooters. Doing too little will create undue tension between users on active transportation routes. Doing too much will impede e-bike and scooter use, which has the potential to take vehicles off the road and reduce carbon emissions. Speed limits are a good starting point, but they need to come with cost-effective enforcement strategies. In the absence of a fleet of bicycle bylaw officers, signage and public education campaigns can encourage self-policing. Currently, Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act restricts “power-assisted” bicycles to speeds of 32 km/h with an electric motor of up to 500 watts. That’s faster than vehicles are allowed to travel in school zones — a regulation designed to protect young pedestrians from death or injury. In Calgary, most active transportation routes have a maximum speed limit of 20 km/h for all path users. The bylaw also requires users to use a bell or vocal signal when passing others and denotes which vehicles are allowed on which pathways. Fines range between $100 and $400. The rules are clearcut and fair, while setting a standard for decorum on shared roadways. The latter is likely more important for e-rider and pedestrian safety than speed limits. Recent studies from Europe and the United States found that while e-bike users suffer higher rates of more severe injuries than traditional cyclists, rider behaviour and user error were the main culprits of collisions, followed by road conditions, such as speed limits. E-bikes and scooters are not a passing trend. While city councillors are busy mulling speed limits, they should also be thinking about how these increasingly popular modes of transportation will fit into future infrastructure and active transportation developments. Giving residents many different options to get where they need to go offers a direct path to improving Winnipeg’s livability.

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CTV News: New bike lanes cause close quarters driving along Goulet
by Beth McKechnie 14 Oct '23

14 Oct '23

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/near-impossible-new-bike-lanes-cause-close-quar…

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