- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

TAC survey on integrating health in transportation - 2 days left!
by Beth McKechnie 29 May '18

29 May '18

Survey on the Integration of Health in Transportation The Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) is leading a project to assess the current the potential future integration of health in transportation. The project is being completed by Urban Design 4 Health and Alta Planning + Design. As a part of this project, TAC is seeking input from individuals worldwide working in health and/or transportation fields, across diverse agencies, organizations and levels of government. Your feedback will help TAC to inventory, assess, identify gaps, and recommend improvements, in order to strengthen the integration of health in existing Canadian transportation policies, guidelines, and planning tools. Complete the survey by Thursday, May 31st, 2018. The survey is open to everyone, not just those who live in Canada. It should take approx. 15-20 min. to complete. Survey URL: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TAC_HealthTransportation <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YxWhZ30XZN9qJ8Fx3zfB_cDUx87Cm8bOVbS08TlWPFpW…> Project URL: http://www.tac-atc.ca/en/projects/progress/strategic- opportunities-integrating-health-and-transportation <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YxWhZ30XZN9qJ8Fx3zfB_cDUx87Cm8bOVbS08TlWPFpW…> TAC is also asking you to freely share this invitation to complete the survey with other relevant individuals working in health and/or transportation. This dissemination will help to ensure the inclusion of a wide-range of perspectives and experiences.

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Join us for the official launch of Commuter Challenge! Thurs @ noon
by Beth McKechnie 29 May '18

29 May '18

Commuter Challenge is just around the corner (June 3 – 9, 2018)! Are you registered yet? YOU'RE INVITED TO OUR MEDIA LAUNCH We're hosting a media launch on Thursday, May 31st and you're invited! Drop by Investors Group atrium (447 Portage Avenue) at 12:00pm as we kick off Commuter Challenge and bring attention to the amazing participants and supporters of this great event. No RSVP required - just stop by and say hello! CLEAN AIR DAY - June 6th Stop by for a delicious reward on your active and green commute on June 6th between 6:45-9am. It's a go rain or shine! Check out the details and map here. Come stop by our tent near Osborne Bridge on the legislative grounds to enjoy free snacks and drinks! Minor bike tune ups will be provided by our friends at the Coop Vélo-Cité. RECRUIT A NEW WORKPLACE & WIN! Do you have a friend who you think is up to the task of bringing their workplace on board this year? We invite you to recruit them for the 2018 challenge! Both you and the workplace coordinator who you recruit will be entered to win even more prizes! Get them to register and send them this form to fill out > > > > > > > > >

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WFP: City unveils options for pedestrian bridge (May25'18)
by Beth McKechnie 25 May '18

25 May '18

------------------------------ *City unveils options for pedestrian bridge* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-unveils-three-options-for-pede… THREE designs for a pedestrian and bike bridge over the Assiniboine River — connecting Osborne Village to downtown— have been released by the City of Winnipeg for public input. The bridge will connect Mc Fadyen Park on the north side of the river to Fort Rouge Park on the south side. “This is a very important part of our active-transportation strategy,” said ward Coun. Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry). “This is part of AT route plan that will connect the Osborne Village transit station through the Village to the bridge and then into the downtown and The Forks.” The consulting team has developed three options for the proposed river crossing: a girder bridge, a doublecurved cable bridge, and a suspension bridge. “This particular project has been talked about for decades,” Gerbasi said. “It’s one of the most exciting AT things we’re talking about.” While Gerbasi is excited about the project, a suburban councillor is not. At Thursday’s council meeting, North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty questioned the need for another bridge over the Assiniboine River in that area. “If you look at the map, between The Forks and on to the Maryland Street bridge, there’s pretty good coverage for people to get across the river,” Browaty told reporters. “Spending another $15-, $20- or who-knows-howmany millions of dollars to build an additional pedestrian bridge in this location is not the next priority in my mind. “They are lovely looking bridges, but I just question it.” Browaty said themoney wouldbebetter spent building a movable downtown bike network and connecting it with the suburbs. “We’ve built a lot of good (cycling) networks to get to the downtown from different quadrants of the city,” he said. “One piece that is missing is that final mile to get from the AT paths to downtown destinations. That would be a better investment.” The proposed bridge is mid-way between the Midtown (Donald Street) and the Osborne Street bridges. Gerbasi dismissed Browaty’s criticisms as pre-election pandering, adding that the proposed bridge is integral to linking the downtown bike network to the suburbs. She said neither the Midtown nor the Osborne bridges are adequate cycling routes, and no cost has been determined yet for the proposed crossing. Gerbasi said the city is taking the same planning approach for the project as it’s done for the William R. Clement Parkway extension and the widening of Kenaston Boulevard. “We do the study now, so that we’re ready when the funding becomes available,” she said. The project website (//wfp.to/ KOI) says it is one of four pedestrian/ cycling crossings being considered by public works in the next two years, at a cost of $31 million. The others include: Bishop Grandin Greenway over Pembina Highway (2019); Maple Street through-pass of the Canadian Pacific Railway mainline (2020); and a crossing over the Seine River (2019). Consulting firm WSP Canada Group was awarded a contract at the end of October at a cost of $358,351 (following a public tendering process) to design the bridge with a network connection to the Osborne Village transit station. Now that WSP has developed three bridge designs, city hall wants public feedback on each. A public workshop is scheduled for June 5, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Augustine United Church (444 River Ave.). The format will include a presentation, followed by discussion groups. Throughout the summer, the project team will finalize the recommended functional design of cycling connections and preliminary design of the bridge and parks. The designs will be submitted for city council consideration once they are finished. A detailed design phase will be required ahead of project construction. Funding for detailed design and construction will be contingent on council approval. A final public engagement report will be available on the project site in the fall. Gerbasi said since she’s not running for re-election in October, she won’t be around to make a decision on a bridge design “but I’ve been here to see the project reach this point, and I hope that a future council has the foresight to invest in our long-term active transportation plans.” aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca randy.turner(a)freepress.mb.ca Three choices Option 1: Girder Bridge is a straight bridge that would cross the Assiniboine River at a skew angle. There are two areas of the bridge that gradually expand to seven-metres-wide overlook points. According to the city’s website, this bridge can be made more aesthetically beautiful with lighting and artistic features, and includes a unique shallow girder design, intended to present a slender modern look to the structure. This bridge is the cheapest option. Option 2: Cable-Stayed Bridge is a double-curved structure and would be the first curvilinear cable-stayed bridge in Canada. It would be “aesthetically unique, as it allows someone on the bridge to see the other side of the bridge while crossing it,” the website noted, while it “mimics the meandering rivers and streets along rivers in Winnipeg.” The centre of each of the two bridge curves gradually expands to a seven-metres-wide overlook point. A long bench would be built in to each of the inner curves. This option is more expensive than the proposed girder bridge. Option 3: Suspension Bridge is a straight crossing at a skew angle, and would be the only suspension bridge in Winnipeg, which could prove a tourist attraction. The centre of the bridge gradually expands to a seven-metres-wide overlook point, and has two piers at each end from which cables are suspended. The piers would be located on the riverbanks, and the suspension cables strung between them will resemble two separated spaces now connected and held together by the new structure. The bridge piers and cables allow for the inclusion of artistic lighting above the bridge. This option is more expensive than the girder bridge and is comparable in price to the cable-stayed bridge. *Details on the proposed Osborne pedestrian cycling river crossing can be found at //wfp.to/KOI <http://wfp.to/KOI>.*

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Scotland could become first on planet to make 20 mph default speed limit
by Beth McKechnie 22 May '18

22 May '18

Scotland is undertaking a remarkable initiative to become the first jurisdiction on the planet to make vehicular speeds a default of 20 miles per hour (32 kph) in any village, town or city. The Member’s Bill <http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/104723.aspx> going to Scottish parliament has bi-partisan support (across four different parties). Edinburgh, which has already implemented the 20 miles per hour speed in many areas of the city, has seen cyclist and pedestrian injury rates from vehicular crashes decrease by 25 per cent. Full story: https://pricetags.ca/2018/05/15/scotland-looks-at-slowing-speed-limits-savi…

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TAC Survey on the Integration of Health in Transportation
by Beth McKechnie 22 May '18

22 May '18

*Timely survey given our recent presentation by Dr. Frank on integrating land use and transportation planning with health outcomes. Please share widely!* * * * * * The Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) is leading a project to assess the current and potential future integration of health in transportation. The project is being completed by Urban Design 4 Health and Alta Planning + Design. As a part of this project, we are seeking input from individuals worldwide working in health and/or transportation fields, across diverse agencies, organizations and levels of government. Your feedback, gathered through an online survey, will help TAC to inventory, assess, identify gaps, and recommend improvements, in order to strengthen the integration of health in existing Canadian transportation policies, guidelines, and planning tools. Please *complete the survey by Thursday, May 31st, 2018*. It should take approximately 15-20 minutes of your time. Survey URL: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TAC_HealthTransportation Project URL: http://www.tac-atc.ca/en/projects/progress/strategic-op portunities-integrating-health-and-transportation TAC is also asking you to freely share this invitation to complete the survey with other relevant individuals working in health and/or transportation. This dissemination will help to ensure the inclusion of a wide-range of perspectives and experiences. If you have any questions, please contact: *Craig Stackpole, P.Eng., PMP* Program Manager *TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (TAC)* 401-1111 Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa, ON <https://maps.google.com/?q=401-1111+Prince+of+Wales+Dr,+Ottawa,+ON+K2C+3T2&…> K2C 3T2 <https://maps.google.com/?q=401-1111+Prince+of+Wales+Dr,+Ottawa,+ON+K2C+3T2&…> cstackpole(a)tac-atc.ca 613-736-1350 x232

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WFP: Bike sharing in Canada (May17'18)
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '18

17 May '18

Bike sharing in Canada MONTREAL Name: BIXI Montreal Launch year: 2009 Size: More than 6,000 bikes Cost: $5 per day TORONTO Name: Bike Share Toronto Launch year: 2011 Size: More than 2,500 bikes Cost: $7 per day VANCOUVER Name: Mobi Launch year: 2016 Size: More than 1,500 bikes Cost: $10 per day History of bike sharing LARGE-scale bike sharing begins in 1965 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, thanks to a group of activists who decide to leave a collection of bikes — all painted white— unlocked around the city for anyone to use. Issues soon arise, however, as most bikes are stolen and vandalized. Further attempts at large-scale bike-sharing programs aren’t tried again in Europe until the late 1990s. A series of technological advancements — from coin-operated stalls to user ID cards that track use— are implemented throughout the 2000s to cut down on theft and vandalism. As early as 2008, bike-sharing pilot programs start popping up in North America, with the continent’s first large-scale bike-sharing operation being Quebec’s BIXI Montreal in 2009.

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WFP: Pedal in the Peg starts with 22 cycles at five locations (May17'18)
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '18

17 May '18

* Pedal in the Peg starts with 22 cycles at five locations * * City hopes bike-share program gains traction * THE training wheels have come off bike sharing in Winnipeg. Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, with funding from the City of Winnipeg, officially launched the city’s first bikesharing program on Wednesday. Pedal in the Peg features 22 bicycles that can be rented from five downtown locations. “We’re trying to catch up to other major cities with our active transportation strategy. This is just one more option for visitors, but also for residents, to jump on one of these free bikes and give it a spin,” Mayor Brian Bowman said. Bowman, alongside Downtown Winnipeg BIZ CEO Stefano Grande, were the program’s first official participants Wednesday morning, buckling on helmets and taking a quick spin around city hall. The program has been languishing as a little-known pilot project for at least a year. During that time, approximately 200 people have set out on cycling adventures, the BIZ said. The city will provide $1,750 in annual funding. The rental locations are at city hall, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ (426 Portage Ave.), the Alt Hotel, the Delta Hotel and the Holiday Inn. Bike rentals are free at city hall and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, while rental fees apply at the hotel locations. Bikes go for about $14 for a half-day and $25 for a full day at the hotels, Grande said. That makes Winnipeg’s program significantly pricier than most other bikeshare programs in the country, such as those in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, which range from $5 to $10 per day. Renters are given everything they need for a downtown cycling adventure, including a bicycle, helmet, bike lock and a cycling map, Grande said. “It’s about giving people that other option to grab a bike and go to a meeting, go visit a restaurant, go to a museum. Again, just really buying into where the market is going — 100,000 people a day come downtown for work, as well as our students. Not everyone can afford a bike,” Grande said. The BIZ hopes to expand the program to other areas downtown in the summer, including the University of Winnipeg and the convention centre. That expansion is just the start, however, as Grande said there are a number of ways the BIZ will try to improve the program. Improvements include more bikes, more rental locations and expanding beyond downtown. Grande said he hopes Pedal in the Peg will serve as a template for a citywide bike-sharing program, and hasn’t ruled out the possibility of getting bikes equipped with winter tires so people can use them year-round. Bowman said programs such as Pedal in the Peg are an important part of the city’s active transportation strategy. He hopes it is a springboard for more initiatives. “We want to see more options like this for people. When you travel to other cities, you see the ride — the cyclingsharing companies like these options available in a more robust way,” Bowman said. “This is a step in the right direction. I want to see more of this in Winnipeg. It’s a great way to get around and get some exercise.” A recurring problem with many bikesharing programs in major cities is theft and vandalism, but Grande said so far that hasn’t been an issue in Winnipeg. “We didn’t know exactly how this was going to unfold, but we didn’t have that issue (theft and vandalism). During the day, downtown is busy. Our sidewalks are full and we haven’t had any thefts.” ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Cycling Delivers on the Global Goals: Shifting toward a better economy, society, and planet for all
by Beth McKechnie 10 May '18

10 May '18

From: Sarah Prowse <sprowse(a)wrha.mb.ca> Date: Thu, 10 May 2018 20:38:35 +0000 Here is a great article <https://ecf.com/sites/ecf.com/files/The%20Global%20Goals_internet.pdf> on how cycling is and can deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. You may have seen it already (released to UN in 2015) but I thought it worth sharing. Sarah Prowse Healthy Public Policy Specialist 2nd floor - 490 Hargrave Street Winnipeg, MB R3A 0X7 Telephone 204 801 3255 Fax 204 940-2690 Email sprowse(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

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WFP: Bike valet coming to whiteout party (May1'18)
by Beth McKechnie 01 May '18

01 May '18

* Bike valet coming to whiteout party * * Cops confident Jets fans won’t drink and cycle* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bike-valet-planned-for-whiteout-str… THE whiteout street party is adding a bicycle valet, giving Jets fans the option of active transportation. But while the bike valet promotes a greener way to get to the game and street party, it also raises the risk of a different kind of impaired driver: cyclists. “Whether you’re driving a car, or riding a bike, or any other mode of transportation, we have always tried to make sure that we are sending the safe message... ‘to celebrate, but celebrate responsibly,’” Economic Development Winnipeg spokesman Matt Schaubroeck said in an interview on Monday. “That being said, we trust Winnipeggers — they’ve been great so far, keeping everything at a good, solid energetic level without going over that line, in terms of drunk driving, drunk cycling.” According to the Winnipeg Police Service, drinking and driving only applies to motorized vehicles. Yet, bicycles are vehicles on the road and cyclists must abide by the rules of the road. Cyclists under the influence pose a safety risk to themselves, pedestrians and other drivers. While it doesn’t happen often, cyclists can be charged with driving under the influence. Bicycle Valet Winnipeg will be, as the name suggests, running the whiteout party valet. Project manager Stephanie Chow said on Monday they usually don’t see many drunk cyclists, but it does happen. Chow used Canada Day and Nuit Blanche, an all-night art exhibition, as two examples. “The people that really know and plan to use the valet and know that it’s there, are people that really just want to commute to make it easy on themselves,” Chow said, adding they deal mostly with families. The valet, which will be located in the lot behind Cityplace on the corner of Donald Street and St. Mary’s Ave., works similarly to a coat check. The valet accepts any non-motorized vehicles and its accessories, but doesn’t provide locks. By using the valet, cyclists agree to the terms of service, which includes picking up your bike within 30 minutes after the party finishes. Bikes left longer are subject to a late fee of $50. Chow said the fee is meant to act as a deterrent for people to not leave their bikes. “I would really encourage people not to drink and cycle, and I am kind of prepared to have some bikes with me at the end of the night, if that’s required,” Chow said. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have had a bike valet of their own since they were still playing in Canad Inns Stadium on Maroons Road in Polo Park. Blue Bombers director of security Kelly Keith said it’s not unusual to see at least two or three bicycles left in their valet because their respective owners were intoxicated. That said, according to the Blue Bombers website, the average attendance at Bombers home games in 2017 was about 27,400 and, of course, you need a ticket to get in. The Jets whiteout party alone was expanded to allow about 35,000 people past the gates for free. And that doesn’t include the 15,000 inside Bell MTS Place who can also take advantage of the valet. Chow said the volunteers at her valet are usually able to tell who’s impaired by talking to the cyclist, or if they see the cyclist is having trouble with their motor skills. Outside of that, there’s no way to truly tell who’s impaired. Chow said she’ll have a better sense of the issue today, but may inquire about partnering with police. Cycling under the influence of alcohol is not an offence under the Criminal Code, but police said it does violate a section of the Highway Traffic Act. If someone was found guilty of violating that section, they could face a fine ranging from $672 to $2,000 and/or imprisonment for one year maximum. nicholas.frew(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Media coverage: Extra $1M suggested for snow clearing AT routes (Apr.26'18)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Apr '18

26 Apr '18

*Strategy would re-prioritize active transportation routes * * Extra $1M suggested for snow clearing * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/report-recommends- spending-1-million-to-clear-snow-on-citys-active-transportation-network- 480842443.html Additional coverage: http://winnipegsun.com/news/local-news/winnipeg-could-add- 1m-to-snow-clearing-for-active-transportation-routes http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-snow- clearing-sidewalks-1.4634766 A LONG-DELAYED report identifying new priorities for snow clearing and ice control within the city’s active transportation network will recommend spending nearly $1 million on changes when it finally sees the light of day in May. The winter maintenance strategy report is now up on the City of Winnipeg’s website and will be discussed May 1 at the next standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works. Coun. Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) originally requested the report in March 2016 when she was chairwoman of public works. After seven extensions, the public service came back with its findings. Cheryl Anderson, the city’s acting manager of street maintenance, is the report’s main author. Her department recommends spending about $933,000 next winter on re-prioritizing roadways, sidewalks and active transportation pathways to provide a connected pedestrian and cycling winter maintenance network. Subsequent annual spending on the re-prioritized network would be about $835,000 plus inflation, according to the report. “Efforts have been put into place that, when new infrastructure is being planned, to recognize these future design requirements and connectivity,” Anderson wrote about what the city has been doing since it approved its transportation master plan in 2011 and adopted pedestrian and cycling strategies in 2015. “Winter season has been an entirely different challenge, as citizens find many of these new active transportation routes disconnected or not maintained,” she said. Many Winnipeggers were frustrated after a large snow dump in March left some people stranded in their homes due to poorly cleared sidewalks. Some people who use wheelchairs were forced to travel on city streets in order to get around. But the public works report is about much more than fallout from a single snowstorm, said Anders Swanson, executive director of Winnipeg Trails Association. “After a long wait, this is a small step in the right direction. (The report) needs to pass so we can get going, but this report does not yet address the most crucial aspect: reliability,” Swanson said. “Walking, cycling, no matter what your ability, can be the most reliable and resilient forms of transport year round, but they have different design needs than cars. The report mentions that but then doesn’t fully address it.” Swanson thinks the city’s snow removal timing should be sped up, another move not directly mentioned in the report. The current clearing policy is to have all top-priority roadways and adjacent sidewalks and paths cleared within 36 hours of a snowfall ending. “For people pushing strollers, riding bikes or using wheelchairs, that’s just not practical. Think about this: if I am in a wheelchair and I can’t get to work on Monday or even get to the bus — which happens way too often— who is going to call my boss to tell them, ‘Sorry, but maybe he’ll be in by Wednesday?’” he said. Identifying the streets that aren’t priority one for cars but may be top priority for pedestrians or cyclists is an important distinction laid out in the review, said Mark Cohoe, director of Bike Winnipeg, who was pleased with the first iteration of the report and its related ward maps. “It’s a step forward for sure. I think there’s a few tweaks that we’ll probably recommend and a few clarifications, too.” Cohoe pointed to the North Assiniboine Parkway and foot bridges around Omand’s Creek as areas that could use more attention. If the public service’s report recommendations are approved by the public works committee on Tuesday, the changes will still need to get the green light from the executive policy committee and city council. jessica.botelho(a)freepress.mb.ca -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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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