- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP: One-metre rule for bikes (Jan.3&6'16)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jan '16

06 Jan '16

[Here is today's editorial followed by the initial article.] One-metre rule for bikes: it’s a start http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/One-metre-rule-for-bike… Good on Premier Greg Selinger for getting behind a backbencher’s bill to impose a rule that vehicles leave one metre for cyclists on the road But it is just a start for the provincial government — and it should get the support of all parties — that has been relatively uninterested in promoting cycling for commuters. At present, the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) requires motorists to be prudent, but doesn’t set out a distance they must keep from cyclists. That leaves too much discretion for some drivers. Some don’t realize how vulnerable cyclists feel on the road; others don’t care. A rule that requires motorists to leave three feet of grace for cyclists would compel drivers to be more watchful. The HTA requires cyclists to keep as close to the right curb as practicable (which recognizes they are slower and don’t have to impede traffic). But the rule is meaningless when the road, curbside, is so pocked and cracked it is dangerous to ride on. Riding in the centre of the lane disrupts motorists. It’s irritating if it goes on for more than a minute, because urban speed limits are geared for vehicles and to expedite traffic. Cyclists, too, forget or ignore their duties under the HTA, stoking resentment and outright hostility between commuters. And this is going to increase as more Manitobans, particularly Winnipeggers, commute by bike. That puts a lot of pressure on municipalities, which shoulder the burden of designing streets and infrastructure to make way for cyclists and pedestrians. But cities alone cannot afford the cost of shifting infrastructure, in a reasonable timeline, to accommodate cyclists safely. The one-metre rule, if it passes, will show just how much work needs to be done. It will reveal how ill-suited the streets are now to melding bicycles and cars, especially in winter. Narrowed (by snow or potholes), single lanes of opposing traffic will see cyclists holding up traffic on busy roads. Separated bike lanes are the safest and are shown to encourage commuters to leave the car at home. While they don’t have to be expensive — cement planters can work in place of a fixed curb between the bike and the car — separated lanes do need changes to road design, especially at intersections and bus stops. They have to be continuous, and connected to routes into the suburbs. This requires planning, preferably on a regional basis. It requires commitment by governments that make moving people into alternative modes of transportation a priority. The Selinger government has been lazy on that point. Some of its infrastructure programs mention active transportation, but there is little dedicated funding for municipalities that face tearing up asphalt to lay down new track. And it’s doubly overwhelming for winter cities, where even pedestrians are discouraged because sidewalks aren’t plowed regularly. Other jurisdictions are spending the time, money and effort to push walking and cycling. New York is one example, reworking in a short time its busy streets into a can-do model for cyclists, but not without conflict and acrimony. Closer to home, Minneapolis has invested huge sums to start the shift from a car culture. Across the sea, more cities are taxing motorists more aggressively, some to provide financial incentives to cyclists. Meanwhile, Manitoba has the second-lowest fuel tax in Canada, and Alberta is about to close the gap. There’s no shortage of ideas and evidence of what works. Mr. Selinger’s green plan does not put enough muscle behind pushing the transportation sector — a big driver of greenhouse-gas emissions — to be greener. It can’t meet its goals on GHG cuts unless a lot of cars get off fossil fuels and more commuters get out of cars. There are proven ways to do that. Manitoba needs a provincial government to help adopt them. *Editorials are the consensus view of the Winnipeg Free Press’ editorial board composed of Catherine Mitchell, David O’Brien, Shannon Sampert, and Paul Samyn.* * * * * * Proposed one-metre rule for cars and cyclists 'a great idea:' Manitoba premier http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/proposed-one-metre-rule-for-c… WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger is throwing his support behind a proposed new rule of the road affecting motorists and cyclists. Selinger says a call to force drivers to move over at least one metre when passing a cyclist is "a great idea" that he would like to see become law. "Safety for active transportation makes sense. It's part of having a more livable city," Selinger said in a recent interview. "It's in the interests of both parties to have a respectful understanding of what the zones of safety are." Ontario recently passed a one-metre law and one of Selinger's backbenchers, Dave Gaudreau, wants Manitoba to follow suit. Gaudreau has put forward a private member's bill in the legislature and Selinger said he'd like to see it become law. However, the bill is one of many currently on the agenda and the legislature is scheduled to sit for only 12 days before the campaign begins for the April 19 election. Whether there is enough time to pass the bill will depend partly on the opposition, Selinger said. Manitoba's Highway Traffic Act currently requires motorists only to keep "a safe distance" when passing cyclists. Gaudreau has said specifying a one-metre rule will make things more clear and ensure cyclists are given ample room.

1 0

journalism pointers
by ian_toal＠mymts.net 05 Jan '16

05 Jan '16

Interesting take on 'anti-cycling' columns. The Boxing Day one mentioned is a truly appalling piece of journalism. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2016/jan/05/writing-anti-c… Ian

1 0

Vancouver reasserting itself as cycling leader
by Beth McKechnie 04 Jan '16

04 Jan '16

*Vancouver aims to reassert itself as a North American cycling leader* In 2015, the City of Vancouver reported an unprecedented 1.4 million bike trips over its Burrard Bridge, and 50% of all trips being made by foot, bike, or transit (five years ahead of its 2020 goal). The AAA (all ages and abilities) bike network, established between 2009 and 2014, helped the City achieve these successes. In 2016 the City will begin implementing its five-year plan that lays out a dozen new AAA routes, roll out its public bike share program in late spring/early summer, and complete safety upgrades at key intersections. Full story: http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/12/vancouver-north-american-cycling-leader/ -- *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) 925-3772 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://canadahelps.org/>

1 0

NEW: Find Canadian AT Policies more easily in the Prevention Policies Directory
by Beth McKechnie 04 Jan '16

04 Jan '16

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Kendall Tisdale <Kendall.Tisdale(a)partnershipagainstcancer.ca> Date: 2016-01-04 8:56 GMT-06:00 ***La version française de ce courriel suit la version anglaise.* Dear Colleagues, The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) has launched a NEW and EASY way to find active transportation policies in Canada. Visit our *Prevention Policies Directory* <http://www.cancerview.ca/cv/portal/Home/PreventionAndScreening/PSProfession…> landing page and use the new “tag cloud” of active transportation policy terms to quickly access your specific area of interest. A *free*, *one-hour webinar* will be offered on * January 20, 2016 from 1:30pm-2:30pm EST *to provide an overview of how to use the tags in the Directory as well as other CPAC resources to support your work on active transportation policy - *register today! <http://cpac.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/CPAC/active-transportation-policy-reso…>* *Please note: this webinar will be delivered in English only.* *FOR MORE INFORMATION* Please contact Kendall Tisdale, Prevention Analyst at kendall.tisdale(a)partnershipagainstcancer.ca or 416-915-9222 ext 5781. Warm regards, Kendall Tisdale Prevention Analyst Canadian Partnership Against Cancer 1 University Avenue, Suite 300 Toronto, ON M5J 2P1 Ph: 416-915-9222 ext. 5781 kendall.tisdale(a)partnershipagainstcancer.ca *www.cancerview.ca/preventionpolicies <http://../AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/ZU70XT0D/www.cancerview.ca/preventionpolicies>* [image: *] *@PrevPolicies <https://twitter.com/prevpolicies>* ------------------------------ This e-mail message (and any attachments) may contain confidential and/or privileged information and is for the sole use of the intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error, kindly contact the sender promptly and delete all copies of this e-mail and its contents. The disclosure, distribution or copying of this message by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. Opinions, conclusions or other information contained in this e-mail may not represent views of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Le présent courriel (et toutes pièces jointes) pourrait contenir des renseignements confidentiels et/ou privilégiés et est conçu pour l’usage exclusif du destinataire. Si vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur, je vous remercie de communiquer avec l’expéditeur immédiatement et de supprimer toutes les copies de ce courriel, ainsi que son contenu. La divulgation, la distribution ou toute reproduction de ce message par une personne autre que le destinataire est strictement interdite. Les opinions, conclusions ou autres renseignements contenus dans ce courriel pourraient ne pas représenter les opinions du Partenariat canadien contre le cancer. *_____________________________________________________________________________________* Collègues, Le Partenariat canadien contre le cancer lance une NOUVELLE méthode FACILE pour trouver les politiques canadiennes sur le transport actif. Visitez notre page d’accueil du *Répertoire des politiques de prévention <http://www.cancerview.ca/cv/portal/Home/PreventionAndScreening/PSProfession…> *et servez-vous du « nuage de mots-clés » sur tous les termes de politiques du transport actif pour accéder rapidement à votre champ d’intérêt. Un *webinaire gratuit d’une heure *sera offert le *20 janvier 2016 de **13h30 – 14h30 HNE *pour vous montrer comment utiliser les mots-clés dans le Répertoire ainsi que d’autres ressources du PCCC pour vous aider dans votre travail sur les politiques de transport actif. *Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant <http://cpac.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/CPAC/active-transportation-policy-reso…>* *!* *Remarque : ce webinaire est présenté en anglais seulement. * *POUR PLUS D’INFORMATION* Veuillez communiquer avec Kendall Tisdale, analyste en prévention à kendal.tisdale(a)partnershipagainstcancer.ca <kendall.tisdale(a)partnershipagainstcancer.ca> ou au 416-915-9222, poste 5781. Mes cordiales salutations, Kendall Tisdale Analyste de programme prévention 1, avenue University, Bureau 300 Toronto ON M5J 2P1 M: 416-915-9222 ext. 5781 kendall.tisdale(a)partnershipagainstcancer.ca *www.vuesurlecancer.ca/politiquesdeprevention <http://www.vuesurlecancer.ca/politiquesdeprevention>* [image: *] *@PrevPolicies <https://twitter.com/prevpolicies>*

1 0

Milan Bans Cars to Combat Horrible Smog
by Daniel Gravenor 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

http://gizmodo.com/milan-bans-cars-to-combat-horrible-smog-1749938293 * for 6 hours of three days in one week, but still.

1 0

Metro Winnipeg: Janice Lukes eyes review for sidewalk, bike lane snow removal (Dec.22'15)
by Beth McKechnie 23 Dec '15

23 Dec '15

Janice Lukes eyes review for sidewalk, bike lane snow removalThe south Winnipeg councillor says citizens should get their say as well. http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2015/12/22/janice-lukes-eyes-review-f… As crews near the end of a citywide plow operation following last week’s dump of snow, one Winnipeg councillor believes the time is right to examine how service can be improved for those on foot and two-wheels. Janice Lukes is inviting locals to give feedback on her website about the city’s clearing of sidewalks and bike routes, which make up the city’s active transportation network. “Changing a policy is not easy, but if it’s for the betterment of mobility in our city then that’s what we must do,” she said Monday. “We can’t hibernate in the winter. We need to be active. The money it saves us on healthcare alone is significant.” Lukes says although the city’s policies around active transportation have evolved, there’s been a dramatic increase in peoples’ desire to walk and bike year-round. That’s why she questions how conducive current snow removal standards are to active transportation during winter. For example, she points to the fact clearing of sidewalks and bike routes are tied to the priority level of adjacent streets. “Is that correct? In some cases, absolutely. In others, not so,” she said. Mark Cohoe, chair of advocacy group Bike Winnipeg, calls the policy car-centric and says it results in a “hit or miss” clearing of bike paths and unpredictability for cyclists. “Those (priority) routes aren’t necessarily the routes that people are taking by bike,” he said Monday. Having a periodic review of the city’s snow clearing policies as they relate to accessibility is critical, says Allen Mankewich, spokesperson for the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities. “In order to enjoy all aspects of the community as everyone else does, we need to be able to get around,” he said. “A lot of people tend to not go out as much in the winter if they do have mobility issues.” Lukes said the feedback collected would be discussed during a series of upcoming sessions, brought to experts, and the city’s active transportation advisory committee. “It’s time for a new look,” she said. “Do we up the budget? Do we reallocate what’s in the budget we have?”

1 0

Best Practices Guides webinar slides
by Beth McKechnie 17 Dec '15

17 Dec '15

Hi everyone, Wanted to share a few highlights from yesterday's APBP webinar on Best Practices Guides along with the presentation slides and a resource list. It was a bit surprising to remember that there wasn't a lot of design guidance for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure till about 5 years ago. Since then it's exploded, with new guides coming out regularly to reflect new experience and learnings, or to expand on specific types of infrastructure (such as protected bike lanes <https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/DoingBusinessWithUs/ManualsPublicat…> ). Key points that stood out for me: - It's not a question of one set of design guidelines over another – there is no hierarchy once you get beyond standards that must be met. - Instead, the variety of guidance allows flexibility to make the best facility choice for the specific context (i.e. flexibility is not meant to be a free-for-all to choose a poor or compromised solution). - FHWA partnered with The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center to create a *Design Resource Index <http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/planning/facilities_designresourceindex.cfm>*. This allows you to quickly scan where to find the relevant section for specific types of infrastructure in a variety of design guidelines (all US-based), so you can compare and find the solution that best fits your context. - It's not an either/or choice for a jurisdiction when deciding whether to use existing guidelines or develop their own. There may be some local context or unique characteristic (e.g. winter maintenance) that justifies expanding or adding to existing guidelines. But, you need to appreciate what a huge undertaking it is to create your own, such as MassDOT did for protected bike lanes. cheers, Beth -- *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) 925-3772 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://canadahelps.org/>

1 0

Protected Intersections Report from Alta
by Mark Cohoe 16 Dec '15

16 Dec '15

Hi, More research and design guidance on protected intersections from the good folks at Alta Planning & Design. http://altaplanning.com/wp-content/uploads/Evolution-of-the-Protected-Inter… Mark

1 0

Talking Transportation in Winnipeg
by Beth McKechnie 16 Dec '15

16 Dec '15

*** Please share widely *** Starting in January 2016, Councillor Janice Lukes, chair of the City's Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works, will be hosting a series of six casual conversations about transportation in Winnipeg. Taking place over the lunch hour on the third Thursday of each month at The Forks, these 'Transportation Conversations with the Chair' will focus on relevant topics in Winnipeg. Bring/buy your own lunch and pull up a chair at Centre Food Court to talk transportation! *Transportation Conversations with the Chair of Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works* *LOCATION: *The Forks, Centre Food Court *TIME: *12-1pm (BYOL – Buy/Bring Your Own Lunch!) *DATE: *3rd Thursday of the month *Topics*: - *January 21* – Winter Maintenance of Active Transportation Infrastructure - *February 18* – Transit and Rapid Transit - *March 17* – Road Projects in 2016 Budget - *April 21* – Active Transportation Infrastructure in 2016 Budget - *May 19* – Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies Moving Forward - *June 16* – City of Winnipeg Transportation Master Plan 5-Year Update

1 1

Pembina Highway Rehabilitation Project - Grant to Osborne
by Mark Cohoe 15 Dec '15

15 Dec '15

Hi, The City has put out an RFP <http://winnipeg.ca/MatMgt/FolderContents.asp?FOLDER_NAME=1055-2015&YEAR=2015>for rehabilitation work on Pembina Highway between Grant Avenue and Osborne Street. The rehabilitation includes buffered bicycle lanes, but it doesn't seem to offer a lot of help for anyone wanting to make a turn off of Pembina (say at Warsaw or at Grant),and makes some pretty significant changes to the pedestrian corridor that leads people from the south side of Corydon across Pembina Highway, without making any improvements to help get people on bikes from Corydon onto the Donald Street Pathway. Yo can see these changes in the bottom right of this drawing <http://winnipeg.ca/finance/findata/matmgt/documents//2015/1055-2015//1055-2…> . Mark

1 0