- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

A Surge in Biking to Avoid Crowded Trains in N.Y.C.
by Beth McKechnie 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

A growing wave of New Yorkers are embracing cycling to get to work and around the city as their regular subway and bus commutes have suddenly become fraught with potential perils, from possibly virus-tainted surfaces to strangers sneezing and coughing on fellow passengers. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/nyregion/coronavirus-nyc-bike-commute.ht…

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AT Webinar: Implementing Bicycle Infrastructure Quickly in Edmonton & Bellingham (March 18th, 2-3pm)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of the monthly 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. Will be interesting to hear what Edmonton is doing! * * * * * Implementing Bicycle Infrastructure Quickly in Edmonton & Bellingham *Wed, March 18th | 2:00-3:00 PM* Presenters: - Chris Comeau, Public Works Engineering, Bellingham, WA - Daniel Harman Vriend, City of Edmonton - Olga Messinis, City of Edmonton -- Beth McKechnie (she/her) *| *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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MP Andy Fillmore to lead National AT strategy development
by Beth McKechnie 11 Mar '20

11 Mar '20

Minister of Infrastructure and Communities has tasked Andy Fillmore (MP, Halifax) with leading the development of a national active transportation strategy. https://twitter.com/AndyFillmoreHFX/status/1237726425840594944

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Get Moving on Climate | Friday, March 13th
by Beth McKechnie 11 Mar '20

11 Mar '20

This Friday! Register here <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/get-moving-on-climate-a-transportation-event-t…> [image: CAT-Get_Moving_On_Climate-Event-Poster-FIN-683x1024.jpg]

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New Bicycle Registry Established by Portage la Prairie RCMP
by Ian Wassink 10 Mar '20

10 Mar '20

First announced December 15, 2019. The Portage la Prairie RCMP is rolling out a new initiative to help return stolen bikes to their owners. Cst. James Cameron is heading up the program. "I'm a new member to the RCMP, arriving in Portage la Prairie in June of this year," says Cst. Cameron. "During my time here, I saw an opportunity in the community to assist in recovering stolen and lost bicycles. RCMP have responded to over 50 calls of theft of bicycles this year alone." He says you can get your registration card at the detachment and it doesn't take much of your time. The information on the card is entered into a database and they will contact you if your lost bike is found. "The service is free and could assist in getting you your bicycles returned to you," says Cst. Cameron. "I hope that you take part in it, and we encourage that all members of the community that own bicycles to participate." https://www.portageonline.com/local/sign-up-for-the-rcmp-s-bicycle-registry… More info: The RCMP in Portage recently established a bicycle registry. This is voluntary and will assist in recovering stolen, missing, abandoned bicycles to owners. Serial numbers are crucial. RCMP will work with Portage Fire Department to enhance returning bikes to owners. Process to Register a Bike: Person submits Portage la Prairie RCMP Bicycle Registry business card with bike info to RCMP station. Additional info can be added on the back of the card, ex: owner name and address, unique features of bike. RCMP local detachment maintains a database (Excel spreadsheet) with above information. RCMP is open to enhancing this initiative as it rolls out to the public. Bicycle Registry cards are available at Two Tired Boys, The Greasy Chain, and RCMP detachment. It is not mandatory that a bicycle be entered into this registry at point of sale, however, The Greasy Chain will endeavor to do this as much as possible on sold and repaired bicycles. Process to be established for The Greasy Chain.

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WFP: Self-driving cars focus of bill (Mar5'20)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Mar '20

05 Mar '20

Self-driving cars focus of bill THE provincial government has introduced legislation to set the ground rules for the testing of self-driving vehicles in Manitoba. Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said the proposed Vehicle Technology Testing Act (Bill 23) would create a framework to enable examination of automated vehicles. “It is something that industry has asked for, that they be allowed to test on our roads,” he said of vehicle manufacturers. “They would like to have some kind of structure put in place.” Schuler said the province has considered the move for more than two years. He said following passage of the bill, the government would develop regulations and a permitting system in consultation with stakeholders. “By enabling developers to safely test emerging vehicle technologies on provincial roadways, we are supporting Manitoba’s large agricultural, trucking, heavy-vehicle manufacturing and technology development sectors,” Schuler said. Companies would have to obtain special insurance coverage, he said. “We are not going to ask Manitoba ratepayers at MPI to cover off, should something happen.” — Larry Kusch

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Montreal pulls the plug on e-scooters
by Beth McKechnie 04 Mar '20

04 Mar '20

The Montreal Gazette reported Bird and Lime e-scooters were popular, but compliance with helmet and parking rules was poor. E-Scooters may have had their problems, but they have a huge potential because the average trip on the scooters was just 1.5 kilometers (1 mi), and in 2019, 25% of the trips were linked to public transit. More than 50,000 riders took more than 200,000 trips in 3 months. The city's executive committee recently outlawed self-service rental vehicles following a pilot last summer that saw the vehicles deployed in various locations across the city. While the system called for the scooters to be returned to designated areas after their use, in many cases users simply left them on streets and sidewalks when they were done. Police also issued more than 300 tickets to users who ignored the city regulation requiring they wear a helmet while riding the scooters. https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-pulls-the-plug-on-e-sc…

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Upcoming Webinars: Health-in-all Policies Approach for Municipalities | Public Health Collaborations with Municipalities
by Beth McKechnie 04 Mar '20

04 Mar '20

Hi everyone, Here are a couple of free webinars that might be of interest to watch from the comfort of your desk: Health in All Policies: The importance and impact of a health-in-all-policies approach for municipalities <https://cc.readytalk.com/registration/#/?meeting=hd41ls8eu2ch&campaign=hitk…> (Friday, March 13th) *Public Health Sector - Collaborating with Municipalities <http://www.ncchpp.ca/182/presentations.ccnpps?id_article=2033>* (Tues, March 31st) cheers, Beth -- Beth McKechnie (she/her) *| *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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WFP: City to boost street construction standards (Mar4'20)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Mar '20

04 Mar '20

*City lays down plan for tougher roads * * New construction rules geared to more durability* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-to-boast-street-construction-s… WINNIPEG is adding new road construction rules with an eye to making its streets last longer. The changes should allow concrete construction to last 25 per cent longer and add 15 per cent to the lifespan of asphalt, said Brad Neirinck, City of Winnipeg engineering manager, noting local construction standards have lagged behind those of other Canadian cities. “We’re behind the times. We’re trying to move our specifications up to match what other jurisdictions are doing and improve our life cycle,” he said Tuesday. The new standards would ensure a higher quality of limestone, gravel and concrete are used to build certain roads, which would be stiffer and offer better drainage, helping them hold up better, said Ahmed Shalaby, a civil engineer who works with the city. “The improvement in performance is actually quite significant. Some of these materials can be twice as good as what we were using previously,” Shalaby told reporters. “It will drain faster, it will be stronger, it will have fewer cracks.” During Tuesday’s public works committee meeting, Shalaby warned councillors Winnipeg’s previous road standards were “in a way, obsolete.” The higher standards should also prevent some streets from requiring repairs every five or 10 years, he said. Developers at the meeting raised a series of concerns, including the spectre of increased costs and sending more rejected road materials to the landfill. Other issues about the new material rules could make it difficult for contractors to budget for work, said Chris Lorenc, president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. “We don’t know the extent to which it’s going to be subject to rejection… That creates risk, uncertainty and a potential spike in prices,” he said. However, city council’s public works chairman expects the changes will finally address citizen complaints that local roads haven’t been built to last. “We needed to get with the times and join other jurisdictions in building roads that are going to be built better and last longer,” said Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface). Despite industry concerns, it’s not clear if the change would actually increase construction project costs, Allard said. Even though the city would require that higher-quality materials be used, projects may also use smaller amounts of them, he said. “We need to go into the field and apply it to know exactly how much it’s going to cost,” Allard said. After hearing multiple presentations from concerned members of the construction industry, city staff said two key compromises should help address any potential issues: the higher standard for construction work will be implemented this year on contracts and subjected to ongoing review by a working group with industry members, and developers of some private-sector projects will be exempt from the new rules until 2021. In October, the city’s public service is expected to provide an update on how the new standard works out. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Webinar on cycling in suburban communities
by Orly Linovski 02 Mar '20

02 Mar '20

FYI Webinar: Incubating Cycling in Suburban Canadian Communities Wednesday, March 4th | 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST Learn how to incubate cycling through a community bike hub approach and tap into the cycling potential that exists for short bike trips in suburban environments, where cycling rates remain stubbornly low. TCAT’s approach can be used as a framework to increasing cycling in suburban communities across Canada. Safe infrastructure is a key enabler to more cycling, but it can be difficult to champion in places where a cycling culture doesn’t yet exist. A community bike hub can help to jump-start the process. Discover how unlikely partnerships and a targeted approach can grow cycling, and dig into the potential that exists within your own community. Link to register: incubatingsuburbancycling.eventbrite.ca<https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/webinar-incubating-cycling-in-suburban-canadian…> https://www.tcat.ca/webinar-incubating-cycling-in-suburban-canadian-communi… -------------------------------- Orly Linovski, Ph.D. (RPP, MCIP) Assistant Professor, Department of City Planning University of Manitoba 204-474-6424 / orly.linovski(a)umanitoba.ca<mailto:orly.linovski@umanitoba.ca> http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~linovsko/

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