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WFP: Cyclist dies after collision with truck (Jun5'19)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jun '19

06 Jun '19

*Traffic safety audit needed, bike advocate and councillor say* * Cyclist dies after collision with truck * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/cyclists-death-sparks-inquiry-call-… THE death of a bicyclist on Higgins Avenue at King Street — the second such incident in seven years — has sparked calls for a traffic safety audit of the area. The bicyclist died Tuesday at the scene, after colliding with the cab of a transport truck at around 1:45 p.m. A single red bicycle with a mangled wheel was still on the sidewalk hours after the collision. Winnipeg police blocked traffic on Higgins Avenue between Main and Princess streets for a few hours while officers gathered evidence. While no details were released about the age or gender of the deceased — or how the collision occurred — a bike advocate and a city councillor who is a longtime bike path booster said the City of Winnipeg has to look at the intersection and other nearby streets to see how safe they are for bicyclists and pedestrians. Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg, said he’s upset because it’s not the first bicyclist killed in the area. Violet Nelson, 35, chairwoman of the Native Women’s Transition Centre, was cycling to the grand opening of the Kihiw Iskewock Lodge in May 2012, when she collided with a vehicle and fell in front of a semi-trailer on Higgins Avenue just west of Main Street. Cohoe said there was another fatality a block south, when a pedestrian on her way to work at Siloam Mission was struck and killed by a truck at Logan Avenue and King Street in July 2015. “It is kind of a confusing intersection and you can maintain high speeds there,” he said. “It is a high-flow kind of route, and it is really set up to move people through as quickly as possible, but at the same time, you have people walking and cycling. “It’s high time a safety study is done there. It’s clear we have a major safety issue in these few blocks.” Cohoe said a safety audit would look at all areas of traffic flow, including whether there should be a stop sign (instead of a yield) for northbound vehicles on King Street turning right onto eastbound Higgins Avenue, and whether the speed limit should be slower. “We need to make sure if someone makes a mistake in future it doesn’t end in tragedy. We don’t want it to happen again — it has already happened too much.” Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said Tuesday she’ll be speaking with Cohoe with the idea of putting forward a motion calling for a safety audit of the area. Lukes sat on the city’s active transportation advisory committee and was appointed the first chair of the province’s active transportation advisory group prior to becoming a city councillor. “I’m just dreading this season, because we’ve done a pathetic job in education,” she said. “We’re good now at putting in more (bike) infrastructure, but with more bikes and more people, we need more education for cyclists and drivers.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Fwd: Employment Opportunity / Bike Bazaar / Wheels of Courage
by Dave Elmore 04 Jun '19

04 Jun '19

Please pass this around Cheers Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X) ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Sarah Thiessen <wrenchvolunteer(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, Jun 4, 2019 at 7:21 PM Subject: Employment Opportunity / Bike Bazaar / Wheels of Courage To: Hey WRENCH Volunteers! A few exciting announcements to share with you: *1. Employment Opportunity: Summer Programming Assistant * Term Position: 8-week term with flexible starting date 32 hrs/week @ $15.00/hr Must be 18-29 years old to apply. Application deadline: 10 pm, Sunday June 16th, 2019 Please read Job Description (attached) for all the details on this position and how to apply. *2. West Broadway Bike Bazaar <https://www.facebook.com/events/1245477358948421/> is this Sunday!* *When*: Sunday, June 9th 12-3pm *Where:* In outdoor rink behind Broadway Neighbourhood Centre (185 Young St) If you are able to come volunteer, we can always use another set of hands! *We could especially use some more folks helping with:* -Sales (11:30-3) -Bike Repairs (11:45-3) -Tear Down (3-6pm) Please let me know if you are available to help! & Help spread the word by sharing the event on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/events/1245477358948421/>. *3. Today is the last day to apply for our Wheels of Courage Mentorship Program! <http://thewrench.ca/woc/>* If you are between 14-29 and want to use bikes as a tool for personal growth and social change, Wheels of Courage is for you! *Learn more & Apply now!* <http://thewrench.ca/woc/> Alrighty that is all for now, hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather. Kindly, Sarah Thiessen *Volunteer Coordinator & Wheels of Courage Lead Mentor* The *W*innipeg *R*epair* E*ducation '*N*' *C*ycling *H*ub 1057 Logan Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 Treaty 1 Territory & Homeland of the Metis Nation 204.296.3389 www.thewrench.ca <volunteer(a)thewrench.ca>

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Cycling lanes reduce fatalities for all road users, study shows
by Charles Feaver 03 Jun '19

03 Jun '19

Roads are safer for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in cities with robust bike facilities Date: May 29, 2019 Source: University of Colorado Denver Summary: The most comprehensive study of bicycle and road safety to date finds that building safe facilities for cyclists is one of the biggest factors in road safety for everyone. Bicycling infrastructure -- specifically, separated and protected bike lanes -- leads to fewer fatalities and better road-safety outcomes for all road users. https://www.cudenvertoday.org/cycling-lanes-not-cyclists-lower-road-fataliti es/ In the most comprehensive look at bicycle and road safety to date, researchers at the University of Colorado Denver and the University of New Mexico discovered that it's not the cyclists, but the infrastructure built for them, that is making roads safer for everyone. "Bicycling seems inherently dangerous on its own," said study co-author Wesley Marshall, PhD, PE, assistant professor in the College of Engineering, Design and Computing at CU Denver. "So it would seem that a city with a lot of bicycling is more dangerous, but the opposite is true. Building safe facilities for cyclists turned out to be one of the biggest factors in road safety for everyone." The study published in the Journal of Transport & Health found that bike facilities act as "calming" mechanisms on traffic, slowing cars and reducing fatalities. The effect is similar to the effect of grid blocks found in cities with higher intersection density Researchers looked through 13 years of data from 12 large U.S. cities with high-bicycling mode shares, including Denver, Dallas, Portland, Ore., and Kansas City, Mo. During those years, the United States saw a 51% increase in bicycling to work and the number of protected bike lanes double each year starting in 2009. In a longitudinal study, the researchers investigated over 17,000 fatalities and 77,000 severe injuries. Originally, researchers believed that more bike lanes and the increase in cyclists would lead to a "safety-in-numbers" effect: the more cyclists on the road, the more likely drivers would slow down and be aware of their surroundings. Instead, they found that safer cities aren't due to the increase in cyclists, but the infrastructure built for them -- specifically, separated and protected bike lanes. They found that bicycling infrastructure is significantly associated with fewer fatalities and better road-safety outcomes. Portland, Ore., saw the biggest increase. Between 1990 and 2010, city's bicycle mode share increased from 1.2% to 6%; over the same period, the road fatality rate dropped by 75%. With added bike lanes, fatal crash rates dropped in Seattle (-60.6%), San Francisco (-49.3%), Denver (-40.3%) and Chicago (-38.2%), among others. "The U.S. is killing 40,000 people a year on roads, and we treat it as the cost of doing business," Marshall said. "A lot of the existing research focuses on bicycle safety; with this study, we're interested in everyone's safety." Eliminating fatalities is the goal of Vision Zero cities like Denver. To reduce deaths, cities need more evidence-based research to help them make better policy decisions. "Focusing on fatalities -- not crashes -- is important," said Marshall. "Over the years, my research has found that safer cities have fewer fatalities but more fender benders." The study co-author is Nicholas Ferenchak, PhD, assistant professor in the department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Mexico. Ferenchak studied under Marshall and received his doctoral degree from CU Denver. Overall, Ferenchak hopes this study simplifies the ways in which cities move forward. "When we believed it was the old safety-in-numbers concept, that meant we had to figure out how to get more people on bicycles to make a city safer," Ferenchak said. "That's not easy. But this research has boiled it down for city planners: create cycling facilities, and you'll see the impact." The 12 cities included in this research are Oklahoma City, Memphis, Kansas City, Mo., Dallas, Houston, Austin, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Portland. As this study focuses on larger cities, the results are not generalizable to smaller cities. _____ Story Source: <https://www.cudenvertoday.org/cycling-lanes-not-cyclists-lower-road-fatalit ies/> Materials provided by <http://www.ucdenver.edu/> University of Colorado Denver. Original written by Rachel Sturtz. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. _____ Journal Reference: 1. Wesley E. Marshall, Nicholas N. Ferenchak. Why cities with high bicycling rates are safer for all road users. Journal of Transport & Health, 2019 Charles Feaver 11 Harvard Ave Winnipeg R3M 0J6 204.293.6332

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FYI Rules of the Road: Compliance and Defiance among the Different Types of Cyclists
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 03 Jun '19

03 Jun '19

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0361198119844965 Rules of the Road: Compliance and Defiance among the Different Types of Cyclists Nick Chaloux<https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0361198119844965> https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198119844965<https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0361198119844965> Article information <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0361198119844965> [Full Access] Article Information Article first published online: May 3, 2019 Nick Chaloux<https://journals.sagepub.com/author/Chaloux%2C+Nick>1, Ahmed El-Geneidy<https://journals.sagepub.com/author/El-Geneidy%2C+Ahmed>1 1School of Urban Planning, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada Corresponding Author: Address correspondence to Ahmed El-Geneidy: ahmed.elgeneidy(a)mcgill.ca<mailto:ahmed.elgeneidy@mcgill.ca> Abstract Although cycling has become a more attractive option to commuters in many North American cities recently, significant apprehension remains around its safety. Though risks experienced by cyclists are diverse, the idea that they are because of scofflaw cyclists—cyclists who regularly ignore the rules of the road—remains prevalent. Improving cycling safety requires countering this idea, and therefore an understanding of how different cyclists act under the existing rules. Using a survey of 1,329 cyclists in Montreal, Canada, this study generated a typology of cyclists based on cycling motivations and behaviors and conducted comparisons based on their responses to four cycling rule-breaking scenarios. Our study shows that all cyclist types contravene traffic laws in similar ways, and 0.6% of respondents consistently follow the traffic laws. Breaking the law was often considered the safest option by respondents, which reflects a disconnect between the safety goals of traffic laws and the reality on the streets based on the perspectives of different cyclist types. Although cyclist types may act similarly in response to existing laws, they still respond uniquely to policies aimed at increasing rule adherence. Targeted interventions aimed at educating young cyclists, improving dedicated infrastructure, and prioritizing cycling traffic could increase rule compliance across all types. Through our study, planners, policy makers, and law enforcement could improve cycling safety by better understanding the behavior and rationale taken by cyclists. HAPPY TRAILS Terry Zdan BA MEDes þ Think green, read on screen | Soyez écolo, lisez à l'écran From: at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca <at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca> On Behalf Of Beth McKechnie Sent: June-02-19 10:09 AM To: AT network <at-network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca> Subject: [At-network] WFP: Healing prescription - nature trails (Jun2'19) HEALING PRESCRIPTION City life got you down? A cure for what ails you is as close as the nearest nature trail https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/healing-prescription-510724862.html THE urban grind can grind one down. Being stuck in rush-hour gridlock and inhaling exhaust, hearing the unwelcome roar of a neighbour’s lawn mower too early on a Saturday morning, or fighting crowds in grocery stores and malls can give one the itch to escape. But cutting and running from city life is not always in the cards for those who take umbrage with urban annoyances. The kids have soccer, there’s that dentist appointment, the plumber’s coming to fix the leaky faucet… Luckily, one doesn’t have to cross the Perimeter to access green spaces and nature trails. Opportunities to enjoy the outdoors abound in every neighbourhood. “Our mental health is really at risk when we don’t get outside,” Anders Swanson, active living enthusiast and executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association, says. “Accessing nature and moving your body is very, very good for you,” especially in the modern world where people are “increasingly stressed out.” “If you think about it, it’s completely obvious,” he adds. “As human beings, we are part of the natural world; we grew up in it. When you take that away or we don’t get out there, you very quickly find yourself lost.” Winnipeg Trails works to make sure Winnipeggers don’t get lost. They’re a coalition focused on accelerating the development and connectivity of Winnipeg’s greenways and cycling paths — “the transportation system underlying Winnipeg that’s built for human beings,” as Swanson puts it. Winnipeg Trails has “done everything,” from helping to fund and build trails to adding amenities to existing ones. They’re also involved in events such as next week’s Commuter Challenge and have scheduled a Plog-a-Thon — where people jog and pick up trash — for June 8. One of Winnipeg Trails’ most popular projects has been its exhaustive list of detailed trail maps, which can be found on their website, winnipegtrails.ca. The maps —more than 30 of them — outline the length of each trail, how they connect with the citywide network, and highlight points of interest along the way. It’s a tremendous resource for those looking to get out and explore new paths. “Those were a pretty important project for us,” Swanson says. “It’s one of the biggest ways that people know about Winnipeg Trails is for those detailed trail maps.” “Our job basically is to make it easy,” he continues. “We just want the easiest choice to be the most active one. That’s how we’re going to make a big difference for society.” Charleswood’s Harte Trail, for example — a 6.5-kilometre path through a tunnel of trees that stretches from Sterling Lyon Parkway and Shaftesbury Boulevard to the west Perimeter Highway — has a crushed limestone surface and connects to five other trails, including the Assiniboine Forest trail network. The key to finding time to spend outdoors, Swanson says, is to integrate it into one’s daily routine. “Recreation is great — it’s great to have a chance to unwind — but you have to find energy, money, basically to do that,” Swanson says, hence Winnipeg Trails’ focus on active commuting. “We only have a certain amount of time that we’re willing to move every day,” Swanson says. “Otherwise, we need to get some work done or go to that class… we have a time budget. “If you live a 45-minute drive away from a city and that’s your commute, people tend to report feeling more unhappy than people who had a half-hour walk, and it’s because the people who had a 45-minute commute still want to get human connection and recreation… but they end up not having enough time to do that and then they feel more stressed out. “People who bike or walk to school or work or out to dinner, or whatever — they integrate it into ways they get around — they tend to report being a lot happier because they managed basically to kill two birds with one stone.” Winnipegger Jen Doerksen has been doing that for years. Doerksen grew up in St. James near Sturgeon Creek and Saskatchewan Avenue. Doerksen cycled the Yellow Ribbon Greenway Trail — which begins at Sturgeon Creek and Hamilton Avenue, terminates at Silver Avenue and Ferry Road, and is named in honour of the Canadian Armed Forces — hundreds of times over six years as part of a commute to the University of Winnipeg and later, Red River College’s Exchange District campus. Winnipeg Trails calls the 5.5-kilometre path a “crucial east-west link,” and it’s been just that to the now-24-year-old Doerksen. “Green space and time in nature is super… important to me for a number of reasons,” Doerksen says. “Primarily, it feels better to be outside, generally, than inside… It feels better on the body and mind and suits our hardware in a way. Our bodies are still getting accustomed to this whole ‘civilization’ thing, evolutionarily I’d say, and the western lifestyle of indoor work and play is somewhat contrary to how we’re built, I think. “If I’m feeling the air, smelling the rain, grass, (and) fart smells of downtown Winnipeg, I’m more actively engaged in what I’m doing and my mind is working better in this way,” Doerksen says. The freelance photographer, videographer and editor now lives in the Corydon area and doesn’t traverse the Yellow Ribbon Trail much these days, but still cycles for transportation and leisure. Swanson, a year-round cyclist, prefers biking over driving to Winnipeg Trails’ Exchange District headquarters. He tries to walk anywhere within a kilometre, cycle anywhere between one and eight kilometres, and takes the bus for longer distances. He owns a vehicle, but uses it “basically to get out into the bush” or to transport things too heavy to haul on two wheels. Just as important as the physical benefits are the social ones. “Try and shake hands with the person next to you in a traffic jam, you know?” Swanson says. “Our meaningful contact with human beings is face-to-face. There’s nothing that human beings like more than watching and seeing other people. “We can’t survive without it. It makes us happy. It makes us stumble into an old friend… share a moment with a stranger… that kind of thing is so instrumental to us. The more time we spend doing it, the happier we are,” he continues, noting people in countries with the highest happiness index tend to spend more time socializing outdoors. Using the trail network helped Doerksen develop social connections. “Basically, my movement from living in the suburbs to developing friends, finding community, and spending time downtown came through travelling the Yellow Ribbon Trail,” Doerksen says. Doerksen found getting to downtown, Osborne Village and Wolseley to visit friends took an hour or more by bus, but “biking that path took 45 minutes every time.” Swanson is careful not to judge anyone who doesn’t make use of green space, acknowledging their life situation, location or physical limitations might make an active commute an impossibility. However, he’d love Winnipeg to reach a broader consensus that walking, bicycle commuting, and active living benefits all. “We want to make that as pleasant and fun and beautiful as possible,” he says of Winnipeg Trails. “Whether that’s biking down a protected bike lane with all kinds of shops you can stop at on your way home from work, or if you’re super lucky and you get to walk or bike to a park or along a riverbank in order to make it there, it’s the kind of quality of life thing that benefits everybody in ways we don’t even think about. “I want everyone to be able to access nature because it’s something you want to share. For me, sharing Winnipeg in that way is really important.” Outdoor cure “THERE’S a reason they say exercise is the best medicine,” Anders Swanson says, and science backs up the claim. If you want to thrive, get outside. Spending time outdoors can reduce one’s risk for a variety of common physical and mental health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stressrelated disorders, and even premature death. That’s according to a 2018 study conducted by researchers from the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School. The England-based research team gathered evidence from nearly 150 studies involving close to 300 million people from 20 different countries to come to their conclusions. “People living closer to nature… had reduced diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and stress,” lead researcher Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett said in a press release outlining the study’s findings last summer. “In fact, one of the really interesting things we found is that exposure to greenspace significantly reduces people’s levels of salivary cortisol — a physiological marker of stress.” “We often reach for medication when we’re unwell,” Professor of Public Health and study co-author Andy Jones added, “but exposure to health-promoting environments is increasingly recognized as both preventing and helping treat disease.” The evidence is so unequivocal that some doctors in the UK are giving patients “nature prescriptions,” eschewing pills for bird watching and beach walking. It doesn’t take long to reap rewards, either. A modest 20 minutes in a park is enough to boost a person’s well-being, a February study by the International Journal of Environmental Health Research found. “It would be lot easier to talk about the kind of medical ailments that aren’t helped by getting outside and using trails,” Swanson says. “Almost everyone stands to benefit making it part of their life.”

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WFP: Healing prescription - nature trails (Jun2'19)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Jun '19

02 Jun '19

*HEALING PRESCRIPTION * * City life got you down? A cure for what ails you is as close as the nearest nature trail* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/healing-prescription-510724862.html THE urban grind can grind one down. Being stuck in rush-hour gridlock and inhaling exhaust, hearing the unwelcome roar of a neighbour’s lawn mower too early on a Saturday morning, or fighting crowds in grocery stores and malls can give one the itch to escape. But cutting and running from city life is not always in the cards for those who take umbrage with urban annoyances. The kids have soccer, there’s that dentist appointment, the plumber’s coming to fix the leaky faucet… Luckily, one doesn’t have to cross the Perimeter to access green spaces and nature trails. Opportunities to enjoy the outdoors abound in every neighbourhood. “Our mental health is really at risk when we don’t get outside,” Anders Swanson, active living enthusiast and executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association, says. “Accessing nature and moving your body is very, very good for you,” especially in the modern world where people are “increasingly stressed out.” “If you think about it, it’s completely obvious,” he adds. “As human beings, we are part of the natural world; we grew up in it. When you take that away or we don’t get out there, you very quickly find yourself lost.” Winnipeg Trails works to make sure Winnipeggers don’t get lost. They’re a coalition focused on accelerating the development and connectivity of Winnipeg’s greenways and cycling paths — “the transportation system underlying Winnipeg that’s built for human beings,” as Swanson puts it. Winnipeg Trails has “done everything,” from helping to fund and build trails to adding amenities to existing ones. They’re also involved in events such as next week’s Commuter Challenge and have scheduled a Plog-a-Thon — where people jog and pick up trash — for June 8. One of Winnipeg Trails’ most popular projects has been its exhaustive list of detailed trail maps, which can be found on their website, winnipegtrails.ca. The maps —more than 30 of them — outline the length of each trail, how they connect with the citywide network, and highlight points of interest along the way. It’s a tremendous resource for those looking to get out and explore new paths. “Those were a pretty important project for us,” Swanson says. “It’s one of the biggest ways that people know about Winnipeg Trails is for those detailed trail maps.” “Our job basically is to make it easy,” he continues. “We just want the easiest choice to be the most active one. That’s how we’re going to make a big difference for society.” Charleswood’s Harte Trail, for example — a 6.5-kilometre path through a tunnel of trees that stretches from Sterling Lyon Parkway and Shaftesbury Boulevard to the west Perimeter Highway — has a crushed limestone surface and connects to five other trails, including the Assiniboine Forest trail network. The key to finding time to spend outdoors, Swanson says, is to integrate it into one’s daily routine. “Recreation is great — it’s great to have a chance to unwind — but you have to find energy, money, basically to do that,” Swanson says, hence Winnipeg Trails’ focus on active commuting. “We only have a certain amount of time that we’re willing to move every day,” Swanson says. “Otherwise, we need to get some work done or go to that class… we have a time budget. “If you live a 45-minute drive away from a city and that’s your commute, people tend to report feeling more unhappy than people who had a half-hour walk, and it’s because the people who had a 45-minute commute still want to get human connection and recreation… but they end up not having enough time to do that and then they feel more stressed out. “People who bike or walk to school or work or out to dinner, or whatever — they integrate it into ways they get around — they tend to report being a lot happier because they managed basically to kill two birds with one stone.” Winnipegger Jen Doerksen has been doing that for years. Doerksen grew up in St. James near Sturgeon Creek and Saskatchewan Avenue. Doerksen cycled the Yellow Ribbon Greenway Trail — which begins at Sturgeon Creek and Hamilton Avenue, terminates at Silver Avenue and Ferry Road, and is named in honour of the Canadian Armed Forces — hundreds of times over six years as part of a commute to the University of Winnipeg and later, Red River College’s Exchange District campus. Winnipeg Trails calls the 5.5-kilometre path a “crucial east-west link,” and it’s been just that to the now-24-year-old Doerksen. “Green space and time in nature is super… important to me for a number of reasons,” Doerksen says. “Primarily, it feels better to be outside, generally, than inside… It feels better on the body and mind and suits our hardware in a way. Our bodies are still getting accustomed to this whole ‘civilization’ thing, evolutionarily I’d say, and the western lifestyle of indoor work and play is somewhat contrary to how we’re built, I think. “If I’m feeling the air, smelling the rain, grass, (and) fart smells of downtown Winnipeg, I’m more actively engaged in what I’m doing and my mind is working better in this way,” Doerksen says. The freelance photographer, videographer and editor now lives in the Corydon area and doesn’t traverse the Yellow Ribbon Trail much these days, but still cycles for transportation and leisure. Swanson, a year-round cyclist, prefers biking over driving to Winnipeg Trails’ Exchange District headquarters. He tries to walk anywhere within a kilometre, cycle anywhere between one and eight kilometres, and takes the bus for longer distances. He owns a vehicle, but uses it “basically to get out into the bush” or to transport things too heavy to haul on two wheels. Just as important as the physical benefits are the social ones. “Try and shake hands with the person next to you in a traffic jam, you know?” Swanson says. “Our meaningful contact with human beings is face-to-face. There’s nothing that human beings like more than watching and seeing other people. “We can’t survive without it. It makes us happy. It makes us stumble into an old friend… share a moment with a stranger… that kind of thing is so instrumental to us. The more time we spend doing it, the happier we are,” he continues, noting people in countries with the highest happiness index tend to spend more time socializing outdoors. Using the trail network helped Doerksen develop social connections. “Basically, my movement from living in the suburbs to developing friends, finding community, and spending time downtown came through travelling the Yellow Ribbon Trail,” Doerksen says. Doerksen found getting to downtown, Osborne Village and Wolseley to visit friends took an hour or more by bus, but “biking that path took 45 minutes every time.” Swanson is careful not to judge anyone who doesn’t make use of green space, acknowledging their life situation, location or physical limitations might make an active commute an impossibility. However, he’d love Winnipeg to reach a broader consensus that walking, bicycle commuting, and active living benefits all. “We want to make that as pleasant and fun and beautiful as possible,” he says of Winnipeg Trails. “Whether that’s biking down a protected bike lane with all kinds of shops you can stop at on your way home from work, or if you’re super lucky and you get to walk or bike to a park or along a riverbank in order to make it there, it’s the kind of quality of life thing that benefits everybody in ways we don’t even think about. “I want everyone to be able to access nature because it’s something you want to share. For me, sharing Winnipeg in that way is really important.” Outdoor cure “THERE’S a reason they say exercise is the best medicine,” Anders Swanson says, and science backs up the claim. If you want to thrive, get outside. Spending time outdoors can reduce one’s risk for a variety of common physical and mental health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stressrelated disorders, and even premature death. That’s according to a 2018 study conducted by researchers from the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School. The England-based research team gathered evidence from nearly 150 studies involving close to 300 million people from 20 different countries to come to their conclusions. “People living closer to nature… had reduced diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and stress,” lead researcher Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett said in a press release outlining the study’s findings last summer. “In fact, one of the really interesting things we found is that exposure to greenspace significantly reduces people’s levels of salivary cortisol — a physiological marker of stress.” “We often reach for medication when we’re unwell,” Professor of Public Health and study co-author Andy Jones added, “but exposure to health-promoting environments is increasingly recognized as both preventing and helping treat disease.” The evidence is so unequivocal that some doctors in the UK are giving patients “nature prescriptions,” eschewing pills for bird watching and beach walking. It doesn’t take long to reap rewards, either. A modest 20 minutes in a park is enough to boost a person’s well-being, a February study by the International Journal of Environmental Health Research found. “It would be lot easier to talk about the kind of medical ailments that aren’t helped by getting outside and using trails,” Swanson says. “Almost everyone stands to benefit making it part of their life.”

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Come out Fri noon to kick off the Commuter Challenge!
by Beth McKechnie 30 May '19

30 May '19

Join Green Action Centre tomorrow (Friday, May 31st) at 12:00 pm at True North Square Plaza to celebrate the kick-off of the sixteenth annual Commuter Challenge <https://greenactioncentre.ca/home/commuterchallenge/>! We will be accompanied by Ace Burpee, Minister Squires, and Councillor Allard to discuss sustainable transportation and the environment. Ride your bike to the venue to enjoy our bike valet service, bring a reusable mug for coffee, and help yourself to our array of snacks from Tall Grass Prairie. The event is free and open to the public. We hope you and your colleagues join us at True North Square Plaza for your lunch hours! Event Page here <https://greenactioncentre.ca/event/commuter-challenge-media-launch-2019/>. Facebook Event Page here <https://www.facebook.com/events/310429343187451/> . Register for Commuter Challenge here <https://greenactioncentre.ca/register/>. More information here <https://greenactioncentre.ca/home/commuterchallenge2019/>. *Please share widely! Thanks* -- 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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WFP: Report suggests city lagging in bicycle commuter numbers (May30'19)
by Beth McKechnie 30 May '19

30 May '19

*Report suggests city lagging in bicycle commuter numbers * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/number-of-locals-commuting-by-bike-… WINNIPEG leads the country in the number of commuters putting a key in the ignition instead of a shoe on a bike pedal when their trip is five kilometres or less to the downtown, according to new data from Statistics Canada. The Manitoba capital also has the lowest proportion of commuters living and working in the city’s core walking or cycling to work, with only about one in five doing so. The report compiled by Statistics Canada released Wednesday is based on information gathered during the 2016 census and in comparing much of it to information received during the 1996 census. The report, entitled Commuting Within Canada’s Largest Cities, took a look at the commuting patterns of people in the country’s eight largest metropolitan areas, including Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Almost 72 per cent of Winnipeggers who live within five kilometres of the downtown use a car, truck or van to get to work each day, compared to 25 per cent in Toronto, 63 per cent in Calgary and 57 per cent in Ottawa. The report found every major city across the country has more people who live and work in the core area walking or bicycling to work each day. However, Winnipeg lags behind in its increase. Toronto reported a jump to 47.4 per cent of commuters in 2016 from 19.3 per cent in 1996, while Montreal went to 38 per cent from 16 per cent and Calgary to 38 per cent from 15 per cent. Winnipeg’s totals rose only slightly: to 19.9 per cent, from 13.2 per cent. In a trend seen in several cities across the country, the number of people walking and cycling in a traditional commute from outside to inside the core, and commuting from one area of the suburbs to another, has dropped. In Winnipeg, it slid to 1.6 per cent in 2016 from 1.9 per cent in 1996 for the former, and to 12.1 per cent from 16 per cent for the latter. Despite this, Mark Cohoe of Bike Winnipeg sees good news in the report: in 2016, there were more commuters cycling and walking from the downtown to jobs elsewhere (3.7 per cent) than commuting the other way (1.6 per cent). “If you’re living downtown, you might have already made the decision to go to areas by bike,” Cohoe said. “You might be more willing to ride (a) bike.” Cohoe said the main difference between Winnipeg and several other cities is the others invested earlier in active transportation, including bicycle paths. Noting the report from Statistics Canada appears to come out every 20 years, Cohoe is hoping for better in 2036. “I’d definitely be hoping there is a substantial increase,” he said. “I’d like to get to 40 per cent cycling within the core and 12 per cent commuting to the downtown. “We’ve seen it in other centres. We need to build the infrastructure.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Statistics Canada Rpt - Commuting within Canada's Largest Cities
by Mark Cohoe 29 May '19

29 May '19

Interesting report on commuter modes in Winnipeg, comparing 1996 and 2016. Gives numbers on walking, biking, public transit, and driving, and breaks it down into core area commuters, suburban to core area commutes, core to suburban commutes. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/75-006-x/2019001/article/00008-eng.p… Jobs are moving avway from the city centre in all eight cities, but Winnipeg and Quebec City were the only cities of the eight which showed a drop in the actual number of core area jobs (we lost 14,000 jobs in our core area). Winnipeg also has the highest percentage of commuters living within 5km of their workplace. " Among those who work and live in the city core, the proportion of those who use active modes of transportation (such as walking and biking) increased—from 19% to 47% in Toronto, from 16% to 38% in Montréal, from 15% to 38% in Calgary, from 17% to 39% in Vancouver and from 22% to 42% in Ottawa–Gatineau." "In 2016, the two CMAs with the largest proportion of within-city core commuters using active transportation were Toronto (47%) and Ottawa–Gatineau (42%). In contrast, Winnipeg had the lowest proportion of within-city core commuters walking or cycling to work, with about 1 in 5 such commuters opting for this commuting type." Cheers, Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca

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Fwd: Wheels of Courage Mentorship Program (29 and under) - Apply today!
by Dave Elmore 28 May '19

28 May '19

Just in case you know someone who would like to apply. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Sarah Thiessen <wrenchvolunteer(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, May 28, 2019 at 7:14 PM Subject: Wheels of Courage Mentorship Program (29 and under) - Apply today! To: Hey volunteers! Just want to let everyone know that there is *only one week left* to apply for the Wheels of Courage Mentorship Program! In case you haven't heard about it via our Facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/theWRENCHwpg/posts/2270586106322775?__xts__[0]=68.…> already... *Wheels of Courage* is an exciting new mentorship program at the WRENCH for *young people (ages 14-29)* focused on skill-building and creating positive change through Community Projects. *If you love bikes* and want to use them as a tool for personal growth and social change – Wheels of Courage is for you! *Learn more @ Apply now at www.thewrench.ca/woc <http://www.thewrench.ca/woc>* *Application Deadline: June 4th, 2019* Let me know if you have any questions, or want to arrange for a phone call or face-to-face chat about the program! Sarah Thiessen *Volunteer Coordinator & Wheels of Courage Lead Mentor* The *W*innipeg *R*epair* E*ducation '*N*' *C*ycling *H*ub 1057 Logan Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 Treaty 1 Territory & Homeland of the Metis Nation 204.296.3389 www.thewrench.ca <volunteer(a)thewrench.ca>

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Job Posting: Green Action Centre
by Beth McKechnie 27 May '19

27 May '19

We're sad to say that our Living Green Living Well Coordinator, Bethany Daman, is moving on to new projects and a new province. Please help us spread the word for this job opportunity: PDF is attached or simply point to the link on our website: https://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/green-action-centre-seeks-projec… thanks! Beth -- 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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Job Posting: Sustainability Project Coordinator
by Beth McKechnie 24 May '19

24 May '19

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Christie Nairn <Christie.Nairn(a)umanitoba.ca> Date: Fri, May 24, 2019 at 3:59 PM Hi there, We are looking for a new Sustainability Project Coordinator to join the OOS team. If you know of anyone who would fit the bill, please pass this along. Sustainability Project Coordinator posting: https://viprecprod.ad.umanitoba.ca/default.aspx?REQ_ID=06755&Language=1 Thanks and have a great weekend! Christie Christie Nairn Director (Acting) | Office of Sustainability University of Manitoba |501 Fitzgerald Bldg | 204-318-2920 [image: facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/SustainableUofM> [image: insta] <https://www.instagram.com/sustainableuofm/> [image: twitter] <https://mobile.twitter.com/sustainableuofm> @SustainableUofM *Share your commute!* [image: GoManitoba Identity Horizontal BW sm] <http://umanitoba.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP: Transit backs taxi use of diamond lanes (May24'19)
by Beth McKechnie 24 May '19

24 May '19

*City to decide if pilot project should be made permanent* * Transit backs taxi use of diamond lanes * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/transit-supports-taxis-use-of-diamo… WINNIPEG’S public works committee will vote on whether a pilot project that allows taxis to travel in diamond lanes should be made permanent. Taxis were granted permission to use diamond lanes on March 1, 2018, which is the same date the city paved the way for ride-hailing services to hit the streets of Winnipeg. Diamond lanes are reserved for use by authorized vehicles during peak periods — mostly during weekday morning and afternoon rush hour. Prior to the start of the pilot program, only city buses and bicycles were allowed to use them. Throughout the pilot project, which was scheduled to last a year, Winnipeg Transit monitored whether allowing taxis to operate in diamond lanes — but not stop in them — had a significant effect on bus service. “Based on data analysis, as long as taxis continue to respect the ‘no stopping in the diamond lanes’ provision, the Transit department is supportive with taxis sharing the diamond lanes,” city employee Alex Regiec wrote in a report submitted to the committee. The pilot project was implemented as a concession to the local taxi industry, which organized efforts to block ride-hailing services, such as TappCar and Cowboy Taxi, from coming to the city. The decision to allow taxis to travel in diamond lanes was intended to increase industry efficiency and provide greater incentives for taxi use, the report reads. However, the report notes there could be issues if ride-hailing services seek permission to use the diamond lanes. “There is a risk that other personal transportation providers and private high-occupancy vehicles might desire the same access to, and use of, the diamond lanes as taxis,” Regiec wrote. “Expanding access to diamond lanes diminishes the effectiveness of a reserved lane originally intended to maintain and improve the operation of mass public transit in congested traffic areas.” During the year-long pilot project, there were 74 incidents in which taxis were reported to have stopped in diamond lanes. Early in the pilot project, Winnipeg Parking Authority employees met with the taxi industry to raise awareness about the issue, which led to a significant drop in the number of reported incidents. “Overall, the taxi industry has expressed an appreciation to the city for allowing their taxis to operate in the diamond lanes. They indicate this action has saved time and money for the consumer and increased efficiency,” Regiec wrote. “The Transit department will continue to monitor and collect data related to incidents of taxis stopping in diamond lanes and the parking authority’s vehicles-for-hire office will continue to liaison between Transit and the taxi industry.” ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe

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WFP: Cycling advocates seek to plot safer city routes online (May23'19)
by Beth McKechnie 23 May '19

23 May '19

*Cycling advocates seek to plot safer city routes online* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/cycling-advocates-seek-to-plot-safe… AN online tool designed to make cyclists feel safer while navigating Winnipeg streets is encouraging them to record collisions and hazards; and BikeMaps.org will make the locations public to help others identify more secure routes. The Winnipeg Trails Association and Bike Winnipeg partnered with BikeMaps.org to crowdsource the data and record incidents that aren’t always reported to police or filed as insurance claims. “You just hit the button and it leads you to a series of questions... that don’t get asked typically if you were reporting an incident to the police or if you make a claim,” association executive director Anders Swanson said Wednesday. The hope is, by making the streets safer, more people will start cycling. “If you look at your life expectancy, someone who rides a bike is going to live longer,” Swanson said. “But you’re (also) exposed to trauma, unnecessarily… There is a big barrier to people who would like to ride, but don’t feel safe.” BikeMaps.org offers cyclists the chance to tell the story of their close calls, Swanson said. People can report collisions, falls, near-misses and thefts on the website or via their smartphones, and cyclists can see where others have reported problems and take precautions, if need be. Eric Reder of Winnipeg had a scare Tuesday that he posted about in detail on Twitter, but the website’s data probably wouldn’t have helped him, he said. “I got hit by a semi while on my bike in downtown Winnipeg yesterday. I’m not hurt. But the semi did it on purpose and the police didn’t much care. So I’m angry,” Reder tweeted. In an interview, Reder said he was on Portage Avenue at Smith Street just before 11:30 a.m. when a trucker honked at him to get out of the way. Reder didn’t; instead, he yelled at the trucker. Reder said the trucker popped his clutch and ran over Reder’s bike — while he was on it. “I jumped off my bike... It’s just lucky it didn’t happen to someone more vulnerable, like my 11-year-old son I’m trying to teach how to ride the roads,” Reder said. Changing to a safer route isn’t an option as the incident happened close to his office, the environmentalist said. Designed by University of Victoria geographers to fill in the gaps in reports on collisions and falls for commuters navigating urban traffic, BikeMaps.org has collected 7,800 reports worldwide since it went live in 2014. Winnipeg is the latest Canadian city to sign on. Trail associations and bike groups have brought the online tool to Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Whitehorse, Lethbridge, Alta., Guelph, Ont., St. John’s, N.L., and Ottawa. It also used in Reykjavik, Iceland. “The data’s had an impact in cities where it’s used,” said Karen Laberee, executive director of BikeMaps.org at the University of Victoria. “There are some easy wins to be had,” Laberee said. “What we do notice in cities that have been using it is (that) some of them are using the data to identify places where they can make some fixes. Sometimes, they’ve been able to make some easy fixes.” An average of two cyclists are killed in the province each year, figures from Manitoba Public Insurance show. Winnipeg Trails hopes to take the data recorded to the city’s public works active transportation advisory committee to address any concerns. alexandra.paul(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: Other cities have solutions to bike theft (May23'19)
by Beth McKechnie 23 May '19

23 May '19

*Winnipeg’s plan to improve public education falls flat* * Other cities have solutions to bike theft * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/while-bike-thefts-soar-city-spins-i… WHAT, you may ask, is the City of Winnipeg doing to combat bike theft? Interesting question. Unfortunately, to date we mostly know what the city is not doing. Last week, city administrators recommended against a mandatory bike registration program at the point of sale. The city already has an online bike registry, but it is optional. A city committee will still consider making it mandatory, but the thumbs-down from administrators does not bode well for this idea. Of greater concern is the fact the six-page report tabled last week contains virtually no ideas for combating bike theft other than “improving public education.” Given the size and nature of the problem, that is a weak response. Bikes are easy to steal, even easier now that cordless grinders and saws have given thieves the ability to carve through almost any lock, chain or fixture being used to secure a bike. More than 3,000 bikes are reported stolen every year; about 1,000 are recovered, but less than 10 per cent find their way back to rightful owners. The broader concern is bicycle theft is directly connected to the meth crisis. Addicts looking for cash steal and sell bikes because they are relatively easy to grab and unload. Some end up in scrap metal yards, while others are sold in face-to-face transactions or through online classified sites. Faced with these conditions, it’s no wonder hardcore cyclists are frustrated. “It’s a very tough issue to deal with,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. “There’s a convergence of things that have made it easier to steal and sell stolen bikes. We really need to do a bit more to deal with this problem, because it will create other problems down the road.” One of the most frequent concerns expressed by cyclists is the apparent indifference of the Winnipeg Police Service. Even when a bike has been registered, and when there is clear evidence suggesting it has been put up for sale in an online classified ad, police lack the resources to pursue the theft. A friend experienced this two years ago after his 18-year-old son’s $400 bicycle was stolen. The day after the bike went missing, my friend and his son found it for sale on Kijiji. It seemed like a slam-dunk opportunity to bust some crime. But after visiting the local community police office, my friend found out that in most instances, there are no resources to track down individual stolen bikes. In my friend’s case, it meant police declined his request to confront the person who had posted the stolen bike online. It should be noted the police service does undertake a number of measures to combat bike theft. It runs a sting program where bikes equipped with GPS trackers are left in high-risk areas. Once stolen, police track the bike’s location and make an arrest, which has happened several times. The police service is also heavily involved in public education, encouraging cyclists to register and lock their bikes and report thefts. However, when it comes to investigating an individual theft, resources run thin. A police spokesman noted that with dramatically increasing call volumes, many of them involving elevated risk to someone’s well-being or life, crimes such as this are constantly pushed down the list of policing priorities. “We can only help when resources allow for it,” the spokesman said. That is not a cop-out, if you’ll pardon the pun. In fact, when you look at all of the things police are asked to do, it’s easy to see how bike theft is given a lower priority. That does not mean there are no solutions. For example, most online classified sites do not require anyone selling a bike to post a registration number with the advertisement. All bikes have a unique, engraved number somewhere on their frames. Being required to include a registration number, or rejecting ads that do not have them, could make it tougher to fence a stolen bike. Rather than create its own online registry, Winnipeg could follow the example of other cities that employ free, third-party apps to create a community watch system for bicycles. Vancouver relies heavily on Garage 529, a free app developed by a private company in the U.S. that allows cyclists to register their bikes on a continent-wide database. For $13, the app sells you a “shield,” a decal that tells would-be thieves your bike is registered. If your bike is taken, you can notify the entire app community, and people can help provide information to aid in its recovery. Proponents believe the app not only allows more stolen bikes to be returned to their owners, but also acts as a deterrent to thieves. Law enforcement and other interested parties agree; hundreds of police services, schools and pro-bike groups across North America support Garage 529 by publicizing it and selling shields. The Brandon Police Service is the only participating agency in Manitoba. It appears to be working. In Vancouver, public education by police and Garage 529 has been credited with a 30 per cent drop in bike thefts. Another possible solution would be for the police service to occasionally track down and punish people who sell stolen bikes online. As is the case with the bike-bait program, a single, well-publicized arrest of an online fence would make for a powerful deterrent. Which brings us back to a single administration report produced for a single civic committee. The city cannot rely solely on the police, and needs to go beyond “public education” to address this problem. Fortunately, there are good ideas out there just waiting to be found. dan.lett(a)freepress.mb.ca

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New NACTO Guide - Don't Give Up at Intersections - Designing All Ages and Abilities Bike Crossings
by Mark Cohoe 22 May '19

22 May '19

Hi, NACTO has released a nice, slick guidebook on intersection design for bikeways. Goes into a lot of detail with detailed graphics and photos. https://nacto.org/publication/urban-bikeway-design-guide/dont-give-up-at-th… Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca

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New Bike Cage to Help Curb Theft from Point Douglas School
by Beth McKechnie 22 May '19

22 May '19

New Bike Cage to Help Curb Theft from Point Douglas School https://www.chrisd.ca/2019/05/21/bike-cage-stanley-knowles-school/ Students and teachers who ride their bikes to Ecole Stanley Knowles School now have a new place to safely lock up their rides. A new enclosed bike rage in Stanley Knowles Park officially opened Tuesday in Point Douglas. The K-8 school has seen an increase in bicycle theft and vandalism, so officials are hoping the new cage alleviates some of the risk linked to bringing a bike to school. “With the recent construction of the active transportation routes directly connected to Ecole Stanley Knowles School, there has been an increased need for a safe locking facility for the students and teachers,” said Point Douglas Councillor Vivian Santos. The bike cage is located on city land at 2286 Inkster Boulevard just south of the school. The $15,000 project includes a 15’ x 30’ enclosed cage, a community bike repair stand and new granular path and pad.

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WFP: Portage gears up for Bike Week
by Beth McKechnie 22 May '19

22 May '19

*Portage gears up for Bike Week* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/News-briefs-510… Portage la Prairie cyclists are invited to join in the fifth annual Bike Week from May 25 to 31. Portage Active Transportation Committee member Maureen Owens said she hopes that many will join in at least one of the week’s activities. Bike Week kicks off with a scavenger hunt, used bike sale and barbecue on Sat., May 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greasy Chain, a bike repair workshop at the corner of 1st Street NW and Fisher Avenue. Yoga in the Park is featured near the bandstand at Island Park on Sun., May 26 at 11 a.m. Cyclists can ride out to Fort la Reine Museum (2652 Saskatchewan Ave. E) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to receive a homemade cinnamon bun and free admission to the museum. A public art tour is set for Mon., May 27 at 7 p.m. and the Junk Yard Dogs Bike Trails will meet at the dump hill at 7 p.m. Families can take part in a cookie ride on Tues., May 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. with cookies available at Portage elementary schools. The cycling grub crawl is being held on Thurs., May 30 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Splash Island parking lot. Tickets are $25 and are available at the Portage la Prairie Regional Library, 40 Royal Rd. N. Portage students are encouraged to bike to school on Fri., May 31. The full schedule of events is available at facebook.com/activetransportationplap <https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/facebook.com/ac…>

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WFP: Mandatory bike registration unwieldy: city (May17'19)
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '19

17 May '19

*Further coverage on the bike registry...* *Mandatory bike registration unwieldy: city * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/little-support-for-mandatory-bicycl… A CITY committee will vote next week on implementing a mandatory bicycle registration program at the point of purchase, a measure the city’s administration opposes. In January, the protection, community services and parks committee directed city staff to study the feasibility of operating a mandatory municipal bicycle registry. The city already operates a voluntary bike registry — which aims to help police return recovered stolen bicycles to rightful owners — but it isn’t widely used. In an average year, less than 10 per cent of the roughly 1,000 recovered stolen bicycles are registered. Following consultations with the Winnipeg Police Service, 21 retailers and three cycling organizations, administration staff determined it wouldn’t be feasible or beneficial to force people to register their bikes. “While the inherent value of a bike registry is widely recognized, our engagement with stakeholders pointed to significant challenges related to implementation and enforcement of a mandatory bike registry,” city bylaw officer Winston Yee wrote in a report that was submitted to the committee. “Therefore, the public service is recommending that mandatory bike registration at the time of purchase not be implemented.” The report notes mandatory registration and licensing programs have been scrapped in other cities because the cost outweighs the benefits. The majority of retailers that were consulted were concerned about collecting personal information from customers, adding to their workload and the logistics of passing the information on to the city. Meanwhile, police suggested mandatory registration would add barriers to cycling, in addition to placing extra burdens on retailers. Many of the bicycle retailers surveyed for the report said there was value in the voluntary registry and some said they provide information about the program. The police service said it has identified opportunities to enhance its efforts to curb bike theft, including improving available resources. The report will be voted on at Wednesday’s meeting.

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WFP: Councillor calls for speed reduction (May17'19)
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '19

17 May '19

*Nason wants to slow residential traffic as concerns mount over pedestrian deaths* * Councillor calls for speed reduction * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/councillor-moves-to-reduce-winnipeg… PEDESTRIAN safety took centre stage at city hall as councillors discussed lowering residential speed limits and expanding school-zone driving restrictions. Councillors clashed over whether Winnipeg is doing enough to develop a comprehensive road-safety plan. In the shadow of a deadly first half of 2019 — six pedestrians have been killed in the city thus far — Coun. Shawn Nason (Transcona) said he plans to table a motion on Monday, seeking to reduce residential speed limits throughout Winnipeg. The rookie councillor is also planning to call for an expansion of school-zone driving restrictions that would result in reduced speed limits year-round for 12 hours per day. “With regards to residential (neighbourhoods), I’m open to having dialogue on either reducing it to 40 or 30 (kilometres per hour),” Nason told reporters following Thursday’s monthly city council meeting. “I think that’s a good dialogue to have, and I think that would go towards reducing risks on residential streets and not having a major impact on people getting around the city.” Research shows dropping the speed limit to 30 km/h from 50 km/h would add an additional 48 seconds for every kilometre travelled during a commute, Nason said. That’s not an unreasonable delay, he said. Other Canadian municipalities are looking at similar measures. Vancouver is in the process of piloting 30-km/h speed limits in residential zones, while Edmonton city council is discussing the possibility of lowering its limits in such neighbourhoods. Nason said Winnipeg council has repeatedly looked at it over the years, yet no action has been taken. “I get tired when people use reports as a crutch. As a council, it sounds like we can say, ‘Let’s go this route.’ The reports have been done. I think it’s high time we take some action on this and show some leadership,” he said. So far this year, eight pedestrians have been killed in Manitoba. In an average year, there are 12 pedestrian deaths in Manitoba, officials said. On Wednesday night, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in an alleged hit-and-run on Portage Avenue near the Viscount Gort Hotel. The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition, but was subsequently upgraded to stable. The Winnipeg Police Service said a suspect turned himself in shortly after the collision. During Thursday’s meeting, Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) repeatedly questioned Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), chairman of the public works committee, about when the city will have its own “comprehensive road safety strategy.” Three attempts by Lukes to have the question answered — and to get a firm timeline nailed down — were sidestepped. Instead, Allard repeatedly pointed to the fact the city subscribes to the province’s “Towards Zero” strategy, while highlighting piecemeal initiatives the municipal government has been implementing in the past year. Efforts aimed at getting people to drive slower and safer weren’t limited to city hall. Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler held a news conference Thursday to warn motorists to slow down while passing construction sites and crews that are working outside. “A lot of pedestrians are becoming fatalities on our roads, and it is a really serious issue that we have to address. We just had two fatalities again on a road in just the last 48 hours,” Schuler said. A man and a woman were struck and killed while crossing Nairn Avenue at Panet Road on Tuesday. kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Wpg Sun: Mandatory bike registry unlikely for Winnipeg: report (May15'19)
by Beth McKechnie 16 May '19

16 May '19

Mandatory bike registry unlikely for Winnipeg: report https://winnipegsun.com/news/news-news/mandatory-bike-registry-unlikely-for… [For tips, check out / share: https://greenactioncentre.ca/healthy-travel/how-to-avoid-bike-theft/] The city’s public service is advising council not to add a mandatory bike registry. Back in January, council ordered a study of mandatory registration at the point of bike purchases, with the goal of returning more stolen bikes to their owners. But the public service now recommends that idea be scrapped, arguing it would be too expensive and too complicated to implement. “Our engagement with stakeholders pointed to significant challenges related to implementation and enforcement of a mandatory bike registry,” Marcia Fifer, the city’s licensing co-ordinator, writes in a report headed to council’s protection, community services and parks committee. In a follow-up interview, Fifer said smaller retailers were concerned that adding registration to each bike purchase would demand too much staff time. “We didn’t want to put a burden upon our retailers,” said Fifer. She said a scan of bike registries in other Canadian cities found all who had tried mandatory ones, which at one point included Winnipeg, have since abandoned them. Fifer said the cost to administer and enforce such programs was found to exceed the potential benefits. “The cost definitely outweighed any money the program was bringing in,” she said. The public service does plan to find new ways to better promote the city’s voluntary bike registration system, which has grown to list 12,000 bicycles, Fifer said. “That’s significant because we used to get only a few hundred new registrations a year, now in the last year we’ve gotten about 3,000,” she said. Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski), who lobbied for the mandatory registry, said he’s disappointed by the report. Eadie said reuniting owners with stolen bikes is especially important in his ward, where cycling is a key means of transportation. He fears maintaining the status quo means it will remain difficult for police to return stolen bikes to their rightful owners. “They’re not considering the burden on the officer on the street, who will also face the frustration of the people,” said Eadie. Coun. Sherri Rollins, who chairs the protection and community services committee, agreed bike theft is a pressing concern, noting her own three children’s bikes were all stolen last year. “Winnipeg has particular challenges with respect to bike theft, so I think there is an imperative to always see … if there is any innovations that we could be doing,” said Rollins. The chair said she was pleased by the report’s extensive consultation efforts and will wait to hear her colleagues’ responses to it before weighing in on its recommendations. The protection committee will consider the report on May 22. jpursaga(a)postmedia.com Twitter: @pursagawpgsun

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WFP Editorial: Manitoba needs better road-safety strategy
by Beth McKechnie 16 May '19

16 May '19

*Manitoba needs better road-safety strategy * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/manitoba-needs-better-… A NUMBER of high-profile pedestrian deaths resulting from collisions in Winnipeg this year has road safety on the minds of many. The question is, what to do about it? Manitoba’s Road Safety Plan 2017-2020 highlights a grim statistic: despite the fact some progress is being made — traffic-related deaths declined to 80 in 2015 from 120 in 2006 — motorvehicle collisions are the province’s fifth-leading cause of injury-related deaths. Clearly, action is required. Public awareness campaigns are one approach, to encourage safer driving practices and better awareness for motorists and pedestrians who use our streets and sidewalks. MPI’s “Save the 100” advertisements highlight individual responsibilities for making our roads safer, with emphasis on factors such as distracted driving, impaired driving and speeding. Actually making the most dangerous sections of road safer, however, is a stickier proposition. City Coun. Janice Lukes has pushed for a traffic safety initiative since 2016, aiming to get traffic fatalities down to zero. The initiative, Vision Zero, was developed in Sweden in 1997 and focuses on the design of infrastructure and how it is used, analyzing data to create safer spaces. And it’s working: Sweden has one of the lowest annual rates of road deaths in the world, at three per 100,000. Pedestrian fatalities there were reduced by half within five years. Other jurisdictions have adopted this outlook: in 2014, New York City launched a plan employing traffic data and improved engineering to get traffic deaths to zero within 10 years. Clearly, investing in our roads, walkways and other infrastructure with a view to safety is critical. Here’s another question: how do we pay for it? In this, the province has a role to play. The previous New Democratic government floated a proposal to devote funds from MPI to improve high-risk spots. That went nowhere, thanks to vocal opposition over the prospect of the insurer funding infrastructure upgrades rather than returning surplus funds to ratepayers. The fact that safer intersections reduce the risk of accidents and save lives must not have been enough justification for those opposed, but — if money is the issue — the additional knowledge that reducing the number of collisions also reduces the number of claims and thus lowers premiums should have been. It’s also worth noting that decreasing accident and injury numbers lessens the financial burden on the taxpayerfunded health-care system. Other jurisdictions have taken this approach. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia partners with local government to pay for safetyrelated road improvements. A 2015 evaluation found that the initiative led to an average 24 per cent decrease in severe collisions over a threeyear period. Manitoba has taken a lot of flak for not devoting more money to road and highway repair. Yet, the much-criticized increase to the provincial sales tax under the NDP was intended to fund infrastructure, something the opposition Progressive Conservatives attacked at the time. Even if the Pallister government were not philosophically opposed to spending PST income on roads, the revenue loss created by its promised-anddelivered one percentage point PST cut (effective July 1) would make such an investment difficult to achieve. We use our roads, highways, sidewalks and intersections every day, and pointing fingers doesn’t make any of those routes safer. It’s time to take a long-term approach, as Sweden did, and learn from what other jurisdictions, such as B.C., are doing. Because as the various safety campaigns make clear, the only number of traffic deaths we can all live with is zero.

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Washington, DC creates protected bike lane barriers from downed trees
by Beth McKechnie 15 May '19

15 May '19

Hmmm, perhaps a good use for Winnipeg's downed elm trees? *WASHINGTON, DC CREATES CYCLE TRACK BARRIERS FROM DOWNED TREES* -> The AASHTO Journal reported the District Department of Transportation in Washington, DC, is testing whether "re-purposed timber" gathered from trees removed due to damage can be used to build cycle track barriers. This timber is much less expensive than concrete barricades, and DDOT can create and fabricate these barricades in house. See the brief video: http://bit.ly/2LH1lwP <https://pps.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c803e70a8ad33c13a95a1ee6&id=…> -- 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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AT Webinar: Engaging Youth to Choose Car-free Mobility, May 22, 12-1pm
by Beth McKechnie 14 May '19

14 May '19

Please join Green Action Centre in the EcoCentre <https://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-…> boardroom for a group viewing of the following webinar (or register here <https://trec.pdx.edu/events/professional-development/webinar-05-19> to watch it at your desk). *Engaging Youth to Choose Car-free Mobility* *Wed, May 22nd, 12-1pm* Today’s youth are tomorrow’s riders, bikers, walkers, voters, and transportation planners. As more transit agencies begin to offer free fare passes to public middle and high school students, it is important to have good communication strategy in place to encourage transit usage so they don't miss out on the potential to affect behavior change. Thus, transit agencies need to develop age-appropriate messaging strategies and tactics that promote youth car-free mobility. This webinar will present results from a NITC research project that sought to create and evaluate communication messaging that fosters more positive attitudes, intentions, and behaviors related to transit and other car-free transportation options among Portland youth. While there is no "one size fits all" approach, the Portland-based findings may yield insights that could be adapted for application in other regions. KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES - Understand the car-free mobility-related attitudes, intentions, and behaviors of teens in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area; - Identify communication channels and settings that could be most effective with youth in regards to transportation system information and promotion; - Study the data to learn how strategic themes promoting car-free mobility were perceived by Oregon youth.

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Vancouver passes motion on 30km/h limit pilot project
by Beth McKechnie 14 May '19

14 May '19

A Vancouver City councillor’s motion for a pilot project on reducing the speed limit <https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-city-speed-limits-side-streets-bc…> on the city’s side streets and residential areas to 30 km/h passed unanimously on Tuesday. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-30km-h-speed-limit-side-streets-r… -- 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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How We Talk About Drivers Hitting Cyclists
by Beth McKechnie 14 May '19

14 May '19

*How We Talk About Drivers Hitting Cyclists * *What the media gets wrong, and why, says a lot about how our society views vulnerable road users* Hardly a week goes by without an article about a crash in which a driver hits and kills a rider... Almost as troubling as the rise in deaths is the media coverage of these crashes... News stories often play a key role in shaping public understanding of traffic safety. And when news stories victim-blame or fail to convey the larger context in which these crashes take place, they do deep injustice to the victims and the conversation about road safety in general. Two new studies on inaccuracy and subtle bias in mainstream-media reporting about driver-cyclist crashes highlight the extent of these issues. What they show make clear just how deeply rooted the problem is—and how difficult it will be to fix. Full article: https://www.outsideonline.com/2392955/lets-talk-about-drivers-hitting-cycli… -- 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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CanStar (The Lance): Exciting active transportation improvements (May13'19)
by Beth McKechnie 14 May '19

14 May '19

Exciting active transportation improvements https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/lance/correspondent/Excit… The new pedestrian and cyclist tunnel beneath Fermor Avenue, east of St. Anne’s Road, is now visible — and light can be seen from the other end. As well, several other exciting new pieces of active transportation infrastructure in Old St. Vital are complete or are about to be completed. The new tunnel will form the linchpin of an active transportation corridor reaching from Southdale, Royalwood and other southeast neighbourhoods up through Old St. Vital into St. Boniface and ultimately the core. "The tunnel creates a connection from the southeast across Niakwa footbridge to Des Meurons — it is a major improvement for cycling in St. Vital," says Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital). The tunnel will link the southern end of Des Meurons Street with the Niakwa Place and Alpine Place neighbourhoods. For walkers and cyclists, these communities, the most densely populated areas in St. Vital, are presently only connected to their northern neighbours via a detour to St Anne’s Road. The newly rehabilitated St. Anne’s and Fermor intersection features two high-quality bicycle lights and pathways through the signalized section. There are also new, elevated speed-table-style safe crossings over yield lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. A new, at-grade, bridge-level multi-use pathway across the Fermor bridge is also now operational. It provides an alternative route across the Seine River in the event —as is true at the time of writing — the trail to Niakwa Park is flooded. The City of Winnipeg’s active transportation strategy identifies several north-south routes through the Southdale area, as well as a north-south corridor along St. George Street, Worthington Avenue and then Grey Street to the Bishop Grandin Greenway. Passing, as it does, by St. George School, this project could represent a tremendous opportunity to calm traffic in front of the school. Speed tables, a narrowed road, and improved sidewalk would not only provide a safe north-south bike route for St. Vital but a safer and more pleasant experience for parents at that school. To the north, given that St. Anne’s and St. Mary’s roads are narrow and in great demand for both rush-hour vehicle traffic and day and evening parking, Des Meurons Street through Glenwood and then Norwood seems the logical place to continue a safe and pleasant bicycle pathway into St. Boniface and the core. These projects and future visions represent an amazing leap forward for St. Vital. *Ryan Palmquist is a community correspondent for St. Vital. *

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AT Webinar: Maintaining Green Infrastructure, May 15th, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 09 May '19

09 May '19

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of the May 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: Wed, May 15th, 2-3pm* Maintaining Green Infrastructure: Hints for Success Now that you've got your green bicycle, pedestrian, and transit infrastructure, what's your plan to maintain it? How can green infrastructure elements be planned for, designed, and operated to ensure quality maintenance of these community assets. *Presenters:* - Morvarid Ganjalizadeh, District Department of Transportation, Washington D.C. - Ken Sides, Sam Schwartz Engineering -- 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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New B.C. study links chronic disease, health care costs to where you live
by Beth McKechnie 07 May '19

07 May '19

*Direct health-care costs for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are lower for those in walkable neighbourhoods and close to parks. * https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/new-b-c-study-links-chronic-diseas…

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WFP: Victoria aims to eliminate public transit fares (Apr26'19)
by Beth McKechnie 29 Apr '19

29 Apr '19

*Victoria aims to eliminate public transit fares * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/greenpage/victoria-aim… VICTORIA wants to eliminate public transit fares for everyone in the region to encourage more ridership and reduce the effects of climate change. Mayor Lisa Helps will bring a motion to the regional transit commission today, asking it to embrace a policy of phasing out user fees and expanding bus service to meet an anticipated increase in demand. Coun. Ben Isitt, who introduced the motion that was passed Thursday by council, said it would begin with the elimination of fares for youth under 19 next year and the broader community would be phased in. Isitt said there’s almost no more space in the city for expanding roads or parking. “Driving is only going to get more challenging, so I think as we make transit more convenient and cheaper, that provides a further incentive for people to leave their cars at home.” The transit system currently depends on $40 million in annual revenue from fares but is primarily funded through taxation in the form of provincial subsidies, gas taxes and property taxes. Isitt said the proposal would see the fare revenue loss replaced with an expansion of the existing tax formula. Similar policies have been adopted in jurisdictions such as Luxembourg and Estonia’s capital city Tallinn. Other places offer free fare for certain demographics or in geographic areas, such as Madison, Wis., where fare is free in the city’s core. In Toronto, children under 12 ride for free, and in Kingston, Ont., high schoolers can too. The City of Kingston said the objective of the program launched in 2012 was to expose students to the transit system, building habits they may continue after graduation. Jeff Casello, a transportation professor at the University of Waterloo, said eliminating fares can encourage ridership, including for those who avoid public transit because they don’t know how the fee structure works. “The idea of free public transport has been talked about in many cities,” he said. “What many public transport systems are trying to do is increase people’s accessibility.” It can be an unpopular policy for municipalities that expect to recover operating costs. Aside from some exceptions in megacities in Asia, Casello said few public transit systems actually break even, so every dollar counts. In North America, user fares typically support between 40 and 60 per cent of the operating budget, he said. Fare incentives also aren’t enough to make many people change their habits. Those who already depend on transit will continue to use it and high-income earners who don’t use transit won’t be incentivized by a fare change from something like $2 to zero, he said. There is a larger group in the middle that has some price sensitivity and can shift habits depending on fare, but price isn’t typically the most important factor, Casello said in an interview on Friday. “It’s often the quality and the calibre of the public transport system. So in a city where I can drive and it will take me 10 minutes and I have hourly transit service that takes 30 minutes, reducing their fare is not going to change people’s habits, at least not those discretionary users,” Casello said. But if transit is competitive and people are considering the option, then making it free can shift behaviours where it will generate new riders, he said. In Victoria, Isitt said an important part of the proposal involves both electrifying the fleet and expanding bus routes and service to meet the anticipated demand. — The Canadian Press

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Build infrastructure and they will ride...
by Charles Feaver 28 Apr '19

28 Apr '19

Guardian article on results of biking infrastructure in the UK; https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2019/apr/26/if-you-build-… Cycle lanes are one of the most efficient and healthiest ways of moving people. A single bike lane can transport five times as many people as a motor traffic lane, without the air and noise pollution. This is good news for everyone, whether you drive, walk or cycle – or breathe. What’s clear from the data, though – despite occasional bizarre claims to the contrary, and attempts to have lanes removed – is that to reap cycling’s benefits you have to build proper infrastructure. But if you build it, they will come – and the cycle counters prove it. 2018 was a record year for cycle lane usage in the UK, thanks to the construction of new, high-quality cycle tracks, the growing popularity of existing routes and good networks that feed into those routes. ..... The country’s big hitter for cycling, problems with data collection have hampered publication of digital counts on its two major cycle superhighways, which opened in April 2016. In February 2018, digital counters were installed and soon started displaying prodigious numbers By August, 574,304 cycle trips had been logged on CS6, the north-south cycle superhighway, and by October 1,654,441 trips on CS3, the east-west route. After that, both counters failed and were switched off, but the CSH counters blog estimates they would have logged more than 3m cycle trips by Christmas. Using manual counts, Transport for London has recorded up to a 200% increase in cycling on the east-west route, and 124% on the north-south route, compared with numbers pre-construction. The city’s walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman, announced on Tuesday that the counters were fixed again. Closure of streets to through motor traffic – filtering – also boosts cycling. Goldsmiths Row in Hackney, where more people commute by bike than by car, was filtered in 2013. The cycle counter has logged 6.28m rides so far – an average of 3,917 on weekdays and 1,854 on weekends. It is estimated 1.4 million people used the route in 2018; in 2017 it was 1.1 million. ...

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Functional Transit: AGM & 101 Years of the Bus
by Beth McKechnie 26 Apr '19

26 Apr '19

Interested in helping to improve transit service in our city? *Functional Transit Winnipeg (FTW) is seeking applicants for board director positions. *See attached for details. Also, check out the upcoming FTW events: *1) Functional Transit Annual General Meeting* The AGM will take place on Monday, May 6th at 7:00 PM at St. Boniface Library. This is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about FTW and what's been accomplished and what is upcoming. See (and please share) attached poster. *2) 101 Years of the Bus ft. Glen Murray and Dr. Orly Linovski* This FREE event will take place on Wednesday, May 29th from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM at The Good Will Social Club. For more info, please visit FTW's event page and please share with anyone you feel would be interested. https://www.facebook.com/events/1989911237805011/

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Vancouver sees record low in trips made by private automobile: report
by Beth McKechnie 26 Apr '19

26 Apr '19

*Vancouver sees record low in trips made by private automobile: report* A new report released by the City of Vancouver illustrates the extent to which city residents have taken up to modes of active transportation, specifically walking, cycling, and public transit. In Fall 2018, the municipal government commissioned Mustel Group to conduct an extensive survey of the transportation patterns of residents living in Vancouver. It found that 52.8% of all trips were made by walking, cycling, and transit — up from 48.4% in 2017. Compared to the survey conducted in 2017, there was a 4% decrease in private vehicle trips in 2018, with the automobile mode share falling from 52% to 47% during this one-year period. The distance travelled using an automobile also fell by 2.9% compared to the previous year. But car sharing increased to 34% in 2018, an increase from 31% in 2017 and 29% in 2016, and access to private vehicles remained steady at 87%. Overall, city residents had an “all-time low” for automobile trips, while the share of those who walked increased from 25.1% to 28.5% year-over-year. The downtown peninsula had the highest walking mode share, with 30% in the Central Business District and West End getting around by foot and 31% in False Creek. The Central Broadway Corridor’s walking mode share is 14% in comparison. The area with the lowest walking mode share was the southeast quadrant of the city at just 2%. The mode share for cycling remained relatively constant compared to the previous three years, with the mode share in 2018 at 7.3% — up from 6.7% in 2015 and 4.4% in 2013. According to the data, interest in biking is two times higher during fair weather conditions than cold and wet conditions. Cycling in fair weather is highest in the Strathcona and Grandview-Woodlands areas (43%), followed by Kitsilano and Point Grey (38%), and Central Broadway and Mount Pleasant (32%). The cycling mode share for residents living in the downtown peninsula is roughly half those of Central Broadway and Mount Pleasant. Although regional transit ridership growth has been high in recent years <https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-ridership-october-2018>, the citywide transit mode share was relatively constant at 17% in 2018, with the prior five-year period seeing a high of 18% and a low of 15.9%. Kitsilano and Point Grey saw the highest level of transit use (41%) for people travelling to work, and in most areas of the city over 50% of students reported transit as their usual mode of travel. Interestingly, the proportion of those who used transit passes was highest amongst residents in the West End and the eastern half of Vancouver. The vast majority of Vancouver residents regularly travelled within the city; about 77% of trips originate and end within city boundaries. These findings are based on 2,600 randomly-selected respondents who completed trip diaries throughout the fall. But it identified some challenges with the under-sampling of the 15 to 35-year-old age group and the over-sampling of the 55+ age group, as the younger age group typically does not have a landline and smartphone lists do not provide the home location of cell owners. Look here for charts: https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-active-transportation-mode-share-…

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WFP: Ciclovia cycling event cancelled
by Patman, David 18 Apr '19

18 Apr '19

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/ciclovia-cycling-event-cancelled-50… Ciclovia cycling event cancelled By: Geralyn Wichers Posted: 04/17/2019 5:21 PM Ciclovia, the annual Winnipeg cycling event, is on an indefinite hiatus, Bike Week organizers announced Wednesday. Ciclovia began 10 years ago, when a section of Broadway was closed on a Sunday in September so cyclists could ride unimpeded by cars. The event was part of ManyFest and was run by the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. It was patterned after a weekly event in Bogota, Colombia, where, on Sundays, miles of road are closed to all but cyclists and pedestrians. The event "has never really been able to achieve what was originally envisioned," Bike Week chairman Dave Elmore said, adding it became more about the street festival than a celebration of cycling. Last year, Ciclovia was held during a cycling celebration event called Bike Week, which is held annually in June. "We had a vision of building it into a true Ciclovia event," Elmore said, but explained closing roadways would involve city permission and a lot of funding. Until they can do Ciclovia right, they won't do it at all, said Elmore. He wasn't able to give details on what a revamped event would look like. geralyn.wichers(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:geralyn.wichers@freepress.mb.ca>

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Fwd: [Vision Zero]: Re: Webinar - Parachute's Vision Zero Network - REGISTER TODAY
by Anders Swanson 16 Apr '19

16 Apr '19

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Julie Taylor <jtaylor(a)parachutecanada.org> Date: Tue, Apr 16, 2019 at 2:57 PM Subject: [Vision Zero]: Re: Webinar - Parachute's Vision Zero Network - REGISTER TODAY To: VisionZero(a)lists.parachutecanada.org < VisionZero(a)lists.parachutecanada.org> Hello Parachute Vision Zero network members, Some of you may be interested in registering for the below Vision Zero workshop taking place next Wednesday, April 24, 11am-12pm MST. Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals L'Association canadienne des professionnels de la sécurité routière *Webinar Series* *CARSP* and *City of Calgary - Roads* have joined to bring you a series of free webinars on a variety of topics focused on safety in transportation. This is part of CARSP's Knowledge Sharing Initiative. Stay tuned for more webinars on other important road safety topics. *Parachute’s Vision Zero Network* Free Webinar to CARSP Members *April 24, 2019, 11am-12pm MST* Vision Zero is a road safety initiative that was developed in Sweden and can be summarized in one sentence: No loss of life is acceptable. The road system that keeps us moving everyday should be designed to protect us when we make mistakes. Numerous cities across the world, including many in Canada have adopted Vision Zero or are in the process of developing their own strategic plans to create thriving, healthy, and safe communities. Join Parachute’s Interim CEO to hear about how Parachute Vision Zero is supporting Vision Zero and Safe Systems approaches in Canada. The first part of the webinar will look at concepts and basic tenets of Vision Zero. The second part of the webinar will focus on evidence based, knowledge translation tools and resources that Parachute produces with the support of Vision Zero champions across Canada and internationally. *SIGN UP EARLY - SPACE IS LIMITED!* *Presenter: *Pamela Fuselli, MSc is the Interim CEO at Parachute. Prior to this, she was the Vice President, Knowledge Transfer and Stakeholder Relations at Parachute. She was also Executive Director at Safe Kids Canada and one of the four leaders that led and co-founded the Injury Alliance that, through a process of national consultation and visioning, created a plan to move from collaboration to amalgamation of operations of the four NGOs, resulting in the formation of Parachute. Pamela received her BSC in Psychology from the University of Toronto in 1992, her BHA (2002) from Ryerson University and MSc (2010) in Creativity and Change Leadership from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. *Early registration for CARSP members only is until **Wednesday April 10th**, after which registration is also open to Roads Partners. Space is limited, so sign up soon to reserve your spot!* *Register Now!* <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> *Questions?* - *Webinar Content Questions:* *pfuselli(a)parachutecanada.org* <pfuselli(a)parachutecanada.org?subject=CARSP%20Webinar%20Question> - *Technical Difficulties **(either during registering or during the webinar): **ewan.macpherson(a)calgary.ca* <ewan.macpherson(a)calgary.ca?subject=Webinar%20Question> - *about CARSP** - **Brenda.Suggett(a)carsp.ca* <Brenda.Suggett(a)carsp.ca?subject=Questions%20about%20CARSP%20> [image: Image removed by sender.] <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> Twitter - #CARSP2019 <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> [image: Image removed by sender.] <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> CARSP - LinkedIn <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> *Copyright © 2019 CARSP-ACPSER, All rights reserved.* You are receiving this email because you are a current member of CARSP. *Our mailing address is:* CARSP-ACPSER 17 Meadowbrook Crescent St Catharines, ON L2M 7G8 Canada Add us to your address book <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/vcard?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&id=247b…> unsubscribe from this list <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> update subscription preferences <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/profile?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&id=24…> [image: Image removed by sender. Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp] <http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…> [image: Image removed by sender.] ------------------------------ ================================= You received this email because you are a member of the Parachute Vision Zero network email list. To unsubscribe from this list, send an email to: visionzero-unsubscribe(a)lists.parachutecanada.org Note that unsubscribing from this list does not otherwise affect your membership in the network, or prevent you from receiving the regular Vision Zero newsletter and other related items – it only unsubscribes you from this members’ discussion list. The Parachute Vision Zero network email discussion list is hosted by: Parachute - Leaders in Injury Prevention 150 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 300 Toronto, ON M4P 1E8 www.parachutecanada.org Send all administrative and/or technical inquiries related to the list serve to the List Administrator: admin(a)parachutecanada.org

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WFP Analysis: Pedestrians needn’t die in city traffic (Apr12'19)
by Beth McKechnie 12 Apr '19

12 Apr '19

*Pedestrians needn’t die in city traffic * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/pedestrians-neednt-die-i… ON April 1, a 57-year-old woman died after she was hit by a half-ton truck in the parking lot of Garden City Shopping Centre. On March 26, a 41-year-old man died after he was hit by a vehicle on March 20 while he was crossing Osborne Street at Morley Avenue. On March 19, a four-year-old girl died a day after being hit by a vehicle while using the crosswalk with her mother at Isabel Street and Alexander Avenue. Those are examples of the many recent traffic deaths that cause grim concern when newsroom editors gather to discuss Winnipeg issues. Meanwhile, at city hall, councillors learned last week that the administration seems unable to develop a plan to make streets safer. The public works department was directed in January 2017 to produce a road-safety strategy. More than two years later, the department hasn’t started the plan. David Patman, the city’s transportation manager, blamed the procrastination on turnover in two senior positions. Coun. Janice Lukes expressed dismay, which was unsurprising because she’s pushed since 2016 for Winnipeg to implement Vision Zero, a traffic safety initiative created in Sweden that gets its name from its mandate of achieving zero fatalities on roads. It’s working wonders in Edmonton. To be fair, it should be noted that, even without a plan, Winnipeg has tried to improve traffic safety in recent years. Examples include pedestrian countdown signals at busy intersections, traffic signal poles with breakaway bases so hitting them will cause less damage, new bike lanes, traffic-calming devices such as traffic circles, and speed limits around schools reduced to 30 km/h during the school year. The problem is that such changes seem random, not part of a comprehensive strategy. The public has no way of evaluating how these isolated improvements fit together, which ones are working to improve safety and what’s ahead for the future. If Lukes had her way, the department would adopt the Vision Zero plan. There was confusion on this matter Tuesday when Mayor Brian Bowman said the city has already produced a plan, but the mayor was mistakenly thinking of the similarly named provincial road safety plan called The Road to Zero: Manitoba Road Safety Plan 2017-2020. If this city had a true Vision Zero plan, everyone, including the mayor, would remember it because the plan’s premise — no loss of life is acceptable — would require a revolutionary change in Winnipeg’s car culture. No longer would pedestrians, cyclists, school kids and senior citizens be only an afterthought. The safety of these vulnerable people would be the city’s top priority, ahead of the convenience of vehicles. Since it originated the strategy in 1997, Sweden has cut its number of traffic deaths in half. They did it with an all-in commitment to redesigning roads, mandating changes to vehicles and changing the behaviour of drivers. Jurisdictions around the world took notice. “The countries with the lowest levels of road violence have adopted a radically different paradigm of traffic safety, in which the state assumes full responsibility and the focus is on implementing fail-safe roads and vehicles,” reads a mission statement on the website of Vision Zero Canada. To understand real-life implications of a Vision Zero commitment, it’s instructive to scan the City of Edmonton’s 2018 annual traffic safety report. Since Edmonton adopted Vision Zero three years ago, traffic deaths have decreased by 40 per cent, collisions involving pedestrians have dropped 21 per cent and collisions involving cyclists have fallen 27 per cent. The report gives a comprehensive list of upgrades in 2018 alone: 20 new pedestrian signals; 65 new driver feedback signs that display a vehicle’s speed; 27 school zones got safety improvements; 21 intersections where turning safety was improved; and the introduction of five new pedestrian scrambles, which are intersections where traffic is stopped in all directions to let pedestrians cross laterally or diagonally. To get drivers to slow down, Edmonton uses a controversial blitz of cameras, laser and photo radar devices that move to different locations. In 2018, they gave out 379,000 tickets. They’re currently debating whether to implement a blanket speed limit of 30 km/h in residential areas. Would it work in Winnipeg? Vision Zero depends on results-based policies and practices, so it would likely flop in a city where the public works department is allowed to ignore for two years a directive to produce a road-safety strategy. Implementing Vision Zero here would require strong leadership to change the culture of Winnipeg drivers. We would need to drive as if every pedestrian and cyclist were one of our loved ones. It would also require a substantial investment of public money to change infrastructure in a city designed to be the domain of motor vehicles. Is it worth it? Ask the families of the people killed on Winnipeg streets. *Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board.* carl.degurse(a)freepress.mb.ca

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AT Webinar: Designing streets for the speeds you want (Wed, Apr 17th, 2-3pm)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Apr '19

10 Apr '19

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of the recorded April 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: Wed, April 17th, 2-3pm* Designing streets for the speeds you want Should 85th-percentile speeds determine the design and operation of streets in your community? How can we lower speeds to improve safety if we don’t have the right tools and policies? This webinar will examine the relationship between posted, design and target speed in designing safer streets. -- 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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Globe editorial; the King Street streetcar experiment
by Charles Feaver 10 Apr '19

10 Apr '19

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-one-small-step-fo r-the-king-street-streetcar-one-giant-leap-for/ Even Junius has to get to work in the morning. The Globe and Mail editorial board's fictional leader and author of the newspaper's motto - "The subject who is truly loyal to the chief magistrate will neither advise nor submit to arbitrary measures" - tends to spend his time wrestling with weighty questions. Issues of principle. Matters of state. The capital-F Future. But before any of that happens, there's the small matter of getting to the office on time. And each day, like <https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-131386.pdf> 84,000 other people in Canada's largest city, Junius rides the King Street streetcar. A little more than a year ago, Toronto, site of some of North America's longest commutes and home to the continent's least taxpayer-subsidized public transit system, decided to try a little experiment. On the stretch of King Street running through downtown, streetcars would be given priority over cars. The goal was speeding up commuting times - with nothing more than a little change in the rules of the road. It involved installing a few concrete barriers and painting some yellow lines, over a weekend. It wasn't a multidecade, multibillion-dollar megaproject. It was an instant, cheap micro-project. And the impact has been enormous. So far, though, it's just an experiment - the King Street Transit Pilot isn't permanent. Last week, city bureaucrats recommended that Toronto Council make it permanent, essentially creating a kind of instant, low-budget surface subway through the centre of town. That should be a no-brainer. The little transit miracle on King Street deserves to be studied, expanded and emulated. Thanks to the project, commuting times have been significantly shortened, and passenger traffic on the streetcars is up 17 per cent. New streetcars have been added to the route, but they're still overcrowded at rush hour. It proves that shortening commuting times doesn't just benefit existing riders; it encourages new people to switch to public transit. The more a transit service is quick, frequent and convenient, the more people will use it. Obviously. The King car is not just Toronto's busiest surface transit route. It carries as many people as the number riding the Sheppard subway and the Scarborough RT - <https://www.ttc.ca/PDF/Transit_Planning/Subway%20ridership%20-%202018.pdf> combined. In fact, this one streetcar route serves more people than entire public <https://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Documents/Ridership/2017-q4-rider ship-APTA.pdf> transit systems in many American cities. The King car carries more commuters than the Miami Metro. The subway in Florida's largest city has 23 stations and is 39 kilometres long. The King car carries as many people as the Denver, Colo., system of light rail (LRT) and commuter rail, with 63 stations and 141 km of track. On an average day, the number of passengers exceeds the entire daily traffic of each of the LRT networks in Phoenix; Minneapolis, Minn.; Seattle; and Houston. It carries more people than the Seattle trolley-bus system, which has 15 routes and 109 km of overhead wires. It carries only slightly fewer people than the LRT network of Dallas - which with four lines and 150 km of track is the longest light-rail transit system in the United States. At first, the King Street pilot project generated pushback from drivers who feared their bumper-to-bumper gridlock would only get worse, and from a small but vocal group of local restaurateurs along King Street who worried about losing car-driving patrons. But Toronto's downtown is so crowded that the only way to reduce paralyzingly heavy car traffic is to create more options for people to abandon cars for public transit. And while Toronto still needs several big fixes, such as the so-called Downtown Relief Line subway, the quality of life in a city is also the product of lots of small decisions that can either improve the life of citizens, or immiserate them. Right now, the stretch of King Street where streetcars have priority is only a couple of kilometres long. It should be gradually expanded, especially to the fast-growing neighbourhood of condos to the west of downtown. More streetcars should be added, further speeding up service. And, as in cities such as Montreal, restaurants can even be given the opportunity to set up patios on the street. The big stuff - making a city easier to live in, faster to commute to and more desirable to visit or do business in - is the product of a lot of small steps. On King Street, Toronto's small steps are having a big impact. Charles Feaver 11 Harvard Ave Winnipeg R3M 0J6 204.293.6332

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Trails Manitoba Speaker Event & AGM - Sat, Apr 13th
by Beth McKechnie 10 Apr '19

10 Apr '19

Trails Manitoba invites you to their speaker event and AGM this coming Saturday, April 13th. If you wish to go for the afternoon portion only to hear the speakers, it's free! See the poster for more details <http://www.trailsmanitoba.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2019-Spring-Worksho…> . cheers Beth -- 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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WFP: City allocates funds for street work (Apr10'19)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Apr '19

10 Apr '19

*EPC votes to spend nearly $20M of Ottawa’s gas tax gift on cancelled repairs* * City allocates funds for street work * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/epc-votes-to-spend-some-of-ottawas-… SOME of the city’s planned — but slashed from the 2019 budget — residential street rehabilitation work appears to be back on track. Mayor Brian Bowman and members of his executive policy committee (EPC) Tuesday voted 6-1 in favour of spending almost $20 million — from an anticipated $40-million-plus windfall from the federal government — to restore street work. “We’re thinking about roads, first and foremost,” Bowman told reporters. “Our first priority is to fix the roads. That’s what Winnipeggers have asked me to do.” Council shocked many city residents when it passed its 2019 budget in March and decided to cancel the bulk of residential street work this year and next and use that money instead to pay for $40 million worth of work carried out last year that city hall expected the provincial government to cover. As a result, the public works department eliminated $45 million of local street work it had planned this year. But the federal government announced in its March 19 budget it would be doubling the gas tax revenue provided to municipalities. Winnipeg receives about $44 million in federal gas tax revenue annually. A similar plan to allocate much of the bonus federal dollars was proposed last week at the public works committee by Coun. Jeff Browaty, who said he would have liked to have seen the entire amount spent on local streets and active-transportation projects. “If roads are really our No. 1 priority, we should be doing everything possible to continue tackling the road infrastructure deficit that is all too obvious almost anywhere you look in this city,” Browaty told the Free Press in an email exchange. “We have been investing significantly in recreation and social infrastructure in recent years and I believe it’s time to redouble our commitment to roads. At this point, anything else would literally be the equivalent of putting in a swimming pool while the roof of your house is leaking.” Tuesday’s EPC motion proposes: • $19.25 million to be spent on residential streets, as determined by the public works department. • $2.5 million be spent this year on unspecified road-safety measures. • $750,000 for three active-transportation network studies. • Up to $20 million allocated to local streets and active transportation in 2020. • Any remaining dollars be allocated to projects to be determined in the 2020 multi-year budget process. Coun. Brian Mayes, chairman of the city’s property and development committee, cast the lone vote against the proposal. Mayes (St. Vital) said he believes the local MPs want the additional federal gas tax monies spent on parks, community centres and other recreational and leisure facilities. “I have some concern about the focus being exclusively on the roads,” he said. Mayes said he hopes any disagreement with area MPs can be resolved before council votes on the issue at its April 25 meeting. However, Bowman told EPC that MP Jim Carr, the federal government’s senior minister for Manitoba, had assured him that council is free to spend the funds as it wishes. City officials told councillors last week that how much work, and which portions of the original plan, can be done depends on when the money is available. Federal officials said municipalities can expect to receive the funding shortly after the budget is passed, which is expected before Parliament begins its summer recess in June. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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You're Invited! Community Night - Life is Better Biking
by Heather Mitchell 05 Apr '19

05 Apr '19

Green Action Centre's Active and Safe Routes to School <https://greenactioncentre.ca/module/asrts/> program is hosting a Community Night in partnership with DMCI on Tuesday, April 23rd from 6:30-8:00 pm for families to learn about healthy transportation, how to get affordable and/or free bikes, walking and cycling safety, and what communities can do to support student health through healthy transportation! We invite families, advocates, and interested community members to join us in learning, sharing, and breaking down barriers. Those who are interested can register through our Facebook event page here: *https://www.facebook.com/events/403057327138910/ <https://www.facebook.com/events/403057327138910/>. *Please help us by sharing this event with your friends, family, and networks! [image: Community Night Poster.png] Thanks, Heather -- *Heather Mitchell * Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> | 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue (204) 925-3777 ext 107 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 <https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/green-action-centre/>. <http://canadahelps.org/> <https://www.gomanitoba.ca/Public/Home.aspx>

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WFP: Gas tax funds may save city street work (Apr3'19)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Apr '19

04 Apr '19

*Meanwhile, Waverley underpass nears completion, work on low-income bus pass begins* * Gas tax funds may save city street work * *https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/gas-tax-may-take-city-street-work-off-chopping-block-508015662.html <https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/gas-tax-may-take-city-street-work-o…>* * A WINNIPEG city council committee wants the $40 million-plus in bonus federal gas tax revenue announced in the 2019 budget to go toward restoring local street renewal work and active transportation projects.* * Councillors on the public works committee voted 3-1 Tuesday in support of using the money on the streets program that had previously been cancelled after the city said the province reneged on its funding.* * Jim Berezowsky, director of public works, said how much of the original program could be carried out this year depends on when the federal government approves its budget and when city hall receives the funding.* * Included in the March 19 federal budget was a commitment to double the dollars given to municipalities through the federal gas tax program, valued at more than $2 billion. Winnipeg budgeted to receive almost $44 million this year from the gas tax, and now council has to decide how to spend an additional $40 million-plus.* * The public works department had a list of 53 residential streets and back lanes it wanted to rebuild in 2019. Berezowsky said it may not be possible to do all the work, but that he would have a report ready for council on what streets could be completed this year.* * The lone dissenting voice Tuesday was Coun. Vivian Santos, who said it would be premature to allocate all of the bonus funds to local street work, explaining now would be the time to reinvest in the city’s neglected recreational and leisure facilities and the parks branch.* * The committee’s recommendation will go before council on April 25.* Waverley underpass update The Waverley Street rail underpass should be substantially completed by October, with the $97.9-million project finished by summer 2020. Officials from the public works department told councillors the project is on budget and on schedule. The project was originally budgeted for $156 million, but was revised downward in November 2017 to $121.34 million and again in January. Winnipeg chief administrative officer Doug McNeil said the $467-million southwest transit corridor project is also on budget and on schedule. The transit corridor is set for completion in late fall, and set to be fully operational by spring 2020. Bus-pass business Winnipeg Transit has initiated work on the proposed low-income bus pass. Transit officials told the committee a team has been assembled and would hold its first meeting Tuesday. Council approved the initiative in the city’s 2019 budget, passed March 20. The low-income bus pass is supposed to be operational by April 2020, first with a 30 per cent discount on the regular adult fare, rising to 50 per cent in 2022. Currently, the full-fare monthly pass costs $100.10. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: As fatalities mount, city’s road-safety strategy has stalled (Apr3'19)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Apr '19

04 Apr '19

*As fatalities mount, city’s road-safety strategy has stalled * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/nothing-done-on-road-safety-strateg… THE death toll on Winnipeg’s streets continues to mount while officials appear unable to develop a plan to make them safe for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. It’s been more than two years since the public works department was directed to produce a road safety strategy that would strive to eliminate traffic fatalities. But no work has been done since the public works committee issued the directive in January 2017, David Patman, the city’s transportation manager, told councillors Tuesday. Department staff have been working instead on a handful of safety measures, he said. In that time 14 pedestrians and one cyclist have been killed in traffic collisions, as have nine people in vehicles and two motorcycle riders. Coun. Janice Lukes, who urged the committee to get tough on the department, said the death toll on city streets is tragic. “We are making record investments in roads, in transit and in active transportation, yet we are nowhere near having a comprehensive road-safety strategy in place,” Lukes said. Patman told the committee turnover in two senior positions was behind the department’s failure to begin the work, adding he expects it will get underway and become part of an updated transportation master plan due in three years. Anders Swanson, executive director of Winnipeg Trails Association, said the number of fatalities on Winnipeg streets is proof they are being designed for the benefit of motorists, not all users. “The reality is everybody would like to do the right thing, but only you folks (councillors) have the political tools,” he said. Swanson, who is participating in a panel discussion at the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals in Calgary in May, said professionals aren’t designing city streets from the perspective of people who walk or cycle, or from the perspective of a child. “You like to blame bad behaviour for causing traffic glitches. The reality is the same bad behaviour is the same behaviour inherent with children,” he said. “If we designed a public road system around children specifically, then it would be, by definition, safe. There would be basketballs flying around, bikes weaving in an out, there’d be three bikes riding side by side with children laughing, giving high-fives, passing a Slurpee to each other. And that would be OK. “But we haven’t, and the reason we haven’t is because in 1950 or so, we got addicted to building a city for cars, for dad driving alone to work in the morning, and we haven’t been able to get ourselves out of that, and that’s a conscious decision.” Committee chairman Coun. Matt Allard said the public works department has initiated traffic safety measures across the city and he’s confident a report will be completed someday. “From my experience, the public works department is really prioritizing this in ways that I haven’t seen in the past,” Allard said. “We have a number of things on the go. There’s a lot going on (for) road safety and traffic calming in the city and I’m looking forward to the reports coming down the pike.” Allard was unable to explain how he or the department could be certain ongoing safety initiatives meet any defined target without a strategy in place. “I think the public service is doing what they can to keep us safe on the roads and they’ll be confirming that in future reports,” he said, while acknowledging the department has yet to provide him with a comprehensive list of safety initiatives he requested in November. “I think you heard today we’re going above and beyond the status quo” when it comes to road safety, Allard told reporters. “The public service is doing their job. They are working on this.” aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: City safety audit to zero in on crosswalk where girl killed (Apr3'19)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Apr '19

04 Apr '19

*City safety audit to zero in on crosswalk where girl killed* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-to-zero-in-on-crosswalk-where-… THE inner-city intersection where a four-year-old girl was struck and killed by a vehicle last month is one of several areas in the city that will be studied as a prelude to the introduction of traffic safety enhancement measures. Public works officials were directed Tuesday to conduct a pedestrian-traffic study at the intersections of Isabel Street and Alexander Avenue — where the girl was struck March 18 as she crossed with her mother — and also two blocks to the south, at Isabel and Ross Avenue. “We have more pedestrians, we have more traffic in that area for sure and I definitely would like to see some improvement,” said Coun. Vivian Santos, who proposed the studies at the public works committee meeting. The moves had been promised by Santos, the ward councillor, following the child’s death. The committee also agreed to conduct a study in six months at an intersection near École Sage Creek School, at Prairie Smoke Drive and Wild Iris Walk. Parents in the neighbourhood expressed concern about the potential threat to their children at the intersection, where there are no sidewalks or a crosswalk. Councillors on the Riel community committee agreed with the parents’ concerns and asked the public works committee to direct the department to investigate traffic-calming measures, including making the intersection a three-way stop or installing a pedestrian crosswalk. Discussion on road safety dominated the committee meeting, during which councillors learned the public works department had yet to begin developing a citywide road-safety strategy, despite being directed to by the same committee in January 2017. There have been five pedestrian deaths thus far this year, the most recent Monday in a Garden City Shopping Centre parking lot. In 2018, three cyclists and a pedestrian were killed in separate collisions with vehicles. In 2017, six pedestrians were killed and in 2016, four cyclists and three pedestrians were killed in separate collisions with vehicles. The Isabel-Ross intersection has a marked pedestrian crosswalk, but residents in the area requested an upgrade in 2016. The nearby Freight House community centre, located on the west side of the intersection, is a popular destination for area children, Santos said, and vehicles were frequently ignoring the crosswalk signals. Santos said she’d like to see a pedestrian- activated signal installed at Isabel and Ross, where the light would remain green for north-south traffic until a pedestrian activates the signal to cross the busy street. Santos said the intersection to the north, Isabel and Alexander, needs a formal crosswalk — she recommended something similar to the eye-level, flashing LED installation put up in St. Vital a year ago, following the death of an eight-year-old boy. That type is becoming common in many other Canadian cities. “I’m very, very happy that my council colleagues supported me,” Santos said, adding she briefed the other committee members before the meeting and advised them of her proposals. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Invitation to Canadian Bike Summit May 12-14
by Anders Swanson 03 Apr '19

03 Apr '19

Dear fellow at-network colleagues, As you may know, I am the volunteer chair of Vélo Canada Bikes, a national non-profit organization that advocates for increased federal support for everyday cycling in Canada. Founded in 2012, Vélo Canada Bikes has a vision of a Canada where all people of all ages and abilities can safely use a bicycle for daily transportation and a federal government that plays a big role in making it happen. We are hosting our 3rd National Bike Summit <http://www.canadabikes.org/2019-national-bike-summit/> in Ottawa on May 13th and 14th, 2019 in conjunction with the 8th annual Bike Day on the Hill celebration and I hope you will join us. Why attend? Highlights will include keynotes include *Todd Litman*, *Kay Teschke* (in case you missed her at ModeShift2018 she is a must see for many reasons..), *Karl Saidla,* *Teresa Tam and more.* You'd be joining and supporting a Winnipeg contingent (see Jamie Hilland's presentation for example) and contribute to the future of cycling back home (consider how many projects in Winnipeg have benefitted from federal funding in the past or stand to in the future). You are offered a chance to join meetings with MPs and Senators and make a real difference. Full program info here. <http://www.canadabikes.org/2019-summit-program/> Quick breakdown: The summit is an opportunity for cycling stakeholders from across Canada to join in a national conversation on the importance of federal support for cycling in Canada, particularly policy support, such as a National Cycling Strategy and specific components especially funding for cycling infrastructure. New topics/focus this year includes the emerging e-bike revolution, MTB'ing trails and greenways, gender equity, and much more. Sunday May 12 - Pre-conference - Join us on Sunday for a national conversation on greenways and trails. Monday May 13 - The first day of the Bike Summit itself takes place at Ottawa City Hall and consist of presentations and interactive sessions. The purpose of this day is to mobilize and educate cycling stakeholders so that, together, we can take coordinated and concrete steps towards building a bike friendly Canada. In the evening, a reception will be hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Caucus on Parliament Hill. Tuesday May 14 - Day 2 takes place on the Hill itself and is a combination of meetings with MPs/Senators and concurrent programming related to federal cycling advocacy(You can opt to be included in cycling education meetings with Parliamentarians or not, but I strongly reommend it for anyone). It can be quite eye-opening, productive and always very interesting. At 4:30pm, Summit delegates will join National Health and Fitness Day organizers and participate in the 8th Annual Bike Day on the Hill. Delegates and other cycling supporters will gather on the steps of Parliament Hill for a few speeches followed by a 40 minute bike ride with MPs, Senators and other federal officials. The day will be capped off by an informal BBQ reception in the East Block courtyard. Summit registration is open <http://www.canadabikes.org/registration/> and early bird and student discounts are available. Those who register by April 12th can take advantage of early bird prices. Thanks for reading. Kindly, Anders 204-797-1962 P.S.. I realize Ottawa is far away. It is far cheaper/easier to stay home, especially at such a busy time in the spring. I personally hate to fly and/or travel so far to reduce GHGs. However, each every time we do this, I feel that we inch just a little closer to a bike friendly Canada. And doing that opens doors for a lot of people. It is worth it. With an election coming, this is a critical chance to help put cycling on the agenda for once and for all. And whether you are a professional or a keen advocate, hearing what's up across Canada and visiting the hill itself is both invigorating and fascinating. Hope you can make it.

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Fwd: Newcomer Mentor Job Posting - WoC please disseminate
by Anders Swanson 02 Apr '19

02 Apr '19

FYI. Know someone with a passion for cycling and experience working with newcomers to Canada? The WRENCH is seeking a Newcomer Mentor to be part of our Wheels of Courage project team. The posting for the position is attached as a pdf. It can be found on the WRENCH website here: http://thewrench.ca/wordpress/the-wrench-is-hiring-newcomer-mentor/

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FHWA Bikeway Selection Guide Webinar
by Mark Cohoe 26 Mar '19

26 Mar '19

Hi, If you missed this webinar today, you can view it through the PBIC site here <http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/training/webinars_FHWA_032619.cfm>. It was fairly informative and had some good advice, touching on policy and planning, as well as on implementation. Resources: A copy of the presentation and additional resources from this webinar are now available at http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/training/webinars_FHWA_032619.cfm On that same page we provide links to a few resources we discussed during today's webinar, including the FHWA Bikeway Selection Guide, https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/tools_solve/docs/fhwasa18077.pdf Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca

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WFP Analysis: Mature trees worth saving (Mar25'19)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Mar '19

25 Mar '19

*Mature trees worth saving, not just replacing * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/mature-trees-worth-savin… THE elm bark beetle kills 15 mature elm trees in Winnipeg every day. The emerald ash borer that arrived in late 2017 could kill every ash tree in the city in the next decade. Winnipeg has the unfortunate distinction of being the only city in North America at war with both of these tree-killing insects at the same time, and the two species they destroy make up almost two-thirds of the city’s public trees. Our urban forest is on the cusp of devastation, but a sense of public urgency has yet to set in. In Ottawa, more than 100,000 ash trees have been lost in the eight years since the emerald ash borer’s arrival. Our day is coming. As we battle the invaders, management of our street trees will mean replanting more diverse species as old ones are lost, but we should not undervalue efforts to preserve our existing older trees. The economic, environmental and social benefits of street trees increase exponentially with size, and it can take generations for the value of a lost mature tree to be regained. A replanted basswood, as an example, will be less than half of its mature height and breadth after 30 years of growth. A disease-free American elm can live up to 300 years, and doesn’t reach full maturity until 150 years. With salt and other environmental pollutants in today’s city, most replanted trees will never reach the scale of our current canopy. Because of this, investment made to preserve larger trees will have significant payback over several decades. The costs will be high, but there are few public expenditures with greater return on investment than protecting our street trees. The majestic beauty of leaf-filtered light streaming through the cathedral arch canopy of towering street trees inspires a sense of place that emotionally connects people to their neighbourhoods and cities. They create a comfortable pedestrian experience by providing shade and wind protection, while establishing an intimate pedestrian zone that separates cars and people. This perception of safety is enhanced as street trees define the road edge and enclose a driver’s field of vision, which instinctively calms traffic and lowers driving speeds. *A 2008 study by the Texas Transportation Institute found that the presence of large street trees lowers the average cruising speed of vehicles in suburbs by almost 5 km/h.* This more comfortable pedestrian environment translates into economic benefit. A study from the University of Washington determined that when shade trees are added to a retail street, the positive impact on the experience makes people stay longer and shop more, increasing spending by as much as 12 per cent on average. It also found that the attraction to mature street trees can increase residential property values by as much as 15 per cent. In Portland, Ore., this was calculated to be worth US$15 million in added property tax revenue for the city. Street trees also improve physical and mental health. A large tree can remove up to 25 per cent of nearby airborne fine particulates and gaseous pollutants emitted by vehicles and buildings. Large mature trees remove 70 times more urban air pollution than the small trees planted to replace them. Recent findings published in the Urban Forestry and Urban Greening Journal indicated that across 86 Canadian cities, the combined reduced air pollution from urban trees saves the health-care system $227 million annually, avoiding 22,000 incidences of acute respiratory symptoms. A Toronto study, Neighbourhood Greenspace and Health in a Large Urban Centre, found exposure to trees can be psychologically and physiologically restorative. The study asked 31,000 residents in different communities to assess their perceived state of health. When the data were overlaid on tree maps, they revealed that having 10 or more mature street trees on a block had the equivalent self-reported health benefits of feeling seven years younger. People in poorer areas with plentiful street trees reported health that resembled affluent neighbourhoods, and those living on wealthier streets without trees reported health like that of people in poorer areas. As trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere, they can play an important role in reducing a city’s contribution to climate change. Once again, size matters. As trees age, their climate benefits increase disproportionately, with as much as 50 per cent of their carbon accumulation occurring in the last quarter of their lives, and almost three-quarters in the last half. The cooling effect of shade trees also reduces the energy requirements for the air-conditioning of buildings, which in turn reduces GHG emissions. A study by the City of Sacramento determined that large street trees can reduce summertime energy use by as much as 35 per cent, twice as much as medium-sized trees, with small trees having very little effect. With climate change increasing the frequency of high-volume stormwater events, street trees are playing a more important role managing runoff and relieving pressure on municipal infrastructure. Large street trees can absorb as much as 60 per cent of the water in a rainfall, with capacity being directly related to the size of the tree’s canopy and root system. Losing our large trees would likely have catastrophic effects on Winnipeg’s combined sewer system — pipes that collect both raw sewage and rainfall, with a replacement cost pegged at more than $4 billion. Winnipeg without its majestic street tree canopy is difficult to imagine. The economic, social and environmental impact would be devastating. The battle to preserve as many large old trees as possible, and to replace the ones that are lost, will take a significantly increased commitment from private citizens and all levels of government. Their benefits show that a city’s trees are not merely leafy decoration, but should be considered an essential piece of urban infrastructure, no less valuable than roads, sidewalks and sewer lines. *Brent Bellamy is a senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.*

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CTV: City council passes budget with 11-5 vote
by Beth McKechnie 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

*City council passes budget with 11-5 vote* [Note: see highlighted text below] https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/city-council-passes-budget-with-11-5-vote-1.434… With spring on the horizon, Winnipeg driver Armond Eaglestick says his street is showing signs of wear and tear. "There's a lot of potholes," said Eaglestick. He says Winnipeg streets aren't doing his truck any favours. The shocks are always going, you got to pay you know shocks and tires, sometimes they pop," said Eaglestick. Winnipeg city council passed the 2019 budget by an 11 to 5 vote, but there was no last minute money added to fix residential streets. The outcome came in spite of lobbying efforts from the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and others to find some cash. "This year you wiped out all significant work on neighbourhood streets," said Chris Lorenc, president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. Because of a $40 million funding dispute with the province, the city says it was forced to chop the local roads budget this year. Fifty-three street and lane projects fell by the wayside, even though homeowners are paying more in taxes. "This was I believe a fiscally responsible reaction to the shortfall," said Mayor Brian Bowman. Prior to the budget vote, councillors Ross Eadie and Jason Schreyer tabled a motion to borrow $10 million this year to reconstruct some of those roads. "There is an expectation on our residents that they actually see some work this year," said Eadie. Council voted against that plan. "I for one do not believe it is appropriate to pull out the city's credit card to make Winnipeg taxpayers pay the province's bill," said Scott Gillingham, chair of city council’s finance committee. But all might not be lost for the city's residential roads. The Trudeau government's federal budget this week contained a pledge to double gas tax revenues. Winnipeg's share comes out to around $40 million. "You know local roads could be one area for consideration by council, there could other things, active transportation,” said Bowman. Mayor Brian Bowman says it's unclear when that money could flow. Armond Eaglestick says the sooner the better. "You can't really drive anywhere you have to dodge the holes and everything," said Eaglestick.

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WFP: Newcomer girl, 4, hit at crosswalk dies (Mar21'19)
by Beth McKechnie 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

*Family suffers ‘profound shock’; mother recovers in hospital* * Newcomer girl, 4, hit at crosswalk dies * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/girl-4-struck-by-vehicle-at-crosswa… A FOUR-YEAR-OLD girl who was struck by a vehicle at a Winnipeg crosswalk Monday has died. The girl, named Galila, recently arrived in Canada from Eritrea with her parents and six-year-old brother. She died at the Health Sciences Centre, where she and her mother, who was also hit by the vehicle as they crossed Isabel Street at Alexander Avenue, had been listed in critical condition. “It’s a profound shock,” said family spokeswoman Dorota Blumczynska, who was at the hospital late Tuesday to console the child’s father. “Everything has happened so quickly,” said the executive director of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM), which runs the transitional housing complex on Isabel Street where the family lives. “The family has continued to ask for privacy.” On Monday, just before noon, Galila and her mother — identified Wednesday by Blumczynska as Genet Bruk — were walking to pick up Galila’s six-year-old brother, Lamek, at Dufferin School. The pair was hit by a northbound vehicle at the crosswalk. Police have not released more details about the incident, other than that Galila died as a result of her injuries. Blumczynska said Bruk remains in hospital in stable condition. Her husband, Rezene Bruk, was there when his daughter died Tuesday evening, she said. “Now he has to direct his energy to his wife,” said an emotional Blumczynska, after she and other IRCOM staff held a vigil at the hospital with the Bruks until the early hours Wednesday. The couple is in the early stages of learning English and an interpreter is helping them through the complex medical information at HSC. The language of grief, however, is painfully simple. “The father and I exchanged some words of profound sadness,” Blumczynska said through tears. “The mom needs to fully recover and it will be a long journey for her... She and her husband and son need our continued prayers and love and support to make it through this.” Galila’s death echoes a similar tragedy in the city, a little more than a year ago. In February 2018, eight-year-old Surafiel Musse Tesfamariam was on his way to École Varennes with his mother, when he was hit and killed by a vehicle at a crosswalk on St. Anne’s Road. After Surafiel’s death, St. Vital residents pushed for greater safety at the crosswalk, Coun. Brian Mayes said. “I got more calls and emails on this than anything,” he said. “It was upsetting for the whole community.” In May, city councillors on the public works committee unanimously approved an administration plan for the installation of eye-level, flashing warning lights at the St. Anne’s Road crosswalk. Tree branches that could obscure the existing flashing amber lights at the crossing were pruned to improve visibility. The cost was roughly $25,000. “I think it improves visibility,” the councillor for St. Vital said, adding he would like to see more crosswalks get beefed-up warning lights. “Anecdotally, people have been positive about it,” said Mayes, who is waiting for a formal report on the effect of the improvements at the St. Anne’s Road crosswalk. Manitoba Public Insurance’s more recent statistics show the number of pedestrians hit by vehicles has gone up. MPI doesn’t have specific crosswalk data, but its 2017 report shows 179 people were killed or injured that year — an involvement rate of 13.2 per 100,000 people, compared with an average of 11.4 per 100,000 from 2012 to 2016. Most pedestrians in Manitoba were hit on a weekday (82 per cent) and between noon and 6 p.m. Almost half (41 per cent) were hit at an intersection and had the right of way. Manitobans ages 55 to 64 had the highest rate of being hit and killed, MPI numbers show. Children under the age of 10 had the lowest rate of pedestrian deaths and injuries in Manitoba. Their deaths, understandably, often prompt the biggest response, Mayes said. “When a child is killed, people want action,” the councillor said. In April, the city’s Riel community committee will consider a request from Surafiel’s mother to put an honorary street name topper on the sign at the corner where he died. The blue sign would say “Surafiel,” Mayes said. He said he’ll vote to approve the sign staying up for 10 years. carol.sanders(a)freepress.mb.ca

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CBC: Pedestrian death, injuries put renewed focus on road design and safety
by Beth McKechnie 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

*Pedestrian death, injuries put renewed focus on road design and safety* *Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman says the city is following a plan to reduce collisions* https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/pedestrian-safety-vision-zero-1.506… The death of a four-year-old girl after she and her mother were hit by a vehicle in a crosswalk on Monday has put renewed focus on pedestrian safety in Winnipeg. Some people, including Coun. Janice Lukes, have called on the city to adopt a concept called Vision Zero. Developed in Sweden, it aims to change infrastructure and road design to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle accidents, with the aim of zero injuries and fatalities from car collisions. Edmonton adopted the strategy in 2016 and has seen a reduction in the number of people hurt and killed on their streets. "We feel we've been very fortunate over the last three years," said Gerry Shimko, executive director of Edmonton's office of traffic safety. Serious injuries have gone down 17 per cent, from 385 people hospitalized in 2015 to 319 last year. Pedestrian injuries are down 21 per cent, cyclist injuries are down 29 per cent and motorcycle injuries 26 per cent over the last three years, Shimko said. "So it's all trending in the right direction," he said. Changes under the program include narrowing roadways so drivers don't feel like they can speed through, and setting speed limits at 40 km/h in some communities. The strategy also proposes raising crosswalks to encourage drivers to slow down, and putting in curb extensions to reduce the distance pedestrians have to cross, "One of the primary focuses is to really look at identifying where your high-risk locations are for fatalities and serious injuries," he said. Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman says the city's road safety improvement efforts are following a plan adopted by the federal government called Towards Zero. "That's been incorporated and has been demonstrating, notwithstanding the fact that accidents are still going to happen, is still demonstrating some good, positive successes," Bowman said. The four-year-old girl and her mother — newcomers to Canada — were hit while in a crosswalk at Isabel Street and Alexander Avenue around noon Monday. On Wednesday, a pedestrian was taken to hospital in critical condition after being hit on Osborne Street near Morley Avenue and Bartlet Avenue. Bowman said he's committed to discussing ways to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in the city. Shimko said anyone interested in learning from Edmonton's experience is welcome to visit. "At the end of the day we believe that everybody's family should leave and come home safely."

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Fwd: Got unwanted bikes? We need 'em for spring programming!
by Dave Elmore 19 Mar '19

19 Mar '19

Got bikes that are just sitting around collecting dust. The WRENCH needs bikes. We are critically short. Please help if you can. Oh and if you would like to support the WRENCH while enjoying a cold beer, Barn Hammer Brewing Company is having their monthly Barn Raising in support of the WRENCH tomorrow. See details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/419737035440805/ Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X) ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Wrench Volunteer Coordinator <wrenchvolunteer(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, Mar 19, 2019 at 12:09 PM Subject: Got unwanted bikes? We need 'em for spring programming! To: *The WRENCH needs your help* to ensure that children and families across the city can experience their summer by bike! During the snowy months bike donations slow down drastically but WRENCH programming keeps going strong all winter long. In fact we are doing more youth programming and giving out more bikes to community organizations & schools than ever before! Yes it is a very exciting time at The WRENCH, but the challenging situation is that now that spring is in the air our bike stock is critically low while demand is rising. *Support vital bike programming in your community by dropping off your unwanted bicycles and parts at any 4R Winnipeg Depot <https://winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/recycle/4rdepots/>today!* [image: WRENCH needs bikes square.jpg] *(Incase you can't see the above image...) Please bring your donations here:* 1) Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot 1777 Brady Road, south of the Perimeter Highway Weekdays 8am – 8pm. Weekends 9am – 5pm. 2) Pacific 4R Winnipeg Depot 1120 Pacific Avenue Weekdays (except Wednesday) 10 am – 6 pm. Weekends 9 am – 5 pm. 3) Panet 4R Winnipeg Depot 429 Panet Rd Weekdays (except Wednesday) 10 am – 6 pm. Weekends 9 am – 5 pm. 4) The WRENCH 1057 Logan, basement of the Animal Services building Thursdays Noon – 5:30 pm. Saturdays 2 pm – 4:30 pm. *For further information on bike donations, email: resource(a)thewrench.ca <resource(a)thewrench.ca> *

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City of Winnipeg seeks input for Transit Master Plan & SW Rapid Transitway Route Planning
by Beth McKechnie 18 Mar '19

18 Mar '19

City of Winnipeg seeks public input for two transit projects Released: 4:08 p.m. March 15, 2019 https://winnipeg.ca/cao/media/news/nr_2019/nr_20190315.stm#2 The City of Winnipeg is kicking off two major transit projects today and inviting Winnipeggers to share their input over the next month. *Winnipeg Transit Master Plan* The City wants to hear from Winnipeggers about the future of our transit system to help shape the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan. The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan is a 25-year plan that will cover all aspects of the transit system – Transit, Rapid Transit, and Transit Plus (formerly Handi-Transit) service and infrastructure. “We expect Winnipeg to be home to nearly one million people within the next 25 years and our transit system needs to grow along with the city,” said Kevin Sturgeon, Senior Transit Planner. “This project will give us an opportunity to talk to Winnipeggers about what’s important to them in a transit system for the future.” In the first phase of public engagement, the project team will talk to Winnipeggers about how they currently use transit services, what is important to them, and what they would like to see in the future. The information gathered will be presented in a report that identifies key areas of study for the Transit Master Plan project. >From March 15 to April 20, Winnipeggers are invited to provide input online, by email at: transitmasterplan(a)winnipeg.ca, or in person at one of five open houses, or at one of six pop-up events throughout the city. *Open house details:* *Date* *Time* *Location* April 9, 2019 3:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m. South Winnipeg Community Centre – Waverley Site 1885 Chancellor Dr. <https://goo.gl/maps/PD4JyJTfZvv> April 10, 2019 4 p.m to 8 p.m. Transcona East End Community Centre 517 Pandora Ave E. <https://goo.gl/maps/srNK8zHQGLQ2> April 11, 2019 4 p.m to 8 p.m. Seven Oaks Arena 745 Kingsbury Ave. <https://goo.gl/maps/h6ZYjqQxd2x> April 16, 2019 4 p.m to 8 p.m. Sturgeon Heights Community Centre 210 Rita St. <https://goo.gl/maps/u1PfvJALXtC2> April 17, 2019 4 p.m to 8 p.m. Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain 340 Provencher Blvd. <https://goo.gl/maps/T2WnpRWLDTE2> *Pop-up details:* *Date* *Time* *Location* April 4, 2019 10 a.m to 1 p.m. Charleswood Library 4910 Roblin Blvd. <https://www.google.com/maps/place/4910+Roblin+Blvd,+Winnipeg,+MB+R3R+0G7/@4…> April 5, 2019 10 a.m to 1 p.m. Windsor Park Library 1195 Archibald St. <https://goo.gl/maps/Fuiv2rbB2nq> April 6, 2019 10 a.m to 1 p.m. St. Norbert Farmers Market 3514 Pembina Hwy. <https://goo.gl/maps/UbGuLwQbQfG2> April 8, 2019 4 p.m to 7 p.m. Elmwood Kildonans Pool 909 Concordia Ave. <https://goo.gl/maps/tcjySn5Jm892> April 12, 2019 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Merchants Corner 541 Selkirk Ave. <https://goo.gl/maps/iGgud4SECNx> April 13, 2019 1:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m. Lindenwoods Community Centre 414 Lindenwood Dr. W. <https://goo.gl/maps/NvQ7U4KPDnM2> Work on the Transit Master Plan will continue throughout the year, with an anticipated completion date in 2020. For more information on the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan, please visit: winnipeg.ca/transitmasterplan. *Southwest Rapid Transitway Route Planning* Winnipeg Transit is proposing improvements to bus routes in southwest Winnipeg to coincide with the opening of the Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) in spring 2020, including a new spine and feeder network, subject to Council approval. The implementation of the proposed new routes using a spine and feeder network will ensure optimal use of Winnipeg Transit’s resources so that it can improve the delivery of efficient, fast, and reliable transit service for residents in the southwest of the City. The proposed network changes include a central spine, with feeder routes. The proposed BLUE Line is the backbone of the Southwest Transitway, providing frequent high-speed service between Downtown, the University of Manitoba and St. Norbert. Short routes will connect neighborhoods in southwest Winnipeg to the transitway but will not operate on the transitway. A mobile Ideas in Motion bus will be popping up in communities throughout southwest Winnipeg in early April where residents will have an opportunity to learn more about the proposed system and route changes, and share their input with the project team in person. An online survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HSZXQ9R> is also available on the project website until April 15, 2019. *Date* *Time* *Location* Wednesday, April 3, 2019 12 p.m to 2:30 p.m. University of Manitoba Station Dafoe Rd. @ Gillson St. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Dafoe+Rd+W+%26+Gillson+St,+Winnipeg,+MB+R3…> Wednesday, April 3, 2019 3:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m. Osborne Junction Bus Loop Pembina Hwy. @ Osborne St. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Southbound+Pembina+at+Osborne+Junction/@49…> Thursday, April 4, 2019 2:15 p.m to 4:30 p.m. University of Manitoba Station Dafoe Rd. @ Gillson St. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Dafoe+Rd+W+%26+Gillson+St,+Winnipeg,+MB+R3…> Saturday, April 6, 2019 11 a.m to 1 p.m. St. Norbert Farmers’ Market Eagles Club, 3459 Pembina Hwy. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Eagles+Club+No+3870/@49.7678078,-97.156272…> Saturday, April 6, 2019 2 p.m to 4 p.m. Bridgwater Centre Exact location to be determined Monday, April 8, 2019 3 p.m to 5 p.m. South Pointe School 615 Kirkbridge Dr. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/South+Pointe+School+%2F+%C3%89cole+South+P…> Monday, April 8, 2019 6 p.m to 8 p.m. Kenaston Common 1665 Kenaston Blvd. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Northbound+Kenaston+at+Wal-Mart/@49.822787…> (Walmart parking lot) [image: Ideas in Motion Bus Promo Picture 2] Input gathered throughout the public engagement process will help further refine the proposed route improvements before recommending changes to Council for its approval in advance of the opening of the second stage of the Southwest Transitway. For more information on the Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2) project, please visit winnipeg.ca/southwestrapidtransitway <https://winnipeg.ca/cao/media/news/nr_2019/nr_20190315.stm#2>.

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AT Webinar: Navigating without curbs & accessibility, Mar 20th, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 14 Mar '19

14 Mar '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: Wed, March 20th, 2-3pm* Navigating without curbs: Accessibility on shared streets Shared streets are becoming a common Placemaking tool for our communities. Creating streets where the curbs are removed in favor of low-speed and vibrant shared spaces creates challenges for users who have vision impairment, both in terms of identifying conflicts with other users and navigating a corridor with minimally defined edges. This webinar will explore the latest guidance in addressing the needs of persons with no or low vision in shared streets and plazas. Presenters: - James Elliott, Toole Design - Elizabeth Hilton, Federal Highway Administration, Office of Infrastructure - Dylan Passmore, City of Vancouver - Janet Barlow, Accessible Design for the Blind -- 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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Transit Score rankings for Canadian cities
by Beth McKechnie 13 Mar '19

13 Mar '19

The folks at Walk Score have now developed a Transit Score for Canadian cities. Toronto and Vancouver fare pretty well while (spoiler alert) Winnipeg comes in at the low end, bunched in with about 10 other cities out of the 15 ranked. https://www.redfin.com/blog/2019/03/best-cities-canada-public-transit-score… -- 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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Facilitators and barriers to winter cycling
by Beth McKechnie 11 Mar '19

11 Mar '19

Hi everyone, Though the snow is starting to soften and soon to melt, you may be interested in this research article "Facilitators and barriers to winter cycling: case study of a downtown university in Toronto, Canada". https://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdeta… Thanks to Kristine Hayward for the share! cheers, Beth -- 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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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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Improving UK cycling rates could save NHS £319m, says report
by Charles Feaver 28 Jan '19

28 Jan '19

About 34,000 incidences of type 2 diabetes, stroke, breast cancer and depression would be prevented in seven key cities between 2017 and 2040, if cycling increased at the same rate as in London since the millennium, according to analysis from Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity. <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/cycling> Cycling levels in London have more than doubled since 2000 but have remained largely static across the UK, where public transport is worse and car culture reigns. Just 34% of men and 42% of women do 150 minutes of physical activity each week, which is the minimum amount recommended by Englands chief medical officer. Physical inactivity <https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng90/chapter/Context> costs the NHS about £1bn each year, rising to some £7.4bn each year when costs to wider society are included. The Sustrans report, Transforming Cities: The potential of everyday cycling, estimates that more than 1bn cycling trips would take place in 2040 in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Greater Manchester and Newcastle if those cities followed Londons lead. .. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/28/improving-uk-cycling-rates-c ould-save-nhs-319m-says-report?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0d1YXJkaWFuVG9kYXlVS19X ZWVrZGF5cy0xOTAxMjg%3D <https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/28/improving-uk-cycling-rates- could-save-nhs-319m-says-report?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0d1YXJkaWFuVG9kYXlVS19 XZWVrZGF5cy0xOTAxMjg%3D&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Guardia nTodayUK&CMP=GTUK_email> &utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUK&CMP=GTUK_email Charles Feaver

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UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends AT
by Charles Feaver 28 Jan '19

28 Jan '19

The National Institute for <https://www.theguardian.com/society/health> Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is recommending that cars come last when new roads are built or old ones upgraded. Not just cyclists but also pedestrians and those who use public transport should be prioritised, it says. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/04/uk-health-body-calls-for-cop enhagen-style-bike-friendly-streets Physical inactivity is responsible for one in six UK deaths, which is as many as caused by smoking. It is estimated to cost the UK £7.4bn annually, which includes £0.9bn in NHS costs. People can feel less safe when they walk or cycle compared with when they drive. Weve got to change this. So asking planners to prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and those who use public transport when roads are built or upgraded can ensure they are safe, attractive and designed to encourage people to get out from behind their wheel. .

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Fwd: Submit Your Safe Routes to School Conference Proposal by February 22
by Anders Swanson 24 Jan '19

24 Jan '19

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Safe Routes to School National Partnership < info(a)saferoutespartnership.org> Date: Thu, Jan 24, 2019 at 09:15 Subject: Submit Your Safe Routes to School Conference Proposal by February 22 To: <andersswanson(a)gmail.com> See you in Tampa! View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/saferoutespartnership/free-webinar-using-pop-ups-to-prom…> <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> Like us. <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> @SafeRoutesNow <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> Our Website <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> *Reminder: Submit Your Proposal for the Safe Routes to School Conference By February 22* Showcase your community’s innovative and creative approaches to creating equitable, healthy, active communities and exchange ideas with leading Safe Routes to School and active transportation professionals at the Safe Routes to School Conference in Tampa this November. Program proposals are now being accepted through February 22, 2019! <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> Proposals may be submitted for panels, presentations, hands-on workshops or trainings, round table discussions, and other formats. Proposals should align with one of these conference themes <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> : - What’s Next for Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation? - Context Matters: Safe Routes to School in YOUR Community - Funding and Sustainability: Keep your Program Walking and Rolling - Safe Routes Everywhere Submit a Proposal <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> *What makes a successful proposal?* Strong presentations are interactive and engaging, and showcase innovative and creative approaches to creating equitable, healthy, active communities. We strongly encourage proposals to describe how the session will incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion in active transportation, and to feature a panel of speakers that includes people of color, people with disabilities, and people of different religions, nationalities, genders, and sexual orientations. *Visit our website for more information about the conference, program themes, and application.* <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> Thank you to our sponsors and partners <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=88edfd25ae9…> *Copyright © 2019 Safe Routes to School National Partnership, All rights reserved.* You're receiving this message because you have expressed interest in improving walking, bicycling, and Safe Routes to School. If you no longer wish to receive emails like these, please unsubscribe. *Our mailing address is:* Safe Routes to School National Partnership PO Box 44328 Fort Washington, MD 20749 unsubscribe from this list <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=88edfd25ae9…> update subscription preferences <https://saferoutespartnership.us3.list-manage.com/profile?u=88edfd25ae92304…>

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Bike 2019: Call for Abstracts
by Beth McKechnie 24 Jan '19

24 Jan '19

2019-01-23 02:12:53 PM - Centre for Active Living's monthly E-Newsletter - Unsubscribe <http://trk.cp20.com/form?x80uy--shw8-5kokoyq6&sl=r3&t=1&ac=cfcb>| Printable Version <http://secure.campaigner.com/csb/Public/show/cfcb-x80uy--j6gmn-5kokoyq4> <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hg9w-5kokoyq6/> <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hg9w-5kokoyq6/> <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hg9w-5kokoyq6/> *Call for Abstracts* Deadline: February 22, 2019 The Centre for Active Living is pleased to issue a Call for Abstracts for Bike 2019, a key conference for cross sector exchange between researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners around cycling as a mode of active transport. The suggested areas of focus are: - Policy - Environment - Health Benefits - Emerging Trends and Technologies (e.g. e-bikes, bike share) - Bike Culture - Year-round Cycling - Infrastructure - Awareness and Education - Wayfinding - Liability Visit www.centre4activeliving.ca/bike2019/abstracts/ <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hg9x-5kokoyq7/> for details about submissions. ------------------------------ *Connect with us!* <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hg9y-5kokoyq8/> <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hg9z-5kokoyq9/> <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hga0-5kokoyq5/> <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hga1-5kokoyq6/> <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hga2-5kokoyq7/> [image: Share this page] <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hga3-5kokoyq8/> Supported by: <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hga4-5kokoyq9/> <http://trk.cp20.com/click/cfcb-x80uy-i3hga5-5kokoyq0/>

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WFP: Winnipeg Foundation offer another wild card for city (Jan16'19)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jan '19

16 Jan '19

*Winnipeg Foundation offer another wild card for city * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/winnipeg-foundation-antes-up-in-bid… THE Winnipeg Foundation has made city hall an offer it hopes the mayor and councillors cannot refuse. Fast approaching its centennial year celebrations, the foundation has offered the City of Winnipeg up to $5 million to push two intriguing plans up its priority list of capital projects. One is the construction of a bike-pedestrian bridge over the Assiniboine River near Osborne Street, in an effort to provide a safer, dedicated route for people not taking cars downtown to connect to the Active Transportation Network. The other is the rehabilitation of the former Carnegie Library on William Avenue, the former home of the city archives. The cost for the two projects is estimated at roughly $24 million, meaning the foundation’s contribution would translate to about 20 per cent of the total price tag. It’s a generous offer from an institution that has proven itself time and time again to be a force for good in the city, particularly the downtown. However, the Winnipeg Foundation’s proposal is, in some ways, a bit of a wild card for Mayor Brian Bowman and city council at a time when they have more than a few fiscal wild cards to deal with. Bowman said Tuesday the city will delay the release of its 2019 operating budget in the hopes of getting more information from the province on its grants. The unwillingness of the province to provide details is certainly causing council some sleepless nights. That said, a monetary contribution from a private charity to city infrastructure is hardly unprecedented. The foundation has contributed to more than a dozen high-profile public amenities, including the Forks Market, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Old Market Square, Central Park, Paterson Global Foods Institute at Red River College’s Exchange District campus, Upper Fort Garry Provincial Park, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Inuit Art Centre (now under construction on Memorial Boulevard). Most recently, the Winnipeg Foundation (a public charitable organization established in 1921) provided a $1-million contribution to build a scenic lookout as part of the $10-million promenade along Taché Avenue in St. Boniface. However, it is unusual for a charity to approach council with a request it reprioritize the five-year capital plan. The city is currently focused on basic, core infrastructure. Council is already spending more than $100 million annually on roads. Add to that enormous road-related projects such as the Waverley Street rail underpass and the Chief Peguis Trail extension, and you can see how the gross majority of the available money is focused on repairs and improvements to the hard surfaces motor vehicles travel every day. Meanwhile, efforts to get money for more progressive projects have been met with mixed results. The last council did, to its credit, carve out significant sums to support the still-evolving Active Transportation Network’s dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian paths. However, veteran councillors have, at times, shown a limited appetite for projects that stray from the narrow band of core infrastructure. That was certainly part of the motivation behind successful efforts to stop the redevelopment of the Portage Avenue and Main Street intersection so it could be reopened to pedestrians. A number of arguments drove the ‘no’ side of the 2018 plebiscite campaign. However, the core argument was tax money should be focused on roads, not wasted on what was described as a “pet project” of Bowman and the downtown professionals who spearheaded the ‘yes’ campaign. Where does that leave projects such as the pedestrian-bike bridge and the city archives? Rick Frost, chief executive officer of the Winnipeg Foundation, said he is well-aware there are no immediate plans to start work on either. The archives are languishing in temporary warehouses, while community consultation on the bridge design is still underway. However, Frost said there will be no political efforts made to convince council to get behind the plan to move up civic funding for both projects. Rather, the foundation will ask council to assess whether a contribution of $5 million is attractive enough to reshuffle the capital projects deck. If council balks, he said, the foundation is prepared to stand down its offer. “We’re not going to lobby the city. If (council) does not want to take us up on this offer, then we’ll move on and do other things.” Council does have several strong motivations to take the offer. Both of the projects identified by the foundation are, in fact, part of the long-term capital plans. And there just isn’t enough money in the capital budget to keep feeding the insatiable political desire to fix roads and provide modern public amenities. Just ask the folks in St. Boniface, who have watched the Notre Dame Arena shut down from a lack of funding to replace its ice plant. The city has worked with the foundation before, and the results have been spectacular. The list of assets and amenities that involved public and philanthropic money is testament enough to the value this relationship has for taxpayers. Let’s hope councillors see the value in the foundation’s gesture, and put aside petty concerns about non-road-related infrastructure projects. In local government, as is the case in life, looking gift horses in the mouth is rarely a winning strategy. dan.lett(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: Winnipeg Foundation in giving mood - cycling and ped bridge (Jan16'19)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jan '19

16 Jan '19

*Winnipeg Foundation in giving mood as 100th birthday nears * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/winnipeg-foundation-offers-to-pitch… HERITAGE and cycling advocates are celebrating the Winnipeg Foundation’s most recent birthday invitation. Two civic capital projects — renovation of the former William Avenue library and construction of a cycling and pedestrian bridge across the Assiniboine River — could be one step closer thanks to an offer of financial support from the country’s oldest community fund. The Winnipeg Foundation announced Tuesday it is offering the City of Winnipeg up to $5 million to leapfrog the two projects forward in the civic budget process, so they would be completed in time for the foundation’s 100th birthday in 2021. However, there are strings attached: the funds are being offered only in support of the two proposals. The former William Avenue library opened its doors in 1905, thanks to a $75,000 grant from American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It last served as the location for the city’s archival collection until a rainstorm damaged the roof during renovations in 2013. It has been empty since. Last year, the National Trust for Canada placed the building in its 2018 top-10 endangered places list. The proposed pedestrian and cycling bridge would link Osborne Village to the Broadway-Assiniboine neighbourhood and the downtown. It would be constructed between McFadyen Park and Fort Rouge Park, roughly midway between Osborne and Donald streets. Possible options would be to build it as either a girder, suspension or cable-stayed bridge. “God bless the Winnipeg Foundation,” was the reaction Cindy Tugwell, executive director of Heritage Winnipeg, said she had when she heard the organization wanted to assist in the proposed renovation of the former William Avenue library. “They want to save heritage when nobody else does... The Carnegie library was well underway to being renovated when the rainstorm came in the summer (of 2013). If not for the rainstorm, the archives would have never left the building.” As for the bike and pedestrian bridge potentially being pushed to the front of the line, Mark Cohoe of Bike Winnipeg said: “That’s amazing.” “This really takes this project from the realm of ‘If we’re lucky,’ to something more doable and realistic,” he said. “It is exciting news.” Cohoe said the bridge has long been dreamed of by local bike advocates. “It helps create access across the river and into Osborne Village,” he said. “It also creates a city landmark... It would make a huge difference. It would encourage a lot more people to get out there.” Rick Frost, chief executive officer of the Winnipeg Foundation, said in a statement the foundation’s centennial projects proposal acknowledges the past and gives a nod to the future. “For all citizens of Winnipeg, it is critical we preserve, embrace and learn from our past if we are to build a better future,” he said. “The second half of our proposed centennial project looks to the future of our city — bringing people together and spanning lines that often divide. “A new pedestrian and cycling bridge... will provide a direct, safe and convenient connection for walking and biking that plugs into the city’s growing Active Transportation Network.” Frost asked Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman and city councillors to look at its proposal favourably during the upcoming 2019 civic budget process. The library, the city’s first and its main branch, was closed in 1977, when the Centennial Library (now known as the Millennium Library) opened. The William Avenue library reopened a year later, and was home to the city’s archives until 2013. While city administration has asked the building be renovated, and include a temperature and humidity controlled vault, the plan has since been rejected by civic politicians. A spokesman for Bowman said the mayor is aware of the Winnipeg Foundation’s proposal. “He has recommended to them that it be raised, discussed, and considered as part of the 2019 budget preparation process, which is a trajectory the Winnipeg Foundation has indicated they’ll follow at city hall,” the spokesman said. “The mayor believes any city-building proposal and partnership merits consideration, and looks forward to reviewing this proposal and any others as part of the open and transparent 2019 budget discussions.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Webinar Reminder | Bus Stops with Bikeways: Designing Transit Stops With On-street Bicycle Facilities | Wed, Jan. 16th, 2-3pm
by Heather Mitchell 15 Jan '19

15 Jan '19

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow afternoon's webinar *** Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg tomorrow, January 16th for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. The topic is *Bus Stops with Bikeways: Designing Transit Stops with On-street Bicycle Facilities*. Best, Heather -- *Heather Mitchell * Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> | 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue (204) 925-3777 ext 107 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 <https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/green-action-centre/>. <http://canadahelps.org/> <https://www.gomanitoba.ca/Public/Home.aspx>

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Register for CommuteCon 2019 - Announcing Speakers
by Beth McKechnie 15 Jan '19

15 Jan '19

> From: Jeffrey Chernick <jeff(a)RIDEAMIGOS.COM> > Date: January 15, 2019 at 3:52:05 AM CST > > CommuteCon is a transportation conference, but it's online! That means a 4-hour Webinar with 16+ speakers on different topics throughout the country. Each speaker has 10 minutes to present and our MC facilitates Q&A from the attendees who submit questions through the system. Over 500 transportation professionals logged on last year. > > Amazing lineup of speakers below... register for free at CommuteCon.com > > > Sign up now for Navigating the Modern Mobility Ecosystem. Email not displaying correctly? > View it in your browser. > > Register Today for CommuteCon 2019! > Join us live for the world's biggest online TDM conference. > February 13, 2019 > > Noon - 4 PM Eastern > 9:00 AM - 1 PM Pacific > > > > > CommuteCon is a FREE ONLINE CONFERENCE that brings together people focused on finding smart, sustainable solutions to big mobility challenges. > > Join hundreds of your fellow commuter management leaders from around the world for an amazing lineup of presentations from industry thought leaders. > > Announcing a Keynote Presentation > Ryan Rzepecki, Founder of JUMP > > Ryan is a pioneer of the bike share and scooter share industry. Join us for a look back at how far we've come and where we might be going next. > > Learn more at commutecon.com > > We're So Excited About This Lineup! > Don't miss your chance to hear from these industry leaders. And we still have a few surprises... > Paul Hendricks > > Environmental Responsibility Manager at Patagonia > > Phil Kobernick > > Acting Logistics Services Manager at Alameda County > > Jana Sochor > > Senior Researcher at RISE Viktoria > > Josh Fried > > Head of Waze Carpool at Waze > > Shawn Chavira > > Associate Director of Transportation at University of Southern California > > Tamar Fuhrer > > Associate Director, Transportation & Commuter Services at Kite Pharma > > Evan Costagliola > > Director of Transportation Partnerships at Lime > > Adam Cohen > > Research Associate, Transportation and Sustainability Research Center at University of California Berkeley > > Gary Hsueh > Director of Mobility Programs at Prospect Silicon Valley > > > David Sorrell > > Manager, Alternative Transportation Programs at University of California Berkeley > > Jason Pavluchuk > > Founder at Pavluchuk & Associates > > Corey Tucker > > Director of Customer Success at RideAmigos > > Jeffrey Chernick > > Founder at RideAmigos > > > Learn more and sign up today! > > > > > > > > Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Forward to Friend > Copyright © 2019, All rights reserved. > > Our mailing address is: > > RideAmigos > 230 Pacific St. > Suite #202 > Santa Monica, CA 90405 > Want to change how you receive these emails? > Update subscription preferences > > > To unsubscribe from the TRANSP-TDM list, click the following link: > http://listserv.usf.edu/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=TRANSP-TDM&A=1

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WFP Analysis: Winter cycling isn’t extreme (Jan14'19)
by Beth McKechnie 14 Jan '19

14 Jan '19

*Winter cycling isn’t extreme * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/winter-cycling-isnt-extr… “THE majority of people who are biking in the winter, they’re the extreme. They’re the extreme cyclists and I don’t see that changing.” Coun. Jeff Browaty made these comments last month at city hall, while questioning the value of clearing snow from Winnipeg bike lanes in the winter. His statement made headlines, but the sentiment that Winnipeg is too cold to support winter cycling is not seen as an extreme viewpoint. We don’t label cross-country skiers “extreme.” It is not extreme to let our children play in the schoolyard at lunchtime. A game of shinny on an outdoor rink isn’t extreme, and the only thing extreme about skating in the middle of Winnipeg’s frozen rivers is the lineup for skate rentals at The Forks. So, why is riding a bike in the winter seen as extreme? The difference, of course, is that cross-country skiers don’t share their tracks with 2,000-kilogram machines travelling 60 km/h. Winter cycling is seen as extreme not because of temperature, but because riders must compete with cars for space on slippery, ice-covered roads. What if they didn’t have to? What if cyclists had their own lanes, protected from cars and kept clear of snow? Would they still be extreme, or would they be as normal as someone skating on the river trail? The experience of other cities invariably shows that with those conditions in place, winter cyclists become quite ordinary. Studies, surveys and real world examples consistently demonstrate that the greatest deterrent to winter cycling is safety and road conditions, not temperature. Winter cities that have built well-connected networks of protected bike lanes and made it a priority to keep them clear of snow have all realized the same results — a dramatic increase in winter cycling. An extreme example of this can be found in Oulu, a city in northern Finland, 150 km from the Arctic Circle. With a very similar winter climate to Winnipeg’s, Oulu has an extensive cycling network and pervasive bike culture that have resulted in a percentage of cyclists in the winter months that is almost six times higher than what Winnipeg experiences in the peak of summer. Closer to home, Montreal has been celebrated as one of the top cycling cities in North America, with more than 100 km of on-street protected bike lanes and 800 total km of cycling paths. Over the past nine years, the amount of cycling infrastructure in the city has doubled and the number of Montrealers who cycle as their main mode of transportation has grown by 50 per cent. The city has begun to focus on winter cycling and now clears snow from 60 per cent of its pathways. Investments have been made in new technology such as rotating brush plows that are less damaging to protective curbs and more effective at removing ice. These efforts have paid off, more than doubling the number of winter cyclists in just a few years. In a city that experiences twice the amount of Winnipeg’s snowfall, with temperatures only about five degrees warmer in the coldest months, Montreal maintains 15 to 20 per cent of its summer cycling population through the winter, averaging more than 15,000 cyclists per day. Two-thirds of those continue to ride at temperatures below -20 C. Winter cyclists in Montreal were once dubbed les hurluberlus de l’hiver (the weirdos of winter), but today they are neither weird nor extreme. In Minneapolis, a top cycling city in the United States and its coldest major city, similar conclusions have been reached. In summer, almost three times more people commute by bike in Minneapolis than in Winnipeg. The city’s cycling system is an innovative network of on-street bike lanes connecting to a series of “bicycle freeways” along former rail lines, linking the suburbs with downtown. Most of these routes maintain more than 30 per cent of their ridership through the winter months, largely because the city has dedicated bike-lane clearing crews that are independent of the street cleaning system. Their mandate is to clear all bike paths within 24 hours of a major snowfall. The city’s new Pedestrian and Bicycle Winter Maintenance Study recommends going further, by identifying priority cycling networks that will be cleared immediately, similar to the way Priority 1 streets are handled in Winnipeg, allowing cyclists to anticipate safe routes connecting major destinations after a snowfall. In Calgary, a protected downtown cycling network was created in 2015, along with a strategy to promote winter cycling. The results were almost instant, with four times more people cycling downtown in the winter, only one year after the complete network was created. Today, about 30 per cent of summer bike commuters continue through the winter months. More than half of those ride in temperatures below -20 C. Some of Winnipeg’s neighbourhoods have high summer cycling participation. Wolseley is in the top 10 in Canada, with 15 per cent of all commuters using a bike. Other central neighbourhoods see more than six per cent cycling participation, a higher proportion than both Minneapolis and Montreal. As we continue to expand and fill in the gaps in our cycling network, a tipping point will come, and clearing lanes of snow will pay off with much higher winter-cycling ridership as it has in every other city. This could translate into thousands of winter cyclists in these neighbourhoods. Winnipeg is a proud winter city in many ways, but winter cycling is still viewed as extreme because we have built a city that makes it so. Our perceptions come from what Winnipeg has been, not what it can be. As our city moves forward, policies such as bike lane snow-clearing should reflect our aspirations, allowing the opportunity for our future to be different from our past. *Brent Bellamy is a senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.*

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AT Webinar: Bus stops with bikeways (Jan 16th, 2-3pm, EcoCentre)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Jan '19

10 Jan '19

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. Should be an interesting topic with Winnipeg's very own *Chris Baker* as one of the presenters! cheers, Beth *AT Webinar: Wed, Jan 16th, 2-3pm* Bus Stops with Bikeways: Designing Transit Stops with On-street Bicycle Facilities The increasing emergence of on-street bicycle facilities, including bike lanes and physically separated facilities, pose challenges for integrating transit stops while avoiding conflicts and delay for bicyclists and transit users. This webinar will explore the best practices for designing streets for bicycling and transit. *Presenters:* - Jesse Boudart, Toole Design - John Urgo, AC Transit - Brian Patterson, Urban Systems - Chris Baker, City of Winnipeg -- 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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WFP: Pedal to the metal for bike registry (Jan10'19)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Jan '19

10 Jan '19

*City staff to probe whether measure can curb meth-related theft* * Pedal to the metal for bike registry * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/councillors-ok-mandatory-bike-regis… A COUNCIL committee has unanimously supported a proposal to consider mandatory registration of bikes at the point of sale. Councillors on the protection, community services and parks committee told the administration on Wednesday to examine the idea, which was raised by Coun. Ross Eadie. Point Douglas activist Sel Burrows encouraged the committee Wednesday to support the plan. He wanted the registration system in place by the spring, but that’s not going to happen. The administration said the earliest a report could be completed for the committee is May. Council would consider it in June. “The big concern for us is going to be the consultation,” said Cindy Fernandes, the city’s social services director, whose department will be responsible for the report. “There are a large number of stakeholders — the public, the retailers, the Winnipeg Police Service. If the intent is we’re going to reduce the number of thefts, will this actually help in that way? We’d actually like to make a determination or recommendation as whether this will help resolve that issue.” Eadie and Burrows raised the issue in mid-December, saying bike theft is fuelling the meth crisis. Police acknowledge an increase in stolen bikes, which are taken to chop shops, where they are exchanged for hits of meth. The city maintains a voluntary bike registry, which went online in April. Fernandes said about 10,000 bikes are registered, but that’s believed to be a fraction of the number of bikes in the city. There is a cost of $6.60 to input data on the city’s online bike registry. Several bikes can be registered per household and three photos of each bike can be posted as well. If recovered by police, the stolen bikes will be returned without charge. Registration can be done at winnipeg.ca/bikeregistry The city says more than 3,000 bikes are stolen every year. While police recover about 1,000 of them, fewer than 100 are traced to their owners and returned. Burrows and Eadie said the idea originated with a police sergeant, who thought a mandatory registry could deter thieves. Burrows said when police see someone pulling two or three bikes down the street, they might suspect they are stolen, but since most aren’t registered, there is nothing they can do. He and Eadie believe that requiring retailers to register bikes when they are sold will put a dent in the number of thefts and the city’s meth problems. Fernandes said her staff will conduct a cross-jurisdictional review to determine what other cities are doing with registration, as well as talking to retailers and specialty bike stores. Fernandes told councillors she wants to be sure her department can devise a system that meets their expectations. Regardless of the municipal review, Eadie said Winnipeg’s public service shouldn’t be afraid to break new ground. “There’s no problem with the City of Winnipeg being at the leading edge of this,” he said. “If it doesn’t exist in the rest of Canada, I don’t care.” The proposal would see retailers who sell bikes brought under the jurisdiction of the Doing Business in Winnipeg bylaw, which regulates pawn shops and used-goods retailers, gold dealers and massage parlours. While a final report will be given to the committee in May, Fernandes was instructed to present a verbal status report for the committee’s April meeting. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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CTV: Councillor's tweet about bike lanes stirs controversy about snow clearing priorities (Jan8'19)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Jan '19

10 Jan '19

Councillor's tweet about bike lanes stirs controversy about snow clearing priorities https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/councillor-s-tweet-about-bike-lanes-stirs-contr… An online post by a Winnipeg city councillor has some pedestrians and cyclists at odds. North Kildonan City Councillor Jeff Browaty was out in The Exchange District after this week’s big snowfall and took issue with the way the snow was cleared in the area. He posted a tweet showing a snow-covered sidewalk on King Street and a clear bike lane on nearby Bannatyne Avenue, with the caption ‘Typical sidewalk vs typical bike lane, today.” Browaty said commuter cycling isn't practical or mainstream and argues more people need to walk to the bus or get to the store. He's frustrated seeing bike lanes cleared before sidewalks. "You can't do everything on day one. It takes like a period of time to get work done. I would rather see sidewalks on Henderson Highway done, sidewalks in The Exchange done, prior to the bike lanes,” Browaty said. Cyclist Sasha Schellenberg said sidewalks should be prioritized to a degree, but it’s also crucial to clear bike lanes of snow. "All active transportation in Winnipeg we have huge issue with. It's just not being cleared in a timely fashion. It takes so long for sidewalks and bikes both to get to cleared so to make that comparison is ridiculous," he said. The city said King Street with the snowy sidewalk is priority one and Bannatyne Avenue is priority two, but sometimes the crews’ sequence is slightly off, and they do follow guidelines set out by city council. The section of the sidewalk Browaty photographed has now been cleared, which will help people like Mike Ginter. He has a broken foot and has been using crutches through the snow. Ginter agrees with Browaty -- that sidewalks should be cleared first. "It's really disappointing, not a lot of people ride a bike in when it's this kind weather, in deep snow. There are a handful that do. I believe they should be done absolutely last," said Ginter. Browaty said there's a review about snow clearing priorities underway and he’s going to make his opinions known. The City of Winnipeg said there are about 400 kilometres of bike path and 3,000 kilometres of sidewalk in Winnipeg. Sidewalks on main routes are cleared first, followed by sidewalks on bus routes and collector streets, then residential streets. The city says generally bike paths get the same priority as the street where they are located. The Exchange District Biz also has a crew to help out in the area. After a snowfall, it sends out a bobcat to help clear a path for pedestrians and push snow away from bike lanes.

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Wpg Sun: Clearing sidewalks should be priority over bike lanes, says Browaty (Jan9'19)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Jan '19

10 Jan '19

Clearing sidewalks should be priority over bike lanes, says Browaty https://winnipegsun.com/news/news-news/clearing-sidewalks-should-be-priorit… A city councillor is lobbying for snow to be cleared off sidewalks before bike lanes, arguing the walking paths see much more winter use. Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) took to Twitter on Monday to post images of a snow-packed sidewalk and a cleared bike lane, both located in the Exchange District. “Typical sidewalk vs typical bike lane, today. #WrongPriorities #WalkingisATtoo,” Browaty wrote with the images. The councillor said he believes the official prioritization of sidewalks is needed because winter cycling isn’t a mainstream local activity, while Winnipeggers must often walk to nearby bus stops and stores. “It’s frustrating … when sidewalks are not done and bike lanes, which are very poorly used in my opinion, are plowed to the concrete,” said Browaty. “(And) you can’t do everything on day one. It takes a period of time to get (snow-clearing) work done.” Browaty said he expects biking trails can sometimes be left snow-covered for up to six days without much impact, while he believes sidewalks in front of seniors’ blocks offer a “lifeline” to access the broader community. But an advocate for cyclists argues all active transportation routes are worthy of regular snow clearing. “It’s not an either-or situation. We have to recognize that different roads have different usage levels, whether it’s walking, biking or driving. So I think it’s important that we … are clearing that (whole) network,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. Cohoe said many paths allow both walking and biking, which would complicate any effort to prioritize one of the two. He argues the city should make cycling practical by consistently clearing routes, since bike traffic can lessen vehicle demands on roads, produces no polluting emissions and promotes public health. In contrast to Browaty’s claim, Cohoe said he also believes Winnipeg’s number of winter cyclists is growing. “Certainly, people do want to get out there … and be active in winter,” he said. Under current city rules, both active transportation paths and sidewalks are plowed by priority. Those along main roads are cleared first, followed by those next to collector streets and, finally, those adjacent to residential streets. When an AT path isn’t next to a street, the snow-clearing priority relates to how often it is used, said Ken Allen, a city spokesperson, in an email. Allen said Winnipeg currently has about 3,000 kilometres of sidewalks and about 400 kms of active transportation paths. Browaty said he will lobby for his preference when Winnipeg city council considers funding for a $1-million plan to beef up its snow-clearing efforts along active transportation routes in the 2019 budget. If approved, that AT winter maintenance strategy would take effect next winter. jpursaga@ <https://postmediawinnipegsun.wordpress.com/mentions//> postmedia.com Twitter: @ <https://postmediawinnipegsun.wordpress.com/mentions//>pursagawpgsun

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Mark your calendar! 2019 APBP webinar series
by Beth McKechnie 08 Jan '19

08 Jan '19

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg again this year for group viewings of the monthly APBP webinars in the EcoCentre boardroom. Here's what to look forward to (Wednesdays, 2-3:15pm central time): Jan 16: Bus Stops with Bikeways: Designing Transit Stops with On-street Bicycle Facilities Feb 20: Viewing Low-Stress Networks Through an Equity Lens Mar 20: Navigating Without Curbs: Accessibility on Shared Streets Apr 17: Designing Streets for the Speeds You Want May 15: Maintaining Green Infrastructure: Hints for Success Jun 19: Finding Common Ground with First Responders: Enhancing Safety and Maintaining Access in Street Design Jul 17: Return on investment for Active Transportation Aug 21: Getting the Green Light: Improving Actuation and Detection for Cyclists & Pedestrians Sep 18: Can We Talk About the Street? Building Support for Controversial Projects Oct 16: If We Build it Will They Come? Estimating Demand for Biking and Walking Nov 20: Aging in Place: Designing Communities to Support Mobility Dec 18: Education and Encouragement: Bringing the Right People Together cheers, Beth -- 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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WFP: ‘Lifelines’ must take priority: councillor (Jan8'19)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Jan '19

08 Jan '19

*‘Lifelines’ must take priority: councillor * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/lifeline-sidewalks-higher-snow-clea… IT’S high time the city recalibrates its priorities when it comes to clearing sidewalks after major snowfalls, a city councillor suggested Monday. North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty said he believes the work of Winnipeg’s snow-clearing crews is second to none in North America, but there are areas where sidewalks are “absolute lifelines for the neighbourhood.” “I do believe that where sidewalks are lifelines to the area it’s an important thing that should be done first off,” Browaty said. “There are areas where people need to walk to the bus, where kids need to walk to school, where you have senior residences — and many seniors don’t drive — in my mind, those are far higher priorities than cycling.” When sufficient snow falls to trigger widespread clearing, the priority should be on roads and downtown sidewalks, with bike paths coming last on the list, he said. “The reality is that the numbers will prove there are a lot more people who need to walk to the bus or get down the sidewalk than there are cycling in the winter,” he said. “I just don’t believe Winnipeg is ever going to see massive cycling in the winter. It’s never going to be mainstream here.” Browaty tweeted two photos Monday afternoon comparing a well-used, mushy Henderson Highway sidewalk where the going was tough, to a scraped-to-the-asphalt bike lane in the Exchange District. The city has been contemplating enhanced snow clearing for priority sidewalks and bike paths for several years. In March 2016, Waverley West Coun. Janice Lukes called for a report to look into the feasibility of improving snow clearing on priority sidewalks and bike paths, but it got seven extensions before it was tabled last May. Public works communications officer Ken Allen said the budget for the initiative won’t be considered until March. “The idea would be to make it, so, from south Pembina Highway to downtown, you could travel that distance clear on active transportation pathways,” Allen said. “It would improve snow clearing of sidewalks and active transportation paths from all parts of the city to downtown. If approved, the strategy would be implemented not this winter but next winter.” The city’s current policy is to have major streets cleared whenever three centimetres of snow accumulates. Clearing isn’t triggered on bus routes, collector streets and back lanes until five centimetres have accumulated. Winnipeggers awoke Monday to find an overnight snowfall of more than 14 centimetres, leading to a large deployment of street-maintenance resources throughout the day. “Using the mild temperatures, leveraging that, we started our operation with some salting on the main streets. Once the snow compounded, we started our snow plow operation on the main streets as well,” said Michael Cantor, the city’s manager of street maintenance. “This morning, we started our operation on bike routes, bike lanes, sidewalks and back lanes. And we’re going to have a bigger operation tonight on our bus routes and collector streets.” More than 200 pieces of equipment were deployed Monday, including loaders, graders and truck plows. That number is expected to nearly double once the city begins working on residential plowing Wednesday. Environment Canada warned that a cold front bringing blowing snow and strong northwest winds was heading into the city overnight Monday into today. ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe

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The Rise and Fall of China’s Cycling Empires
by Beth McKechnie 07 Jan '19

07 Jan '19

*China’s bike-sharing firms were supposed to be the next big thing. What happened?* https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/12/31/a-billion-bicyclists-can-be-wrong-chin… Until the late 1990s, China was a nation of cyclists. Bicycles were such a vital part of everyday life that in the 1970s, owning one was a prerequisite for marriage the way an apartment and a car are for Chinese men today. A massive “bicycle army” rolled through the streets of Beijing every morning like a flowing Great Wall. Then, from 1995 to 2002, the government created bicycle-reduction policies <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15568318.2012.699999> in order to encourage the growth of the auto industry and usage of the mass transit infrastructure. But when the SARS epidemic hit, public transport became associated with disease and danger, sparking an even bigger rush toward cars in cities. Today, Chinese metropolises have some of the worst traffic gridlocks in the world. Bike-sharing apps seemed poised to be the solution—and millions of bikes were poured into China’s streets by the private sector in the last three years. But today, as the companies fail, unused units pile up in bicycle graveyards, and queues of angry users demand their deposits back, it’s obvious just how doomed the idea was from the start. The rise and fall of the China bike craze played out like a sped-up version of every tech bubble, an unprofitable idea sustained by fantasy, false predictions, and the power of bigger firms. Local authorities struggling with traffic have been trying to put residents back on two wheels. As early as 2007, docked bike-shares were introduced by municipal governments to alleviate mobility issues in cities such as Beijing, Hangzhou, and Wuhan, but users found accessing bikes via docking stations to be inconvenient, and the services failed to thrive. The bicycle rental company Ofo was created in 2014 as a Peking University school project, and Mobike was found in the following year, both capitalizing on the shortcoming of all docked bike-sharing services: that the stations limited access and spontaneity, two essential joys of cycling. The “little red bikes,” as Mobikes came to be known, soon appeared on the street corners of Shanghai, ready to be discovered via a GPS-enabled mobile app, and rideable with just a 299 yuan deposit, about $45, via mobile payment. The little yellow Ofo bikes soon followed suit by spreading beyond campuses, eventually joined by around 60 other start-ups. The image sold by the firms was fresh and upbeat, riding on the same bright-eyed enthusiasm for the potential of mobile technology that helped the mobile payment app Alipay, the e-commerce platform Taobao, and the social media app WeChat become staples of Chinese life. Users wanted both a cheap way to get across town and the freedom of cycling. For the government, the bike-share boom was both an opportunity to become a world leader in climate change and also harkened back to a happier, simpler, and more harmonious time when China was the kingdom of bicycles <https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2017/04/bikeshare-save-biking-in-chi…>. Mobike’s slogan, “Bring bicycles back to the city,” captured why the program was appealing to local authorities, who at first were willing to give firms a lot of freedom to experiment and grow. While Mobike and Ofo blazed the trail, dozens of other firms such as Bluegogo and Xiaoming Bike sprung up. But cars were not going to be banished from the streets, and it wasn’t long before cyclists took mostly to the sidewalks. It took even less time for haphazardly parked bikes in a multitude of colors to begin clogging the sidewalks, already made too narrow by makeshift parking lots and scooter traffic. By 2017, in Beijing and Shanghai, where the bikes were most concentrated, there were parts of the city where streets resembled urban obstacle courses made of bikes that citizens had to clamber over and maneuver around. Trucks were deployed daily to collect improperly parked bikes, and workers to stack bikes neatly. Despite efforts to manage the bikes, they were like a brightly colored rash that increasingly drew the ire of both citizens and local authorities. But at first users and investors alike assumed that this over-saturation was just a stage in the industry, just like what mobile payments and food delivery had gone through. Consumers were happy at the dirt-cheap prices as companies raced to the bottom to draw numbers. Many start-ups were flat-out giving out free rides in an all-in bid to win users, and consumers only too happily enjoyed all the perks while small companies quickly burned through their modest stockpile of investor money and disappeared. As various players began to bow out, there were instances of people not being able to recover their deposits from bike companies that went bankrupt <https://technode.com/2018/07/11/xiaoming-bankrupcy/>, ominous foreshadowing for things to come for Ofo in 2018. It was always unclear how the firms were ever supposed to be profitable. According to analysis published by Xinhua <http://www.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2018-01/18/c_1122275190.htm>, each bike costs just over $200 to manufacture and $10 for each tuneup by a technician, and they made a profit of just 1 yuan, about 15 cents, per 2 hour ride, following a deposit of between $15 and $45. The mainstream view <https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardwindsoreurope/2018/07/05/mobike-vs-ofo-…>— pushed heavily by investors—was that the user data, rather than the service, was the actual product, and that the harvested user data would lead to more targeted advertising. But as so often occurs, these ambiguously defined long-term returns yielded nothing in the endless interim. There was no short-term return on investment for the companies to stay afloat, and the smaller players began to fall in droves. Between June and November 2017, Kuqi Bikes, Bluegogo, Dingding Bikes, 3Vbikes, and Wukong Bikes all shut down, unable to pay suppliers, maintain operations, or return deposits. Around the same time, local authorities began to roll back their initial tolerance by imposing new restrictions and fines. This wasn’t the first time that start-ups that had previously relied on government lenience had run afoul of new legislation: Didi, China’s Uber equivalent, lost most of its driver pool after cities began to demand that its workers hold a valid local residence permit. As governments tightened up, cyclists found themselves being hit with fines for riding on the sidewalk across cities of all sizes. In May, the 15th Beijing Municipal People’s Congress imposed fines on bike-share companies for improperly parked units, and more cities soon followed suit. At a neighborhood level, signs forbidding bike-share cycles went up on apartment complex gates, in commercial districts, and even in public parks. In these bloody battles for market share and user data sustained by bonfires of money, only those with the deepest pockets can hope to emerge victorious. In the early days of bike-share investment, money poured from a wide range of sources, such as venture capital firm Black Hole Capital and game developer Elex Technology, which both backed Bluegogo, and peer-to-peer investment company Pufa VC (whose CEO backed his son’s bike-share, Dingding Bikes). Throughout 2016 and 2017, barely a week went by without a new announcement on bike-share investments. Mobike began by raising capital from multiple venture capital firms such as Sequoia Capital, Sinovation Ventures, and Panda Capital, before Tencent joined the fray. Early Ofo investors include Xiaomi and Didi Chuxing, later joined by Hony Capital, Citic Private Equity, and Alibaba’s Ant Financial, before the Alibaba parent company followed suit. And yet, at the end of every cycle of life and death for the latest tech bubble, it always seems to come down to Alibaba vs. Tencent <http://fortune.com/longform/alibaba-tencent-china-internet/>, China’s two biggest tech giants. User and user data acquisition has much more strategic value for their ecosystems to come up with increasingly targeted services and platforms. Alibaba staked <https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/12/22/bilibili-cozies-up-to-alibaba-to-…> food delivery and video streaming platforms. Only Alibaba and Tencent have the heft to operate bike-shares at a loss just to acquire geolocation user data. In April, Mobike was saved from its financial struggles when it was acquired by Tencent-backed Meituan Dianping, an online-to-offline e-commerce and food delivery super-app, itself a product and survivor of the tumultuous tech landscape and the brief fad for coupon services. This abruptly launched the bike-share wars into the endgames. Mobike’s newfound financial stability allowed it to pull the rug out from under its remaining competitors by getting rid of the deposit entirely. Even then, Mobike is now a grizzled survivor that has lost its luster. Today it operates with a greatly reduced fleet, and much of its overseas expansions has petered out. Meanwhile, Ofo was suffering dire cash flow problems, struggling to pay suppliers and keeping operations afloat, and concentrating all its efforts on putting out fires rather than growing the business. Earlier this year, Ofo halted its costly and overly aggressive expansions abroad to focus on the domestic market—which placed on display the limitations of its own financial reach and its leaders’ utter lack of a plan. After a missed opportunity to merge with Mobike and a failed Didi acquisition, Ofo stands on the brink of financial ruin, its only lifeline an Alibaba buyout that may never come. Sensing the end of the bike wars, disgruntled people lined up outside Ofo’s office in Beijing clamoring for their deposits to be returned while the digital queue for withdrawing one’s deposit reached as long as 13 million users. Despite the ongoing Ofo crisis, Hellobike has just raised 4 billion yuan, more than half a billion dollars, from Primavera Capital and Alibaba’s Ant Financial. It seems that there are still some who hasn’t woken up from the bike-share fever dream. Meanwhile, Shanghai is adding more docking stations, perhaps a return to the boring, but infinitely more manageable, version of the bike-share. There’s always going to be a small audience for cycling—but it turned out to be a bad dream to build giant firms on. *Frankie Huang was born in Beijing and raised in New Jersey. Currently, she lives in Shanghai where she works as a strategist at an idea studio.* -- 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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Job Posting: Executive Director Trails Manitoba
by Erik Dickson 17 Dec '18

17 Dec '18

Please see the attached poster for information regarding a job posting for the Executive Director of Trails Manitoba. Information is also available on the website at: www.trailsmanitoba.ca/Employment<http://www.trailsmanitoba.ca/Employment> Regards, Erik Dickson, MCIP, RPP Planner [solid_smm_logo] 204.927.3444 | edickson(a)scatliff.ca<mailto:edickson@scatliff.ca> | www.scatliff.ca<http://www.scatliff.ca/> 1120-201 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3K6

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Wpg Sun: Why plow unused bike lanes, asks Winnipeg councillor (Dec13'18)
by Beth McKechnie 13 Dec '18

13 Dec '18

https://winnipegsun.com/news/news-news/why-plow-unused-bike-lanes-asks-winn…

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Fwd: Cool Wrench this Saturday Dec 15th, 12:30-4:30 / upcoming closures
by Dave Elmore 13 Dec '18

13 Dec '18

FYI ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Wrench Volunteer Coordinator <wrenchvolunteer(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, Dec 13, 2018 at 11:40 AM Subject: Cool Wrench this Saturday Dec 15th, 12:30-4:30 To: Hello wonderful volunteers! **** Just want to make sure you all know about *COOL WRENCH,* our annual special holiday event that is a *bike sale *and* art workshop* all rolled into one! The art workshop component this year will be *sewing custom top-tube covers* to decorate and protect the top tube of your bicycle frame! A fun gift idea for your fav cyclist friend (or yourself!). Cool Wrench is happening at *THIS SATURDAY from 12:30-4:30pm*, and we hope to see you there. *Many more details on the facebook event <https://www.facebook.com/events/2296415140622654/> and/or website <http://thewrench.ca/wordpress/cool-wrench-holiday-bike-sale-art-workshop-sa…>* Please share / tell your friends! ****

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Cyclists using the Jubilee underpass
by Beth McKechnie 13 Dec '18

13 Dec '18

From: Prowse, Dan <dcprowse(a)hydro.mb.ca> Please be advised that cyclists using the Jubilee underpass may be affected as follows: a) The underpass will be closed on the weekend for cyclists (and others) using the road from 20:00hrs 2018/12/14 to 04:00hrs 2018/12/17. b) During the week the project has been running a shuttle for pedestrians and cyclist who use the walkway during the demolishing of the old bridge abutment on the east side. Cyclists are permitted to use the road as normal but if a cyclist wishes to be treated as a pedestrian through the underpass, they would need to use the shuttle. By Monday (2018/12/17) it is expected there will be a safe walkway available for pedestrians/cyclists to use, removing the need for the shuttle. Regards, Dan

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CBC: 2-wheelin' with a tree: Cyclists put spin on Christmas tradition
by Beth McKechnie 13 Dec '18

13 Dec '18

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cycling-christmas-tree-1.49… *S**E**A**S**O**N**’S **G**R**E**E**T**I**N**G**S* Terry Zdan BA MEDes Transportation Policy and Service Development Manitoba Infrastructure

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"The Surprising Power of Parking Management"
by Jeremy Hull 13 Dec '18

13 Dec '18

"*The Surprising Power of Parking Management*" (https://bit.ly/2SzKRVT ). This Reinventing Parking podcast includes a discussion by Paul Barter and Todd Litman concerning how parking management can help solve diverse urban problems. Put simply, conventional development practices require housing for cars not people, resulting in 2-6 off-street parking spaces per vehicle and a shortage of affordable housing. More efficient management can reduce the number of parking spaces needed to serve a destination, providing huge savings and benefits. Everybody wins! One of his comments, for example, is that the cost of a parking space in an urban area is more than the cost of the car that parks there. The general theme is that we usually pay for parking indirectly through taxes, cost of housing or the cost of a commercial development. Litman argues that instead of making parking "free" to users and providing more parking than the estimated need under these conditions, we should provide a more moderate supply of parking and deal with any excess parking demand through various management approaches, like sharing parking among users. He points out that cheap parking distorts people's transportation decisions, and that where the cost of parking is paid by users they decide to use or buy cars less often.

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WFP: Councillor pushes bike registration (Dec13'18)
by Beth McKechnie 13 Dec '18

13 Dec '18

*Database would allow police to determine if a theft has taken place* * Councillor pushes bike registration * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/councillor-seeks-mandatory-registra… COUN. Ross Eadie thinks mandatory registration could deter the theft of bikes and put a dint in the illegal street sale of methamphetamines. Eadie (Mynarski) is bringing a motion to today’s council meeting, which would direct the administration to draft amendments to the business bylaw and would compel retailers to input ownership and registration data onto the City of Winnipeg’s online bike registry when a bike is sold. Eadie said bike thefts are fuelling the illegal sale of meth and anything that can be done to hit drug dealers is worth the effort. “A hit of meth is selling for $10 and as low as $3,” said Point Douglas activist Sel Burrows, who joined Eadie for a news conference at city hall Wednesday afternoon. “Meth addicts will steal a bike and flip it to a dealer who will give them a hit of meth for it. The dealer then will sell the stolen bike for $80 or $90, depending on the bike.” In April, Eadie said city hall launched a voluntary online bike registry, where bike owners can input their bicycle’s serial number. Police can access that database if, during an investigation, they suspect a bike has been stolen. “The problem with this new system is hardly anyone knows the online registry exists,” Eadie said, adding only about 2,000 bikes have been added to the registry. “If police suspect a bike is stolen now, checking with the online registry isn’t going to help them because chances are it’s not registered,” Eadie said. There is a cost of $6.60 to input data on the city’s online bike registry. Several bikes can be registered per household and three photos of each bike may be posted. If recovered by police, the stolen bikes will be returned without additional charge. Registration can be done at: winnipeg.ca/bikeregistry The city says upwards of 3,000 bikes are stolen every year. While police recover about 1,000 bikes, less than one tenth are traced back to their owners and returned. Burrows said bikes are stolen in areas from around the downtown and then taken to meth dealers in his neighbourhood. “You see people riding a bike and pulling a second, very nice one along with them,” Burrows said. “You know the second bike is stolen, but if they’re stopped and questioned, they’ll just say it belongs to their brother. The bike’s not registered on the online registry, so the police can’t do anything.” Burrows said making bike registration compulsory will build up the number of bikes on the registry to the point where meth addicts and dealers won’t want to run the risk of getting caught holding a stolen bike. Eadie said he believes the registry cost could be lowered if more people used it. “When you reach a certain level of bikes being registered, the bad guys are going to stop stealing bikes because they know there’ll be a reasonable chance when the police stop them that the bike will be registered and they’ll be charged with possession of stolen goods,” Burrows said. “The fact police can charge them right on the spot with possession of stolen goods will mean they’ll stop stealing bikes.” aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Fwd: VTPI News - Fall 2018
by Jeremy Hull 12 Dec '18

12 Dec '18

This may be of interest to people. One of the comments, for example, is that the cost of a parking space in an urban area is more than the cost of the car that parks there. The general theme is that we usually pay for parking indirectly through taxes, cost of housing or the cost of a commercial development, for example. Litman argues that instead of making parking "free" to users and providing more parking than the estimated need under these conditions, we should provide a more moderate supply and deal with any excess parking demand through various management approaches, like sharing parking among users. He points out that cheap parking distorts people's transportation decisions, and that where the cost of parking is paid by users they decide to use or buy cars less often. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Todd Litman <litman(a)vtpi.org> Date: Mon, Dec 10, 2018 at 5:00 PM Subject: VTPI News - Fall 2018 To: Todd Alexander Litman <litman(a)vtpi.org> ----------- * VTPI NEWS* ----------- * Victoria Transport Policy Institute* "Efficiency - Equity - Clarity" ------------------------------------- Fall 2018 Vol. 18, No. 4 ----------------------------------- The Victoria Transport Policy Institute is an independent research organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to transportation problems. The VTPI website (www.vtpi.org ) has many resources addressing a wide range of transport planning and policy issues. VTPI also provides consulting services. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE* ===================== "*The Surprising Power of Parking Management*" (https://bit.ly/2SzKRVT ). This Reinventing Parking podcast includes a discussion by Paul Barter and Todd Litman concerning how parking management can help solve diverse urban problems. Put simply, conventional development practices require housing for cars not people, resulting in 2-6 off-street parking spaces per vehicle and a shortage of affordable housing. More efficient management can reduce the number of parking spaces needed to serve a destination, providing huge savings and benefits. Everybody wins! "*The Best Tool for Reducing Traffic Deaths? More Transit!*" ( https://bit.ly/2QgB6yZ ). This StreetBlog column uses research from the report, "*A Hidden Traffic Safety Solution*" (https://bit.ly/2DS23z6 <https://disq.us/url?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2DS23z6%3AJdYDBd86I24iMyVZrw…> ). "*A New Traffic Safety Paradigm*" (www.vtpi.org/ntsp.pdf <http://disq.us/url?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vtpi.org%2Fntsp.pdf%3AQ61Olh-IQNmq4…> ), provides additional information on the traffic safety benefits of more multimodal transport planning. "*CityLab University: Induced Demand*" (https://bit.ly/2Sy8rCd ). When traffic-clogged highways are expanded, additional trips generally fill much of the increased capacity. This article is based on our report, "*Generated Traffic: Implications for Transport Planning*" ( http://www.vtpi.org/gentraf.pdf ). "*Educated Millennial Population Growth in Cities and Its Impact on Transportation*" (https://bit.ly/2Pjgj8R ), by Sam Schwartz and Julia Fiore. This ITE Journal article describes the growing number of younger urban residents who want more affordable housing and transport options, based on VTPI’s affordability research (http://www.vtpi.org/aff_acc_hou.pdf ). "*Why the Transportation Energy Intensity of Buildings Matters*" ( https://bit.ly/2E9B455 ), by Alex Wilson and Paula Melton. This Building Green study points out that the energy used traveling to and from buildings (“transportation energy intensity”) often exceeds the energy used to run them, so accessible location is essential for truly efficient buildings. "*Rural Multimodal Planning: Why and How to Improve Travel Options in Small Towns and Rural Communities*" (https://bit.ly/2G5OtO9 ). This report that explores why and how to implement more multimodal planning in rural areas and small towns. Current trends are increasing demand for non-auto travel options in rural communities, including aging populations, rising poverty, growing health and safety concerns, and growing tourist industries. "*True Affordability: Critiquing the International Housing Affordability Survey*" (http://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/178166.aspx ). This report critically evaluates the *International Housing Affordability Survey*, which rates regional housing prices relative to incomes. "*Quantifying Social Costs and Benefits to Guide Individual Action*" ( https://bit.ly/2yODulZ <https://bit.ly/2yODulZ?fbclid=IwAR3c7ja1emEakkOEomIOy_hJuvIAGEhZzRA9XVXQvCQ…> ), by CityFi. This column uses VTPI analysis to compare the external costs of various transport modes, as a way to communicate the value of choosing more resource-efficient transport options. "*Cities Can Save $17 Trillion by Preventing Urban Sprawl*" ( https://bit.ly/2Dyx6Cr ) by the World Resources Institute. This column describes research in the New Climate Economy report, "Unlocking the Inclusive Growth Story of the 21st Century," which identifies practical ways to reduce climate emissions and achieving economic development and social equity goals. It uses data from the 2015 report, "Analysis of Public Policies That Unintentionally Encourage and Subsidize Urban Sprawl" ( https://bit.ly/1lWmroP ), which estimated that sprawl is conservatively estimated to cost the US at least 7% of national GDP. This report provides an encouraging message: environmental protection can be achieved in ways that increase economic efficiency, productivity and opportunity. "*The Effects of Long Commutes and What To Do About Them: An Annotated Bibliography*" (https://bit.ly/2Ptvo94 ), for CloseCommute Systems ( www.closecommute.com ). Closer Commutes identifies ways to reduce commute travel in multi-worksite employers, which collectively employ about 40% of the urban workforce. Recent *Planetizen Blogs* (www.planetizen.com/blog/2394 ): "*Planning for Crime Reduction*" (https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/101826 ). Few issues are more emotional, and therefore vulnerable to bad analysis, than urban crime risk. Solid research indicates that more compact and mixed development tends to increase neighborhood security. Jane Jacobs was right! This column includes some original analysis which compares murder, homicide and suicide rates by community type, which indicates that large cities have lower total risk than smaller cities, towns and rural areas. This indicates that Smart Growth is safer as well as healthier. "*Dynamic Planning for Affordability*" ( https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/100402 ) Conventional planning is static, designed to lock in existing land use patterns. We need more dynamic planning to respond to changing household needs and community goals. "*Win-Win Solutions for Climate Protection and Health*" ( https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/100874 ). The *Call to Action on Climate and Health* is an ambitious plan to achieve both global climate and health goals. Planners can help identify win-win solutions that provide multiple benefits and so can build broad implementation coalitions. "*How Filtering Increases Housing Affordability*" ( https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/100293 ). Good research indicates that building middle-priced housing increases affordability through "filtering," as some lower-priced housing occupants move into more expensive units, and over time as the new houses depreciate and become cheaper. Let’s be friends. Todd Litman regularly posts on his Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/todd.litman ). Befriend him now! * * * * * *BEEN THERE – DONE THAT* *======================* "*Urban Planning for Future Regional Sky Transit*" ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6B0QnjxWfw ). Video of May 12 presentation at the *2018 Sustainable Aviation Symposium* concerning the potential benefits of urban air taxis. "*City Talks Panel: Alternative Urbanisms in Victoria*" ( https://bit.ly/2QhQgUZ ). The University of Victoria’s Fall *City Talks* series kicked off September 20 with a panel discussion on alternative urbanisms including youth-driven indigenous land restoration, Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour, urban place-making, affordable Infill, and anarchist festivals. "*Driving Change: Technology and the Future of the Automated Vehicle*" ( https://bit.ly/2GwHvO2 ). Report includes evidence presented by Todd Litman to the *Canadian Senate Committee on Transport and Communications* concerning autonomous vehicle implementation. "*Healthy Solutions to Climate Risks*" presented September 12 at the *Global Climate and Health Forum* (www.globalclimateandhealthforum.org ), part of the *Global Climate Action Summit* (www.globalclimateactionsummit.org ) in San Francisco. This presentation highlighted win-win strategies that can reduce climate change emissions and achieve other health objectives including reduced local pollution, increased physical activity and fitness, reduced traffic accidents, and increased affordability and inclusivity. "*Preparing for A Changing Mobility Future: Emerging Planning Issues*" ( https://cura.osu.edu/nov9 ). November 9 presentation at Ohio State University Center for Urban and Regional Analysis (CURA). Includes video. *UPCOMING EVENTS* ======================= *98th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting*, January 13-17, 2019, in Washington, DC. We will participate in several related events: "*Transportation Camp, DC*" (http://transportationcamp.org/events/dc2019 ) Saturday, January 12, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, Catholic University of America. A participatory "non-conference" that explores innovative transportation solutions. '*Multiple Perspective Gender Sensitive Quantitative and qualitative Data Analysis*' in "Bridge the Gap: Eliminating Gender Bias in Transportation Research" Workshop (https://annualmeeting.mytrb.org/Workshop/Details/10999 ). Date: Sunday, January 13, 2019 Time: 9:00 AM-12:00PM. '*Win-win Transportation Emission Reduction Strategies*' in "New Paradigm for Managing Emissions from Transportation Sources" ( https://annualmeeting.mytrb.org/Workshop/Details/10979 ). Date: Sunday, January 13, 2019 Time: 9:00 AM-12:00PM "*ITDP Sustainable Transport Award Ceremony*" (https://www.itdp.org ) Date: Tuesday, January 15, Time: 6:30-8:30pm, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Ballroom C. A fun and inspiring event! "*Transforming Transportation 2019*" ( http://www.transformingtransportation.org ). January 17th - January 18th, 09:00 am - 17:00 pm, World Bank, Washington DC. This is an opportunity to learn and share with transportation practitioners from around the world. * * * * * *USEFUL RESOURCES* ================= "*Healthy Housing for All: How Affordable Housing is Leading the Way*" ( https://bit.ly/2QhhpaA ). This Urban Land Institute *Building Healthy Places Initiative* report explores how affordable and mixed-income developments can improve health outcomes. "*Kingston’s Double-digit Ridership Growth Over the past Few Years is Unusual *" https://bit.ly/2zKPGou ). Express buses, new route planning, and working with major employers can increase small city transit ridership. "*Modernizing Mitigation: A Demand-Centered Approach*" ( https://bit.ly/2TCxtBD ). This new guidebook by the State Smart Transportation Initiative and the Mayors Innovation Project, describes how to implement Transportation Demand Management (TDM) solutions to mitigate traffic impacts in particular situations. This is timely. Many jurisdictions, including California (https://bit.ly/2TCcAq6 <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2TCcAq6%3Ffbclid%3DIw…> ), Seattle (https://bit.ly/2KsE1i9 <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2KsE1i9%3Ffbclid%3DIw…> ), and Portland (https://bit.ly/2OWzTri <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2OWzTri%3Ffbclid%3DIw…> ), have vehicle travel reduction targets, and consumer surveys ( https://bit.ly/2IaBgDp ) indicate that many people want to live in walkable neighborhood where they can drive less and rely more on non-auto modes. TDM strategies respond to those growing demands. Advice to young planners: if you want job security become an expert in TDM planning and evaluation ( www.vtpi.org/tdm ). The future belongs to the efficient! "*2018 Voluntary National Reviews: Showcasing the Critical Role of the Transport Sector to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals*" ( http://www.slocat.net/vnr2018 ). This report analyzes how transport policies affect the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. "*Accessibility in Practice: A Guide for Transportation and Land Use Decision Making*" (https://bit.ly/2SsVZ6O ) by the State Smart Transportation Initiative. This report describes methods for evaluating access to destinations for local and reginal planning purposes. "*The Difference Between Mobility and Accessibility*" ( https://bit.ly/2qdr2rr ), by Daniel Herriges. Mobility refers to the distance you can travel in a given time period, accessibility refers to the number of destinations and activities you can reach in that time. The most productive places tend to be mobility-poor but access-rich. "*Equity and Mobility*" (https://bit.ly/2MtaBEB ), by engineer and illustrator Ryan Martinson, published in '*Transportation Talk*,' the journal of the Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers. This 12-page comic can help practitioners understand and apply social equity concepts in transport planning. "*25 Great Ideas of New Urbanism*" (https://bit.ly/2G18IfG ). This free 204-page book by the Congress for New Urbanim (CNU) provides detailed information on innovative concepts that positively influenced planning and development. *"Moving Beyond the Car: Families and Transportation in Vancouver" *( https://bit.ly/2zilrEe ) by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. This report, based on interviews with parents, describes why many families want alternatives to driving, and how this can be achieved. *"Women’s Safety and Security: A Public Transport Priority"* International Transport Forum (https://bit.ly/2RF1IXl ). This report examines women's vulnerability when travelling, particularly by public transport, and ways to increase their safety, security and comfort. "*A Step-by-Step Guide for Fixing Badly Planned American Cities*" ( https://bit.ly/2Uwb0qu ). Jeff Speck’s new book, "Walkable City Rules" ( https://islandpress.org/book/walkable-city-rules ) describes why and how to improve urban walkability. For inspiration see, "Walking the City. <https://www.theguardian.com/cities/series/walking-the-city>'For Me, This is Paradise.' Life in the Spanish City that Banned Cars" ( https://bit.ly/2B1aB6s). "*Walking + Cycling in Vancouver 2016 Report Card*" (https://bit.ly/2ES0Dtf ). This comprehensive report evaluates Vancouver’s outstanding active transport program. It includes survey results indicating that walking, bicycling and public transit are 'social modes,' users have more friendly interactions than automobile occupants (although you probably knew that already!). Two excellent books by Professor David Levinson, are now available free: "*The End of Traffic and the Future of Access: A Roadmap to the New Transport Landscape*" (http://hdl.handle.net/2123/18972 ). This book discusses the concept of 'access' and its implications for more efficient and equitable cities. "*Spontaneous Access: Reflexions on Designing Cities and Transport*" ( http://hdl.handle.net/2123/18973 ). This book describes how to create a ‘spontaneous city’ that allows people to do what they want, when they want? "*Core Elements for Vision Zero Communities*" (https://bit.ly/2rowiZw ). This Vision Zero Network report can help practitioners and communities identify and implement practical ways to improve traffic safety. "*Investing in Walking, Biking, and Safe Routes to School: A Win for the Bottom Line*" (https://bit.ly/2SFfdqb ). "*Complete Streets Policies + Bicycle + Pedestrian Plans: Key Tools for Supporting Healthy, Active Communities*" (https://bit.ly/2BWNNqf ). These two reports for the *Safe Routes to School National Partnership* describe why and how to create communities where students can safely walk and bicycle to schools, including strategies for building local political support. "*Why Cities Must Tackle Single-Family Zoning*" (https://bit.ly/2QDU6Hm ), by Benjamin Schneider. As cities wake up to their housing crises, the problems with single-family-home residential zoning will become too egregious to ignore. "*Central City in Motion Plan Adopted by Portland City Council*" ( https://bit.ly/2QHDv5j ). This article describes how Portland’s Central City in Motion Plan (https://bit.ly/2G0PiHM ) will give more give priority to space-efficient modes in order to increase efficiency and equity. "*Report: Transit Attracts, Retains Jobs in Cities*" (https://bit.ly/2QIDkqo ). This report by the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Commission indicates that high quality transit helps attract and retain jobs by reducing consumer costs, traffic congestion, pollution and traffic accidents. "*Quantifying Co-benefits in Asia: Method and Applications*" ( https://bit.ly/2Swljsz ). This report gives policymakers and practitioners tools for predicting how climate change emission reduction strategies can help achieve other strategic development goals. Also see the *Asian Co-benefits Partnership* (http://www.cobenefit.org ), which supports information-sharing and coordination concerning co-benefits of various emission reduction strategies. * * * * * *Please let us know if you have comments or questions about any information in this newsletter, or if you would like to be removed from our email list. And please pass this newsletter on to others who may find it useful.* Sincerely, Todd Litman (litman(a)vtpi.org) Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org) Office: 250-360-1560 | Mobile: 250-508-5150 1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA Efficiency - Equity - Clarity

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18 'golden' questions - marketing by mobility attitudes
by Beth McKechnie 12 Dec '18

12 Dec '18

Hi everyone, Not the catchiest subject line, but it turns out there is compelling research on how to group people based on their responses to 18 'golden' questions about travel mode attitudes and preferences. Segmenting respondents into these groups allows you to target marketing messages around travel behaviour change and increase the likelihood of your message resonating with the person. The following links to the webinar recording, slides and the market-segment prediction tool: https://nitc.trec.pdx.edu/events/professional-development/webinar-11282018 Would be great to see these questions included in a Winnipeg-wide survey, such as the Winnipeg Area Travel Survey (WATS) that is apparently in the works (last completed in 2007). The ability to tailor messaging by segment and neighbourhood could be especially valuable in getting more people to switch from driving alone. cheers, Beth -- 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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AT Webinar: What Do You Do? Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Skills (Wed Dec 12, 2-3pm)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Dec '18

06 Dec '18

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. cheers, Beth *AT Webinar: Wed, Dec 12th, 2-3pm* *What Do You Do? Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Skills* What exactly does a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator do and what skills do they need to do their job effectively? On this webinar, you'll hear from a few Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators from different cities and regions about their specific roles and how they differ from one another and what the key skills and capabilities are. We'll also discuss why its important to have someone in this role. *Presenters:* - David Henderson, Miami-Dade TPO - Shawn Smith, Regional Municipality of York

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WFP: Input sought for proposed Exchange District bike lane project (Dec5'18)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Dec '18

05 Dec '18

*Input sought for proposed Exchange District bike lane project * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/public-gets-chance-to-preview-propo… WINNIPEGGERS will get their chance today to weigh in on a proposed bike lane project in the Exchange District. The project, if approved, will result in a new protected bike lane on Princess Street, stretching from Higgins Avenue (near Siloam Mission) to William Avenue near (Red River College’s Roblin Centre). The information session at Roblin Centre is scheduled for today at 4 p.m. The public will have a chance to see the proposed designs, learn how feedback from consultations with stakeholders — including the Siloam Mission, RRC, Chinatown Development Corp. and Centre Venture — was incorporated and voice their opinions on the project. “It’s really important to get the public’s input,” project manager Mark Doucet said. “(We want to) make sure we’re balancing the needs of business owners and the traffic going through there.” Claire Li, who manages the Princess Street furniture store HUT K, said she thinks because that stretch of road isn’t connected to other nearby protected bike lanes in the neighbourhood, fewer people are using it. While Princess Street has painted bike lanes, the lack of concrete barriers between cars and bikes means cyclists may feel less safe — especially as the roads get slippery, Li said. For the past few months, HUT K employees have been tracking how many cyclists use the bike rack in front of the store, she said. Lately, those numbers are dropping. “There just aren’t bike lanes,” Li said. “Anything that supports other forms of transportation, and making it easier for bikers to feel safe and willing to bike the full Exchange, would be great.” Mark Cohoe, executive director of the advocacy group Bike Winnipeg, said getting more people cycling as a way to get around is a good approach to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and decreasing traffic congestion downtown. Cohoe also pointed to a recent Probe Research survey, jointly commissioned by CAA Manitoba and Bike Winnipeg, in which more than one-third of respondents said they would cycle more if adequate infrastructure were in place. The survey also found nearly half of respondents felt Winnipeg should add more separated bike lanes along major routes. “We’ve got a ways to go, but we’re definitely making progress,” Cohoe said. “People really want to see (cycling) as something that’s a viable option for them. A lot of people — given the right opportunity, and the right infrastructure — would choose to bike to their destinations.” The city’s consultation and study on the proposed Princess Street bike lane project are just preliminary steps in the process, Doucet said. A final report — which will make adjustments based on feedback and include a cost estimate— should be completed in early 2019. “Once we see what the costs are, we will take that to (city) council,” Doucet said. “We’re hopeful that it’s a high priority.” caitlyn.gowriluk(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Wolseley to Downtown Walk Bike Project - Survey deadline
by Beth McKechnie 04 Dec '18

04 Dec '18

Still time to fill out the survey! ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Wolseley Downtown <WolseleyDowntown(a)intergroup.ca> Date: Tue, Dec 4, 2018 at 11:56 AM Subject: Wolseley to Downtown Walk Bike Project - Survey deadline To: Wolseley Downtown <WolseleyDowntown(a)intergroup.ca> Good Morning, Last chance to provide feedback during phase 1! The survey to provide your input on the Wolseley to Downtown Corridor Project will close on *December 6, 2018*. During phase 1 we are collecting input that will contribute to identifying the values and issues that are important to you when working on improvements to active transportation within the study area corridor. View background information about the project at the project webpage <https://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/walkbikeprojects/wol…>, and fill out the survey <https://wolseley-walkbike.metroquest.ca/>. Thank you to everyone who has already provided input! The project team will enter phase 2 of the public engagement program in late winter 2019 to review and discuss design options and alternatives. For more information visit winnipeg.ca/walkbikeprojects <https://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/walkBikeProjects/def…> .

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WFP: Legalize free-range parenting (Nov30'18)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Nov '18

30 Nov '18

*Legalize free-range parenting * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/legalize-free-range-pare… KATHARINA NUSS I AM encouraged by the amount of discussion and conversation that has been happening around whether the law should more explicitly allow children under 12 more independence. Dan Lett — in “ Protecting kids can mean awkward questions” (Nov. 3) — argues that protecting children requires diligence, and I fully agree with that. As I have said before, my issue is not with receiving a visit from a Child and Family Services worker — I understand and support CFS’s need to follow up when a concern is brought to their attention. What I take issue with is being told that it is not acceptable for children under 12 to be on their own under any circumstances, and that is the focus of the petition I started. Lett makes the argument that there is no harm done in being overly cautious, and that a few CFS visits that turn up no concern are a small price to pay, as it may keep some children from suffering serious neglect or abuse. It seems to be a sensible argument. However, this does not take into account that the status quo is not neutral, but is actually doing damage. It prevents children from engaging in activities that are key for healthy development. By denying our children opportunities to gradually learn independence, we put them at risk of a number of conditions and challenges. There is a sizable body of respectable research that demonstrates the importance of self-directed play, outdoor play, risk-taking and incremental independence for children’s physical, social, emotional and mental well-being. The Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health of Canada says, “Access to active play in nature and outdoors— with its risks — is essential for healthy child development. We recommend increasing children’s opportunities for self-directed play outdoors in all settings— at home, at school, in child care, the community and nature.” Psychology Prof. Peter Gray says, “Over the same decades that play has been declining, we have seen a well-documented increase in all sorts of mental disorders in childhood… five to eight times as many children today suffer from major depression or from a clinically significant anxiety disorder as was true in the 1950s.” ParticipAction has identified the protection paradox: “Children are overprotected in the name of safety, but trying to keep them safe by keeping them close and indoors may set them up to be less resilient and more likely to develop chronic diseases in the long run.” Dr. Mariana Brussoni et al. states that “The evidence… indicates that the overall positive health effects of increased risky outdoor play provide greater benefit than the health effects associated with avoiding outdoor risky play… (and) that risky play supportive environments promoted increased playtime, social interactions, creativity and resilience. These positive results reflect the importance of supporting children’s risky outdoor play opportunities as a means of promoting children’s health and active lifestyles.” As it stands right now, we have a law, enforced by CFS, which says kids cannot be unsupervised until the age of 12. Reality, however, paints a different picture of what we as a society deem normal and acceptable. Many children under 12 play outside without a parent hovering over them at all times — as they should, according to the research. Many children walk to school alone, or with friends or siblings, long before they are 12. School patrols are responsible for helping children (often under 12, often unaccompanied) navigate traffic before they are 12. If CFS tells parents that children under 12 should never be unsupervised, that means we are turning a blind eye to many such “violations” and the law is being enforced very selectively. What I am advocating is not for CFS to ignore a concern when it comes in. Rather, I would like to see a change in the law that explicitly allows for children to have these basic freedoms and learning opportunities, and which creates room for parental discretion based on the circumstances and an individual child’s maturity. That way, there is no basis for someone to call CFS solely because a parent is not hovering over their child every moment of their day. CFS then would not have to get involved in such a situation, which frees up valuable resources for them to attend to children and families that truly do need support and protection. Calls to CFS about children going to the local bakery, with a parent watching, are not, in fact, the ones that save lives, but ones that divert CFS resources from situations where the lives and safety of children are at risk. These situations only make parents and children anxious, and damage CFS’s reputation. To use an analogy: we do not aim to address the dangers of driving by saying that “staying out of a car is a small price to pay,” but rather by trying to balance the need for safety with people’s need to get places. Similarly, we should try to strike a balance here. I believe we need to find a way, while protecting all children’s safety and well-being, to also honour their need for healthy development. A change in the law would do both: it would give children the opportunities to develop the skills needed to become competent and confident in the world, while freeing up valuable CFS resources to focus on children and families that truly do need protection and support. Additionally, it would reflect the reality that our society already expects and allows our children to have gradually increasing independence before they are 12. *Katharina Nuss has started a petition to enact a “free-range parenting” law for Manitoba.*

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Webinar | Complete Streets: Key Challenges and Lessons Learned
by Mark Cohoe 29 Nov '18

29 Nov '18

Join us on Tuesday, December 4th for a webinar on complete streets from the perspective of three Canadian examples. *Tuesday, December 4, 2018 | TIME: 12:00-1:00 PM * *MB Eco-Centre Board Room* This webinar will highlight challenges faced by complete street projects across Canada, and identify lessons learned by three practitioners. *Argyle & Grafton Shared Streetscape Project* *Hanita Koblents* (Halifax Regional Municipality) will present this award-winning project, which transformed the heart of Halifax’s entertainment district into a “shared streetscape”. *Main Street Renewal: Retrofitting a Complete Street* *Ronald Clarke* (Parsons) will discuss the planning, design and reconstruction of an arterial road through the Old Ottawa East community - a transformative investment that improved multimodal mobility, the streetscape and public realm. *The Art of the Trade-Off* *Ryan Martinson* (Stantec) will address approaches to making trade-offs when designing complete streets, drawing on his own experience of integrating technical and stakeholder inputs. Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca

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Webinar: Segmenting the Market for Transportation Demand Management Campaigns
by Beth McKechnie 27 Nov '18

27 Nov '18

Apologies for the late notice but feel free to join us in the EcoCentre boardroom tomorrow at noon to view this webinar. Or register for free to watch from your desk. cheers, Beth ---------- Forwarded message --------- *Free NITC Webinar: *Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 10 am PT (1 pm Eastern) Speaker(s): Philip Winters and Amy Lester, University of South Florida Register: https://nitc.trec.pdx.edu/events/professional-development/webinar-11282018 Social marketing seeks to develop and integrate marketing concepts with other approaches to influence behaviors that benefit individuals and communities for the greater social good. It is a useful transportation demand management (TDM) planning approach to promote travel behavior change. The purpose of this study was to explore a consumer market segmentation technique successfully used in Europe for its applicability to marketing efforts in the United States. Attitudinal and demographic data were collected from 1900 individuals in Florida, Oregon, and Virginia modeled after the European approach. Clustering analysis was applied to divide the sample into segments so that members of the same group share similar attitudes. These include attitudes about various modes, car use, and congestion and environment. A classification model was built to predict group membership. The most stable and distinctive segmentation resulted in 7 segments. From this list of over 100 attitudinal questions, 17 questions were found to separate segments most significantly and predict group membership with high level of accuracy. Attitudinal profiles for each group were developed based on thee mean responses to these “golden questions”. This webinar will discuss the method and results. KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of this webinar, the learner will be able to: - Describe at least 2 potential benefits of market segmentation; - Explain differences between the European results and US results; - Identify 2 potential applications of the segmentation; and - Describe how to use the spreadsheet tool to identify a commuter’s segment. *CLICK HERE TO REGISTER <https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5346491132771270915>* *THE RESEARCH* This webinar is based on a study funded by the National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC) and conducted at the University of South Florida (USF). Read more about the research: SEGMENT: Applicability of an Existing Segmentation Technique to TDM Social Marketing Campaigns in the United States <https://nitc.trec.pdx.edu/research/project/1057/SEGMENT:_Applicability_of_a…> . *SPEAKERS* *Philip Winters, **University of South Florida* Philip Winters is the Transportation Demand Management Program Director for the University of South Florida's Center for Urban Transportation Research. *Amy Lester, University of South Florida* Amy Lester is a Faculty Research Associate at the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida. Dr. Lester earned her PhD in Public Health concentrating on Social Marketing in 2014 from the University of South Florida, College of Public Health. Dr. Lester holds additional undergraduate and graduate degrees in Public Health, Anthropology, and Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Lester has strong methodological expertise, and her research interests focus on qualitative formative research, social marketing, social determinants of health, and program evaluation. In addition to research, Dr. Lester has extensive teaching experience at both the college and high school levels. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT This 60-minute webinar is eligible for 1 hour of professional development credit for AICP (see our provider summary) <https://www.planning.org/cm/provider/100058/details/>. We can provide an electronic attendance certificate for other types of certification maintenance. LEARN MORE Sign up for our newsletter <http://nitc.trec.pdx.edu/news/newsletters/join-mailing-list> to get updates on our events. ADD TO CALENDAR <https://calendar.google.com/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=M2xncXQxMDAwNmoxOTl…> *This webinar is hosted by the Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University. The research was funded by the National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC), a program of TREC and one of five U.S. Department of Transportation national university transportation centers. The NITC program is a Portland State-led partnership with the University of Oregon, Oregon Institute of Technology, University of Utah and new partners University of Arizona and University of Texas at Arlington. We pursue our theme — improving mobility of people and goods to build strong communities — through research, education and technology transfer.* *For more information about this webinar, contact us at asktrec(a)pdx.edu <asktrec(a)pdx.edu>.* -- 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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Fwd: 2018 Cycle of Giving
by Dave Elmore 22 Nov '18

22 Nov '18

Always lots of ways to help make holiday bicycle miracles come true. Donate (bikes/$), volunteer (so many ways to help, not just as a mechanic), spread the word (to your personal and corporate contacts. View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/0287b547bb40/2018-cycle-of-giving-2868781?e=2b47fa6a9b> *Just over one week away! The **Cycle Of Giving 24 hour kids bike building marathon* <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1a…>is bringing volunteer mechanics together to build over 300 bicycles for kids in need. We aim to raise $15,000 to support free bike programming for children and families in 2019. >From *12 pm December 1st to 12 pm December 2nd*, the Orioles Community Centre will be transformed into a magic workshop where salvaged and donated used bicycles are turned into holiday dreams come true. Help us give to more kids than ever before! *You can be part of the Cycle of Giving!* *Volunteer* <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1a…> *Donate* <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1a…> *Donate Online* <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1a…> *Tell a friend or Like **WRENCH* <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1a…>* on Facebook* <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1a…> <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1a…> <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1a…> *Copyright © 2018 The Wrench, All rights reserved.* You are receiving this e-mail because you signed up at the WRENCH or at an event that the WRENCH was a part of. *Our mailing address is:* The Wrench 1057 Logan Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 0A1 Canada Add us to your address book <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/vcard?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1abd&id=…> Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/profile?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1abd&i…> or unsubscribe from this list <https://thewrench.us9.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=6238a8c152cbe3f4aa1ed1a…>. [image: Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp] <http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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The Guardian: 'If we wanted beauty, we'd travel to Paris': how Calgary resisted its iconic pedestrian bridge
by Beth McKechnie 22 Nov '18

22 Nov '18

The controversial Peace Bridge is now one of the most-used walking and cycling routes in Calgary. The councillor behind it reveals the project’s stormy process https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/oct/17/if-we-wanted-beauty-wed-trav… The level of hatred directed towards that piece of infrastructure was out of proportion with the cost,” says Druh Farrell as she recalls the stormy process leading to the construction of Santiago Calatrava’s pedestrian and cycling Peace Bridge in Calgary. “It was an incredibly painful process. It became so intense.” The celebrated Spanish architect was brought in to address a complicated brief. The crossing – connecting downtown to the northern river pathway and the community of Sunnyside – had to completely span the Bow River, while being flat enough to avoid obstructing a nearby helicopter-landing area. Bringing in a big name didn’t change people’s opinions, however. For the opening of the bridge, councillor Farrell was escorted by four bodyguards. Even Farrell’s brother had to endure the ire directed at the Peace Bridge when a dinner guest discovered their relation and said to him: “You tell your sister that if we wanted beauty, we’d travel to Paris. In Calgary we just need it to work.” “It was the first piece of significant infrastructure predominantly for active mobility,” Farrell explains. “If it had been for vehicles, we would not have had any debate, and it would not have been controversial.” Since its ribbon-cutting in March 2012, though, the Peace Bridge has become one of the most-travelled walking and cycling routes in the city, with more than 5.5 million crossings, an average of 28,000 per week – not bad for a region that enjoys a meagre 1.75% modal share for cycling. Most Canadians know Alberta as “Oil Country” due to its economic dependence on the Tar Sands. Calgary, Canada’s fourth largest city, is home to a number of oil and gas headquarters. Covering a 848 sq kilometre area – eight times the size of San Francisco – and sprawling endlessly into the prairies, it’s easy to see why driving has become the default mode of transportation for the vast majority of Calgarians. In recent years however, things have started to shift, and residents have begun demanding options. Farrell sits at the heart of that transition. In 2007 Calgary’s Centre City Plan <http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/pd/Pages/Centre-City/Centre-City.aspx> was passed by a vote of the council under the then-manager of planning and design, Brent Toderian. The plan established that they would not consider any new river crossings for motor vehicles entering the downtown core. Situated where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, Calgary’s downtown is only accessible from the north and east by means of a river crossing, resulting in several car-dedicated bridges that are largely unwelcoming to cyclists and pedestrians. The Centre City Plan identified three locations where potential bridges could be built, dictating two simple criteria: they had to be dedicated pedestrian and bicycle crossings only, and they had to be beautiful. But as Farrell soon found out, building something of beauty in “Cowtown” would not be as easy as it seemed. The total budget for the bridge was C$24.5m (£14.2m), half the cost of a planned highway interchange in nearby Cochrane, 11 miles west of Calgary, that would serve one-50th of the population of Calgary. “Now I think most Calgarians would recognise it was worth it,” she asserts emphatically. “I certainly believe it was worth it because the bridge is so well used.” In spite of the initial negativity, the bridge stands out for Farrell as a memorable pivot point for Calgary. “The Peace Bridge really was a first for a lot of reasons,” she says. “It got people talking about architecture, and it identified a bottled-up need and desire for more walking and cycling connections to our downtown core.” In the years to follow, the city constructed the George C King and Elbow River Traverse bridges – a pair of pedestrian and cycling connections to the east of downtown, with a fourth crossing planned to the west when demand grows to sufficient levels. The iconic structure has become more than just a gateway to the city. “What we ended up doing unintentionally with the Peace Bridge is building a public space over the river,” recalls Farrell. “It’s far more than a transportation hub or connection – it’s a meeting place, a sense of place, on top of our beautiful river. “It’s the most photographed structure in the city. It’s used for the promotion of Calgary in everything from real estate to hotels, and included in international bridge-design showcase books. It reinforces that we did the right thing.” The Peace Bridge also laid the groundwork for Calgary’s next big cycling infrastructure project: a downtown cycle-track network. Within a year of the bridge opening, the latent demand for cycling infrastructure became clear. As more people were using the trails and bridges to enter the city, they needed a comfortable place to travel once they burst onto the downtown streets. Farrell stood at the forefront again, providing the initial push for the 7th Street Cycle Track that would connect directly to the Peace Bridge. Perhaps unsurprisingly, talk of reallocating road space spurred anger. After the construction in 2013, the 750m bidirectional, curb-protected lane quadrupled cycling numbers along that corridor overnight. Initially the project was to be completed in increments, but the discussion shifted to the idea of building the whole scheme at once as an 18-month pilot project. It seemed to be smooth sailing until a change of council later that year made the politics more challenging. As with the Peace Bridge, Farrell says hostility towards the project from businesses and politicians was disproportionate to the cost of C$5.75m. But the temporary nature of the pilot cycle lanes allowed them to pass by an 8–7 vote in April 2014. A little over a year later, Calgary’s downtown cycle-track network was delivered two months early and $2m under budget – reallocating just 2% of downtown street space to induce 1.2 million bicycle trips over 18 months, with little to no driver disruption. “Pilots are so important. For one thing, we were constantly adjusting,” explains Farrell, referring to the 100 tweaks that staff made in response to data collected at 80 different points. These changes were facilitated by the provisional nature of the scheme, including flexible delineators, planter boxes, temporary concrete curbs and floating traffic signals. “The transportation department was extremely nimble in identifying problems and mitigating them. By the end of the pilot, the system worked. So they weren’t just waiting until the end of the project to make adjustments – they were doing it all along and measuring the data. We had such a compelling case. We had more people cycling: different people, young people, women, and families were all using the network. It was hard to say ‘no’.” In December 2016, the council voted 10–4 in favour of making the network permanent, meaning that the pilot had accomplished exactly what was intended: demonstrating to a skeptical public that with safe separated space for cycling, even the sprawling, frigid cities of the Canadian Prairies will get on their bikes. Councillor Diane Colley-Urquhart, who had initially voted against the pilot, changed her vote, telling reporters: “I was a person that didn’t support this in the beginning. I thought this was madness. But, to see how it’s evolved, and how it’s working and to see how people are starting to get the fact that this is shared public space …” Now Calgary’s cycle network is cited as a reason companies and employees are relocating to the city. As Farrell said: “If we want to attract new industries to Calgary, we need to first build a city that’s worth moving to.”

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WFP Editorial: Making Winnipeg a cycle-safe city (Nov19'18)
by Beth McKechnie 19 Nov '18

19 Nov '18

* Making Winnipeg a cycle-safe city * ON Tuesday, the city’s public works committee will consider a proposal to spend $5.4million in each of the next three years on infrastructure, including cycling corridors, new sidewalks and cycling-education programs. However, the future success of the city’s active transportation network comes down to more than just cash and concrete. In recent years, in accordance with the city’s active-transportation strategy, there have been dedicated bike lanes and protected bike lanes installed on many streets in West Broadway, the West End, downtown and the Exchange District, to name a few. The new infrastructure has made it safer for cyclists and challenging for motorists used to having the streets to themselves. Frustrated cyclists point to limited road space and belligerent driver behaviour as reasons why cycling is dangerous or not worth the hassle. Motorists point to scofflaw cyclists with no regard for traffic signals or pedestrians as the problem. However, both groups (and many commuting cyclists also use cars, and many motorists ride a bike for pleasure) have a point. What’s really needed in Winnipeg is an actual active-transportation culture. We’re getting there in fits and starts. Infrastructure is a big part of it. But education and safety are also important. An example of the old way of doing things is found in Wolseley. In the summer, motor traffic on Wolseley Avenue is restricted to one block at a time on Sundays, leaving the street open for cyclists, many of whom continue over the Assiniboine River to ride along Wellington Crescent, where the same restrictions apply. However, that freedom to ride without worrying about cars is linked to the mistaken assumption that cycling is merely recreational, and seasonal. For cyclists to be safe around motorists, cycling needs to be part of year-round traffic awareness — not just on certain days of the week on certain streets. For motorists to be comfortable, cyclists must adhere to safety precautions and traffic laws. (Yes, cyclists, red lights apply to you. Yes, motorists, you should change lanes to pass a bicycle.) When residents are asked about local infrastructure, sometimes the most vocal voices will be against changing anything. The city has a long-term Pedestrian and Cycling Action Plan, available on the city’s website. Proposed changes to active-transportation infrastructure are guided by a 2014 policy document, Winnipeg Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies. The recent consultation process begun for the Wolseley to Downtown Walk Bike Project invites feedback from area residents and those who visit or pass through the area. Whether you use the roads or sidewalks or a combination of both, it’s worth taking part. But for taxpayers who wish infrastructure would only mean endless repaving of roads, consider what attempts to change the city’s transportation ecosystem can save you. Decreased motor traffic means better flowing traffic, and that’s one effect of people opting to ride a bike instead of a car in which they’re the only occupant: more room on the roads, even with a protected bike lane. Roads take less wear and tear, the community benefits from fewer greenhouse- gas emissions and individuals boost their fitness levels. Infrastructure upgrades can also mean more accessible sidewalks and better crossings at intersections. You don’t have to look far in Winnipeg to see how motor traffic has been prioritized for decades: a glut of surface parking lots, sidewalks and bike lanes that end abruptly, and increasing urban sprawl. It’s long past time to look at other ways of getting around, and making the city work for all its citizens — not only those with their hands on the wheel.

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Scientific American: Why Don’t We Forget How to Ride a Bike?
by Beth McKechnie 17 Nov '18

17 Nov '18

Why Don’t We Forget How to Ride a Bike? *The way memories are anchored in the brain plays a role, neuropsychologist Boris Suchan explains* November 15, 2018 Most of us learn how to ride a bike during childhood. But as we grow older, many of us stop riding and put those once-beloved bikes in storage. Years later, when we discover these relics and hop on, it’s as if we never stopped biking. This is surprising because our memories let us down in so many other instances, such as remembering the name of a place or a person we once knew or where we put our keys. So how is it that we can ride a bicycle when we haven’t done so in years? As it turns out, different types of memories are stored in distinct regions of our brains. Long-term memory is divided into two types: declarative and procedural. There are two types of declarative memory: Recollections of experiences such as the day we started school and our first kiss are called episodic memory. This type of recall is our interpretation of an episode or event that occurred. Factual knowledge, on the other hand, such as the capital of France, is part of semantic memory. These two types of declarative memory content have one thing in common—you are aware of the knowledge and can communicate the memories to others. Skills such as playing an instrument or riding a bicycle are, however, anchored in a separate system, called procedural memory. As its name implies, this type of memory is responsible for performance. One of the most famous studies showing the separate memory systems was that of an epileptic named Henry Gustav Molaison (aka H. M.). In the 1950s he underwent the removal of portions of his brain, including large parts of his hippocampus. After the operation doctors found that although the number of seizures had decreased, H. M. was unable to form new memories. Many of his memories of the time before the operation were also erased. To learn more about his amnesia, neuropsychologists carried out various tests with H. M. In one, they asked him to trace a five-pointed star on a sheet of paper while only looking at it and his hand in a mirror—meaning the image was reversed. Although H. M.’s hand–eye coordination skills improved over the several days he performed this task, he never remembered performing it. This meant that he could develop new procedural, but not declarative, memories. Is procedural knowledge then fundamentally more stable than explicit knowledge? As it turns out, the former is more resistant to both loss and trauma. Even with traumatic brain injury the procedural memory system is hardly ever compromised. That’s because the basal ganglia, structures responsible for processing non-declarative memory, are relatively protected in the brain’s center, below the cerebral cortex. However, it’s not clear, beyond brain damage, why procedural memory contents are not as easily forgotten as declarative ones are. According to one idea, in the regions where movement patterns are anchored fewer new nerve cells may be formed in adults. Without this neurogenesis, or continuous remodeling in those regions, it’s less likely for those memories to get erased. One thing we know for sure, however, is simple sequences of movements we internalize, even far in the past, are typically preserved for a lifetime. Or as the saying goes, it’s “just like riding a bicycle.”

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