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CTV: Shopkeepers in Exchange claim lack of parking and accessibility harming businesses (Aug20'18)
by Beth McKechnie 22 Aug '18

22 Aug '18

Shopkeepers in Exchange claim lack of parking and accessibility harming businesses https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/shopkeepers-in-exchange-claim- lack-of-parking-and-accessibility-harming-businesses-1.4060718 Businesses in the Exchange say they are taking a hit to their bottom line amidst new developments in the area. Exchange area store owner, Lennard Taylor said business has recently dropped off as much as 30 percent. "We're significantly down, this month and the month before," said Taylor. The culprit, Taylor said is a bike lane built in front of his store that has wiped away parking spots, driving away frustrated customers. “All the parking spots we lost in front of our business were crucial to the businesses in the neighbourhood," said Taylor. CTV News spoke to other businesses with similar concern, as well as drivers, too. Nikolina Mandusic found a spot on the street right away this time, but she said that’s not typical. "Usually it's pretty awful, especially with the bike lanes it takes a few circles around," said Mandusic. She said the lack of parking is a roadblock for shoppers. "I have friends who hate having to find parking and will actually not come," said Mandusic. City Councillor Mike Pagtakan says the problem has been addressed. More angled parking is being added around the exchange following a successful pilot project. The city says 170 new spaces are in place in two Exchange hubs. “While some people have lost parking in front of their establishments there is an overall net gain of parking within the Exchange District, it's a modest gain, not a lot. I think between 45 and 59 spots,” said Pagtakhan. The Exchange District Biz also said it's working with the city on educating drivers on how to find the new spots, including when the snow falls. “If we're asking people to park further away, then we need to get the sidewalks clear, we've purchased equipment, the city has helped us fund that.” said Biz Executive Director, David Pensato. Lennard Taylor believes the bike lanes will bring more business once they're all opened. He said the lost parking spots should be restored in the same area by using another lane for parking, turning some of the one-ways into single lane streets. Taylor supports the bike lanes he just wants people to park near his store. "Let's create a walking district and a bike friendly and parking friendly neighbourhood," said Pensato. The city says the bike lanes are expected to be up and running by late August.

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A ray of hope - Vancouver's experience
by Beth McKechnie 22 Aug '18

22 Aug '18

There seems to be a lot of negative perspectives published recently about walking and cycling in Winnipeg, so thought I'd share a snippet from Vancouver's experience. There will always be push back but it can be overcome. There wasn’t exactly a love fest over biking in the early days. “Bike lanes were controversial from day one,” Reimer says. “One of the things I’ve is learned is that people can agree on policy and direction, but the minute a piece of land comes into play, no matter how small, they get into personal arguments. I’ve sat in on meetings where people say I believe in childcare facilities, just not near me. And bike lanes are the environmental expression of that.” The bottom line, after years of tough conversations: Vancouver reached its 2020 “active transportation” goal five years early — 50 percent of commuters now walk, bike or take public transit, up from a baseline of 15 percent in 2007. According to Doug Smith, the city’s director of sustainability, that progress has fostered a ‘we can do better’ mindset. “Almost immediately [after reaching the 2020 target] the engineering department and the transportation team said we need to think longer term,” says Smith. The city now has a 2040 Transportation <http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/transportation-2040-plan.pdf> plan with a goal of getting to at least two-thirds of all trips by active transportation. One way the city intends to achieve this goal is by committing to zero expansion of car capacity, despite projections that another million people will be living in Greater Vancouver by 2040 (adding to the current population of 2.5 million). “All of that growth has to be through, walking, biking and transit. So, if you’re going to drive, you’re going to be stuck in your car,” says Smith. -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP Analysis: Neighbourhoods influence health; we should plan accordingly (Aug15'18)
by Beth McKechnie 21 Aug '18

21 Aug '18

Neighbourhoods influence health; we should plan accordingly KEVIN LAM AND JEAN WANG SINCE John Snow mapped out the large cholera outbreak in London in 1854 relative to where people lived, it has been known that where we live, work and play strongly influences people’s health. The way our cities and towns have been built plays a large role in many of the health conditions Canadians develop. Cities such as Montreal and Vancouver have been working to create better cycling infrastructure and public transit, with the goals of improving the quality of life and health of their citizens. It’s a good start, but is it enough? We need a systemic collaboration between physicians, public health departments, developers and urban planners to help Canada design the cities we want — ones that can keep us healthy. Let’s take obesity as an example. Among Organization for Economic Development and Co-operation (OECD) countries, Canada has one of the highest prevalence rates of obesity, with an alarming one in five Canadian adults affected. Yet despite all Canada is doing to address the lifestyle factors that contribute to obesity, many public health goals are stubbornly hard to reach and nowhere near close to targets. Ninety per cent of Canadian children don’t reach the physical activity recommendations, despite physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles being flagged as a priority focus for the Public Health Agency of Canada. It can be difficult tomake healthy choices in certain contexts. If our daily lives are surrounded by cities without green spaces to play or where public transit is difficult to access, it can be hard to make healthy choices in spite of all the health promoting. So what can be done? Current solutions are heavily focused on changing individual behaviour. A great deal of funding is spent on promoting exercise, the food guide, community weight loss programs — all with a focus on individual behaviour. But evidence demonstrates that social marketing campaigns surrounding healthy eating and exercise aren’t sufficient to address the problem. Instead of simply telling people to spend more time exercising, we can incorporate it into their lives. We could encourage stair use instead of elevators by making stairs easier to access. We could integrate walking and biking to work — forms of active transport — or make cities more walkable in general. This is an area where physicians and public health departments can collaborate with builtenvironment experts to influence health. Urban planners are the experts at improving the livability of towns, cities and regions. Meanwhile, physicians see the downstream effects of a poorly built environment in their clinics, operating theatres and emergency rooms every day — from chronic diseases to motor vehicle collisions. The future of chronic disease and obesity prevention involves professions working together to generate collaborative solutions — to create better places to live, play and work. Many studies have demonstrated that active transport is associated with a decreased risk of developing chronic illness. Physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, including a reduction in heart attacks, strokes and heart failure, by up to 11 per cent. Systematic reviews, which pool the results of multiple studies, also demonstrate that active transport is associated with a reduced risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. With the many health benefits that can be realized from encouraging more active transport, health workers have an important role in advocating for and working with their urban planning colleagues to implement these ideas. How can we take action? It’s time for health workers to speak up and get involved to help improve neighbourhoods for everyone. Urban planners can also help with determining the health impact of land-use and transport decisions by working with public health departments. The good news is that this collaboration is already starting to happen in some places. Various areas across Canada, including in Toronto, Vancouver and the Region of Peel, are employing urban planners to examine the impact of different developments on the health of a community. This means new developments are being built to encourage more active transportation and existing ones are being altered to the same end. The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment has started a campaign advocating governments to adopt a national active-transport strategy. Such a strategy was one of the main recommendations in a reported released by the CPHA-Lancet Countdown Briefing for Canadian policy-makers. The future of chronic disease and obesity prevention involves working together to generate collaborative solutions. We need to fight together for better places in which to live, play and work. *Jean Wang is a second-year medical student at the University of Ottawa who has been involved in chronic disease management and prevention research. Kevin Lam is a second-year medical student at Mc Master University who has an interest in public health and its intersection with emergency medicine, with a special focus on improving health through urban design. They are both contributors to Evidence Network.ca, which is based at the University of Winnipeg.* — Troy Media

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Webinar Reminder: Moving Beyond the Centerline - Advisory Bicycle Lanes, Best Kept Secret | Wed, Aug. 15th, 2-3pm
by Heather Mitchell 14 Aug '18

14 Aug '18

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow afternoon's webinar *** Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on August 15th for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre boardroom <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. Best, Heather -- *Webinar: Wed, August 15th, 2-3pm* *Moving Beyond the Centerline - Advisory Bicycle Lanes, Best Kept Secret* Don't miss this exciting webinar from the experts on advisory bike lanes (ABL). Michael and Steve will give an introduction to ABLs where you'll learn what an advisory bike lane looks like and how it works. Then, learn how communities are using ABLs by hearing from Simon with the city of Minneapolis and Adam with the city of Ottawa. *Presenters*: Michael Williams, Michael Williams Company Steve Durrant, Alta Planning + Design Simon Blenski, City of Minneapolis Adam Hortop, City of Ottawa -- *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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Winnipeg's $10M question is more about politicking than Portage and Main | CBC News
by Beth McKechnie 13 Aug '18

13 Aug '18

An interesting read: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-main-referendum-winnipeg-1.…

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WFP: Report says pedestrians crossing intersection will have minimal effect on traffic (Aug10'18)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Aug '18

10 Aug '18

Report says pedestrians crossing intersection will have minimal effect on traffic Reopening Portage & Main not such a pain https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/word-on-the-street-490504321.html There's undoubtedly a fortune to be made for the individual who can put together at Portage & Main for Dummies ahead of the fall civic election. It’s been 35 years since Winnipeggers were asked to vote on a ballot question and having access to an easy-to-understand background briefing could prove invaluable when it comes time to vote Yes or No to the question of reopening the famous downtown intersection to pedestrians. “I hope people will get themselves informed on this as much as possible before they vote on it,” said Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, the longest-serving council member and a strong supporter of the Yes vote. City hall had commissioned an analysis on the effect of having pedestrians use the intersection. The 95-page report from Dillon Consulting, titled Portage and Main Transportation Study, was released in October 2017. (A copy can be found online at wfp.to/KSA). The Dillon report relies on a great deal of technical jargon, maps and drawings, but the document best summarized the effect of pedestrians in two pages (36 and 37), comparing travel time for pedestrians, vehicles and transit through the intersection in 2016 with what it projected to be with pedestrians in the mix, using what it calls micro simulation models. “Overall roadway operations are relatively unaffected (with the introduction of pedestrian crossings) with (delays) generally contained to the individual turning movements,” the report states among its conclusions. “There will be an increase in travel time through the area after the crosswalks are restored, primarily to the turning movements at the Portage and Main intersection as they must yield to pedestrians. “This poses a risk to cross-city travel as congestion and variability will increase on average. This, however, should be balanced with the improvements to mobility for non-auto users and progress towards the city’s goal of a multi-modal and sustainable transportation system.” Dillon proposed only minor changes to the intersection to accommodate pedestrian access, including pedestrian crossing at all four intersections; avoiding scramble crossing; forbidding righthand turns from Northbound Main onto Portage Avenue East; and reducing Portage Avenue East to one lane to accomodate pedestrian crossing. The study found that people can — and do — cross the intersection via a circuitous underground route that is about 400 metres long. The report estimated it takes an able-bodied individual about four minutes to manoeuvre the underground route (assuming they know where they are going) but nine minutes for an individual in a wheelchair (again, assuming they know where they are going and the elevators and escalators are in working order, which they always aren’t, especially those located in private buildings during evenings and weekends). The study found that the at-grade crossing for able-bodied pedestrians would be shortened, compared with the underground route, as they have to wait for the lights to change. While the report considered five options, it recommended one — Option 4 — which had the least impact on traffic while providing the greatest degree of safety to pedestrians. The Dillon report was clear at the outset that introducing pedestrians would negatively affect traffic flow. “It can be seen from the tables that in all cases, the introduction of at-grade pedestrian crossings to the intersection will have a negative impact on vehicular traffic,” states the report. “This is logical and to be expected as the traffic controls must be adjusted toprovide safe crossing for pedestrians of all levels of mobility, whereas existing conditions prohibit crossings by pedestrians and prioritizes efficiency of vehicle movement over everything else.” The report concluded that introducing pedestrians will have minimal impact on traffic flows — traffic north and south on Main Street will see minimal delays, if any, and the greatest impacts will be vehicles turning left and right at the intersection, with greater delays for transit. The chart on pages 36 and 37 laid out the differences in vehicle travel times through the intersection as it was in 2016 and how it’s projected to be for the recommended Option 4: peak morning traffic delay would average about 30 seconds; peak afternoon traffic delay would average about 52 seconds; there would be no delay for northbound and southbound traffic on Main Street; Transit will experience some delays: Morning travel times through the intersection, in all directions, are projected to be unaffected but afternoon travel times will see delays for left- and right-hand turns through the intersection varying from under two minutes (eastbound Portage right onto Main) to 4:39 (west-bound from Portage Avenue East). Dillon estimated the cost of allowing pedestrians to cross the intersection to be $11.1 million, but advised the dollar amount is based on “a high conceptual design” and considered a Class 4 estimate, which means it could be 30 per cent lower or 60 per cent higher. City hall was expected to obtain a more realistic estimate and a more detailed design through another consulting contract that was to be awarded in July but, as a result of the ballot question, it will not be awarded until after the Oct. 24 election. Dillon said its estimate was for barebone streetscaping, but suggested the intersection’s iconic status warrants more decorative and landscaping elements in the final design, which will increase the cost. That $11.1 million included $3.8 million for construction, $2.3 million for possible construction over-runs and $5.5 million for the purchase of 11 additional transit buses to offset transit delays. Dillon said city officials informed it that Winnipeg Transit could expect to see an additional $1.8 million in annual operating costs due to the hiring of 12.5 equivalent full-time drivers and other staff as a result of adding the buses. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca * * * * * Highlights of the Dillon Consulting report A copy of the Dillon report can be found online at: wfp.to/KSA Traffic delays through the intersection ● Average vehicle delay time, for all directions, based on the recommended design and 2016 data: Mornings: 30.6 seconds; Afternoons: 52.6 seconds ● No delay for afternoon traffic in either northbound or southbound Main street ● A projected 15-second delay for morning southbound Main Street traffic ● Afternoon eastbound Portage Avenue traffic turning right onto Main: 2:42 delay ● Afternoon eastbound Portage Avenue traffic turning left onto Main: 1:59 delay ● Afternoon westbound Portage Avenue traffic turning right onto Main: 5:06 delay For Transit ● Morning travel times through the intersection, in all directions, is projected to be unaffected ● Afternoon travel times will see delays for left- and right-hand turns through the intersection varying from less than 2 minutes (east-bound Portage right onto Main) to 4:39 (west-bound from Portage Avenue East) ● Afternoon buses travelling north and south on Main through the intersection are not projected to experience any delays Costs A Class 4 estimate (considered accurate to within 30 per cent under and 60 per cent over), based on “a highly conceptual design” ● $11.1 million, including: $3.8 million construction, $2.3 million for possible construction over-runs, $5.5 million for the purchase of 11 additional transit buses to offset transit delays ● $1.8 million: additional annual operating costs to Winnipeg Transit for the hiring of 12.5 equivalent full-time drivers and other staff Intersection changes ● Pedestrian crossings at all four intersections ● Scramble crossing will not be allowed ● No right-hand turns from northbound Main traffic onto Portage Avenue East ● Portage Avenue East reduced to one lane to accommodate pedestrian crossing

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WFP: Thieves target bike repair stations (Aug10'18)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Aug '18

10 Aug '18

Thieves target bike repair stations REPEATED theft from the bike repair station outside the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre has left the community no choice but to keep the tools inside. At least 15 public repair stations are available in Winnipeg 24-7. The free stations differ in colour and style — they look like random coloured poles, either red, yellow or green, from a distance — but they usually have a stand so users can lift a bike up to work on it, as well as a pump and a range of multi-tools. There are a handful downtown, including one in West Broadway that only consists of a single metal stand because the tools and pump have been stolen. The station was installed last summer. It had to be replaced one month later. And now, the tools are gone again. “It’s unfortunate because there are a lot of families — not just bikers, moms who are pushing a stroller around and want to put air in their stroller tires,” said Lawrence Mulhall, director of the community centre. He blamed bike theft rings in the neighbourhood. Mulhall said they’re going to leave the stand outside and keep the tools and pump inside the centre, so people can take their bikes inside or sign out tools to do repairs at home. Meanwhile, the station outside thedowntown Millennium Library is going to be moved because of repeated theft, said Currie Gillespie, a cycling advocate and the general manager of Rackworks, a company that builds and sells made-in-Manitoba bike-repair stations in Winnipeg. Gillespie said the problem isn’t isolated to downtown; tools are stolen from stations all over the city. “All the (Rackworks) locations that are opento the public have been vandalized at least once,” he said. Those include the BNC pit stops, two on the Bishop Grandin Greenway and two in Transcona — the most recent targets. The Transcona BIZ installed two repair stations earlier this summer, one at the corner of Pandora Avenue and Bond Street and another at 135 Regent Ave. The cost to purchase and install the stations was $3,000. (The BIZ funded the project with part of an active transportation grant from the city; other pit stops have been installed thanks to private donations and city councillor budgets.) Both east end stations have been vandalized twice, said Alex Morrison, executive director of the BIZ. The latest robbery took place on the long weekend. “The idea is to bring your bike to the tools, don’t bring the tools to your bike,” Morrison said. “It’s frustrating. I don’t know if it’s maliciousness or someone who has beefagainst biking and this is their way of making their feelings known.” She said the BIZ set aside $400 in its annual budget for service stop maintenance. If needed, the general maintenance fund can be used for fixing things such as broken benches. “We’re creative, we could do a lot with $400 to improve the community if we didn’t have to set that aside for stupid things like replacing tools that have been stolen.” The latest Winnipeg Police Service report says theft of items worth $5,000 or less in Winnipeg increased 15 per cent in 2017. maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie

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WFP Analysis: For women, opening Portage and Main is a safety issue (Aug10'18)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Aug '18

10 Aug '18

For women, opening Portage and Main is a safety issue https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/for-women-opening-portag… WOMEN often experience the city differently than men. Many women who regularly occupy the urban environment consider their navigation of the city carefully and avoid areas with a higher potential for a dangerous situation to arise. The reopening of Portage and Main to pedestrians would have a positive impact on safety in downtown Winnipeg, especially for women, and most notably at night. Hollaback! is a non-profit organization that combats street harassment in cities. Its 2013 study noted that more than two-thirds of Winnipeg women experience harassment, including honking, leering, whistling and comments of a sexual nature, at least once a month, and more than one-third experience street harassment at least once a week. These occurrences limit a woman’s right to safe and harassment-free public space. Winnipeg became the first Canadian city to join the UN Global Safe Cities Initiative in 2013. This initiative aims to reduce harassment and sexual violence againstwomen and girls in public spaces. An equitable city is a city in which all people — regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, race, physical ability or age — have equal access to the city. Downtown should be the heart of a vibrant modern city; however, there is a lack of actual and perceived safety at Portage and Main that prevents much of the population from engaging with ourmost famous intersection. A 2014 study conducted by Winnipeg Safe City concluded that 27.5 per cent of reported sexual offences in Winnipeg occur in the northwest area of downtown. Between 2011 and 2015, 22.9 per cent of assaults in this area occurred in South Portage, a zone which includes Portage and Main. How physical environments are designed can affect a sense of safety and limit or enhance a woman’s access to the city. The public entrances to the Portage and Main underground are unsafe, especially for women at night. The dark, unsupervised stairwells are beyond the sightlines of the adjacent streets and sidewalks. Once a pedestrian reaches the underground crossing, they are met by a privately owned mall with shops that close shortly after 5 p.m. The underground concourse after hours is sparsely supervised and difficult to navigate. Clear sightlines, navigation and views are important for safe movement throughout the city. The concrete walls above ground at Portage and Main create blind corners and limit visibility to the sidewalk for nearby motorists and pedestrians. While avoiding the underground stairs, a pedestrian at street level must still navigate a path that offers limited opportunities to exit if an unsafe situation arises. Adding pedestrian crossings at Portage and Main will provide alternate paths of travel, allowing individuals to avoid dangerous situations and find refuge more quickly when needed. Surveillance technology and professional supervision can aid safety; however, these measures are costly and do less to increase perceived comfort than the presence of others. The simplest and most cost-effective way to make an urban environment safer is to increase the amount of foot traffic by encouraging pedestrian activity. Increasing the number of pedestrians improves safety, prevents street harassment through accountability and provides immediate access to assistance if an incident occurs. A pedestrian-friendly environment that includes restaurant patios, storefronts, entertainment, green space, public seating and lighting has made the Exchange District more attractive to people throughout the day. In contrast, the design of Portage and Main repels pedestrians, forcing them underground or towards alternative routes. This calculated reduction in pedestrian activity creates a dead zone, with few pedestrians, storefronts or building entries, which heightens the feeling of isolation and lack of security. In 2017, a poll conducted by Mainstreet/Postmedia revealed Canadians believe Winnipeg is the least-safe city in the country. We can begin to change this negative perception by implementing a design that encourages more pedestrians to be on the sidewalk, creating strength in numbers during the day and night. The Forks, downtown theatres, Old Market Square and Bell MTS Place are visitor hotspots. A direct and obvious connection on foot between these places will provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for the 110,000 people who are downtown each day. Everyone should feel safe in their own city. Removing the walls and inviting more people back to Portage and Main will increase the sense of safety in the area and improve navigation and movement through the downtown. Perceived safety can have a large impact on the livability of a city forwomen and girls. Women should be afforded the same right to evening mobility in the city as men, free from the concern of harassment and violence. Reopening Portage and Main will help Winnipeg’s downtown feel more comfortable at all times of day, for all genders. *Erin Riediger is an architectural graduate student and interior designer.*

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Vision Zero: New York bucking trend of ped/cyclist deaths
by Beth McKechnie 09 Aug '18

09 Aug '18

Helpful 7:53 min video from CBC summarizing what makes New York's Vision Zero program so effective. "Queens Blvd, which used to be the most deadly area in the city, has had zero deaths since Vision Zero was implemented." http://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/vision-zero-new-york-s-changing-traffic-… Thanks to Jaymi Derrett for the share! cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 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: Moving Beyond the Centerline - Advisory Bicycle Lanes, Best Kept Secret | Wed, Aug. 15th, 2-3pm
by Heather Mitchell 08 Aug '18

08 Aug '18

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on August 15th for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre boardroom <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. Best, Heather -- Webinar: Wed, August 15th, 2-3pm *Moving Beyond the Centerline - Advisory Bicycle Lanes, Best Kept Secret* Don't miss this exciting webinar from the experts on advisory bike lanes (ABL). Michael and Steve will give an introduction to ABLs where you'll learn what an advisory bike lane looks like and how it works. Then, learn how communities are using ABLs by hearing from Simon with the city of Minneapolis and Adam with the city of Ottawa. *Presenters*: Michael Williams, Michael Williams Company Steve Durrant, Alta Planning + Design Simon Blenski, City of Minneapolis Adam Hortop, City of Ottawa -- *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 Analysis: Shedding light on Portage and Main (Aug8'18)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Aug '18

08 Aug '18

Shedding light on Portage and Main https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/shedding- light-on-portage-and-main-490327721.html FOR 40 years, we have been arguing over adding 18 seconds in the morning and 54 seconds in the afternoon to a daily Winnipeg commute that averages 24 minutes each way. The idea of letting people cross the street at Portage and Main has long evoked images of gridlocked cars lined to the Perimeter Highway, but with a public r eferendum n ow foisted upon us, it is time to investigate the facts. Last year, the respected engineering firm Dillon Consulting completed the Portage and Main Transportation Study, a comprehensive 95-page document which looked at the effects of introducing pedestrians at each corner, during both the morning and afternoon rush hours. Dillon compiled extensive, real-world data and used it to create precise computer simulation models, with cutting-edge software that is considered a global leader in accuracy and precision. The study found that the greatest impacts to traffic will be experienced in the peak of afternoon rush hour, when the average time it will take for cars to get through the intersection will be 33 seconds longer than today. When the impact of this is telegraphed across downtown, the average time of an overall commute will increase by a total of 54 seconds (cumulative delay for all cars/ number of cars). The two largest routes, Main Street northbound and southbound through traffic, representing 50 per cent of all cars entering the intersection, will experience no change from current travel times, because pedestrians will cross parallel with drivers. Eastbound traffic on Portage Avenue, representing 25 per cent of all vehicles, will experience the most notable increases, adding an average of about 2½ minutes to a total commute in afternoon peak hours. The conclusion for the morning rush hour states that “the overall experience for drivers will not be significantly different.” Cars will take an average of only 10 seconds longer to get through the intersection, and the average overall commute across downtown will increase by just 18 seconds. The minimal impact that introducing pedestrians at Portage and Main has on car traffic can be explained by the fact the intersection doesn’t exist in isolation. As an example, there are 10 pedestrian crossings on the one kilometre of Portage Avenue between Memorial Boulevard and Main Street. The study shows that adding one more does not significantly change average vehicle commuting times across downtown. Of 20 transit routes studied, one saw a delay of more than two minutes, and six were delayed by more than a minute. These time delays seem insignificant, but because every bus carries so many people, there would be a compound effect on transit capacity, so further study of transit times and routing would be needed to address the issue. It should be noted that the study did not examine opportunities to look at managing the effects on traffic through downtown m ore holistically, including signal-timing co-ordination, transit routing or changes in driver habits as conditions evolve. Interestingly, the model uses adjacent crosswalk volumes to predict the number of pedestrians that will use Portage a nd Main, revealing a reasonable balance, with 6 ,000 cars and 2,000 pedestrian crossings per hour at peak times. The Dillon study also addresses the cost of reopening the intersection by providing a detailed breakdown of work required to remove the barricades and restore the corner to a level typical of other city intersections. A $3.8-million construction cost has been identified, with a significant contingency of $2.3 m illion to cover any cost overruns or unknowns that could be found when digging up 4 0-year-old infrastructure. If the purchase of new buses is to be contemplated, a cost of $5.5 m illion was included as a separate line item in the budget. To put the $6.1-million overall constructioncost into perspective, the city currently has 82 capital projects underway that each cost more than $5 million. The study did not look at the cost of repairing the barricades and stairwells that are currently crumbling, with rusting steel rebar exposed in many locations. The cost of these longoverdue repairs, if the barricades were to remain, might begin to rival the expense of removing the walls completely. The study addresses pedestrian safety by proposing the use of signal timing that allows pedestrians to get a head start into the intersection, a technique currently proving effective at Broadway and Main Street. The study states that “while the risks of a collision with pedestrians will undoubtedly increase from zero, they will not be any greater than at other major intersections in Winnipeg.” Portage Avenue at Memorial Boulevard a nd Main Street at Broadway are intersections with similar ranges of vehicle traffic volumes and significant pedestrian numbers. The Dillon study touches on accessibility by indicating people who use wheelchairs or have limited m obility can currently t ake m ore than nine minutes to cross the street through the underground, and when the private office towers close after the workday, it is not accessible to people who are unable to navigate stairs. This requires an above-ground crossing, which for two of the four directions is a journey of about 400 m etres. The Dillon report provides an important resource of factual information to help inform the debate as w e m ove toward a public vote. The study alleviates fears of significant traffic congestion by demonstrating that most expected commuter delays will b e m inimal. It also makes some other important conclusions, stating that reconfiguring Portage and Main will improve the pedestrian experience, encourage a shift from single-occupant vehicles, ensure wheelchair accessibility exists at all times, improve area safety by b ringing m ore people to the sidewalks and make urban living more attractive. *Brent Bellamy is a senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.*

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WFP Analysis: A wrong turn for mayoral candidate [Portage & Main] (Aug7'18)
by Beth McKechnie 07 Aug '18

07 Aug '18

A wrong turn for mayoral candidate Motkaluk’s Portage and Main conspiracy theory does little to advance debate LAST week, we got to see the first serious week of campaigning in the referendum on whether to reopen Portage and Main. In short, it was a frequently rough-and-tumble, horrendously misinformed thrill ride. Facebook and Twitter were alight with debate between citizens in favour and opposed to pedestrian traffic at Portage and Main. Opponents suggested the return of pedestrians would cripple traffic and endanger lives; proponents countered with engineering studies showing commuters would, at worst, face delays of up to 50 seconds. In general, the debate has been well conducted: citizens exchanging ideas and background information on a pressing issue of public concern. Lamentably, there were a few participants determined to drag the discourse down into the gutter with all manner of incendiary allegations. Mayoral candidate Jenny Motkaluk was at the head of the pack that sought to divert the debate from the impact of reopening the intersection to political conspiracy theories. In an Aug. 3 post on her campaign website, Motkaluk said there was a “rumour” Mayor Brian Bowman was having trouble raising money for his re-election campaign. As a result, Motkaluk expressed concern Bowman was going to misuse taxpayer resources to support his bid for a second term. That’s an incendiary allegation, and one that Motkaluk did little to back up with evidence. What proof she did claim to have focused more on the lack of rules governing the referendum, and how that might end up benefiting Bowman. On that one point — the issue of the lack of guidelines — Motkaluk is not wrong to raise a red flag. The referendum motion tabled by Coun. Jeff Browaty and Coun. Janice Lukes on July 18 made no attempt to define the rules for campaigning. This was a problem because Manitoba is one of only three provinces that does not have legislation governing plebiscites and referenda. An opponent of the referendum, Motkaluk said she is concerned there will be “unchecked third-party spending” that could affect the civic election. Again, on that point she has a valid concern. At the same time they were building support for a referendum, Browaty and Lukes certainly should have proposed a bylaw to outline the rules of engagement. But they didn’t and, as a result, we are facing a potential free-for-all referendum campaign. However, rather than question the wisdom of those who brought forward the referendum, Motkaluk seems to be consumed with an elaborate conspiracy theory about how “unchecked spending on the Yes side would be an important element to (Bowman’s) reelectioncampaign.” If the ‘Yes’ campaign sticks to the issue of Portage and Main itself and does not get into the business of endorsing any candidate for public office, then the allegation that it supports Bowman’s re-election campaign is a long bow to draw. Yes, Bowman wants to reopen Portage and Main. And yes, citizens who support that view may choose to support Bowman. But it’s a stretch to say the ‘Yes’ campaign is a ‘re-elect Brian Bowman’ campaign. And the same could be said about the ‘No’ campaign. Any resources that go into that effort would, in essence, support Motkaluk’s bid for the mayoralty. Although it’s unclear that a fully operational ‘No’ campaign will materialize, this is a level playing field for the most part. Motkaluk also alleged that city-funded agencies supporting the ‘Yes’ campaign were effectively using taxpayer money to support Bowman’s campaign. In particular, Motkaluk called out the Downtown BIZ and Exchange District BIZ, both of which have publicly argued in favour of reopening Portage and Main for years and now are providing operational support to the ‘Yes’ campaign. The Business Improvement Zones were created as advocacy organizations, supported primarily through a levy charged to business owners in each zone. The city does collect that money, but it is remitted entirely to the appropriate BIZ. The BIZs also earn some revenue by providing other services to the city, such as security and litter control. “I think Jenny has the right to express her concerns,” Stefano Grande, CEO of the Downtown BIZ, said in an interview. “But the truth and facts are that the Downtown BIZ, and others, have been already expending resources on this issue for several years now. We have the data and research to educate our members and the public on the importance of opening up Portage and Main. This is our role.” The conspiracy theories offered last week by Motkaluk did not stop at the BIZs. She also went after architect Brent Bellamy, spokesman for the ‘Yes’ campaign. In addition to fronting the ‘Yes’ campaign, Bellamy is a member of a number of architecture and planning organizations and a regular contributor to the Free Press. Plus, he was appointed by Bowman as the chairman of Centre Venture, the city’s downtown development agency. “Brian Bowman is the honorary chairman (of Centre Venture),” Motkaluk wrote in her post. “Hmmm. That’s interesting.” No it’s not. As is the case with the two BIZ organizations, Bellamy was a well-known advocate for reopening Portage and Main, and was appointed to the Centre Venture board long before the referendum was proposed. To suggest Bellamy is doing something wrong by supporting the ‘Yes’ campaign is a brutal bit of logic. Still, it’s easy to understand why Motkaluk is upset. She has worked hard to create contrast between herself and Bowman, and clearly believed she would have the upper hand in any debate on Portage and Main that took place within the confines of the mayoral campaign. Now, she is concerned about having to wage war on a second front against the forces behind the ‘Yes’ campaign who can operate without any constraints. Unfortunately, Motkaluk’s concerns are coming out as poorly grounded innuendo. If you follow her logic, you might even be willing to believe Browaty and Lukes conspired with Bowman to create the referendum, thus giving the incumbent mayor a huge advantage over challengers. Anyone who knows the lay of the land at city hall knows Browaty and Lukes have no interest in aiding Bowman in any way, shape or form. They are easily among Bowman’s greatest council foes. When it comes down to it, Motkaluk’s beef is not with Bowman, who has argued that his 2014 election win gave him a mandate to reopen Portage and Main, but rather with Browaty and Lukes, who unleashed a referendum — which has no rules or guidelines — on the city just 90 days before Winnipeggers go to the polls. Council might want to consider an emergency meeting this month to set some of those guidelines. These might include, but not be limited to, spending limits for official campaigns, a requirement to reveal the identity of donors and most importantly a directive that any referendum-related advertising should steer clear of endorsing any one candidate. These are guidelines all council members should embrace. Even Bowman, who could kill any future allegation that he wants a lawless referendum campaign by leading the charge to introduce firm rules. Until that happens, all candidates seeking election in the fall would be well advised to pick their fights more carefully. dan.lett(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: Uber, Lyft creating more congestion, not reducing it: study (Aug4'18)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Aug '18

05 Aug '18

Uber, Lyft creating more congestion, not reducing it: study CAR TROUBLE https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/car-trouble-490052261.html THE explosive growth of Uber and Lyft has created a new traffic problem for major U.S. cities and ride-booking options such as Uber Pool and Lyft Line are exacerbating the issue by appealing directly to customers who would otherwise have taken transit, walked, biked or not used a ride-hail service at all, according to a new study. The report by Bruce Schaller, author of the influential study Unsustainable?, which found ride-hailing services were making traffic congestion in New York City worse, constructs a detailed profile of the typical ride-hail user and issues a stark warning to cities: make efforts to counter the growth of ride-hail services, or surrender city streets to fleets of private cars, creating a more hostile environment for pedestrians and cyclists and ultimately making urban cores less desirable places to live. Schaller concludes that where private ride options such as Uber X and Lyft have failed on promises to cut down on personal driving and car ownership— both of which are trending up— pooled ride services have lured a different market that directly competes with subway and bus systems, while failing to achieve significantly better efficiency than their solo alternatives. The result: more driving overall. Ride-hailing has added about 9.2 billion vehicle kilometres to nine major urban areas over six years, the report says, and the trend is “likely to intensify” as the popularity of the services surges. (The study notes that total ride-hailing trips in New York increased 72 per cent from 2016 to 2017 and 47 per cent in Seattle over that time. Revenue data from the D.C. Department of For-Hire Vehicles showed the ride-hailing industry’s growth quadrupled in the District from late 2015 to 2017.) The nine cities studied were New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Washington, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle. Schaller found that while options such as Uber X add 2.8 new vehicle kilometres for each kilometre of personal driving they eliminate, the inclusion of options such as Uber-Pool and Lyft Line adds to traffic at only a marginally lower rate: 2.6 new kilometres for every kilometre of personal driving reduced. The findings are based on published trip mileage data and the companies’ own claims about the share of solo and pooled rides. “Shared rides add to traffic because most users switch from non-auto modes,” the report says. “In addition, there is added mileage between trips as drivers wait for the next dispatch and then drive to a pickup location. Finally, even in a shared ride, some of the trip involves just one passenger (e.g., between the first and second pickup).” Schaller synthesizes data from surveys in eight cities and the state of California to conclude 60 per cent of ride-hail users would have otherwise used transit, walked or biked, or stayed home were it not for the availability of services such as Uber and Lyft. “It’s people getting out of the bus and metro getting into sedans,” said Schaller, a former deputy commissioner for traffic and planning at the New York City department of transportation. Lyft disputed Schaller’s findings, pointing to its own sustainability efforts, its urban mobility focus and claims from passengers who report giving up their cars — though the locations where those reductions took place were not immediately clear. “We strongly disagree with Schaller’s claims regarding shared rides,” Lyft spokeswoman Campbell Matthews said. “Since Lyft’s founding, we’ve been focused on increasing car occupancy and eliminating the need for car ownership. That focus has paid off. “Just last year, over 250,000 Lyft passengers gave up their personal cars because of the availabilityof ride-share,” Matthews said. “We are continuingto focus on our goals by redesigning the Lyft app to integrate with public transit and introducing bike and scooter sharing to the Lyft platform. We are committed to ensuring passengers have access to a spectrum of transportation options that serve our cities best.” Uber said in a statement that it supports several of the policies Schaller proposes, including the expansion of dedicated bus and bike lanes and congestion pricing. The company argued that contrary to Schaller’s conclusions, Uber saved more than 500 million global vehicle kilometres in 2017 by shifting riders to its pool service. Schaller never argued, however, that pool services were less efficient than solo rides. He concluded that at the rate the services are expanding— and with appeals to transit users — the effects of any such reductions are negligible and the growth is untenable. Schaller’s conclusions cast doubt on notions that ride-hail services will ultimately reduce private vehicle ownership and challenge arguments that they do not compete with mass transit. Based on a profile of the average ride-hail user, he concludes that the more services such as Uber Express Pool resemble transit, the more they will draw riders away from urban rail and bus systems, resulting in an increasing number of transit users turning to private cars to get around. But sedans don’t have the capacity to match the modes they are pulling from, he says. “When you look at the numbers, what you see is that what is more sharing for them is less sharing overall,” Schaller said. Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the pro-transit Coalition for Smarter Growth, pointed to another one of the report’s conclusions. Lyft says that today, a third of its rides in major markets are shared. The company has outlined a goal to make half of its ride shared by 2022. “Even if Lyft managed to meet its 50 per cent shared ride goal, you still increase (vehicle kilometres travelled) by 120 per cent,” Schwartz said, citing the report’s finding that 50 per cent shared-ride adoption would still add about 3.5 vehicle kilometres to roads, or a 120 per cent increase in driving overall. Schwartz called the conclusions “pretty sobering.” Schaller’s analysis is “one of the first studies to really look at (Uber and Lyft’s) impacts from across a national spectrum,” said Adam Stocker, a staff researcher with the Transportation Sustainability Research Center, who is part of a team pursuing a study on the impacts of Uber and Lyft across three North American cities. But individual cities face challenges in discerning how the findings apply to them, Stocker said, because of a dearth of available data from the companies themselves. “The main limitation of it is that mainly due to the sample size, the city-by-city differences, some of that detail doesn’t stand out because nine cities were put together,” he said. “Due to data limitations... you can oftenmiss a lot of the nuance in the usage or the impacts between cities themselves.” Part of his team’s focus is to discern how the “mode replacement profile” differs between those who use the pooled options versus solo riders. He wouldn’t give away any of the findings, but suggested that the portrait of a pool user aligns closely with those who use transit services. “My overall sense from reading the entire report is this is the exact reason why we need more data transparency on this,” Tomer said. “My hunch is... the immediate reactions from both Uber and Lyft... They’re gonna suggest, well, ‘This isn’t what our data says.’ And the reality is we don’t know.” — Washington Post

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WFP: No charges in crosswalk death of eight-year-old boy (Aug1'18)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Aug '18

05 Aug '18

No charges in crosswalk death of eight-year-old boy https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/no-charges-in-crosswalk-death-of-ei… THERE will be no charges in the death of an eight-year-old boy who was hit by a vehicle at a St. Vital crosswalk in February, Winnipeg police say. Surafiel Musse Tesfamariam, a Grade 3 student at École Varennes, died in hospital after he was struck crossing St. Anne’s Road near Varennes Avenue. He was on his way to school with his mother. “Ultimately, speed was not a factor and the investigation revealed no criminal culpability,” Winnipeg Police Service traffic division Staff Sgt. Sean Pollock said Tuesday. Police would not elaborate further on the cause of the collision or whether the driver’s view was obstructed. The driver of the pickup truck remained on scene until emergency responders arrived and co-operated with investigators, a police spokesman told the Free Press in February. In his obituary published in the Free Press in February, family remembered Surafiel as an active boy who loved to swim. “(He) offered to the world his unconditional love,” his obituary reads. He was survived by his three siblings and parents. Surafiel’s death wasn’t the first at that St. Anne’s Road crosswalk. In September 1981, 10-year-old Daniel La France was killed by a vehicle at the same crossing; in 2006, a 34-yearold woman died in hospital two days after she was struck at the same location. Surafiel’s death renewed calls for improved safety at the pedestrian crossing. In 2012, St. Vital Coun. Brian Mayes asked City of Winnipeg traffic administration to consider installing a traffic light at the crossing (following a request from a constituent). The requested change wasn’t recommended, because traffic on the side streets was too low to warrant it. After Surafiel’s death, Mayes yet again asked the city to study the crossing, as part of an already-planned study of traffic safety on St. Anne’s Road. In May, councillors on the public works committee unanimously approved the administration plan for the installation of eye-level warning lights and possibly strobe-like flashing LED lights at the crosswalk before the start of the 2018-19 school year. The city’s transportation manager, David Patman, also said tree branches that might obscure the existing flashing amber lights at the crossing will be pruned in order to improve driver vision. Those safety improvements are on track to be completed before the start of the school year, a city communications staffer said. — with files from Aldo Santin erik.pindera(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: More bike repair stations for cyclists popping up (Aug1'18)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Aug '18

05 Aug '18

Need to make a pit stop? More bike repair stations for cyclists popping up https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-funding-network-of-new-bike-re… WITHOUT a personal bike pump or tool kit packed for a ride, Winnipeg cyclists who needed a pit stop a decade ago were out of luck. “If we go back to five years ago, there may have been one repair station,” said Currie Gillespie, a cycling advocate who co-owns Rackworks, a company that builds and sells made-in- Manitoba bike repair stations in Winnipeg. Today, there are at least 12 repair stations throughout the city, the latest Winnipeg Cycling Map shows. Published in spring 2018, circles marked with the letter R appear near Winnipeg libraries, parks and schools all over the city map. However, Gillespie said some stations are missing from the map — including the newly installed Academy Road and Transcona service stops. He estimates at least another five new repair stations (atop the map’s 12) will be available to the public by the end of the summer. Two of his stations are going in at Fort Whyte, he added. The free stations differ from location to location, but they usually have a stand so users can lift a bike up to work on it, a pump and a handful of multitools. The pit stops allow Winnipeggers to make “a quick correction” if something happens to their bike during a commute, said Mark Cohoe, executive director at Bike Winnipeg — such as inflating low tires, changing an inner tube and raising handlebar and seat heights. Cohoe said the on-the-go facilities are especially important for cyclists who can’t afford to buy a bike stand, tools or take their bike into a shop, and Winnipeggers who live in apartments and don’t have room to work on their bikes at home. Another benefit is the stations are available at all hours of the day, he said. The stations, which Gillespie said started appearing in Winnipeg in 2013, have been funded by private businesses, the local Business Improvement Zones and area councillors. They can cost up to $4,000, a City of Winnipeg spokesperson said on Monday. Rackworks has “easily” doubled production each year, Gillespie said. The company charges $1,500 for both the product and installation. That’s what the Transcona BIZ paid for each of its new stations: at the corner of Pandora Avenue and Bond Street and at 135 Regent Ave. The BIZ used part of its $10,000 active transportation grant from the city towards the new stations to encourage cycling in Winnipeg’s east end neighbourhood, executive director Alex Morrison said on Monday. She said she hasn’t received a single negative comment about the stations. “We really want to encourage people to use their bikes and use our trail system,” Morrison said, adding the new infrastructure seems to be doing just that. “It’s been pretty popular. I often see people using them.” A recent study conducted by Bike Winnipeg and CAA found 21 per cent of Winnipeggers identify as regular cyclists; the highest self-reported figure Bike Winnipeg has recorded. “I think it’s becoming a part of the lifestyle here in Winnipeg,” Cohoe said, echoing the findings. Gillespie said he and Cohoe both agree there seems to be more bikes on the road today than there was several years ago. “We’re thinking that because there are more racks, more repair stations, more infrastructure, the people who are riding their bikes are riding them more.” There is a station as far north as the Health Sciences Centre, as far east as Transcona, as far south as the University of Manitoba and as far west as Assiniboine Park. While there’s more bike infrastructure around the city, Cohoe said there still isn’t a huge density of repair stations. However, it doesn’t look like Winnipeg will return to the bike repair station desert it once was. Along with the new Rackworks stations popping up this season, Red River College plans to install a new station at its downtown campus by the start of the fall semester. “We’re adding one more thing that might be that deterrent for people cycling to campus, the fear of, ‘What happens if my bike needs adjustments?’ Or not wanting to be stranded with a flat tire,” said Sara MacArthur, sustainability director at the college. maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie

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WFP Opinion: To realize mayor's vision, Portage and Main is going to need some help from its friends (Jul24'18)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Jul '18

26 Jul '18

*To realize mayor's vision, Portage and Main is going to need some help from its friends* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/referendum-489057871.html Winnipeggers who want to see Portage and Main re-opened to pedestrians have a right to feel a bit disappointed that Mayor Brian Bowman was one of 14 members of city council to vote in favour of a proposal to hold a referendum on the matter in this fall's election. After all, Bowman campaigned in 2014 on a promise to re-open the intersection and his ringing electoral victory gave him a mandate to do just that. All those who want to free Winnipeg's most famous intersection believe Bowman at the very least should have opposed the referendum on that basis alone. Has the mayor abandoned cause of Portage and Main? The short answer is yes, and no. Yes, in failing to oppose the referendum, Bowman was demonstrating a greater interest in getting re-elected than pursuing an open intersection. Mayoral challenger Jenny Motkaluk has pledged to stop the city from re-opening Portage and Main. Although it is unclear that Portage and Main was going to make or break anyone's campaign, the prospect of a referendum more or less defuses one of Motkaluk's sharpest points of attack. This is not a risk-free strategy for the mayor. If Winnipeggers vote to keep the intersection closed, Bowman will have to bear some of the responsibility. Whether or not that will happen is, however, anyone's guess at this point. Given the hastiness with which Coun. Jeff Browaty raised the prospects of a referendum — at the last council meeting before the fall election — there is very little time for 'yes' and 'no' sides to mount a formal campaign. Even the motivation for holding the referendum has been muddy and poorly defined. A constant source of political non-sequiturs, Browaty actually argued that referendum was necessary to give those people who voted for Bowman but do not support him on this issue a chance at a do-over. "This is an opportunity to have a real debate on the matter and for the public to say which way they go and, hopefully, we never have to discuss it again," he said. And in that ridiculous context, no, Bowman is not entirely abandoning the cause. He is, however, reaching out to the citizens for some help. And if social media is any indication, Browaty and his collaborators may only have provoked the #TeamOpen constituency. That will be important if Bowman's vision is to survive the irreconcilable gulf that separates core area Winnipeggers from those who live in the suburbs. Poll results show that a slim majority of Winnipeggers oppose the re-opening of Portage and Main. However, dig deeper and you can see the real fault lines. The people who want the intersection re-opened generally include younger Winnipeggers, those who live downtown, citizens with mobility issues, most urban planners and architects with an interest in downtown development, entrepreneurs who own businesses downtown and — perhaps most importantly — those who own property right at Portage and Main. Opposition to a barrier-free intersection includes many older Winnipeggers, people who live outside the core and only drive through the centre of the city on their way to work or on their way somewhere else. With those lines of demarcation, the debate comes down to a battle between those for whom downtown is a daily and significant presence in their lives, and those for whom it is mostly an afterthought. And that is a potentially dangerous scenario given that there is so much disinformation surrounding the issue. Browaty, Coun. Janice Lukes and even Motkaluk would have people believe that this is largely a fiscal issue, a waste of money on something that will only delay the afternoon commute for people who hate going downtown in the first place. In fact, in relative terms, it's a pretty frugal project. All told, the city is committed to spending about $3.5 million on street-level upgrades and planning the re-opening of the intersection. We do not know the final cost of tearing down the barriers. However, the existing barriers are falling apart and removing them could very likely be less expensive than rebuilding them. There is also the fact that private land owners at Portage and Main need to do repairs to the underground infrastructure that supports Winnipeg Square, the underground shopping mall. That work will require the removal of some of the barriers. Rebuilding them seems a pointless endeavour. Traffic is often cited as a concern, even though a survey of the existing patterns at Portage and Main reveal some very long delays between green lights. For those who need to get across the intersection, there will be time. Pedestrian safety is also raised as a concern, although there is nothing to suggest that this intersection will be any more dangerous than any other. In fact, it's quite likely it will be safer than using a cross-walk on Pembina Highway during the morning rush hour. By deferring to the will of the people who vote in the referendum, Bowman has clearly passed the buck to citizens who share his vision of a barrier-free Portage and Main. That is bad news for those people who believe he earned the mandate to re-open the intersection four years ago. The good news is that the referendum also serves as an opportunity to get the intersection re-opened with a promise that — in Browaty's words — we never have to discuss the legitimacy of the issue ever again. dan.lett(a)freepress.mb.ca

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"Green man" signal gives priority to pedestrians
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jul '18

25 Jul '18

Very cool! https://usa.streetsblog.org/2018/07/23/new-traffic-signals-in-london-will-t… Streetsblog USA reports "Green man" authority will prioritize pedestrians over cars in parts of London, England as part of the Mayor's ambitious plan to get a million more walking trips by 2041. (Walking Action Plan: Making London the World's Most Walkable City: http://bit.ly/2A7z0Kp <https://pps.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c803e70a8ad33c13a95a1ee6&id=…>) To help meet its goals for "pedestrian time saved," the transportation agency will begin using smart traffic signals with "Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique" to detect the number of pedestrians waiting at an intersection and automatically adjust timing to minimize their wait and ensure they have enough time to cross. At 10 other intersections, they want to use traffic signals to give pedestrians the right-of-way by default. They call it the "green man." -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP: Cyclists want safer streets: poll (Jul25'18)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jul '18

25 Jul '18

Cyclists want safer streets: poll https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/more-than-a-third- of-winnipeggers-hungry-for-bike-friendly-commute-to-work- survey-489040481.html CAA and Bike Winnipeg are attempting to steer cycling infrastructure out of the margins and into the centre of political debates in the leadup to the civic election inOctober. And if the result of a new Probe Research poll conducted for the agencies is any indication, their message is likely to resonate with at least a third of Winnipeggers. The poll, conducted June 5-19, asked 600 adults a series of questions about cycling, finding 21 per cent of residents are regular cyclists and 35 per cent said they would cycle more if the city was more bike friendly. “With 21 per cent of people out there biking on a regular basis, it means it’s an issue for them. It’s definitely something I think is going to come up at the door, and if you’re a wise candidate you’re going to make sure it’s part of your platform,” Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe said Tuesday. The 21 per cent of regular cyclists identified in the poll is the highest self-reported figure his group has seen to date, he said. According to Probe Research, the random phone poll — landline and cellphone numbers were called — offers 95 per cent certainty the results are within a plus or minus four percentage point range of what they would be if Winnipeg’s entire adult population had been queried. In the 2016 Statistics Canada census, 6,200 Winnipeggers (0.87 per cent of the city’s population) reported cycling was their main mode of commuting to work. In the poll, a regular cyclist was defined as someone who pedals to work daily or several times a week for transportation. The data released Tuesday was the first instalment in a three-part series focused on the city’s appetite for cycling and the obstacles currently in place preventing people from hittingthe road on twowheels, rather than four. Liz Kulyk, CAA’s corporate manager of government and community relations, said the release of the poll results were purposefully timed to coincide with the run-up to the municipal election. The next two instalments in the series will take a closer look at the safety concerns raised by cyclists (Aug. 8) and will also call on council and mayoral candidates to make improved cycling infrastructure a part of their campaign platforms (Aug. 29), she said. “Of all the issues facing our city, this is the one where we can really capitalize and move our city forward. There’s lots of things, visionary ideas, that you’re going to hear from various candidates in the election — ‘do this, don’t do that,’” Kulyk said. “What we can tell you is if we want to move Winnipeg forward to a city of one million (residents) and continue to grow and be an economic hub, we can’t not tackle this one headon.” When respondents were asked what the biggest barrier to becoming an active cyclist was, the issue of protected bike lanes on major routes quickly jumped to the top of the list. Nearly half of the Winnipeggers polled (47 per cent) also said building protected bike lanes in the downtown core should be the city’s top priority. Kulyk believes that too often the issue of cycling infrastructure pits cyclists and drivers against each other, when — in reality— what’s good for one is good for the other. “More people cycling and leaving their car at home means better roads. We’re seeing record construction in our city right now and we’re doing a lot of wholesale changes to some pretty main thoroughfares,” she said. “There should not be a single decision made about those wholesale changes to roads without also considering what is the best way forward to ensure cyclists and drivers and everybody using the road gets to use it in the most efficient and safe way possible.” ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe

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Fwd: NEWS RELEASE - CYCLING BECOMING MORE MAINSTREAM: CAA, BIKE WINNIPEG SURVEY - July 24, 2018
by Mark Cohoe 24 Jul '18

24 Jul '18

Cycling is becoming more mainstream in Manitoba’s capital city, but we are really just scratching the surface of our city's cycling potential. Research commissioned by CAA Manitoba and Bike Winnipeg also shows that Winnipeggers have an appetite to bike even more often – if infrastructure conditions are right. Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca *CYCLING BECOMING MORE MAINSTREAM: CAA, BIKE WINNIPEG SURVEY* *First of three-part series focuses on Winnipeggers’ appetite to bike & obstacles preventing use to commute* WINNIPEG, July 24, 2018 – CAA Manitoba and Bike Winnipeg have partnered on a survey, conducted by Probe Research, to delve deep into the problems and the potential regarding Winnipeggers cycling to get around town. The surprising results reveal that not only is cycling becoming more mainstream in Manitoba’s capital city, but that Winnipeggers have an appetite to bike even more often – if infrastructure conditions are right. “CAA and Bike Winnipeg have been talking about how to make our city more bike-friendly for years,” said Liz Kulyk, corporate manager of government and community relations at CAA Manitoba. “Yet we kept coming back to the same questions, which is why we needed to hear directly from Winnipeggers about their needs, desires and the obstacles that are keeping them from getting on their bike.” A solid 21 per cent of Winnipeggers polled said they are already cycling daily or a few times a week for transportation – the highest self-reported usage that Bike Winnipeg has seen to date. “It’s fantastic to hear more people are choosing to use two wheels to get around than ever before,” says Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. “But we’re even more excited about the fact that there’s still room to grow that mode share - 35 per cent of people saying they would cycle a few times a week or more if the conditions were optimal would put us on par with some European cities. Winnipeggers have told us loud and clear that they’re willing to bike, if there’s a way.” When asked to consider and rank options that would get them moving, literally and figuratively, from an aspiring cyclist to an active user, one improvement quickly rose to the top of the list: more protected bike lanes on major routes. Additionally, in a related question, almost half (47 per cent) of respondents said building protected bike lanes downtown should be the city’s priority. “When it comes to infrastructure, it’s clear that what’s good for cyclists is good for drivers. Safety for all road users increases when we separate cars and bikes,” says Kulyk. “Winnipeggers obviously feel the same way, and this is not the first time they’ve spoken out in favour of separated infrastructure <https://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/strategiesActionPlan…>. ” Both advocacy groups agree that with a civic election just around the corner, city council candidates should prepare to have discussions with Winnipeggers about their plans to address active transportation. “Record construction is great because every project is an opportunity to build for the future – not just with fresh pavement on an old outdated design, but to do what the young Winnipeggers who will inherit our city want and need,” Cohoe says. “We need to be considering improved designs that provide options for people of all ages and abilities to get around on foot or on bike as well as well as by car.” The next release in the series delves deeper into the top safety concerns of local drivers and cyclists. The third instalment discusses Winnipeggers’ views on how the City of Winnipeg and elected officials must move road design and maintenance forward to benefit citizens and all road users for years to come. Probe Research surveyed a random representative sample of 600 adults residing in Winnipeg between June 5 and 19, 2018. The survey sample size offers 95 per cent certainty that results are within plus or minus 4.0 percentage points of what they would be if the entire adult population of Winnipeg had been studied. *About CAA Manitoba:* * Since its inception in 1904, CAA Manitoba has been a non-profit, member-driven organization that advocates for road safety and the Canadian traveler, however they choose to commute.* *About Bike Winnipeg:* * As a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, Bike Winnipeg advocates for increased cycling awareness in Manitoba and works to make cycling in Winnipeg a safe, convenient, accessible and enjoyable transportation choice year-round.* – 30 – *For more information, please contact:* Erika Miller, Communications Consultant 204.797.4326 • erikam(a)caamanitoba.com This communication (including all attachments) is intended solely for the use of the person(s) to whom it is addressed and should be treated as a confidential CAA communication. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, distribution, printing, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please immediately delete it from your system and notify the originator. Your cooperation is appreciated.

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Old-fashioned warnings against women cycling sparks theme for new play: Bikeface
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jul '18

23 Jul '18

A little Monday humour (sort of)... cause we need it more on a Monday than on a Friday! https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/article-old- fashioned-warnings-against-women-cycling-sparks-theme-for-new-play/

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The impact of young peoples' choices on traffic planning
by Beth McKechnie 19 Jul '18

19 Jul '18

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Michael Sivak <sivakappliedresearch(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, Jul 19, 2018 at 2:34 PM Subject: Re: [At-network] The impact of young peoples' choices on traffic planning Beth, The second publication has data through 2016. A corrected link is below. • *Has motorization the U.S. peaked?* http://www.umich.edu/%7Eumtriswt/PDF/SWT-2018-2.pdf Regards, Michael Michael Sivak, Ph.D. Managing Director Sivak Applied Research Web: www.sivakappliedresearch.com Email: sivakappliedresearch(a)gmail.com On Thu, Jul 19, 2018 at 11:29 AM, Zdan, Terry (MI) <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> > wrote: > > • *Recent decreases in the proportion of persons with a driver's license > across all age groups* > > http://www.umich.edu/~umtriswt/PDF/UMTRI-2016-4.pdf > > > > • *Has motorization the U.S. peaked?* > > http://www.umich.edu/~Eumtriswt/PDF/SWT-2018-2.pdf > > > > happy trails > > TZ > > > > *From:* at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca < > at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca> *On Behalf Of *Charles Feaver > *Sent:* July-19-18 10:47 AM > *To:* at-network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > *Subject:* [At-network] The impact of young peoples' choices on traffic > planning > > > > A good piece in the BBC about the impact of the younger generation’s > decreased interest in cars on traffic growth. > > > > https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44849381 > > > > …In the 1990s, 80% of people were driving by 30; now this marker is only > reached by 45. > > > > Men under 30 are travelling only half the miles their fathers did. > > > > The Commission on Travel Demand says this should lead to a government > re-think about travel priorities. > > It points out that people in general are driving much less than expected: > > > > · People are travelling 10% fewer miles than in 2002 and spending > 22 hours less travelling each year than a decade ago. > > · There has been a 20% reduction in commuter trips per week since > the mid 1990s > > · Growth in car traffic has slowed. In the 1980s, it grew by 50% > whereas in the decade to 2016 it grew by 2% > > > > Yet BBC News has learned that next week the government is likely to > forecast a rise in traffic of between 20% and 60% by 2040. … > > > _______________________________________________ > AT-Network mailing list > AT-Network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/at-network > >

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The impact of young peoples' choices on traffic planning
by Charles Feaver 19 Jul '18

19 Jul '18

A good piece in the BBC about the impact of the younger generation's decreased interest in cars on traffic growth. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44849381 .In the 1990s, 80% of people were driving by 30; now this marker is only reached by 45. Men under 30 are travelling only half the miles their fathers did. The Commission on Travel Demand says this should lead to a government re-think about travel priorities. It points out that people in general are driving much less than expected: * People are travelling 10% fewer miles than in 2002 and spending 22 hours less travelling each year than a decade ago. * There has been a 20% reduction in commuter trips per week since the mid 1990s * Growth in car traffic has slowed. In the 1980s, it grew by 50% whereas in the decade to 2016 it grew by 2% Yet BBC News has learned that next week the government is likely to forecast a rise in traffic of between 20% and 60% by 2040. .

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WFP: People to get final say on Portage& Main (Jul19'18)
by Beth McKechnie 19 Jul '18

19 Jul '18

[Sadly, it looks like this will keep Portage and Main closed to anyone but motorists, as the issue is pretty much guaranteed to fail in a referendum. Winnipeg solidly remains a car-centric city well into the 21st century (my two cents). Sigh.] Mayor throws support behind making pedestrian access to famous intersection a ballot-box question People to get final say on Portage& Main https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/mayor-throws- support-behind-proposed-referendum-on-reopening-portage-and-main-488556851. html AFTER ardently campaigning in 2014 to reopen Portage and Main to pedestrians, Mayor Brian Bowman has agreed to let Winnipeggers have the final say. On Wednesday, the mayor (who is standing for re-election in October) announced he will support a motion at today’s council meeting proposing a referendum on the future of the historicintersection be added to the ballot. “I see no reason why we wouldn’t let Winnipeggers voice their views on this issue,” Bowman told reporters. “If the feedback from Winnipeggers on a referendum is not to open it up to pedestrians at this time, then I’ll respect that in letter and spirit. “I’ll treat a referendum as binding, either way.” Bowman’s decision disappointed Allen Mankewich, who lives and works downtown and uses a wheelchair. “If we put everything to a referendum, nothing would change in our city,” said Mankewich, who supports reopening the Portage Avenue and Main Street intersection that’s been closed to pedestrian traffic since 1979. “We live in a city where wewill spend $150 million at the drop of a hat on an underpass to help people get home five or 10 minutes quicker by car, but we don’t show the same level of decisiveness on a project like this, which will help pedestrians move through Portage and Main a little faster and connect neighbourhoods close to downtown,” he said. To cross the street via the underground concourse, he has to rely on a series of elevators that are, at times, out of service. The intersection and underground concourse have suffered from decades of decay and neglect. The city has set aside $3.5 million for repairs, including rebuilding and repairing sidewalks and curbs, Bowman said. It’s working with the private sector to address surface drainage, water leakage, asbestos abatement and ventilation modifications, in conjunction with upgrades planned at the Richardson Building plaza, he said. Putting the referendum on Portage and Main on the ballot in October won’t cost the city anything, the mayor said. However, it might cost Bowman some support. Backing a referendum put forward by suburban Couns. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) and Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) may be seen as giving in to the mighty suburban motorist vote — drivers passing through downtown who don’t want pedestrian crossings to slow them down. “I think, obviously, he’s received some push back on the issue, in terms of public opinion,” Mankewich said. “I’m disappointed that the mayor is backtracking on the issue. He was the only candidate who said he would open Portage and Main to pedestrians.” Bowman said, however, he’s not backtracking. “My campaign commitment when I ran for election was to ensure that I work collaboratively with the property owners and engage the community. We’ve done that,” he said, noting all the affected property owners support opening the intersection. “When I ran for office, I talked about the benefits of opening it up and I’ll continue to do so.” A rival for themayor’s seat said Wednesday she wants the discussion shut down. “I don’t believe this plebiscite should go forward,” candidate Jenny Motkaluk said. “We should not spend another minute talking about the issue.” She called reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians Bowman’s “vanity project,” adding she’s worried thirdparty advertising spending on a referendum will influence voters. “There will be all kinds of interest groups spending money on both sides of the issue and we don’t know where they’re coming from,” she said. “My opinion is if we open this up to thirdparty spending, we’re going to have the wild west.” A third party can advertise on a civic issue, provided there is no mention of a candidate in the materials, said a spokesman for the City of Winnipeg. For example, a third party could say: vote yes on this issue, but not support candidate X on this issue. carol.sanders(a)freepress.mb.ca -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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STRIDE Report: Using crowdsourcing to prioritize bicycle route network improvements
by Beth McKechnie 18 Jul '18

18 Jul '18

This one is for the real data nerds out there! Some of you may recall the OTTO cycle study done in Winnipeg years ago. This study is somewhat similar but using smartphones and the Strava, CycleDixie and Cycle Atlanta apps. https://stride.ce.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/STRIDE_Report_2013-083… In a nutshell, here are the research objectives: - Collect crowdsourced cycling data through smartphone applications - Compare and analyze measures describing the quality of bicycle facilities, in terms of level of service and level of stress - Model the factors affecting bicycle route choice in urban and suburban areas - Develop route suitability score and route preference models If you want to skip to the conclusions, go to page 138 of the pdf, though the conclusions are not particularly surprising; it's the methodology that is likely of most interest (to those so inclined), in particular the Bicycle Level of Service (LOS) and Level of Stress discussion. Thanks to Michelle Porter for the share. cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 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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NACTO guide: How cities should regulate the scooter and dockless bikeshare surge
by Beth McKechnie 17 Jul '18

17 Jul '18

How cities should regulate the scooter surge This article from Curbed discussed a new report by the NACTO, “Guidelines for the Regulation and Management of Shared Active Transportation <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001hpCMF90qxHIrXECg_jUiBq7mo5rCns1PNYXt4tdGNWmM…>,” which lays out potential rules and regulations for the fast-growing world of electric scooters and dockless bikeshare, collating current examples from more than a dozen cities with existing policies, permitting fees, and ideas for equity programming. In many respects, the NACTO report offers common-sense recommendations, beginning with the not-so-radical idea that cities—which have the financial and legal responsibility to build, maintain, and protect the local transit system—should have a say in deciding what vehicles are allowed to use said streets. The report comes down hard on the common practices of tech transit companies, that tend to beg for forgiveness as opposed to asking for permission. Due to differing and sometimes incomplete regulations, ebikes, scooters, and electric scooters “exist in a regulatory grey area, regulated in a limited fashion on an individual or recreational level but not envisioned en masse or in an automated rental scenario.” The NACTO report also offers a few starting points for cities that want to design pilot programs to help these companies expand. These proposed rules of the road offer a pretty easy template for cities to adopt. Most importantly, they should take control of the street and the curb. New startups also should require legal permission, which can cap the number of vehicles in operation, and be subject to fines or expulsion if rules or regulations are flagrantly or repeatedly violated. Cities should push for data-sharing, transparency, and safety. Agreed-upon rules to clear disabled or downed vehicles from right-of-ways should be strictly enforced, cities should be aware of staffing and operations plans, protocols for extreme weather or natural disasters should be clearly laid out. Additionally, companies should be rewarded for pushing equity and access to underserved neighborhoods. For example, in St. Louis, dockless bike companies will be allowed to expand past an initial 2,500 vehicle cap, but only if they present and implement a social equity plan and meet other ridership requirements. I -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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AT webinar reminder: Safety Manuals - the Good Stuff | Wed, July 18th | EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 17 Jul '18

17 Jul '18

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow's webinar *** Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wednesday, July 18th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. *AT Webinar: Wed, July 18th, 2-3pm* *Safety Manuals – The Good Stuff* FHWA Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) Program: Selecting Countermeasures for Uncontrolled Crossing Locations APBP is hosting a webinar to share information about a new guide and tech sheets promoting the use of countermeasures for uncontrolled pedestrian crossing locations. The “Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crossing Locations” follows a six-step process and provides tools that help agencies select countermeasures for uncontrolled crossing locations based on roadway characteristics and pedestrian safety issues. This guide was developed as part of the FHWA Every Day Counts - Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) program. In addition to this new guide, the STEP program released a series of new tech sheets highlighting the safety benefits of the STEP countermeasures. The tech sheets provide conceptual visualizations, best practices for installation, and cost considerations for each of the countermeasures. The new STEP guide and tech sheets are posted to the program website: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everydaycounts/edc_4/step.cfm *Presenters*: - Lauren Blackburn, VHB - Charlie Zegeer, UNC Highway Safety Research Center -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Job Posting - Trails Manitoba
by Erik Dickson 13 Jul '18

13 Jul '18

FYI Please see the attached job posting for Trails Manitoba Executive Director. Note the deadline to submit resumes is July 17, 2018. Have a nice weekend! 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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AT Webinar: Safety Manuals - the Good Stuff | Wed, July 18th | EcoCentre
by Heather Mitchell 12 Jul '18

12 Jul '18

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wednesday, July 18th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. Best, Heather -- *AT Webinar: Wed, July 18th, 2-3pm* *Safety Manuals – The Good Stuff* FHWA Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) Program: Selecting Countermeasures for Uncontrolled Crossing Locations APBP is hosting a webinar to share information about a new guide and tech sheets promoting the use of countermeasures for uncontrolled pedestrian crossing locations. The “Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crossing Locations” follows a six-step process and provides tools that help agencies select countermeasures for uncontrolled crossing locations based on roadway characteristics and pedestrian safety issues. This guide was developed as part of the FHWA Every Day Counts - Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) program. In addition to this new guide, the STEP program released a series of new tech sheets highlighting the safety benefits of the STEP countermeasures. The tech sheets provide conceptual visualizations, best practices for installation, and cost considerations for each of the countermeasures. The new STEP guide and tech sheets are posted to the program website: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everydaycounts/edc_4/step.cfm *Presenters*: - Lauren Blackburn, VHB - Charlie Zegeer, UNC Highway Safety Research Center -- *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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Winnipeggers more linkely to blame drivers than cyclists for conflict
by Wendy Chapman 28 Jun '18

28 Jun '18

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/poll-winnipeg-cyclists-drivers-blame… Wendy Chapman Injury Prevention Coordinator Injury Prevention Program Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 2nd - 490 Hargrave Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 0X7 Phone: (204) 391-0949 Scent Free Facility - visitors are asked to refrain from wearing perfumes/colognes/heavy-scented lotions/oils 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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WFP: Residents want more bike lanes: survey (Jun28'18)
by Beth McKechnie 28 Jun '18

28 Jun '18

Advocates say city is shortchanging active transportation budget Residents want more bike lanes: survey https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/residents-want-more-bike-lanes-surv… MOST Winnipeggers say there are too few separated bike lanes in the city and they want more of them, according to a poll released Thursday by the Angus Reid Institute. The poll examined a randomized sample of 5,423 people from eight major Canadian urban centres — Winnipeg, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Halifax, Toronto and Mississauga, Ont. — regarding cyclist-traffic issues, focusing largely on separated, protected bike lanes. Two-thirds of Winnipeg respondents said there were too few separated lanes (compared to 46 per cent of total respondents), while 76 per cent called the lanes “a good idea” (second only to Montreal’s 80 per cent). In July 2015, the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies were approved by Winnipeg city council and the 20-year plan for accessible, convenient transportation got underway. The city estimated a cost of $334 million for the plan, in addition to $3.7 million in annual operating costs. Since then, the city has slowly worked toward establishing an active transportation network, rolling out painted, buffered and protected bike lanes; however, many cycling advocates have been critical of the pace. This year, the city’s capital funding for the pedestrian and cycling program totalled $5.4 million, not including $12 million earmarked for projects such as the Empress Street overpass rehabilitation. The executive director of the city’s active transportation advisory committee, Bike Winnipeg, said Wednesday the city is spending less than it should be in order to align with the plan, putting the figure at closer to $13million to get on track. “The funding we’re putting in is between one-third and one-half of what we need annually,” Mark Cohoe said. Winnipeg’s 2008 budget allocated only $150,000 for recreational walkway and bike path projects, he said. “The city is making progress, but we’re starting from far behind.” Mel Marginet, the workplace program co-ordinator at Green Action Centre, a sustainable commuting organization, said more money should go toward protected bike paths to convince more people to take up cycling. “Right now, it’s only really accessible to people who are brave and willing to bike with traffic,” she said. “It’s really hard to convince someone who’s never tried (biking in the city) to try it.” Manitoba Public Insurance data from 2017 says no cyclists were killed in the city last year. On average, according to MPI, two cyclists die in the province each year, while 144 are injured in collisions. Melanie Ferris, who lives in the Crescentwood neighbourhood, worries when her 12-year-old son goes cycling. “There really is no safe place for him to ride,” she said. “I won’t let him ride on Corydon and Grant, so he tells me he rides on sidewalks there. He may be on the street though. He wants to go fast and the sidewalk is slow.” Danielle Moore, who moved to Winnipeg in October, said cycling is her main method of transportation. She’s lived in Halifax and Toronto, where since June 2016, nearly 100 pedestrians and cyclists have died in traffic accidents. “I would say Winnipeg is probably the least accessible city for bikes that I’ve lived in,” she said. “Protected bike lanes could really help ease the pressure off both drivers and cyclists.” The report released Thursday also asked respondents about conflict between drivers and cyclists. In Winnipeg, nearly two-thirds of respondents said there’s “quite a bit,” and more than half placed the blame on drivers. Winnipeg was the only city polled in which a majority blamed drivers, not cyclists. Winnipeg Trails Association executivedirector Anders Swanson said he doesn’t believe any party deserves more blame, however, he thinks adding more protected lanes will benefit anybody on the road. There are currently about 1.15 kilometres of protected lane along Assiniboine Avenue, but by the end of this year, the city hopes to have about 5.5 km of protected lane developed within the downtown grid, in addition to almost 3.2 km along Chevrier Boulevard and St. Matthews Avenue. However, Swanson said, more can be done. “One lane means nothing. To do it properly, you need one on every street.” Not just cyclists support bike lanes, the poll found — of the 4,226 respondentswho drive cars frequently, 72 per cent said the lanes make a community a better place to live and 44 per cent said there weren’t enough of them. Swanson said Winnipeg should budget more money sooner for cycling and pedestrian infrastructure development, especially on major streets. “There’s really no reason for cycling to be the poor cousin in transportation,” he said. “Every single mayoral and council candidate should take a real hard look at those numbers before beginning their (2018 election) campaigns.” bwaldman(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @benjwaldman

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WFP Editorial: Portage and Main plebiscite pitch premature (Jun28'18)
by Beth McKechnie 28 Jun '18

28 Jun '18

Portage and Main plebiscite pitch premature IN the Late Middle Ages, when meat was scarce, some consumers found they’d been scammed when they purchased an unopened bag containing an animal. It was their understanding that the bag, which was known to them as a poke, contained a delicious suckling pig. But when they opened the poke, they found it actually contained a dog or cat, which were very common and much less desirable as a dinner dish. The lesson of the pig in a poke could provide guidance, as two city councillors want Winnipeggers to vote in a plebiscite on whether to reopen Portage and Main to pedestrian traffic. They want the public to vote before knowing what’s in the bag. Setting aside for the moment the bigger issue of plebiscites and referendums — forms of populism that can cause regrettable decisions when used rashly — the most immediate problem with asking Winnipeg voters about Portage and Main is they haven’t been given enough information to make an informed decision. Councillors Jeff Browaty and Janice Lukes want to put the non-binding question on the ballot in the October civic election. City council will decide at its July meeting whether to let Mr. Browaty and Ms. Lukes have their way. By October, however, the public won’t know important details of the project. What is the entirety of the proposed design? What above-ground work will be necessary to make it pedestrian-friendly? What are the plans to upgrade the underground concourse? What’s the expected final cost of the entire project? Many of these questions will be answered by consultants chosen by the city in response to requests for proposals that were issued earlier this month, but the reports of the consultants who submit thewinning bid won’t be publicly available before the proposed October plebiscite. Unless voters have completeinformation to informtheir decision, the plebiscite sought by Mr. Browaty and Ms. Lukes would be an exercise in ignorance. While the principle of letting the public vote on political decisions might initially seem like an attractive form of power to the people, it is often misused. An example of a jurisdiction in which direct democracy has run amok is Switzerland, which has hosted nearly 600 referendums that led to binding decisions, such as a universal basic income, banning the Islamic towers atop mosques and the expulsion of foreigners convicted of minor offences. Fortunately, Manitoba has been more judicious in its use of direct democracy. One hesitates to think of the consequences if the public had been allowed to decide in 1962 whether then-premier Duff Roblin should be allowed to spend the equivalent of $505 million in 2018 dollars to build a ditch around the city, or whether voters in the late 1980s had been allowed to block the vision of returning an industrial-ugly rail yard at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers into a lively hub of social activity which now attracts four million visitors a year. With rare exceptions, decisions on big issues should be left to leaders who are elected on the basis of their campaign pledges. For instance, Mayor Brian Bowman has made reopening the intersection to pedestrians one of his signature issues, both as a candidate and an elected official, and he is running for reelection. One could fairly suggest Mr. Bowman’s pursuit of a second term could serve as the referendum his council colleagues are seeking. Citizens who care deeply about the Portage and Main issue can make their views known on Oct. 24, when they enter the voting booth and choose Winnipeg’s next mayor.

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WFP: St. Vital crosswalk upgrades OK’d by councillors (Jun27'18)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Jun '18

27 Jun '18

St. Vital crosswalk upgrades OK’d by councillors https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/councillors-approve- safety-upgrades-at-st-vital-crosswalk-where-boy-struck-killed-486597551.html UPGRADES have been approved for the St. Vital pedestrian crossing where an eight-year-old boy was struck and killed in February. Councillors on the public works committee Tuesday unanimously approved the administration plan for the installation of eye-level warning lights and possibly strobe-like flashing LED lights at the St. Anne’s Road and Varennes Avenue crossing. David Patman, the city’s transportation manager, said the lights will be installed on a longterm basis to determine if they should be installed at other pedestrian crosswalks across the city. Surafiel Musse Tesfamariam, a Grade 3 student, was with his mother at the crosswalk at Varennes Avenue when he was struck by a vehicle. The boy’s death was the third at that crossing since 1981. The department had already been studying traffic safety improvements along St. Anne’s Road when they were asked to include the crossing following the boy’s death. “We did the analysis and we’re looking for a solution to be implemented for the new school year in the fall,” Patman told the committee. “Staff in the traffic management branch worked very hard to get this report to you in a timely fashion.” Residents had proposed the installation of traffic lights or a lower speed limit, but those suggestions were not accepted by the public works department. Patman said tree branches that might obscure the existing flashing amber lights at the crossing will be pruned to improve driver vision. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP Analysis: Transit can be an economic catalyst (Jun25'18)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jun '18

25 Jun '18

Transit can be an economic catalyst https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/time-to- think-different-about-transit-486417301.html THE City of Winnipeg is seeking public input on the proposed alignment for its next bus rapid transit line. The eastern corridor will connect Plessis Road in Transcona with Harkness Station on Stradbrook Avenue, where the existing Southwest Transitway terminates. Two routes are being presented, one running through Point Douglas and one through St. Boniface. The plans begin by proposing an exciting option to locate the transitway on the elevated rail line between The Forks and Main Street, using Union Station as a magnificent transit stop. This creates the potential for the historic structure to become a multimodal transportation centre for downtown, operating as a central hub for such things as cycling and transit, water-bus, taxi, airport shuttles and tourist trolleys. The spectacular central hall of Union Station once again bustling with activity represents an opportunity to stimulate growth around south Main Street, by bringing pedestrian traffic to the sidewalks and drawing the vibrancy of The Forks and its future railside community into the rest of downtown. Beyond Union Station, the two proposals diverge. The Point Douglas option either continues up Main Street or passes through the Exchange District to Higgins Avenue, before crossing the river on a new bridge. The St. Boniface alignment crosses the river on the existing Provencher Bridge and then runs down Provencher Boulevard to Archibald Street and Nairn Avenue. A key justification of BRT investment across North America has been its ability to influence the patterns of development in cities, through transit-oriented development (TOD). As ridership increases, commercial and residential growth is attracted to the pedestrian density generated at major nodes along the system. Urban planners can use this to target growth by strategically placing transit lines and stations. Instinctively, the Higgins Avenue option would seem to be the more logical choice because it runs through an area that might benefit more from the TOD economic catalyst. It has been found, however, that TOD is not a silver bullet solution in urban areas, and wouldn’t typically have the power to transform an industrial road such as Higgins into a neighbourhood high street, particularly in a slow-growth city such as Winnipeg. Increased connectivity can be an economic catalyst, but it is most effective at generating the next level of growth in neighbourhoods that are already places where people are. The traditional build-it-and-they-will-come strategy for TOD has been found to be less effective than placing transit where development is already happening, where people already are, and connecting it to other places with similar conditions. Transit is only successful if it is frequent and accessible to a large population, and will only be a catalyst for growth if it has ridership levels sufficiently high to inspire the activity that is attractive to development. Relying on new projects to create the market for transit is rarely as successful as connecting to an existing population and using transit to intensify its density. Understanding the true capacity of transit as a development tool, the St. Boniface alignment for the eastern corridor becomes an attractive option. Provencher Boulevard doesn’t need to be transformed; it only needs an injection of incremental growth to be prosperous. It has the physical characteristics of a neighbourhood high street but currently functions as a six-lane commuter road, serving the outer suburbs and the adjacent industrial park. The single-family neighbourhoods surrounding it are not dense enough to support many neighbourhood services, shops or restaurants, resulting in the strip that has the potential to be a primary business street being predominantly destination services or underdeveloped properties. Coun. Matt Allard is championing a vision for Provencher Boulevard and St. Boniface that could use investment into a transit corridor to fulfil many long-standing community goals. He envisions Provencher as a multimodal, complete street, designed to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. He is proposing to transform one vehicle lane in each direction into a transit priority lane for electric buses. The plan would also slow vehicle traffic and eliminate truck traffic while developing protected bike lanes, enhanced sidewalks and centre boulevards. This newly defined corridor could become the catalyst for appropriately scaled infill development that creates enough residential density and sidewalk activity to attract the businesses, restaurants and sidewalk cafés that have long been envisioned as amenities for the neighbourhood but have not quite had the conditions to support it. The second-largest francophone community in Winnipeg is Osborne Village, because it offers the vibrancy, connectivity and affordability that young people are seeking, but is not available in St. Boniface. With increased mobility options and a direct rapid transit line between L’Université de Saint-Boniface and the University of Manitoba, young people would not have to leave their neighbourhood to find more convenient access to education and employment. New transit-inspired infill development along Provencher could provide the affordable housing options that are able to keep francophone youth, immigrants and seniors in the community. Significant new investment to transform Provencher Boulevard into a transit corridor could restore its place as a bustling commercial street that is the vibrant centre of a rejuvenated and stronger francophone community. The eastern corridor is an opportunity to think differently about rapid transit and transit-oriented development in Winnipeg. Instead of looking to bypass existing communities, the last few kilometres could be treated more like a streetcar system that is fully integrated into its neighbourhoods. With strategically located stops along the main streets of St. Boniface and even extending into the old town centre of Transcona, there is an important opportunity to become a model for future lines, using transit to inspire incremental infill growth that helps to densify and reinvigorate Winnipeg’s mature neighbourhoods. *Brent Bellamy is a senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.*

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Webinar reminder: Roundabouts that Work for Cyclists and Pedestrians | Wed, June 20th, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 19 Jun '18

19 Jun '18

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow afternoon's webinar *** Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on June 20th for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth -- *Webinar: Wed, June 20th, 2-3pm* *Roundabouts that Work for Cyclists and Pedestrians* Panelists: - Alek Pochowski, Kittelson & Associates - Bastian Schroeder, Kittelson & Associates Bicycle activity and the use of roundabouts for intersection control within the United States have both increased dramatically in recent years. Since its publication in 2010, NCHRP Report 672: Roundabouts, an Informational Guide, Second Edition, has served as a national guide on the different aspects of roundabouts, including planning, analysis, design, and construction. However, since 2010, a significant amount of bicycle-related design material has been released, including FHWA's Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide (2015), and NACTO's Urban Bikeway Design Guide (2012), both of which do not address bicycle facilities at roundabouts. The first part of this webinar will provide a summary of current and potential design best practices for bicycles at roundabouts using domestic and international examples, and provide an overview of the available guidance available for practitioners designing or reviewing roundabouts for cyclists. The second half of the webinar will focus on pedestrians at roundabouts, with a discussion of the most recent research efforts which led to the development of NCHRP Report 834. NCHRP Project 834 presents guidance for the application of crossing solutions at roundabouts for pedestrians with vision disabilities. The guidebook provides an accessibility assessment framework and a methodology for evaluating treatment alternatives for a proposed crossing, as well as wayfinding accommodations. Guidance is provided based on the feasible range of geometric and traffic operational conditions under which similar treatments have been demonstrated to enhance accessibility. -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Safety for Cyclists and Pedestrians on Manitoba Highways
by Beth McKechnie 19 Jun '18

19 Jun '18

From: Manning, Jeana (MI) <Jeana.Manning(a)gov.mb.ca> Date: Tue, Jun 19, 2018 at 12:18 PM Subject: Safety for Cyclists and Pedestrians on Manitoba Highways The Manitoba Infrastructure website provides safety information and a map to inform safe route planning decisions for pedestrians and cyclists on the provincial highway network. http://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/active/index.html Thanks for your help in spreading the word. Jeana Manning

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Bike Week in the Exchange District :)
by Shoni Madden 18 Jun '18

18 Jun '18

A nice summary of the variety of active transportation events taking place in the Exchange this week. Just a reminder to come check out our panel on Wednesday (details below), we will have picnic blankets for you, so just bring your lunch and join us! https://www.exchangedistrict.org/2018/06/15/active-transportation-in-the-ex… Active Transportation in the Exchange District Jen McDonald June 15, 2018 Blog<https://www.exchangedistrict.org/category/blog/> Bike Week 2018 starts next week and here in the Exchange District we have lots going on! With over 100 historic buildings within a 30-block radius the Exchange is one of the most walkable areas in the city. We are filled with unique shops, inspired local restaurants, arts and culture, and it's such a stunning walk through our area to take it all in. With new bike lanes currently under construction we are excited about the potential to make this area more walkable and bikeable than ever before! Here are some of the things we are doing to help support your active transportation to the Exchange District.... Bike Week Activities Bike Pit Stop Our Exchange District Bike Pit Stop will be located in Stephen Juba Park, at Waterfront and Bannatyne, and we are excited to be joined by many of the great local businesses in the neighbourhood. Natural Cycle - bike tune ups Acorn Café at Generation Green - Matcha Lemonade Bronuts - Bronuts, coffee, water Anchor Massage - on the spot massages AVEDA - helmet hair touch ups Number Ten Architectural Group - watermelon, granola bars, bananas Exchange District BIZ - cycling maps, map and tour brochures, information about the area *Music provided by Natural Cycle's bike jam audio system. When: June 18, 6:30 - 9:00am For more information about Bike Week Pit Stops click here.<https://www.bikeweekwinnipeg.com/bike-to-work-day/pit-stops/> Bike Week Transportation Panel: Getting Around in the Original Downtown Getting Around in the Original Downtown: Bring your ideas (and your lunch) to our bike week transportation panel! In celebration of Bike Week (June 18-24), we'd like to take some time to reflect on how transportation networks have evolved in the Exchange District, and discuss ideas and opportunities for active transit and to build a supportive environment for all modes of transportation used in the area. What: Bring your lunch, and join us for a summer picnic to chat transportation! Our picnic panel will kick-off the discussion, and open the conversation around walking, cycling, and transit in the Exchange. We will explore what is needed in the area to support a culture of sustainable transportation for businesses, residents, and the areas many cultural events. We will also discuss how can the BIZ can continue to support you to move around via whatever mode you choose. Where: Stephen Juba Park When: Wednesday, June 20th 12:00pm-1:00pm (Panel) 1:00pm-1:30pm (Ideas Exploration) Panelists include: Will Belford - Natural Cycle/Bike Jams Thom Sparling - Creative Manitoba Phil Mikulec - Peg City Car Co-op Bob Somers- Scatliff Miller Murray Lynne Stefanchuk - Jazz Fest Winnipeg Angela Mathieson - Centure Venture David Pensato - Exchange District Biz What to Bring? We'll have picnic blankets for you to sit to eat your lunch, chill out and relax on. All you'll have to do is come on down to Stephen Juba park, bring your lunch and your ideas. Active Transportation Initiatives First Fridays Bike-In Ever thought you'd like to bike into the Exchange District but weren't sure if there was a safe and easy route to get there? You don't actually have to be a major cycling person to do it! On the First Friday of July, August, and September, we'll be biking in from three different locations to show you the best route that takes you out of traffic and into the City's most culturally rich monthly event. In partnership with Natural Cycle, we'll be leading three, low-key rides on the First Friday of July, August, and September to show you how you can get into the Exchange District while almost entirely avoiding motor vehicle traffic- and we'll share the tips and tricks that can make riding your bike into the Exchange District a really enjoyable experience along the way. With pick up stops along the route, you can meet the group where it is most convenient for you and join the ride! July 6th: Starting from Assiniboine Park August 3rd: Starting from Crescent Drive Park September 7th: Starting from Gateway at Chief Peguis All rides start at 7pm. Once in the Exchange you can enjoy First Fridays in the Exchange, grab a bite to eat, explore the shops and galleries, and take in the area. A group will ride back out at 10pm, for those who want some help on their way back home. First Fridays is one of the most exciting monthly events in the City, with artists and galleries throughout the Exchange District opening their doors into the evening, and even local businesses getting into the act! The Exchange District is already a remarkably walkable area filled with art galleries, shops, local restaurants, pubs, cocktail bars- not to mention some of the most popular summer events in the City. And with new cycling infrastructure being installed this summer, it's well on its way to becoming the City's most bike-friendly area. Wayfinders We've hired two new staff that will be here all summer to answer questions and help you navigate the area. Keep an eye out for them on their bikes! Shoni Madden Sustainable Transportation Planner [cid:image001.png@01CE8F6A.A4C607F0] #201 - 179 McDermot Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0S1 204-227-1080 smadden(a)urbansystems.ca<mailto:smadden@urbansystems.ca> urbansystems.ca

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The Star: Long a Canadian cycling mecca, Montreal’s future looks downright Scandinavian
by Beth McKechnie 18 Jun '18

18 Jun '18

While other Canadian cities debate dedicated cycling lanes, Montreal is planning highways for its many residents who get around on a bike. Such is the distance that lies between a city like Toronto, which has suffered nearly 100 cycling and pedestrian deaths two years after adopting the Vision Zero plan to eliminate fatalities entirely, and Montreal, where such incidents are extremely rare. Read full article: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/06/15/long-a-canadian-cycling-mecc…

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The Guardian: We designed Canada's cities for cars, not people – and the people are dying
by Beth McKechnie 18 Jun '18

18 Jun '18

[Interesting article from Jennifer Keesmat, former Chief City Planner in Toronto on the need to fundamentally redesign our streets and lower speed limits...] We designed Canada's cities for cars, not people – and the people are dying https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/14/canada-toronto-cyclin… In the last two years, 93 pedestrians or cyclists have died violently on the streets of Toronto. Just out running errands. Off to the doctor. On their way to work. Then without warning, human flesh encountered metal. The latest example on Wednesday, in which a woman on a bike was killed in front of the University of Toronto, reflects a state of emergency. If this sounds like a war zone, well, it can feel that way on city streets the world over. Anxiety has begun to permeate everyday urban life: parents stress about their kids walking home from school; office workers check and double-check the street before rushing to a nearby cafe; cyclists act erratically when their truncated bike lanes dump them into fast-moving traffic. People are on edge everywhere. So we designed our cities and our streets for them. And the two-hour commute has become normalized to a public that spends the equivalent of 22 days a year just getting to and from work. Meanwhile, others are seeking a new way to live. It doesn’t take long to expose the environmental, social and health costs of sitting in traffic. It is nothing like freedom. But the power of the idea that cars bring us freedom – despite the mountains of evidence to the contrary – is so pervasive that active resistance to change is fierce.Meanwhile, automobile companies brand their vehicles with names like Explorer, Escape, Liberty and Journey. Cars are designed to look like birds and rockets, and are sold to us via multi million-dollar ad campaigns complete with slogans such as “Hand of the free”, “Choose freedom” and “Adventure is calling”. After 100 years of marketing, we have continued to believe – and *want* to believe – that the car gives us unfettered personal liberty. Some cities are fighting back, adding density, pursuing revitalisation through infill buildings, and creating complete, mixed-use communities where it is possible to live close to work. This may sound like land-use planning, but it’s really all about how we get around the city – the crux of our urban quality of life. When we design our cities differently, when we get the densities and the mix of uses right, then you can choose to forgo the long commute – you can walk or cycle. But the tragic rise of cycling and pedestrian deaths in a city such as Toronto, the biggest city in one of the world’s most progressive countries, demonstrates that we are caught in the transition. We are adding density and pedestrians and cyclists without transforming the design of our streets, and in many cases refusing even to lower speeds limits, which tends to reduce deaths dramatically <https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-46483.pdf>. As Richard Florida has noted <https://medium.com/@Richard_Florida/torontos-deadly-car-crisis-c84ccbc99407>, Canadians like to criticise Americans’ inability to deal with gun deaths – but their own unwillingness to do anything about cycling deaths seems based on a similar myopia, and more Torontonians are killed by cars than guns. Some will argue that road deaths are inevitable – that even if drivers follow the rules, humans will make mistakes, wander into traffic and die, and therefore we need to tolerate it. That is wrong. Humans will make mistakes – which is precisely why the environment should be designed with them in mind. If someone wanders into traffic – a child, a senior citizen – they don’t “deserve” to die. We must design our cities knowing that people make mistakes. Two fundamentally contradictory visions are bumping up against each other. In the old model, if driving is the key to freedom, then cyclists and pedestrians need to get out of the way. They are audacious, misplaced and – even worse – entitled. Who and what are streets for, anyway? They are places to get through*, *and fast. Lowering speed limits to ensure pedestrians are safe makes no sense. In the new model, however, streets aren’t just for getting through – they are places in their own right, designed for people, commerce, lingering and life. It’s the people, the human activity, that should come first. Cycling <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/cycling> isn’t just for radicals and recreation, and lower speed limits make sense: they protect and enhance quality of city life. In Oslo, for example, where cars move slowly, an easy sharing of space takes place. Inspired by the Norwegians, as well as the Dutch and the Danish, some urbanists on this side of the Atlantic have been trying to introduce the idea that, as the city gets denser, cycling and walking can become a great transportation option. But a choice must be made. The two models are based on competing philosophical assumptions. To straddle the two – as Toronto and so many other cities do – will continue to lead to tragic outcomes. The promise of the car is a myth, and we cannot stay stuck between two worlds. It’s time to reclaim our freedom, our sense of adventure in our everyday lives by embracing the walkable, cycling city. To do so, we need to embrace a fundamental redesign of our streets. Anti-cycling advocates are right about one thing: in walkable cities, pedestrians don’t follow rules. They can move informally, with ease. That’s true freedom. - *Jennifer Keesmaat <http://twitter.com/jen_keesmaat> is CEO of Creative Housing and former chief planner of Toronto*

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Edmonton: Cycling popularity sees drastic rise in year since bike-lane launch
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jun '18

16 Jun '18

Cycling popularity sees drastic rise in year since bike-lane launch https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2018/06/14/one-year-later-bike-lanes-nearl… EDMONTON—The city’s much loved — and debated — downtown bike grid, officially turns one on Saturday. It’s been a year since the city opened what would become a 7.8-kilometre network of protected lanes that have given cyclists unprecedented room to move in the core — delighting cyclists, angering some drivers and sparking an almost doubling in ridership. “It’s still incredible to me that we successfully planned, designed, installed and launched an education campaign in under nine months,” said Olga Messinis, the city’s project manager for the downtown bike network. The protected lanes now separate cyclists from traffic and pedestrians in most parts of downtown and some surrounding areas. Protected bike lanes are fenced, whereas unprotected bike lanes are only marked using paint on the roads. According to the Downtown Bike Grid Monitoring website <https://public.tableau.com/profile/urban.analysis#!/vizhome/DowntownbikeGri…>, the number of cyclists has increased by 81 per cent in May compared to a year ago. Messinis said over the last year people have shared their experiences on how the bike network has “positively” changed the way they move around downtown. “This was really important because we have a lot of communities that are within a short distance, under that five kilometre radius, where the downtown could be easily accessible by bike,” she said. “It was something that we were lacking so it was really important to provide that safe infrastructure so we could increase the possibility and the option for people to be able to choose cycling over taking a car.” The planning for prioritizing cycling began in 2009 when city council approved the bike transportation plan, which called for installing close to 500 kilometres of on-street cycling infrastructure within the next 10 to 20 years. The plan was to encourage Edmontonians to choose “cycling as a safe, healthy and efficient alternative to driving.” Council approved in 2016 a budget of $7.5 million to begin the project and $625,000 per year for upkeep.

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AT Webinar: Roundabouts that Work for Cyclists and Pedestrians | Wed, June 20th, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 14 Jun '18

14 Jun '18

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on June 20th for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth -- *Webinar: Wed, June 20th, 2-3pm* *Roundabouts that Work for Cyclists and Pedestrians* Panelists: - Alek Pochowski, Kittelson & Associates - Bastian Schroeder, Kittelson & Associates Bicycle activity and the use of roundabouts for intersection control within the United States have both increased dramatically in recent years. Since its publication in 2010, NCHRP Report 672: Roundabouts, an Informational Guide, Second Edition, has served as a national guide on the different aspects of roundabouts, including planning, analysis, design, and construction. However, since 2010, a significant amount of bicycle-related design material has been released, including FHWA's Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide (2015), and NACTO's Urban Bikeway Design Guide (2012), both of which do not address bicycle facilities at roundabouts. The first part of this webinar will provide a summary of current and potential design best practices for bicycles at roundabouts using domestic and international examples, and provide an overview of the available guidance available for practitioners designing or reviewing roundabouts for cyclists. The second half of the webinar will focus on pedestrians at roundabouts, with a discussion of the most recent research efforts which led to the development of NCHRP Report 834. NCHRP Project 834 presents guidance for the application of crossing solutions at roundabouts for pedestrians with vision disabilities. The guidebook provides an accessibility assessment framework and a methodology for evaluating treatment alternatives for a proposed crossing, as well as wayfinding accommodations. Guidance is provided based on the feasible range of geometric and traffic operational conditions under which similar treatments have been demonstrated to enhance accessibility. -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP: Date to reopen Portage & Main up for debate - officials (Jun7'18)
by Beth McKechnie 07 Jun '18

07 Jun '18

*Date to reopen intersection up for debate: officials * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/fall-2019-date-for-reopening-portag… SENIOR elected and administrative officials at city hall are backing away from a fall of 2019 date to reopen Portage Avenue and Main Street to pedestrians. Officials repeatedly said Wednesday the time frame in the request for proposal (RFP) released Tuesday is only a “target” and a decision to reopen the iconic intersection to foot traffic still must be taken by city council. Even Mayor Brian Bowman, who made the issue a campaign promise four years ago and has been an enthusiastic supporter ever since, toned down his rhetoric. “I’d like it to be open, but I want to make sure we’re doing it in a thoughtful way that considers all the items,” Bowman said during an exchange with reporters. “Despite the fact that, obviously, I would like it opened sooner than later, there is a process and this is part of the council-directed process. “I think it’s just important to keep in mind that council has not provided that direction to open it to pedestrians yet. This RFP doesn’t change that.” The RFP, which invites bids for consulting services for the design and Phase 1 construction associated with the intersection reopening, was the talk of the city Wednesday. While council had approved the project at its October 2017 meeting, no dates were given in an administrative report. The RFP states city hall expects the first barriers to be taken down to allow pedestrians to cross Portage Avenue East, between the Richardson Plaza and the Bank of Montreal, and the city is “targeting completion of construction,” of that portion by the fall of 2019. The document, or at least its timing, seemed to catch elected officials by surprise. Bowman and other members of his executive policy committee said they weren’t given advance notice the RFP was being posted nor had they viewed the document ahead of time. “I need to have much more information before I agree to open up Portage and Main, and that’s the information we’re supposed to be getting back from the RFP,” said Coun. John Orlikow, chairman of council’s property and development committee. “Council is quite clear, before any suggestion of that happening, it has to come back towards council. We have some traffic issues we have to deal with, we have some transit issues to deal with. The RFP report may come back as such but again, council will need that information to make their decision to move forward.” City of Winnipeg chief administrative officer Doug Mc Neil took responsibility for failing to advise council members. “There’s a lot going on in this city, and we’ve been working on the RFP for some time now,” Mc Neil said. “Maybe (it’s) my fault I didn’t inform council we were releasing the RFP when we did.” He said there is no significance to the fall 2019 date in the RFP. “It’s not a hard date, it’s a target and so we’re just following through with council’s direction,” Mc Neil said. “Council’s directions was: ‘Go back, do somemore engineering, get us some cost estimates, bring that information back to us for our approval.’ And that’s what our plan is and that’s what this next stage is.” Winnipeg appears divided on the issue. Supporters say removing the barriers is essential to restoring human-scale activity to the area, connecting the various downtown neighbourhoods, and will complement private-sector investments being made by the corner property owners. Opponents say the move poses a serious safety threat and would worsen downtown traffic flow. The intersection was closed to pedestrians in 1979, as part of a deal with developers and property owners on its corners to construct an underground shopping concourse. Terms of the deal, which was struck in 1976, stipulated the intersection remain closed to pedestrians and all efforts be made to redirect people to the underground. However, Bowman has in recent years received the formal support for the project from all the affected property owners. A year-old traffic study estimated the costs to alter the routes through the intersection and widen sidewalks would cost about $6.13 million. The subsequent consultant work is expected to get a more accurate figure and detail how and when the corners can be opened. Coun. Jeff Browaty, a staunch opponent of the project, said the revelation of the fall 2019 date and the scope of thework outlined in the RFP warrants the issue going back to council for another vote. Browaty (North Kildonan) said he questions the direction outlined in the RFP, explaining the traffic study suggested opening the corners in phases would pose a safety hazard. “Allowing pedestrians to cross one section introduces both confusion for motorists and encourages pedestrians to consider dangerous crossings that are not open,” Browaty said in a statement Wednesday. “Did CAO Doug Mc Neil, the project’s apparent project manager, also a professional engineer, sign off on this RFP, despite these warnings?” Browaty also said council had agreed last year to improve the underground concourse, and he’s concerned that work won’t happen before the intersection is reopened to pedestrians. At its meeting Oct. 25, 2017, council approved spending up to $3.5 million on the intersection in 2018. In addition to the $1.5 million for engineering and architectural work, council also approved: $500,000 for new sidewalks, curbs and street trees for the plaza area directly in front of the Richardson Building; and $1.5 million to upgrade the underground concourse underneath the tower at 201 Portage Ave. Mc Neil said a second RFP, to improve the underground concourse, would be issued shortly. aldo.satin(a)freepress.mb.ca Council set wheels in motion for historic intersection last fall CITY hall observers might be surprised to hear some council members express concern over details in a request for proposal seeking a consultant to plan the reopening of Portage and Main to pedestrians. While the fall 2019 date is new, opening the intersection was never in question following the intense debate and series of 10 votes on a report — all overwhelmingly in favour of the project— on the floor of council last October. The motion approved by council authorized the reopening of the intersection to pedestrians and instructs the CAO to negotiatewith the property owners the terms of an agreement that would amend or terminate the 40-year-old agreement that led to the construction of the underground concourse and blocked pedestrian access at street level. While Item 9 of the motion requires the administration to bring a plan back to council before reopening the intersection, councillors were repeatedly told that if they approved the proposal, they would be setting in motion a plan that would lead to the removal of the concrete barriers. “If the recommendations are approved, a new capital project will be created in the 2018 budget which will provide a commitment to the creation of a vision and the renewal and reopening of the intersection at Portage and Main,” states the first paragraph, on page 12, in the section of the administrative report titled Implications of the Recommendations. The online link to the debate from the council minutes is available at: // wfp.to/winnipegdmis. — Aldo Santin

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WFP: Portage and Main could be open to pedestrians by fall 2019 (Jun6'18)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jun '18

06 Jun '18

PORTAGE AND MAIN *City requests bids for consulting and design for pedestrian traffic* *Intersection could reopen in 2019* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/portage-and-main-484636073.html CITY hall is planning on reopening the Portage and Main intersection to pedestrians by the fall of 2019. The date was disclosed in a request for proposal the city released Tuesday, inviting bids for consulting services for the design and phase-one construction associated with the intersection reopening. While council had approved the project at its October 2017 meeting, no dates were given in an administrative report. The RFP states city hall expects the first barriers to be taken down to allow pedestrians to cross Portage Avenue East, between the Richardson Plaza and the Bank of Montreal. “It is the City’s intent, subject to the findings of the Preliminary Design report resulting from the Services herein, and Council’s adoption of those findings, and/or that report, to proceed with construction to open the Portage Avenue East crossing as Phase 1,” states section D5.2 of the RFP. A later section of the RFP states, “the City is targeting completion of construction of Phase I by the fall of 2019.” At its October meeting, council set aside up to $1.5 million in 2018 for “architectural and engineering services” for the intersection’s reopening. Council approved spending up to $3.5 million on the intersection in 2018. In addition to the $1.5 million for engineering and architectural work, council also approved: $500,000 for new sidewalks, curbs and street trees for the plaza area directly in front of the Richardson Building and $1.5 million to upgrade the underground concourse underneath the tower at 201 Portage Ave. The RFP states this project does not involve any work in the underground concourse. There were two caveats attached to the council approval: the intersection will not be reopened to pedestrians until a report detailing cost estimates and traffic impacts is presented to council; and agreement that the administration will consider the impact a potential north Main Street transit corridor will have on the project. According to the RFP documents, consultants are invited to create “an urban design vision for Portage and Main that provides design direction and unification of the four corners by using an urban design and place making approach to connect people, places and transportation,” and to plan and design “the introduction of at-grade pedestrian crossings at all four legs of Portage and Main, with a final report and drawings for all four crossings, including a recommended construction staging plan, schedule, and Class 3 estimates for each crossing phase.” The RFP states the winning consultant will be responsible for: ● A design framework that will bring about a new image for Portage and Main that recognizes its historical significance as an iconic destination; ● Proposing an improved pedestrian environment without pedestrian barriers that may include trees, pedestrian lighting, way-finding improvements and other streetscaping elements; ● Consulting with applicable Portage and Main building owners or their representatives for alignment of the overall vision and co-ordination with potential works on adjacent private property; ● Participating in a downtown stakeholders meeting to discuss the overall vision; ● Integrating the design of public rights-of-way with the planned redevelopment of the Richardson Plaza; ● Consulting with the Winnipeg Arts Council to explore the possibility of incorporating public art into any or all of the four corners. The RFP also contains a link to a You Tube video, entitled Portage and Main, which outlines a brief history of the iconic intersection and contains drawings of what the intersection might look like. The video is available at: youtube.com/watch?v=exkxh5yp4VU. The city expects the Bank of Montreal War Monument to remain in the same location. The designs may include “conceptual modifications to existing buildings and properties to enhance private-public interface.” The consultant will also be required to produce 3D renderings of the vision for the four corners. In an unusual request for a city RFP, the bids are limited to 15 pages in length (excluding a cover page, table of contents and the required forms) and only the first 15 pages will be evaluated. The RFP states material submitted as an appendix will not be evaluated. The RFP closes at noon on June 26. The document states the city expects to award the contract by July 16. The winning consultant will be required to submit a draft plan by Oct. 31 — a week after the Oct. 24 civic election. The last council meeting before the civic election is Sept. 20. The final report and designs are due by Dec. 21. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Webinar Reminder: Tactical Urbanism Toolbox | Thurs, June 7, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jun '18

06 Jun '18

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow's webinar *** Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Thurs, June 7**th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth -- *AT Webinar: Thurs, June 7th, 2-3pm* *Quick Builds - Tactical Urbanism Toolbox* *This webinar will begin with an overview of the birth of Tactical Urbanism and its ongoing evolution, and will discuss how it has evolved into something communities and individuals or government entities can take ownership of. Presenters will discuss how Tactical Urbanism has become more "sanctioned" while still maintaining its tenets of flexibility, cost-effectiveness, etc. and how it can be formally integrated into government departments to advance projects. Presenters will discuss case studies and their successes and failures: Burlington and Miami-Dade programs, among others across the nation. Lastly, they will give some final remarks on how to initiate and execute successful Quick-Build Programs. * *Presenters:* * - Mike Lydon & Dana Wall, The Street Plans Collaborative - Nicole Losch, City of Burlington, VT - Dane Eifling, City of Fayetteville, AR * -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Exchange District BIZ Transportation Panel: Getting Around in the Original Downtown
by Shoni Madden 04 Jun '18

04 Jun '18

As Bike Week approaches, I hope you will make the time to join us for this exciting lunch picnic and panel event! We have kept the panel session to the lunch hour, but will be hanging around for some further discussion after 1:00pm for those that wish to stick around. Exchange District BIZ: Getting Around in the Original Downtown Bring your lunch, and join us for a summer picnic to chat transportation! Our picnic panel will kick-off the discussion, and open the conversation around walking, cycling, and transit in the Exchange. We will explore what is needed in the area to support a culture of sustainable transportation for businesses, residents, and the areas many cultural events. We will also discuss how can the Biz can continue to support you to move around on two feet, or two wheels. Where: Stephen Juba Park (Rain Venue TBD) When: Wednesday, June 20th 12:00pm-1:00pm (Panel) 1:00pm-1:30pm (Ideas Exploration) Panelists include: Will Belford - Natural Cycle/Bike Jams Thom Sparling - Creative Manitoba Phil Mikulec - Peg City Car Co-op Bob Sommers- Scatliff Miller Murray Lynne Stefanchuk - Jazz Fest Winnipeg Angela Mathieson - Centure Venture David Pensato/Sandy Klowak - Exchange District Biz Thanks, Shoni Madden Sustainable Transportation Planner [cid:image001.png@01CE8F6A.A4C607F0] #201 - 179 McDermot Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0S1 204-227-1080 smadden(a)urbansystems.ca<mailto:smadden@urbansystems.ca> urbansystems.ca

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WFP Analysis: Pedestrian bridges a welcome direction (Jun4'18)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Jun '18

04 Jun '18

[On a related note: If you haven't registered for the Osborne to Downtown Ped and Bike Bridge public workshop tomorrow evening, you can always fill out the online survey by June 12th: https://osbornetodowntownphase2.metroquest.ca/] * * * * * * Pedestrian bridges a welcome direction * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/pedestrian-bridges-a-wel… WINNIPEG’S rivers have divided its neighbourhoods since the days when St. Boniface was an independent city with ferry service to the English side of the river. The physical segmentation of Winnipeg, by rivers and rail yards, has made it a city of unique neighbourhoods. Communities that are geographically adjacent, but without direct pedestrian connections, have often developed with a distinct character, demographic, economy and history. Designed primarily to funnel people through neighbourhoods, and not be connectors between them, the city’s many vehicular bridges have had limited success breaking down the traditional divisions between Winnipeg’s communities. A new pedestrian and cycling bridge, however, proposed to span the Assiniboine River and connect the cycling infrastructure of Osborne Village and downtown, might present a new model to effectively link many of Winnipeg’s communities at a more intimate scale. As always, there is public debate about the cost and details, but the new bridge represents an important opportunity to change the dialogue about mobility in Winnipeg. Done well, it can be a symbol of a progressive and inclusive city that is broadening its transportation options. Calgary’s similar Peace Bridge, designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, has become a postcard image, representing a forward-looking city. There may be other bridges with shoulders and sidewalks for cyclists and pedestrians, but a dedicated crossing changes the experience of those activities and by giving them priority, elevates the value of active transportation in the city and attracts more users. With construction costs of about 10 per cent that of a car bridge, cycling and pedestrian bridges could affordably be replicated in strategic areas across the city, introducing a new network of connectivity between Winnipeg’s divided neighbourhoods. This web of active mobility could link communities together and potentially change how we define our neighbourhoods. It could transform how we move around our city, increasing economic opportunity, neighbourhood vibrancy and quality of life. Uniting communities through active transportation could grow neighbourhood economies by reducing pedestrian distances and expanding the potential market for local shops, restaurants and services. With a well-located pedestrian bridge, shops on Westminster Avenue would be a nine-minute walk (800 metres) from the shops on Academy Road in River Heights. The Osborne strip could be a seven-minute walk from Norwood Flats, or a 10-minute walk to the shops on Sherbrook Street. Most people in River Heights wouldn’t drive to the Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company in Wolseley, but they might take a 10-minute walk, or four-minute bike ride, over the river on a quiet bridge. Studies in other cities have shown that housing located near active transportation networks that provide access to these types of amenities can realize an increase in property values. Greater community integration might also help elevate the value of housing in newly connected, adjacent lower-income neighbourhoods. Another important benefit to increased mobility options is to help provide opportunity for those who might not have access to a personal vehicle. Improved active transportation connectivity can increase social inclusion by expanding access to schools, employment, food options, retail, and recreation opportunities. With pedestrian bridges, the University of Manitoba could be a 10-minute walk from St. Mary’s Road. Whittier Park could become a directly accessible green space for residents of Point Douglas and the Exchange District. Connecting neighbourhoods and reducing pedestrian and cycling distances create social opportunity by increasing access to a wider number of public transit routes, reducing commuting times and effectively widening the catchment area within which a transit user could reasonably commute to work or school. More convenient access to transit through better pedestrian connections would help both inner-city and suburban residents. A bridge between Westwood and Charleswood, as an example, would effectively double the number of transit routes accessible with a five-minute walk between Assiniboine Avenue and Roblin Boulevard. The same potential can be found between Henderson Highway and Main Street, or Osborne Street and St. Mary’s Road. With the average Canadian family spending almost 20 per cent of their household income on vehicle ownership, any reduction in driving costs could have an important impact on quality of life, even for more affluent suburbanites. Another new development in Winnipeg’s active transportation infrastructure could help extend this idea of connectivity between neighbourhoods. Traditionally, bike lanes have only been included in major road renewal projects, which has made their implementation extremely slow. A new lane on Garry Street downtown, for instance, will take three years to be complete as part of a much larger reconstruction project. Over the winter, the city ran a pilot project of pre-cast concrete curbs that are significantly less expensive and easier to install. They tested things such as drainage, functionality and durability against snow clearing. With the success of the pilot, construction is now beginning on a four-kilometre protected bike lane connecting the West Alexander neighbourhood (Health Sciences Centre) with Waterfront Drive in the Exchange District. The system will be completed in 12 weeks at a fraction of the cost of traditional curbs. This exciting new mindset on bike lane construction could mean much faster and less expensive implementation of cycling infrastructure, connecting Winnipeg neighbourhoods to each other and to downtown. It is an exciting time for active transportation in Winnipeg. We have fallen behind other cities but are now poised to catch up. Introducing an intimate new layer of human-scale mobility and connectivity across Winnipeg’s neighbourhoods could transform how we move around the city and help to create more vibrant, inclusive and healthy communities. * Brent Bellamy is senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.*

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AT Webinar: Tactical Urbanism Toolbox | Thurs, June 7, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 31 May '18

31 May '18

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Thurs, June 7**th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth -- *AT Webinar: Thurs, June 7th, 2-3pm* *Quick Builds - Tactical Urbanism Toolbox* *This webinar will begin with an overview of the birth of Tactical Urbanism and its ongoing evolution, and will discuss how it has evolved into something communities and individuals or government entities can take ownership of. Presenters will discuss how Tactical Urbanism has become more "sanctioned" while still maintaining its tenets of flexibility, cost-effectiveness, etc. and how it can be formally integrated into government departments to advance projects. Presenters will discuss case studies and their successes and failures: Burlington and Miami-Dade programs, among others across the nation. Lastly, they will give some final remarks on how to initiate and execute successful Quick-Build Programs. * *Presenters:* * - Mike Lydon & Dana Wall, The Street Plans Collaborative - Nicole Losch, City of Burlington, VT - Dane Eifling, City of Fayetteville, AR * -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Join us TODAY at noon for the official launch of Commuter Challenge!
by Beth McKechnie 31 May '18

31 May '18

Hope you can join us over the lunch hour to kick off the 2018 Commuter Challenge! *YOU'RE INVITED TO OUR MEDIA LAUNCH* We're hosting a media launch on Thursday, May 31st <https://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> and you're invited! Drop by *Investors Group atrium* (447 Portage Avenue <https://maps.google.com/?q=447+Portage+Avenue&entry=gmail&source=g>) *at 12:00pm* as we kick off Commuter Challenge and bring attention to the amazing participants and supporters of this great event. No RSVP required - just stop by and say hello! <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rptA05-ySiE/Ww1g7_RT8bI/AAAAAAAAAiM/W7Pp…> -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Edmonton considering slashing bus routes for frequent service network
by Beth McKechnie 29 May '18

29 May '18

Timely article as Winnipeg Transit will be preparing a Strategic Service Plan (and Rapid Transit Master Plan) this coming year, with the first round of public engagement to take place this fall. All options reportedly will be on the table, including a frequent service network. For timelines, please see attached pdf. https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2018/05/27/edmonton-is-considering-slashin… -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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

29 May '18

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

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

29 May '18

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

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

25 May '18

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

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

22 May '18

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

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

22 May '18

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

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

17 May '18

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

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

17 May '18

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

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

10 May '18

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

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

01 May '18

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

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

26 Apr '18

*Strategy would re-prioritize active transportation routes * * Extra $1M suggested for snow clearing * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/report-recommends- spending-1-million-to-clear-snow-on-citys-active-transportation-network- 480842443.html Additional coverage: http://winnipegsun.com/news/local-news/winnipeg-could-add- 1m-to-snow-clearing-for-active-transportation-routes http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-snow- clearing-sidewalks-1.4634766 A LONG-DELAYED report identifying new priorities for snow clearing and ice control within the city’s active transportation network will recommend spending nearly $1 million on changes when it finally sees the light of day in May. The winter maintenance strategy report is now up on the City of Winnipeg’s website and will be discussed May 1 at the next standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works. Coun. Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) originally requested the report in March 2016 when she was chairwoman of public works. After seven extensions, the public service came back with its findings. Cheryl Anderson, the city’s acting manager of street maintenance, is the report’s main author. Her department recommends spending about $933,000 next winter on re-prioritizing roadways, sidewalks and active transportation pathways to provide a connected pedestrian and cycling winter maintenance network. Subsequent annual spending on the re-prioritized network would be about $835,000 plus inflation, according to the report. “Efforts have been put into place that, when new infrastructure is being planned, to recognize these future design requirements and connectivity,” Anderson wrote about what the city has been doing since it approved its transportation master plan in 2011 and adopted pedestrian and cycling strategies in 2015. “Winter season has been an entirely different challenge, as citizens find many of these new active transportation routes disconnected or not maintained,” she said. Many Winnipeggers were frustrated after a large snow dump in March left some people stranded in their homes due to poorly cleared sidewalks. Some people who use wheelchairs were forced to travel on city streets in order to get around. But the public works report is about much more than fallout from a single snowstorm, said Anders Swanson, executive director of Winnipeg Trails Association. “After a long wait, this is a small step in the right direction. (The report) needs to pass so we can get going, but this report does not yet address the most crucial aspect: reliability,” Swanson said. “Walking, cycling, no matter what your ability, can be the most reliable and resilient forms of transport year round, but they have different design needs than cars. The report mentions that but then doesn’t fully address it.” Swanson thinks the city’s snow removal timing should be sped up, another move not directly mentioned in the report. The current clearing policy is to have all top-priority roadways and adjacent sidewalks and paths cleared within 36 hours of a snowfall ending. “For people pushing strollers, riding bikes or using wheelchairs, that’s just not practical. Think about this: if I am in a wheelchair and I can’t get to work on Monday or even get to the bus — which happens way too often— who is going to call my boss to tell them, ‘Sorry, but maybe he’ll be in by Wednesday?’” he said. Identifying the streets that aren’t priority one for cars but may be top priority for pedestrians or cyclists is an important distinction laid out in the review, said Mark Cohoe, director of Bike Winnipeg, who was pleased with the first iteration of the report and its related ward maps. “It’s a step forward for sure. I think there’s a few tweaks that we’ll probably recommend and a few clarifications, too.” Cohoe pointed to the North Assiniboine Parkway and foot bridges around Omand’s Creek as areas that could use more attention. If the public service’s report recommendations are approved by the public works committee on Tuesday, the changes will still need to get the green light from the executive policy committee and city council. jessica.botelho(a)freepress.mb.ca -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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*LAST CHANCE* Don't miss From A to B next week!
by Beth McKechnie 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

Don’t miss From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment <http://greenactioncentre.ca/module/workplace-commuter-options/from-a-to-b/> on Wednesday, May 2nd! *Green Action Centre and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ present* *FROM A TO B: EMPLOYEE WELLNESS AND OUR ENVIRONMENT* *Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Larry Frank* *Wednesday, May 2nd | The Alt Hotel* REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> Join employers like yourself for a keynote speech by Dr. Larry Frank, followed by breakout sessions. Participate in discussions, network with your colleagues, and receive feedback on your current and future plans. Find out about initiatives you can take to support employee wellness in your workplace, beginning with the commute to and from work. *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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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UMCycle kiosk open for first full summer
by Beth McKechnie 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

Keeping the cycle going UMCycle kiosk open for first full summer season https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/Keeping-the-cyc… The crew at the University of Manitoba’s new bike kiosk is gearing up to get cyclists on the road this spring. The UMCycle kiosk, located behind the Active Living Centre in the Migizii Agamik Plaza on the Fort Garry campus, officially opened on April 23 for its first full summer season since the grand opening in September 2017. [image: Anna Weier, manager of UM Cycle, is pictured in the bike kiosk located on the Fort Garry campus. The community bike shop officially opened for the season on April 23.] <https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/dds-bikekiosk-april25.jpg> DANIELLE DA SILVA - SOU'WESTER Anna Weier, manager of UM Cycle, is pictured in the bike kiosk located on the Fort Garry campus. The community bike shop officially opened for the season on April 23. The nearly $294,000 kiosk and courtyard space provides community and campus members free access to resources related to bike repair and maintenance. During opening hours, tools are available for cyclists to do their own repairs, staff and volunteer mechanics are on hand Thursday afternoons to walk cyclists through more complex jobs, and new and used parts are also available to purchase from the kiosk. The bike shop is operated by the University of Manitoba Students’ Union and received funding from the City of Winnipeg, federal government, and the university. Anna Weier, manager of UMCycle, said the initial reception to the shop — which operates out of retrofitted shipping container — has been positive and she’s looking forward to a busy cycling season in Fort Garry. "We definitely have a lot of people who come from outside of the U of M campus," Weier said. "Last year, we were just feeling things out, so our hours were probably not very helpful to people who live off campus because we were open only in the middle of the day, when most people were at work. "But even still we had kids coming by to get their bikes fixed and other people who live in the community who are not at work during the day, and this year we’re hoping accommodate that even more because our hours are extending into the evening and the weekend." The kiosk is currently staffed with two full time and two casual employees, based on need, and also has a large volunteer complement. When the UMCycle folks aren’t helping out stranded riders, they also run bike repair workshops for community groups and refurbish abandoned or salvaged bikes. Bikes that are left on campus will be headed to the kiosk, along with frames rescued from the dump, where they will be repaired by UMCycle staff and sold at the U of M for $50 to $250 to support the program. "We’re operating as a social enterprise so we’re trying to make enough money to cover our costs. Whatever money we make goes back into our operations," Weier said. Community members also have an opportunity to build their own bike through UMCycle. For a suggested donation of $50 (or pay-what-you can), people can draw on the experience of UMCycle staff and volunteers and build a bike with used (and some new) parts. "So people can have a good bike that’s not super expensive and also to help us cover our costs so we can continue operating," she said. A few additional grants have also allowed the bike repair shop to increase its footprint this summer. The U of M, UMSU, and the faculty of architecture along with others have supported a $35,000 expansion that will see new storage, work, rest, and display areas constructed by fourth year environmental design students. A signage and wayfinding component will also be part of the project. Lancelot Coar, an associate professor of architecture at the U of M, is leading students through the design-build project, which sees them actually take up hammer and nail to bring their visions to reality. "Because we’re in Migizii Agamik Plaza, we worked very closely with the elders at Migizii Agamik to develop signage that incorporates both traditional land use, traditional names of landforms, locations and sites, with contemporary maps of the city and city and campus resources," Coar explained. "So it’s trying to link the idea of Indigenous community interest and perspectives with the idea of active transportation, and also helping to enhance the students’ perspective of what matters when they’re designing." The expansion is expected to be finished by the end of summer. The kiosk is open Mondays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information about UMCycle and a full schedule of programs, go to http://umsu.ca/businesses/umcycle [image: UM Cycle’s bike kiosk located on the Fort Garry campus officially opened for the season on April 23.] <https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/dds-bikekiosk3-april25.jpg>

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Webinar Reminder: Got Counts? Now What? | Wed, Apr 25, 3-4pm
by Beth McKechnie 24 Apr '18

24 Apr '18

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow afternoon's webinar *** Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wed, April 25th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth -- *Next webinar: April 25, 2018, 3-4pm* *Got Counts? Now what?* * The April webinar features emerging applications for count data and real-life case studies. You'll hear about North Carolina's cyclist data program and how to move from a sporadic count to a more intentional programmatic system. You'll also learn about a project from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and Fehr & Peers to place counters and develop approaches for utilizing the multi-modal count data for planning, funding, and evaluation. They'll discuss the approach for forecasting activity on specific facilities and how multi-modal counts can inform changes in mode share. * *Presenters:* - *Shannon Warchol, Institute for Transportation Research and Education* - *Nathan Schmidt, Fehr & Peers* - *Joshua Clark, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)* -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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city launches online bike registry
by Jeremy Hull 24 Apr '18

24 Apr '18

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-launches-online-bike-registry-… The City of Winnipeg has launched a new online registry that should increase the likelihood of lost bicycles being returned to their owners. Bike owners in the city could already register their bicycles by mail, but now the city has added an online option. All bike registrations made using the mail service have been transferred to the online database, according to a press release. "(The online bike registry) is something I've been looking forward to for a long time," Marcia Fifer, Winnipeg's business licensing co-ordinator, said at Monday's launch. There is a one-time fee of $6.60 (GST included) when someone first registers. Users can upload photos of their bikes and several can be registered to one household. No payment is required for the return of a bike. Fifer told reporters that the registry cost the city a couple of thousand dollars to create. The registry went online at 9 a.m. Monday. The city recovers an estimated 1,000 bikes each year, but less than 10 per cent are returned to their owners, according to the city. More than 2,800 bikes were reported stolen in 2017, but Winnipeg police — partners in the new online initiative — suspect that number to be low because of thefts that aren't reported, said Insp. Chody Sutherland, who noted police often find bikes before they're reported stolen. "We may recover the bike overnight, while it's being used in another offence, or it's been abandoned after it's been stolen before homeowners may notice the bike is actually even missing," she said. Officers all have access to an app in their cruiser cars that grants them access to the online registry anytime. "If you're listed on the registry in advance, we can return the bike almost immediately," Sutherland said, adding if police can't find the owner, the bike will be put in storage. Bicycles in storage that go unclaimed are auctioned off by the city. The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub (WRENCH), a non-profit organization that builds, repairs and makes bikes accessible to youth, is partnering with the city to ensure the bikes are ready to ride. This year's auction is Saturday and Sunday morning at the Terry Sawchuk Arena on Kimberly Avenue. There will be about 700 bikes available for the public to bid on. Police hope the online registry will mean fewer bikes are auctioned in the future, Sutherland said. People should continue reporting thefts since being on the registry isn't enough and reporting thefts helps the police see patterns and come up with strategies, Sutherland said. Bikes can be registered online at winnipeg.ca/bikeregistry. Lost or stolen bikes can be reported to the police through its non emergency line or online through the citizen online reporting system. nicholas.frew(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Central Park goes car free
by Beth McKechnie 23 Apr '18

23 Apr '18

Hmmm, perhaps we could do the same in Kildonan Park? https://ny.curbed.com/2018/4/20/17261134/central-park-new-york-car-free-de-… “Our parks are for people, not cars,” De Blasio said in a statement. “For more than a century, cars have turned parts of the world’s most iconic park into a highway. Today we take it back. We are prioritizing the safety and the health of the millions of parents, children and visitors who flock to Central Park.”

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WFP: Barricades at Portage and Main should come down: Sadik-Khan (Apr.17'18)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Apr '18

17 Apr '18

* Former NYC official touts pedestrian-friendly changes * * Remove downtown barricades: planner * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/barricades-at-portage-and-main-shou… TRAFFIC-snarled New York City took cars off the road at Times Square without causing carmageddon, so there’s no reason pedestrians shouldn’t be able to cross Portage and Main in Winnipeg, says New York’s former transportation commissioner. “Moving people off of streets is really 1950s thinking,” Janette Sadik-Khan said Monday. “And to put them underground? We’re not rats. We’re wanting to get people on the streets. Cars don’t shop, people shop.” Critics of the idea of reopening the intersection at Portage Avenue and Main Street and allowing pedestrians to walk across instead of using underground tunnels have said it will create traffic gridlock on one of the busiest intersections in the Manitoba capital. Sadik-Khan said the same fears were heard in New York when officials decided to transform about four kilometres of Broadway, including closing it completely to traffic at Times Square, to make it more pedestrian-friendly. In its place are pedestrian plazas and spaces, as well as more bike lanes. The changes have also resulted in improving motorist travel times on other streets while reducing motorist and pedestrian injuries and increasing pedestrian volumes, Sadik-Khan said. “The strategy isn’t to get cars as fast as possible from A to B, it’s to get everyone around... cities have learned when you add more lanes you don’t increase traffic flow. After 50 years, we know this strategy doesn’t work. Nobody says we will solve obesity by increasing your belt size,” she said. Sadik-Khan was commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation from 2007 to 2013 under then mayor Michael Bloomberg. These days she works at Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy agency established by the former mayor. Her role is to travel the world helping mayors and city planners make citizen-friendly improvements to street redesigns. Winnipeggers should embrace pedestrians crossing their city’s iconic intersection instead of fearing it, she said, while praising Mayor Brian Bowman and city council for making moves to open Portage and Main to pedestrians. City council approved a plan last October for more studies, cost estimates and another vote on removing the barricades that were erected in the late 1970s as part of an agreement with six adjacent property owners to move people underground. “I think it’s wonderful you’re looking at opening Portage and Main to pedestrians. It’s where everybody goes to celebrate — especially a Stanley Cup,” she said. Sadik-Khan and other transportation experts are in Winnipeg to participate in the inaugural Mode Shift festival of human-scale cities, which aims to explore transportation, culture and health. Anders Swanson, Mode Shift’s program director and executive director of Winnipeg Trails, said transportation issues should be about more than just cars and trucks. “The way we move, especially how we want to move, is changing fast,” Swanson said. “This event is about how to make that transition a good one, a quick one, one where we end up with more patios, more bike lanes, more jobs, more money and, well, all-round happier people. This is about fixing our roads for good. “Our streetscape should be our landscape, but it isn’t when we put machines there... freeways don’t make a city. No one has ever come back from France with a postcard of a freeway.” Herbert Tiemens, a Dutch road design expert and bicycle policy adviser to the Kingdom of Netherlands, said whenever he comes to North America, he hears something he doesn’t hear in his country. “I’m always amazed about the noise of the traffic and how hard it is to cross streets,” Tiemens said. “In the Netherlands, we abandoned jaywalking and allowed people to cross everywhere on the street. People were doing it already. We’ve made other changes for pedestrians and it has worked very well. “People don’t want to go back to what it was before.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca

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More states pushing for free-range parenting laws
by Beth McKechnie 13 Apr '18

13 Apr '18

Very interesting article in light of the recent case in Vancouver ( https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/01/canada-father-bus-children-ad… ) * * * * * * New Utah legislation says giving well-cared for, mature kids freedom isn’t neglectful * * More states pushing for free-range parenting laws * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/free-range-parenting-l… SALT LAKE CITY— After Utah passed the United States’ first law legalizing so-called free-range parenting, groups in states from New York to Texas are pushing for similar steps to bolster the idea supporters say is an antidote for anxiety-plagued parents and overscheduled kids. Free-range parenting is the concept that giving kids the freedom to do things alone — like explore a playground or ride a bike to school — makes them healthier, happier and more resilient. It surfaced nearly a decade ago, when Lenore Skenazy touched off a firestorm with a column about letting her then-nine-year-old son ride the New York City subway alone. Since then, she’s become a vocal advocate for free-range parenting. Critics say letting kids strike out on their own can expose them to serious dangers, from criminals to cars. Parents have been investigated by child-welfare authorities in several high-profile cases, including a Maryland couple who allowed their six- and 10-year-old children to walk home alone from a park in 2015. But lawmakers and policy groups in several states say the protective pendulum has swung too far, and it’s time to send a message that parents who raise their children in a healthy environment can grant them more freedom. Utah’s new law specifies that it isn’t neglectful to let well-cared-for children travel to school, explore a playground or stay in the car alone if they’re mature enough to handle it. Free-range parenting differs from the concept of latchkey kids, or those who take care of themselves after school, in that it generally emphasizes getting kids outside in the neighbourhood as a way to develop independence, Boston-based clinical psychologist Bobbi Wegner said. Fears about letting kids make their own way date, at least in part, to cases like Etan Patz, who was among the first missing children pictured on milk cartons after disappearing while he walked to his New York City bus stop alone in 1979. Meanwhile, as education has become more essential in the workforce, parents are increasingly eager to give their kids a leg up with lessons in everything from coding to cello. “We sign our kids up for all these activities — tutoring, different things — to create this perfect resumé from a very young age, but it’s really at a detriment to the kid’s mental health,” Wegner said. While giving kids independence with parent oversight helps, it’s hard for adults to escape pressure to hover, she said. “Parents need permission to do this,” Wegner said. A self-avowed free-range parent, she said a police officer once knocked on her door and threatened to call child services after seeing her then-3½-old son standing at the end of the driveway talking to neighbourhood kids. She’d like to see Massachusetts follow Utah’s lead. In New York, Democratic state assemblyman Phil Steck said he’s gearing up to introduce a similar proposal. “When I was a child, you let your dogs and your children out after breakfast and... they had to be home for dinner,” he said. “I felt I gained a lot more from just playing on the street than my children did from being in organized sports activities.” It’s an idea that cuts across the ideological spectrum. Brandon Logan with the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation is working with lawmakers for a bill next year. “We expect adults to be independent, and we expect parents to raise their children to be independent, and you can’t do that whenever children are being micromanaged,” Logan said. A conservative group is also pushing for a bill in Idaho, and an Arkansas lawmaker whose effort failed plans to bring it back again. They’re all taking a close look at Utah’s law, which sailed through the legislature andwas signed by the governor of the majority-Mormon state known for big families andwide-open spaces. It doesn’t specify how old kids should be to do things alone, which lawmakers say will allow authorities to weigh each case separately. Discretion like that is important, said Stephen Hinshaw, a University of California, Berkeley psychology professor. Not every child is ready to ride their bike alongside busy roads, and participating in things like music lessons can teach them important skills. “Parents have to be smart about what is helping foster self-reliance and what is putting kids in a dangerous spot,” he said. Amy Coulter, a stay-at-home Utah mom of four girls and a boy, said she doesn’t call herself a free-range parent. But she does avoid intervening with teachers on her older kids’ grades and encourages her kids use their own money to buy things at the grocery store. “I want them to know that they’re capable,” she said of her children, who range in age from five to 14. In her Lehi neighbourhood, kids often roam the block “snack-hopping” at different homes. Recent Utah transplant Krista Whipple said she’s liked the concept of free-range parenting for years, but it was tough to practise it in her old Los Angeles neighbourhood, when most kids stayed behind fences. “I didn’t want to raise my kids all cooped up, but it always made me think twice,” said Whipple, a program manager at a St. George youth homeless shelter who has two boys and a girl who are three, four and six. “Kids are not in constant danger, and it’s OK to let them outside, and it’s OK... to let them get lost,” she said. “They’ll find their way home.” — The Associated Press

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AT Webinar: Got Counts? Now What? | Wed, Apr 25, 3-4pm
by Beth McKechnie 12 Apr '18

12 Apr '18

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wed, April 25th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. Note this is a week later than usual due to ModeShift 2018 <https://modeshift.ca/> happening next week. cheers, Beth -- *Next webinar: April 25, 2018, 3-4pm* *Got Counts? Now what?* * The April webinar features emerging applications for count data and real-life case studies. You'll hear about North Carolina's cyclist data program and how to move from a sporadic count to a more intentional programmatic system. You'll also learn about a project from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and Fehr & Peers to place counters and develop approaches for utilizing the multi-modal count data for planning, funding, and evaluation. They'll discuss the approach for forecasting activity on specific facilities and how multi-modal counts can inform changes in mode share. * -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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GoManitoba: A Better Commute is Possible (video)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Apr '18

11 Apr '18

Hi everyone, Please check out (and share!) our new video for GoManitoba, the online ridematching tool for carpoolers, bike and transit mentors: http://greenactioncentre.ca/healthy-travel/go-manitoba-video/ Sign up as a bike or bus mentor, and be entered to win an MEC gift certficate and Manitoba parks pass! thanks, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 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: New transportation manager takes helm - greater emphasis on AT (Apr.9'18)
by Beth McKechnie 09 Apr '18

09 Apr '18

* New transportation manager takes helm * * Aims to restore trust following south Wilkes corridor controversy * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/new-transportation-manager-takes-he… CITY hall’s new manager of transportation realizes he’s got his work cut out for him. David Patman is heading up the public works division that took a public beating in the fall over the controversial south Wilkes corridor project. “There was a lot of talk in themedia about how projects were being managed, about how transportation was interacting with other departments and stakeholders,” said Patman, 39. “I think we’re in the process of rebuilding trust and making sure everyone has a comfort level with the department.” Patman was in charge of Winnipeg Transit’s eastern transit corridor study for the past year before moving to the public works department two weeks ago. He was introduced to councillors on the public works committee Friday, where he juggled double duties: briefing the committee on the eastern transit corridor study, and then hearing their beefs about the backlog of studies his transportation division has yet to do. Patman’s predecessor, Luis Escobar, had been with the city for 18 years when he unexpectedly gave notice at the end of August and left in October, just as trouble was about to tear through the division. Staff was openly criticized by city hall’s chief administrative officer, Doug Mc Neil, and the public works chairman, Coun. Marty Morantz, for developing what was derisively described as the “rogue” corridor route through Charleswood. While there were suggestions Mc-Neil and Morantz had ignored reports, it was the staff who were thrown under the bus and two senior planners subsequently left. Patman faces multiple tasks: restoring public trust and rebuilding staff confidence and the department. “People in my department do very good work. They take their work seriously. They’re very professional,” Patman said. “I just want to make sure everyone is aware of this.” Patman, married, is originally from southern Ontario. He moved to Canada with his family at the age of three from Liverpool, and still retains a trace of the English accent. Patman’s background includes working for a private engineering consulting firm and the City of Calgary’s transportation department. He’d been with Transit, in various roles, since September 2013. He’s also a hobby farmer, who for the past six years has been raising five alpacas on a small acreage in Anola. Patman oversees about 70 planners in the transportation division. They are responsible for street design; collecting data on vehicular, pedestrian and cycling traffic; dealing with improvements to intersections; designing bike paths; and overseeing traffic signals. He stresses collaboration as the key to success, within his department and others, with politicians and the public. “You want to make sure when you have a concept, we want to get people excited about it and try something dynamic and different, that everyone is on the same page and moving in the same direction, that it’s not going to hit a roadblock internally before it can get implemented.” Escobar hadareputation of approaching traffic and transportation issues in a very conservative manner. Patman, on the other hand, singles out the innovate approaches of his former employer, the City of Calgary, with the hint Winnipeggers might see some of the same. Patman said Calgary and other cities in North America sometimes deploy a “pop-up” approach to projects. He thinks a similar approach might work here. “They say ‘let’s try it and see if it works. If it doesn’t work, we can take it out.’” Patman said. “I think there’s a lot to be said about those ideas that are quick wins. It gets people paying attention to what we’re doing and giving us feedback.” Patman said Winnipeg has duplicated that process with reverse-angled parking in the Exchange District. A pilot project involving one street last summer became permanent and is being considered for other streets. Patman also wants to put a greater emphasis on active transportation modes: walking and cycling. “I know some people believe there is a war on the car, but the question is if it’s the right (transportation) tool for the right type of trip,” he said. “I’m not going to say I’m anti-car, but we need to look at what we can do to make sure all these different modes work together... and that we’re thinking about the more sustainable modes, which are the active transportation — walking, cycling and transit. They all have a role to play in the transportation mix.” aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: AT strategy delayed eight times (Apr.5'18)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

* Active-transportation strategy delayed eight times* * Two years and counting… for report * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/two-years-and-counting-for-report-4… PRESENTATION of a long-overdue report to the public works committee is being delayed for an eighth time, leaving active transportation advocates wondering if they aren’t a priority for the City of Winnipeg. Coun. Janice Lukes, who represents South Winnipeg-St. Norbert and is the former chairwoman of the infrastructure renewal and public works committee, requested a review of the winter maintenance strategy for the city’s active transportation network (including walking, cycling, wheelchair, in-line skating, skateboarding and more) in March 2016. More than two years later, Lukes believes the review is ready, but Mayor Brian Bowman’s office is delaying its release. “I am 99 per cent confident the report is done. There’s no way it would take longer than two years. There’s absolutely no way,” she said. “We just said, ‘Review the current processes, make recommendations and what would it cost.’ We didn’t ask them to implement it, so there’s no reason to hold it back. “Ultimately, the mayor sets every single standing policy committee agenda. He determines what goes on that agenda... I was chair of public works. He always looked to see what was on that agenda.” The public works committee will receive a report Friday detailing alternatives for snow clearing, such as adjusting sidewalk-clearing equipment to cut grass in summer months. Lukes said she thinks the active transportation report will be presented next month. Asked about the review’s delay Wednesday, Bowman said his office isn’t holding it back. “There’s no truth to that. I’m glad it’s coming forward,” the mayor said. “The committee has done their work. “I’m hoping they can look for improvements in quality of service to our residents. That’s, I think, a good discussion for the community to have and I’m looking forward to hearing what they have to say on it. And I would expect that at the coming (executive policy committee meeting), we can weigh in at that point.” The public works department would not accommodate an interview request Wednesday, but a spokesperson confirmed it will ask Friday for a 30-day extension on the report. It appears at least one community group that was to be consulted while the report was being compiled has yet to speak on the matter. Anders Swanson, executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association, said the group has not had anything approaching “meaningful consultation” with the city. Swanson helped organize a public event last week, Urban Brew —Sidewalks First, where some 90 people showed up to discuss the seriousness of Winnipeg’s winter- accessibility problems. Lukes’ initial motion asked the department work with stakeholders during consultations, including the Winnipeg Trails Association, Bike Winnipeg, Manitoban League of Persons with Disabilities, and the City of Winnipeg active transportation advisory. “We heard from somebody who can’t even make it to work, just because the side street in front of their door was not navigable in a wheelchair. We’re hearing about people being scared for their life having to cross the Osborne Bridge in a wheelchair. That’s messed up,” Swanson said Wednesday. “Mobility is a basic human right, especially if you happen to be in a wheelchair or needing to push a baby in a stroller. It should be one of the top priorities of our municipal government in general, honestly.” Mark Cohoe, director of Bike Winnipeg, said his group was consulted about a year ago, but hasn’t heard anything back about its input. “I think it does make it hard for us to go out to the public and say, ‘The city’s looking for your input. Please help us,’ if people know that it’s potentially meaningless — which is what it feels like when it takes a year to move from that stage,” Cohoe said. “It’s disappointing that we’re not moving forward on this (review). We’re a winter city. There’s no getting around the fact of providing people with options to walk, to bike, to bus or to drive. We need to make sure that they’re going to have an accessible route to get to their destinations... (the delay) tells me that we’re not really a priority.” — with files from Aldo Santin jessica.botelho(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Seattle passes parking reforms to tackle carbon free, ped and bike friendly vision for city
by Beth McKechnie 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

Citywide Parking Requirement Reform Passes in Seattle The U.S. city with the best recent history of convincing commuters to ditch the auto commute is taking further steps to make the city a little less car-centric. www.planetizen.com/news/2018/04/98053-citywide-parking-requirement-reform-p… "Seattle council members on Monday approved changes to the parking code <https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2018/3/30/how-seattle-s-new-law-would-c…> that they hope will ultimately tackle their carbon-free, pedestrian-and-bike-friendly, affordable vision for the city," reports Hayat Norimine. Specifically, the city's new parking ordinance, "expands areas that fall under the definition of 'frequent transit service,' reduces the parking minimum for affordable housing projects, increases requirements for bicycle parking, allows underused private parking lots to be open to the public, and separates parking fees from rental leases." Support for the new parking ordinance focused on the potential benefit to housing costs, not the potential environmental benefits of less driving. A previous article by Norimine provides more explanation and background <https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2018/3/30/how-seattle-s-new-law-would-c…> on the changes to Seattle's parking requirements. FULL STORY: Seattle City Council Approves Changes to Reduce Parking <https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2018/4/2/seattle-city-council-approves-…>

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*NEW DATE* From A to B is now May 2nd
by Mel Marginet 04 Apr '18

04 Apr '18

Greetings, We've had to reschedule our event, *From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment*. The event will now take place on May 2nd! Green Action Centre and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ present *FROM A TO B: EMPLOYEE WELLNESS AND OUR ENVIRONMENT* *Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Larry Frank* Wednesday, May 2nd | The Alt Hotel REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> Dr. Frank is a Professor in Sustainable Transportation and Public Health at the University of British Columbia and President of Urban Design 4 health, Inc. which builds software tools and documents health impacts of transportation and land development actions. He specializes in the interaction between land use, travel behavior, air quality; and health; and in the energy use, and climate change impacts of urban form policies. He coined the term “walkability” in the early – mid ’90s; his work led to WalkScore and has been cited over 24,000 times making him one of the 2 most cited planning academics. Thompson and Reuters lists him in the top 1% globally as a highly cited researcher. Dr. Frank has published over 150 peer reviewed articles and reports and co-authored two of the leading books – *Heath and Community Design* and *Urban Sprawl and Public Health* on which helped to map out the field emerging at the nexus between built, natural, and social environments and health. Dr. Frank works directly with local, regional, provincial or state, and federal agencies and developers to help translate results from leading edge research into practice based tools. *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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: Reminder-2nd National Bike Summit- Abstracts due March 30th
by Anders Swanson 26 Mar '18

26 Mar '18

FYI. In case you are in the Ottawa area. If not, you can: - also follow parts of the conference via livestream. - consider emailing your MP about this event, and urging them to attend Anders Swanson Chair, Canada Bikes <http://canadabikes.org/> CanadaBikes.org <http://canadabikes.org/> Join us on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/CanadaBikes>. Follow us on Twitter <https://twitter.com/Canada_Bikes>. Become a member. <http://www.canadabikes.org/members/become-a-member/> Mail: c/o 303 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B4 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: CanadaBikes Events <events(a)canadabikes.org> Date: Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 1:16 PM Subject: Reminder-2nd National Bike Summit- Abstracts due March 30th To: events(a)canadabikes.org Dear Colleagues, The *Call for Abstracts for the 2nd National Bike Summit closes March 30th*. We hope you will *submit an abstract <http://www.canadabikes.org/activities/national-bike-summit-2018/call-for-ab…>.* * Vélo Canada Bikes is hosting the 2nd National Bike Summit <http://www.canadabikes.org/activities/national-bike-summit-2018/> **in Ottawa on May 28th and 29th, 2018* in conjunction with the 7th annual Bike Day on the Hill celebration. *Summit registration is open* <http://www.canadabikes.org/activities/national-bike-summit-2018/registratio…>* and early bird and student discounts are available.* Those who register by April 15th will be included in a cycling education morning with Parliamentarians. Vélo Canada Bikes is a non-profit organization that advocates for increased federal support for everyday cycling in Canada. Canada Bikes has a vision of a Canada where all people of all ages and abilities can safely use a bicycle for daily transportation. We look forward to seeing you at the Summit! Sincerely, The Summit organizing team

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Friday smile: Toddlers take to the streets
by Beth McKechnie 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

*Toddlers Take to the Streets* What happens when toddlers explore urban environments on their own terms? For the past year, Jacob Krupnick has been setting one- and two-year-olds loose on city streets, filming the answer to this question. The delightful film series, entitled Young Explorers Club, shows what happens when parents allow their kids to engage with urban spaces without any prompts, directions or guidance. Warning: cuteness ensues. Allissa Walker explores why this experiment is more important than just the smile it brings to our faces. Full story: https://www.curbed.com/2018/2/8/16981456/kids-cities- walking-film-jacob-krupnick-young-explorers-club Direct link to videos - https://www.youngexplorers.club/home -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Urban Brew: Sidewalks First! Winter City Accessibility March 28
by Beth McKechnie 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

A timely discussion next Wed after work at the Good Will (poster attached)... *From:* Urban Brew <urbanbrewwpg(a)gmail.com> *Subject:* Urban Brew: Sidewalks First! Winter City Accessibility March 28 Hello! There’s been a lot of talk lately about sidewalk accessibility – not just during Winnipeg’s winters, but all year round. And not just for people with disabilities, but for older folks, parents with strollers and pedestrians of all kinds. We’re tackling this topic at our next Urban Brew event, March 28 at the Good Will Social Club. If you don’t know, Urban Brew is a group of Winnipeggers who meet quarterly over beers to talk about better urban design. At this event, we’ll hear from experts and then break out into smaller discussion groups to explore ways other winter cities deal with sidewalk maintenance that might work in Winnipeg. All the details are on the enclosed poster! Please consider attending, and sharing the event with your network. We would love to see you there! Sincerely, The Urban Brew team www.facebook.com/pg/UrbanBrewWPG @UrbanBrewWPG

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ModeShift in Winnipeg: Janette Sadik-Khan, Herbert Tiemens, Kay Teschke, Robin Mazumder and YOU
by Anders Swanson 22 Mar '18

22 Mar '18

Hello AT network... I wanted to make sure to extend a warm early invitation to ModeShift <http://Modeshift.ca>- an exciting new event coming up next month, starting on the 15th April. I doubt any of you will want to miss it. Tickets for Janette Sadik-Khan at the WAG on April 16 <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/street-fight-an-evening-with-janette-sadik-khan…>are on sale now and likely to sell out, so get yours soon. Choosing the early bird ModeShift registration option gets you into the WAG event and a whole lot more, including a full conference on April 18-19. What's happening that week? We have high profile guests coming to speak from the US, the Netherlands, Canada, and equally exciting folks from here at home. Besides a tight-knit conference, there will be public events in the evening that week, outdoor tours, dinner dates, action taking place on the street and more. Engineers, urbanists, planners who love cycling take note: Herbert Tiemens and engineer/planner responsible for bicycle policy for the region of Utrecht is a go-to voice both nationally and internationally on all things Dutch design. He will be giving an intensive pre-conference workshop. Be there. Details coming soon, but save April 16-17 if you can. And academics, culture makers, public health experts: don't miss Kay Teschke talk. She wants to talk about helmets (yes, she's going there...) and other things she has not been shy to research in her time heading up some of the most well-known transportation research coming out of the UBC. Robin is a veery smart and interesting guy. I can't wait to tell you what Mr.Mazumder is cooking up. If any of you would be willing to use your professional expertise to work with youth to help make their city-building dreams come alive, you will want to join us for that too. A full slate will be released by the start of April but I think you will find this all pretty darn exciting already. I do. Watch the website for regular updates as we put on the final touches. Check out this video teaser on Twitter <https://twitter.com/WinnipegTrails/status/974325127973400576> and Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/WinnipegTrails/videos/1617833251633548/> and share widely if you like it! If you want to get more directly involved or here details, give me a call. Would love to chat and tell you more. Kindly, Anders ED, Winnipeg Trails Conference Director for ModeShift

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Last Chance to Register! | From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment
by Mel Marginet 21 Mar '18

21 Mar '18

Greetings, We hope you can join us next week for *From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment* <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>, featuring a keynote from *Dr. Larry Frank* <https://scarp.ubc.ca/people/lawrence-frank> and break-out sessions on *Healthy, Sustainable Workplaces*, *Workplace Transportation 101* and *Connecting Workplace Health to Our Environment*. The event will include a 24 page resource guide for you to take back to your workplace, a delicious lunch and a post-event mixer with a complimentary beverage and snacks where you can network with other attendees in a relaxed environment. To assist us in planning for the event, please register <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> by *noon on Friday, March 23rd*! *REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>* *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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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Montreal considering separate traffic laws for cyclists
by Beth McKechnie 17 Mar '18

17 Mar '18

Many cyclists (including this one) complain that rules designed for cars don't make sense for bikes. Some even occasionally just slow down for stop signs. In the City of Montreal they are finally having a look at this, and developing new rules for cyclists. Full story: https://www.treehugger.com/bikes/montreal-considering-separate-traffic-laws…

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WFP: Mayor mulls snow-clearing changes after complaints (Mar.15'18)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Mar '18

15 Mar '18

* Mayor mulls snow-clearing changes after complaints* COMPLAINTS about the poor job of sidewalk clearing following last week’s snowstorm have prompted Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman to speculate about changing how the work is done. Bowman told reporters Wednesday he is willing to change the sidewalk snow-clearing policy, if the city can afford it. “I’m open to making changes, if we can improve the quality of service for thosewho rely on our sidewalks to get around our city,” Bowman said. “I think reviewing the policy is a good idea. I think we should be open to changes that can work within our financial means to improve the quality of service for those that have accessibility needs.” Advocates for the disabled, cyclists and transit have long complained the policy favours vehicles over other forms of transportation, and last week’s storm only added to the controversy. While most Winnipeg streets are clear of snow, sidewalks in many areas remain impassible. Many people complained city hall wasn’t following its own rules for clearing sidewalks downtown and on busy streets within 36 hours of the end of a storm. “It doesn’t matter if you’re walking, biking or taking transit, the system we have is just not working for everyone,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. “A week delay between a snowstorm and a clean street that is accessible for you is just not workable.” Allen Mankewich, a wheelchair user who lives and works downtown, said there’s no question the city is not complying with council’s direction to clear sidewalks on busy streets at the same time as the roads. “I live on a P1 (regional) street and I wasn’t even able to get down my street until earlier this week. A week after the storm, I had to go a different way each day just to get to work,” he said. Mankewich said when he tried to manoeuvre a downtown sidewalk three days after the storm, he ended up flipping his wheelchair. “The job that they’ve done wasn’t adequate,” he said. “As far as I can tell, the snow-clearing policy that is on the books, they weren’t even following that.” Mankewich said clearing sidewalks to compacted snow conditions is acceptable when the temperature falls below -20 C. When the temperature hovers around freezing, as they have since the March 5 storm, the snow is too soft and creates conditions that are impossible to traverse for people who have mobility issues and for those who use a wheelchair. He said some of those people have been forced to use roads, despite concern over safety. Councillors have been waiting two years for a report on how to improve sidewalk snow-clearing. In March 2016, the public works committee directed the public works department to work with various stakeholders— Winnipeg Trails Association, Bike Winnipeg, Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities and the city’s own active-transportation advisory committee — to establish terms of reference for a review of the policy, with the aim of developing a strategy that refocuses the priority to include sidewalks, as well as pedestrian and cycling paths. It also asked for cost estimates. After repeated delays, the administration is expected to deliver a report to the public works committee at its April 6 meeting. While Bowman said he’s looking forward to hearing what the administration has to say, Cohoe pointed out it’s taken the public works department two years just to return with a request to initiate a study that will include cost estimates and options. Cohoe said he suspects public works department staff is reluctant to initiate a study requiring council to find additional funds, if making sidewalks accessible across the city in winter is a priority. In the meantime, Bowman said he wants to know if the department complied with the sidewalk policy this past week. “The question that I’ve raised with the public service (is) whether or not the policy as directed has been followed and to what extent, over the last week,” he said. “The direction previous councils have established is that P1 (regional) sidewalks are cleared in the same priority as P1 roads. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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study of health benefits of cycling
by Jeremy Hull 14 Mar '18

14 Mar '18

Report in today's Sun: http://winnipegsun.com/life/living/cycling-slows-down-aging-study-says/wcm/… The key to the fountain of youth may rest on the back of a bicycle. A new study found that cycling can hold back the effects of aging and help boost the immune system. Researchers studied a group of 125 amateur cyclists aged 55 to 79 and compared them to a group of 75 healthy adults aged 57 to 80 who did not exercise regularly and 55 young adults between the ages of 20 and 36. It found cyclists preserved muscle mass and strength as they aged, while maintaining stable levels of body fat and cholesterol. According to the research, an organ called the thymus, which makes immune cells called T-cells, typically starts to shrink at 20-years-old. However, the thymuses of older cyclists were generating as many T-cells as those of young people. “Hippocrates in 400 BC said that exercise is man’s best medicine, but his message has been lost over time and we are an increasingly sedentary society,” said professor Janet Lord, director of the Institute of Inflammation and Aging at the University of Birmingham to the U.K. Guardian <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/08/cycling-keeps-your-imm…> . “However, importantly, our findings debunk the assumption that ageing automatically makes us more frail. Our research means we now have strong evidence that encouraging people to commit to regular exercise throughout their lives is a viable solution to the problem that we are living longer but not healthier.” The study’s findings were outlined in two papers for the journal Aging Cell <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1474-9726>.

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WFP: City homes in on option two for greenway extension (Mar.14'18)
by Beth McKechnie 14 Mar '18

14 Mar '18

City homes in on option two for greenway extension *Addition will connect pedestrians from St. James to Dan Mac * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/sports/City-homes-in-on-o… *l* The City of Winnipeg is prioritizing a fasttracked option for the Yellow Ribbon Greenway extension. On March 6, the CoW hosted a public info session on the YRG at the Bord-Aire Community Centre (417 Hampton St.), which saw a small but engaged turnout. The drop-in event was aimed at providing area residents with probable plans for a pedestrian (cycling and walking) corridor to be added between the existing YRG and St. Matthews Avenue. Option one is a connected pathway which would take pedestrians northeast off of the existing greenway, just as it dips south to meet Silver Avenue. Option two is a much shorter pathway and would take cyclists and walkers north from the greenway, just before it meets Silver Avenue, to where it would join St. Matthews Avenue. The budget for option two is $750,000, while the budget for option one, including the construction of a bridge, is $1.3 million. The City’s active transportation co-ordinator Stephanie Whitehouse said most people want to see this connective trail put into place as soon as possible, and the difference for cyclists is only 60 seconds extra time with option two, making it favourable with the community as well. Whitehouse said while stakeholders and engineers explored a number of options internally, cost and timeline are big factors in why the City is tentatively moving ahead with option two. “It proved the preferred option because we can roll it out relatively quickly within this year,” Whitehouse said. “Option one wasn’t really within our current budget, so it meant construction would have to happen over a few years.” The plan looked promising to some residents. “It’s encouraging,” Westwood resident Paul Gittel said at the event. “If you have more people cycling, you’ll have a healthier population. I don’t cycle in the winter, I cross-country ski, but that adds an option for people who do (cycle).” Whitehouse said the project will connect two areas of the city that already see a lot of cycling. “What it’s supporting is, of course, local access to this amazing YRG, but as well, we want to support the commuter movement towards the downtown, where we’ve got the University of Winnipeg, the downtown core, Polo Park.” St. Matthews Avenue should also see the completion of buffered bicycle lanes this summer, which Whitehouse says is a “key corridor” towards the downtown. Coun. Scott Gillingham (St. James-Weston-Brooklands) said the extension was a campaign promise that he’s very excited to see through. “I’m hearing more and more from people that want to cycle, not just for recreation but as a means of commuting to and from work or school, and by providing this pathway, it increases the confidence that cyclists have because a lot of it will separate cyclists from vehicles,” Gillingham said. “This will connect St. James to the River Heights area and downtown, and it’s a very important project.” More info and maps can be found at winnipeg. ca/publicworks/pedestrians Cycling/ walkbikeprojects/yellowribbongreenwayextension. stm#tab-documents

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From A to B | Post event mixer confirmed!
by Mel Marginet 08 Mar '18

08 Mar '18

Greetings AT community, March 27th is *From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment <http://greenactioncentre.ca/featured/2018-speaker-event-from-a-to-b-employe…>.* *When the program wraps at 4:30, we move into the ALT's Banquet Hall for a post event mixer, featuring snacks, a complimentary beverage and cash bar. This is an excellent opportunity to debrief and network in a relaxed environment. * *REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>* *Don't miss this event linking Workplace Wellness and sustainability. * Dr. Frank is a Professor in Sustainable Transportation and Public Health at the University of British Columbia and President of Urban Design 4 health, Inc. which builds software tools and documents health impacts of transportation and land development actions. He specializes in the interaction between land use, travel behavior, air quality; and health; and in the energy use, and climate change impacts of urban form policies. He coined the term “walkability” in the early – mid 90’s; his work led to WalkScore and has been cited over 24,000 times making him one of the 2 most cited planning academics. Thompson and Reuters lists him in the top 1% globally as a highly cited researcher. Dr. Frank has published over 150 peer reviewed articles and reports and co-authored two of the leading books – *Heath and Community Design *and *Urban Sprawl and Public Health *on which helped to map out the field emerging at the nexus between built, natural, and social environments and health. Dr. Frank works directly with local, regional, provincial or state, and federal agencies and developers to help translate results from leading edge research into practice based tools. *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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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Inspiration from Calgary
by Beth McKechnie 07 Mar '18

07 Mar '18

DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WE DON’T KNOW HOW TO INCREASE BIKING IN A CITY The latest bike counts <http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation/TP/Pages/Cycling/Bike-Data.aspx?redire…> from Calgary, Alberta — the site of a 2015 pilot project that cheaply installed a five-street downtown protected bike lane network <https://peopleforbikes.org/blog/calgary-rolls-out-a-downtown-protected-bike…> in one swoop — show that the Canadian city continues to be the continent’s clearest example of an auto-oriented city that got immediate results by quickly building a simple low-stress biking network in an area where many people want to go. ...in purely technical terms, Calgary’s recent experience is a message for any city that wants to change its transportation habits: Yes, it can be done. And we already know how. *Full story *(with maps!) - https://peopleforbikes.org/blog/dont-let-anyone-tell-you-that-we-dont-know-…

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We Need to Get More Kids on Bikes
by Dave Elmore 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

https://www.outsideonline.com/2283231/wasted-years Schools used to teach auto shop. Maybe it’s time to start teaching bike shop. Recently, as part of a series of lessons about “community helpers,” in which parents talk about their vocations, my son’s preschool teacher asked me to come in and tell the kids what I do. “What do you do, anyway?” she asked, looking me up and down. “I write about bicycles,” I replied. No doubt relieved that my job was far less sordid than my slovenly appearance might suggest, she penciled me in for an appearance between the doctors and librarians and other upstanding members of society. On the appointed day, I arrived with my props. Writing is a fairly abstract concept for three year-olds to grasp, so my presentation was heavy on the bikes. I had pictures of people racing, commuting, and just plain having fun on two wheels. I also let everyone take a spin on my son’s balance bike, and I even showed them how a Brompton works, because kids love things that make loud noises and can sever a digit. All in all, it went pretty well. Nobody wound up stuck in the Brompton like a thief in the stocks, and nobody soiled themselves. As for lessons learned, I can’t speak for the kids, but for me the balance bike test ride in particular was nothing short of a revelation. Very young children have boundless energy and relentless curiosity. While these qualities may make sitting near them in restaurants or on airplanes a living hell, when harnessed and directed, it’s a wonder to behold. Such was the case when the kids in the class finally got the green light to get out of their seats and hop on the balance bike. As a middle-aged cyclist psychically scarred from decades of anti-bike acrimony, the guileless enthusiasm and delight with which each child took to that little bike filled me with a dopey kind of joy. I felt like that bear pressing the clean shirt to his face in the fabric-softener commercial. Of course nothing pure remains untainted forever, and sooner or later that childlike joy of discovery succumbs to cynicism, apathy, or any number of the contaminants that are a by-product of age. Reading becomes onerous, math becomes a source of anxiety. Then there’s the bicycle, which most of us simply forget. When I asked the kids, “Who has a bicycle?” everyone raised a hand. Alas, I can pretty much guarantee it will be a much different story in ten years. A bike may still be de rigeur for the toddler set, but the relationship is fraught from the very start. “Not without your helmet!” screams the parent in the playground as the child attempts to straddle the Lightning McQueen bike from Toys ‘R Us, so instead the kid walks away from it in favor of the monkey bars. (For some reason, we’re comfortable with the possibility of kids falling from a great height without safety gear, but not with them puttering around helmet-less on a 10-inch bike with training wheels.) Then the bike goes home in the trunk. Since there’s no compelling reason to ride beyond recreation (we’ve pretty much killed the idea of riding to school and to visit friends), and since we’ve effectively stigmatized that recreation with our safety gear fixation, by adolescence the only kids still on bikes are the ones who were born with the burning desire to ride coursing through their veins and who have a high-risk tolerance. The rest just ride in the Hyundai until they pass their driving tests. Fortunately, more and more people are finding their way back to bikes as grown-ups. Maybe they’re looking for a new form of recreation or maybe a new bike lane in their city inspires them to try riding to work. Unfortunately, many of these people have a gaping hole in their riding experience due to those lost cycling years between early childhood and adulthood. This is one reason why American cycling can look a bit, well, silly. After all, if you didn’t come of age riding a bike, how are you supposed to know what you’re doing? The result of this experience gap is unsteady riders going against traffic, or else over-kitted dilettantes with more equipment than sense. Years ago when I was young and arrogant, my impulse was to mock them, but now I just want to hug them. “It’s not your fault,” I want to say to them as they rest their ill-fitting helmets on my shoulder. “Your best cycling years were taken from you!” The delight kids feel when presented with a bicycle is near-universal and knows no gender. What if we fostered that delight by making bikes an ongoing part of their education? In Washington, D.C., second graders are learning to ride in school <https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/all-dc-public-schools-studen…> : *“This a lifelong skill,” said Miriam Kenyon, director of health and physical education for D.C. Public Schools. “It’s a way students can get to school and it’s also a way they can exercise with their family. It promotes independence, and it’s a good way to get around.”* Why not do this everywhere? Furthermore, the desire to ride is always there, and it’s going to manifest itself one way or another. For example, all over the country, kids are participating in “ride outs <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRD47TgfYqA>.” The media likes to portray them <https://www.transalt.org/bike-forecast/2017/20/september-21st-2017-safety-n…> as the end of civilization as we know it, but an alternate view is that civilization ended when we surrendered our streets to cars and the next generation reclaiming them is merely the natural order of things. Wheelies aside, the bicycle can play a role in nearly every phase of your life. Casting it aside is like thinking you’ll never use math. Sooner or later you’re going to regret it.

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One Month Away! From A to B: Employee Wellness & Our Environment
by Heather Mitchell 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

On *March 27th, 2018* The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ & Green Action Centre present: *FROM A TO B: EMPLOYEE WELLNESS & OUR ENVIRONMENT <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>* featuring keynote speaker *DR. LARRY FRANK* Author of *Health and Community Design* and *Urban Sprawl and Public Health,* and Professor and Bombardier Chair in Sustainable Transportation and Health (University of British Columbia). Join us <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> for an informative afternoon at the Alt Hotel in Downtown Winnipeg. You'll hear from various guest speakers and organizations who are working to create healthier workplaces and communities. Following the keynote, attendees will attend three break-out sessions for a short presentation followed by group discussion. Break-out topics will be: Healthy and Sustainable Workplaces, Workplace Transportation 101, and Connecting Workplace Health to Our Environment. *$50 tickets ON SALE NOW <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>! Lunch is included in price.* Contact gohappy(a)greenactioncentre.ca with any questions. Dr. Frank is a Professor in Sustainable Transportation and Public Health at the University of British Columbia and President of Urban Design 4 health, Inc. which builds software tools and documents health impacts of transportation and land development actions. He specializes in the interaction between land use, travel behavior, air quality; and health; and in the energy use, and climate change impacts of urban form policies. He coined the term “walkability” in the early – mid ’90s; his work led to WalkScore and has been cited over 24,000 times making him one of the 2 most cited planning academics. Thompson and Reuters lists him in the top 1% globally as a highly cited researcher. Dr. Frank has published over 150 peer reviewed articles and reports and co-authored two of the leading books – *Heath and Community Design* and *Urban Sprawl and Public Health* on which helped to map out the field emerging at the nexus between built, natural, and social environments and health. Dr. Frank works directly with local, regional, provincial or state, and federal agencies and developers to help translate results from leading edge research into practice based tools. -- *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: Angle parking in Exchange to be permanent, expanded (Feb.22'18)
by Beth McKechnie 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

*Angle parking in Exchange to be permanent, expanded * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/report-recommends- adding-angle-parking-to-more-streets-474723113.html ANGLED parking, once the domain of towns with one street light, is making a comeback in Winnipeg. An administrative report to next week’s public works committee meeting recommends backed-in, angle parking on one side of Bannatyne Avenue in the Exchange District be made permanent, and that angle parking be expanded to nearby streets. “The new back-in, angled parking on Bannatyne is a better fit for residents, businesses, and visitors alike, and we would like to thank the businesses and residents of the Exchange District for their patience, participation and feedback as this recent pilot helped us to improve parking in the area,” Coun. Mike Pagtakhan said. Pagtakhan (Point Douglas) said the return to angled parking creates more onstreet parking spaces, which is important as the popularity of the Exchange District as a shopping, dining and entertainment destination continues to grow. City hall has been testing back-in, angled parking on the south side of Bannatyne Avenue from Rorie Street to Waterfront Drive since July 2017. Changing the parallel parking stalls to back-in, angled parking, meant 10 additional cars could park in that section of Bannatyne. To facilitate the change, that stretch of Bannatyne was converted into a oneway street. An administrative report to the Feb. 27 meeting states public reaction to the new/old-style parking has been generally positive, with little effect on street traffic. The public works department is recommending Mc Dermot Avenue from Waterfront Drive to Rorie Street be converted into a one-way eastbound street with back-in, angled parking this year. The report states this would add nine parking spaces. The department is considering expanding the back-in, angled parking to other Exchange District streets, the report states, to compensate for the loss of on-street parking that resulted from the construction of protected bicycle lanes along Mc Dermot and Bannatyne avenues during 2017. With the construction of protected bike lanes along Mc Dermot and Bannatyne avenues this summer as part of the West Alexander to East Exchange Corridor project, and other bike lane projects in the vicinity, the public service is also looking at adding back-in, angled parking in a number of other locations throughout the Exchange to offset some loss of parking spots due to these projects. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Reminder: Winnipeg Climate Action Plan - Feb 27 Public Priorities Workshop
by Beth McKechnie 20 Feb '18

20 Feb '18

Recognizing that climate change is a serious global environmental problem, the City of Winnipeg is moving forward to formulate a community climate action plan, an initiative called the Winnipeg Climate Action Plan: Planning for Climate Change. Acting for People. In November 2017, stakeholders were invited to provide input into the development of the Plan. The intent of the initial phase was to create a climate vision for the City, introduce target-setting, and begin talking about climate actions. We are now inviting the public to an evening workshop where we will discuss and provide input on the draft climate actions that we have developed to date. Your participation will help to prioritize actions the City and the community partners to help reduce GHG emissions. Please see the official news release below and the attached event postcard for more detail. We look forward to seeing you there! Lindsay Mierau Office of Sustainability * * * * * For Immediate Release Tuesday, February 13, 2018 *Public invited to help shape Winnipeg's Climate Action Plan* Winnipeg, MB - The City of Winnipeg is inviting residents to a public workshop to help provide input on actions being proposed as part of Winnipeg's Climate Action Plan: Planning for Climate Change. Acting for People. The purpose of this process is to develop strategies that will lead to a community-wide climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In November 2017, the City launched the project with a public kick-off event at The University of Winnipeg. Over 70 residents attended, and provided ideas and input into Winnipeg's climate vision and targets. A follow up Facebook Live event aimed to gather more specific input about climate actions related to buildings, land use, transportation and waste in Winnipeg. "The feedback we have received from the public and our Climate Action Advisory Committee has been used to draft climate targets and actions. We have undertaken additional analysis to help prioritize these actions. Now it's time for the public to tell us if we have got it right," said Lindsay Mierau, Environmental Coordinator with the City's Office of Sustainability. Residents are invited to a public engagement session on February 27, 2018 at 6 p.m. which will allow citizens to review and provide feedback about the draft Action Plan. This will be the final opportunity for residents to participate in the process before it goes to Council for consideration in the spring. * Public Engagement Session:* * Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2018 * Time: Doors open at 5:45 p.m.; session runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. * Location: North Centennial Community Centre, 90 Sinclair Street Please RSVP by February 23, 2018 at climateactionreview.eventbrite.ca< http://www.climateactionreview.eventbrite.ca> or call 204-986-6978 to register. The Plan is funded by a Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund grant totalling $94,875. For more information on the project, please visit winnipeg.ca/climateaction<http://www.winnipeg.ca/ climateaction>. -30- Media inquiries should be directed to the City of Winnipeg Media Inquiry Line at 204-986-6000 or via email at City-MediaInquiry(a)winnipeg.ca Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg

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APBP Webinar: Be Creative! Art, Placemaking and Funding | Feb. 21st
by Beth McKechnie 20 Feb '18

20 Feb '18

*** Friendly reminder re tomorrow's webinar on creative placemaking *** Greetings, Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wednesday, February 21st*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. -- *Next webinar: February 21, 2018, 2-3pm* *Be Creative! Art, Placemaking and Funding* Creative placemaking projects that help to transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core. Panelists will speak about grant funding opportunities for placemaking projects such as through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town grant program. The Our Town program is investing in projects that bring diverse partners together to integrate the arts into community revitalization work. Panelists will also discuss case studies and solutions highlighted in Smart Growth America's recent field scan: Arts, Culture and Transportation: A Creative Placemaking Field Scan <http://t4america.org/maps-tools/creative-placemaking-field-scan>. *Presenters:* Katherine Bray-Simons, Design Specialist, National Endowment for the Arts Ben Stone, Director of Arts & Culture, Smart Growth America -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Montreal wants to make full stops optional for cyclists
by Beth McKechnie 15 Feb '18

15 Feb '18

Montreal wants to make full stops optional for cyclists Other proposed Highway Safety Code updates include stiffer penalties for dooring http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-wants-to-make-full-stop… You might have heard this before: Montreal wants stiffer penalties for dooring, and it wants cyclists to be permitted to merely slow down at stop signs. Those were among the recommendations the city unveiled as part of its brief to Quebec’s transportation ministry as it goes through the process of reforming the province’s Highway Safety Code. Marianne Giguère, who is charged with the active transportation file (biking, walking, skateboarding) for Mayor Valérie Plante’s administration, said it is time for the code to reflect the reality that already exists on the city’s streets. She said cyclists now rarely make full stops at intersections, and doing so can be considered dangerous at certain times. While she said cyclists will still have to yield for pedestrians, she wants to remove the obligation to stop and she wants the province to allow cyclists to also turn right on red lights. “This is already recognized in many cities around the world for drivers,” Giguère said. “In Montreal, we have chosen not to do this, for good reasons. But for cyclists, we should also give them the rights that are more appropriate for their way of getting around, while still making sure they respect the most vulnerable (which are pedestrians).” Giguère said the law must be amended to protect the most vulnerable, but it must also recognize that cars are a much greater risk than bicycles on the road. Giguère said the city also wants cyclists injured by an opening car door to be eligible to apply for compensation from the province’s licence bureau. To do that, the law has to be changed to classify dooring incidents as accidents. Currently, only those injured by moving vehicles are eligible for compensation from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec. The Plante administration detailed other changes it would like to see in the code to make streets safer, including forcing all trucks in the province to be equipped with side skirts, which could prevent pedestrians or cyclists from falling under trucks if they are in a collision, a measure for which safety advocates have been advocating for many years. The measures announced Wednesday were similar to those announced by former mayor Denis Coderre’s administration in September of 2015. <http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/city-proposes-new-rules-for-cycl…> The province has been considering changes to its Highway Safety Code for nearly four years. Reacting to a rash of cyclists killed or injured in collisions with cars <http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/velo-quebec-concerned-after-thre…> in July of 2014, then transport minister Robert Poëti put in place a round table comprised of cycling- and road-safety advocates including former racer and cycling-safety advocate Louis Garneau. Poëti promised the changes would be in place by the end of 2015. Three transport ministers and four years later, the only change to the code has been to implement a rule that cars must give one metre of room when passing cyclists, or 1.5 metres when the speed limit is higher than 50 kilometres per hour. The province also increased the maximum fine for opening a door into a cyclist to $300 from $30. Late last year, the province introduced Bill 165 <http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/new-road-safety-bill-aims-to-cra…>, which imposes stiffer fines for distracted driving, and also puts in place more restrictions for new drivers and those with learner’s permits. The province has called for input about the law, and the city responded with a brief unveiled Wednesday <http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/prt_vdm_fr/media/documents…> . Among the other measures requested by the city are: • to allow children to ride their bikes on sidewalks. • to increase the fines for cyclists, with stiffer fines reserved for the most dangerous infractions. • redefine the types of vehicles that can use bike paths to include other types of active transportation, like skateboards. • make it illegal to cycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • revise the definition of a bicycle to allow front baskets and rear hitches. • revisit the rules to allow the SAAQ to cover collisions involving non-motorized vehicles. For drivers of motorized vehicles, the city is asking the province: • to review the rules surrounding dynamic signs on the sides of roads to limit distractions. • to add reading and eating to the list of tasks that are considered to be distracted driving. • to impose strict fines and clear conditions for people driving under the influence of marijuana. • to allow the city to deploy automated technology to manage traffic. The city also wishes for the province to allow for the adoption of pilot projects to test automated cars on the streets. Speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon, Plante said she’d like to see the province adopt rules that better reflect the reality of living in Montreal, and perhaps adopt different rules for both urban and rural settings. She said doing so will improve the lives of cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. “Montreal is a cycling city and we’re recognized around the world for that,” Plante said. “We are proposing accommodations to facilitate fluidity and security. We’ll see how that will be seen by Quebec.” jmagder(a)postmedia.com

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APBP Webinar: Be Creative! Art, Placemaking and Funding | Feb. 21st
by Heather Mitchell 14 Feb '18

14 Feb '18

Greetings, Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wednesday, February 21st*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Best, Heather -- *Next webinar: February 21, 2018, 2-3pm* *Be Creative! Art, Placemaking and Funding* Creative placemaking projects that help to transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core. Panelists will speak about grant funding opportunities for placemaking projects such as through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town grant program. The Our Town program is investing in projects that bring diverse partners together to integrate the arts into community revitalization work. Panelists will also discuss case studies and solutions highlighted in Smart Growth America's recent field scan: Arts, Culture and Transportation: A Creative Placemaking Field Scan <http://t4america.org/maps-tools/creative-placemaking-field-scan>. *Presenters:* Katherine Bray-Simons, Design Specialist, National Endowment for the Arts Ben Stone, Director of Arts & Culture, Smart Growth America -- *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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Portage Daily Graphic: AT path well used even in winter (Feb.7'18)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Feb '18

08 Feb '18

Active transportation path a winter walkway http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/2018/02/07/active-transportation-path-a-… Even during the winter, it’s a popular way to get across town. The Fisher Avenue active transportation pathway that was completed last summer continues to see strong usage even during the dead of winter. “It’s been a decent winter for us and pretty easy to maintain,” says Brian Taylor, City of Portage's manager of public works. “We use a skid-steer to do the clearing. We’ll use a bucket if it’s drifted in but if it’s just a mist or light dusting we can put a broom attachment on to clear it off.” Just one employee oversees the care of the walking path, which is cleared as required, along with the outdoor rinks the city is in charge of. Bikers and runners alike can be seen taking advantage of the path that runs parallel to the tracks across much of town. “I use little grippers under my runners but the path is in such awesome shape I probably don’t need them, you can even see asphalt in most spots,” says Glory Waldner, who makes use of the path almost daily. “I’ve actually been running and had the plow come up behind me to pass, so the city is out when they’re needed. I’m just so happy they’re keeping it clean for us that use it as often as we do.” The Fisher Avenue active transportation pathway is completely paved from 18th Street NW to 6th Street NE and was completed in July 2017.

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WFP: Attention to bike lane lacking, cyclists say (Feb.1'18)
by Beth McKechnie 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

*Lacklustre snow removal most common concern raised* * Attention to bike lane lacking, cyclists say * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/attention-to-bike-lane-lacking-cycl… IT’S been almost four years since the City of Winnipeg installed its first protected bike lane on Sherbrook Street, yet drivers continue to park in its midst, blocking theway for cyclists. Regular snow clearing of the lane has also been lacklustre, according to cyclists, even though the adjacent street is designated Priority 1 on the city’s list. Coun. Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) says she noticed four cars parked in the Sherbrook bike lane just this week. “There’s no clear barrier, like a cement barricade, to make sure that cars don’t park in the lane,” Gerbasi said Wednesday. “It’s harder to see in the winter visually, especially if the snow isn’t plowed very well.” The councillor said city staff saw her tweet about the incident Monday and are now looking into the matter. She suggested the city might consider installing a barrier to alert drivers they shouldn’t park directly next to the curb. Signage in the area is fairly clear. A graphic image of a car designates drivers can park for free for two hours between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday; a cyclist logo next to the car image indicates there’s a black diamond lane for bikes on the right. At least one driver was parked in the bike lane Wednesday morning, causing cyclist Grace Mac Ewan to swerve closer to traffic. Mac Ewan said she bikes the stretch daily and although vehicles are sometimes obstacles, the snowclearing — or lack thereof — is worse. The vehicle she avoided belonged to Lewis Rackham, a retired resident of Whyte Ridge who told the Free Press he parked there for a 10-minute errand because he didn’t know any better. “I didn’t see anything — oh, shoot,” he said, noticing one of the signs. “I was thinking, ‘Well, there’s nobody here.’” Mark Cohoe, director of advocacy group Bike Winnipeg, said most cyclists’ issue with the Sherbrook Street protected lane isn’t dodging parked cars, though delivery vans and taxis are usually the guilty culprits parking there from what he’s seen and heard. Poor and irregular snow clearing of the bike lane is more controversial, he said. “Ninety-five per cent of the time, I don’t have a problem with vehicles in there,” Cohoe said. “The snow clearing has definitely been an issue, moreso on the Maryland (Street bike lane) side than the Sherbrook side.” Driving by the aforementioned spots Tuesday and Wednesday, Cohoe’s assertion rang true. The Sherbrook bike lane was slushy in spots and Maryland’s lane was snow-covered and hard to spot at all. Cheryl Anderson, the city’s acting director of street maintenance, said the bike lanes were scheduled to be plowed Wednesday afternoon. Anderson called the snow-clearing process for active transportation trails “a bit confusing, because if the active transportation is right on the roadway, it would be (plowed) similar to a roadway.” But if the trail is removed from the road, such as a sidewalk or the Sherbrook protected lane is, it could take longer to plow since it would require different (namely smaller) equipment. If the city wants to encourage active transportation, including all-season cycling, Cohoe said clearing bike lanes and pathways needs to be a top priority. Otherwise, the mushy or slippery lanes can become a safety hazard. “It causes problems, obviously, to not have (the Sherbrook and Maryland bike lanes) available in winter. There’s a lot of use with people going to Health Sciences Centre and the University of Winnipeg, who do try to make use of that. It’s a pretty important connection,” he said. Gerbasi said driver awareness of bike lanes such as on Sherbrook Street “is kind of a cultural change that needs to happen.” “I think it is happening, but it’s happening a little bit slowly in some cases,” she said. “But the more we put in this kind of infrastructure, themore it will become the norm and people will get used to it.” jessica.botelho(a)freepress.mb.ca

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CBC: Beet juice and cheese brine to replace corrosive road salt
by Beth McKechnie 27 Jan '18

27 Jan '18

For winter maintenance nerds (and deep down, aren't we all in Winnipeg?), check out this CBC segment on the use of beet juice and cheese brine to replace corrosive road salt. The first half gets into why road salt is detrimental (eats concrete curbs, kills boulevard trees, rusts cars and bikes, drains into our waterways). To hear about alternatives, start at the 10 minute mark. http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/the-current/segment/15509655 cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 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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Friday read: Has Vancouver become bike-friendly enough?
by Beth McKechnie 26 Jan '18

26 Jan '18

With our own civic election coming up this October, a little food for thought from Vancouver... Has Vancouver become bike-friendly enough?The Courier talks to Modacity’s Melissa Bruntlett about the state of cycling in the city and what she hopes the next election will bring http://www.vancourier.com/community/has-vancouver- become-bike-friendly-enough-1.23147444 -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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History of car centric roads
by Charles Feaver 20 Jan '18

20 Jan '18

On the weekend, the Globe and Mail published a good opinion piece that tells the history of cars taking over the roads from pedestrians. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/walking-shouldnt-be-life-threatening -even-for-phonezombies/article37668637/

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Webinar reminder: Why Don't We do it in the Road - Implementing Open Streets
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jan '18

16 Jan '18

*Friendly reminder about tomorrow's webinar. Great to see a Canadian example included in the presentations.* * * * * * Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on Wednesday, January 17th for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Best, Heather -- *Next webinar: January 17, 2018, 2-3pm* *Why Don't We do it in the Road - Implementing Open Streets* Join us for the first APBP webinar of 2018 where they'll discus implementing Open Streets in the U.S. and Canada. 8 80 Cities representatives will introduce the Open Streets concept and give some context of the program in North America. Representatives from Toronto, Ontario and Macon, Georgia will discuss how they went from wanting to do Open Streets to implementing it, and how they built relationships to get the program off the ground. Join this webinar to hear tools & lessons from folks who have been successful in launching Open Streets. *Presenters:*David Simor, 8 80 Cities Rachel Hollar, Walk Bike Macon Jeff Chong, Open Streets Toronto -- *Heather Mitchell * Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> | 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue (204) 925-3777 ext:107 <(204)%20925-3777> 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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Fun at -30: ice yoga & fat tire bike stencil on river
by Beth McKechnie 15 Jan '18

15 Jan '18

No doubt these are already making the rounds on social media but in case you missed them, be sure to check them out – very cool (literally)! http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-fat-bike- picture-red-river-1.4486440 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ice-yoga-fort-whyte-alive-1.4487035 cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 <(204)%20925-3777> | 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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10 cities with the best transport in pictures
by Beth McKechnie 12 Jan '18

12 Jan '18

Something to drool over on a crisp Friday afternoon... https://www.theguardian.com/cities-in-motion-with-arcadis/gallery/2017/dec/… -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Webinar: Why Don't We do it in the Road - Implementing Open Streets
by Heather Mitchell 11 Jan '18

11 Jan '18

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on Wednesday, January 17th for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Best, Heather -- *Next webinar: January 17, 2018, 2-3pm* *Why Don't We do it in the Road - Implementing Open Streets* Join us for the first APBP webinar of 2018 where they'll discus implementing Open Streets in the U.S. and Canada. 8 80 Cities representatives will introduce the Open Streets concept and give some context of the program in North America. Representatives from Toronto, Ontario and Macon, Georgia will discuss how they went from wanting to do Open Streets to implementing it, and how they built relationships to get the program off the ground. Join this webinar to hear tools & lessons from folks who have been successful in launching Open Streets. *Presenters:*David Simor, 8 80 Cities Rachel Hollar, Walk Bike Macon Jeff Chong, Open Streets Toronto -- *Heather Mitchell * Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> | 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue (204) 925-3777 ext:107 <(204)%20925-3777> 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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Dynamic parking rates introduced in SF
by Beth McKechnie 08 Jan '18

08 Jan '18

Hi everyone, An inspirational story for 2018 (at least for transportation nerds) with San Francisco introducing dynamic parking rates that rise and fall depending on demand and the time of day. While some people will automatically label this a cash grab, it actually helps to ensure drivers pay market rate, which may motivate them to choose to bus, carpool, bike or walk instead. Winnipeg has the same capability now with the new parking meters that were introduced a few years ago. http://www.govtech.com/fs/automation/San-Francisco-Rolls-Out-Dynamic-Parkin… On a sidenote, this is essentially the same approach that Uber and other ride hailing companies use (called 'surge' pricing) that increases the cost of a ride when demand increases. Curious about Uber in Winnipeg? Check out Uber in Peg City <http://greenactioncentre.ca/healthy-travel/uber-in-peg-city/>. cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 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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America's 10 best new bikeways of 2017
by Beth McKechnie 22 Dec '17

22 Dec '17

A little happy Friday reading. I love this line about protected bike lanes and key connections: "It’s a reminder that bike lanes should go where people are, instead of simply where cars aren’t." http://peopleforbikes.org/blog/americas-10-best-new-bikeways-of-2017/ Now if only we had an equivalent Canadian top 10 list. Happy Holidays, everyone!

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