- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

AT webinar: Maps that Guide, Encourage and Inform - Wed, Nov 14, 2-3 pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 08 Nov '12

08 Nov '12

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP and PBIC webinars at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed description provided below.* * *Maps That Guide, Encourage and Inform* Wednesday, November 14th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth 925-3772 * * * * * * * The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) presents: Maps that Guide, Educate and Inform How are maps evolving to meet community needs? This webinar presents two case studies of maps developed for urban trip planning for cyclists. Arlington County, Virginia, recently published an updated paper map; learn how planners resolved decisions about the map's purpose and audience, edited map data to create a network and focus on connectivity, and coordinated with an adjacent jurisdiction. The second case study, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), is an online map that consolidates data from 101 cities and towns in the Greater Boston area to provide both route planning and an internal resource for planners to prioritize improvements and create a regional network. The presenter will discuss how MAPC collected and merged data from a variety of sources, issues of data storage and format, and the tools available to publish maps online. *View the Arlington County map here*: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/maps-rides/ *View MAPC's map here*: http://trailmap.mapc.org/ *Presenters*: David Goodman, Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Manager, Arlington County, Virginia, manages the WALKArlington and BIKEArlington programs. In this role he oversees the built environment that directly affects walkers and cyclists. David designs and implements pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects such as sidewalks, accessible curb ramps, crosswalks, trails and bike lanes. His work also involves establishing design standards and specifications as well as reviewing new development proposals and transportation projects. He is a Certified Planner as well as a Licensed Architect. Christian Spanring is a GIS Developer with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). His focus is introducing innovative Open Source mapping and public engagement solutions to support MAPC's mission and projects. MAPC projects range from mapping tools (the MAPC Trailmap for pedestrian and bicycle facilities), engagement tools (the MBTA Budget Calculator) to a recreational park discovery application and data exploration tools like the MetroBoston DataCommon. Prior to MAPC, Christian worked as GIS Specialist for the Austrian Institute for Spatial Studies and Regional Planning and the Austrian Road Safety Board.

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Nov 14 webinar: Maps that Guide, Encourage and Inform
by Zdan, Terry (MIT) 08 Nov '12

08 Nov '12

All APBP members are receiving this message. Sign in to www.apbp.org with your username (shelyon) and private, case-sensitive, password. If you don't know your password, click here<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=Sheila.A.LYONS@odot.state.or.us&job=752295&y…> to generate a reminder. Register now for APBP's November webinar: Maps that Guide, Encourage and Inform Wednesday, November 14 | 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time $50 per site for APBP members; $75 per site for non-members Register here: http://www.apbp.org/event/Nov-14_webinar<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=Sheila.A.LYONS@odot.state.or.us&job=752295&y…> [http://www.apbp.org/resource/resmgr/images/nov-12_boston_map_sample.jpg]How are maps evolving to meet community needs? This webinar presents two case studies of maps developed for urban trip planning for cyclists. Arlington County, Viriginia, recently published an updated paper map; learn how planners resolved decisions about the map's purpose and audience, edited map data to create a network and focus on connectivity, and coordinated with an adjacent jurisdiction. The second case study, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), is an online map that consolidates data from 101 cities and towns in the Greater Boston area to provide both route planning and an internal resource for planners to prioritize improvements and create a regional network. The presenter will discuss how MAPC collected and merged data from a variety of sources, issues of data storage and format, and the tools available to publish maps online. View the Arlington County map here: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/maps-rides/<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=Sheila.A.LYONS@odot.state.or.us&job=752295&y…> View MAPC's map here: http://trailmap.mapc.org/<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=Sheila.A.LYONS@odot.state.or.us&job=752295&y…> Presenters: David Goodman, Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Manager, Arlington County, Virginia, manages the WALKArlington and BIKEArlington programs. In this role he oversees the built environment that directly affects walkers and cyclists. David designs and implements pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects such as sidewalks, accessible curb ramps, crosswalks, trails and bike lanes. His work also involves establishing design standards and specifications as well as reviewing new development proposals and transportation projects. He is a Certified Planner as well as a Licensed Architect. Christian Spanring is a GIS Developer with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). His focus is introducing innovative Open Source mapping and public engagement solutions to support MAPC's mission and projects. MAPC projects range from mapping tools (the MAPC Trailmap for pedestrian and bicycle facilities), engagement tools (the MBTA Budget Calculator) to a recreational park discovery application and data exploration tools like the MetroBoston DataCommon. Prior to MAPC, Christian worked as GIS Specialist for the Austrian Institute for Spatial Studies and Regional Planning and the Austrian Road Safety Board. This webinar will be recorded; a link to the recording will be e-mailed to participants within 48 hours after the live session. APBP has applied to the AICP for one Certification Maintenance credit for this session. APBP will provide an attendance certificate to APBP members who document their professional development hours. Each site license includes one phone connection (toll charges apply, or use VoIP), one Internet connection, one set of handouts for unlimited attendees in the same location, and access to the recording. (You may be required to download free software from Citrix GoToMeeting in order to participate in the webinar.) For more information, contact Debra Goeks (262-228-7025 or info(a)apbp.org). Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals PO Box 93 * Cedarburg, WI * 53012 262.228.7025 * info(a)apbp.org<mailto:info@apbp.org> www.apbp.org<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=Sheila.A.LYONS@odot.state.or.us&job=752295&y…>

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Cardboard bike: YouTube
by Zdan, Terry (MIT) 08 Nov '12

08 Nov '12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txSboSNQINs he wears a helmet...could be cardboard too From: at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca [mailto:at-network-bounces@lists.umanitoba.ca] On Behalf Of Dave Elmore Sent: November-08-12 9:44 AM To: at-network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca Subject: [At-network] Cardboard bike http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2012/11/cardboard-bicycles Cardboard bicycles Re-cycling Nov 7th 2012, 17:47 by The Economist online [cid:image001.jpg@01CDBD95.8A07B4B0] THE first bicycles were made of wood. After that, manufacturers used steel tubes. These days, for high-end bikes where weight is at a premium, they turn to aluminium alloys or even to carbon fibre. But Izhar Gafni, an amateur cyclist who owns a number of such high-end bikes, wonders whether the original inventors had a point. He proposes to go back to using wood-or, rather, a derivative of wood, namely cardboard. Mr Gafni, who is based in Ahituv, Israel, spent years trying to work out how to make a cardboard bicycle able to support the weight of a human being. The trick is twofold. First, he folds the cardboard-commercial-grade material, made from recycled paper-to increase its strength. (He worked out the exact pattern of folding for each of the machine's components using the principles of origami.) Then, once it is folded, he treats the result with a proprietary resin that holds it in shape and stiffens it, before cutting it into the form of the component required. A second application of resin renders the component waterproof, and a lick of lacquer makes it look good. The result, Mr Gafni claims, is stronger than carbon fibre. The bike's frame, wheels, handlebars and saddle are all made of cardboard in this way, and then fitted together. The tyres-again harking back to the early days of cycling-are composed of solid rubber, recycled from old car tyres. That makes the ride a little harder than if they were pneumatic, but means they cannot be punctured. The chain, whose design is based on the timing belt of a car, is also made from car-tyre rubber. The pedals are plastic recycled from bottles. And the brakes are also recycled materials, though Mr Gafni is not yet ready to disclose exactly what. The finished product weighs 9kg and can carry a rider weighing 220kg. Mr Gafni's target market is the poorer countries of the world. Since manufacturing the cardboard bike will, he reckons, cost $9-12 a unit, his velocipedes should find demand which metal bikes cannot. But people in rich countries may be interested too. In Tel Aviv, the commercial capital of Mr Gafni's native land, 2,000 stolen bikes were recently put on display by police, for their owners to claim. If bicycles cost less than the locks that chained them to lampposts, it might cease to be worthwhile stealing them.

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Cardboard bike
by Dave Elmore 08 Nov '12

08 Nov '12

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2012/11/cardboard-bicycles Cardboard bicycles Re-cycling Nov 7th 2012, 17:47 by The Economist online http://media.economist.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/full-width/images/ 2012/11/blogs/babbage/20121110_stp504.jpg THE first bicycles were made of wood. After that, manufacturers used steel tubes. These days, for high-end bikes where weight is at a premium, they turn to aluminium alloys or even to carbon fibre. But Izhar Gafni, an amateur cyclist who owns a number of such high-end bikes, wonders whether the original inventors had a point. He proposes to go back to using wood-or, rather, a derivative of wood, namely cardboard. Mr Gafni, who is based in Ahituv, Israel, spent years trying to work out how to make a cardboard bicycle able to support the weight of a human being. The trick is twofold. First, he folds the cardboard-commercial-grade material, made from recycled paper-to increase its strength. (He worked out the exact pattern of folding for each of the machine's components using the principles of origami.) Then, once it is folded, he treats the result with a proprietary resin that holds it in shape and stiffens it, before cutting it into the form of the component required. A second application of resin renders the component waterproof, and a lick of lacquer makes it look good. The result, Mr Gafni claims, is stronger than carbon fibre. The bike's frame, wheels, handlebars and saddle are all made of cardboard in this way, and then fitted together. The tyres-again harking back to the early days of cycling-are composed of solid rubber, recycled from old car tyres. That makes the ride a little harder than if they were pneumatic, but means they cannot be punctured. The chain, whose design is based on the timing belt of a car, is also made from car-tyre rubber. The pedals are plastic recycled from bottles. And the brakes are also recycled materials, though Mr Gafni is not yet ready to disclose exactly what. The finished product weighs 9kg and can carry a rider weighing 220kg. Mr Gafni's target market is the poorer countries of the world. Since manufacturing the cardboard bike will, he reckons, cost $9-12 a unit, his velocipedes should find demand which metal bikes cannot. But people in rich countries may be interested too. In Tel Aviv, the commercial capital of Mr Gafni's native land, 2,000 stolen bikes were recently put on display by police, for their owners to claim. If bicycles cost less than the locks that chained them to lampposts, it might cease to be worthwhile stealing them.

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UPDATE - Pembina Hwy Buffered Bike Lanes
by Janice Lukes 07 Nov '12

07 Nov '12

Monday morning there was paint on Pembina identifying the north bound buffered bike lanes. The attached photos are self-explanatory. Lots continues to happen - lots still needs to happen for southbound bus stops / paving / paint! And was assured that yes, the poly posts will be installed this year - and attempts to clean snow around poly posts will occur. A phenomenal amount of underground work / logistics / etc. is occurring to install these buffered bike lanes. Unbelievable amount of manpower and work. Janice Lukes

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Webinar: Pedestrian Safety and Road Diets
by Shoni Litinsky 07 Nov '12

07 Nov '12

Please join Green Action Centre to watch the following webinar followed by discussion. Feel free to bring your lunch. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. FHWA and PBIC Webinar on Pedestrian Safety and Road Diets *Road Diets and Pedestrian Safety** Tuesday, November 20, 2012 2:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. EDT* Road diets, or the reallocation of road space through reduction in the number of regular traffic lanes, are of interest to communities that may be seeking to reduce traffic speeds, reduce crashes, improve accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists, or achieve a number of other benefits. This webinar will present information about the safety benefits of road diets, particularly to pedestrians, and highlight examples of road diet implementation in the United States. Libby Thomas, a researcher at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, will provide a brief presentation on some of the research findings related to road diets. She will discuss many of the safety benefits of road diets, which have been shown to reduce crashes among all road users. Mike Sallaberry, Transportation Engineer at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, will discuss the road diet experience in San Francisco, California. San Francisco has implemented more road diet projects within its 47 square miles than any other city in North America. This portion of the presentation will give some brief background on the history of road diets in San Francisco, focusing on how and why they are used. Mike will discuss how road diets have been used to create space for bikeways, pedestrian facilities, and transit, as well as how they are used for traffic calming purposes and to add landscaping and storm water management features to a street. The presentation will touch on some of the benefits of road diets but will focus more on how to get them approved, especially when they are controversial. Gina Coffman, of Toole Design Group, will discuss the road diet experience in Seattle, Washington. The City of Seattle has successfully implemented over 30 road diets. Before and after evaluations have indicated up to 70 percent reduction in injury collisions and 90 percent reduction in aggressive speeders on corridors where such projects have been implemented. Gina’s presentation will explore the history, research, planning and design of road diets, offering tips to build stakeholder support through public process. Seattle case studies will include before and after data showing changes in traffic and bicycle volume, neighborhood diversions, speeding and collisions over the years. The presenters will also participate in a question and answer session to discuss how to address barriers to implementation and answer questions from the attendees. This webinar is one of the free webinars that FHWA offers quarterly as part of its Pedestrian Safety Focus States and Cities initiatives. FHWA's Safety Office is trying to aggressively reduce pedestrian deaths by focusing extra resources on the states and cities with the highest pedestrian fatalities and/or fatality rates. Webinar archives for this series, as well as listings of upcoming sessions, can be found at http://www.walkinginfo.org/training/pbic/pedfocus_webinars.cfm<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?UNCHighwaySafetyRese/3084cb0a2d/01de1edd15/a2c00bae…> . -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> _______________________________________________ AT-Network mailing list AT-Network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/at-network -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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WFP: Law on bicycle helmets soon (Nov.5'12)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Nov '12

05 Nov '12

Law on bicycle helmets due soon First offenders get off with quiz By: Steve Lambert WINNIPEG -- Manitoba's bicycle-helmet law will take effect within a few months, and first-time offenders will be able to avoid paying a fine by taking a new online safety quiz. Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau is finalizing the details of the law, which the legislature approved last spring. The aim, he said, is to promote helmet use while using penalties as something of a last resort. "Our goal is to actually not collect fines. Our goal would be for people to understand the law and put helmets on their head right away," Rondeau said in an interview. The law will require anyone under 18 to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle or face a $50 fine. But young cyclists caught in a first offence will be allowed to skip the fine by completing a test that will educate them about bicycling safety. "We're going to develop -- are developing -- a question-and-answer on bike safety that people can do as an alternative to paying a fine," Rondeau said. The law will come into effect before spring, he said, and be accompanied by a public-education campaign to make cyclists don helmets as automatically as motorists wear seatbelts. When the law takes effect, Manitoba will join provinces such as Ontario, where minors are also required to wear helmets. But Manitoba's approach stops short of laws in Nova Scotia and British Columbia that apply to adults as well. Physicians, the opposition Liberals and many cyclists have criticized the exemption for adults, who say kids watch what their parents do. "If I look at parents, they're going to be the example that kids will follow. And I think if you don't bring it in for everybody, you're going to wind up getting a bad example," said Charles Burchill, an avid cyclist who commutes by bicycle to his downtown job every day. Doctors Manitoba, the provincial medical association, has said a broader law would reduce the number of severe head injuries cyclists suffer every year. Rondeau is not ruling out an extension of the law to adults at some later time. "Those are discussions we'll have on the compliance and we will talk about further measures as we see compliance move forward. But right now, this is the next logical step -- to apply to children. Let's see what happens." -- The Canadian Press http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/law-on-bicycle-helmets-due-so…

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Bicycling Means Better Business
by Dave Elmore 04 Nov '12

04 Nov '12

http://www.utne.com/science-technology/bicycling-means-better-business.aspx? newsletter=1 <http://www.utne.com/science-technology/bicycling-means-better-business.aspx ?newsletter=1&utm_content=11.02.12+Science+and+Technology&utm_campaign=2012+ ENEWS&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email> &utm_content=11.02.12+Science+and+Technology&utm_campaign=2012+ENEWS&utm_sou rce=iPost&utm_medium=email Bicycling Means Better Business <http://www.utne.com/science-technology/bicycling-means-better-business.aspx > bike lane "Biking is definitely part of our strategy to attract and retain businesses in order to compete in a mobile world," says Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak as we glide across the Mississippi river on a bike-and-pedestrian bridge-one of two that connect downtown to the University of Minnesota. "We want young talent to come here and stay. And good biking is one of the least expensive ways to send that message." As we turn onto to a riverside bike path to inspect another span the mayor wants to convert to a bike-ped bridge, he recounts a recent conversation. "I was having dinner with a creative director that a local firm was eager to hire for a key post. He was an American living in Europe, and we spent most of the evening talking about the importance of biking and walking to the life of a city," Rybak says, smiling. "He took the job." Minneapolis has invested heavily in biking-creating a network of off-street trails criss-crossing the city, adding 180 miles of bike lanes to city streets with plans to double that, launching one of the country's first large-scale bikeshare programs, and creating protected lanes to separate people riding bikes from motor traffic-which is why it lands near the top of all lists ranking America's best bike cities. That "ratchets up" the city's appeal to businesses in many fields, Rybak says. "We moved from the suburbs to downtown Minneapolis to allow our employees to take advantage of the area's many trails and to put the office in a more convenient location for commuting by pedal or foot," explained Christine Fruechte, CEO of large advertising firm Colle + McVoy, in a newspaper op-ed. "Our employees are healthier, happier and more productive. We are attracting some of the best talents in the industry." David A. Wilson, who directs 1,600 employees at the Minneapolis office of the Accenture management consulting company, says good biking opportunities are important to the well-educated 25-35 year-olds he seeks to hire. "Five years ago, I don't think business people were even thinking about bikes as a part of business. Today it's definitely part of the discussion." He notes that Accenture recently relocated their Boston and Washington, D.C. offices from suburbs to the city to offer employees better opportunities for biking, walking and transit. A Creative Generation Loses Its Car Keys Young people today are driving significantly less than previous generations, according to a flurry of recent reports. Even Motor Trend magazine notes that young professionals flocking to cities today are less inclined to buy cars and "more likely to spend the money on smartphones, tablets, laptops and $2,000-plus bikes." Annual miles traveled by car among all 16- to 34-year olds dropped 23 percent from 2001 to 2009 according to a study from the "Frontier Group" think tank-and that does not even count the past three years of recession and $4 gallon gas. The Federal Highway Administration found the miles traveled by drivers under 30 dropped from 21 percent to 14 percent of the total between 1995 and 2009. These young people represent the "creative class" talent pool that many companies covet. That's why civic, business and political leaders in cities around the country are paying attention to the next generation's wishes for lively, livable places to work and play. This means diverse cultural opportunities, plentiful cafes and restaurants, a tolerant social climate, a variety of housing choices and ample transportation options like biking-not only for commuting to work, but also for recreation after work and, in some cases, over the lunch hour. Richard Florida, the economic forecaster who coined the phrase "creative class," recently described these sought-after workers in the Wall Street Journal <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444914904577619441778073340.h tml> as "less interested in owning cars and big houses. They prefer to live in central locations, where they can rent an apartment and use transit or walk or bike to work." Florida sees bicycling as critical for thriving cities, which is why he joined New York City's heated debate last year about the proliferation of bike lanes across the city. "New York has became a haven for creative-class professionals," he wrote in the Daily News, which makes good biking facilities important to the city's future. He added that biking remains important to workers in creative fields even as they grow older. "When they put their kids in child seats or jogging strollers, traffic-free bike paths become especially important to them." Thirty-three executives at New York high-tech companies-including Foursquare, Meetup and Tumblr-also weighed in on biking issues, urging Mayor Bloomberg to "support a bikeshare system as a way to attract and retain the investment and talent for New York City to remain competitive in the fast growing digital media and internet-oriented economy." Bloomberg agreed, and the bikeshare program begins next March with 7,000 bikes for rent. The City That Bikes Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was elected last year on an aggressive platform of bringing new tech and creative businesses to the city. When he scored a major coup this summer with Google-Motorola Mobility's announcement that it was moving more than 2,000 jobs from a suburban campus to the heart of the city, Emanuel explained," One of the things that employees look [at] today is the quality of life and quality of transportation because of the ease that comes with it. And that ease is having trains as a choice, buses as a choice and bikes as a choice getting to and from work." The City of Chicago's Chief Technology Officer John Tolva says it's no coincidence that Google-Motorola Mobility's new home in the Merchandise Mart is right next to Kinzie Street, the city's first green lane-where bike lanes are physically separated from rushing traffic to make riders feel safer and more comfortable on the road. This idea of creating protected space for people on bikes, borrowed from Northern European countries where bikes account for 10-30 percent of trips, is now spreading throughout the U.S. Martha Roskowski-director of the Green Lanes Project, which promotes protected bike lanes across the country-explains, "Cities that want to shine are building these kind of better bike facilities as part of a suite of assets that attract business. And they find that bike infrastructure is cheap compared to new sports stadiums and lightrail lines, and can be done much faster." George Washington University business professor Christopher Leinberger, a leading authority on real estate who predicted the current urban boom in a series of articles for the Atlantic magazine, points out "Biking is no longer just a niche for the macho guys. It's for a lot of people now. Ideally, we should have a 20-25 percent mode shift for bikes in cities. Great urban spaces are all about choices, including in transportation." Leinberger marvels at how bicycles are changing Washington, D.C., where he lives. "Bikes have been a critical part of D.C.'s turnaround. They are putting in protected bike lanes which does a lot more to encourage riding than just a white line of paint between people and a one-ton vehicle." Ellen Jones, director of Washington's Downtown Business Improvement District, says, "It's just crazy how biking has taken off here, especially the new bikeshare system which a lot of people are using for commuting." We spoke after she returned from an appointment with managers of a high-tech company wanting to rent an old warehouse downtown. "A lot of their employees bike to work and they were concerned about whether they could easily get their bicycles upstairs. When bicycling is part of the final decision on where a company relocates, then we know its impact." The boom in biking is also creating opportunities in the real estate sector. Jair Lynch, founder and CEO of a DC real estate development and construction company, declares, "We don't work in places that aren't near bike lanes." Even in the slow economy, $200 million in new apartments are currently under construction adjacent to the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis, a bike "freeway" cutting through the south side of the city. Another benefit businesses see for locating in bike-friendly locations is a break on health insurance costs. QBP, a bike parts distributor in the Minneapolis area employing 600, offered a series of incentives for employees to commute by bike and discovered an unexpected bonus-a 4.4 percent reduction in health care costs, totaling $170,000 a year. Tracy Pleschourt-partner at Carmichael Lynch, an ad agency in downtown Minneapolis that promotes biking-is excited about the possibilities of the just-launched Zap program, which electronically documents bike trips using on-bike RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) devices and trail-edge sensors. Right now the program offers only gift certificates and discount gear as prizes for frequent biking, but insurers are looking at it as a way to reward health-conscious companies with lots of employees riding bikes. Boosting the Business Climate Beyond Big Cities & Bike Meccas Bikes are improving the business climate even in cities not ranked as bike capitals or large metropolitan regions. Mayor Lee Leffingwell of Austin, Texas, said, "I certainly recognize the environmental, public health and quality of life benefits that more bicycling can bring our city, but I also value the contribution to the economy that comes with the provision of smart transportation options that attract major employers to Austin." Austin is ambitiously expanding its bike infrastructure; its first green lane opened last spring, one of 10 planned for the city. Cirrus Logic, a computer chip company that depends on specially trained engineers, moved to downtown Austin last summer from an outlying location "to become more attractive as an employer," says PR director Bill Schnell. "We can't just pluck anybody for our jobs. The people we want are mostly younger, and biking is part of the equation for them." CEO Tyson Tuttle relocated Silicon Labs, which designs integrated circuits for computers, to downtown Austin five years ago to be close to the city's bike trail system. It was one of the first of many tech companies that are now in the area. Tuttle, who himself sometimes rides to work, says it was a smart move. "Biking on the trails is something a lot of employees enjoy, and when people think about joining the company it's a big draw. It also helps with wellness and fitness." You might think that Memphis would be the last place in America to believe bikes can take us down the path to prosperity. In 2008, with not a single bike lane inside the city limits, Memphis was named one of the three "Worst Cities for Cycling in America" by Bicycling magazine (alongside Dallas and Miami). That prompted the city to stripe a few lines of bike lanes, but it landed on the three worst cities list again in 2010 (this time joined by Birmingham and Jacksonville). This year Bicycling honored Memphis as the "most improved" city for bicycling. It was also named as one of six cities (along with Portland, Ore., San Francisco, Washington, Chicago and Austin) to receive support from the Bikes Belong Foundation's Green Lane Project in creating a network of protected bike lanes to serve as best practices for other cities to follow. What happened? For one thing Mayor A C Wharton became a champion of biking, announcing, "We believe in the power of bicycle facilities to enhance the health, economy and safety of our community." He hired a bike-pedestrian coordinator for the city and put plans into motion that led to more than 60 miles of bike lanes. Memphis business leaders began talking about the importance of biking to city's future. Shepherd Tate-an attorney at the large Bass, Berry & Sims law firm-puts it plainly. "There's no question about it. Biking makes a difference in attracting talent." Eric Matthews, CEO of Launch Memphis and two other initiatives to nurture and attract new businesses, notes, "Biking correlates with entrepreneurs." The city, already home to the world famous St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, is positioning itself to become a center for new biomedical firms. "My job is to convince emerging companies that they can get the workers they want to come here," says Dr. Steven Bares, President of the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, an initiative to bring emerging health companies to Memphis. "The bike is part of the overall strategy to compete for talent." Jay Walljasper, author of The Great Neighborhood Book and All That We Share: A Field Guide to the Commons, chronicles urban life for a variety of publications. His website: www.JayWalljasper.com <http://www.jaywalljasper.com/> . This article was originally published on GreenLane Project <http://greenlaneproject.org/blog/view/198> . Photo courtesy Spencer Thomas <http://www.flickr.com/photos/spencerthomas/> , licensed under Creative Commons <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en> . Read more: <http://www.utne.com/science-technology/bicycling-means-better-business.aspx #ixzz2BINaPSdr> http://www.utne.com/science-technology/bicycling-means-better-business.aspx# ixzz2BINaPSdr

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Bike benefit calculator
by Leah Goertzen 03 Nov '12

03 Nov '12

Follow this link to find an interesting to calculate what biking may be worth to you: http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/biking/ Leah Goertzen Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba info(a)pacm.ca

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Vancouver cycling stats
by Charles Feaver 03 Nov '12

03 Nov '12

Vancouver has some impressive cycling numbers: According to the October 30 Vancouver Metro, http://metronews.ca/news/vancouver/421260/vancouver-breaks-away-from-the-cyc ling-pack/ Vancouver is a tour de force when it comes to cycling in the region. According to new bike use statistics released by TransLink for Bike to Work Week Monday, 12.1 of every 100 trips taken in the City of Vancouver are now on bicycle. Behind the pace setter, Richmond leads a tightly packed peloton with a much lower rate of 3.1 trips per 100. "The numbers seem very impressive," said Vision Vancouver Coun. Geoff Meggs. "We did what everybody said we needed to do to make it work, and that's build safe cycling infrastructure." Vancouver has more than 400 kilometres of bike lanes, about 10 of which are separated. That number is expected to grow substantially as the city hopes to make cycling, walking or public transit account for two thirds of all trips in the city. Those modes accounted for 40 per cent of trips in 2008. Transportation 2040 Plan, which outlines those goals and strategies, will be presented to city council Tuesday morning. ... Overall, TransLink says the number of bike-only trips in the region have increased 26 per cent between 2008 and 2011, 106,500 trips from 84,300. In Vancouver, the amount of trips increased 35 per cent during the same period, 55 per cent of which were to and from work. ... Interestingly, men make up the vast majority of cyclists - 71 per cent. TransLink's vision, outlined in the Regional Cycling Strategy, is a 10 per cent cycling mode share by 2040. Its mode share is currently the highest recorded, at 1.8 per cent of all trips.

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WFP: A bridge too fine - Riverton gets snazzy replacement (Nov.3'12)
by Beth McKechnie 03 Nov '12

03 Nov '12

A bridge too fine Riverton gets snazzy replacement By: Bill Redekop RIVERTON -- The previous four bridges here, dating back 120 years, were all wiped out by floods. Those bridges spanning the Icelandic River were built in 1892, 1910, 1932 and 1974 -- the last one knocked out by flood and ice floes in 2011. So when the fifth bridge -- it and the previous one have been pedestrian bridges -- was unveiled last week, people had to put it to the test. At the opening ceremony, 157 people got onto the new Riverton footbridge at once. Then it started to sway. Mayor Colin Bjarnason said at that point his son, Kevin Johnson, toting his two boys, decided against being the 158th, 159th and 160th persons. "It never bothered me," said the mayor of the slight movement in the bridge, which was not considered in danger. You have to see this bridge. Stantec engineers stop short of saying it's indestructible -- that's what people said about a certain ocean liner -- but claim it will "withstand whatever the river can throw at it." It's a $2-million state-of-the-art pedestrian bridge that lights up like a chandelier at night. LED lights are embedded in all the cross girders and into every second post along the decking. So at night, said resident Peter McCabe, "It's like you're in New York or someplace." This isn't New York. It's a town of 560 people that was originally settled by Icelandic pioneers, 105 kilometres north of Winnipeg. Riverton couldn't raise $20,000 for a bridge on its own, never mind $2 million. Its contribution to the bridge is $2.50 per capita, or about $1,500. The province pays the rest under the Disaster Financial Assistance program, with the understanding the federal government will cover 85 per cent of those costs under its disaster assistance program. Bridges have been a good-luck, bad-luck story for the community. The bad luck is their bridges keep being knocked out by flood ice every generation or so. The good luck is every time the bridge gets rebuilt, the town gets an upgrade paid for by the federal and provincial governments. Each new replacement bridge is built bigger and stronger to meet new building codes. The result is the magnificent $2-million footbridge. Rivertonians have voted right. Provincially, they are represented by NDP MLA Peter Bjornson (Gimli). Federally, their MP is Conservative James Bezan (Selkirk-Interlake). However, it seems more a case of first in, first out. Bjarnason said he was on the phone to government officials about obtaining a replacement bridge the same day the old one was destroyed. Stantec came forward with a design proposal and the town council submitted it almost directly to government. Bjarnason said council didn't hold public meetings and ask for public input on various designs like Souris has. Souris, with three times the population of Riverton, is still waiting for a less expensive footbridge to replace its famous suspension bridge lost in the 2011 Souris River flood. It's not like Riverton doesn't have a regular bridge for vehicle traffic. There's one half a kilometre away. The new footbridge just reconnects the east side of town, where fewer than half the residents live, considered old Riverton, to the west side for pedestrian traffic. It is also a tourist attraction and a community-enhancer. Last year's flood knocked out two of the four bridge piers. During the rebuilding, Stantec engineers took out a third pier to remove another target for ice floes. Engineers just kept a single centre pier but braced it with four anchors, burrowed 21 metres into bedrock, on each side. Stantec said the pier will withstand river ice one metre thick. Stantec also bevelled the pier into a point so it can either split ice floes or at least deflect them away. Sperling Industries built the 90-metre-long bridge in the village of Sperling, just southwest of Winnipeg. Bjarnason said he feels the bridge helps put Riverton back into the tourist game. In earlier times, Riverton was a more important hub for Icelandic Canadians than Gimli. Plus, a town heritage group recently erected a bronze statue of Sigtryggur Jónasson, known as the Father of New Iceland. "(Gimli town officials) have been blowing their whistle an awfully long time. We're proving we've got something here and we're going to start letting people know about it," said Bjarnason. bill.redekop(a)freepress.mb.ca http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/a-bridge--too-fine-177072891.html* *

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Live streaming of Sustainable Mobility Summit Nov. 5-7th!
by Jessie Klassen 02 Nov '12

02 Nov '12

Hello Everyone! Green Action Centre will be hosting a local viewing of the Sustainable Mobility Summit on Monday, November 5th, and Wednesday November 7th, right here in the Eco-Centre boardroom. This is a fantastic conference, taking place this year in Hamilton, Ontario. We will be streaming live: Monday, November 5th: 9:30am - 4pm Wednesday, November 7th: 12:30pm - 4pm Find out more about the Sustainable Mobility Summit here<http://www.actcanada.com/EN/Conference2012/Default.aspx>. View the program schedule here<http://www.actcanada.com/EN/Conference2012/pdf/SustainableMobilitySummit201…>(pp. 16-17). Please let us know if you are planning to join us by emailing jessie(a)greenactioncentre.ca or calling 925-3772. Hope to see you here! ** *Jessie Klassen* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca>| Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3772 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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BttF's Submission to Charleswood Transportation Study
by Mark Cohoe 31 Oct '12

31 Oct '12

HI, I thought I would share with you the submission that Bike to the Future has made to the consultants undertaking the Charleswood Transportation Study. It is available here <http://biketothefuture.org/attachments/0000/1824/2012-10-26_bttf_charleswoo…>. Our next steps will be to contact as many organizations within the study area as possible and ask them to join us in asking for the improvements we have identified. If you can help out in that regard, please feel free to contact me at 204-894-6540. Cheers, Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike to the Future

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WFP: MPI, PUB split over safety fund (Oct.31'12)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Oct '12

31 Oct '12

[Though it's disappointing (but not surprising) to hear such vocal backlash to MPI's proposed contributions to improve the safety of road infrastructure, it's encouraging that it's now on the table. For years, we have heard the great ways ICBC has used this approach to address poorly designed road infrastructure, especially intersections. The result has been greatly improved safety for everyone, including pedestrians and cyclists. Plus it has saved everyone money through reduced claims. Not mentioned but included would also be health care savings from those hurt in collissions. Sounds like a win all around! -cheers, Beth] MPI, PUB split over safety fund Regulator backs idea but doesn't want premiums to pay for it By: Bruce Owen The Public Utilities Board has not given a green light to Manitoba Public Insurance's plan to help fund road-improvement projects. But there are indications the panel that regulates automobile insurance rates is on the same road as MPI with regard to funding road-safety projects. MPI and the PUB are divided over how the Crown insurer is to pay for such projects. Money for a new road-safety program, which could include rumble strips or new merging lanes, would come out of basic insurance premiums, MPI spokesman Brian Smiley said, the same as it does now for MPI's current road-safety programs. Funding would not come out of MPI's rate-stabilization reserve, which stands at about $156 million, MPI's 2011-12 annual report states. The PUB has been after MPI for about two years to take about $20 million out of its rate-stabilization reserve and create a separate road-safety program to pay for initiatives that would reduce collisions and costly claims, such as when a car hits a deer. How soon a plan gets put on the PUB's table -- MPI officials have been mulling this for more than a year -- depends on what a yet-to-be-announced independent consultant recommends. "We are in the very, very early stages of this," Smiley said Tuesday. "We told the PUB we are looking at this. This is very preliminary." News the insurer is looking at expanding its road-safety program was reported last week by the Free Press and soundly criticized by the Opposition Progressive Conservatives. The Tories say it's the government's job to spruce up infrastructure. "Manitoba Public Insurance has a specific mandate and that is to provide Manitoba drivers with insurance, period," Brandon MLA Reg Helwer, the party's critic for MPI, has said. MPI is eyeing the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia's road-improvement program, which began in 1989. ICBC splits the cost of road projects -- such as roundabouts, pedestrian signals, rumble strips, medians, sign upgrades and intersection improvements -- with municipalities and the B.C. government. ICBC says a recent evaluation of the program found two years following a project's implementation, there is on average, a 20 per cent reduction in severe crashes and a 12 per cent reduction in property damage crashes. The evaluation also found for every dollar spent on a project, ICBC and customers saved $5.60 over two years and $12.80 over five years in reduced claims costs. CAA Manitoba spokeswoman Liz Peters said the auto association wants to see MPI's plan before it passes judgment. "While we acknowledge a similar endeavour has been successful for ICBC, we disagree that this is a strategy that Manitobans would likely support," Peters told the PUB at a hearing last week. "We definitely believe that infrastructure is the role of the government and should remain that way." Byron Williams, who represents the Manitoba branch of the Consumers' Association of Canada, told the PUB his clients believe infrastructure spending should also be paid through tax dollars, not insurance premiums. "But our clients want to emphasize that they're open to persuasion on this, but open to persuasion based upon sound empirical evidence," he said. "There's also risk that they're dissipating the corporation's energies on too many roles, minimizing the positive contribution it can make." bruce.owen(a)freepress.mb.ca http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/mpi-pub-split-over-safety-fun… <bruce.owen(a)freepress.mb.ca>

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Support Peg City Car Co-op in the National Co-op Challenge
by Shoni Litinsky 30 Oct '12

30 Oct '12

For Facebook users only: For those of you who would like to see more biking, walking, busing, and sometimes driving in Winnipeg - please take a moment of your time to support your local carshare co-op. The Cooperator's Insurance company is hosting a National Co-op Challenge, and Peg City is the only Manitoba finalist! We have a 50% chance of winning $30,000, $15,000 or $10,000 to help us grow the co-op....but we need your help because the competition is tight! Please follow this link to watch our video and vote for our group! Feel free to share it with your friends and co-workers :) https://apps.facebook.com/contestshq/contests/291687/voteable_entries/60151… -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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[At-network] Reminder - AT Webinar: Green Lane Project, 2-3 pm, Wed, Oct. 31st, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 30 Oct '12

30 Oct '12

*Friendly reminder about tomorrow afternoon's webinar. A more detailed description was also just provided this morning (pasted below)...* * * * * Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* * *The Green Lane Project* Wednesday, October 31st | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT [image: image]Join us for an informative webinar about the innovative Green Lane Project. Martha Roskowski, Green Lane Project Director, discusses the project's scope and goals and shares the results of a recent inventory of the lanes. She'll also discuss the challenges and opportunities of protected lanes and how they fit into the emerging concept of low-stress networks as the key to encouraging more people to make short trips by bike. She will provide an update on the progress being made by the six focus cities in the project (Austin, Chicago, Memphis, Portland, San Francisco and Washington D.C.), as an introduction to detailed presentations from Chicago and San Francisco. Mike Amsden's presentation about Chicago's Protected Bike Lane Initiative will focus on two recently installed protected bike lanes (cycle tracks) in Chicago: Elston Avenue and 55th Street. Elston Avenue is a popular commuter route for bicyclists that travels through several industrial areas. This mix of industrial uses and bicycle traffic presented unique design, operational and outreach challenges. 55th Street is the northern border of the University of Chicago. Before installation of a road diet with protected bike lanes, four lanes of motor vehicle traffic created a barrier for people walking or bicycling to campus from neighborhoods to the north. Mike's presentation will describe the purpose, safety benefits, design details, and challenges of each project. Seleta Reynolds of San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will focus on the JFK Drive bike lanes with results to date and lessons learned. San Francisco implemented its first parking-buffered cycletrack on JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park in May, 2012. The presentation will cover lessons learned in every aspect from the outreach method to the construction staging, and finally early evaluation, which includes both quantitative measures and qualitative measures including field surveys of users. Presenters: - Martha Roskowski, Director, Green Lane Project - Mike Amsden, Senior Planner, T.Y. Lin International - Seleta Reynolds, Section Leader, Livable Streets Sustainable Streets Division, SFMTA

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Incentives to encourage cycling to work
by Beth McKechnie 30 Oct '12

30 Oct '12

Incentives would encourage cycling to work 30 October 2012 | By Jennifer Paterson<http://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/jennifer-paterson/6.bio> http://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/benefits/tax-efficient-benefits/bikes-for… Almost half (48%) of respondents would cycle to work more often if there were extra incentives or rewards for them to do so, according to research by innovation foundation Nesta. The research, which surveyed more than 4,000 UK adults, found that, among employees who already cycle to work, the factors most likely to get them to cycle more include: safe storage (40%), access to bike maintenance (31%) and shower facilities (29%). A further 14% said they would welcome training sessions, such as road safety courses. However, among employers surveyed in another piece of research by Nesta, only 13% of HR decision makers said that they currently offer incentives and rewards to encourage employees to cycle to work. Its *Human resources decision makers and business leaders survey*, which polled 507 HR decision makers, found that 23% of respondents said there would be no benefit to their organisation if more employees cycled to work. Almost half (48%) of respondents said employee cycling would give them healthier staff and lead to fewer sick days, while 49% said it would help towards meeting their environmental targets. A lack of employee demand was the most commonly perceived barrier to setting up a bikes-for-work initiative, with 39% of respondents citing this reason. On the back of this research, Nesta has introduced a Workplace Cycling Challenge, which encourages employers to submit innovative ideas for getting more of their workforce commuting by bike. The challenge is open to all employers with 10 or more employees. Geoff Mulgan, chief executive at Nesta, said: “Through our Workplace Cycling Challenge, we hope to remove some of the barriers to cycling and get more people on their bikes. “Our research shows that many people would be keen to give cycling a go if only the right incentives were put in place and this presents organisations with a huge opportunity to reap all the benefits associated with an active, cycling workforce.”

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INVITATION: North American Kickstand Training Sessions
by Anders Swanson 29 Oct '12

29 Oct '12

[Apologies in advance for any cross-postings. Hope to see you there! - Anders] *Two-Day Professional Training Session on Bicycle-Friendly and People-Friendly Cities Winnipeg* *Nov.22nd and 23rd* Bicycle-friendly cities are people-friendly cities. Building a city that accommodates the bicycle means building an economically viable, sustainable and socially vibrant city. This November and December, a team of internationally known experts from The Netherlands, Denmark, Canada and the United States are traveling across North America with an innovative training program called "The Kickstand Sessions". Customized training sessions take European expertise and an understanding of North American context to develop solutions that suit the unique characteristics of each city. Trainers coach participants to discover local solutions in engineering, planning, policy, culture and marketing which will permit people of all ages, abilities, genders and backgrounds to bicycle more often. *Two Day Workshop* Thursday, Nov 22nd (8:30am - 5:00pm) Friday, Nov 23rd (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) Space limited to 36 participants. *Location:* University of Manitoba Events Centre<http://umanitoba.ca/admin/campus_planning_office/Event%20Centre.html> 100 One Research Road (in Smart Park) Complimentary bike parking for 20 and vehicle parking for 75 *Workshop Fees and Registration*: $800 / pp for two day workshop (taxes, lunch and refreshment breaks included) *Register Now. <http://copenhagenize.eu/kickstand/signup.html>* For more information, visit to the Kickstand website<http://kickstandsessions.com/>. All training fees are processed through PayPal. Spaces are limited to ensure a high quality learning environment. *PLEASE NOTE:* We are also coordinating an opportunity for the general public to hear / see / learn from our European friends. Details coming soon. * * * * * * * * * * * * *FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS* *Is this a training session just about applying European best practices in North America?* No. We know that European best practices cannot be directly applied in the North American context. We have heard the argument about how large and spread out North America is, and of course the winters! This training session is unique as it brings together experts from The Netherlands, Denmark, Canada and the United States. Our training team will inspire and coach participants in devising local solutions that build on local conditions. The Kickstand Sessions provide a unique opportunity for professionals to work alongside international cycling experts. Spaces are limited to ensure a high quality learning environment with 4 trainers and a maximum of 36 participants. * TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS * -Focus on the local conditions that need to be in place for the bicycle to work as a catalyst for creating people-friendly cities -Learn how to create the cultural and political support that is necessary to incorporate bicycle infrastructure into your city's transport system -Understand the most strategic and cost-effective approaches for integrating bicycle routes and facilities with other forms of transport -See how to incorporate bicycle planning into pedestrian planning and why this creates safe street designs that work for all road users -Learn what it means to accommodate the needs of women, children, the elderly, low-income families, immigrants and people with disabilities (All of these groups use bicycles heavily in The Netherlands and Denmark) -Uncover the leading-edge approaches used to market and promote urban cycling and why it works -Be motivated by international best practices and lessons that matter to your community -Dispel common barriers to cycling like weather, topography, funding, political will and car-oriented planning -Discover how cycling is central to building livable, modern, resilient and active cities -Find out the characteristics of bicycle culture and how this can be inherited and supported locally -Set a roadmap of key action items that are proven in cities around the world -And much more! * Who should attend this professional training session? *-Transportation engineers and planners -Professionals and business leaders in development, architecture, planning and design -Local economic development officials and tourism professionals -Public health promoters and professionals -Community groups and business improvement associations -Organizations that support women, children, the elderly, new Canadians, low-income families and other key groups -Champions of resilient and liveable communities * * * * * * * * * * * * *SOCIAL MEDIA* Join the discussion on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/kickstandsessions> and Twitter <https://twitter.com/kickstand_bike>! *CONTACT* If you have any questions about the training session, please do not hesitate to contact: *in Manitoba:* Anders Swanson (204) 797-1962 andersswanson(a)gmail.com *Canadian Coordinating Chair:* Elizabeth Allingham Community Engagement Manager, The Kickstand Sessions - North America (613) 216-2332 kickstandcanada(a)copenhagenize.eu *THANKYOU* to representatives from government and non-government organizations for helping to coordinate logistics and spread the word esp. the University of Manitoba, Manitoba’s Dutch and Danish Consuls, Portage la Prairie's bicycle committee, The University of Manitoba Institute for Transportation Engineers Student Chapter, Bike to the Future, the Winnipeg Trails Association, Manitoba Professional Planners' Institute, MPI, Green Action Centre, the Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba Local Government and more.

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WFP: Bike lanes, trails popular, poll says (Oct.29'12)
by Beth McKechnie 29 Oct '12

29 Oct '12

Bike lanes, trails popular, poll says Strong majority supports healthy initiatives By: Mia Rabson Winnipeggers may hate change, but thus far, the slew of new bike lanes and trails in the last two years have been met with a thumbs-up from most people. A Probe Research poll for the Free Press found 71 per cent of Winnipeggers see the new bike paths and trails as very or somewhat successful for cyclists, and 60 per cent said they were very or somewhat successful for motorists. Most people fell into the slightly happy crowd, with 50 per cent calling them somewhat successful for cyclists and 51 per cent calling them somewhat successful for motorists, compared to 21 per cent and nine per cent who said they were very successful for cyclists and motorists, respectively. "When all is said and done, people think they are starting to do what they're supposed to do," said Probe Research president Scott MacKay. MacKay said he "honestly didn't know what to expect" when the question was asked, so he wasn't surprised by the results. More than $20 million was spent to build or improve more than three dozen bicycle paths, including dedicated bike lanes on major streets and multi-use trails. Much of the money came via the federal government's economic-stimulus plans, but required contributions from provincial and municipal governments. The poll did not ask whether people are more likely to use bikes since the addition of the new trails and paths, but MacKay said this poll will be a good baseline for comparison in the future. Bike to the Future, an advocacy group for cycling in Winnipeg, estimates the number of cyclists in downtown Winnipeg has gone up 47 per cent since 2011, to about 13,000 people a day. Mark Cohoe, Bike to the Future's executive director, said the new paths and bike lanes have greatly contributed to that increase. He said he is not surprised people like the new paths because they have been a great addition to the city's cycling community. "There is a definite improvement in how motorists and cyclists interact," said Cohoe. He said while there is still animosity between cyclists and drivers, the trails have helped make everyone safer. Most of the bike paths were built in 2009 and 2010. MacKay said the poll question came about because there was a lot of chatter on radio call-in shows and even around the water cooler in the Probe offices, about cycling in Winnipeg. "There's always been this debate between car people and the bike people," he said. On a personal level, he's seen many more cyclists on his way to work each day, and he himself was sometimes confused by the new signs marking bike lanes. He wanted to know whether the new paths were working for cyclists, for motorists, or neither. Cohoe said there are still major gaps, such as Pembina Highway. However, once the second rapid-transit phase is completed, and the cycling upgrades as part of the Pembina Underpass project are finished, it will give cyclists a safe trail to connect them all the way to the University of Manitoba. He said another priority for cyclists right now is for the completion of the trail between Grant and Wilkes near Shaftesbury Boulevard. mia.rabson(a)freepress.mb.ca *Probe Research poll questions* *Overall, how successful would you say these bike lanes, trails and paths have been in making travel around the city better for Winnipeg cyclists?* Very successful: 21 per cent Somewhat successful: 50 per cent Somewhat unsuccessful: 15 per cent Very unsuccessful: six per cent *Overall, how successful would you say these bike lanes, trails and paths have been in making travel around the city better for Winnipeg motorists?* Very successful: nine per cent Somewhat successful: 51 per cent Somewhat unsuccessful: 20 per cent Very unsuccessful: 13 per cent The poll of 600 Winnipeg adults was conducted randomly by phone between Sept. 19 and Oct. 14. It is considered to be accurate within 4.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bike-lanes-trails-popular-poll-says-…

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City's Active Transportation Advisory Committee - Seeking Citizens to Serve - or not
by Janice Lukes 26 Oct '12

26 Oct '12

I've notice on the City's website front page - the City is <http://www.winnipeg.ca/clerks/docs/boards/boards.stm> 'Seeking Citizens to Serve' on boards and commissions with a deadline to apply of November 16th, BUT - nowhere is there a listing for the City's Active Transportation Advisory Committee. This past May, the City chose to 'relieve' all representatives (both city representatives and volunteers) from their duties on the Active Transportation Advisory Committee. As a volunteer member at the time, we were told they would be 'reformatting' the committee and posting the opportunity to serve on the committee in the near future. As Mark Cohoe noted in a previous 'Charleswood Transportation Study' posting to this list serve- there were many AT omissions in the Charleswood Transportation plan that: ' . . . had the City maintained the AT Advisory Committee, these errors would have been spotted prior to the public information display.' An advisory committee is an invaluable asset - for both the citizens and the City. An advisory committee provides insight and guidance to the City's one Active Transportation Coordinator and Public Works Department - and assists in ensuring costly AT errors and omissions do not occur. I encourage you to email the Mayor and your city Councillor <http://winnipeg.ca/council/> and ask them where folks can apply to serve on the Active Transportation Advisory Committee - in light of the November 16th deadline. Janice Lukes

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New report - evaluating protected bike lanes, traffic calming, parklets, etc.
by Beth McKechnie 26 Oct '12

26 Oct '12

*Measuring the Street: New Metrics for 21st Century Streets* New York City’s streets are constantly called on to the meet new and varied needs of a growing, dynamic, 21st Century city – and to do this in a complex environment where there is little opportunity to expand the existing footprint. How do city leaders address these challenges and measure their success? This report discusses key approaches to street design projects, and how results can be measured against goals for safety, serving all users and creating great public spaces while also maintaining the flow of traffic. Using a cross-section of recent NYCDOT street design projects, this report details the metrics NYCDOT uses to evaluate street projects, and illustrates how measuring results can show progress toward safe, sustainable, livable and economically competitive streets. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/2012-10-measuring-the-street.pdf

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INVITATION: Have your say on Manitoba Roads
by Janice Lukes 26 Oct '12

26 Oct '12

See invitation below This is the second public forum CAA and the Manitoba Heavy Construction industry are hosting on ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE issues. Some of you many recall the first forum – held during the last Provincial election – which led to key active transportation election commitments. These forums are super opportunities to gain perspective and have open dialogue with key folks. As we move tiny steps closer to a broader public understanding that roads are not solely for motorized vehicles, but to be shared – any insight brought forward from the active transportation community would be of significant value for sure; funding allocations / impact of users on roadways / etc. City Councillor and Chair of Finance – Scott Fielding will be in attendance Minister of Local Government AND Minister Responsible for Active Transportation - Ron Lemieux will be in attendance I am unable to attend - if you are interested in attending – please RSVP below. This event is open to the public. Janice Lukes Having problems viewing this email? CLICK HERE <http://www.elabs5.com/c.html?ufl=4&rtr=on&s=jazgg,i4je,yvv,j4dd,hf6t,60i2,1…> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/Infrastructure-forum_01…> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/Infrastructure-forum_02…> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/Infrastructure-forum_03…> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/Infrastructure-forum_04…> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/Infrastructure-forum_05…> <mailto:angelef@caamanitoba.com?subject=Manitoba%20Roads%20Public%20Forum> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/Infrastructure-forum_07…> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/Infrastructure-forum_08…> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/Infrastructure-forum_09…> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/Infrastructure-forum_10…> <http://www.elabs5.com/c.html?ufl=4&rtr=on&s=jazgg,i4je,yvv,huwq,i0q5,60i2,1…> <http://www.elabs5.com/c.html?ufl=4&rtr=on&s=jazgg,i4je,yvv,2u0t,5e0o,60i2,1…> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/Infrastructure-forum_13…> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/spacer.gif> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/spacer.gif> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/spacer.gif> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/spacer.gif> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/spacer.gif> <http://www.caamanitoba.com/eblasts/roadforum/images/spacer.gif> <http://www.elabs5.com/images/mlopen_post.html?rtr=on&siteid=32425216&mid=84…> To unsubscribe, click here <http://www.elabs5.com/functions/mailing_list.html?mid=845690&submitaction=2…> Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by reply email, delete this transmission and any attachments immediately, and destroy all copies. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited.

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[At-network] AT Webinar: Green Lane Project, 2-3 pm, Wed, Oct. 31st, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 25 Oct '12

25 Oct '12

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* * *The Green Lane Project* Wednesday, October 31st | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT Learn about the scope and progress of the Green Lane Project, the Bikes Belong initiative aimed at building support and advancing best practices for separated, protected on-street bicycle facilities. The session includes detailed case studies of new protected bike lane installations in Chicago and San Francisco. RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth 925-3772* *

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UPDATE: Pembina Hwy Buffered Bike Lane CONSTRUCTION
by Janice Lukes 24 Oct '12

24 Oct '12

Lots of interesting cross Canada information out on Cycle tracks and Buffered Bike Lanes - Time for another update - lots occurring since the last Pembina update 9 days ago! See the detailed construction at the BUS STOPS on the east side of Pembina (northbound traffic) occurring in front of CanadInns. See detail prepping for concrete - and after concrete is poured. Bricks are to be inlaid into the concrete. I have put a blue line where I believe is to be the 'bike lane' and the route it maneuvers through the bus stops. The construction team has completed 2 of 4 bus stops on the east side of Pembina today. There are 4 bus stops that I see on the west side of Pembina - so, another 6 in total to be constructed / concrete and bricks laid before snow falls! Then the remaining asphalt on the east side - THEN the poly post installation on the road itself. Super exciting - Janice Lukes

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Cycle tracks planned for centre city in Calgary
by Beth McKechnie 24 Oct '12

24 Oct '12

Cycle Tracks Planned for Centre City http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5abad95f7660abd589fb03174&id=619cd0be4b… On Wednesday, City Council's Standing Policy Committee on Transportation and Transit received an update on the Cycling Strategy<http://bikecalgary.org/node/3710>from Tom Thivener (and comments from Bike Calgary). The update included a plan for cycle tracks in the downtown core and the Beltline. Instead of previously-planned painted bike lanes along 6 and 7 Street, the Transportation Department has agreed to install innovative bike facilities that separate cyclists from both pedestrians and car traffic. There will be either two one-way cycle tracks along 6 and 7 St, or one two-way cycle track along 7 Street, as early as Spring 2013, connecting the 8 Avenue SW bike route to the Bow River pathway. In phase 2, 8 Avenue SW itself will get upgraded to a cycle track, and connected to the Beltline through the 5 Street SW underpass. The half-hearted attempt at a rush-hour only bike lane along 10 Avenue SW will be reviewed, and may be replaced either with a permanent bike lane or cycle tracks along 11 and/or 12 Avenues SW to provide connectivity through the Beltline. Phase 3 (2015) is yet to be determined. Bicycle facilities in the downtown core and the Beltline face opposition, especially from businesses concerned about hourly street parking. However, cycle track design options<http://nacto.org/cities-for-cycling/design-guide/cycle-tracks/>include using parked cars as the physical barrier to moving traffic, as in the most famous example of a two-way cycle track in North America, Prospect Park West in Brooklyn<http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/prospectparkwest.shtml>. Moreover, on-street parking spaces may be added at the same time in other places. Detractors often cite the notoriously high monthly parking rate in downtown Calgary in this connection, but forget to mention that in hourly on-street parking rates, Calgary's rates are in line with Vancouver's and Ottawa's<http://www.collierscanada.com/en/%7E/media/Files/Research/2012/2012%20Parki…>, and well behind Toronto's or Montreal's. At the same time, we can expect significant benefits from installing bike infrastructure: reductions in collisions, speeding, sidewalk riding, more people riding bicycles (especially those not comfortable riding with traffic), as well as increased acceptance by pedestrians and businesses. In installing cycle tracks in the downtown core, Calgary would follow the successful example of Montreal<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=4577,84235570&_dad=portal&_…>, Ottawa<http://ottawa.ca/en/city_hall/planningprojectsreports/public_consult/bikela…>, and Vancouver<http://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/separated-bicycle-lanes.aspx> .

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Comprehensive guide for implementing bike share programs
by Beth McKechnie 24 Oct '12

24 Oct '12

[Snipped from CenterLine <http://www.bikewalk.org/newsletter.php>s<http://www.bikewalk.org/newsletter.php>313 | BikePed News You Can Use] *COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR IMPLEMENTING BIKE SHARE PROGRAMS* On Sept. 7th, "The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center and Toole Design Group released the results from their comprehensive national study of current bike sharing programs in the United States. "Bike Sharing in The United States: State of the Practice and Guide to Implementation<http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/promote/bikeshare.cfm?/bikeshare>" is designed to provide guidance on how to plan, implement and measure the success of bike share programs in communities of all sizes. "The 68-page Guide has been designed to serve as a resource for a broad audience, including transportation planning professionals, as well as public officials considering implementation of a bike share program... [It] is based on an exhaustive analysis of twelve existing and planned bike share programs from across the U.S., explores the evolution of bike sharing in the U.S., defines success factors, describes the step-by-step approach to implementing a bike share program, documents existing costs, examines the different models of provision and funding, and describes metrics for monitoring and evaluating program success."

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Reminder re: Creative Commuting Ambassador Training I and II
by Jessie Klassen 24 Oct '12

24 Oct '12

(Just a friendly reminder to sign up today if you are interested in attending either session 1 or 2!) ** > *Creative Commuting Ambassador Training I > * > You are invited to a FREE, half-day interactive workshop on becoming a > Creative Commuting Ambassador at your workplace! Get the tools and guidance > to help improve commuter options on-site and support your coworkers to get > the most out of their commutes. > > > *Hands-on training and resources you'll get at the workshop:* > > - Training in bike route planning > - Experience with all the latest Winnipeg Transit tools > > > - An evaluation of your workplace's existing commuter options > - A folder filled with tools and resources relevant to your workplace > - Ideas for a simple project to apply these tools and resources right > away > > *Workshop date:* Thursday, November 1st, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm > * > Workshop location*: EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) > Creative Commuting Ambassador Training II: Behaviour Change > > Do you want to sing the praises of creative commuting with your > co-workers, but no one seems to be listening? This FREE, interactive > half-day training session is for you! Explore the many facets of behaviour > change from a social marketing, transitions, and systems perspective. Walk > away with some strategies you can apply to create a more commuter friendly > and active workplace. > > *Hands-on training and resources you’ll get at the workshop:* > > - Tools and strategies to engage your co-workers more effectively > - Greater knowledge of behaviour change > - Local success stories > - Program and communication ideas you can begin to apply right away > > *Workshop date:* Thursday, November 8th, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm > > *Workshop location:* EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) > * > Register today by contacting Jessie Klassen at 925-3772 or > jessie(a)greenactioncentre.ca. * > > > > ** > > *Jessie Klassen* | Workplace Commuter Options > > <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca>| Find > us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> > > 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3772 > > > > Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. > > Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> > >

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Just a little something for the list on this dark wet day
by Stacy Matwick 23 Oct '12

23 Oct '12

With nasty rainy dark days upon us I thought I'd share this with you all for a smile. Warning do not try this at home :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTLsAnxUwzQ via Laughing Squid http://laughingsquid.com Cheers Stacy Matwick

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Introducing the Walking and Wheeling Webinar Series
by Shoni Litinsky 22 Oct '12

22 Oct '12

** Please share widely! ** Join Green Action Centre's Active and Safe Routes to School Manitoba <http://greenactioncentre.ca/programs/asrts>team as we host our first ever webinar (online seminar) series this November 2012-January 2013. Our team has put our heads together and come up with 5 great sessions that will address some of questions we get asked most from parents, schools, communities, and municipalities! Please click here to see full descriptions and to register<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/walking-and-wheeling-webinar-series/>for the free sessions which will take place in our online WIMBA learning classroom (ie - from the comfort of your own computer!). Note: If you cannot attend the time of a session you would like to see, please register anyway as we will be sure to circulate the recorded archive following the event. *How to Start a Bike Repair Program & Shop in Your School or Community* *Date and time:* November 23, 2012 at 12:30pm-1:30pm *Presenter: *Geoff Heath – the WRENCH <http://http://thewrench.ca/> *5 Key Bike Safety Tips for Kids (Ages 9-11)* *Date and Time:* November 30, 2012 at 12:30pm-1:00pm *Presenter:* Dave Elmore – Green Action Centre *Winter Walking Activities for your Classroom or After School Program* *Date and Time:* December 7, 2012 at 12:30pm-1:30pm *Presenter:* Shoni Litinsky and Lea Grzenda – Green Action Centre *Building a Culture of Walking and Cycling* *Date and Time: *January 10, 2013 at 12:30pm-1:30pm *Presenter:* Lea Grzenda and Masha Giller – Green Action Centre *Pedestrian and Bicycle Engineering 101 for School Travel* *Date and Time:* January 18, 2013 at 12:30pm-1:30pm *Presenter:* Anders Swanson – Green Action Centre We hope you will join us! -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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GLOBE AND MAIL: Separated bike lanes make cyclists safer, study says
by Anders Swanson 19 Oct '12

19 Oct '12

[ source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/separated-bike-lanes-make-cycl…] Separated bike lanes make cyclists safer, study says One of the most ambitious studies of bicycle injuries ever conducted in Canada has reach a conclusion that won’t surprise anyone who rides to work: It is far safer to travel on a physically separated bike lane than on busy city streets. The research, led by Prof. Kay Teschke of the University of British Columbia’s school of population and public health, involved interviewing hundreds of victims of bike accidents in Toronto and Vancouver, and then studying the location where the accident took place. More Related to this Story - Bicycle Data Toronto falling behind pack in averting bicycle collisions, data reveals <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/toronto-falling-behind-pack-in-…> - Helmets can prevent bicycling deaths, study finds <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/helmets-can-p…> - Toronto's Jarvis bike lanes to be removed by end of year <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/torontos-jarvis-bike-lanes-to-b…> <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/explore-the-data-toronto-bicycl…> Interactive Data Explore the data: Toronto bicycle collisions mapped over 25 years<http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/explore-the-data-toronto-bicycl…> The analysis, published in the American Journal of Public Health, shows that a cyclist is ten times as likely to be injured on busy street with parked cars than on a cycle lane alongside the street, separated by a physical barrier. It is also much safer to bike on less busy local streets, major streets without parked cars, and on bike lanes through parks, the study found. On those routes, the risk of injury is about half what it is on a busy street with parked cars. The study shows there is a “dramatic reduction” in accidents when separated bike lanes exist, Prof. Teschke said. And it underlined how much more likely bike accidents are to occur if there is construction, steep hills, or, in the case of Toronto, streetcar tracks. Indeed, nearly one-third of the accidents studied in Toronto occurred on streetcar tracks, either with bike wheels getting caught in the tracks or slipping on the slippery rails. Prof. Teschke said the results jibe with earlier studies of route preferences that indicate people don’t like to ride on busy streets. This research shows “there is a reason for that [attitude]. People’s gut reaction is the correct reaction.” The study could bolster the action being taken in many large North American cities, where separated bike lines are now being constructed. Vancouver and Montreal already have many kilometres of separated lanes, and the first one in Toronto is now being built along Sherbourne St. on the east side of the downtown core. While there are enough separated bike lanes in Montreal to form a connected network throughout the downtown core, Vancouver is not at that point yet, and Toronto is years away from anything similar, said Toronto bicycle consultant Yvonne Bambrick. “If you have one little space that [has separated lanes] and everywhere else is regular, it doesn’t make any sense,” she says. She also notes that the design of separate lanes is crucial in making them safe and functional. The new bike lane on Toronto’s Sherbourne Street has been criticized because its barrier is so low that it will still allow delivery vehicles to pull into it and park. The UBC study interviewed 690 people who were injured in bike accidents, 414 from Vancouver and 276 from Toronto. Almost three-quarters of the accidents involved collisions with motor vehicles.

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The future of driving - seeing the back of the car (The Economist)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Oct '12

18 Oct '12

*The future of driving - seeing the back of the car* *In the rich world, people seem to be driving less than they used to* For transportation geeks, this comprehensive article from The Economist about driving levels and car ownership includes some compelling statistics. For example: * At Canary Wharf, a business district in east London, 100,000 jobs are supported by only 3,000 parking spaces. * Space is already at a premium in dense centres such as Jakarta, where the number of cars is growing ten times faster than the roads available for them to roll on. Read the full article: http://www.economist.com/node/21563280

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[At-network] WFP View from the West: We could learn from Copenhagen, Moscow (Oct.17'12)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

[Nice to see these columns about Copenhagen and other bike friendly cities keep popping up in the Free Press...] We could learn from Copenhagen, Moscow By: Michael Czuboka My wife and I recently spent three days in each of the cities of Copenhagen St. Petersburg, Russia and Moscow. As Winnipeggers, we could not help but make comparisons. Returning to Winnipeg, after viewing and travelling over the excellent streets in these European cities was like coming to a third world country insofar as road maintenance and quality are concerned. We love Winnipeg. Our city has many fine qualities, but our roads are rough, uneven, patched, in some cases dangerous, and in general an absolute disgrace. Copenhagen was especially impressive because of the wide and clearly marked bicycle paths that are a feature of many of its major streets. Copenhagen has a population of about 528,000, so it is similar in size to Winnipeg with our population of about 684,000. We learned that about 40 per cent of Copenhagen's citizens bicycle to work or school on a system of paths that run for about 400 kilometres. How much would 400 kilometres cover in Winnipeg? The combined lengths of Portage, Pembina, Main, Henderson, St. Mary's, St. Anne's, McPhillips and Regent, according to Sherlock's map of Winnipeg, is less than 200 kilometres. It is obvious that 400 kilometres of bike paths would cover all of our major streets very adequately. Each bicycle path in Copenhagen is about the width of an automobile lane. Motor vehicles seldom intrude on bicycle paths and cycling is relatively safe for cyclists of all ages and abilities. We watched in awe as hundreds of bikers filled the streets every day. St. Petersburg often is referred to as the most beautiful city in the world and it is certainly very attractive with many beautiful buildings and parks. Its major streets, like those of Moscow, seemed to be absolutely perfect and without blemishes of any kind. Apologists claim that Winnipeg's cold weather is to blame for many breaks and potholes that occur, but that excuse does not hold up when Winnipeg's weather is compared with that of Russia. Winnipeg has an average January temperature of -13.2 C; St. Petersburg's is -6 C, and Moscow's is -9 C. Both Russian cities, like Winnipeg, have winter temperatures that often plunge to -30 or -40 C. It appears the Russians, perhaps because of their tendency toward authoritarian leadership, spend whatever it takes to make perfect roads in their major cities. Winnipeg's mayors and councils, on the other hand, seem to base their decisions mainly on the prospect of upcoming elections. "What do I need to do to get re-elected?" they seem to ask themselves. "Keep taxes down, of course," is the answer. Our engineers probably know as much about building good roads as their compatriots in Russia, but the limited funds allocated to Winnipeg's roads results mostly in patching and inferior paving that results in limited longevity. The bright side of our poor roads is it provides our vehicle repair shops with a lot of extra business. We did not see any graffiti or beggars in St. Petersburg or Moscow. It appears that the police and courts are much less forgiving than those in our country. Ugly overpasses were not evident in the three cities we visited. Is the Disraeli Freeway really necessary? A tunnel, similar to those of major cities, would have been much more preferable. Was a tunnel ever considered? Are our civic leaders lacking in creativity and imagination? Although we travelled on many streets in St. Petersburg and Moscow, we did not see even a single road barrier or construction project. The major streets appear to be in perfect condition and apparently rarely need patching or new paving. Travelling the streets of Winnipeg, after we returned, came as a shock. Almost every street seems to have construction of some kind in progress. A major problem, however, is not just the construction itself, but rather how it is organized. Barriers, which restrict the flow of traffic and create hazardous conditions, often go up for several days or even a week or more before any construction takes place. There seems to be very limited communication or co-ordination between those putting up the barriers and those doing the actual construction. We were also very impressed by the cleanliness of the streets of St. Petersburg and Moscow. Looking out of our hotel room window in Moscow early one morning, we witnessed, much to our amazement, several orange trucks pouring large quantities of water on the sidewalks and streets. According to the Moscow News, an English-language publication, thousands of tons of water are used daily. Winnipeg's streets, by way of comparison, are generously speaking, unclean. We live in Osborne Village, which recently was judged to be the best neighbourhood in Canada. We live here, and we love the place, but street washing in Osborne Village and elsewhere in Winnipeg takes place only when it rains. Winnipeg is a great city, but we could improve greatly by studying and implementing some of the practices of places such as Copenhagen, St. Petersburg, and Moscow. Let's keep this in mind the next time we have an election for a mayor and councillors in Winnipeg. *Michael Czuboka, former superintendent of schools in Manitoba, is the author of Why It's Hard To Fire Johnny's Teacher; Juba; They Stopped at A Good Place; and Ukrainian Canadian, Eh.* http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/we-could-learn-from-copen… * *

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Sou'Wester - Bike, Walk and Roll in Fort Richmond
by Shoni Litinsky 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

The article below can be found in the Sou'Wester and provides a great overview of the Green Action Centre project - Bike, Walk, Roll Fort Richmond. The project is funded through the Neighbourhoods Alive - LIFT program and aims to increase awareness and expand education on A/T in the Fort Richmond community. Live in Fort Richmond? Our public open house is next Tuesday October, 23rd from 7-8:30pm at the Acadia Junior High School library, located at 175 Killarney Ave. See more project details at: fortrichmondat.ca Bike, walk and roll in Fort Richmond<http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/Bike-walk-and-ro…> A brand new active transportation initiative is hitting the streets of Fort Richmond. Bike Walk & Roll Fort Richmond is a project that aims to increase awareness and expand active transportation opportunities and safety in the community. Active transportation includes walking, cycling, in-line skating or any mode of self-propelled transportation. The project was initiated by local community residents, but is being spearheaded by the Green Action Centre, a non-profit environmental education hub that does work throughout the province. Bike Walk & Roll builds on the Green Action Centre’s Active and Safe Routes to School program, which works with Fort Richmond schools to increase the number of students who walked or cycled to school. Through the program, the Green Action Centre had the opportunity to apply for the Bike Walk & Roll grant which will allow them to offer the program to the entire community, not just students. "It’s helping us to work more broadly with all ages and abilities to increase the education and awareness of active transportation around the whole community," said Shoni Litinsky, co-ordinator of the Active and Safe Routes to Schools program. Litinsky said the project will include different community events, including cycling education and public open houses. The first open house will be held Tues., Oct. 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Acadia Junior High School library, located at 175 Killarney Ave. The open house will be an opportunity for residents to learn more about active transportation and discuss how the conditions in the community can improve for cyclists and pedestrians. "If you look at the area, it’s a classic representation of a lot of old neighbourhoods with lots of bays, and a shortage of sidewalks. It’s really hard to navigate on foot," Litinsky said. She said one of the key components of the project will be to work with the community to develop a map to highlight walking and cycling routes in the neighbourhood. "We’re trying to highlight the key destinations and routes people can take," she said. Fort Richmond resident Jennifer Watt said such a map would be useful tool for people living in the neighbourhood. Watt said the neighbourhood is full of cut-through paths that go from one bay to another, but that many residents don’t know where they are. She thinks a map might encourage residents to get out and walk more. "A map is a very practical step that gives people options to go through residential bays where there’s not much traffic." Watt stressed other solutions will still be needed. She’s hoping to see a walking and cycling path installed near Ecole St. Avila, where her children attend school. "Walkers and bikers don’t really have a safe path to get to get to school," said Watt, who said one of the main concerns for residents in the area is the lack of sidewalks. "My daughter is in Grade 3 and she’s at the age where she should be able to bike to school by herself, but it’s really difficult to (allow it) because... the traffic... can make it quite dangerous. "With a few modifications we can make this a safer and more sustainable neighbourhood." For more information on the Walk Bike & Roll Fort Richmond initiative go to FortRichmondAT.ca. -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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AT webinar CANCELLATION: Wed, Oct. 17th, 2-3 pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

*Please note that this Wednesday's AT webinar is CANCELLED:* ** *FHWA Experimentation for Advancing Best Practices Wednesday, October 17th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT* The content appears too U.S.-focused to be of value for us in Winnipeg. However, please plan to join us next month to hear about: Maps that Guide, Encourage and Inform Wednesday, November 14th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST Details will follow closer to the date. cheers, Beth * *

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Happy International Walk to School Month
by Shoni Litinsky 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

Green Action Centre's Active and Safe Routes to School Program<http://greenactioncentre.ca/program/asrts/>would like to wish everyone a happyInternational Walk to School Month<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/iwalk>! Currently more than 70 schools in Manitoba are participating in IWALK, and encouraging students to walk to and from school. IWALK presents a chance for schools to celebrate our environment by keeping our air clean, to share walking safety skills with children, to bring safety to our neighbourhoods, address traffic congestion and speed around our schools. <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/iwalk-reg/> Schools can still sign up here.<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/iwalk-reg/> Last Wednesday was International Walk to School Day - and several schools held their own events to celebrate. See below for details! ----------------------------------- mysteinbachonline <http://www.steinbachonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id…> Niverville Elementary Places Emphasis On Walking To School Written by Sawyer Klassen on Saturday, 13 October 2012 [image: 2012 10 nes walk1]*One of the groups of students leaves for NES.* On Wednesday, students from Niverville Elementary School (NES) joined over 3,500 schools in North America in participating in International Walk to School Day. Students met at a church one block from NES before school started, and walked to the school from there in groups. Students who were bussed to school also participated by walking laps around the school playground. Matthew Fast, a grade five teacher at NES, explains why they chose to participate in I-Walk to School Day. "We're starting to try to change things around our community and make it safer for kids to walk to school. So in an effort to promote walking or biking to school and less driving, we want to be part of events like I-Walk to School Day." World-wide, schools in 40 different countries participated in the event. Fast notes that at NES, the majority of students also chose to take part in I-Walk to School Day. "I think we're close to about 65% participation. I'm not quite sure about the numbers yet as I'm still waiting for results from a few classes to come in, but I would say upwards of about 200 to 250 students at least." Fast adds this was the second year in a row they have taken part in the event, and he notes several other schools in Hanover School Division also participated. ----------------------------------- Green Action Centre Blog<http://greenactioncentre.ca/2012/a-successful-iwalk-day-celebrated-by-maple…> A successful IWALK Day celebrated by Mapleton School & Green Action Centre!<http://greenactioncentre.ca/2012/a-successful-iwalk-day-celebrated-by-maple…> **Despite the chilly weather in the morning, International Walk to School Day 2012 was a great success with approximately 150 students, teachers, and the school principal all joining in the walk together on October 10th! This year, Mapleton School in St. Andrews <http://www.lssd.ca/maple/> was selected as the recipient for a walk to school with Green Action Centre along with Councillor Russ Garvie. The event focuses on getting more kids active by walking and biking to school and over 65 schools in Manitoba and 40 countries worldwide will be participating over the month of October this year. It was great to see the excitement among the students and staff there to participate on IWALK day, since every single student was out there walking. Mapleton School also committed to doing this walk the entire week to show students that it’s fun to participate! Since some of the students at Mapleton live farther away, this morning walk is also meant to show the school that even though busing is a reality for some, they can still join in with those who walk and bike in this event. The morning walk started just after 8:30 am in the school yard where the staff and students began the walk on the track laid out around the school. Everyone was happy to celebrate IWALK day, especially the students who had fun playing and chatting with their friends along the way. When everyone completed their walk around the track and arrived back at the school, Councillor Russ Garvie said a few words on why it’s important to be active and participate in International Walk to School Month. For participating in the event, every student in the school also got a small prize and sticker! Thanks to Mapleton School and Mrs. Bouchard, the school’s IWALK coordinator, for celebrating the event with Green Action Centre this year and setting a great example for schools all across Manitoba! If your school would still like to participate, don’t worry, there’s still time! Register for IWALK here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/iwalk-reg/>and your school will receive a kit with all the resources, posters and stickers you need! This event is a chance to promote active transportation to students over a *day*, a *week*, or the *entire m**onth of October.* In addition for participating, your school can be entered great prizes including *great active transportation gear from Bikes&Beyond, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Healthy Schools in Motion and MPI! *Just remember to send in your tally sheet before *November 9*th! Happy Walking! By Lea Grezenda -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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Economic Impacts of AT Backgrounder (Toronto Centre for Active Transportation)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

On Oct 11, 2012, the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) released its latest backgrounder, *The Economic Impacts of Active Transportation*. This backgrounder discusses some of the economic impacts related to walking and cycling within an urban environment, in terms of impacts on businesses and real estate, personal and public finances, and indirect impacts such as health and productivity. It also includes figures from recent surveys and studies to introduce the wide array of economic benefits that investments in walking and cycling can return to governments, business owners, and individuals. *http://tcat.ca/sites/all/files/Backgrounder_Economic_Impacts.pdf* This backgrounder is the third in TCAT's periodic backgrounder series, the first focused on Bikeway Options currently under consideration in Toronto<http://tcat.ca/node/1686>and the second on Designing Off-Road Paths for Pedestrians and Cyclists <http://tcat.ca/node/1751>.

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UPDATE - Pembina Buffered Bike Lanes
by Janice Lukes 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

Hello! The below comments are made purely from observations made on Saturday, October 13th - I'm not aware of any updates from the City on the project -these are solely my observations and comments on the Pembina buffered bike lane project. If anyone else has observations - consider sharing them with this posting! PEMBINA MEDIAN (between Plaza Dr and Chevrier): Narrowing of the centre median between Plaza Dr and Chevrier, and construction of the curbs and roadway on both sides of the median is now complete. This aspect of the buffered bike lane project took about 3 months - undoubtedly creating new roadway lanes is a big component of the project. On Saturday, new topsoil was being installed on the medians and expect the salt resistant grass will be sprayed on shortly. In this last month of construction - the project is going to become really interesting as the detail for the buffered bike lanes is starting! BUS STOPS: Safe access on / off busses for transit users was a key aspect of the design of the buffered bike lane project. Transit users could not be in the 'line of cycling traffic' when waiting for or exiting a bus. The Bus Stop Treatment <http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/MajorProjects/ActiveTransportation/Pembi naBufferedBikeLanes/PDF/PembinaBufferedBikeLane-ChevrierBusStop.pdf> enables transit users to have a 'landing area' as they wait to enter / exit busses. The landing area has a point where they can then safely check for cycling traffic and cross the buffered bike way to the sidewalk. Southbound Pembina: You may recall that last year - new asphalt surfacing was placed on southbound Pembina between Chevrier and Plaza Drive ($890,000) as part of the City <http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/Streets/StreetsProgram.asp> 's street maintenance program. Now, as part of the buffered bike lane design, construction is starting on the southbound Bus Stop treatments. Sections of asphalt are being cut out of the roadway at all the bus stops between Chevrier and Plaza Drive (see southbound Pembina jpg) to provide 'enhanced bus stop design <http://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/MajorProjects/ActiveTransportation/PembinaBu fferedBikeLanes/default.stm> '. Not sure if the bus stop will be identified with raised surfacing or colored surfacing and expect the bike lane to transition into the existing sidewalk curbs. This will be interesting to watch unfold. Northbound Pembina: This year, as part of the City's street maintenance program, northbound Pembina (between Chevrier and Plaza Drive) was scheduled for new asphalt surfacing. This new asphalt surfacing is occurring simultaneously with the buffered bike lane project on the northbound side of Pembina. See the attached north bound Pembina jpgs highlighting the new roadway asphalt surfacing, bus stops awaiting enhanced design and soon to be constructed new sidewalk sections. PAINT & POLY POSTS: The final touches - once all asphalting / concrete is complete, there are to special paint markings installed on the roadway to provide a 'buffer' from vehicular traffic and the bike lane AND what I consider the most important part of this project - the installation of poly posts (upright posts) to create a 'visual separation' between vehicular traffic and the bike lane. SIGNAGE & PROMOTION: In theory - this new bike facility is to be 'intuitive' related to how it is used. (Wasn't the thought that traffic circles were 'intuitive'??!) I'm hoping there will be some kind of AWARENESS campaign about the buffered bike lanes. I really believe a lot of folks still think Pembina is being widened for vehicles - all in preparation for the new stadium. Last year saw upwards of $6 M worth of roadway improvements in the Pembina and Bison / Chancellor area related to the new stadium. COST for BUFFERED BIKE LANES: I've not heard what the final cost for the bike lanes will be - noting it is incorporated with the northbound Pembina new roadway asphalting project. (~ $1M) All very exciting for sure! Janice Lukes

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New 40 km/h speed limit on local residential streets (Montreal)
by Anders Swanson 14 Oct '12

14 Oct '12

*[Stumbled upon this today. Text copied below. To see associated schematics and images, see the original source: City of Montreal<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=5957,54865598&_dad=portal&_…>- A.S.] * Introduction of the 40-km/h speed limit in Montréal's boroughs On December 14, 2009, Ms. Manon Barbe, executive committee member responsible for transportation, and Mr. Claude Trudel, executive committee member in charge of public safety, announced measures to introduce the reduced 40 km/h<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=5957,55187595&_dad=portal&_…>(from 50 km/h) speed limit on local residential streets. New signage by sector was implemented first in 2009 in Lachine, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Rosemont-La Petite Patrie, Saint-Laurent and two parts of Ville-Marie. The new speed limit is being introduced gradually in all of Montréal's boroughs between now and the end of 2010. The city will consult the other 15 reconstituted cities on the island of Montréal to coordinate the introduction of the new speed limit across the Montréal agglomeration. *...* In boroughs where there are already streets with a 40 km/h speed limit, the new signage by sector wuill be installed in order to harmonize this measure across the city. Drivers develop a number of automatic behaviours that make driving easier. Setting the same speed limits in similar road environments helps drivers to understand the desired behaviour more easily, which helps to improve safety. Furthermore, the new signs are more reflective, which makes them more visible. *How does it work?* As a rule, the speed limit will remain at 50 km/h along the main arteries. This limit will apply also to industrial zones, as well as roads where transit priority initiatives are in effect (reserved lanes, bus rapid transit service). The 30-km speed limit will apply to school zones and near parks, as posted. The *sector* concept was used as part of the introduction of the 40-km/h speed limit, to reduce the number of signs which would have to be installed. Signs that read MAXIMUM 40 – SECTEUR will be posted at the entrance to a residential sector. Motorists must obey the speed limit until they see another speed-limit sign. When SECTEUR does not appear on a speed-limit sign, the speed limit is only in effect along the road on which the sign is posted. The new by-law comes into force 90 days after adoption by the borough council: - Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve : September 14, 2010 - Ahuntsic-Cartierville : August 1, 2010 - Saint-Léonard : August 1, 2010 - Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension : August 2, 2010 - Le Sud-Ouest: July 5, 2010 - Le Plateau–Mont-Royal: July 5, 2010 - Saint-Laurent: December 30, 2009 - Two sectors in Ville-Marie (see map): December 28, 2009 - Lachine: December 27, 2009 - Pierrefonds-Roxboro: December 27, 2009 - Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie: December 27, 2009 At all times, motorists must obey signs and speed limits in force. ... *Where does the 40-km/h speed limit apply?* The reduced speed limit has been implemented in Lachine, Le Sud-Ouest, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont - La Petite-Patrie, Saint-Laurent and two sectors of Ville-Marie. The maps below show speed limits for each borough. will be implemented first in the Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Saint-Laurent, Lachine and Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie boroughs, as well as in two sectors in Ville-Marie. - Ahuntsic-Cartierville<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/8C8D79A08F446018E0430A93013…>[778,6 ko - 1 page] - Lachine<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/transport_v2_fr/media/docu…>[1,19 Mo - 1 page] - Le Sud-Ouest<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/8AE917C457ADD078E0430A93013…>[1,9 Mo - 1 page] - Le Plateau–Mont-Royal<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/8AE870629B63B090E0430A93013…>[1,4 Mo - 1 page] - Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/90CB00709933A0DCE0430A93013…>[628,1 ko - 1 page] - Pierrefonds<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/transport_v2_fr/media/docu…>[2,12 Mo - 1 page] - Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/transport_v2_fr/media/docu…>[1,34 Mo - 1 page] - Saint-Laurent<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/transport_v2_fr/media/docu…>[1,88 Mo - 1 page] - Saint-Léonard<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/8F2554EEBDE220B6E0430A93013…>[1,5 Mo - 1 page] - Ville-Marie<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/transport_v2_fr/media/docu…>[1,26 Mo - 1 page] - Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/8C8D14B4910B106AE0430A93013…>[522,6 ko - 1 page] The new speed limit will be gradually extended to the rest of Montréal boroughs by the end of the year 2010, and measures will be taken with the 15 related municipalities to harmonize the new speed limit throughout the urban agglomeration. *Why is Montréal reducing the speed limit?* The Transportation Plan aims to reduce accidents by 40 per cent by the year 2018. Several measures have already been implemented as part of the 17th annual workshop, which included improving safety at intersections, introducing countdown displays at pedestrian crossings and emphasizing road safety awareness campaigns. These measures have helped significantly to reduce the number of accidents within the urban agglomeration since 2007. In fact, 13 per cent fewer deaths were reported at the end of 2008, all categories included. The 40-km/h speed limit is one of several measures to improve the quality of living for Montrealers. It will help to reduce the probability and severity of injuries, since the odds of motorists fatally injuring a pedestrian with their vehicle are 70 per cent at 50 km/h and 25 per cent at 40 km/h. The impact of the new speed limit will be reviewed closely to determine if the goals regarding motorist behaviour and fatality reduction have been achieved. Other appropriate measures may be introduced as per the results and conclusions of this review.

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“Do It Like The Dutch & Danes”: A Guide To Becoming A Bike Friendly Mecca
by Beth McKechnie 13 Oct '12

13 Oct '12

“Do It Like The Dutch & Danes”: A Guide To Becoming A Bike Friendly Mecca *Why are some European cities cycling mad? And how can other cities copy their infrastructure? ECF spoke to Kalle Vaismaa, co-author of the book “Best European Practices in Promoting Cycling and Walking”. * Working for the Transport Research Centre at the Tampere University of Technology, Vaismaa spent more than two years researching the best cycle infrastructure that Europe has to offer and compiling it into a 269 page book packed full of colour photos and diagrams. “We originally published the book in Finnish,” explains Vaismaa, “but then we realized there was a huge demand for it in Europe and now it has been translated into English.” It’s easy to see why people were eager to get their hands on this gem. The book looks at some of Europe’s most famous cycling cities with insight into cycling greats such as Groningen, Strasbourg, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. And it comes as no surprise as to which countries do cycling infrastructure best. Read more: http://www.ecf.com/news/do-it-like-the-dutch-danes-a-guide-to-becoming-a-bi…

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ITE E-newsletter 10.11.12
by Beth McKechnie 11 Oct '12

11 Oct '12

Some interesting AT-related articles in the ITE newsletter below... *From:* Institute of Transportation Engineers [mailto:info@ite.ccsend.com] *On Behalf Of *Institute of Transportation Engineers *Sent:* Thursday, October 11, 2012 1:03 PM *To:* Kurylko, Robert *Subject:* ITE E-newsletter 10.11.12 Having trouble viewing this email? Click here <http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=umc9fycab&v=001BpBBz7jUJ…> *[image: ITE Banner]* [image: ITE E-Newsletter] * * *10.11.12* *FHWA Releases 2012 Version of Interactive Highway Safety Design Model* http://www.ihsdm.org/wiki/Welcome<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdXsVrmSUCfHUjOP9o-SciOZYuPCQKf7MKk…> Analysis Tool: *Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)* FHWA has released version 8.0.0 of the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM), a suite of software analysis tools for evaluating safety and operational effects of geometric design decisions. The 2012 release includes a Crash Prediction Module (CPM) that implements the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual (HSM), Part C: Predictive Method. The 2012 version also includes a Beta version of crash prediction capabilities for mainline freeway segments, based on draft HSM materials developed under National Cooperative Highway Research Project 17-45. *Driving Down the Numbers - Toward Zero Deaths* http://youtu.be/E9sImnOIS3M<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKemsM6j6WNu-jtnNPuhpSvetFJHb16nNOoU…> Video: *Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT)* The compelling RIDOT video promotes the concept of zero deaths on roads and highways. The video features interviews with Rhode Island residents who respond to a series of questions about highway safety. When asked to think about themselves, family members, and friends, the majority of people positively respond to the zero deaths message *Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21)* http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKfd5sYKlot47R4_TEBStzWRuk2-SzH1o-lJ…> Guidance Documents: *Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)* FHWA has posted new guidance documents and an expanded set of questions and answers on the MAP-21 website. The guidance covers Infrastructure; Environment, Planning, and Realty; Safety; Operations; Innovative Program Delivery; and Federal Lands. *Introducing the Redesigned www.dot.gov* http://www.dot.gov/briefing-room/introducing-redesigned- wwwdotgov<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdTFfHmHLWNrjUYq9ZTovVMf9HyUYGkZ7LD…> Website: *U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)* The USDOT website has been redesigned to help the reader find what is needed as easily as possible, to make the most popular resources more accessible, and to improve the arrangement of the website resources. *40 years of Swindon's Magic Roundabout* http://www.itv.com/news/west/2012-10-09/40-years-of-swindons-magic-roundabo…<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKd2wlABFKFFgIEJXfX7WR16-gVrI_r6ZvKX…> News Report: *ITV News* The article describes an atypical roundabout design in Great Britain that consists of five mini-roundabouts arranged around a sixth central, anti-clockwise roundabout. An aerial photograph is included. *Investigation of Pedestrian/Bicyclist Risk in Minnesota Roundabout Crossings* http://www.its.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/ reportdetail.html?id=2186<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKcR4vScRot0pd9k8z90526kh1cumiTCESWJ…> Research Report: *University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies* The report investigates pedestrian accessibility at two urban roundabouts in Minnesota, addressing complaints from pedestrians regarding difficulties in crossing and safety. The methodology includes a sufficiently large number of observations on the interactions between pedestrians or bicyclists and vehicles. The results highlight and categorize the existence of friction between pedestrians and motorists at roundabout crossings. *Sharing the Road: Optimizing Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Vehicle Mobility* http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9622_11045_24249-279311--,00.html<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKfUi0qWmLxxFBydgwjrKDPPhjfKdgKhmzEN…> Research Report: *Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)* The report reviews roadway improvements designed to enhance bicyclist, pedestrian, and motorist safety and mobility. The report includes a review of national design guidelines on methods to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, a case study analysis of recently completed improvements in Michigan, and a set of recommended best design practices for walking and bicycling. *Ride-Sharing Services Grow Popular in Europe* http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/01/technology/ride-sharing- services-grow-popular-in-europe.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdH_W1J-58hKxGfTxYybEEsV68BVI48dFKw…> News Report: *New York Times* Private rideshare matching services are flourishing throughout Europe. Two companies based in France and Germany together have more than 6 million registered users. Expansion to the rest of Europe is underway. *Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes Handbook, Third Edition; Chapter 16, Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities* http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/167122.aspx<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKemCbGLf_PB1UQqlnDbXE7vvchwa4FDWp-J…> Research Report: *Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) of the Transportation Research Board (TRB)* TCRP has published the non-motorized transportation chapter of the Traveler Response Handbook series. The chapter synthesizes available findings on observed effects of pedestrian and bicycle improvements and programs, covering both travel demand and public health outcomes and implications. The chapter is available as a free download or a print copy can be purchased. Accompanying PowerPoint slides may be downloaded. *Utah Officials Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Traffic Signal that Debuted in Salt Lake City* http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/ 3795d8a4d70a4b13800dee0425c7db34/UT--Celebrating-Stoplights<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKeT8DoDthSlWVw5PnT2-GRBgttvxQ2QLRf7…> http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/55027680-90/1912-green- invention-lake.html.csp<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKc6k6fhKkhDugdtI8IhfJPvrhetY5KG93pz…> News Articles: *The Republic and The Salt Lake Tribune* Utah is celebrating the 100th anniversary of a traffic signal developed by Lester Farnsworth Wire, arguably the inventor of the world's first electric traffic light in 1912. The second article includes a photograph of the birdhouse-like box with red and green bulbs on each side to signal stop and go to travelers. *Data from Only State that Tracks Dooring Show Its Big Problem* http://transportationnation.org/2012/09/28/data-from-only- state-that-tracks-dooring-show-its-big-problem/<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdxLeCkCGhqRWA09nDqli2MyMeFe12rgYXl…> News Article: *Transportation Nation* Data from Chicago shows that dooring - a crash that involves a bicyclist hitting an open car door - represented nearly 20 percent of all reported bike crashes in 2011. *Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities 2012 Request for Letters of Interest* http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/buildingblocks/ building-blocks-2012-rfli-9-25-12-final.pdf<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKcj-jhrNMeTBCfQdl-bVmp2gpgkL6PRI9xI…> Request for Letters of Interest: *Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)* EPA is offering help to communities through its Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. The quick and targeted technical assistance areas include conducting parking audits, creating Green Streets strategies, and planning bikeshare programs. Applications for the assistance are due October 26. *2012 National Rural ITS Conference* http://www.nritsconference.org/Proceedings2012.html<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdA3dj_z9J0-o_Qx5-gy7JBbtujxB87YXlQ…> Conference Proceeding: *2012 National Rural ITS Conference* The conference brought together traditional and non-traditional ITS users to address rural safety, multi-agency coordination, transit and other topics. The website provides links to 34 presentations given covering topics such as adaptive traffic signal control, work zone traffic management plans, and motorist information systems. *In Bike-Friendly Copenhagen, Highways for Cyclists* http://www.npr.org/2012/09/01/160386904/in-bike-friendly- copenhagen-highways-for-cyclists<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKf6HmbVvskV_SuO3lIbVcETr5Xw7wUj3pvB…> News Report: *National Public Radio (NPR)* NPR reports on the development of a "cycling superhighway" in Copenhagen where currently one-third of commute trips are by bicycle. Existing features such as traffic signals timed to accommodate bicyclists and the placement of footrests with bars to lean on at signalized intersections are also featured. *Highway Robbery - The Real Cost of Traffic Jams* http://www.nationwide.com/cps/road-congestion-infographic.htm<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKeyLI6Qg5zgAaPTvgDwt-OoWeWuoKkfIcdr…> Infographic: *Nationwide Insurance* The infographic highlights several facts covering the causes of traffic congestion, the average duration of traffic congestion per day by month of the year, and the amount of excess fuel consumption that is a result of traffic congestion. *'Terminus' Teaches Transportation Planning to High Schoolers* http://www.gatech.edu/newsroom/release.html?nid=158521<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKe2dVgIE8C9fiAdwe-H4uPzxoH9c1wPWIdq…> Press Release: *Georgia Institute of Technology* Three Georgia Tech graduate students have developed a game that teaches high school students how transportation planning works. *Transportation/Land Use Greenhouse Gas Reduction Toolkit* http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP/Pages/GHGToolkit.aspx<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKe-BBCVfLlKVRkP9CnsjX9m48gBdCFvWVi9…> Toolkit: *Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)* ODOT has assembled a toolkit to help local jurisdictions identify and explore the kinds of actions and programs which can be implemented to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. The toolkit measures include pricing, land use, bicycle and pedestrian, public transportation, transportation demand management, operations, capacity expansion and bottleneck relief, fleet, and freight. The toolkit has several components which can be used together or independently: Database; Modeling and Analysis Tools Report; Case Studies; and a Communications Guide. *Road Safety in the United States: Are the (Relatively) Good Times Over?* http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/ 93637/1/102887.pdf<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKfz2Rhsmy6bMjQynumHcHTx0uFaeYfwM7y5…> Research Report: *University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI)* The UMTRI research reports that over the 7-year period ending in 2011, road fatalities in the U.S. decreased 26 percent. Data have indicated that a reversal of this trend might be now taking place. [image: Like us on Facebook]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKcdWZ8JAXPCSRtRumm4za902T805xKURPbd…> [image: Follow us on Twitter]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdPyHBEUo_0yVcjWgAjHu05x8EErqTTaqlL…> [image: View our profile on LinkedIn]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKctjuXMk2EbhkW6rRVuTF7p1uHwP0OiLHCd…> [image: ITE Community]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKfiR7X1LqffVg92vHRhZ1bKYQeCIsOEePxO…> <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001kkqO0FxDKZT4vX7yz6nMv4DYC…> <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?pn=buynow&cc=TEM_RSS_001> This email was sent to robert.kurylko(a)stantec.com by info(a)ite.org | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001kkqO0FxDKZT4vX7yz6nMv4DYC…>™ | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. Institute of Transportation Engineers | 1627 Eye Street NW | Suite 600 | Washington | DC | 20006

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Mark Your Calendars - Two Important Bicycle Infrastructure Design Training Sessions in November
by Anders Swanson 11 Oct '12

11 Oct '12

*A quick note about two important and complementary training opportunities. This is aimed squarely at those planners/engineers/folks interested in applying the best and latest in bicycle infrastructure design principles to all kinds of projects. There is a cost associated with each session, yet it is recommended that you plan to attend both if at all possible to get the full perspective. Knowledge is, after all, much cheaper than concrete! * *Monday November 19 TAC is offering a seminar on bicycle facility guidelines in Winnipeg: http://www.tac-atc.ca/english/seminars/cycling.cfm Thursday November 22 and Friday November 23 Kickstand sessions* Mobycon <http://www.mobycon.com/page/352/about.html> and Copenhagnize<http://copenhagenize.eu/clients.html>are presenting a made-for-North America two-day workshop on applying the hallmarks of Dutch and Danish cycling policy, engineering and bicycle culture principles to Canada. This presentation is aimed at combining Canadian guidelines and European know-how to come up with solutions adapted to North America. http://kickstandsessions.com/ * I am part of the organizing team for the latter. The local steering committee is meeting next week to finalize location, but the dates are firm. Registration is in fact already open. More details and ancilliary events to follow. If anyone wants more info in the meantime, feel free to call me.* * Anders Swanson 204-797-1962 *

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Charleswood "Transportation" Study
by Mark Cohoe 11 Oct '12

11 Oct '12

Hi, I attended the Charleswood Transportation Study Public Information Display tonight, and the news was quite bad. The draft plan completely ignores the city's AT policy in their recommendations for Shaftesbury. They are recommending widening this road to four excessivley wide lanes without providing any cycling facilities at all on a roadway that connects one of the city's main east west AT corridors (the Harte Trail) to Assiniboine Park, the Canadian Mennonite Museum, and a critical bicycle pedestrian bridge over the Assiniboine River. This is despite the fact that north of the study area, a multi-use pathway runs along the west side of Shaftesbury all the way to the pedestrian/bicycle bridge and over the Assinboine River. I wish I could say I was surprised by this, but in truth it is not at all surprising. Beyond the issue with Shaftesbury, both Shaftesbury and Taylor/West Taylor were omitted from the City's network of proposed AT facilities, and while both Grant and Roblin were correctly marked as having sharrows, there was no indication that these would ever be upgraded to something useful such as a bike lane, or better yet, a buffered bicycle lane or cycle track, which would be warranted. In fact, I was told point blank by one of the MMM staff that AT was not within the mandate of the study other than to identify existing facilities. Shaftesbury was the one exception, but as I indicated above, they have inexplicably excluded any cycling facilities from their recommendation to widen this roadway to four lanes (each 4m wide)! The only other AT related recommendation I saw was what appeared to be a recommendation to remove the restriction on right turns on red in front of a busy pedestrian crossing leading to Royal School. Here are the points I think need to be made: 1. Any widening of Shaftesbury needs to include a bicycle path and sidewalk on the west side of the roadway 2. A bicycle/pedestrian overpass for the Harte Trail must be included in any southward extension of the William Clement Parkway 3. Bicycle lanes or cycle tracks should be added to West Taylor and Taylor from Shaftesbury to Kenaston 4. A recommendation to add buffered bicycle lanes or cycle tracks to Grant and Roblin as part of any future rehabilitation 5. The study needs to look into traffic calming on North/South residential streets in the study area that would encourage more cycling and walking, especially on streets leading to schools and commercial nodes 6. If the city had maintained the AT Advisory Committee, these errors would have been spotted prior to the public information display This can likely all be paid for if they simply reduce the lane width on Shaftesbury from 4m to a more reasonable 3.35m (11 ft), which is still wider than the current edition of the Highway Capacity Manual (The Green Book) recommends. Mark

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You're Invited: Creative Commuting Ambassador Training I and II
by Jessie Klassen 09 Oct '12

09 Oct '12

*Creative Commuting Ambassador Training I * You are invited to a FREE, half-day interactive workshop on becoming a Creative Commuting Ambassador at your workplace! Get the tools and guidance to help improve commuter options on-site and support your coworkers to get the most out of their commutes. *Hands-on training and resources you'll get at the workshop:* - Training in bike route planning - Experience with all the latest Winnipeg Transit tools - An evaluation of your workplace's existing commuter options - A folder filled with tools and resources relevant to your workplace - Ideas for a simple project to apply these tools and resources right away *Workshop date:* Thursday, November 1st, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm * Workshop location*: EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) Creative Commuting Ambassador Training II: Behaviour Change Do you want to sing the praises of creative commuting with your co-workers, but no one seems to be listening? This FREE, interactive half-day training session is for you! Explore the many facets of behaviour change from a social marketing, transitions, and systems perspective. Walk away with some strategies you can apply to create a more commuter friendly and active workplace. *Hands-on training and resources you’ll get at the workshop:* - Tools and strategies to engage your co-workers more effectively - Greater knowledge of behaviour change - Local success stories - Program and communication ideas you can begin to apply right away *Workshop date:* Thursday, November 8th, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Workshop location:* EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) * Register today by contacting Jessie Klassen at 925-3772 or jessie(a)greenactioncentre.ca. * ** *Jessie Klassen* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca>| Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3772 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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Economic Benefits of Cycling - Updated US Report
by Beth McKechnie 05 Oct '12

05 Oct '12

[Circulated by Alan Medcalf on Share the Road (Canada) LinkedIn group] Economic Benefits of Cycling - updated US report This 2009 report was republished this past July, incorporating updated material. It provides a clear picture of the myriad economic benefits to be accrued from supporting cycling, from multiple perspectives. Report at: http://www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/Final_Econ_Update(small)…<http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eadvocacyadvance%2Eo…>

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AT webinar: Open Streets Project, Wed, Oct. 10th, 2-3 pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 04 Oct '12

04 Oct '12

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed description provided below.* **Opening Streets to People, Sharing Resources, Transforming Communitie*s Wednesday, October 10th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT * *Note that this webinar will be of particular interest to all of us involved with Ciclovia locally. RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! Also mark your calendar for 2 pm, Wed, Oct. 17th - FHWA Experimentation for Advancing Best Practices. Details to follow next week. cheers, Beth 925-3772 * * * * * * * The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) and Open Streets Project presents: *Opening Streets to People, Sharing Resources, Transforming Communitie*s Wednesday, October 10th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT **Open streets initiatives temporarily close streets to automobile so that people may use them for any activity but driving—walking, jogging, bicycling, dancing or almost any other physical activity. The open streets movement in North America has grown from only 11 initiatives in 2005 to over 80 in 2012, with more initiatives being launched each year. This free webinar sponsored by APBP and the Open Streets Project features an overview of the Open Streets Project's interactive website ( http://www.openstreetsproject.org/) and case studies of a large city's open streets program and a smaller city's program. Learn about best practices in North and South America and additional resources that can provide further guidance for cities organizing new initiatives.

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FW: Manitoba News Release: Province Announces 2013 Community Places Program to Help Upgrade Recreational Facilities Across Manitoba
by Kalinowsky, Leita (MLG) 03 Oct '12

03 Oct '12

Please note a new intake date for this existing provincial program. Grant applications under the 2013 Community Places Program are now being accepted until Dec. 15. To receive a grant application or for more information, contact the Community Places Program office in Winnipeg at 204-945 0502 or 1-800-894-3777 (toll-free), e-mail mcpp(a)gov.mb.ca or visit www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp. Active Transportation projects including AT infrastructure-on road or off road or bike racks are all eligible. Bike racks should be incorporated into a broader project. Demonstrating community use is a key factor in successful applications. Good luck with your applications! Leita -----Original Message----- From: News Media Services [mailto:nmservices@leg.gov.mb.ca] Sent: October-01-12 1:15 PM To: Kalinowsky, Leita (MLG) Subject: Manitoba News Release: Province Announces 2013 Community Places Program to Help Upgrade Recreational Facilities Across Manitoba October 1, 2012 PROVINCE ANNOUNCES 2013 COMMUNITY PLACES PROGRAM TO HELP UPGRADE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ACROSS MANITOBA - - - Grants to Non-profit Groups to Help Improve Sports, Cultural Opportunities for Manitobans: Selinger The province will help revitalize communities and improve recreational opportunities in towns and cities throughout Manitoba under the 2013 Community Places Program, Premier Greg Selinger announced today. "In 2012, more than 270 non-profit community groups were able to create or upgrade local recreational, wellness or cultural facilities for Manitoba families as a result of Community Places grants," said Selinger. "Gathering places such as seniors' centres, playgrounds and hockey rinks play an important role in enhancing the quality of life families have come to enjoy in communities throughout our province." The Community Places Program provides funding and planning assistance to non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects. Eligible projects are those that provide sustainable recreation and wellness benefits to communities. Eligible projects can receive up to 50 per cent of the first $15,000 of total project costs and up to one-third of costs over that amount; the maximum grant is $50,000. Applicants must contribute to project costs by providing additional resources from local fundraising, grants from local governments and other sources, or donated labour and materials. Examples of Community Places Program projects approved in 2012 include: * a playground development project for the Ryerson Association of Parents and Teachers, * renovations to the Manitoba Farmers with Disabilities' building in Elm Creek, * stage lighting upgrades for the Pinawa Players, * a wind-power electric turbine for Selkirk's Manitoba Paddling Association, * support to Opasquia Agricultural Society's redevelopment project for The Pas and District Exhibition Grounds, * kitchen renovations for the Waterhen Community Council, * support to the Oak Lake Beach Playground Committee for construction of a natural playground, * support to the Friends of Living Prairie Museum for construction of an outdoor education shelter, and * upgrades to the Building Urban Industries for Local Development's HVAC system. Since its inception, Community Places has provided more than $104.3 million in grants to support more than 6,815 community construction projects provincewide, the premier said, adding these grants have leveraged an estimated $651.7 million in infrastructure improvements in both rural and urban communities. Community Places has provided funding and planning assistance for 10,706 applicants from non-profit community organizations. Grant applications under the 2013 Community Places Program are now being accepted until Dec. 15. To receive a grant application or for more information, contact the Community Places Program office in Winnipeg at 204-9450502 or 1-800-894-3777 (toll-free), e-mail mcpp(a)gov.mb.ca or visit www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp. - 30 - ==== UNSUBSCRIBE Instructions ==== You received this email as a result of your voluntary subscription to the Manitoba News Release List You are currently subscribed to "Manitoba News" as: Leita.Kalinowsky(a)gov.mb.ca. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.gov.mb.ca/cgi-bin/press/release.pl click "here" and follow the directions or send a blank email to: mailto:leave-83348-61016.f558bdfd34ca36383c0e6b451a1a9654@mailmanager.leg.gov.mb.ca

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Manitoba News Release: New Program to Help Northern and Remote Communities Build, Upgrade Recreational Facilities
by Kalinowsky, Leita (MLG) 03 Oct '12

03 Oct '12

Please note this new provincial program for northern and remote communities. Applications are now available and are open until Nov. 30. Grant approvals will be announced in January 2013. A second intake will take place in June 2013. Active Transportation projects including AT infrastructure-on road or off road or bike racks are all eligible. Bike racks should be incorporated into a broader project. Demonstrating community use is a key factor in successful applications. Good luck with your applications! Leita -----Original Message----- From: News Media Services [mailto:nmservices@leg.gov.mb.ca] Sent: October-01-12 1:18 PM To: Kalinowsky, Leita (MLG) Subject: Manitoba News Release: New Program to Help Northern and Remote Communities Build, Upgrade Recreational Facilities October 1, 2012 NEW PROGRAM TO HELP NORTHERN AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES BUILD, UPGRADE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES - - - Grants to Create More Healthy Opportunities For Families, Youth: Premier Northern and remote communities can now apply for grants to improve their recreational facilities through the new Community Places Program - North, Premier Greg Selinger announced today. "Making life better for families in all parts of our province is a priority for our government," said Selinger. "This program will make a difference in the lives of northern families by providing more recreational opportunities in their communities." Over the next three years, the program will provide planning assistance and $2 million in funding to northern and remote communities for new recreation and community facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects, as well as the purchase of essential non-personal sporting equipment that is directly related to the capital project. Eligible projects are those that would provide sustainable recreational and wellness benefits to communities, with an emphasis on youth, the premier said, adding non-profit community organizations can apply for assistance with critical building repairs, energy-saving initiatives and user-related improvements. Grants of up to $75,000 are now being made available to northern and remote communities, with no requirement to match funding, for infrastructure and recreational projects such as playgrounds and outdoor rinks. The projects can include small repairs to things like boards on ice rinks, replacement of old windows and doors or more substantial upgrades to modernize an entire recreational facility. The program is designed to ensure application deadlines and approvals are completed by winter road season so construction materials can be transported to communities with only winter road access. Applications are now available and are open until Nov. 30. Grant approvals will be announced in January 2013. A second intake will take place in June 2013. All projects are community-led. Eligible applicants include incorporated recreational, sports, cultural, heritage and other non-profit community organizations, First Nations and local urban districts. Program criteria calls for applicants to be a northern or remote community located north of the 53rd parallel and exclude The Pas, Thompson and Flin Flon. South of the 53rd parallel, remote communities only accessible by a winter road can apply. For more information and to download a Community Places North application, go to: www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp. - 30 - ==== UNSUBSCRIBE Instructions ==== You received this email as a result of your voluntary subscription to the Manitoba News Release List You are currently subscribed to "Manitoba News" as: Leita.Kalinowsky(a)gov.mb.ca. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.gov.mb.ca/cgi-bin/press/release.pl click "here" and follow the directions or send a blank email to: mailto:leave-83351-61016.f558bdfd34ca36383c0e6b451a1a9654@mailmanager.leg.gov.mb.ca

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City of Winnipeg Community Wide GHG Reductions Strategy RFP
by Mark Cohoe 02 Oct '12

02 Oct '12

Hi, I found this on the city's bid opportunities page today and thought it was interesting enough to pass along in case anyone feels motivated enough to start working on some proposals for the stakeholder and public engagement process. It seems like a positive development. Bid Opportunity Page <http://winnipeg.ca/MatMgt/FolderContents.asp?FOLDER_NAME=631-2012&YEAR=2012> Request for Proposal Document <http://winnipeg.ca/finance/findata/matmgt/documents//2012/631-2012//631-201…>. Sections A,B, and C are generic boiler plate RFP requests, sections D and E have the substance. Here are some of the highlights (at least from my perspective): E3.2 The City of Winnipeg's commitment to a low carbon future is reflected in key achievements, policy tools & directives: (a) Membership and Council commitment to the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program in 1998. (b) 2007 municipal achievement of a 20% reduction in corporate GHG emissions over a 1998 baseline and subsequent Council endorsement of a further 20% GHG reduction (overall goal of 40% below 1998 levels). (c) Council endorsement of a 6% community-wide GHG reduction goal over 1998 levels. E4.10 Types of GHG to be measured: (b) Types of emission sources to be measured: (iv) Within transportation, the inventory should be broken down by different transportation modes and vehicle types for passengers and freight wherever possible. Emission per kilometre per transportation mode, and emission per kilometre per vehicle type, should be calculated. E7. MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF POLICY & ACTION IMPACTS E7.3 Policy and actions to be analyzed by the Consultant shall be developed in consultation with City staff and key stakeholders and with the contribution of the Consultant's experience in other jurisdictions. It is anticipated that the following areas shall be considered at minimum: (a) Land use change; (b) Solid waste and landfill management; (c) Transportation demand management; (d) Active transportation improvements; (e) Building code changes; (f) Local energy efficiency retrofits; (g) The use of on-site renewables; (h) District energy; (i) Transit quality improvements; (j) Transit route and rapid transit expansion; (k) Tailpipe emission standards and fuel switching. E7.5 The Consultant's analysis of relevant policy & action shall include key evaluative criteria for consideration including, but not limited to: (a) Emissions reduction potential; (b) Co-benefits; (c) Implementation cost; (d) Feasibility; (e) Applicability; (f) Implementation timeframe. E7.7 Further to the Consultant's analysis, the Consultant shall prepare supporting graphical, tabular, geospatial and comparative materials as is contextually appropriate and are suitable for communicating the comparative impact of each relevant action. (a) At minimum, the Consultant shall demonstrate the emissions impact and relevant associations between current land use patterns and transportation amenities in Winnipeg and the impact of future land use changes and transportation system improvements in accordance with Winnipeg's development plan, OurWinnipeg, and the Transportation Master Plan. The dissemination level shall be by census area or traffic zone. (i) Additionally, the Consultant shall recommend key performance indicators for monitoring and tracking progress towards each action area. Cheers, Mark

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WFP: Copenhagen shows bicycles can improve cities and their citizens (Oct.1'12)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Oct '12

02 Oct '12

Copenhagen shows bicycles can improve cities and their citizens By: Brent Bellamy Home to inspiring modern architecture, set within a dense and vibrant urban context, the most significant impression any visitor has of the Scandinavian capital is an overwhelming presence of bicycles. In Copenhagen, 37 per cent of the population ride their bikes to work every day. With a vast, integrated system of separated lanes and dedicated lights, rush-hour traffic can often be heavier for cyclists than motorists. The system is so safe only 15 per cent of Danes choose to wear a helmet. During a recent architectural pilgrimage to the Nordic city, I was lucky enough to visit prominent Danish architect and urban planner Jan Gehl. Having written several influential books on the design of livable cities, he has been instrumental in establishing Copenhagen's bike culture. In our discussion, Gehl lamented the lack of cycling infrastructure in most Canadian cities and cited the significant social and economic benefits it can have. He referred to a study commissioned by the mayor of Copenhagen indicating that when taking all factors into account, every kilometre ridden on a bike saves Danish society 25 cents and every kilometre travelled by car costs them 16 cents. In Winnipeg, the first steps toward implementation of an active transportation network have largely been focused on encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, but expanding on Gehl's business case for an urban cycling infrastructure might be a valuable strategy to galvanize government and public support for its continued development. The most easily quantifiable economic impact of active transportation is realized through individual savings. Car ownership is the second-greatest expense in a typical Canadian household, costing on average $7,500 annually, per vehicle. When alternate transportation options are provided, costs such as fuel, parking and maintenance can be greatly reduced. If a household is able to eliminate one car, these savings can be substantial. Developers across Canada are realizing more compact, walkable neighbourhoods that are integrated into an overall urban active-transportation network are seen to provide a higher quality of life, are more desirable and as a result command greater property values and tax revenue. Cities that struggle with infrastructure-funding deficits can look to an improved cycling network as a means of reducing some of that pressure on local government. A small shift in vehicle use can have a disproportionate impact on the need for increased road construction. According to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, by decreasing the number of cars on a high volume urban street by only three per cent, peak rush hour congestion can be reduced by nearly 30 per cent. With the cost of road construction being more than 10 times that of segregated bike lanes, significant economic savings can be realized by enticing more commuters to choose alternate means of transportation. Implementation of an active transportation network has shown to be an effective government policy for targeting employment growth. Bike-lane construction is labour-intensive rather than equipment- and material-intensive. A study done in Baltimore revealed that for every dollar invested in developing segregated bike lanes, more than twice as many jobs were created when compared to road construction. An active-transportation network can also be good for business. When compared to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians spend more money in local and small retail establishments. Healthier employees can decrease absenteeism and improve job satisfaction, while reducing the burden on our health-care system. Cyclists contribute to the creation of an active street culture, which improves neighbourhood vibrancy and safety, in turn promoting increased spending and economic growth. As urban quality improves, the livability and public image of the city as a whole is enhanced, becoming more attractive to investment, tourism and immigration. The cost of implementing an urban active-transportation network is not unattainable when weighed against these economic benefits. It is estimated the City of Portland, considered the most bike-friendly municipality in North America, where six per cent of commuters are cyclists (under two per cent in Winnipeg), could replace its entire existing cycling infrastructure for only $60 million. That represents the cost of widening less than two kilometres of Kenaston Boulevard. Winnipeg will likely never be Copenhagen, but its urban structure makes it a favourable candidate for an effective cycling network. With 72 per cent of the population living with 10 kilometres of downtown and a highly centralized workforce, the median commute is only 6.1 kilometres, a much shorter distance than in other Canadian cities. There is a pervasive attitude in Winnipeg that our harsh winters make these economic benefits less attainable and investment in active transportation less valuable. When speaking with Jan Gehl, I asked him how he would respond to that criticism. He replied by saying in Canada, we focus so much on being protected on the bad days it often keeps us from taking full advantage of many good days. He wants us to shift our priority and look at the glass as being half full, recommending we take care of the 250 good days first and then find a balance for the others. He makes a good point. *Brent Bellamy is senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.* bbellamy(a)numberten.com http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/healthy-life-cycle-172043051.html

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Safe Route to School Planning: A Transportation Engineering Perspective
by Shoni Litinsky 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

For anyone interested in delving deeper into understanding the ins and outs of transportation engineering related to site designs (you don't have to be involved with school's to learn from this one) - this Canadian webinar is extremely helpful! This webinar archive has been put out by Canada Walks - the Active and Safe Routes to School Program in Ontario, and covers how the engineering approvals and practices related to school siting and design have been changing over the past ten years. The webinar provides examples of opportunities to proactively work with engineering partners in planning and designing schools that promote walking, cycling, and transit trips. Click here to view webinar <http://tinyurl.com/9qdr7xj> Please contact me if you would like to request any of the resources that are shared in the presentation. *Did you know?* Monday October 1st kicks off International Walk to School Month! Sign up your school today<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/iwalk/>. -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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Edmonton Public School Board calls on all schools to have AT plans (Sept.26'12)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

Edmonton Public School Board calls on all schools to have active transportation plans http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/384082/edmonton-public-school-board-calls… The Edmonton Public School Board has enacted a policy to encourage students and parents to look to active transportation first when heading to school. In a release Wednesday, the board said the plan has many benefits, including increased safety, reduction in car volume and traffic volume as well as health benefits for students. Of all Edmonton Public Schools, 13 already have formal active transportation plans in effect. EPSB is asking students and families to use any “self-propelled” mode of transportation – like biking or walking – and to couple these with public transportation. * * * * * [Related articles follow from June 17'12] Active travel plans in motion at some Edmonton schools http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/266701/active-travel-plans-in-the-works-a… Each morning and afternoon during the school year, a few parents wear fluorescent vests out in front of Johnny Bright School. They wave vehicles along, tell them where to stop, open doors and assist students in getting in and out quickly and safely. Called greeters, they are one of many initiatives the K-9 school has in place as part of a School Travel Plan launched in early 2011 to promote active transportation and cut down on vehicle congestion. “It speeds up the time (a vehicle) might sit there,” said Jennifer Harbin, parent to a Grade 8 student and volunteer on the Parent Traffic Committee. And that’s the No. 1 issue, according to principal Scott Millar. “We have such a high volume of traffic,” he said, noting the school is “bursting at the seams.” When the school opened in 2010, Harbin began driving her daughter to school. “But when I saw how long the line-ups were, I looked at her and said ‘you’re going to start taking the bus,’” she said. A hands-up survey last year showed 40 per cent of Johnny Bright students are driven, 27 per cent walk, nine per cent ride bikes, 13 per cent take the school bus, six per cent carpool and two per cent take public transit. “We’re really working hard at the awareness, and getting families to think about how they’re getting to school,” said Harbin. *Other initiatives* - Other committee initiatives include walk and bike to school weeks, newsletters and identifying drop-off locations not directly in front of the school. - Future plans include installing another bike rack, incorporating active transportation into the health curriculum, and developing a map of routes with Walkable Edmonton. District-wide active transportation plan possible for Edmonton Public School Board http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/266696/district-wide-active-transportatio… Parents driving their kids to school is a growing trend, and it’s something the Edmonton Public School Board is trying to put the brakes on. According to Statistics Canada, more students are driven compared to the number who walk or bike to school – and that same trend is observed equally in both suburban and mature Edmonton neighbourhoods, according to a report that went before the board of trustees last month. Reasons for that include convenience, weather and program location, said EPSB planning director Lorne Parker, noting resulting problems include improper parking, illegal U-turns, unsafe drop-offs, and disruptions to buses. And while there are 10 schools with School Travel Plans in place, various levels of participation and success has led to discussion of the feasibility of a district-wide active transportation plan. “There’s certainly a will on the part of the board to look at developing one,” said Parker. “But it would be significant work to have all schools on board.” Of course, different schools have different needs based on neighbourhood design, enrollment and other “local factors,” said Parker. An initial timeline of three years would be challenging, according to the report, so in the meantime EPSB is working to refine individual school approaches, and will continue working with partners AMA School Safety Patrol, Walkable Edmonton, EPS and Alberta Transportation.

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Job posting: Executive Director, Bike to the Future (and more)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

*Job posting: Executive Director, Bike to the Future* Bike to the Future <http://biketothefuture.org> (BttF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to making cycling in Winnipeg a safe, enjoyable, accessible, and convenient transportation choice year-round. BttF relies largely on volunteers to promote cycling education, advocate for cycling infrastructure, and generally encouraging more people to cycle more often. BttF is looking for an energetic and organized individual who is passionate about cycling in Winnipeg to work as Executive Director. The Executive Director will be responsible for providing administrative support, strategic planning and direction, resource generation, and public relations. The Executive Director will report to and receive direction from the BttF Board <http://biketothefuture.org/about>. Compensation includes a base amount of $600 per month for 40 hours work per month, and an amount equal to 30% of resources generated in excess of $5000 per year. A flexible work schedule is required. Resumes and cover letters can be sent to Loren Braul, Bike to the Future Co-Chai <loren(a)biketothefuture.org>r. *Application Deadline:* October 6, 2012 BttF Executive Director contract<http://biketothefuture.org/attachments/0000/1812/2012-09-25_bttf_executive_…>(PDF) ________________________________________ The minutes from BttF's September Monthly Meeting have been posted at biketothefuture.org/about/meetings. Our October Monthly Meeting<http://biketothefuture.org/events/archives/2012/09/19/october-monthly-meeti…>is on Tuesday October 9 at 5:30 at the *Sport for Life Centre*. ________________________________________ Bike to the Future's Co-Chair, Tom McMahon, appeared before the Manitoba Public Utilities Board <http://www.pub.gov.mb.ca> (PUB) on September 25 to make a presentation on Manitoba Public Insurance’s (MPI) 2013-2014 rate application. *The presentation pointed out many actions that MPI could take to increase the safety of cyclists on Manitoba roadways. and asked the PUB to tell MPI to improve and increase its public education for drivers and cyclists.* Afterwards, another presenter told us he thought it was one of the most comprehensive, well-researched presentations he has seen at a PUB hearing. Thanks to Tom, Charles Feaver (BttF's Provincial Committee Director), Manitoba Cycling Association <http://mbcycling.ca> President Jason Carter, Anders Swanson, and other BttF volunteers for producing the *presentation document<http://biketothefuture.org/attachments/0000/1813/2012-09-25_bttftopub_mpi.p…> * (PDF, 14 pages with color diagrams). ________________________________________ Kevin Miller Bike to the Future, Secretary biketothefuture.org

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Globe & Mail: Ontario coroner recommends speed limit of 30 km/hr
by Beth McKechnie 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

[Following up on Shoni's email yesterday, here's a related Globe and Mail article] Lower residential speed limits, Ontario coroner urges Renata D’Aliesio The Globe and Mail Published Wednesday, Sep. 19 2012, 11:50 AM EDT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/lower-residential-speed-limits… In an era when the car is no longer the undisputed king of the road, Ontario’s chief coroner is calling for an overhaul of the province’s streets to bolster pedestrian safety, including suggesting many residential speed limits be lowered to 30 kilometres an hour. Andrew McCallum made this recommendation and 25 others Wednesday after analyzing the circumstances of 95 pedestrian deaths on Ontario roads in 2010. The review found that 67 per cent of the fatalities took place on streets with a posted speed limit above 50 km/h, while only 5 per cent occurred on roads with a lower limit. Video: Road-safety tips for drivers, parents and students<http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/life-video/video-road-safety-tips-for-d…> Other significant factors cited in the review were jaywalking – nearly one-third were killed as they tried to traverse a street outside of a crosswalk or intersection – and inattentive motorists and walkers. In fact, pedestrian distractions, such as smartphones, music players and dogs, may have contributed to about 20 per cent of the fatalities compared with 14 per cent linked to driver inattention. “We know that we need to make … a road paradigm shift,” said Deputy Chief Coroner Bert Lauwers, who led the pedestrian-death review. “We don’t do well when we’re struck by a car and we do a lot poorer when the rate of speed is high.” Echoing a contentious recommendation made by Toronto’s medical officer of health in the spring, the province’s top death investigators are urging municipalities to lower speed limits to 30 km/h on many residential streets and to drop the unsigned limit to 40 km/h from 50 km/h. Dr. Lauwers said a change to the provincial Highway Traffic Act would be needed to reduce the unsigned speed limit, but a spokesman for Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli suggested municipalities already have the power to reduce speeds within their boundaries. “This should be a decision for local representatives to make with their communities,” said David Salter, the minister’s press secretary. Back in April, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford balked at the idea of lowering speed limits by 10 to 20 km/h, calling the proposal “nuts, nuts, nuts, nuts.” But Dr. Lauwers said research shows that people struck by a car travelling 50 km/h are twice as likely to die than at 40 km/h and five times more likely to perish than at 30 km/h. The review of pedestrian deaths follows an Ontario coroner’s probe of cyclist fatalities, released in June. That review, which examined 129 cyclist deaths between 2006 and 2010, prompted 14 recommendations for improving bike safety and curbing fatalities. They included developing a provincial cycling plan, designing streets to accommodate all road users – and a controversial call to make helmets mandatory for all riders, which is the case in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The coroner is also urging Transport Canada to require heavy trucks to install side guards to help prevent cyclists and pedestrians from falling underneath and getting crushed by the rear wheels. The federal transport regulator, however, has maintained there is not sufficient evidence to support such a regulation. Ontario’s Transportation Ministry, which is finalizing a provincial cycling strategy, will take a close look at the proposals to bolster pedestrian safety, Mr. Salter said. With the changes, the coroner believes pedestrian fatalities could be cut by 50 per cent by 2022. Many of the recommendations, such as increased enforcement and redesigning communities to better accommodate all road users, would cost money, but they underscore the changing nature of Canada’s traffic-clogged cities. More and more, people are commuting by bike, transit or on foot. Ontario Provincial Police Chief Superintendent Don Bell supports the coroner’s pedestrian-safety recommendations, which include encouraging walkers to put away their smartphones. Distracted pedestrians have become a major challenge for police officers, he noted. “Walking is like driving a motor vehicle,” Mr. Bell said. “By not paying attention in a road-traffic situation, you are putting your life at risk.”

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Creating a Walking Strategy for Ontarians is a top recommendation in the Chief Coroner's report released today
by Shoni Litinsky 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

In case anyone is interested to see the latest news from Ontario... September 19, 2012 Recommendations Aim to Prevent Pedestrian Deaths in Ontario<http://news.ontario.ca/mcscs/en/2012/09/chief-coroner-releases-pedestrian-d…> Dr. Andrew McCallum, Chief Coroner for Ontario, today released the Office of the Chief Coroner's Pedestrian Death Review. The Pedestrian Death Review was undertaken as a result of concern surrounding the issue of pedestrian safety after a spate of deaths in January 2010. The purpose of the review was to examine the circumstances of 95 deaths that occurred from Jan. 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2010 and make recommendations to help prevent future deaths. The review was led by Dr. Bert Lauwers, Deputy Chief Coroner, Inquests with help from stakeholders and members of the public, who contributed their comments. It resulted in 26 recommendations in the areas of leadership, legislation, education, engineering and enforcement. These include: - Creating a Walking Strategy for Ontarians - Adopting a 'complete streets' approach to guide the development of new communities and the re-development of existing communities in Ontario - Installing side guards on heavy trucks - Providing municipalities greater flexibility to adjust speed limits and create more pedestrian crossings - Educating drivers on the scenarios that can lead to a pedestrian collision - Increasing enforcement. QUICK FACTS - 67 per cent of the deaths occurred on roads with a posted speed limit beyond 50 km/hr and only 5 per cent on roads below 50 km/hr. - 75 per cent of the fatalities occurred on wide arterial roads. - Pedestrians over the age of 65 accounted for 36 per cent of the fatalities but account for only 13.2 per cent of the population of Ontario. - Children accounted for 3 per cent of the fatalities. - Peak hours for pedestrian collisions were between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. - Approximately 20 per cent of pedestrians may have had some form of distraction such as a mobile device. - January was the peak month for pedestrian collisions. LEARN MORE - The full report is available online at www.ontario.ca/coronersreports. <http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/DeathInvestigations/office_coroner/P…> CONTACTS - Jennifer Kerr Office of the Chief Coroner 416-314-4005 Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services ontario.ca/safety <http://www.ontario.ca/safety> -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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Webinar Invitation: September 26 - Safe Routes Planning - A Transportation Engineering Perspective
by Shoni Litinsky 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

To everyone interested in Active School Travel, Green Action Centre invites you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming Safe Routes to School Webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed description provided below.* *If you would like to attend from your own computer, please register for the event with Sandra Jones - scjones(a)telus.net RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! Cheers, Shoni 204-925-3773 * * * * * *Wednesday September 26, 12:00 to 1:00 pm CST.* *Safe Route to School Planning: A Transportation Engineering Perspective* Safe Routes to School (SRTS) and school travel planning have always been important components of the transportation planning and transportation engineering realms. Hear from Dwayne Cross and Russell Brownlee with the Canadian District of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (CITE), about - how the engineering approvals and practices related to school siting and design have been changing of over the past ten years, and - learn of opportunities to proactively work with your engineering partners in planning and designing schools that promote walking, cycling and transit trips. *Russell* is a recognized expert in undertaking in-service safety reviews of transportation facilities and has conducted operational and safety reviews at existing and proposed school sites. He will draw on years of experience related to school planning, design and operations as a municipal employee as well as through his safety review consulting work. Most recently, Russell prepared a guideline document related to school site location and access for the Region of Durham, and was the keynote speaker and facilitator at a *School Siting & School Site Design for a Healthy Community* workshop in Hamilton, Ontario. He is currently a member of an ITE International Committee preparing an Information Report on *School Site Planning, Design and Transportation*, which is now going through the balloting process to be released for approval. *Dwayne* has developed highway planning policies and procedures, prepared transportation assessments for prospective schools, performed numerous highway commissioning reviews, and managed consulting services for several design, traffic, and transportation studies. As a member of the Technical Liaison Committee of CITE, Dwayne will provide an overview of CITE and its TLC Committee efforts. Green Communities' Canada Walks thanks the CITE for this educational opportunity and dialogue to assist facilitators and stakeholders with their STP work. Additional Bio *Russell Brownlee, B.Sc., M.A.Sc., FITE, P.Eng*. is a Transportation Safety Engineer with over 17 years of public and private sector experience in the areas of road user safety, rail safety, and transportation engineering. At Giffin Koerth he provides expert opinions in the areas of transportation system design, operations and maintenance, primarily related to road and rail facilities. Russell is an active member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. He is the Canadian District Director and represents Canada on ITE’s International Board of Direction. *Dwayne Cross, P.Eng. MITE*, has over 14 years of public sector experience, spending the majority of this time as Highway Planning Engineer and Senior Highway Planning Engineer with the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. He also has experience in the positions of Project Engineer, Highway Design Engineer, and Access Management Engineer. He has led the planning and pre-construction efforts of several 100-Series highways throughout Nova Scotia. Dwayne became a member of ITE in late 2006 and has been actively involved ever since. Dwayne was President of the Atlantic Provinces Section for four years, ending in 2010. As Past President, he remains an active member of the Section and the activities of its Executive. -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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Thurs a.m. - cyclists invited to CBC show at Stella's on Sherbrook
by Beth McKechnie 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

Hi folks: I am forwarding this message from Jason Carter at the Manitoba Cycling Association in case you are interested in participating. -cheers, Beth __________________________________________ CBC Information Radio has asked me to invite cyclists of all types (commuters, racers, couriers, occasional, recreational, advocates, etc.) to participate in live segments during their morning show on *Thursday, Sept 20th at Stella's Cafe, 116 Sherbrook St.* Marcy Markusa will be there at 6:30 a.m. to do numerous interviews with cyclists ("hits") throughout the show's time slot, ending around 8:30 a.m. This is part of their week-long theme of cycling and active transportation as "The Next Big Thing". Here is the show's concept as described by Marcy: The plan is to be in the community at Stella's on Thursday morning for a discussion specifically around downtown. Cycling through downtown. Into downtown, Portage Avenue etc. *What's keeping us from getting there safely?* We are booking (hopefully) someone politically connected and some cyclists with different ideas for the best plans for moving forward. If you can, please come and join us. This is an excellent opportunity for new voices to be heard about the good, bad and ugly subject of cycling in downtown Winnipeg. If you come by bike, be prepared to lock it up somewhere along the street. If you come by other means, please wear something that identifies you as a cyclist (e.g. jersey, or jacket from a "kit"). Also be prepared to purchase breakfast there - we are guests, after all, at Stella's. Hope to see you there!

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Funding: Up to $10, 000 for projects that promote healthy living - Southern MB RHA
by Anders Swanson 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

[Anyone on here from Southern MB? Chronic disease prevention and healthy living-focused grants have helped start numerous active transportation initiatives that are still going strong. This might be for you. See below. Apologies if this is a repost; note the deadline has been extended. If the attached PDFs don't come through the mailing list filter, feel free to email me directly or use the contact info below. - Anders] ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Madeleine Sarrasin Subject: REMINDER: Funding for health-related projects / RAPPEL: Subventions pour projets de santé *Reminder:* You have until the October 5th (extended date) to apply for up to $10,000 of funding for projects that promote healthy living *Rappel:* Vous avez jusqu'au 5 octobre (extension de date) pour faire demande de financement de jusqu'à 10 000 $ pour des projets de promotion de la vie saine ------------------------------ Funding of up to $10,000 available for projects that support healthy living. Communities are invited to submit a funding application for healthy living projects that: · Address an important need identified, initiated and led by the community; · Aim to improve the health and well-being of populations most at risk for chronic disease; · Promote long-lasting effects and benefits to community health. There will be two opportunities to apply for this funding provided through the *Healthy Together Now* program. Application deadlines will be October 1, 2012 and January 11, 2013. Communities can access the application package online at www.sehealth.mb.ca- under *Quick Links* on the left hand side, select *Healthy Living & Health Promotion*, and select *Healthy Together Now*. Community initiatives must meet the project criteria as outlined in Appendix 1, also found on this website. Please distribute and share in your networks. Thank you! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subventions de jusqu’à 10 000 $ disponibles pour des projets faisant la promotion de la vie saine. Les communautés peuvent faire demande de subvention pour des initiatives de vie saine qui : · adressent un important besoin identifié, initié et guidé par la communauté · visent à améliorer la santé et le bien-être de populations à risque de développer des maladies chroniques · assurent des avantages et effets positifs à long termes sur la santé de la collectivité. Il y aura deux occasions de faire demande pour les subventions du programme *Healthy Together Now*. Toute demande doit être soumise au plus tard soit le *1er octobre 2012*, ou encore, le *11 janvier 2013*. Le formulaire de demande est disponible sur le site web au www.sehealth.mb.ca - sous *Liens rapides *sur la barre gauche, choisir *Vie saine & promotion de la santé*, et choisir *Healthy Together Now*. Les initiatives communautaires doivent répondre aux Critères de financement, tels qu’énoncés dans l’Annexe 1, aussi accessible à ce site web. SVP aussi distribuer dans vos réseaux. Merci! Madeleine Sarrasin Healthy Living Facilitator/Facilitatrice de modes de vie sains | *Southern Regional Health Authority/Office régional de la santé du Sud* Tel (204) 346-6692 | Fax/Télec (204) 346-6693 | msarrasin(a)sehealth.mb.ca *"Just because I can't see the stars does not mean I cannot reach for them." **anonymous ** **Privacy Disclaimer** - The information contained in this transmission is confidential only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed.** **Virus Disclaimer** - Any attachments to this message have been scanned for viruses by automated server-based virus scan.***

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The Future of Bicycle Design - Cardboard!
by Erik Dickson 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

Incredible bicycle made of $9 worth of cardboard. Wonderful design that shows anything is possible if you work for it. This $9 Cardboard Bike Can Support Riders Up To 485lbs It's 100% recycled and very lightweight, with a frame that's stronger than carbon fiber. http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670753/this-9-cardboard-bike-can-support-riders -up-to-485lbs Regards, Erik Dickson Suite 1120 - 201 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3B 3K6 ph: (204) 927-3444 ext. 242 fax: (204) 927-3443 web: www.scatliff.ca blog: http://scatliff.tumblr.com Please consider our environment before printing this message.

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AT webinar reminder: Liability - Understanding and Managing Risk, Wed, Sept 19th, 2-3 pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 17 Sep '12

17 Sep '12

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar this Wednesday, Sept. 19th at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *A detailed description is provided below.* ** **Liability: Understanding and Managing Risk Wednesday, September 19th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT * RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth 925-3772 * * * * * The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) presents: Liability: Understanding and Managing Risk Wednesday, September 19th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT The law is a tool--not a barrier--to making public streets safer for all users. Learn how city and state departments of transportation use the law as a normal part of evaluating bicycle and pedestrian projects and when determining whether improvements are needed after a crash occurs. [image: risk]Presentations will provide the context of federal and state guidance on local policy and design decisions, an overview of the legal concepts, and a case study of how the City of Seattle has successfully documented and defended design decisions. This webinar session will specifically discuss the concepts of negligence, reasonable care and governmental immunity. Examples are offered to encourage engineers, planners, law enforcement and legal counsel to collaborate for improved outcomes. Who should attend? Transportation planners, engineers, public works directors and staff, legal counsel, law enforcement and elected officials who need to know how to work within the existing framework of federal and state requirements to meet public demand for safe streets that are pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Presenters: Rebecca Boatright, Senior Assistant City Attorney with the City of Seattle; Michael Ronkin, Principal, Designing Streets for People; Benjamin Winig, Senior Staff Attorney and Program Director, ChangeLab Solutions.

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WFP: Lives at risk from drivers texting, eating, reading... (Sept.14'12)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

Lives at risk from drivers texting, eating, reading... By: Nick Martin IN the hour before the start of class at three elementary schools Thursday morning, 1,050 clueless drivers broke the law or drove so poorly that children's lives were put at risk. "We saw people talking on cellphones. We saw people texting. We saw one individual reading the newspaper while driving, if you can imagine that," CAA Manitoba president Mike Mager said. In the hour before classes started, CAA and police observers in just three school zones watched drivers put on makeup, eat, make 40 illegal turns, and drive past the designated stop line in front of schools where kids were crossing 105 times. One woman talked on a cellphone while three children sat in the back -- without wearing their seatbelts. With all the attention that's been heaped on unsafe driving in school zones, and the penalties for using cellphones or texting while driving, Mager said he's "very surprised at the incidents of distracted driving." It's the second year CAA Manitoba and the police have staked out school zones, and they saw twice as many incidents as last year, though they had more observers this year. They were stationed around Carpathia School in west River Heights, Archwood School in St. Boniface, and Ecole Lacerte in Windsor Park. Mager said 84 vehicles were speeding, including a school bus doing 65 in a 60 km/h zone. Nine drivers put on makeup, two had dogs in their laps, 119 changed lanes illegally, 182 were distracted while driving, and one had to stand on the brakes after failing to notice the car ahead had signalled a turn. "We saw... very dangerous examples of risky and downright reckless behaviour," Mager said. The city is reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h in school zones, but won't start erecting traffic signs until the province passes the necessary legislation, a city official said recently. Police didn't issue tickets Thursday morning, Staff Sgt. Rob Riffel said. "Our goal in traffic enforcement is to change behaviour," he said. "We should be that much more cautious when we're operating our vehicle in and around schools." Mager and Riffel said they saw few examples of parents driving improperly while dropping off children. Archwood School principal Jack Fraser said: "The three things I see most are red-light running, excessive speed, and I'm getting reports from parents of distracted drivers." nick.martin(a)freepress.mb.ca http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/lives-at-risk-from-drivers-texting-e… -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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FW: CBC Radio One 89.3 presents: The Next Big Thing - Does Winnipeg have world class routes?
by Janice Lukes 14 Sep '12

14 Sep '12

See below – please pass this around – Janice Lukes From: Communications.Winnipeg(a)CBC.CA [mailto:Communications.Winnipeg@CBC.CA] Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 3:47 PM To: Communications Winnipeg Subject: CBC Radio One 89.3 presents: The Next Big Thing - Does Winnipeg have world class routes? Hi there, This week CBC Radio One 89.3 FM / 990 AM continues with the "The Next Big Thing" series. Now Terry and Marcy are asking the question - if Winnipeg had a world class active transportation system - what would it look like? Please feel free to share this information with your friends, family, co-workers and anybody else who is using Winnipeg's bike trails and routes! We look forward to any feedback you might have. Listener Line: 788-3205 <http://www.facebook.com/CBCInformationRadio> facebook.com/CBCInformationRadio <http://www.facebook.com/cbcmanitoba> facebook.com/cbcmanitoba <http://www.twitter.com/cbcmanitoba> twitter.com/cbcmanitoba Thank you. Lindsay MacKenzie CBC Manitoba 204-788-3129 What's stopping you from making the active choice? Inline ImageMornings with Terry & Marcy 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. on CBC Radio One 89.3 FM Cycling is on the rise but does Winnipeg's infrastructure match the trend? The Next Big Thing series continues next week with Marcy Markusa taking a ride on your community trails. Also, <http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/biking/> check out our interactive kilometer cruncher to see how biking to work benefits you. <http://www.cbc.ca/liveradio/popup/index.html?networkKey=cbc_radio_one&progr…> Listen to Terry MacLeod and Marcy Markusa and the <http://www.cbc.ca/inforadio/> Morning Radio team every weekday morning on <http://www.cbc.ca/liveradio/popup/index.html?networkKey=cbc_radio_one&progr…> CBC Radio One 89.3 FM/ 990 AM.

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Portland will lower speeds to 20 mph on 70 miles of residential 'greenway' streets
by Anders Swanson 13 Sep '12

13 Sep '12

*[note - **20 miles/hr = 32**km/hr] *Portland will lower speeds to 20 mph on 70 miles of residential 'greenway' streets<http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2012/08/portland_will_lower_speeds_to.…>Published: Thursday, August 23, 2012, 1:12 PM Updated: Thursday, August 23, 2012, 2:10 PM --------------------- A year after the Oregon Legislature removed some of the red tape from its onerous speed-review process,<http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/03/oregon_house_bill_aims…>the Portland City Council has approved a 70-mile network of new 20 mph neighborhood streets. On Friday, Mayor Sam Adams will hold a celebration event at Northeast Morris Street between Rodney Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, one of the many "neighborhood greenways"<http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/406089>where the speed limit will be lowered from 25 to 20 mph. The public is invited to the 10 a.m. event, which will also feature speeches from state senators Ginny Burdick and Jackie Dingfelder. Rather than list myriad streets getting the new signs, here's a map of what the city has planned<https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-_Kv2GsQnEfbGVPMTFYVnl6bm8>. (PDF) It pretty much covers the entire existing greenway network. So, if you step onto the front porch and see sharrows on the pavement and bicyclists zooming by, you're street is probably on the map. None of the Portland suburbs have announced plans for lowering speeds on neighborhood streets under the new law. "We're examining the possibility," said Tina Bailey, a Hillsboro traffic project manager, "but we're waiting on Portland to take the lead and to see how they develop their policy. I can't say for certain that we will do it." PBOT is expected to install 250 to 300 new 20 mph signs at about $150 per sign. But that's assuming every sign needs a new pole. The total cost will be $30,000 to $45,000. "Costs will be lower if fewer poles are needed," said PBOT spokesman Dan Anderson. Even a small adjustment in speed can save lives, experts say. Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration <http://www.nhtsa.gov/>, for example, shows pedestrians struck by an automobile traveling 30 mph have a 40 percent chance of being killed. At 20 mph, it's 5 percent. Until the new law took effect, cities had to get permission for speed reductions on a street-by-street bases from an Oregon Department of Transportation review panel. The panel factors everything from accident history and roadside culture to traffic volumes and roadway alignment. Portland has long complained that the process is too laborious, unpredictable and out of sync with local needs, especially on residential streets. Now cities can arbitrarily reduce speed limits. There are strict guidelines: Only streets with average speeds of under 30 mph and with 2,000 or less daily car trips. Also, the reduction could be no more than 5 mph and each would require passage of an ordinance. Portland has always said it will focus on turning most greenways, from Northeast Going and Klickitat streets to Southeast Center and Gladstone streets, into 20 mph zones. Of course, before the bill passed in 2011, its sponsors were forced to change its terminology from "neighborhood greenways" to "neighborhood byways," a term that is more palatable to Republicans who worry the former was too Portland-centric. In Portland, side streets modified to discourage car traffic and attract bicyclists and walkers are called neighborhood greenways. And that's the terminology used in the law to describe streets eligible as new 20 mph speed zones. Under the law, the new 20 mph signs will also read "speed limit" rather than simply "speed." In the past, under Oregon law, only placards in school zones and on interstate freeways had the words "speed limit." Cities, are free to go with the shorthand of "Speed 25" (or whatever the limit may be) on any other street, which allows them to make the numbers bigger. source: http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2012/08/portland_will_lower_speeds_to.…

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East St. Paul on Northeast Pioneer Greenway Pedestrian Bridge over Perimeter Highway
by Mark Cohoe 12 Sep '12

12 Sep '12

Hi, For those at today's webinar, I looked up the East St. Paul motion regarding the pedestrian overpass of the perimeter highway that has been proposed for the Northeast Pioneer's Greenway Highway 59/Perimeter Highway Interchange project. Here it is. Meeting – Province of Manitoba MIT – Interchange WHEREAS THE Northeast Pioneer Greenway Active Transportation Path is located southwest of the proposed Province of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation PTH 59N and PTH 101 interchange; AND WHEREAS THE Province of Manitoba have announced in September, 2011 that their ultimate plan is to extend the Northeast Pioneer Greenway Active Transportation Path to Bird’s Hill Provincial Park by way of a safe pedestrian/cyclist crossing over the Perimeter Highway (PTH 101) from the Northeast Pioneers Greenway into Rural Municipality of East St. Paul; AND WHEREAS THE Rural Municipality of East St. Paul has identified in a Transportation Master Plan prepared by Stantec Consulting Ltd. that the development of the Raleigh Gateway corridor as an arterial route is critical to the municipality’s transportation sustainability; AND WHEREAS THE Transportation Master Plan includes a conceptual plan, as part of the Raleigh Gateway corridor, for a PTH 101 flyover to accommodate traffic traveling between East St. Paul and the City of Winnipeg; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Rural Municipality of East St. Paul request that the Province of Manitoba support a joint use structure and construct the bridge supports (base) of the proposed pedestrian/cyclist crossing to accommodate vehicular traffic for the future flyover. It passed by a vote of 4-0 at the council meeting on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. Cheers, Mark

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Bike rider's heaven
by Beth McKechnie 12 Sep '12

12 Sep '12

[Winnipeg Free Press, Letter to the Editor, September 12/12] Bike rider's heaven Thank you for Jen Skerritt's Sept. 10 article, *Minneapolis warming up to winter riding*<http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/city-finds-pathways-to-cyclin…>. It was a pleasure to experience the revival of cycling in Minneapolis first-hand. Checking into a downtown hotel, we were asked if we'd like our bikes held in a locked baggage check room or if we would like to keep them in our room. No one batted an eye as we wheeled bikes through the lobby and up the elevator. After a meeting in St. Paul and an unsatisfactory experience with expressway travel back to Minneapolis, the following day I biked from downtown Minneapolis to St. Paul. Travelling the 26 kilometres to and from my business meeting, mostly on bike lanes with reasonable separation from cars, made the trips time-efficient and pleasant. Half of it was on the University of Minnesota transit corridor, which is only for buses and bikes. Racks for hundreds of bikes on the Nicollet Mall made shopping by bike easy. Going out to eat was easy with a fast, safe and scenic route to evening dining, where we could eat on a patio overlooking the Mississippi River and our bikes. To see more of the city, we cycled a big loop covering much of northern Minneapolis and St. Paul, including the Cedar Lake Trail, the Grand Rounds Trail and the Saint Anthony Parkway. With an extensive biking network that effectively separates cyclists and motorists, more winter cycling makes sense in Minneapolis. I cycle-commute in Winnipeg all winter, and it is usually a pleasure. In bad weather, it is an exciting challenge. (Of course, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.) After a serious snowfall, it is unreasonable to have bike trails here cleared within 24 hours, as Minneapolis aims to do, but the City of Winnipeg usually plows the Churchill bike trail, which I use, within a couple of days. Last winter, bike paths in Assiniboine Park were immaculately cleaned the morning after a snowstorm. So don't sell Winnipeg's winter cycling options short. Where bike routes are separate from motorized traffic and the trails are maintained, it is already a viable option in Winnipeg. DAN PROWSE Winnipeg http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/have-your-sa…

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WFP: The city has made major gains in AT, but there are still some big holes in the network (Sept.8'12)
by Beth McKechnie 12 Sep '12

12 Sep '12

The city has made major gains in active transportation, but there are still some big holes in the network By: Jen Skerritt http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/pedalling-hard-169016466.html Tom McMahon hops on his bicycle every day to make the trek from his Riverview home to his downtown law practice. It's something he's done for the better part of a decade, and his commute to The Forks is fairly simple, thanks to a river trail that allows him to avoid traffic on busy streets. But every day for nine years, McMahon has encountered the same problem: a south Winnipeg bike path that stops dead in its tracks with no warning. There isn't even any signage directing cyclists where to go. The same route starts again four blocks later. It's one of many holes in Winnipeg's cycling network, McMahon said, which make it difficult for cyclists to find their way around. "It's a city-wide problem. I get frustrated every day," he said. "It drives me a little bit crazy." It's been two years since a $20.4-million federal stimulus program helped kick-start Winnipeg's active-transportation network. Thanks to the cash, more than 100 kilometres of lanes, pathways and tracks were built in record speed. The good news is, Winnipeg has made major gains in making the bicycle a viable option for getting around. There are more people using bicycles to commute and for recreation than ever before. The city has more paths for cyclists and pedestrians than cities such as Regina and Halifax -- and Winnipeg now has 35 km of on-street bike lanes. The not-so-good news is cycling can still be tricky -- and sometimes scary -- on trouble spots such as bridges or underpasses. Cycling advocates say the death of Victoria Nelson, who was struck and killed riding her bike near the underpass at Main Street and Higgins Avenue in May, and the death of a 68-year-old cyclist near York Avenue and Main Street Aug. 29 is proof problems still exist and more needs to be done to accommodate cyclists on the road. Next year, the city plans to start work on an active-transportation strategy -- a specific plan that will set out what needs to be done to reduce conflicts between cars and cyclists, improve connections between existing paths, and encourage more residents to walk or hop on a bike. Transportation manager Luis Escobar said Winnipeg cycling is still in its infancy and the city needs to figure out where it needs to focus its efforts in the coming years. "We have to step back a little bit and say we addressed the immediate needs and now we need to start thinking strategically," he said, noting the city does not have a long-term active-transportation plan. "We've got to go back and ask, 'what else do we need to do?' " In 2010, Winnipeg decided to spend five times as much money on active-transportation corridors as it had been thanks to an influx of federal stimulus cash. The goal was to add 102 kilometres of bike and pedestrian routes to the existing network within 18 months in order to catch up to some of the active-transportation progress being made elsewhere in the country. Despite initial opposition to some projects, most notably the Assiniboine Avenue bikeway, most projects were completed and more Winnipeggers are using the new paths to get around. Recent statistics compiled by advocacy group Bike to the Future estimate there are close to 13,000 people travelling by bike in and out of downtown most days. The city has continued to focus on how to build its pedestrian and cycling network. This year, Winnipeg beefed up its snow-clearing budget to clear more snow from active-transportation routes and encourage more people to use the trails for recreation and to commute during the winter. Escobar said the department tries to incorporate the needs of pedestrians and cyclists into every major road project. If there isn't a sidewalk, they build one. If there's no room for cyclists, they try to accommodate them. Right now, Winnipeg is working to connect two existing active-transportation paths by creating buffered bike lanes between Crescent and Plaza drives on Pembina Highway. "I think right now we've caught up to many other cities that are a similar size," Escobar said. But there is still more work to do. Most Winnipeggers still rely on their cars to get around, and tension exists between cyclists and motorists. Jino Distasio, director of Urban Studies at the University of Winnipeg, said the city needs to determine where bike infrastructure fits into its other priorities, such as fixing crummy roads riddled with potholes and investing in rapid transit. Distasio said cycling has evolved and is not just a "niche thing for hipster kids." Its popularity continues to grow and in order for motorists and cyclists to share the road safely, Winnipeg needs to make capital investments in its infrastructure and educate road users, he said. "I think a lot of it comes back to motorist education," Distasio said. "Even the most experienced (cyclist) will share tales of being clipped by a mirror or screamed at by an angry motorist who doesn't want to share the road." Jason Carter, head of Manitoba's Cycling Association, said he got lost earlier this summer trying to find bike routes to travel from north Main Street to downtown. Routes aren't clearly marked, he said, and far too often cyclists ride on the sidewalk or in the middle of the lane because they feel unsafe or there's not enough room for them on the streets. That, in turn, upsets motorists. McMahon, who is the co-chair of Bike to the Future, said he tries to avoid riding alongside cars as much as he can. He said some motorists try to squeeze by cyclists in the same lane, and many motorists do not understand how to use sharrows -- a shared lane for cyclists and motorists. "If I'm really feeling nervous there are times I will take the sidewalk," he said. "It's scary when somebody tries to share the lane with you." McMahon said Winnipeg should follow the lead of cities such as Montreal and Minneapolis and do more to connect routes and promote cycling, particularly for those who can't afford a car. He said building up the on-street cycling infrastructure could reduce road spending in the long-run, since there will be fewer vehicles and less wear-and-tear on city streets. It's something other Canadian cities have been moving toward. Last year, Ottawa became the first Ontario city to create segregated bike lanes downtown. In just one year, the lanes have seen more than 406,000 trips. Vancouver has made planning a bike ride much like planning a bus ride: insert your starting point and destination online, and the city's website will map the way. Riders can choose their own adventure: the shortest route or the one with the least pollution? Tree-lined path or the one with the fewest hills? Tom Thivener, the head of Calgary's cycling program, said downtown Calgary has 130,000 workers and no on-street bikeways. The brave take the lane, he said, while others avoid cycling altogether. He said U.S. cities are further ahead in building on-street infrastructure. This gets more people on bikes since they feel safe. "You don't see the results right away, but once you start implementing a well-designed network and bikeways on the street, you start to make it really easy for people to get on a bike," he said. jen.skerritt(a)freepress.mb.ca [image: Transportation manager Luis Escobar says cycling in Winnipeg is in its infancy. 'We've got to go back and ask,] Transportation manager Luis Escobar says cycling in Winnipeg is in its infancy. 'We've got to go back and ask, "What else do we need to do?"' (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Bike-ology 101 *A snapshot of active-transportation lingo:* *Bike lane:* A painted lane on a street for cyclists. *Bike paths/multi-use pathways:* Separate paths designed for pedestrians and cyclists which are not part of the roadway. *Sharrow:* A lane shared by both cars and cyclists. Typically, sharrows are created in wider curb lanes and a bicycle is stenciled on the street to show motorists it's a shared lane. *Bicycle track:* Facilities designed for cycling which are separate from vehicle traffic, such as the Assiniboine Avenue bikeway. *Bike boulevard:* Green and white signs mark bicycle routes. These are mostly found on wider, residential streets. Winnipeg *On-street bike lanes: 35 km* *Multi-use pathways: 181 km* *Bike paths: 4km* *Bicycle track: 2km* *Sharrows: 37km* *Bike boulevards: 56km* *The plan:* To start work on an active-transportation master plan in 2013 which will help guide how Winnipeg builds upon its existing network of paths and trails. Edmonton *On-street bike lanes: 48 km* *Multi-use pathways: 150 km* *The plan:* To build 500 km of on-street pathways over the next 20 years. In the short-term, that means the city plans to build an additional 15 km of on-street lanes this year and an additional 35 km of on-street bike paths by the end of 2014. Calgary *On-street bike lanes: 50 km* *Multi-use pathways: 700 km* *Signage: 400 km on residential streets* *The plan:* Calgary recently hired a full-time cycling coordinator to focus on building up commuter paths in the downtown. The city plans to spend $20 million over the next three years. Regina *On-street bike lanes: 11.4 km* *Multi-use pathways: 35 km* *The plan:* The city is in the midst of developing a cycling master plan, as part of its long-term transportation strategy. Hamilton *On-street bike lanes: 130 km* *Multi-use pathways: 140 km* *Paved shoulders: 20 km* *Sharrows: 3 km* *Signage: 185 km on lower-volume streets* *The plan: *The city plans to continue spending $1 million a year expanding its cycling network. Toronto *On-street bike lanes: 113 km* *Multi-use paths: 286 km* *Signed routes on residential streets: 147 km* *Sharrows: 9 km* *The plan: *Toronto plans to spend close to $88 million over the next 10 years on its cycling infrastructure. The funding will help double its bikeway network to a total of 1,132.2 km. Montreal *On-street bike lanes: 63 km* *Multi-use pathways: 86 km* *Sharrows: 9.7 km* *The plan:* By the end of this year, Montreal will grow its 560 km network of paths and trails to 600 km of lanes, pathways and trails. The city plans to spend about $10 million a year in the next decade to continue to build its network. Ottawa *On-street bike lanes: 210 km* *Multi-use pathways: 341 km* *Paved shoulders: 140 km* *The plan: *Ottawa has nearly doubled its cycling network since 2000 and plans to spend a total of $18.5 million on cycling between now and 2014 to continue to increase on-road facilities. Over the next three years, the city plans to provide an additional 70 km of bike lanes and paved shoulders. Halifax *Bike lanes (including sharrows): 87 km* *Multi-use paths: 246 km* *The plan: *The city is in the midst of doing a review of their active transportation plan, and is looking to increase the number of designated bike lanes.

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City to look at lowering speed limit to 40 km/h
by Anders Swanson 11 Sep '12

11 Sep '12

*[poster's note: 40kmph is still widely considered to be too fast to provide adequate levels of pedestrian safety, esp. in Europe, but it's a step in the right direction for Winnipeg. Free Press article below. To read about a residential speed reduction experiment done in Edmonton, read this<http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/traffic_safety/speed-reduction-pilot.…>. - Anders]* Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION City to look at lowering speed limit to 40 km/h By: Bartley Kives Posted: 3:00 PM | <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/City-to-look-at-lowering-speed-limit…> The City of Winnipeg will explore the idea of reducing residential speed limits to 40 km/h -- a move that would require provincial approval. City council's public works committee voted Tuesday to give city staff 90 days to consider the idea of reducing speeds on residential streets -- two-lane roads in residential neighbourhoods -- by 10 km/h. The idea was raised by Couns. Harvey Smith (Daniel McIntyre) and Ross Eadie (Mynarski). Dr. Lynne Warda of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority appeared before the committee to support the reduction, which she said would save lives. The reduction of residential speeds in other cities has led to a measurable reduction in the severity of injuries resulting from vehicle-pedestrian and vehicle-bicycle collisions, she said. Luis Escobar, the city's transportation manager, noted there's a difference between the posted speed limit and the speed people actually drive. Reducing speed limits can provide a false sense of security, he said. He said collisions causing injury have dropped from approximately 3,400 in 2001 to approximately 2,100 in 2010, even though the overall number of collisions has remained static. Nonetheless, Couns. Dan Vandal (St. Boniface), Brian Mayes (St. Vital), Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan) and Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge) voted in favour of studying the idea. The public works committee also voted in favour of a water and waste recommendation against a plastic-bag ban in Winnipeg -- and voted to hold for a month on a plan to launch a study to create a regional transportation authority. All four members of the committee criticized Winnipeg Transit for bringing forward terms of reference for a transportation authority only 24 hours before Tuesday's meeting. Vandal said he cares more about the city than the capital region and questioned the direction of the study. source: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/City-to-look-at-lowering-speed-limit…

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Free Download - Steps to a Walkable Community: A Guide for Citizens, Planners, and Engineers
by Beth McKechnie 11 Sep '12

11 Sep '12

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here <http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=7ujbt4bab&v=001-VufbrhO4…> [image: AW generic use banner]* A new book and workshop series puts innovative, multidisciplinary pro-walking tactics in the hands of citizens, planners, and engineers. STEPS TO A WALKABLE COMMUNITY: A Guide for Citizens, Planners and Engineers is now available as a free download.<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qcXNnIKvw5cr7z3P_16BHcIBnbbOu6QXZk9fBqrGXZY9…> * Dear Beth, I am pleased to announce that America Walks and our partners Sam Schwartz Engineering, the transportation engineering consulting firm, have just launched Steps to a Walkable Community: A Guide for Citizens, Planners, and Engineers<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qcXNnIKvw5cr7z3P_16BHcIBnbbOu6QXZk9fBqrGXZY9…>. This book and downloadable PDF is a collection of innovative tactics that have successfully improved and encouraged walking in communities around the country. This resource serves as the basis for a series of webinars, phone discussion groups, trainings, and walking campaign walkshops™ also launching this month. Stay tuned for more information about this series. Walk On in Health and Safety, Scott Bricker Executive Director Please see our website<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qcXNnIKvw5dGsWcY6vBRDBNas6i8N6wUWh1w4bqgQG8R…>for more information about Steps to a Walkable Community. Support our work with a donation<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qcXNnIKvw5eknVWXcwh58EuDNQwr8GAFwrYeCqAGoWl5…> *Home<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qcXNnIKvw5cYaTcu0u6HP7y_qzqM7g7LzAw3Mkz1xm7Q…> l Endorse our vision statement<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qcXNnIKvw5cJD5eqcF35W1FXSI4KY-CVgVFPetFVTc2M…> * [image: Find us on Facebook]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qcXNnIKvw5cij84_kGNFS_w7dnU0DsQKsFOS8Kh5x1R3…> Connect on facebook [image: Follow us on Twitter]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001qcXNnIKvw5euoN6xd5EnY68PG8Nun-4OpqN456gvTDzL…> Follow us on twitter America Walks PO Box 10581 Portland OR 97296 703.738.4889 Forward email<http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=7ujbt4bab&m=1101645522588&ea=…> <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001nkQbX5l1Qs-sYmoTIOU1AUn7H…> <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_BusLet_002> This email was sent to beth(a)greenactioncentre.ca by info(a)americawalks.org | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001nkQbX5l1Qs-sYmoTIOU1AUn7H…>™ | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. America Walks | PO Box 10581 | Portland | OR | 97296 -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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AT webinar: Connecting Greenways, Trails and Active Mobility, Wed, Sept 12th, 2-3:15 pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 10 Sep '12

10 Sep '12

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming American Trails webinar this Wednesday, Sept. 12th, and an APBP webinar on Wed, Sept. 19th. Both take place at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed descriptions are provided below.* **The Third Mode: Connecting Greenways, Trails and Active Mobility * Wednesday, September 12th | 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. CDT * **Liability: Understanding and Managing Risk Wednesday, September 19th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT * RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth 925-3772 * * * * * * American Trails presents... * *The Third Mode: Connecting Greenways, Trails and Active Mobility **This session will look at the latest issues and policies in planning and designing urban mobility networks and how these can best integrate with greenway and trail networks to create seamless metro-wide systems. * Communities around the globe are looking for better solutions that engage more people in traveling by bike, on foot, and other human powered modes for both transportation and recreation. In the face of an epidemic of physical inactivity, climate change, and rising energy costs, this know-how is becoming increasingly important for public health and quality of life. These improvements are increasingly recognized as essential for communities to be competitive as places to live and to attract new businesses. This session will look at the latest issues and policies in the planning and design of urban mobility networks and how these can best integrate with greenway and trail networks to create seamless metro-wide systems. The webinar will provide participants with a chance to see how the trails and active transportation movement can be seen as part of larger cultural trends. We will also look at the current funding environment in the face of the new MAP-21 federal legislation and how to best navigate change. . *About The Third Mode, by Jeff Olson* Walking and bicycling are metaphors. While they are unique forms of mobility, they can also be thought of together to represent a “third mode” of transportation that is as important as highways and mass transit. This mode of transport, and the kind of change that is required to integrate it into our modern world, symbolizes a different perspective on our way of thinking. If you can understand why non-motorized mobility is important for transportation, you can also see how other problems could be resolved with similar thinking. This thought process is called the Third Mode, and this book describes how it can lead to a more connected, healthy, and sustainable society. Sam Piper, an intern with Alta Planning + Design is assisting author Jeff Olson in promoting “The Third Mode: Towards a Green Society.” He is responsible for e-publishing the book and coordinating a social media campaign. Sam received a BA in Business from Saint Anselm College and is currently pursuing a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning at the State University of New York at Albany. Contact Sam with any questions regarding the book release and promotional campaign at thethirdmode(a)gmail.com. ** *Presenters for "The Third Mode: Connecting Greenways, Trails and Active Mobility":* *Jeff Olson*, Partner - Alta Planning + Design<http://www.altaplanning.com/>(Author of “The Third Mode”) Jeff Olson is an architect and planner who has been involved in greenways, open space, active living and alternative transportation projects for more than 20 years. He has had a diverse career with experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. His unique vision and leadership ability are important assets to projects ranging from regional planning to site specific projects and programs. He is an avid bicyclist and skier who has the perspective of a parent with three young children. *Andy Clarke*, President, League of American Bicyclists<http://www.bikeleague.org/> Andy Clarke is President of the League of American Bicyclists, the nation's oldest national bicycling organization founded in 1880. Andy has been the chief staff officer of the League since his appointment as Executive Director in 2004, prior to that he served as the State and Local Advocacy Director. He was also the League's Government Relations Director from 1988 to 1990. He has served variously as Chair of the Transportation Research Board's Bicycle Transportation Committee, Chair of the America Bikes Coalition, and a founding steering committee member of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership and Complete Streets Coalition. Andy is a regular bicycle commuter and recreational rider. *Bob Searns (moderator)*, Owner of The Greenway Team<http://greenwayteam.com/>and Chair of American Trails Board <http://www.americantrails.org/board.html> Bob is the current Chair of the American Trails Board of Directors. He is the founding owner of The Greenway Team, a planning and development firm based in Denver, CO that has specialized for three decades in greenways, trails, and conservation. He was Project Director of Denver's Platte River Greenway, one of the nation's benchmark urban trail projects, and produced 10,000 Trees, an eight-mile river corridor restoration project involving 3,000 volunteers. He has authored a greenways and trails plan for the 43-square-mile area west of Denver International Airport, as well as trail and greenway projects across the nation including Chicago, Dallas, Memphis, Louisville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, and Portland. He was a development consultant for the Grand Canyon Greenway, a precedent-setting 72-mile system of multi-use trails along the canyon rim. Bob has conducted workshops throughout North America, China and Europe. He co-authored Greenways: A Guide to Planning, Design, and Development (published in the U.S. and. China), Trails for the 21st Century, and contributed to Greenways, The Beginning of an International Movement. * * * * * The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) presents: Liability: Understanding and Managing Risk Wednesday, September 19th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT The law is a tool--not a barrier--to making public streets safer for all users. Learn how city and state departments of transportation use the law as a normal part of evaluating bicycle and pedestrian projects and when determining whether improvements are needed after a crash occurs. [image: risk]Presentations will provide the context of federal and state guidance on local policy and design decisions, an overview of the legal concepts, and a case study of how the City of Seattle has successfully documented and defended design decisions. This webinar session will specifically discuss the concepts of negligence, reasonable care and governmental immunity. Examples are offered to encourage engineers, planners, law enforcement and legal counsel to collaborate for improved outcomes. Who should attend? Transportation planners, engineers, public works directors and staff, legal counsel, law enforcement and elected officials who need to know how to work within the existing framework of federal and state requirements to meet public demand for safe streets that are pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Presenters: Rebecca Boatright, Senior Assistant City Attorney with the City of Seattle; Michael Ronkin, Principal, Designing Streets for People; Benjamin Winig, Senior Staff Attorney and Program Director, ChangeLab Solutions.

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FW: ParticipACTION Forum- Active Transportation
by Kristine Hayward 07 Sep '12

07 Sep '12

From: ParticipACTION [mailto:sarah@participaction.ccsend.com] On Behalf Of ParticipACTION Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 3:30 PM To: Kristine Hayward Subject: ParticipACTION Forum- Active Transportation PARTICIPACTION FORUM Dear friends of ParticipACTION, You have shown interest in ParticipACTION Forums in the past and so we would like to invite you to attend our upcoming Forum occurring this September 18 2012, 1:00-2:30 PM EST. The ParticipACTION Forums (national webinars) are designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing between partners. The theme of our September 2012 Forum will be Active Transportation. The online Forum will allow participants to connect, share insights and potentially collaborate on future initiatives pertaining to the topic at hand. We would love to have you participate in this online Forum. If you are interested, please email forum(a)participACTION.com. If you would like to receive updates, news, tips, and research information from us, sign up for one of our monthly ParticipACTION E-Newsletters <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sZtLCRG2nvQuF3V_rBfAPhgE9XD8Ksfgo1zIsxXM x06mSeExJh6PFc0WAO2luhHZ36LNLvqwEPxHLAEzvsGea7ku2B2qS078074LC4JZEaYUfmaD c7oX6hWIcgiFBmZcJamtbFoOLxzzDNzKtJNIlkhRQOzYaY8-5tr3rIyXYMM=> . Thank you! ParticipACTION logo<http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs005/1102033761678/img/241.gif> If you do not wish to receive emails about upcoming ParticipACTION Forums please email forum(a)participACTION.com. Forward email <http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=omnjflcab&m=1102033761678 &ea=khayward%40wrha.mb.ca&a=1110940993261> <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=0016kgdmuAR3nDA9dPME10z- 5A1Aa2F66Fx&t=001WWOjAmsH5y0TzPiQVHfkKg%3D%3D&lang=001FCSs65SMrsI%3D&rea son=001IqezpQbqEsU%3D&llr=omnjflcab> This email was sent to khayward(a)wrha.mb.ca by forum(a)participaction.com | Update Profile/Email Address <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&mse=0016kgdmuAR3nDA9dPME10z- 5A1Aa2F66Fx&t=001WWOjAmsH5y0TzPiQVHfkKg%3D%3D&lang=001FCSs65SMrsI%3D&rea son=001IqezpQbqEsU%3D&llr=omnjflcab> | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=0016kgdmuAR3nDA9dPME10z- 5A1Aa2F66Fx&t=001WWOjAmsH5y0TzPiQVHfkKg%3D%3D&lang=001FCSs65SMrsI%3D&rea son=001IqezpQbqEsU%3D&llr=omnjflcab> (tm) | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp> . ParticipACTION | 2 Bloor street E | Toronto | Ontario | M4W 1A8 | Canada <http://r20.rs6.net/on.jsp?t=1110940993261.0.1102033761678.762&ts=S0813& o=http://ui.constantcontact.com/images/p1x1.gif> 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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Active & Green - Ciclovia, back to work, and youth on transit
by Jessie Klassen 07 Sep '12

07 Sep '12

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.<http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3f55cc&id=bad05980bc…> *Looking to improve commuter options at your workplace?* Request resources<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>on cycling, carpooling, commuting surveys and tracking progress, among others. Book a presentation<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>on the various commuting options, as well as fuel-efficient driving, creating a commuter friendly workplace, and greening the workplace. Attend a Creative Commuting Ambassador<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>workshop. It's free! ------------------------------ Upcoming Events *Ciclovia*<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> Sunday, Sept. 9 *PARK(ing) Day*<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> Friday, Sept. 21 *World Car Free Day* Saturday, Sept. 22 *IWALK*<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> International Walk to School Day Wednesday, Oct. 10 International Walk to School Week October 8-12, 2012 ------------------------------ Make Green Action Centre Your Charity of Choice Every year, thousands of Manitoba employees participate in workplace giving programs, such as the provincial government’s All-Charities <http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>campaign. By giving just a few dollars from your paycheque each month you can make a big difference for protecting the environment and promoting environmental education. *Please consider making Green Action Centre your charity of choice this year *. Ciclovia this Sunday! Come out on foot or by bike for Winnipeg's 4th Ciclovia<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>this Sunday, September 9th! Cycle a network of car-free streets from Assiniboine Park all the way to The Forks. Take your time along the north side of Broadway from Osborne to Donald Street for local food, displays, music and all sorts of activities. From Zumba and yoga to a wine and cheese festival, soap box derby and lots in between! Start Something Good Want to improve commuting options at your workplace? Pick a project, large or small, and gather a few co-workers and a manager to help make it a reality. Maybe a bike rack or a ride-matching board for carpooling. Get started here<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>. Find a great source of ideas in the judging criteria<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>for the Commuter Friendly Workplace Award. Or check out what Assiniboine Credit Union, the 2012 Gold Award winner<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>, is doing. Every step counts! Youth on Transit With the new school year starting, it can be a great time to introduce your kids to transit. Whether you’ll be taking transit with your children<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>, or whether they’re at an age to try transit on their own<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>, public transit can help you to avoid rush-hour stress, school bus headaches, and wasted gas. Cycling Roundabouts to Edible Bus Stops - Turns out that GenY-ers are driving less than generations before. But it kind of makes sense. Read about it here<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>. Then check out Peg City Car Co-op<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> . - Minneapolis is the #1 Bike City in the U.S.? Who'd a thunk our neighbours to the south – with winters pretty much like Winnipeg's – would cap the list. Take that, Portland! Pedal to the article here<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> . - Some people were confounded by small traffic circles introduced in Winnipeg to calm traffic and make those streets more bike- and walk-friendly. How about a floating cycle roundabout instead? Bike in circles here<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> . - Take a ride to an Edible Bus Stop<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> . Cold Weather Cycling You can feel the definite chill of fall in the evenings now. Perhaps you'd like to continue cycling longer into the season or even year-round. Find all sorts of winter cycling tips<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>here along with this cold weather cycling brochure<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>. You are receiving this email because you are an Active & Green subscriber. Unsubscribe<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/unsubscribe?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> jessie_klassen(a)hotmail.com from this list. Our mailing address is: Green Action Centre 3-303 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B4 Canada Add us to your address book<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/vcard?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3f5…> Copyright (C) 2012 Green Action Centre All rights reserved. Forward<http://us2.forward-to-friend1.com/forward?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3f55cc&id=ba…>this email to a friend Update your profile<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/profile?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3…> [image: Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp]<http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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Two wheels good but often misunderstood
by Shoni Litinsky 06 Sep '12

06 Sep '12

Thank you to Dave Elmore for posting this excellent blog focusing around cooperation on the road between motorists and cyclists. Very useful tips which have certainly helped me on the road daily on my bike, or when driving a car! Link: http://greenactioncentre.ca/2012/two-wheels-good-but-often-misunderstood/ *Two wheels good but often misunderstood.* A recent article in the Winnipeg Free Press (Bartley Kives, Septemeber 9) <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/b_kives/two-wheels-good…>and some prompting from a friend started me thinking about my own simple rules to help cyclists and drivers co-exist on the roads. As both a motorist and long time commuter cyclist, I also see Winnipeg’s roads from both perspectives, but maybe a little different than Bartley. As a Can-Bike instructor and cycling educator I definitely see some aspects that others might overlook. I would agree with Mr. Kives’ statements that riding on the sidewalk is dangerous, the city is not overly hostile towards cyclists and that the city still has some distance to go before it can rank as and among the best. I would not necessarily agree that there are a lot of places that “it’s freaking horrifying to be in traffic on a bike.” With appropriate education and skills most roads can be navigated safely. While a small minority of motorists can be intolerant, the vast majority of drivers and cyclists are reasonable people and given the appropriate education and information, can share the road quite amicably. Here are a few other things that motorists and cyclists can do to make the streets of Winnipeg a comfortable and pleasant place to ride a bike. reduce the potential for car-bike conflict. Some are common sense, some are counterintuitive while others have simply been forgotten or never learned in the first place. FIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE COOPERATION ON THE ROAD IF YOU’RE ON A BIKE: 1. Communicate: Hand signals are not common among cyclists, however they are an essential part of communicating your intentions and sharing the road. Drivers cannot read your mind! Hand signals alert drivers to what you want to do and you will be surprised how often they will let you do just that. And don’t forget shoulder checking. A simple shoulder check also communicates to a motorist that you are considering a change to your position on the road. 2. Follow the rules: In order to get the respect of motorists, you must earn it. Following the same rules will go a long way to helping drivers understand that we are not a bunch of scofflaws that follow their own set of rules. As more cyclists begin to demonstrate fair and reasonable behaviour, motorists will in turn change both their opinions and actions towards cyclists. 3. Ride predictably and allow space to manoeuvre: The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) states that cyclists are to ride as close as “practicable” to the edge of the road. Practicable should mean SAFE. This means NEVER hugging the curb but instead positioning yourself at least 1 meter away from the curb to maintain a straight line while avoiding the debris, potholes, cracks and manhole covers that litter the edge of most roads. In some situation such as construction or bridges with no bike lanes, practicable may mean taking the centre of the lane. Riding too close to the curb will encourage drivers to try and slide by you in the same lane, but also requires that in the event that you need to avoid a hazard, you must move left into the traffic flow. When passing parked cars increase this distance to 1.5 meters and stay out of the door zone. Riding too close to parked cars is dangerous and the consequences of hitting an open car door can be catastrophic. And while you are passing by those parked cars, don’t weave in the out from between them. Remember riding in a straight line makes you predictable. 4. At intersections or stop signs, take the middle of the lane: At intersections many cyclists stop beside the curb and rest their foot on it. This allows vehicles to pull up beside you and if they happen to be turning right, puts you in the perfect position for a “right hook.” If you are proceeding straight, that right turning vehicle may “hook” right in front of you. If you reposition yourself to the centre of the lane as they approach the intersection, you will stay in the driver’s field of vision and allow yourself room to manoeuvre when you start up again. Would you prefer to start up with tons of steel behind or in front of you, or directly beside you. The decision is an easy one! In heavy traffic many cyclists also ride up along the right hand side of stopped vehicles to reposition themselves to the head of the line. This is another habit that can result in a “right hook” or maybe even getting “doored.” It annoys drivers because they are forced to once again pass by you on the road ahead. If you want to be treated like an equal, you must act like one. 5. Get off the sidewalk: Riding on the sidewalk is illegal and statistically the most dangerous place to ride. Drivers are not looking for fast moving bicycles on sidewalks, they are looking for slow moving pedestrians. Further complicating this are all those uncontrolled intersections like driveways and back lanes. At many of these intersections the driver’s field of vision is blocked or obscured by fences and trees making it impossible to see you until they have already pulled out into your path. Sidewalks are for walking, it’s in the name. Cyclists need to remember that they are vulnerable road users, however it is also true that with proper skills and knowledge you can easily navigate the streets safely. The keys are knowledge and skills. We can all improve our cycling skills. Ttake a course that teaches actual on road cycling skills, you’ll find that there is much you didn’t know and much you can improve on. FIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE COOPERATION ON THE ROAD IF YOU’RE IN A CAR: 1. Stay alert for bicycles: Keep your focus on the road, especially at intersections. You’ll not only avoid accidents in general but hopefully you will see the many cyclists that are now using Winnipeg’s streets. Too often when car-bike collisions occur, drivers claim they did not see the cyclist. This could be due to the cyclist’s behaviour, but it can also be driver inattention. Regardless of who made an error, a car-bike collision will result in serious injury or even death for a cyclist. 2. Provide a safe passing distance: At speeds under 60 km/hr drivers should provide a minimum of 1 meter of passing distance. At higher speeds drivers should move over to the adjacent lane. In fact, if the lane adjacent to you is available, use it. For the vast majority of Winnipeg streets there is not sufficient space to pass a cyclist in the same lane. Plan ahead when you see a cyclist and reposition your car at least partially into the next lane in order to provide sufficient passing distance. It is a frightening experience on a bike to be passed closely by tons of steel and could cause a cyclist to panic and lose control. No one really wants to add another statistic. 3. Think before you react: In many cases drivers simply don’t understand what constitutes reasonable or even safe behaviour on the part of a cyclist. Let’s start with two of the most common misunderstandings: - Cyclists do not belong on the sidewalk: Riding on the sidewalk is illegal and far more dangerous than riding on the roadway where drivers will actually see a cyclist. Riding on sidewalks is particularly dangerous at intersections where you may have difficulty predicting or even seeing a fast moving bike on the sidewalk. - The Highway Traffic Act states the cyclists are to ride “as close as practicable” to the edge of the road. This does not mean hugging the curb. The edges of many roads contain hazards like ruts, potholes, cracks, manhole covers, and debris. While these don’t represent a problem on 4 wide car tires, they can be a significant issue while balancing of two thin tires. If cyclists are to ride predictably in a straight line and avoid these hazards, they need to maintain a minimum distance of 1 meter from the edge. On bridges with no bike lanes or through construction or other similarly narrow traffic lanes, there is no room to share and so cyclists may need to take the centre of the lane. We’re not hogging the road, just taking enough space to ride safely. 4. Don’t honk your horn at me: Honking your horn, even if well intentioned, can be very startling for the cyclists. They are not insulated by steel and glass and the sound of a car horn behind them can cause them to panic and lose control. Save your horn for times when you really need it. 5. Shoulder-check before opening your car door: Cyclists should not ride within the door zone of parked cars, but traffic conditions and lack of knowledge result in many cyclists doing just that. It’s easy to check over your shoulder before opening the door just to be sure. Drivers need to remember that from inside tons of steel and glass you can’t see what a cyclist sees, hear what a cyclists hears, or feel what a cyclist feels. They are vulnerable road users, but with your cooperation they can be just another vehicle on the road. -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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Job Posting - PACM Project Coordinator
by Beth McKechnie 05 Sep '12

05 Sep '12

Emerging from the Coalition Strategic Planning Session in May 2012 and with funding support from Manitoba Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs/Manitoba *in motion, *PACM <http://pacm.ca/> is embarking on a 8 month project to: 1. Increase opportunites for knowledge exchange among coalition members, supporters and the general public that focus on evidence based research, best and promising practices, current trends and issues and highlight the value and benefits of physical activity across the life span. 2. Enhance communication strategies that support key or critical messages and promotes PACM as a strong, unified voice for physical activity in Manitoba and 3. Enhance membership and partner strategies that support collaboration and networking among organizations, agencies and government departments locally, regionally and provincially. *Hence, PACM is in search of a Project Coordinator. It is a part-time, eight month (8) term position to March 2013.* *Please share and distribute the attached job posting through your respective networks. Application deadline is 4:00 p.m. Friday, September 14th* Have a great day! Cory Jackson Chair, PACM (Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba) Executive Director, Recreation Connections Manitoba

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Webinar reminder: NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Wed, Sept 5th, 2-3:30, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 04 Sep '12

04 Sep '12

*Friendly reminder about tomorrow's webinar...* Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed description provided below.* *2nd Edition, NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide *Wednesday, Sept 5th | 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. CDT* Also mark your calendars for these additional September webinars (details to follow closer to the date): *The Third Mode: Greenways, Trails and Active Mobility (American Trails)* *Wednesday, Sept 12th, 2:00 to 3:15 pm CDT* *Liability: Understanding and Managing Risk (APBP)* *Wednesday, Sept 19th, 2:00 to 3:00 pm CDT* RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth 925-3772 * * * * * The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) and NACTO present: 2nd Edition, NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide *Wednesday, September 5th | 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. CDT* ACTO's Urban Bikeway Design Guide has quickly emerged as the preeminent resource for designing safe, protected bikeways in cities across the United States. NACTO will release the second edition of the guide in June, with updated graphic profiles for all of its bicycle facilities, a new subsection on bicycle boulevard planning and design, and a survey of materials used for green color in bikeways. The guide continues to build upon the fast-changing state of the practice at the local level; it responds to and accelerates innovative street design and practice around the nation. This 90-minute webinar on the second edition of the Bikeway Design Guide offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from some of the cities that compiled the guide. Gain a better understanding of the guide's contents, hear how to use and implement these designs, and find out what NACTO envisions as the next steps to adopt and deploy these tools and design guidelines. *Presenters*: Roger Geller, Bicycle Coordinator, Portland Bureau of Transportation; Joe Gilpin, Senior Planner, Alta Planning + Design; David Vega-Barachowitz, Sustainable Initiatives Program Manager, National Association of City Transportation Officials. -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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88-year-old Calgarian credits long life to daily cycling routine
by Beth McKechnie 03 Sep '12

03 Sep '12

[Saw this wonderful story circulated by WinnipegBikeAlerts and had to share! -Beth] With a bike and an oxygen tank, 88-year-old Calgarian credits long life to daily cycling routine By Annalise Klingbeil, Calgary Herald | August 30, 2012 [image: Calgarian Ken Johnson is 88-years-old and, despite relying on a wheelchair and oxygen tank, rides his bicycle for at least an hour every day.] *Photograph by: *Colleen De Neve , Calgary HeraldCALGARY - There’s nothing that will stop 88-year-old Ken Johnson from riding his bicycle. Not a wheelchair. Not an oxygen tank. Not Calgary’s cold winters. Every day, the octogenarian uses a wheelchair to get from his northwest apartment to the building’s parkade, where he stores his bicycle. He uses a bungee cord to strap his metal oxygen tank onto a shelf on the back of his bike. Then he puts on a blue helmet, trades his wheelchair for his bicycle and pedals, for at least one hour a day. “I’m probably healthier now than I was 20 years ago, and the only reason that I’m still able to do things is because of bike riding,” Johnson said. “If it wasn’t for bike riding, I probably wouldn’t be here now.” When the mercury drops below zero, Johnson rides inside, up and down the seven floors of his apartment building’s parkade. The great-great grandfather started cycling when he was in his 60s, after he was diagnosed with emphysema. “I quit smoking and started to ride,” he said. While he initially struggled to keep his balance, Johnson, who learned to bike as a child but never owned a bicycle of his own, kept pedalling because he knew it was good for his health. Recent health struggles haven’t caused the senior to slow down. When the widower started using oxygen about four years ago, after being diagnosed with colon cancer, he continued to cycle. “Once I went on oxygen, I didn’t want to quit riding and I couldn’t ride very far without the oxygen,” Johnson said. Riding with his oxygen tank, a move that elicits stares from the people he passes on Calgary’s bike paths, was the logical next move for the senior. “I’ve got to have my oxygen on all the time because my lungs are really, really bad,” he said. When his legs began to slow down last year, Johnson visited a Canadian Tire sale and picked up an electric bicycle for half price. “I still pedal a lot but I use the electric bike to go up the hills and against the wind,” he said. Six months ago, Johnson began using a wheelchair when he was forced to stop four or five times to catch his breath, even with oxygen, on the short walk from his apartment to his bicycle. “It’s far easier for me to ride than it is to walk,” Johnson said. “I can ride for hours and hours and hours. I usually cut my oxygen down when I’m riding.” The retired salesman always rides solo and typically cycles in the afternoon to places accessible on the city’s bike paths, such as the zoo and Bowness Park. Johnson, a Second World War veteran who rode motorcycles in the army, drove a motorcycle, with his oxygen tank strapped to the back, until last year when his license was taken away. He’s yet to let anything stop him from riding his bicycle and is determined to keep it that way. “As long as I can get down to my bike, I’m going to ride,” he said. AKlingbeil(a)calgaryherald.com http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/With+bike+oxygen+tank+year+Calgarian+cr… <AKlingbeil(a)calgaryherald.com>

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WFP: Motor vehicle or bicycle? Law must decide (Aug.31'12)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Aug '12

31 Aug '12

Motor vehicle or bicycle? Law must decide By: The Guelph Mercury The death of a man driving a gas-powered bicycle a week ago in Toronto is raising questions about the legality and the lack of regulation surrounding such vehicles. The Toronto fatality took place after the man aboard the gas-powered bike, a small engine strapped to its frame, collided with a car in Toronto's east end. The bikes aren't terribly common but are becoming more popular and are on the radar and becoming a headache for Ontario police services. The bike involved in the fatal Aug. 23 crash had a maximum speed of 42 km/h. But Toronto police said after the crash a gas-powered bike was spotted driving at 80 km/h on a Guelph road earlier this month. Toronto traffic Const. Clinton Stibbe said officers were "blown away at how fast he was going." And well they should be. So, too, should Ontario's citizens and its lawmakers. These bikes have a capacity to create significant safety problems -- as evidenced by the Toronto death and the Guelph speeder. And the laws governing the use of these bikes aren't clear. Stibbe suggested the Ontario traffic laws surrounding them amount to a "really strange grey zone." That's because the bikes still have working pedals. So if the cyclist is pedalling, both criminal law and the Highway Traffic Act consider it a regular bicycle. But if the cyclist fires up the engine -- typically by squeezing a lever on the handlebar -- the ride becomes a motorized vehicle. Then, the cyclist is prohibited from using bike lanes. If pulled over for drinking and driving, the operator can be charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle rather than a less serious careless driving charge. Police believe the Toronto bike-crash victim may have been impaired at the time of the fatal collision. Some motorized bikes are considered mopeds by the Ministry of Transportation's definition. But many are not. The bike involved in the Aug. 23 crash, made by a Chinese manufacturer, doesn't meet Ontario's commercial motor-vehicle safety standards. Those standards oblige motorized bikes to have safety features such as a horn, lights and braking requirements. Bikes failing to meet these standards don't require insurance or licence plates, as do mopeds. This is a problem area. Lawmakers must pay attention to this. Perhaps a coroner's inquest into the Toronto case would hasten needed action on this matter. -- The Canadian Press

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Copenhagenize: Fear of Cycling & WFP: Second bike fatality this year prompts call for reviews (Aug.31'12)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Aug '12

31 Aug '12

Hello everyone: I recently revisited a series of five short articles on the "Fear of Cycling" and highly recommend that you take the time to read them in conjunction with the Free Press article below. -Beth * http://www.copenhagenize.com/2009/09/fear-of-cycling-01-essay-in-five-parts… * Second bike fatality this year prompts calls for review By: Jen Skerritt The death of a 68-year-old man has sparked calls for a review of all cycling fatalities to improve road safety. On Wednesday, a cyclist and car collided near York Avenue and Main Street. The cyclist was taken to hospital in critical condition and later died. Police said early indications show the man was not wearing a helmet. He's the second cyclist killed on city streets this year. Thirty-five-year-old Victoria Nelson was killed on May 23 when she collided with a vehicle and fell into the path of a semi-trailer at Main Street and Higgins Avenue. Since 2009, seven cyclists have died on Winnipeg roads. Bike to the Future co-chairman Tom McMahon said Ontario's chief coroner recently reviewed all cycling deaths and issued recommendations to improve public safety. He said a similar review in Manitoba could identify what caused the accidents, and whether things such as extending the paved shoulder or adding separated bike lanes could prevent injuries and deaths. "I think it is useful and timely and important for the appropriate authority -- whoever that may be -- to examine what is happening. Not just fatalities but also serious injuries," McMahon said. On average, two cyclists were killed every year from 2005 to 2010 in Manitoba. Another 220 were hurt, Manitoba Public Insurance said. At the same time, more Winnipeggers are travelling by bike. Recent statistics compiled by Bike to the Future estimate there are close to 13,000 people travelling by bike in and out of downtown on a given day -- about 47 per cent more people than in 2011. Winnipeg police central traffic unit Staff Sgt. Rob Riffel said the number of fatal collisions involving cyclists has remained steady in the past few years. He said motorists and cyclists need to be aware they both have to share the road since anyone on a bike is likely to be seriously hurt during a collision. "It's just people being careless at inopportune times," Riffel said. "When you pit a cyclist against a vehicle, the vehicle is going to win." City of Winnipeg officials said in a statement they wait for police to complete an investigation to see if any traffic-related factors contributed to a fatal collision. If so, city officials will follow up to see what improvements can be made. For example, the city changed the pedestrian corridor at Osborne Street at Wardlaw Avenue following a number of collisions. MPI spokesman Brian Smiley said the public insurer has partnered with local cycling groups to educate cyclists on how to make themselves visible to vehicles, the importance of helmet use and existing traffic laws. Smiley said MPI will host workshops to train cyclists on how to avoid road hazards. He said motorists have to be patient and not squeeze by cyclists. In turn, he said cyclists have to know how to keep themselves safe. "We know in many situations some cyclists may not be that road savvy or anticipate a potentially dangerous situation," Smiley said. Earlier this year, the province introduced legislation that requires children under 18 to wear helmets. Adults are still exempt, but some avid cyclists such as Winnipeg Cycling Club member Henry Shorr believes that should change since head injuries can be "catastrophic." The group plans rides within Winnipeg and outside the city, and mandates that everyone on the rides wear a helmet, Shorr said. He said some bike lanes end suddenly and much of their rides end up being on city streets since the path system is not well-developed. "I think the city needs to do a better job of building bike paths and room for dedicated lanes for cyclists," Shorr said. McMahon said motorists need to be better educated about what to do when they encounter a cyclist on the road or see special markings for bike lanes. He said many drivers still squeeze by cyclists instead of changing lanes, and other jurisdictions have stipulated vehicles need to give cyclists at least one metre of space when passing. "I think we all need (safety) reminders," McMahon said. "The cyclist has a right to be on the road and feel safe." jen.skerritt(a)freepress.mb.ca Drivers 'cut you off on purpose' Jason Marshall has been in his share of bike-car collisions as a bike courier. He's been hit five times in the last 10 years and sports his latest wound on his left knee, where a car sideswiped him last week. "Drivers in Winnipeg are definitely worse than in other cities," he said, having been a bike courier in Regina and Calgary as well. "Drivers are really rude and disrespectful to cyclists. They don't pay attention. They'll cut you off on purpose." Marshall said bike paths, such as the one in front of his Assiniboine Avenue apartment, help make cycling safer, but he said more respect and attention needs to be paid to cyclists. "It could happen to anyone. It could happen to me," he said about Wednesday's crash. Marshall has broken his collar bone, arm and wrist from his many bike-car collisions. He said signalling is important to stay out of harm's way and also anticipating what's going to happen long before it does. "I look five car lengths ahead of me to see what's going on," he said. Cyclists sound off on safety How safe do you feel as a cyclist in Winnipeg? We put the question to Twitter readers. Here's a sample of their replies: alysonshane: Safer than I used to, but motorists are still really aggressive toward cyclists, especially outside downtown. littlesrule: My hubby was hit by car while biking on Pembina. Received multiple broken bones. palmerfritschy: As a commuter cyclist I've been struck by five cars but I've never felt unsafe. Eye contact with drivers is paramount. mykaelsopher: Much safer cycling downtown now versus five years ago. Drivers respect bike lanes way more than feckless "share the road" signs. samuelevan: Depends where. Wolseley is a cycling culture, so it's more expected, ergo safer. Portage Avenue can be an absolute nightmare. CBoho: On designated bike paths or lanes, I feel safe. On routes like Pembina, Marion, Osborne, not too safe. jsadowski2001: I do my best to take off road trails as much as possible. Cycling on the road is stressful and not enjoyable. HammieMB: I cycled down Portage once and it scared the crap out of me. *The number of cyclists killed on city streets, Winnipeg Police Service statistics show* 2 in 2012 (as of Aug. 30) 2 in 2011, one serious injury 2 in 2010 1 in 2009 0 in 2008

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No accident: It's time to change the way we talk about motor vehicle violence
by Beth McKechnie 30 Aug '12

30 Aug '12

*No accident: It's time to change the way we talk about motor vehicle violence* Transportation Alternatives | http://transalt.org/newsroom/magazine/2012/Summer/2 A few years ago, the *New York Times* published a five-sentence brief about a man who “intentionally ran over five people” with an SUV after a fight in North Bellmore, Long Island. The driver, the *Times* reported, “fled the scene of the accident.” The police later located the vehicle that “they believed was involved in the accident.” One of the victims was in critical condition. Ho hum. News briefs about the previous day’s car crashes are as routine as box scores and the weather forecast. Yet, in this case, the *Times*’ (and, presumably, the Nassau County cops’) choice of one particular word stood out: If a man intentionally ran over five people, how could that possibly be considered an accident? If, instead of car keys, the man had picked up a gun and shot five people, would the press and police have called that an “accident” too? No. They’d have called it “attempted homicide.” Yet, for some reason when the weapon is a car, when the violence on our streets is done with a motor vehicle, it’s always just an “accident.” Words are powerful. They shape the way we see the world around us. As a recent study by Stanford University cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky shows, small changes in language can have a profound impact on how we conceptualize and act on public policy issues. Boroditsky presented two separate groups with nearly identical paragraphs about rising crime rates in a fictional city. For one group, the story started: “Crime is a beast ravaging the city of Addison.” The other group’s story began: “Crime is a virus ravaging the city of Addison.” For both groups the story continued with an identical set of alarming statistics. After they read the paragraph, Boroditsky asked her subjects what the police should do about Addison’s crime wave. Participants who read the “beast” story overwhelmingly called for more police enforcement. They wanted criminals to be captured and punished. Participants who read the “virus” story leaned toward social reform. They tended to want police to investigate the root causes of the crime to stop its spread. Changing just a single word, Boroditsky found, “can have a powerful influence over how people attempt to solve social problems like crime and how they gather information to make ‘well-informed’ decisions.” When the study’s 485 participants were asked to highlight what they thought was the most influential part of the text, almost everyone insisted that they had been persuaded by the statistics. The influence of the beast and virus metaphors, Boroditsky concluded, is “covert.” People often don’t recognize when they are being swayed by a specific choice of words. So, is it any surprise that the NYPD’s “Accident” Investigation Squad so frequently declares “no criminality suspected” after a motor vehicle is used to kill a pedestrian or cyclist on New York City streets? After all, they don’t call themselves the Motor Vehicle Manslaughter Squad. They don’t think of themselves as homicide detectives, or cars as weapons, or drivers as killers. The word “accident” implies no fault. It’s what we call it when a toddler makes a small mess. “Don’t cry over spilled milk,” we say. The assumption is built into the name of the NYPD bureaucracy itself: Death by motor vehicle is an “accident” before the investigators even get to what may very well be the scene of a crime. The Accident Investigation Squad is there to clean up and keep the traffic moving. Though it may sometimes seem otherwise, New York City drivers don’t wake up in the morning intending to harm pedestrians and cyclists. Most crashes are unintentional and “accident” is not an inaccurate word to describe them. But the fact remains: Driver negligence is the number one cause of crashes, and it’s no big surprise—or accident—when negligent driving hurts and kills people on crowded city streets. In fact, our legal system has a word for this type of unintentional killing: “Manslaughter.” Lots of work needs to be done and lots of things need to change to fix the way the NYPD deals with pedestrians and cyclists who have been injured and killed by negligent drivers. But if it’s true that small changes in language can have a big impact on public policy, then the easiest change is simply this: Stop calling car crashes “accidents.” Aaron Naparstek is on temporary loan to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he is a Visiting Scholar at MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning. He is the founder and former editor-in-chief of Streetsblog.org.

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Glow in the Dark Bikes and Other Fun Stuff - Ciclovia Events Sept.8-9
by Anders Swanson 30 Aug '12

30 Aug '12

Hi, *Saturday Sept.8* Ciclovia is kicking off with something new and exciting this year:* *a* * glow-in-the-dark-decorate-it-yourself-bike-parade!!! The festival has ordered approximately a bazillion free glo sticks (just in case your personal stash of blinky lights and phosphorescent body paint ran out). Bike decorating starts in local parks at 5:30 (for those who really need the time to carefully adjust the position of each glo-stick). You can start at one of six parks located in various corners of the city: - Omand Park - St. John’s Park - Lagimodiere Gaboury Park - Lyndale Dr Park - Riverview Community Centre - Memorial Park Group rides head out for downtown at about 7:30. Join the thousands of people who will have showed up for the Lights on Broadway extravaganza on foot (...suckers) and make them jealous of your bling-ky ride. *Volunteer on Saturday?* If you are able to show up an hour early and have basic mechanical skills *or* enjoy leading group rides *or* are simply a master of the glo-in-the-dark arts willing to help decorate, we could really use ya. Please contact Stephanie <stephanie(a)downtownwinnipegbiz.com>. ----- *Sunday Sept.9* Not a member of the raver generation? Strobe lights give you headaches? That's OK. There's something for you too. The main draw - Ciclovia itself where the long stretches of streets are yours for the taking - starts the next day. *Volunteer on Sunday?* A few more volunteer marshalls are needed to help us close down parts of Broadway, Mostyn, Wolseley, Wellington and Balmoral to cars and open it to people for the day. Hang out. Watch people. Harvest the appreciation. If you are interested, please contact Stephanie<stephanie(a)downtownwinnipegbiz.com>. *Free Stuff for All Volunteers:* Besides all the smiles and laughter you will indubitably induce, there's some free wine up from the winetasting folks up for grabs and some other great schwag. Shift details and other info attached and below. Please forward as you see fit. Regards, Anders Swanson volunteer steering committee member, Ciclovia 2012 P.S. Here's some inspiration: P.P.S. If you want to decorate your stroller, skateboard, wheelchair, why not? Work your magic: P.P.P.S. Also I heard that Harlequin is playing, not sure what they sound like, but they look awesome: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Stephanie Voyce <stephanie(a)downtownwinnipegbiz.com> Date: Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 9:55 PM Subject: Ciclovia help requested ** ** ** The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is looking for your help to make Ciclovia 2012 a success. We're looking for cycling related in-kind donations, volunteers and participants. **** ** ** In particular, we need volunteers to help with route signage placement, marshalling and group rides. As appreciation, these key Ciclovia volunteers will receive special gift packages ($25 value per each time you can assist us). You will also receive food and wine tickets to use at Manyfest. **** ** ** Anyone available to help with placing promotional signs this Thursday, Aug 30 at 6pm (starting from Memorial Park), please let me know! **** ** ** We also really need donations of bike lights, prizes and used helmets. Please read the attached letter to find out more!**** ** ** Also, please direct family, friends and colleagues who may not wish to help with cycling related tasks but would like to volunteer in another capacity to our volunteer hub: www.manyfest.volunteerhub.com. For Ciclovia, we still especially need block captains, site decorators and take-down crews. **** ** ** For other details on Ciclovia, please visit www.manyfest.ca**** ** ** Thank you,**** **** *Stephanie Voyce* Project Manager,* *Image & Transportation *Downtown **Winnipeg BIZ *204.958.4621 office 204.958.4630 fax Visit our website at www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com!

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FW: Pedal Power
by Reaney, Vicky (MLG) 28 Aug '12

28 Aug '12

Hi all - thought you would enjoy this article. Vicky Reaney Provincial Active Transportation Coordinator/Community Liaison (204) 945-8794 Vicky.reaney(a)gov.mb.ca<mailto:Vicky.reaney@gov.mb.ca> http://dandyhorsemagazine.com/blog/2012/05/20/pedal-power-in-parliament-oli… Pedal power in parliament: Olivia Chow<http://dandyhorsemagazine.com/blog/2012/05/20/pedal-power-in-parliament-oli…> [cid:image001.jpg@01CD8446.965F5660]<http://dandyhorsemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Olivia-Chow-by-Reb…> Pedal power in parliament: Olivia Chow Driving change from the Hill Photos by Rebecca Baran; Story by Tammy Thorne This story is from our current Summer 2012 youth and employment issue of dandyhorse. Order it here<http://dandyhorsemagazine.com/blog/2012/05/20/pedal-power-in-parliament-oli…>. Youth apathy towards our political status quo is at an all-time high. Sixty-five per cent of 18 to 25-year-old Canadians didn't vote in the last federal election. Enter Olivia Chow. Chow is one of the most visible social advocates and politicians in Canada. And she's fed up with the status quo. In her current role as the NDP Transport and Infrastructure Critic, Chow is fighting for the mobility and safety of all Canadians across all modes of transportation. She recently tabled a private member's bill, which calls on the federal government to take a leadership role through the introduction of a National Public Transit Strategy<http://www.oliviachow.ca/2012/05/national-transit-strategy-join-the-team/>. Coordination and dedicated funding for transit on a federal level is something both experts and cities across the country are calling for - and that Canada alone lacks among its G8 peers. Chow is deeply rooted in her downtown riding of Trinity-Spadina in Toronto- she bikes or takes the ttc everywhere from her home in Chinatown - so she knows how bike lanes, safe roads and accessible and affordable transit make our communities liveable and vibrant. Trinity-Spadina is home to the University of Toronto and numerous other elementary and high schools. Since her election to federal government in 2006, Chow has pushed for a variety of high profile initiatives, including a universal national child care program and immigration reform. She's a veteran city councillor with decades of experience, having learned from cycling advocate and councillor Dan Leckie. Married in 1988, Olivia Chow and Jack Layton (or "Olivia and Jack" as they were known) both worked tirelessly to make Canada a better place: first as city councillors in Toronto and then in parliament. Jack's death last year made Olivia the touchstone for all the emotion that goes with fighting for a better country - and she is, without any doubt, determined to carry on the work he started as Leader of the Official Opposition. Layton said last year; "Cities like Toronto are grappling with how to balance an effective public transit system at the same time as keeping the property tax reasonable." (Municipalities have much more limited sources of revenue than provincial and federal governments, since the bulk of funding for the city comes mainly from property taxes.) Chow's Bill C-305 went through first reading on September 30, 2011. Her recommendations to the House Committee on Transport note that Canada is the only G8 country without a national transit strategy. The goals of the bill are to provide fast, affordable and accessible public transit; increase access and use; reduce commute times and congestion; enhance quality of life; reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. It states that to achieve these laudable and much needed results, coordination is needed between all levels of government to maintain and expand public transit. Sounds dandy. So, we asked Chow: What's the hold up with the national transit strategy? "Harper only knows how to look backwards," says Chow. "He doesn't understand what moving Canada forward is all about; it's old thinking... it's the status quo. Harper just doesn't want to take any leadership role, or have any kind of real partnership with municipalities or transit authorities." Chow continues, "Congestion is costing up to 6 billion per year in the GTA alone, so we know it's a fiscally conservative move to support transit." Now that the NDP is in the Official Opposition in the House of Commons, will the party be able to force transit on to the federal agenda? "The first study that we did at the House Committee on Transport is a transit strategy, so that shows they understand it's important - it's just a question of what they are going to do about it." Chow says the Conservatives want to control every detail, yet lack leadership when it comes to moving the country forward. "They don't want to give more money to municipalities [for transit] but they want to do all the ribbon cutting," she says. She suggests more funds could be found in the gas tax. Cycling is not without its politics, either. During her years at City Hall, Chow was chair of the cycling committee. Now, in her federal role, she has called for a national cycling strategy. In 2011, she said: "The federal government should take a leadership role to promote cycling by dedicating infrastructure investments to create bicycle lanes, paths and secured parking. Transport infrastructure projects should incorporate the needs of cyclists in their design. Side guards on trucks should be installed to reduce cycling fatalities. Bike racks should be available on buses and financial incentives should be offered to Canadians buying new bikes. After all, 82 per cent of Canadians support federal government spending to encourage safe cycling and a healthy lifestyle." Youth are arguably the demographic with the most to gain from progressive policies like these. Young people rely on transit and bikes, especially those saddled with student debt, pounding the pavement in search of decent jobs. Riding a bike is great way to keep personal costs low, while contributing to the local economy - or even just to get to that first job interview on time. This story is from our current Summer 2012 youth and employment issue of dandyhorse. Order it here<http://dandyhorsemagazine.com/blog/2012/05/20/pedal-power-in-parliament-oli…>. [cid:image002.jpg@01CD8446.965F5660]<http://dandyhorsemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DH9_FINAL_web_june…>

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Sept AT webinars: NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Wed, Sept 5th, 2-3:30, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 28 Aug '12

28 Aug '12

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed description provided below.* *2nd Edition, NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide *Wednesday, Sept 5th | 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. CDT* Also mark your calendars for these additional September webinars (details to follow closer to the date): *The Third Mode: Greenways, Trails and Active Mobility (American Trails)* *Wednesday, Sept 12th, 2:00 to 3:15 pm CDT* *Liability: Understanding and Managing Risk (APBP)* *Wednesday, Sept 19th, 2:00 to 3:00 pm CDT* RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth 925-3772 * * * * * The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) and NACTO present: 2nd Edition, NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide *Wednesday, September 5th | 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. CDT* ACTO's Urban Bikeway Design Guide has quickly emerged as the preeminent resource for designing safe, protected bikeways in cities across the United States. NACTO will release the second edition of the guide in June, with updated graphic profiles for all of its bicycle facilities, a new subsection on bicycle boulevard planning and design, and a survey of materials used for green color in bikeways. The guide continues to build upon the fast-changing state of the practice at the local level; it responds to and accelerates innovative street design and practice around the nation. This 90-minute webinar on the second edition of the Bikeway Design Guide offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from some of the cities that compiled the guide. Gain a better understanding of the guide's contents, hear how to use and implement these designs, and find out what NACTO envisions as the next steps to adopt and deploy these tools and design guidelines. *Presenters*: Roger Geller, Bicycle Coordinator, Portland Bureau of Transportation; Joe Gilpin, Senior Planner, Alta Planning + Design; David Vega-Barachowitz, Sustainable Initiatives Program Manager, National Association of City Transportation Officials.

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BC group identifies, improves, and maps walking and biking routes around the province.
by Shoni Litinsky 28 Aug '12

28 Aug '12

Congrats to our Active and Safe Routes to School partners in B.C for getting the City of Vancouver on board in their efforts towards route mapping and walking school buses to improve the safety and participation of children on the way to school! http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2012/08/22/walking-school-buses-gain-traction… Walking or biking to school didn’t used to require an organizational team, but it’s come to that in urban North America and Vancouver’s getting on board this fall. The city recently joined New Westminster, Surrey and Langley in funding a project that identifies, improves and maps safe walking and biking routes to schools. The Okanagan City of Vernon has done the same. Vancouver will start out with six yet-t0-be-named schools. New Westminster is the leader so far, says Mike Smith, the school programs manager with the provincially funded Hub for Active School Travel or HASTe<http://www.hastebc.org/> which runs the mapping projects. That city has produced maps for every school <http://www.newwestcity.ca/residents/city_maps/best_walking_routes_to_school…>within its boundaries that include a distance scale for estimating walking and cycling times. New Westminster is also looking at enshrining safe school routes in its master transportation plan which is a huge step, he says. And HASTe is starting a bike-pool program in selected middle schools there this fall that will send a riding instructor along with student commuters for one week to get them familiar with local routes and talk about bike maintenance and theft prevention. The province created HASTe in 2008 after it identified walking school buses and bicycle trains as tools to combat the twice-daily traffic jams and exhaust fumes that plague most elementary and middle schools when parents in cars and minivans line up to drop their kids. But the idea for walking school buses — groups of children strolling to school with a volunteer adult supervisor — was originally a response to dangerous inner-city streets in Chicago. It morphed into a health program as teachers and parents throughout the U.S. and Canada observed a growing number of chubby kids who have almost no outdoor activities. HASTe couldn’t provide me with any figures on the total number of students who are turning down a lift to school — or perhaps being turned down — because it ebbs and flows with the seasons, parent volunteers and as kids move to higher grades, said Smith. And many arrangements are less formal such as parents or older siblings taking turns walking younger kids to school. But follow-up surveys in New Westminster found that traffic calming, an in-class Cool Routes to School Program along with mapping and safety education resulted in an 18-per-cent increase in walking at Richard McBride Elementary and a nine-per-cent increase at Glenbrook Middle school which has a large catchment area, says Sandra Jones, HASTe’s travel planning and mapping specialist. At Queensborough Elementary, the number of students driven to school dropped by 17 per cent. A Canadian coalition of groups working to get kids out of cars conducted a survey<http://www.hastebc.org/files/attachments/2012%20Executive%20Summary.pdf>earlier this year with 18,547 parents. It found that 13 per cent of today’s parents were driven to school, but 41 per cent of their kids get a ride. The most common reasons cited for driving children to school was time and convenience. In asking parents what would help them unleash their kids, only 10 per cent said a program like the walking bus would do it. Just under 50 per cent said physical improvements to make safer streets, such as bumped-out curbs that reduce the distance a child has to cross at a street corner, and safety education were more important. And 15 per cent said special school events helped their kids start walking and cycling to school. That’s all part of the planning in participating cities, explains HASTe’s community programs manager Kerry Hamilton. When parents, students, teachers, school administrators, urban designers and engineers get together, they look at the safest routes and then ways to improve them such as better visibility at corners, or perhaps barrier walls to allow kids to walk along busy streets. “It’s a process that you go through… In the end you get an action plan,” she says. If the so-called bubble-wrap generation is to get on its feet, there has to be a huge shift, Smith says, and he believes it has slowly started. “Parents want to do what is best for their kids and here is an opportunity to encourage their kids’ independence.” HASTe offers an array of information, tools and advice at http://www.hastebc.org/. It’s also co-sponsoring International Walk to School Week <http://www.hastebc.org/resources/iwalk-international-walk-school-week>from Oct. 8-12 and provides resource kits to schools that sign up. eellis(a)vancouversun.com -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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Kingston Tranist offers free bus pass to Grade 9 students
by Beth McKechnie 21 Aug '12

21 Aug '12

Kingston Transit Offers Free Bus Rides to Grade 9 Students Robert John <http://kingstonherald.com/author/robert> | 2012/08/21 Grade 9 students are being offered a free Kingston Transit Pass to encourage them to ride the bus to access recreational programs throughout the city as part of Kingston Gets Active’s Grade 9 Community Activity Pass program. “This pilot project is about encouraging young people to establish healthy, active habits including riding the bus, an active and sustainable form of transportation,” says Mayor Mark Gerretsen. “The free bus pass will help them experience Kingston Transit and offer them access to recreational programming all over the city.” Students starting Grade 9 at Kingston high school this September can obtain their complimentary Kingston Transit pass starting today (August 20), by presenting the following items at City Hall, 216 Ontario St. or the Information Desk at the Cataraqui Centre: A birth certificate and a 2012-13 Grade 9 high school timetable, OR A valid 2012-13 Grade 9 student photo i.d. card. To use the Kingston Transit service, students will be required to tap their valid transit pass on the fare box to board the bus. The transit pass is valid from September 1, 2012 until August 31, 2013. Kingston Gets Active, a community-wide partnership of organizations including school boards and the City, administers the Grade 9 Community Activity Pass program throughout Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Counties. The program offers these students free access to recreation programs, such as swimming and skating. The free Kingston Transit pass is only for Grade 9 students attending a high school in the city of Kingston only: Bayridge Secondary School Frontenac Secondary School Kingston Collegiate & Vocational Institute (KCVI) LaSalle Secondary School Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute (LCVI) Queen Elizabeth Collegiate & Vocational Institute (QECVI) Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School École Secondaire Publique Mille-Iles École Secondaire Catholique Marie-Rivier Ride Kingston Transit. Plan your bus trip at: kingstontransit.ca/tripplanner . http://kingstonherald.com/release/kingston-free-bus-grade-9-201039781

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Great webinar! Slides from today's Transforming Streets into Inviting Public Spaces
by Jessie Klassen 15 Aug '12

15 Aug '12

For those who were interested but couldn't make it to today's webinar: Transforming Streets into Inviting Public Spaces, the presentation slides and handouts can be found here <http://www.apbp.org/?page=Webinar_Downloads>. All three presentations were excellent, but the examples from Portland and San Fransisco were especially inspiring. Jessie * * * * * Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed description provided below.* **Transforming Streets into Inviting Public Spaces* *Wednesday, August 15th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.* * * * * * Innovative thinking can transform auto-centric streets into inviting public spaces. This webinar explores projects and programs in three communities that reclaim areas in the public right of way for people-friendly uses. Attend this webinar to learn how to turn transportation challenges into projects that build community and contribute to pedestrian and bicyclist safety, public health, and economic development. Speakers will discuss the barriers to implementing these projects, issues of planning, design, maintenance and cost, and lessons learned. Please note: this is a 75-minute webinar. Featured projects include: • The Uptown Roundabout in Normal, Illinois; • San Francisco's Pavement to Parks Program; • Portland's Intersection Repair Projects. Presenters: Mercy Davidson, Town Planner, City of Normal, Illinois; Greg Raisman, Traffic Safety Program Specialist, Active Transportation Division, Portland Bureau of Transportation; and Ilaria Salvadori, Project Manager, San Francisco Planning Department. ** *Jessie Klassen* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca>| Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3772 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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Webinar Reminder - Wednesday, August 15, 2012, 2-3pm, Ecocentre - Transforming Streets into Inviting Public Spaces
by Jessie Klassen 14 Aug '12

14 Aug '12

** Friendly reminder regarding tomorrow's webinar ** Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a > local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 > Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed description > provided below.* > > **Transforming Streets into Inviting Public Spaces* > *Wednesday, August 15th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.* > > RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! > > Thanks, > Jessie > 925-3772 > > * * * * * > Innovative thinking can transform auto-centric streets into inviting > public spaces. This webinar explores projects and programs in three > communities that reclaim areas in the public right of way for > people-friendly uses. Attend this webinar to learn how to turn > transportation challenges into projects that build community and contribute > to pedestrian and bicyclist safety, public health, and economic > development. Speakers will discuss the barriers to implementing these > projects, issues of planning, design, maintenance and cost, and lessons > learned. Please note: this is a 75-minute webinar. > > Featured projects include: > • The Uptown Roundabout in Normal, Illinois; > • San Francisco's Pavement to Parks Program; > • Portland's Intersection Repair Projects. > > Presenters: Mercy Davidson, Town Planner, City of Normal, Illinois; Greg > Raisman, Traffic Safety Program Specialist, Active Transportation Division, > Portland Bureau of Transportation; and Ilaria Salvadori, Project Manager, > San Francisco Planning Department. > ** > ** > > *Jessie Klassen* | Workplace Commuter Options > > <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca>| Find > us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> > > 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3772 > > > > Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. > > Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> > >

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Recession-squeezed Greeks ditch cars for bikes
by Beth McKechnie 09 Aug '12

09 Aug '12

Recession-squeezed Greeks ditch cars for bikes Published on Wednesday August 08, 2012 * Karolina Tagaris | *Reuters ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's dire economic plight has forced thousands of businesses to close, thrown one in five out of work and eroded the living standards of millions. But for bicycle-maker Giorgos Vogiatzis, it's not all bad news. The crisis has put cash-strapped Greeks on their bikes - once snubbed as a sign of poverty or just plain risky - and Greek manufacturers are shifting into fast gear. The high cost of road tax, fuel and repairs is forcing Greeks to ditch their cars in huge numbers. According to the government's statistics office, the number of cars on Greek roads declined by more than 40 percent in each of the last two years. Meanwhile, more than 200,000 bikes were sold in 2011, up about a quarter from the previous year. Shops selling bicycles, and equipment ranging from helmets to knee pads, are spreading fast across the capital, popping up even between souvenir shops on the cobbled pedestrian streets of the touristy Plaka district. "They're sprouting up like mushrooms," said Vogiatzis, who designs and builds tailor-made bicycles in his workshop on the Aegean island of Rhodes. A former cyclist on Greece's national team, Vogiatzis opened his business in the mid-80s, combining his love for drawing and mathematics, but only recently watched sales boom from a modest 40 bikes a year to over 350. "There's no more money for luxuries and that helps," said Vogiatzis, who works away furiously with two other staff to meet demand for all sorts of bikes - some lavishly hand-painted in glitter, others flaunting the Greek flag. "People who were never interested in cycling are buying bikes," he added. Vogiatzis now exports to seven countries including Germany and the United States, and opened shops across Greece, including in Athens where competition is fierce. A far cry from the shuttered shopfronts in the capital that have become a painful reminder of the country's worst downturn since World War Two, bike shop owners estimate that at least one store opened every month in 2011. Vogiatzis laughed: "Every neighbourhood has its bike shop just as it's got its kebab shop." POTHOLES, TRAFFIC JAMS In austerity Greece, the once lowly bike is winning new fans every day, from middle-aged commuters who relied on their cars to those who poked fun at former prime minister George Papanadreou's penchant for cycling as not being macho enough. The new national fashion has even prompted the Athens mayor to start working on a public bike hire scheme similar to those in other European capitals - a first for a city where the few cycling lanes are often dotted with pine trees or parked cars. The lack of infrastructure and Athens's mountainous landscape have not deterred Greece's new cyclists who have begun pedalling through traffic jams, up and down steep hills and over potholed roads. "This is not Berlin. Here it's risky but you need to start thinking what you'll cut back on - taxis, the metro," said Elena Koniaraki, 39, a music saleswoman who joked about sticking a learner's sign on her back for the first few bumpy rides. A pay cut two years ago forced Koniaraki to give up her car under a "cash for clunkers" scheme as she could no longer afford to pay the road tax or fill up her tank. She also moved from her house in a leafy northern Athens suburb to the centre. And to get through a cash squeeze in March, she picked up a second-hand bike for the first time since childhood. "At first my friends would laugh at me and say: Oh, poverty!" said Koniaraki, who now cycles to work from the foothills of the ancient Acropolis, past shop-gazing tourists in Plaka and through the bustling Syntagma square. "We've never had a bike culture in Greece. Sometimes I'll leave my local street market on my bike, loaded with bags of tomatoes, and people will stop and wave at me," she said. THE ONLY WAY IS UP With fuel prices catapulted by tax rises to about 1.72 euros per litre in July - one of the highest rates in Europe - a bike culture may just develop. "A lot of people are starting to see it as an alternative," said Tolis Tsimoyannis, a cycling aficionado who imports fold-up bikes from Taiwan. Tsimoyannis, who opened his business in 2006, said he saw a steady increase in demand in the previous two years, many of his customers students and people in their 40s who were struggling to make ends meet. Lately, his business has started to level out - not because of a drop in demand but because the opening of so many bike shops means they each get a smaller piece of the pie. But even as prospects of Greece's recession-mired economy remain glum and many fear the pain from the crisis will only intensify in the days ahead, bike enthusiasts are optimistic that the appeal of the bicycle will only grow. "The only way is up," Tsimoyannis said. www.thestar.com/business/article/1238625--recession-squeezed-greeks-ditch-c…

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ITE Pedestrian and Bicycle Council Newsletter: Request for Articles
by Beth McKechnie 08 Aug '12

08 Aug '12

Any ideas for articles to submit? Deadline is September 5th. Thanks to Bob Kurylko for sharing. cheers, Beth ** ** *From:* Institute of Transportation Engineers [mailto:info@ite.ccsend.com] *On Behalf Of *Institute of Transportation Engineers *Sent:* Wednesday, August 08, 2012 6:00 AM *To:* Kurylko, Robert *Subject:* ITE Pedestrian and Bicycle Council Newsletter: Request for Articles**** ** ** [image: A Community of Transportation Professionals]**** * * *Fall 2012 Newsletter: Request for Articles* August 2012**** The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Pedestrian and Bicycle Council (PBC) is currently soliciting contributions for the Fall 2012 edition of the PBC e-newsletter. We are looking for current news, journal articles, or other items of interest to share with the membership. Please feel free to forward this solicitation to your colleagues. We welcome submissions from non-ITE members. Please refrain from marketing companies, products, or services.**** ** ** The PBC e-newsletter is a quarterly publication for ITE members designed to keep transportation engineers involved in, and informed about, bicycle and pedestrian transportation best practices. Criteria for submissions are flexible, but should be related to bicycle and pedestrian planning/engineering, policy, or advocacy. Previous editions of the newsletter have included academic research, updates on recent changes to MUTCD design standards, solicitations for public comment on MUTCD standards, "how to" guides for community groups and transit agencies, project case studies, data collection and education efforts, and news items related to pedestrian and bicycle projects. All of these topics (and others) are suitable for submission.**** ** ** Submissions should not exceed 1,000 words in length. If submitting original academic research, please include an abstract of no more than 200 words and a link to the full article. If submitting graphics, please submit them separately from the Word documents (e.g., jpg, tiff, or gif files).**** The deadline for submissions for our Fall newsletter is *September 5th, 2012 *.**** ** ** Please send your questions and submissions to the editors via e-mail: ite.pbc.news(a)gmail.com.**** ** ** *Forward email<http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=umc9fycab&m=1102470515092&ea=…> * <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001kkqO0FxDKZT4vX7yz6nMv4DYC…> **** <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?pn=buynow&cc=news08>**** This email was sent to robert.kurylko(a)stantec.com by info(a)ite.org | **** Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001kkqO0FxDKZT4vX7yz6nMv4DYC…>™ | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. **** Institute of Transportation Engineers | 1627 Eye Street | Suite 600 | Washington | DC | 20006**** ****

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WFP: Beloved bike brought back - Police recover property after seven years (Aug.2'12)
by Beth McKechnie 07 Aug '12

07 Aug '12

Beloved bike brought back Police recover property after seven years By: Gordon Sinclair Jr. <gordon.sinclair(a)freepress.mb.ca> Feeling lucky today? Probably not as lucky as Wayne Selby or, for that matter, the Winnipeg Police Service. Back in mid-June, I wrote a series of columns that centred on how police don't seem to treat bike theft as a priority. The columns, three in succession, landed like body blows to the police service's image. The last one included a question that rhetorically asked how much police really care about finding and returning your stolen bike. It was a question, and an issue, thousands of bike-theft victims could relate to and did. Among them was a semi-retired teacher named Wayne Selby, who was "intrigued" by the series. At first it was because, like all those others, he knew what it was like to have a bike stolen; in his case from a locked shed in the backyard of the Norwood Flats home where he lived at the time. A rider on Wayne's home-insurance policy allowed him to recover $600 of the original $1,000 cost and, perhaps fearing the seemingly inevitable next theft, he used some of the money to buy a less-expensive model. But, just as if he were a little boy and that was his first bike, Wayne never got over the loss, or the feeling of riding it. Even though he was 54 when it was stolen and now he is 61. Even after all those years. As I was saying, the columns on bike theft brought that feeling shared by so many victims of bike-theft crime. But, it was the timing of what police would soon bring back to Wayne that prompted a less common feeling. And outcome. Within a matter of days after he had finished reading that last column on how little police seem to care about recovering stolen bikes, Wayne received a phone call. The voice on the other end of the line belonged to Det.-Sgt. David Clayton, the head of the police pawn shop detail. Later, Wayne recalled how Clayton started the conversation. "He said, 'Did you have a bike stolen on June 5, 2005?' I said, 'I sure did.' " Then the detective asked if he wanted it back. "I said, 'Absolutely.' " What Wayne doesn't remember is exactly when Clayton added the bonus that made a great story into an amazing one. The bike had been brought into the Atlas Pawn Shop on June 5. Seven years to the day after Wayne had reported it stolen. "I was thrilled," a still thrilled Wayne Selby recalled week. So was Clayton, and constables Glenn McConnell and Glen Zelenewich, who comprise the rest of the police pawn shop detail. I suspect it's a story Atlas Pawn Shop owner Jason Schinkarik is proud to tell, too, because of his own part in the remarkable recovery. Pawn shop owners are required by a city bylaw to take a photo of all items received and provide police with a full description, including the serial number. Clayton explained how it works. "These reports are electronically sent to our unit every day, loaded into our computer system, and then checked against the CPIC system and the WPS computer system. Serial number hits are then investigated by the pawn unit." It was because Wayne had recorded his bike's serial number he got it back. Although it wasn't quite as simple as that. The insurance company that had paid him $600 when it was stolen was the legal owner of the bike, and they wanted Wayne to pay $150 for it in its depreciated state. It was Clayton who told him that sounded like too much. Try $100. So he did. And with the extra effort of police property evidence technician Tim Mikolash -- who expedited the filling out of forms -- the insurance company accepted the $100 and Wayne was able to take his bike home, all in one day. "I was very impressed with our police service, Sgt. Clayton, the property evidence department and with our system of justice," Wayne said. He was also impressed with the shape the bike was in, given all the years they spent apart, because as soon as he got it home, he took his long lost companion for a ride. Like a little boy with his first bike. Which brings me to why I'm so pleased Wayne contacted me. It's a wonderful feeling when that bike wheel of fortune lands on your space. Especially an extra lucky seven years to the day, later. But it's also a wonderful feeling to be able to give police the credit they deserve, when they deserve it. And they deserve it way more often than any of us will ever know. gordon.sinclair(a)freepress.mb.ca Being wheel careful with your new bike Things people should do when buying a bike to protect it from being stolen and help with its recovery if it is: -Record the make, model and serial number. -License your bike through the City of Winnipeg. -Take a picture of the bike and a second picture of the serial number. -Buy a good "U" lock. -Don't leave your bike unattended, even for a minute. -If the bike does get stolen, report it to the police immediately. -- source: Winnipeg Police Service http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/beloved-bike-brought-back-164727946.…

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Webinar - Wednesday, August 15, 2012, 2-3pm, Ecocentre - Transforming Streets into Inviting Public Spaces
by Jessie Klassen 07 Aug '12

07 Aug '12

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed description provided below.* **Transforming Streets into Inviting Public Spaces* *Wednesday, August 15th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST* RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! Thanks, Jessie 925-3772 * * * * * Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) presents: *Transforming Streets into Inviting Public Spaces* *Wednesday, August 15 | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST* Innovative thinking can transform auto-centric streets into inviting public spaces. This webinar explores projects and programs in three communities that reclaim areas in the public right of way for people-friendly uses. Attend this webinar to learn how to turn transportation challenges into projects that build community and contribute to pedestrian and bicyclist safety, public health, and economic development. Speakers will discuss the barriers to implementing these projects, issues of planning, design, maintenance and cost, and lessons learned. Please note: this is a 75-minute webinar. Featured projects include: • The Uptown Roundabout in Normal, Illinois; • San Francisco's Pavement to Parks Program; • Portland's Intersection Repair Projects. Presenters: Mercy Davidson, Town Planner, City of Normal, Illinois; Greg Raisman, Traffic Safety Program Specialist, Active Transportation Division, Portland Bureau of Transportation; and Ilaria Salvadori, Project Manager, San Francisco Planning Department. ** ** *Jessie Klassen* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca>| Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3772 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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New Complete Streets, Complete Networks design manual
by Beth McKechnie 28 Jul '12

28 Jul '12

Active Trans publishes groundbreaking design manual http://www.activetrans.org/blog/paul-lippens/just-complete-streets-complete… Active Transportation Alliance is proud to announce the publication of our new design manual, *Complete Streets, Complete Networks*. The manual is a visually compelling introduction to the principles of Complete Streets roadway design and an elegant collection of resources for planners. Over two years in the making, the *Complete Streets, Complete Networks*manual was conceived as a catalyst for new professional practices in urban design. It serves as a comprehensive list of best practices, guidelines, and project delivery processes. But it goes beyond traditional roadway design guidance to include a policy framework that city planners designers and decision makers can follow to create great places to bike, walk and use transit. The manual was funded through the Cook County Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative, which was created to improve access to physical activity and nutrition through changes to policies, systems and the built environment. As part of this project, Active Transportation Alliance was contracted to help 25 local governments and school districts in suburban Cook County develop and enact policies and plans to improve the bicycling, pedestrian, and transit networks in the communities. The *Complete Streets, Complete Networks* manual is a resource to help these and other communities create healthier transportation choices. We have a limited supply of printed copies of *Complete Streets, Complete Networks*. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, please e-mail Dan Persky, Director of Planning and Policy, at dan(a)activetrans.org<http://www.activetrans.org/blog/paul-lippens/%27+String.fromCharCode%28100,…> . A downloadable version of the manual is available here<http://www.atpolicy.org/Design>. We are in the process of uploading highlights from the manual in the form of Word files, Excel tables, photos, and illustrations. We’ll post updates as more of this content is made available.

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AT network expanded in Steinbach
by Beth McKechnie 28 Jul '12

28 Jul '12

Active transportation network expanded in Steinbach Posted on 07/26/2012, 10:09 am, by the City of Steinbach http://www.mysteinbach.ca/newsblog/16527.html Walkers, runners, cyclists, and rollerblading enthusiasts will be happy to note that there is another paved active route in Steinbach. The City reports that the newly paved pathway through L.A. Barkman Park and the Steinbach Soccer Park, all the way to PTH 52 West, was completed on July 24. A second edition of the City’s Share the Road brochure, showing Steinbach’s active walk/cycle routes, will become available early August. [image: Inline image 1] Pathway through Soccer Park connecting to LA Barkman Park – Photo courtesy of City of Steinbach.

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Building bikes, educating youth in Fort Richmond - ITE Bike Build
by Shoni Litinsky 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

Hi Everyone, Tomorrow morning we are joining the year long efforts of the University of Manitoba's Institute of Transportation Engineers, The U of M Bike Dungeon, and the WRENCH who have worked throughout the year to build 10 bikes for youth in need in the Fort Richmond area. Through our work in the neighbourhood on a project called Bike Walk Roll Fort Richmond, we were able to support this group to find youth in the community in need of bicycles, an host an education workshop to help build the skills necessary to cycle to school. Here is a great clip, and a story will follow in the Metro as well: http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=728348 Congratulations to all of the people who have made this happen, we are also so excited to be a part of it! -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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PEMBINA HWY - Bike Lanes
by Janice Lukes 25 Jul '12

25 Jul '12

Pembina Update for those of you who don't travel the strip daily - NOT AVOIDING CONSTRUCTION: I confess - I make a point of NOT avoiding construction on Pembina (Plaza to Chevrier) too much excitement - unbelievable really - photos attached. North bound lane is being widened into median. KEY CBC INTERVIEW: An absolute MUST LISTEN TO if you have not heard it - and if you have - listen again - key information for sure. Yesterday am - a conversation with CBC and Luis Escobar, Director of Transportation - City of Winnipeg: CBC Information Radio- http://www.cbc.ca/inforadio/ Scroll down to Winnipeg Major Road Bike Lanes and click on listen button. TWO KEY POINTS TO NOTE: 1. All along many of us involved with the Pembina project were told the poly posts (vertical upright buffered barrier posts) would be REMOVED for the winter season due to plowing challenges- thus removing the visual indication of the bike lane. From this interview - I understand Luis to clearly indicate the poly posts will remain IN DURING the winter season with plowing to occur - brilliant if this is the case with so many cyclists travelling Pembina in the winter 2. NOTE his discussion around STRATEGIC PLAN (see top right corner by volume - 8:29 into the interview) and SPECIFICALLY - Luis comments: " . . . . . until the strategic plan is developed . . . we will still be looking at the needs BASED ON WHAT the city HEARS from cycling and active transportation groups. " - an encouragement to all to 'articulate' AT desires to elected officials for sure - 3. WHAT's NEXT? It's great to hear the question 'what's next' - where is the next strip of this infrastructure going in - wow - The Pembina project is a bold move for the city - for sure there is apprehension - definitely worth a thank you email to your City Councillor for supporting it and enabling it. Janice Lukes

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Thompson youngster pushes pedals and a mower!
by Shoni Litinsky 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

A great story for a hot Friday in the summer! This post can be found on the Green Action Centre blog <http://greenactioncentre.ca/2012/pedals-and-a-mower/>and was written by Bruce Krentz (Burntwood Regional Health Authority) in Thompson, Manitoba. We are happy that this entrepreneur is a student at one of the schools we work with up there through School Travel Planning. Go Colin!!! ____________________________________________________ Pushing pedals and pushing a lawnmower Colin Hall is greening up the environment and the yards in Thompson. Being a little too young to take the wheel hasn’t cut in to his earning potential. A mountain bike and a custom built trailer are all he needs to move around to the growing list of homes on his client list. It was a conversation with his Grandfather that got the wheels turning on his little entrepreneurial venture. ”Why would you work for a few dollars an hour when you could work for yourself” he asked Colin, in response queries about where he could find a summer job. Wayne Hall is not only a businessman himself but also a handyman, so before Colin could say “Can you drive me there”, Grandpa’s workshop was buzzing; and so was the kitchen table with negotiations. In the time it took to build a flat deck bicycle trailer, Grandma had signed on as the pro-bono accountant and “Colin Hall Lawn Mowing” was up and running. His rig is right-sized to hold: a lawn mower, weed whacker and a few sundries, like bug spray water and a log book. When he took delivery, the shakedown cruise wasn’t just a chance to test its road-worthiness it was also an advertising stunt. Colin delivered flyers, with his equipment in tow, attracting more attention than the ice cream man. This young peddler has secured numerous private contracts and is also doing work for a local Real-Estate agent. In peak season he is cutting 3 – 5 lawns a day, dependent on all the usual factors like rain, sun and invitations to things more appealing than cutting grass. Colin smiled as he explained that it isn’t all work this summer but the grass never stops growing so if he takes a day or two off, he knows the next ones will be busy. With those full days, Colin is raking in some significant spending money for his upcoming grade 8 year. His accountant will hold all the dollars he piles up, dispersing them equally over the course of the whole year. “He’ll get a pay-check every Friday even after the grass is under a cozy blanket of snow” said Grandma. In addition to monetary benefits, his Phys Ed. teacher will be happy to see that, at least one kid’s mobile device, was a bicycle and not phone. Thompson is a great size for his cycle based transportation. He can pack up and move almost as fast as the competition, without ever gassing up, and there is enough grass around to keep him in business the entire growing season. Although with jobs as far as 4 km apart, he is thankful for a trailer that runs smooth. Greening things up in Thompson more ways than one, the ambitious, Colin Hall is a model and an inspiration for us all. -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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City of Winnipeg News Release - Construction to begin on Pembina Highway Buffered Bike Lanes Project
by Janice Lukes 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

This was released to media today - So far - all that is happening on Pembina is the delivery of lots of construction signs and posts. Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image001.png@01CC88E0.FA0A1B80 For Immediate Release Thursday, July 19, 2012 Construction to begin on Pembina Highway Buffered Bike Lanes Project Project the first-of-its-kind in Winnipeg's Active Transportation network Winnipeg, MB - Beginning the week of July 23, 2012, the City of Winnipeg will begin constructing buffered bikes lanes on Pembina Highway between Crescent and Plaza Drives as part of a rehabilitation project. Over the next four months, the northbound lanes of Pembina Highway will be rehabilitated and buffered bike lanes will be added next to the curb lane on both the northbound and southbound directions. These buffered bike lanes will connect the Bishop Grandin Greenway and the bike route along Crescent Drive. This section of Pembina Highway is unique on the Active Transportation network, as it is the only feasible route to connect two existing Active Transportation facilities. Normally, adjacent streets with lower traffic volumes would be used for establishing Active Transportation routes. However, the properties on the east side of this section of Pembina Highway back onto the Red River and west of this section is an industrial area where there are no residential streets connecting Chevrier Boulevard to Bishop Grandin Boulevard. When complete, this portion of Pembina Highway will accommodate three traffic lanes, a buffered bike lane and enhanced bus stops designed to accommodate larger articulated buses and improved delineation for transit riders, pedestrians and cyclists. This project is another step in applying the Council-adopted Transportation Master Plan as part of OurWinnipeg. These documents outline the vision in which the City should grow in the next 25 years and specifically how the transportation system is to provide mobility options to all Winnipeggers. For more information, visit: http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/MajorProjects/ActiveTransportation/Pembin aBufferedBikeLanes/ -30- Media inquiries should be directed to the City of Winnipeg Media Inquiry Line at 204-986-6000 or via email at MediaInquiry(a)winnipeg.ca Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg <http://www.facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg> Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg <http://www.twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg>

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Commuters Pedal to Work on Their Very Own Superhighway
by Beth McKechnie 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

Commuters Pedal to Work on Their Very Own Superhighway http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/18/world/europe/in-denmark-pedaling-to-work-… COPENHAGEN — Picture 11 miles of smoothly paved bike path meandering through the countryside. Largely uninterrupted by roads or intersections, it passes fields, backyards, chirping birds, a lake, some ducks and, at every mile, an air pump. An 11-mile-long path called a bicycle superhighway has opened between Copenhagen and Albertslund, a western suburb. For some Danes, this is the morning commute. Susan Nielsen, a 59-year-old schoolteacher, was one of a handful of people taking advantage of Denmark’s first “superhighway” for bicycles on a recent morning, about halfway between Copenhagen and Albertslund, a suburb, which is the highway’s endpoint. “I’m very glad because of the better pavement,” said Ms. Nielsen, who wore a rain jacket and carried a pair of pants in a backpack to put on after her 40-minute commute. The cycle superhighway, which opened in April, is the first of 26 routes scheduled to be built to encourage more people to commute to and from Copenhagen by bicycle. More bike path than the Interstate its name suggests, it is the brainchild of city planners who were looking for ways to increase bicycle use in a place where half of the residents already bike to work or to school every day. “We are very good, but we want to be better,” said Brian Hansen, the head of Copenhagen’s traffic planning section. He and his team saw potential in suburban commuters, most of whom use cars or public transportation to reach the city. “A typical cyclist uses the bicycle within five kilometers,” or about three miles, said Mr. Hansen, whose office keeps a coat rack of ponchos that bicycling employees can borrow in case of rain. “We thought: How do we get people to take longer bicycle rides?” They decided to make cycle paths look more like automobile freeways. While there is a good existing network of bicycle pathways around Copenhagen, standards across municipalities can be inconsistent, with some stretches having inadequate pavement, lighting or winter maintenance, as well as unsafe intersections and gaps. “It doesn’t work if you have a good route, then a section in the middle is covered in snow,” said Lise Borgstrom Henriksen, spokeswoman for the cycle superhighway secretariat. “People won’t ride to work then.” For the superhighway project, Copenhagen and 21 local governments teamed up to ensure that there were contiguous, standardized bike routes into the capital across distances of up to 14 miles. “We want people to perceive these routes as a serious alternative,” Mr. Hansen said, “like taking the bus, car or train.” The plan has received widespread support in a country whose left- and right-leaning lawmakers both regularly bike to work (albeit on slightly different models of bicycle). Riding on the first superhighway, which grew more crowded as it neared the city, Marianne Bagge-Petersen said she was heading to a support group for job seekers. “I think it’s very cool,” she said, noting that the path allowed her to avoid roads with more car traffic. “Taking the bike makes me feel good about myself. I’m looking for a job, and if I don’t get out, it’s going to be a very long day.” The Capital Region of Denmark, a political body responsible for public hospitals as well as regional development, has provided $1.6 million for the superhighway project. “When we look at public hospitals, we look very much at how to reduce cost,” said a regional councilor, Lars Gaardhoj, who had just picked up his three small children in a cargo bike decorated with elephants. “It’s a common saying among doctors that the best patient is the patient you never see. Anything we can do to get less pollution and less traffic is going to mean healthier, maybe happier, people.” In Denmark, thanks to measures like the superhighway, commuters choose bicycles because they are the fastest and most convenient transportation option. “It’s not because the Danes are more environmentally friendly,” said Gil Penalosa, executive director of 8-80 Cities, a Canadian organization that works to make cities healthier. “It’s not because they eat something different at breakfast.” Lars Gemzo, a partner at Gehl Architects, said that within Copenhagen, biking was already the best option for many kinds of trips. “If you want to drive a car for a medium distance, you know you are a fool,” he said. “You are going to waste time.” Danish statistics show that every 6 miles biked instead of driven saves 3 1/2 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and 9 cents in health care costs. But many cite happiness among the chief benefits of bicycle commuting. “When you have been biking for 30 minutes, you have a really good feeling about yourself,” said Henrik Dam Kristensen, the minister for transport, who supports the superhighways. “You really enjoy a glass of wine because you’ve earned it.” Frits Bredal, the head of communications at the Danish Cyclists’ Federation, cautioned that the superhighways were not perfect. “Ideally, there would be no red lights, there would be a perfect pavement, no holes, no obstacles, a real highway,” Mr. Bredal said. Several biking innovations are being tested in Copenhagen. Some, like footrests and “green wave” technology, which times traffic lights at rush hour to suit bikers, have already been put into place on the superhighway. Others, like garbage cans tilted at an angle for easy access and “conversation” lanes, where two people can ride side by side and talk, might show up on long-distance routes in the future. Superhighway users can also look forward to some variation on the “karma campaign,” now under way in Copenhagen, in which city employees take to the streets with boxes of chocolate to reward cyclists who adhere to the five rules of cycling: be nice, signal, stay to the right, overtake carefully and, rather than let bicycle bells irritate you, do your best to appreciate them. The next superhighway will link Copenhagen with the municipality of Fureso, to the northwest. There, the existing bike path takes riders through a beautiful forest that is, unfortunately, very dark at night. Last winter, to comply with superhighway standards, Fureso tested solar-powered lighting. “People were so happy about it,” said Lene Hartmann, Fureso’s climate project leader. “One rider said, ‘We feel like the trolls are taking care of us.’ ” Several years ago, a Fureso resident, Karsten Bruun Hansen, started a “bike bus,” in which cyclists meet and commute together, taking turns blocking the wind. (Inspired by Mr. Hansen’s idea, the municipality also created a bike bus for children to ride to school together.) Mr. Hansen, who estimates that he personally saves a ton of carbon dioxide every year, hopes that the superhighway will encourage more people to ride their bikes. “It’s unavoidable to commute to work,” Mr. Hansen said. “This way, you are using the time doing something fun.” Ole Bondo Christensen, Fureso’s mayor, is also looking forward to the improvements that the superhighway will bring. Mr. Christensen, who does not own a car, bikes nearly four miles to work every day. “It’s my way to clear my brain,” he said. “Sometimes I get new ideas.” This summer, after the rest of the solar-powered lights are installed, Fureso’s section of the road will be superhighway-ready. “Now, the wind should always be at your back,” Mr. Christensen said with a smile. “We are working on that.”

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City of Winnipeg Motion to reduce residential speed limits
by Anders Swanson 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

*[further to a previous article re: the chief medical officer in Toronto calling for reduced residential speed limits across the board, see highlighted text below - anders]* source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2012/07/18/mb-city-council-wra… Winnipeg council wraps session for summer Winnipeg's city council checked off a number of outstanding issues from its list Wednesday as it closed shop for the summer. Among the decisions made, council approved reduced speeds in school zones, dropping to 30 km/h from the present 50. Implementing the move affecting 250 school zones will be expensive, Mayor Sam Katz admitted. "You're talking about $4,000 a school — that's No. 1," he said. "There's concrete involved: You put these in concrete bases, you erect them, you have to manufacture the signs. You know, this isn't like a yard sale and you throw up a sign. It's probably more than what most people would think." However, Katz said he believes the city's Public Works Department is asking for more money than what might be needed to ensure it won't have to come back to the city for additional funding. Because setting speed limits is a provincial responsibility under the Highway Traffic Act, the city must wait for the province to give the bill final reading, which is expected by the end of the year. Once approved, the signs are expected to be erected by spring. Two councillors wanted to extend the reduction to Winnipeg's residential streets, a proposal that will be considered in the fall.

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The New Face of Cycling
by Beth McKechnie 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

[Warning: This is a long but very worthwhile article to read when you have a few moments and/or need some inspiration. And while it's U.S.-focused, much, if not all, of it translates to Winnipeg's cultural mix, concentration of AT facilities in wealthier areas of the city, and personal safety concerns around cycling in some neighbourhoods. I particularly like the idea of working to include secure bike parking in public housing units and outreach/cycling education provided by someone who lives in the neighbourhood and becomes a role model. -cheers, Beth] *Momentum Magazine* The New Face of Cycling<http://momentummag.com/articles/the-new-face-of-cycling/index.html> by Carolyn Szczepanski <http://momentummag.com/topics/carolyn_szczepanski_1> June 13, 2012 *Stereotypes about bicycling are falling away as diverse communities adopt and promote the cycling lifestyle* >From every perspective, bicycling was a part of Ed Ewing’s upbringing. During the summer months, Ewing’s father rode his bike to work. On the weekends, bike outings were a common family activity. From an early age, Ewing’s bicycle was his transportation to and from school, football practice and his summer job. But, because he rode a bike in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Minneapolis, MN, Ewing caught flak from his friends. “They didn’t understand it,” he said. “They’re like, ‘Are you turning white? Why are you doing that? Black people don’t bike’.” The outsider status cut both ways. Inspired by the Tour de France, Ewing started racing in high school. But out on the local circuit, he was often the only black cyclist at competitions. “At bike races people were like, ‘Who is this kid?’” he remembers. “There’s this fishbowl effect of everyone staring at you – and you just want to ride your bike.” As a young African-American, Ewing didn’t fit the cycling stereotype. According to the US Department of Transportation, a full 83 percent of bicycle trips in 2001 were made by whites. As of 2009, Caucasians still accounted for 77 percent of trips. But that’s changing. Across North America, people from all cultural and racial backgrounds are adopting the cycling lifestyle. In fact, according to a 2011 study from Rutgers researcher John Pucher “cycling rates are rising fastest among African-Americans, Hispanics and Asian-Americans.” Now living in Seattle, Ewing is propelling that shift. Four years ago he was approached by the Cascade Bicycle Club. At 14,000 members, Cascade was already one of the largest bike organizations in the nation – but, Ewing said, the majority of its membership was 50- to 60-year-old white men. “We looked at ethnic diversity and gender diversity and realized we have a responsibility to change those numbers,” Ewing said. “Then we looked at the communities we served. We do a lot of activism work on bike lanes, greenways and making streets safe, but a lot of those initiatives were not in communities of color.” >From Seattle to Toronto, advocacy organizations and citizen activists are mobilizing, creating the social and political networks that are redefining the face of cycling in many neighborhoods and cities. Back in Ewing’s hometown of Minneapolis, Anthony Taylor helped establish the National Brotherhood of Cyclists – a rapidly growing coalition of African-American cycling clubs. The group started 12 years ago with three black women looking to train for an AIDS benefit ride. Now Taylor flies all over the country, spreading the message that bicycling can – and must – be accessible to all. “To create a true movement in this country, we will have to turn around the top 25 major metropolitan communities,” Taylor said. “And, from that perspective, you know who has to be involved? People of color. They will have to be engaged.” *The Generational and Cultural Gap* Like many teenagers, Adolfo Hernandez abandoned his bicycle when he entered high school. As a kid, he tooled around Little Village, a predominantly Mexican neighborhood in West Chicago, IL, on two wheels. But when he hit adulthood, he relied on public transit. One day, after college, he decided to ride his bicycle 6 miles (10 kilometers) to his job at the YMCA. He braved major arterials roads with terrifying traffic on an old mountain bike, but still arrived at work feeling fresh and energized. Hernandez was hooked on the cycling lifestyle. But his parents, who had emigrated from Mexico, were perplexed. “A lot of people come to this country, including my parents, with a set idea of what the American Dream is and what it means to be successful,” Hernandez said. “I remember my mom and dad saying, ‘Why are you riding a bike? You can afford a car.’ They didn’t mean it in a derogatory way, but riding a bicycle, to them, meant not having the means to get around any other way. In some ways, the car is part of the American Dream.” According to a 2010 study published in Transport Policy, newly arrived immigrants are 41 times more likely to ride a bicycle than native-born Americans – but that propensity plummets to half that in just four years. Over the course of a decade, immigrants’ automobile mode share rises from 30 to nearly 42 percent, while bicycle mode share drops from 1.8 to 0.5 percent. Income could be a factor, the report suggests, as higher income is typically associated with higher automobile use. *Missing Role Models* Back in Singapore, Stanley Teo rarely rode a bicycle, given the high temperatures and thick humidity. But when he moved to Toronto, ON in 2003, economic necessity played a large role in his getting around on two wheels. “As someone who was new to the country, I was somewhat shocked to find out how expensive it is to travel around the city on public transportation,” he said. Because he lived and worked downtown, bicycling was a means to avoid gridlock, save money and explore the city, but Teo didn’t immediately feel welcomed into the cycling fold. “I felt that the bike culture here – cycling-related social events, media images and interactions on the streets – was a predominantly and exclusively a ‘white male’ activity,” he said. Ewing suggests that one of the barriers to biking is a lack of role models in the African-American community, as well. “When you grow up as a minority, you don’t see a lot of minority symbols out there, positive symbols,” he said. “That subconsciously plays on you your entire life and it’s a very, very powerful thing.” So when African-American cyclists are invisible in the media, in popular culture and on the streets of your community, it diminishes the appeal of bicycling. “It’s not until you see someone who looks like you doing that activity and being successful that you see it as possible, as a reality,” he said. That lack of cultural peers also affected Lacourdaire Camargo, a Latina cyclist in Chicago. For her parents, who grew up in Mexico, riding bikes was seen as a luxury for the rich or a means of transportation for working men. In Chicago, Camargo’s role models for cycling were the outgoing neighborhood boys of her youth and, as an adult, the eccentric bike messengers who defied traffic near her downtown office. “Before I started riding, I viewed cyclists as either hipsters with tattoos or the power-ranger, Lance-Armstrong individuals,” she said. “I’m a Latina, no tattoos, and I’m definitely no Jillian Michaels, so I often wonder where I fit in all this. Truthfully, I still don’t see too many minorities cycling, though I know they’re out there.” *Overcoming Stereotypes* Taylor suggests the lower rates of cycling in the African-American community run even deeper. “I believe there are internal conversations about what it means to be black in this country,” he said. “There are certain things that white people do and, by me doing them, it somehow makes me less black.” So while phrases like “Black folks don’t swim” or “Black folks don’t bike” may not be true, Taylor said, they still hold power because they are still so widespread. And, in many communities, the bicycle could be perceived as a threat. “The last time we had a major fundamental shift in transportation it was the expansion of highway system – and the African American community was significantly impacted by it,” Taylor explained. “There’s case after case after case where that shift literally destroyed historically African-American neighborhoods, not just displacing people from their homes, but businesses and cultural centers, too.” And, in some communities, bicycles are seen as the harbinger of another cultural tidal wave. “For many, when they see these bike lanes coming into their neighborhoods it represents gentrification,” Taylor said. “It represents them moving out and young white people moving in.” Robynn Takayama, a Japanese-American cyclist in San Francisco, CA, emphasizes that, while the young white stereotype exists, that’s far from the true picture of bicycling in the Bay Area. “Some things, like participation of the [San Francisco] Bicycle Coalition and the more established bike social circles, you may see those [predominantly white] demographics,” she said. “But out on the street, getting to and from work, there’s a lot of diversity.” And, given the transportation culture in many Asian countries, that doesn’t surprise her. “I’ve been to Sri Lanka, and people are riding bikes carrying their kids, carrying their laundry, carrying wares they’re selling on the streets – and the same in the Philippines,” she said. “When you look at developing countries, bicycling is an important part of transportation there. It’s not that people of color don’t bike here, but I think there can be financial barriers, infrastructure barriers. When you look at some of the lower income neighborhoods, the potholes there are out of control.” *Wanted: Access and Infrastructure* Camargo didn’t have any of the traditional resources for adopting a cycling lifestyle. There wasn’t a single bike shop in her neighborhood of Little Village. When she ventured to North Chicago to buy a bike, her new Raleigh was stolen within a few months. Working downtown, she recognized the growing ranks of urban professionals riding in to work, but none of those folks were coming from the South Side, where she lived. “But, I thought, even if it wasn’t happening on my side of town, it didn’t mean it was forbidden,” she said. “I decided that if other folks that lived up North could do it, then I could too. But cycling is a bit more challenging on the south and west side of Chicago, because there really aren’t a lot of bike lanes or bike-friendly zones. I feel that there’s a disparity.” Certainly, a lack of infrastructure could play a significant role in stifling cycling in some communities. In California last year, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) investigated the intersection of household income, bicycle safety and bicycle infrastructure in some of LA’s diverse communities. “There are many high-density urban areas in Los Angeles County ... that tend to contain much fewer, if any, bicycle facilities,” the LACBC reported. “Not surprisingly, data shows disproportionately higher concentrations of pedestrian and bicycle crashes in low-income areas than in more affluent areas. This presents a major environmental and social injustice.” Hernandez said infrastructure equity is an issue in Chicago as well. “Where the facilities are has a lot to do with where people are riding,” he said. “For instance, many of our trails are built in the more affluent communities, so it’s a question of access to even use the facilities in our city. … If we want diversity among people who ride in the city, we need to think about how facilities and resources to assist them are allocated… The biggest culture change is the actual infrastructure that makes it normal to get around by bike.” And it’s not just paint on pavement. Takayama said that, when San Francisco debuts its new bike share system later this year, “I hope there’s strong outreach into neighborhoods of people of color and low-income people.” But, as Taylor pointed out, there are cultural considerations to take into account. In Minneapolis, the initial plans for the Nice Ride bike share system didn’t include any stations in the Twin Cities’ most concentrated African-American neighborhoods. But even when that oversight was remedied, “there was the issue of how we handle this kind of system in a community that doesn’t use debit cards as much,” Taylor said. “There was the idea that having debit cards as a prerequisite for using the system was itself racism.” *Safe Streets for All* Infrastructure and image aren’t the only inhibiting factors in certain neighborhoods. Genaro Escarzaga, whose parents immigrated to Chicago from Mexico in the 1980s, didn’t feel safe cycling. “Growing up, I generally stayed in because of the constant gang presence immediately outside,” he said. “Shortly after receiving my first real bike, I was assaulted for it in a different neighborhood. I didn’t feel comfortable riding until college, when I became a year-round bike commuter.” Now, as a program instructor for West Town Bikes, he hears those same concerns from other kids. “Violence discourages the young community from cycling and taking part in outside activity altogether,” he said. Hernandez’ first job with the Active Transportation Alliance – where he worked for five years before taking the helm of Chicago’s Office of New Americans – was working with Latino families in several area schools, helping them identify and adopt more active travel habits. The biggest barriers had little to do with cars or money or cultural mores. It was safety. “And that didn’t just imply safety from cars, safety in the built environment, but what’s going on in the streets,” Hernandez said. “Are there adults on the streets? Are there crossing guards, not just to help kids cross streets safely, but also to deter crime and violence. That was an interesting dynamic that we didn’t hear as much about in other parts of the city.” That’s not just true in Chicago. A survey conducted by Engaging Neighbors, Refugees, Immigrants, in Community Health (ENRICH) in Portland, OR, found that nearly one-third of parents cited crime as a limiting factor in allowing their children to bike in their communities. Ewing hears those concerns, as well. Though they’re given a lock when they earn a bicycle through the Cascade Bicycle Club Major Taylor program, some students come back empty-handed within a few days. “Many of our kids live in apartments and, based on religious belief or cultural beliefs, parents won’t allow the bike into the home, because the bike is looked at as the lowest level of transportation,” Ewing said. “So the bike is left outside and gets stolen.” Now, because of their work with diverse youth, Cascade advocates are working with city planners to solve that problem by adding basic amenities like secure bike parking to public housing units. Those types of partnerships and solutions are blossoming across the continent. *The Future of the Movement* Standing at the podium of the Youth Bike Summit, wearing a shy but eager smile, Alpha Barry proudly professed: “I’m a student, a bike mechanic, a bike rider and an advocate.” Growing up in a small village in Guinea, a nation on Africa’s west coast, Barry said, “Only two families in the village owned a car, and even a bicycle was a treasure.” Rather than looking forward to a driver’s license, Barry longed to apprentice in a bike shop, which intoxicated him with the scent of “grease, oil and hard work.” As a teenager, Barry’s bicycle dream came true – more than 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) away, in New York City, NY. As a student at Brooklyn International High School, Barry got an internship at Recycle-A-Bicycle, where he built and learned to maintain his own bike. For 10 months, he worked with area officials on the planning and development of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway – a 14-mile (23-kilometer) multi-use path that passes through a number of multi-cultural communities – and took his first trip to Washington, DC, for the National Bike Summit. For Barry, the bicycle became more than a means of transportation. “I see everything around me in a new way, as if everything has come to life and everything is suddenly possible,” he said. Thanks, in part, to organizations like Recycle-A-Bicycle, the next generation of cyclists will likely look more like Alpha Barry than the past archetype of the affluent, spandex-wearing white male. The growing community bike shop movement is widening the movement by providing free or low-cost bicycles to youth and adults in exchange for their time and energy. Traditional advocacy groups are more often – and more effectively – outreaching to diverse neighborhoods, too. Since the inception of the Major Taylor program, Ewing and Cascade Bicycle Club have provided bicycles, education and programming to more than 430 students at some of the city’s most diverse schools. The LACBC is just one of many advocacy groups that have created Spanish-language literature and education classes. In the US capital, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association started a new effort in a predominantly African-American community “East of the Anacostia,” where bicycle infrastructure and outreach have been virtually nonexistent. Making those efforts successful, though, depends on not just evangelizing the merits of bike lanes, but “building genuine relationships for the sake of building relationships,” Taylor said. It also means understanding community needs and concerns. “What if we can make bike lanes a strategy for increasing safety?” Taylor asked. “What if bike lanes become a solution to connectivity, decreasing these communities’ isolation from an economic and social standpoint?” *Progress through Leadership* Encouraging more adults to ride is a multi-faceted equation. Taylor believes bicycle education can play a key role – especially if the teacher is from the same community as the student. This year, Taylor is working with the League of American Bicyclists to certify 75 African-Americans as League Cycling Instructors who can be ambassadors, role models and champions for biking in their communities. Especially for new immigrants, not understanding the rules of the road can curb the desire to commute by bike. Angel Chen, who moved to Toronto, from Taiwan, said in her home country bicyclists are more akin to pedestrians than cars, so sidewalk riding was common. In Canada, that’s largely illegal. Programs like the newcomer cycling program helped Chen and Teo by providing resources, such as route planning and mentorship. “The Toronto Cyclist Handbook, which explains safety tips and the rules of the road in Toronto, was published in English and in 16 other languages,” Teo said. “Safety and other cycling-related workshops were also held at community hubs, other settlement agencies, libraries and schools. There is also this unique program called the Bike Host Circle where volunteer cyclist mentors are matched with newcomer ‘mentees’ to get them familiar with the city through cycling.” While riding to work may eliminate costs for gas and transit, Nannette Rodriguez, a Puerto Rican cyclist in Des Moines, IA, said cost may be a deterrent for some potential bike commuters. “A large impediment for emerging populations in the US to adopt cycling is the perception that there’s a large investment that needs to be made in equipment,” she said. “Here in Des Moines, we have the Des Moines Bicycle Collective, which restores and repairs bicycles and sells them very economically, or trades volunteer work for bikes. Collectives like this need to be promoted to emerging populations, preferably in their language.” *Building Success* But perhaps the most overwhelming barrier for bike commuters of color is a challenge that knows no culture. “Improved infrastructure is key to building a bicycle constituency,” said Tony Garcia, a Cuban-American urban planner in Miami, FL. “In the end, what we want is a complete bicycle network, with an emphasis on protected facilities and neighborhood routes, that touches all demographics and gets everyone on their bikes.” After all, the benefits of biking are beginning to resonate even in communities that historically have been wary of active transportation. Eight years ago, local officials balked at the installation of bike lanes on Division Avenue, an iconic street for the Puerto Rican community in Chicago. “I remember the local alderman saying, ‘We don’t want this bike lane in our community,’” Hernandez said. “And, for him, it was a matter of protecting the integrity and culture of that community.” But, less than a decade later, that same street has new pedestrian crossings and bicycle facilities, connecting residents to local parks and area jobs. What made the difference? “We’ve been able to do organizing work and, in reaching out, instead of talking about bicycling, we’re talking about health,” Hernandez said. “We’re talking about access to green space and other city amenities, and bicycling is the vehicle to get us there.” Local citizens are emerging as grassroots leaders too, creating social networks that are fostering a sense of solidarity and elevating the visibility of all cyclists. In Los Angeles, Yolanda Davis-Overstreet created Ride in Living Color, a film effort that’s gathered the diverse stories of more than 60 cyclists of color. Across the nation, social rides like the Black Kids on Bikes ride in East LA and the People of Kolor Everyday Riding (P.O.K.E.R). Bicycle Familia Ride in San Francisco are gaining momentum – and reclaiming the streets from long-held stereotypes. “People think of San Francisco bicycling and they think about bike hipsters and skinny jeans,” Takayama said. But show up at the P.O.K.E.R. ride, she suggests, and you’ll see the real face of Bay Area bicyclists – African-American youth on tricked-out “scraper” bikes, a Latino couple carrying their new puppies in their front baskets, a fixed-gear-riding Filipino musician and his bicycling son. “We’re out there,” Takayama said. “There’s a lot of diversity in terms of who’s using a bicycle to get around.” The way the movement is going, Hernandez, for one, thinks cyclists like Takayama and Taylor, Barry and Camargo, won’t be in the minority for long, especially in the major urban centers. “The idea that biking is a white thing or poor thing doesn’t exist as much in the youth who are growing up in diverse, multicultural cities,” Hernandez adds. That gives Taylor cause for optimism. After all, he said, the bicycle movement is still in its infant stages. Even the most bicycle-friendly cities, such as Portland or San Francisco, have barely breached five percent mode share. “We have not had a movement yet,” Taylor said with a chuckle. “My new message in these communities of color is: ‘Guess what? You got here just in time.’ Rather than the sense that anyone has been left behind, it’s a much more positive, invigorating message. We have the potential for a great movement – it just hasn’t happened yet.” *Carolyn Szczepanski is the communications director for the League of American Bicyclists, which represents the interests of 25,000 individual cyclists and 700 affiliated organizations in the United States. *

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Blood on the bike path: What a tragic accident teaches us about safely sharing the trails (Grist)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Jul '12

17 Jul '12

Blood on the bike path: What a tragic accident teaches us about safely sharing the trails By Joel Gwadz <http://grist.org/author/joel-gwadz/> http://grist.org/biking/blood-on-the-bike-path-what-a-tragic-accident-teach… <http://grist.org/author/joel-gwadz/> A few weeks ago, just outside of Washington, D.C., a woman was hit and killed by a man on a bicycle while walking on a paved multi-use trail, aka a “bike path.” It was a tragic accident. My heart goes out to any and all that knew and loved her. It also distressed me to read the anti-cyclist reaction in the comment sections of local online news sources and neighborhood forums, when all of this could have been avoided with a few simple precautions. When various news sites reported the story online, the comments were predictably absurd. There were all sorts of attacks on bikes that reflected more on anti-bike sentiment than on the incident in question. “The path is for everyone not a bunch of spandex wearing Armstrong wannabes,” wrote one commenter. A member of the *Fairfax Underground* forum posted a story about the incident under this headline: “Bicyclist Mows Down Old Lady and Kills Her.” “Kill all cyclists,” replied a second member, “problem solved.” A little more attention to the specifics, and the authors of these remarks would have known how off-base they were. The bike rider in this incident was a man in his early 60s. He was riding an $88 department store bike, a NEXT Power Climber. I doubt that he was training for a race. He claims he gave both a ring of his bell and an audible, “on your left,” to the elderly pedestrian. But apparently the alert caused her to step in front of him rather than out of his way. The collision knocked her backward onto the pavement, according to the police report, where she struck her head. Clearly, there are things both people could have done to avoid the accident. But it is largely the responsibility of bicyclists to avoid collisions like this. Bikes yield to pedestrians — even on bike paths. Just as downhill skiers are expected to anticipate and react to other skiers below them on the slope, it is the responsibility of the cyclist to avoid collisions and expect the unexpected when overtaking other trail users. It is important to keep in mind that “bike paths” are generally not solely for bikes. They are shared spaces that usually accommodate an assortment of people on foot; runners, hikers, dog walkers, nannies pushing strollers, kids walking home from school. Then there are the rollerbladers, roller skaters, skateboarders, people with their dogs on those nearly invisible extendable leashes, power-walking moms with wild toddlers that should be on leashes, and a long list of other potentially menacing variables. Bicyclists should act accordingly. Here are some things to consider:‪‬ - Be considerate of other trail users! Give the person you’re passing a warning either by bell or mouth — a gentle “on your left” usually does the trick. Give them a chance to react, then make a good, clean pass. Pay extra attention to small children and dogs.‬ - Travel at a reasonable pace. This is not the place to try to set the land speed record. Need a workout? Keep your chain out of the “big ring” and work on high cadence at lower speeds. - Slow down in areas that are commonly occupied by slower-moving trail users. Knowing your trail allows you to know what to expect. - Obey the traffic laws. Some multi-use trails have speed limits. Most intersect with roads. Be aware of car traffic when you encounter it. What do these things tell us about the tragic incident outside of Washington? From the reports I read, this rider did everything he should have done. The police apparently agree; he is not being charged with any crime. So while we are trying to educate cyclists on how to behave more safely on the bike path, why not give a few tips to other trail users? - Be aware of other trail users by simply looking and listening. An occasional glance forward and an occasional glance backwards should tip you off that there is a cyclist approaching. - Walk on the right-hand side of the trail. If walking in a group, don’t block the whole trail. Pinch in and walk single file when faster trail users approach. Glance back for approaching trail users before U-turning on the trail.‬ - Understand that the Bike Path is basically a roadway for bicycles and other trail users. Which brings me back to all the hate that was unleashed on cyclists after the accident outside of Washington, D.C. It intrigues me that there are so many people who are anti-cyclist. Do they feel this strongly about cars? Cars are bigger, heavier, and move faster. There are more cars than bike on the roads, and they kill more pedestrians. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration<http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811630.pdf>[PDF], 4,280 pedestrians were killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2010. Another 70,000 were injured. Statistics about pedestrians killed or injured in crashes with bikes are hard to find. What so many people fail to understand is that most cyclists are hyper alert and super cautious. A collision on a bike, whether with a car or a pedestrian, puts the cyclist at risk. And yet, when we see a tragedy like this, instead of viewing people on bikes as individuals, the haters have clumped a very complex subculture of many groups and subgroups into one simple identity — those evil “spandex wearing Armstrong wannabes.” They seem to love to take their show-and-tell experience of being buzzed by a cyclist as the general behavior of all cyclists. In the end, it is a matter of common sense and common courtesy. Is this accident a wake-up call for bicyclists to be more careful and more considerate? Yes, but this notion of being more considerate of others should apply across the board. It’s certainly something I would love to see from the car drivers as they approach pedestrians and cyclists on the road. *Joel Gwadz bikes and blogs in Washington, D.C. His 7-year-old son has accused him of being obsessed with bikes, and he admits that bicycle grease pumps through his veins. Read more of his rants on bicycling and see his photos on his blog, Gwadzilla <http://gwadzilla.blogspot.com/>.*

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WFP View from the West: Crossing a street needn't be an adventure (July16/12)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

Crossing a street needn't be an adventure By: Don Marks Whether or not to use "pedestrian countdown timers" in Winnipeg has been raised again but not seriously because it would cost $10,000 per intersection. But there must be benefits to them since one is used for streets beside the MTS Centre, which is the most pedestrian-packed area of Winnipeg. We need a more detailed cost analysis of PCTs because there are other benefits to be derived from them and almost all of them involve safety. And shouldn't that be the primary concern anyway? There is an even better way to resolve pedestrian and traffic flow and it doesn't cost diddly, but I'll get to that later. PCTs replace the "Walk, Don't Walk" system with an actual, numbered countdown. This makes sense. How often have you stepped off the curb on a green, only to be slapped by a red palm signal before you are even halfway across the street? Then you have to speed up and this can make crossing the street an adventure for folks with bum knees, let alone crutches and wheelchairs. The PCT tells you the actual number of seconds you have to pace your walk. A study in San Francisco found that a PCT reduced the number of pedestrian crossings on red lights from 14 per cent to nine per cent. More important, pedestrian collisions with motorized vehicles were reduced by more than 50 per cent. The major concern was that PCTs would provide an even greater red flag to the charging bull that amber lights turn drivers into. But instead of speeding up to make a green light, drivers were found to slow down by the countdown which also tells them when a light is going to turn yellow. But this is Winnipeg and we can barely afford to fill the potholes. I happened to come across a system which might provide some relief to the wearying war between cars and pedestrians in Winnipeg. I found this system in Auckland, New Zealand. It's called a "pedestrian scramble" and I know if we had thought of this earlier, we might still have people walking across Canada's most famous intersection at Portage and Main. Look, the biggest problem when it comes to an orderly flow involving pedestrians and vehicles is simply that they get in each other's way. How often have you seen a line of cars backed up for blocks just because a single pedestrian chooses to amble across an intersection in front of a lead car that wants to turn right? Pedestrians impede cars. So the most obvious solution is to separate them from each other. Don't try to move cars through an intersection when people are trying to do the same thing at the same time. And vice versa. A pedestrian scramble brings all vehicular traffic to a halt when it is the pedestrians' turn to cross. People gather at the four corners and when it is their turn, they can even cross the intersection diagonally (or "kitty corner" for those of you who want to get all technical). Then when it's time to move vehicles through the intersection, you provide a green light for traffic going say, east-west for a good spell (and you clear a lot of traffic this way). Then you give the folks driving north-south their turn. Then it's back to clearing the pedestrians. Sure, it is a bit of a longer wait for your light to turn green whether you are walking or driving, but my experience as a pedestrian in Auckland was that people took the opportunity to chat and even meet new people as they gathered on the four corners. Drivers didn't seem to mind because, overall, they were moving through downtown faster than being stuck in the middle of a block over and over again. And all you have to do is adjust the timing on our existing traffic signals. I'll bet our city hall could bring that in for about $9,000 an intersection at most (just kidding). The pedestrian scramble only makes sense where large numbers of pedestrians accumulate and there is enough space on the sidewalks to gather them. That would seem to indicate the only practical use for them in Winnipeg would be downtown. But isn't that where we have the most problems between pedestrians and cars? Yes, the longer wait may cause some impatient people to try and jaywalk. But the plus side is these lawbreakers won't find it so easy to cross against smoothly flowing traffic and perhaps they might change their criminal behaviour. Reducing crime is always a major priority here in Winnipeg. I'm suggesting we try it at a couple of downtown intersections and, if it works, we create pedestrian scrambles wherever they make sense. And then some bureaucrat can change the name to the "system for orderly flow of pedestrians and vehicular traffic" because "scramble" sounds like too much fun. *Don Marks is a freelance writer in Winnipeg who accepted a dare to cross kitty corner at Donald and Portage when he was a teenager and now always waits for a brand new walk signal before ever venturing off any curb.*

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BEST Winnipeg AT SIGN Ever!
by Janice Lukes 13 Jul '12

13 Jul '12

Folks!! Ok - a long long time coming - but without a doubt one of the best AT signs I've ever seen in Wpg (I know - there are not many - but - - ) For sure it is cause to celebrate on a hot Friday afternoon! I think it went up yesterday? ! Zoom in close on the attached photo - the HUGE flashing sign located just north of the Pembina / Bishop overpass reads: Pembina Hwy Roadwork Plaza Drive to Chevrier Starts July 16 Although the City of Winnipeg's Active Transportation Advisory Committee has been dissolved (we are told someday a new one will be created) cycling infrastructure ON Pembina Hwy was always the #1 ranking PRIORITY for ATAC! Councillor Swandel made the long needed political move to bring this forward - back in January 2010: http://biketothefuture.org/attachments/0000/1394/pembinahwyat_councilorswand elmotion2010-01-18.pdf Many of us debated with then Chair Bill Clement - Councillor Swandel navigated it through - and here we are today!! I travel this route daily and may do a photo doc of the progress to share for those of you who aren't out as frequently. Fantastic! This is the holy grail of trail in Winnipeg for sure! Janice Lukes

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