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IMPORTANT: City's plan for active transport revived
by Anders Swanson 07 Sep '13

07 Sep '13

[This is relevant to anyone who may have been planning to speak on Tuesday as per the reminder sent out last week. I for one am going to celebrate instead. - Anders ] http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/citys-plan-for-active-transport-revi… THE City of Winnipeg has revived a bike-and-pedestrian strategy the cancellation of which earlier this summer sparked an outcry from cycling activists. In July, Winnipeg's public works department nixed a plan to spend $400,000 on an active-transportation master plan that would have been prepared by Vancouver consulting firm Urban Systems. The plan, initiated in the wake of a messily executed 2010 bike-and-pedestrian upgrade, was intended to help the city choose future active-transportation routes, ensure the city had the capacity to build them and align the funding priorities with those of two other levels of government. But the plan was cancelled when the city official in charge of the project wound up busy with a road-twinning project, public works director Brad Sacher said. Several members of council, including public works chairman Dan Vandal (St. Boniface), were concerned the $400,000 price tag was too high for a planning framework. But in the wake of complaints from the public and others members of council, Sacher renegotiated the scope of the consulting contract, which has been scaled back. The revived master plan may be completed by the end of January, Sacher said Friday. "There's a lot of work to do and not enough resources to get everything done. But after (this plan) was cancelled, it became really apparent it's a really important project to a lot of Winnipeggers," Sacher said. City staff will now oversee the implementation of the plan, which could be completed in time to inform decisions about routes to build in 2014, he added. "It will help us for the budget and for capital-planning projects going forward. It's an important study and something we really needed to complete." As a result of the change, the project fee was reduced by $70,000 to $330,000, Vandal said. "Nobody was ever against a master plan. We just felt the price was crazy," he said. Mark Cohoe, executive director of commuter-cycling lobby group Bike Winnipeg, said he is thrilled the city has salvaged the plan. "It's good to see the city is listening and reacting," Cohoe said after hearing the news. "It's going to bring a lot of outside expertise to Winnipeg -- a fresh set of eyes with a worldly perspective that will give us a bit of focus. "It will get us in line with what other cities are doing."

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WFP: City's plan for active transport revived (Sept.7'13)
by Beth McKechnie 07 Sep '13

07 Sep '13

City's plan for active transport revived By: Bartley Kives http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/citys-plan-for-active-transport-revi… THE City of Winnipeg has revived a bike-and-pedestrian strategy the cancellation of which earlier this summer sparked an outcry from cycling activists. In July, Winnipeg's public works department nixed a plan to spend $400,000 on an active-transportation master plan that would have been prepared by Vancouver consulting firm Urban Systems. The plan, initiated in the wake of a messily executed 2010 bike-and-pedestrian upgrade, was intended to help the city choose future active-transportation routes, ensure the city had the capacity to build them and align the funding priorities with those of two other levels of government. But the plan was cancelled when the city official in charge of the project wound up busy with a road-twinning project, public works director Brad Sacher said. Several members of council, including public works chairman Dan Vandal (St. Boniface), were concerned the $400,000 price tag was too high for a planning framework. But in the wake of complaints from the public and others members of council, Sacher renegotiated the scope of the consulting contract, which has been scaled back. The revived master plan may be completed by the end of January, Sacher said Friday. "There's a lot of work to do and not enough resources to get everything done. But after (this plan) was cancelled, it became really apparent it's a really important project to a lot of Winnipeggers," Sacher said. City staff will now oversee the implementation of the plan, which could be completed in time to inform decisions about routes to build in 2014, he added. "It will help us for the budget and for capital-planning projects going forward. It's an important study and something we really needed to complete." As a result of the change, the project fee was reduced by $70,000 to $330,000, Vandal said. "Nobody was ever against a master plan. We just felt the price was crazy," he said. Mark Cohoe, executive director of commuter-cycling lobby group Bike Winnipeg, said he is thrilled the city has salvaged the plan. "It's good to see the city is listening and reacting," Cohoe said after hearing the news. "It's going to bring a lot of outside expertise to Winnipeg -- a fresh set of eyes with a worldly perspective that will give us a bit of focus. "It will get us in line with what other cities are doing." *bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca* *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 7, 2013 A4 *

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Saturday Night: Second Annual Neon Bike Decorating Extravaganza and Parade Down Broadway
by Anders Swanson 06 Sep '13

06 Sep '13

*[ Hoo boy. No stats or best practices or anything. Just something fun for kids of all ages on Saturday. All you need is a bike and an imagination. Go light stuff up for no good reason...and then come back for Ciclovia on Sunday. -Anders] * On Saturday, September 7, help kick off "Ciclovia-Eve" by decorating your bike and riding down to Lights on Broadway. There are bike decorating station stations in the following areas: - Sherbrook St - Coronation Park - Omand's Park - Memorial Park Things to note: *-All decorating (free lights and other free fun things) at the four stations happens from 5:30pm-7:30pm**.* - Group rides leave from the stations for Broadway's Parade of Lights at approx 7:30pm. - Manyfest is hosting the Memorial and Omand Park stations. - The West End BIZ is hosting the Sherbrook Street Festival Station and the Norwood Grove BIZ is hosting the Coronation Park station. - Prizes will be awarded at the Parade of Light for the Best Lit Bikes. Photo of some of the winners from last year: [image: Inline image 1] *[ If you're an adult, I expect more**. Something like this...work your magic. - Anders]* [image: Inline image 1]

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Active & Green: Ciclovia, Bike Friendly Businesses, Dance Walk Guru, and Getting Bendy
by Beth McKechnie 06 Sep '13

06 Sep '13

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.<http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3f55cc&id=b0258587eb…> *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. Talk to us about implementing a Smart Trips<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>program at your workplace. ------------------------------ Upcoming Events Ciclovia<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> - Winnipeg Sunday, Sept. 8 Open Street Sunday<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>- Thompson Sunday, Sept. 8 PARK(ing) Day<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> Friday, Sept. 20 Culture Days<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> September 27-29 Walk to School Week / Month<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> Oct. 7-11 / October Pedaling for the People<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> Bike Winnipeg Fundraiser Wednesday, Oct. 9 Waste Reduction Week<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> October 21-27 ------------------------------ *Reviving Winnipeg's Ped/Bike Strategies* On Tues, Sept. 10, the Standing Policy Committee for Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works will be revisiting the decision to cancel the contract to develop pedestrian and cycling strategies for Winnipeg. Find more details from Bike Winnipeg and how you can get involved here<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> . ------------------------------ Bus & Bike to the Bombers Turns out that taking the bus or riding a bike to Bomber games is way more popular than expected. While organizers thought perhaps 15% of fans would attend by means other than a car, the percentage has ranged from 30-39%! If you'd like to try biking to a game, check out Anders Swanson's video of his ride biking to the new stadium<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>from downtown. ------------------------------ Like what you see? *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-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>campaign. By giving just a few dollars from your paycheque each month you can make a big difference protecting the environment and promoting environmental education. *Please choose Green Action Centre as your charity this year*. Ciclovia - Sunday, Sept. 8th The annual celebration<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> of active transportation and healthy living happens this Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Cycle on a car-free lane from Assiniboine Park all the way to The Forks. Meander down Broadway from Osborne to Main and take in the street festival. From the bike zone to the eco zone to the Tweed ride (and the Food Trucks), it's a great time! Bike Friendly Businesses This Sunday, the Downtown BIZ and Exchange District BIZ will be launching a Bike Friendly Business Network<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> at Ciclovia. Look for this decal in the window of participating businesses! It ensures quality bike parking along with a bike pump, bike maps and loaner locks for customer use. Some businesses may offer additional services, such as a discount, free water refill or other tools to use. And, of course, you can always check this map<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> [pdf] to find bike racks and secure bike parking locations in downtown Winnipeg. And in case you're travelling, check out these top 10 great places to park your bike<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>around the world. Get ready for bendy Remember hearing last year about the 20 articulated buses purchased by Winnipeg Transit? Well, we'll soon be able to get all bendy with it. The extra-long buses are scheduled to be mixed into Transit's fleet later this fall. *Meet the Dance Walk guru* Why walk when you can dance? That's the life philosophy of the "Dance Walk guru maste<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>r" [video]. Made famous by Ben Aaron of NBC New York, this happy fellow has inspired thousands of others to choose to dance down the sidewalk. While we haven't spotted any dance walkers in Winnipeg just yet, perhaps they're waiting to reveal themselves. And if you prefer to walk, there's a new study<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>that found people who walk to work are 40 percent less likely to develop diabetes and 17 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than those who drive. Almost enough to make you dance! *Active Living Research* Check out the interesting statistics on the role of transportation in encouraging physical activity from Active Living Research<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> (US). *Set up your own rideshare* With the high price of gas (and likely to rise further) plus increasing costs for parking, you might be looking to share your ride. If your workplace doesn't subscribe to a formal rideshare program, try a self-serve bulletin board or map with pins or dots marking home locations. Once you've found suitable partners, here are some helpful tips<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> [pdf] to set up your own carpool. Our mailing address is: Green Action Centre 3-303 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B4 Canada Copyright (C) 2013 Green Action Centre All rights reserved. Forward<http://us2.forward-to-friend1.com/forward?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3f55cc&id=b0…>this email to a friend [image: Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp]<http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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Fwd: Sustainable Transportation Recordings
by Beth McKechnie 05 Sep '13

05 Sep '13

Clipped from the latest update on Tools of Change webinars from Cullbridge Marketing and Communications... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Terry Zdan <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, Sep 4, 2013 at 11:26 AM *Transportation / Active Living Recordings* The following recent webinar video-recordings are now publicly accessible at no charge. All five were designated as Landmark case studies through our peer-selection process that recognizes behavior change programs and approaches considered to be among the most successful, innovative, replicable and adaptable in the world. - BIXI Bike Sharing System - Calgary's Workshift - Portland's Smart Trips Welcome - Haliburton Communities in Action - Stepping it Up: Reversing the Trend in Active Transportation *Sustainable Transportation Recordings <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Ou0ItGy3VntOb3ZS593euAKNm-__IczSvIhmwo1K1VZV…> * * * -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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Let your voice be heard!
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 04 Sep '13

04 Sep '13

Hi AT Network, This is a reminder about the upcoming Standing Policy Committee for Infrastructure and Public Works meeting scheduled for September 10, 2013 at 9 am where they will be reviewing the decision to cancel the development of a pedestrian and cycling strategy for the City of Winnipeg. With the city threatening to delay this project for another year and half, this may be the one and only opportunity to let the city know they need to continue with this long term plan. A few select points: the city is obligated to complete the pedestrian and cycling strategy. Major plans and guiding city policy states this plan is needed; Our Winnipeg, Complete Communities Direction Strategy and the Transportation Master Plan all identify the need for a Pedestrian and Cycling Strategy. The comments by council that a plan is not needed and implementation can proceed with out it is ludicrous. In order to have a comprehensive plan for growth and development and in order to live up to the City's Sustainable Transportation Direction Strategy, the City can not delay or cancel this plan. It is unheard of for a city without a long-term active transportation plan to delay the process and engage in meaningful consultation with the public. Please circulate this to other concerned groups in your networks, namely the Older Adult networks/orgs, all trails orgs/assoc, Rivers West, WTA, Bike Winnipeg, youth and student groups and neighbourhood associations. You might also consider calling or emailing your City Councillor asking them to restart the development of these strategies for Winnipeg. Thanks again!

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Fwd: Bigger than Denmark: Economic benefits of cycling in the EU-27
by Anders Swanson 04 Sep '13

04 Sep '13

*[Please find a nice new article from the European Cyclists' Federation regarding the economic benefits of cycling below. * * * *Some helpful notes to go along with all the numbers: * * * *1. The "Eu-27" represents all of the countries in the European Union prior to July 2013 (when Croatia became its newest member.) Here is a list<http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Glossary:EU…>. This is important because it means the overall calculations include member countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy or even Austria - all of which provide a considerable counterweight to places like Denmark or Holland in terms of numbers of people actually cycling. Despite progress in places like Sevilla, Torino, Vienna, or Porto, it is very true that not everyone cycles in Europe...some countries (and/or local pockets within countries) are much much more adept at providing cycling facilities than others. And the number of people this represents is considerable: Spain-Portugal-Italy, for example, have 3X the population of Canada, have 5X the population of both Holland and Denmark combined. * *2. One Euro is worth approximately 1.4 Canadian Dollars. The effective annual economic benefit calculation would, in Canadian terms, be $560CAD/yr. per person, $560Million province-wide/yr. or $19.3B country-wide/yr. Accounting for the mode share discrepency between Canada and Europe would able you to come up with a more accurate translation, but even at 10%, which off the top of my head is probably reasonable, the numbers are staggering. Accounting for health-care cost equivalents, etc.. would take even more research, but you get the idea.)* * * *Kind Regards,* *anders]* ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: European Cyclists' Federation <noreply(a)ecf.com> Date: Wed, Sep 4, 2013 at 10:53 AM Subject: Bigger than Denmark: Economic benefits of cycling in the EU-27 To: andersswanson(a)gmail.com ** Economic benefits of cycling are worth more than €200 billion Europe wideaccording to a new ECF study. Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser<http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=b0c3ff3f53e4c6a8be5677245&id=d647f93791…>. [image: European Cyclists' Federation]<http://ecf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b0c3ff3f53e4c6a8be5677245&id=1…> Bigger than Denmark: Economic benefits of cycling in the EU-27 For immediate release Brussels, 4 September 2013 German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened Europe’s biggest bike trade fair Eurobike last Wednesday, signaling a huge step forward for the cycling advocacy movement. At the same time ECF released its analysis of the “Economic benefits of cycling in the EU-27” making it clear that such high level interest in cycling is set to continue. Senior politicians are beginning to realize that daily cycling not only changes the face of our cities for the better, it also makes much sense in economic terms. Calculating all internal and external benefits of cycling together and adding the turnover of related industries, ECF estimates the number to be *well above € 200 bn annually*, or *more than € 400 for every person that lives in the EU*. By far the biggest single chunk is on the health side, with over € 110 bn annually. ECF calculated this figure by using the Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) for Cycling<http://ecf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b0c3ff3f53e4c6a8be5677245&id=3…>, developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Despite the excellent work done by the WHO, there is still a long way to go within the health sector in promoting active mobility. ECF therefore has the following 3 key messages to the political world in general and to the health sector in particular: n Cycling policy needs continuous political leadership and coordination from the very top down. Cycling has links to many different policy departments[i] <#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b__edn1>. This fragmentation needs to be overcome. ECF therefore encourages government at all levels[ii] <#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b__edn2> to develop and implement *cross-departmental cycling action plans*. n As the main socioeconomic benefit of cycling is on the health side, the ECF calls in particular upon the health sector to live up to its responsibility. Health departments should actively reach out to other departments for fully inclusive cycling policies. This also relates to the concept of ‘health in all policies’. Health departments and health insurance programmes are also invited to financially *support cycling projects*, e.g. cycling infrastructure investments and promotion campaigns. Another tool is to offer regular active commuters health insurance discounts. n The “polluter pays” principle is finding more and more political support. The European Commission stated in its White Paper on Transport (2011[iii] <#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b__edn3>) the ambition to “Proceed to the full and mandatory internalization of external costs (including noise, local pollution and congestion)”. ECF welcomes the progress being made here but thinks that the *external* *health benefits of cycling should be included in this policy framework*. For reading ECF’s political messages in further detail please here. ECF detailed calculations on the numbers can be found here: ECF would like to point out that these calculations can be replicated to a large extent at every local, regional and national level and we encourage cycling advocates to do so when speaking to their politicians. The WHO currently organizes a number of training webinars<http://ecf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b0c3ff3f53e4c6a8be5677245&id=9…>in English and German language on how to use the HEAT tool. *ends* NOTES TO THE EDITOR: *The figures:* - Annual economic benefits in the EU-27[iv]<#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b__edn4> are estimated at about € 205.2 – 217.3 bn (in 2010), based on internal and external benefits[v] <#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b__edn5> of cycling as well as turnover in relevant industries; - Cycling in the EU therefore has an annual economic benefit of about € 410 – 434 per capita; - With about 80 %, the health benefits of cycling are by far the largest single category among the direct internal and external benefits: using WHO’s HEAT for cycling<http://ecf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b0c3ff3f53e4c6a8be5677245&id=2…>, ECF calculated € 114 – 121 bn at current levels of cycling. At this moment, HEAT only takes reduced mortality into account, and not reduced morbidity. The numbers presented here are therefore of a conservative nature; - By comparison, investments in bicycle infrastructure and promotion are much lower: In the Netherlands, the leading European cycling country with a 27 % cycling mode share, about € 25 are invested annually per capita; in the UK, the figure estimated by ECF member CTC, the UK’s national cycling charity, is as low as about £ 2 per capita (€ 2.35), while it is about 3 € Euro in Hungary; On European average, ECF estimates that € 5-6 per capita are invested annually in cycling infrastructure and promotion. *Type of benefit* *In **€ for 2010 in EU-27* 1 Health benefits: reduced mortality € 114 – 121 bn 2 Congestion-easing € 24.2 bn 3 Fuel savings at US$ 100/ barrel € 2.7 – 5.8 bn 4 Reduced CO2 emission € 1.4 – 3.0 bn 5 Reduced air pollution € 0.9 bn 6 Reduced noise pollution € 0.3 bn 7 Tourism industry € 44 bn 8 Bicycle industry € 18 bn Total € 205 – 217.3 bn *About the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)* With over 70 members across nearly 40 countries, the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) unites cyclist’ associations from across the globe, giving them a voice on the international level. Our aim is to get more people cycling more often by influencing policy in favour of cycling. ECF’s members are complemented by networks Scientists for Cycling, Cities for Cycling and the ECF Cycling Industry Club. More at www.ecf.com *Images* Copyright free images including infographics can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eucyclistsfed/sets/72157635377955064/ <http://ecf.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b0c3ff3f53e4c6a8be5677245&id=a…> *Media Contacts* ECF Senior Policy Officer: Fabian Küster f.kuester(a)ecf.com +32 2 880 92 77 ECF Communications Officer: Chloé Mispelon c.mispelon(a)ecf.com +32 2 880 92 81 ------------------------------ [i] <#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b__ednref1> Transport, environment and energy, public health, urban affairs/ city planning, education, tourism, finances, etc. [ii] <#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b__ednref2> Local, regional, national, European. [iii] <#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b__ednref3> European Commission, White Paper Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system, COM(2011) 144 final [iv] <#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b__ednref4> Croatia who joined the EU as 28th member state on July 1, 2013 could not be included in this study. [v] <#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b__ednref5> Direct internal and external benefits are estimated at € 143.2 – 155.3 bn (Health benefits of cycling; Congestion-easing due to cycle use; Fuel savings due to cycle use; Reduced CO2 emissions due to cycle use; Reduced air pollution due to cycle use; Reduced noise pollution due to cycle use); industry turnover estimated at € 62 bn, thereof the tourism industry (€ 44 bn) and the bicycle industry (€ 18 bn). follow on Twitter <https://www.twitter.com/EuCyclistsFed/> | friend on Facebook <#140e9c9d2c1ca1c9_140e9aebe6c2593b_> | forward to a friend<http://us2.forward-to-friend1.com/forward?u=b0c3ff3f53e4c6a8be5677245&id=d6…> *Copyright © 2013 European Cyclists' Federation, All rights reserved.* You receive this email because you are part of our mailing list "ECF Website Sign up" *Our mailing address is:* European Cyclists' Federation Rue Franklin 28 Brussels 1000 Belgium Add us to your address book<http://ecf.us2.list-manage.com/vcard?u=b0c3ff3f53e4c6a8be5677245&id=c6a2e6c…> unsubscribe from this list<http://ecf.us2.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=b0c3ff3f53e4c6a8be5677245&id=c…>| update subscription preferences<http://ecf.us2.list-manage.com/profile?u=b0c3ff3f53e4c6a8be5677245&id=c6a2e…>

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10 great ways to park your bike
by Shoni Litinsky 04 Sep '13

04 Sep '13

Had to share this, some really neat examples of bike parking ideas from around the world! http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/540168/10-great-ways-to-park-you… -- *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: Let Portage and Main breathe - Removing barriers good for entire core (Sept.3'13)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Sep '13

04 Sep '13

Let Portage and Main breathe Removing barriers good for entire core By: Brent Bellamy http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/let-portage-and-main-breathe-2221… At 10 o'clock this morning, there will be precisely 2,000 days left until the intersection of Portage and Main, Winnipeg's famous windy corner, can legally be opened once again to pedestrians. Whether it will open or not remains to be seen. The story is well-known by now. With the construction of the Trizec building in the late 1970s, an underground connection was made to each of the intersection's four corners. In an effort to force people into the shops that lined the concourse, a 40-year agreement was signed with the six adjacent property owners that read, "The city agrees that it will not consent to any construction of a pedestrian crossing over or under any street" (at Portage and Main). Concrete barricades adorned with colourful flowers were installed and the intersection was sealed off to a generation of people. Last month, the Canadian Institute of Planners nominated Winnipeg's windswept corner one of the "Great Places in Canada." The improbable announcement touched off a public discussion about the future of the intersection, with bloggers, television, radio and newspaper outlets all debating the subject. Those who favoured the barricades argued pedestrians would be unsafe crossing with the high number of cars that pass through the intersection, yet traffic volumes are similar at Broadway and Main or Portage and Memorial, and pedestrians cross those intersections without incident every day. The argument heard most often was adding pedestrians would significantly delay vehicular traffic, but with 11 stop lights and pedestrian crossings already in place along the one-kilometre length of Portage Avenue in downtown, it is unclear by how much. To alleviate these safety and congestion concerns, cities around the world have implemented so-called scramble corners at similar intersections. Using this strategy, vehicles cycle through without pedestrians, then with all vehicles stopped, pedestrians are allowed to cross in every direction, including diagonally. This sequence eliminates the typical interaction between cars and pedestrians and only adds one minute to each traffic cycle. Despite a fear of change, opening Portage and Main to pedestrians as part of a greater strategy to make Winnipeg's downtown a more walkable neighbourhood would have a significant positive impact on the city in many ways. The number of people who spend each day working at Portage and Main is nearly equivalent to the population of Steinbach. If the intersection were a city, it would be one of the five largest in the province, yet few street-level amenities exist to support that market. Enticing even a portion of these people back onto the sidewalks might increase foot traffic to a level where the first three blocks of Portage Avenue no longer have more empty storefronts than the rest of its 14-kilometre length combined. Albert Street, an adjacent toothless grin of vacant lots, derelict buildings and empty retail units, might finally fulfil its potential as a trendy urban strip and connection point to the burgeoning Exchange District. A closed Portage and Main currently acts as a physical and intellectual barrier in the downtown. The Forks, the East Exchange, Waterfront Drive, Stephen Juba Park and the river are all disengaged from the rest of the city because of this divide. As the Canadian Museum for Human Rights opens and the mixed-use residential development is constructed across from it, establishing pedestrian connections will become a significant opportunity to finally engage The Forks as part of downtown. Breaking down this barrier and establishing these neighbourhood relationships would make the ocean of surface parking lots along the rail line attractive to development as they become a bridge between these two areas. Safety is always highlighted as a key impediment to our city's urban growth. Despite statistics that indicate downtown crime levels are no different than in other cities, the lack of people on Winnipeg's sidewalks creates an impression of insecurity, heightening the perception of crime. It is uncomfortable to be near Portage and Main in the evening because of the feeling of isolation the concrete barriers and empty sidewalks create. Opening the corner up would repopulate the area, providing strength in numbers and putting more eyes on the street to establish a greater feeling of safety and security for pedestrians. Improved safety and enhanced walkability are vital ingredients in establishing a desirable urban neighbourhood that attracts residential development, widely accepted as the key to downtown revitalization. Governments currently offer incentives to entice this growth, but in the long term, the residential market must be self-sustaining. Opening Portage and Main as part of an overall scheme to increase walkability and improve the pedestrian experience is an important part of creating the desirable conditions that attract buyers to urban living and establish a competitive downtown residential market without subsidies. The Canadian Institute of Planners' recognition of Portage and Main, even in its current condition, shows it is a place the story of which still resonates in the imagination of Canadians. With no other Winnipeg location holding that level of prominence, its current utilitarian function is a lost opportunity in a city that cannot afford to squander its few noteworthy attributes. Surrounded by many of the finest historic buildings in North America and most beautiful public art in the country, inviting people back to experience our most important public place would be a source of pride for tourists and Winnipeggers alike. Reanimating Portage and Main with a pedestrian vibrancy would not only physically transform the heart of our city but it would hold great symbolic value, signalling to the world Winnipeg is a progressive community that has shifted its urban-design focus to people and neighbourhoods. Establishing a sense of place at the historic crossroads of Western Canada would be an expression of a modern, forward-thinking Winnipeg and with reverence to where Bobby Hull was once signed, a place to celebrate the Jets' first Stanley Cup victory. *Brent Bellamy is senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.* bbellamy(a)numberten.com *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 3, 2013 B6 *

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Ontario Government Committed to Safe, Sustainable Transportation
by Dave Elmore 03 Sep '13

03 Sep '13

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2013/08/province-releases-new-cycling-strategy .html?utm_source=ondemand <http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2013/08/province-releases-new-cycling-strateg y.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p> &utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p Check out who the Minister is (in case you weren't aware of it already) Province Releases New Cycling Strategy Ontario Government Committed to Safe, Sustainable Transportation August 30, 2013 2:30 p.m. Ministry of Transportation Ontario has released a new cycling strategy to promote safe cycling and encourage more people to ride their bikes to work, school <http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2013/08/province-releases-new-cycling-strateg y.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p> and recreation destinations. The strategy presents a 20-year vision that supports cycling by encouraging and promoting: * Healthy, active and prosperous communities * Improvements to cycling infrastructure * Safer highways and streets * Improved cycling awareness * Tourism opportunities The strategy reflects input from the public and expert advice from cycling stakeholders such as Share the Road Cycling Coalition, the Canadian Automobile Association <http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2013/08/province-releases-new-cycling-strateg y.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p> and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. The government will release next steps to implement the strategy by spring 2014. Supporting safe cycling and encouraging sustainable transit is part of the Ontario government's plan to help reduce congestion and strengthen communities and the economy. Quick Facts * A draft of the cycling strategy was posted online for public feedback from Nov. 30, 2012, until Jan. 29, 2013. * In 2010, two million Canadian visitors spent $391 million while cycling in Ontario - an 18 per cent increase over the previous year. * According to the Canadian Medical Association, a 10 per cent increase <http://policybase.cma.ca/dbtw-wpd/Policypdf/PD09-04.pdf> in physical activity could reduce direct health care expenditures by $150 million a year. * Ontario has the second-lowest cycling injury rate of all Canadian provinces. Quotes Glen R Murray CycleON is a strong and integrated, made-in-Ontario strategy. It has been developed with input from the public, cyclists and advocates. Our goal is to make Ontario the premier cycling province in Canada - a place that promotes safe and healthy travel alternatives connecting people to their jobs, schools, parks and places of interest right across the province." Glen Murray <http://news.ontario.ca/ministers/en/glen_r-murray> Minister of Transportation, Minister of Infrastructure Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X)

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