- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Employment opportunity - Sustainability Coordinator RRC
by Beth McKechnie 07 Nov '11

07 Nov '11

While this employment opportunity goes beyond AT, I thought it might be of interest to subscribers of this listserv. Please share widely. cheers, Beth ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Sara MacArthur <smacarthur(a)rrc.mb.ca> Date: Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 10:37 AM Subject: Employment opportunity **** Hi, **** Red River College’s Office of Sustainability is growing – we’re hiring a Sustainability Coordinator. Please pass this posting around to your contacts who might be interested. Thanks. ** *Sara MacArthur **MCP LEED® AP*** Manager of Sustainability [image: Description: Description: Sustainable leaf.jpg]**** Red River College**** C409-2055 Notre Dame Avenue R3H 0J9**** **** p: 204.632.2166 f: 204. 632.9661**** e: smacarthur(a)rrc.mb.ca**** ** ** Become a fan of Sustainability@RRC on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winnipeg-MB/Sustainability-Red-River-College/…> **** ** **

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NYC encourages AT for students, launches program to encourage walking to school
by Beth McKechnie 05 Nov '11

05 Nov '11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release # 11-91 Wednesday, November 2, 2011 Seth Solomonow/Nicole Garcia (212) 839-4850 *NYC DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan and Mayor Koch Encourage Active Transportation for New York City Students, Launch Program to Encourage Walking to School New initiative allows schools to opt-in for program to develop lesson plans to further promote walking as a safe, healthy way to get around Officials read Koch’s book, “Eddie Shapes Up,” to Manhattan’s P.S. 64 students, underscoring the importance of encouraging walking, biking and taking transit * New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and Mayor Edward I. Koch today hosted a special reading of *Eddie Shapes Up*, a children’s book written by the mayor, and launched Walk Ways, a new program that helps schools establish the importance of active transportation and gives them the resources to encourage walking among students. Schools can visit nyc.gov/dot to register, download lesson plans and connect with DOT safety educators for guidance and to develop tailored walk-to-school route plans. The Commissioner and Mayor joined fourth and fifth graders from P.S. 64 in Manhattan’s East Village for the event. “With unprecedented safety redesigns and educational initiatives in all five boroughs, our streets are shaping up for New Yorkers of all ages to walk and bike more,” said DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan. “By teaching students the benefits of active transportation, we’re helping them build healthy habits for life.” “The most marvelous sight in New York City is to see youngsters, adolescents and adults cycling on the many bicycle paths we now have which separate bikers from vehicular traffic,” said Mayor Koch. “It is glorious to watch, and I wish I were young again to participate.” Co-written with Mayor Koch’s sister, Pat Koch Thaler, and with illustrations by Jonathan Hoefer, *Eddie Shapes Up* describes an overweight student’s path to getting healthy by eating better and exercising more, and how fun being active can be. DOT works with New York City schools to encourage safe, active transportation and educates students about the benefits of walking and biking to school. In addition to launching the citywide contest, “We’re Walking Here NYC,” last month, DOT Safety Education hosted a special Walk to School Day event with P.S. 197 in Manhattan as part of International Walk to School Day. Similarly, the agency organizes annual Bike to School Day activities. This June, it worked with the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and Bike New York to conduct rides with students from P.S. 89 and I.S. 302 in Cypress Hills, Queens. In the last decade, pedestrian traffic fatalities have dropped more than 25% and DOT is working to combine education and engineering to achieve its aggressive goal of reducing all traffic fatalities by 50% by 2030, focusing on tailoring streets so they are safer for the most vulnerable pedestrians: students and seniors. As part of its Safe Routes to School campaign, the DOT makes safety upgrades that can include improved signage and marking, among other additions, to make motorists more aware of the high volumes of student pedestrians, as well as make the streets easier for youths to cross safely. The agency also launched efforts to triple the number of 20 mph speed zones around schools from 25 to 75, among other initiatives. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dot <http://www.nyc.gov/dot>. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pr2011/pr11_91.shtml

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EcoMobility Gaining Ground, Step by Step
by Beth McKechnie 03 Nov '11

03 Nov '11

EcoMobility Gaining Ground, Step by Step By Stephen Leahy * http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=105672 [image: Bike sharing system in Changwon, South Korea. / Credit:City of Changwon] Bike sharing system in Changwon, South Korea. Credit:City of Changwon <http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=105672> * *CHANGWON, South Korea, Nov 1, 2011 (Tierramérica) - Berlin is a big capital city of a country famed for making excellent automobiles, but it can no longer afford roads and is now moving people by transit, bike and especially through walking.Berlin is not alone. Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, Bogotá, New York City and other major cities simply cannot afford the cost, the pollution, the noise and the congestion of more cars. They are embracing a new concept called EcoMobility - mobility without private cars. "EcoMobility is not only walking, cycling and public transportation. It is about these three systems clicking together: connectivity is the key," Gil Peñalosa, former director of parks and recreation in Bogotá, Colombia, told those attending the EcoMobility Changwon 2011<http://ecomobility2011.iclei.org/>congress. The congress on Mobility for the Future of Sustainable Cities was organised by the South Korean city of Changwon and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability <http://www.iclei.org/index.php?id=about>, an association of local government members from more than 1,220 cities in 70 countries. "The famous Times Square in New York City is now a permanent pedestrian mall. Who would have believed that could happen just three years ago?" Peñalosa commented to Tierramérica. "Five years ago who would have thought Paris would have over 22,000 bikes as part of a tremendously successful bike sharing system?" added Peñalosa, who is now the executive director of 8-80 Cities<http://www.8-80cities.org/>, an NGO based in Toronto that promotes walking, cycling, parks and urban trails to improve the public life of cities. "We need to build cities around people and not around cars," he stressed. EcoMobility is defined as moving people and goods in urban areas using combinations of walking, cycling (including electric bikes) and wheeling (roller blades), public transport, and light electric vehicles. The concept is being widely embraced by cities looking for affordable and effective forms of sustainable transport. "Cities should focus more on moving people rather than moving vehicles," said Stephen Yarwood, mayor of Adelaide, Australia. The fact is, cars are not very good at moving people. A standard 3.5-meter-wide city street has a maximum capacity of 2,000 people in cars per hour. The same road can carry 14,000 cyclists or 19,000 pedestrians each hour. Light rail in the same space can move 22,000 people, and a double lane of bus rapid transit will move 43,000 people, said Manfred Breithaupt, director of the GIZ Sustainable Urban Transport Project<http://www.sutp.org/>, a German NGO. The transportation sector is one of biggest contributors of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, responsible for 25 to 30 percent of the emissions causing climate change. Cars and scooters are by far the biggest sources of carbon dioxide on a per-kilometre, per-person basis, said Breithaupt. Cycling or walking produces no greenhouse gases at all. Moving people out of cars is an enormous challenge. One major reason is the endless multi-billion-dollar advertising by automobile companies telling people that buying a car is the ticket to success, freedom, status and other nonsense, said Peñalosa. "Car companies attack transit with their commercials. Someone told me that in their country, one advertisement suggests people using subways have some kind of 'subway stink'," he said. In North America the cost of owning and operating a private automobile amounts to 8,000 to 12,000 dollars a year, according to automobile clubs. That can be 25 to 50 percent of the average family's after-tax income, illustrating the success of automobile advertising. "How else could we be spending 20 times more than we need to get around?" wondered Peñalosa. This is changing in Germany. "More than 80 percent of young people don't think they need private cars," said Bernhard Ensink, secretary general of the European Cyclists’ Federation, an NGO based in Brussels. Car ownership in Germany and other European countries is slowly declining, he said, because there are cheaper and easier ways to get around. Mobility is also a moral issue, Ensink said. "Who gets the negative impacts of car ownership? It is never the car owner, it is always the public and particularly the poor, especially those living in car-dependent cities." Among those impacts are accidents where cars kill and injure thousands of pedestrians and cyclists every day. In fact, car accidents are the primary cause of death for young people aged 15 to 29 years worldwide. But shifting to an EcoMobility focus is difficult, said Yeom Tae-Young, mayor of the city of Suwon outside of Seoul, Korea. "Citizens must know about EcoMobility and the government's commitment must be clear," he told the congress participants. Suwon, an ancient city with just over a million inhabitants, is competing with Changwon to become South Korea's greenest and lowest-carbon city. Not all people will agree, and there will be inconveniences, but the public will still support the changes if they understand it is for the greater good. "We cannot close our eyes to the challenge of climate change," he concluded. -- *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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Bike trails, house prices and property taxes
by Beth McKechnie 03 Nov '11

03 Nov '11

[Thanks to Ian Hall for sending this along...] ** Interesting short news item: http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2011/10/how-much-bike-trail-worth/… "...according to research coming out of the University of Cincinnati<http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=14300>, proximity to trails in urban areas increases property values, which in turn boosts the amount of property taxes filling government coffers. The research, by planning professor Rainer vom Hofe and economics professor Olivier Parent, looked at houses along a 12-mile stretch of the Little Miami Scenic Trail <http://trailsfromrails.com/miami_scenic_trail.htm>, a former rail line that cuts across the northeastern portion of Cincinnati. The pair found that home buyers were willing to pay a premium of $9,000 to be within 1,000 feet of access to the trail." -- *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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Reminder: Transportation Master Plan Open House - Wed, Nov 2nd
by Beth McKechnie 01 Nov '11

01 Nov '11

*Find out where our roads, buses, bike lanes and pathways are heading over the next 20 years!* Stop by the third and *final* Open House for the *Winnipeg Transportation Master Plan* <http://transportation.speakupwinnipeg.com/>. Date:* Wed, Nov. 2nd *Time:* 4:00-8:00 pm *Where:* Millennium Library* (Carol Shields Auditorium, 2nd floor) ** ** ** This is an open invitation to anyone interested, so please share widely. (Poster attached.) -- *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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Dana's Walk (Nov.2) - A Welcome to Winnipeg Event
by Beth McKechnie 01 Nov '11

01 Nov '11

please see invitation below... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Margaret Boyechko <margaret(a)mrta.mb.ca> Date: Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 12:01 PM Subject: Dana's Walk - A Welcome to Winnipeg Event Please see the attached invitation to a MRTA/TCT special event to be held tomorrow in Winnipeg. Please join us and bring out as many of your friends and family members as possible to join in the fun and adventure. Forward the attachment, Tweet or Facebook the news. All are welcome.**** ** ** See you there J**** Margaret**** Administration Assistant/Bookkeeper**** Manitoba Recreational Trails Association**** 1007 Century Street**** Winnipeg, MB R3H 0W4**** 204-633-9879**** 204-945-1365 (fax)**** www.mrta.mb.ca**** *"In every walk with nature one receives ***** *far more than he seeks."* - John Muir**** ** **

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[At-network] Car, public transport commutes show links to ill health
by Beth McKechnie 01 Nov '11

01 Nov '11

http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20111030/7712/commuting-ill-health-negativ… Car, Public Transport Commutes Show Links to Ill Health By Medical Daily Reporter Commuting by car or public transportation is associated with ill health compared to walking or cycling also known as active commuting, as sleep quality, exhaustion and every day stress were evaluated in a new study. Lund University researchers looked 21,000 people aged between 18 and 65, who worked more than 30 hours a week, commuted by car, train or bus and also active commuters who commuted by walking or cycling. The study was published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Public Health. Americans on average commuted 25.3 minutes to work. The percentage that drove to work alone averaged 76.6 percent. Only 4.9 percent take public transportation, 2.8 percent commuted by walking or bicycling according to the U.S Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2010. "Generally car and public transport users suffered more everyday stress, poorer sleep quality, exhaustion and, on a seven point scale, felt that they struggled with their health compared to the active commuters,” said Erik Hanson, a Faculty of Medicine at Lund University. "Car drivers who commuted 30 – 60 minutes experienced worse health than those whose journey lasted more than one hour, he said” He said more research was needed to learn exactly how commuting is related to the ill health observed in order to readdress the balance between economic needs, health, and the costs of working days lost. Published by Medicaldaily.com

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New report (Florida) - passing distance btwn motorists and cyclists
by Beth McKechnie 29 Oct '11

29 Oct '11

*Operational and Safety Impacts of Restriping Inside Lanes of Urban Multilane Curbed Roadways to 11 Feet or Less to Create Wider Outside Curb Lanes for Bicyclists (September 2011, Florida Department of Transportation)* Thought folks might be interested in the general findings on the amount of passing clearance motorists provided cyclists when there was a wider outside lane (closest to curb) and a narrower inside lane(s). Note that the roads investigated were high speed and multi-lane, and data was collected during peak hours. The entire report can be downloaded here: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/research-center/Completed_Proj/Summary_RD/FDOT_B… * Background*: The operational analysis involved investigation of the influence of several site characteristics on the operational behavior of motorists when passing bicyclists on asymmetric curb-and-gutter roadways. The research team collected data on curb-and-gutter asymmetric four- to six-lane roadways with posted speeds ranging from 30 to 45 miles per hour. * Conclusion*: The results from descriptive statistics, 95% confidence intervals, and regression modeling, all point out that lateral separation between motor vehicles and bicyclists is highly influenced by the width of the outside through lane. * Lateral Clearance Findings * - The greatest lateral separation (averaging 5.5 ft) was obtained when bicyclists rode between three and four feet from the face of curb. - An increase in the width of the outside through lane resulted in greater lateral separation between motor vehicles and bicyclists. - As the volume of motor vehicles increased, lateral separation decreased. - Motorists provided less separation to bicyclists when other vehicles were present in the inside lane. - Motorists provided 0.5 ft additional lateral separation to female bicyclists and 0.35 ft additional separation to casually dressed compared to athletically dressed cyclists. *Lateral Shift Findings * - The amount of the motor vehicle body partially shifting into the inside lane was reduced with the increase in the width of the outside through lane. - Passenger cars were observed to have the lowest amount of lateral shift when passing a bicyclist. - Large trucks were observed to provide the greatest amount of lateral shift when passing, often slowing down and completely moving to the inside lane to allow sufficient lateral separation to bicyclists. - Less lateral shift was observed with increased vehicular traffic volume. - The tendency was for drivers to move left if they had the opportunity. *Motor Vehicle Lane Usage Findings * - Given acceptable gaps, there was a tendency of motorists to move from the outside through lane to the inside lane after recognizing that there was a bicyclist downstream. - In the absence of a bicyclist, more vehicles (56.2% for 4-lane segments, 30.6% for 6-lane segments)) were observed to use the outside through lane. - In the presence of a bicyclist, a considerable proportion of motor vehicles shifted to the inside lane before passing the bicyclist to avoid sharing the outside through lane with a bicyclist. - Only 40.2% of vehicles used the outside through lane when a bicyclist was present for 4-lane segments; 25.7% for 6-lane segments. *Motor vehicle Speed Finding * - On average, drivers reduced their speeds (from 34.13 to 32.76 mph) when passing bicyclists to ensure safe passing maneuver and accelerated (from 32.76 to 36.86) after passing bicyclists.

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Webinar Reminder: Wed, Nov. 2nd, Accessible Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way
by Jessie Klassen 27 Oct '11

27 Oct '11

Just a reminder of an upcoming webinar on November 2nd. Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future are hosting a local viewing of the APBP webinar, Accessible Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way, at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion: - *Wed, Nov. 2nd, 2:00-3:30 pm – Accessible Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way* (Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals) Hope to see you there! ____________________________ Update on the Proposed Rule for Accessible Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way *November 2, 2011, 2:00-3:30 pm CST* Scott Windley, Accessibility Specialist with the U.S. Access Board, will deliver detailed information about the proposed rule regarding Accessible Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way, including pedestrian accessible routes, curb ramps and blended transitions, street crossings, on-street parking, and more. This is a 90-minute webinar. Scott Windley has been an Accessibility Specialist with the U.S. Access Board since March, 1997. He oversees staff work on the Board’s public rights-of-way rulemaking, and provides technical assistance and training on the ADA Guidelines and other standards. Mr. Windley previously worked for two years with The Center for Universal Design in Raleigh, NC, as a technical assistance specialist; before that, he worked as an Intern Architect for the Facilty Planning Department of the University of Idaho. Mr. Windley received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Idaho. ** *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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A Bus Pass with Every Condo (& bike stuff, too!)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Oct '11

26 Oct '11

A Bus Pass With Every Condo at Lansdowne Proposed *Josh Pringle* Thursday, October 20, 2011 Each residential unit at the redeveloped Lansdowne Park could come with a one-year transit pass for OC Transpo. The Transportation Demand Management Plan report by McCormick Rankin recommends the City require the developers to provide all purchasers of residential units with a transit pass to "create and establish a culture" of transit amongst the residents living at Lansdowne. The report notes the City of Toronto recently introduced a policy requiring all new condo developments with more than 20 units to include a one year TTC Metropass with the purchase of each unit. The Transportation Demand Management Plan outlines ideas to ensure the Lansdowne Park redevelopment achieves maximum benefits from a wider use of sustainable transportation modes, including public transportation and bicycling. The City is also encouraged to set up enhanced bicycle parking facilities, create preferential parking for registered carpools and build showers and locker room facilities for employees at a redeveloped Lansdowne Park who bicycle to work. http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=82258

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[At-network] Transportation Master Plan Open House - Nov 2nd, 4-8 pm, Millennium Library
by Beth McKechnie 20 Oct '11

20 Oct '11

*Find out where our roads, buses, bike lanes and pathways are heading over the next 20 years!* Stop by the third and *final* Open House for the *Winnipeg Transportation Master Plan* <http://transportation.speakupwinnipeg.com/>. Date:* Wed, Nov. 2nd *Time:* 4:00-8:00 pm *Where:* Millennium Library* (Carol Shields Auditorium, 2nd floor) ** ** *Please forward the attachments throughout your organizations and networks*. This is an open invitation to anyone interested, so please share widely. -- *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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Mark your calendar! November transportation webinars
by Beth McKechnie 20 Oct '11

20 Oct '11

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the following webinars at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion: - *Wed, Nov. 2nd, 2:00-3:00 pm – Accessible Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way* (APBP) details below - *Wed, Nov. 9th, 12:30-1:30 pm – Improving Travel Options in Small and Rural Communities *(Transport Canada) details below - *Wed, Nov. 16th, 2:00-3:00 pm– Parking: Buffers, Bikes and Cars *(APBP) (APBP = Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals) _____________________________ Update on the Proposed Rule for Accessible Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way *November 2, 2011, 2:00-3:00 pm CST* Scott Windley, Accessibility Specialist with the U.S. Access Board, will deliver detailed information about the proposed rule regarding Accessible Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way, including pedestrian accessible routes, curb ramps and blended transitions, street crossings, on-street parking, and more. This is a 90-minute webinar. Scott Windley has been an Accessibility Specialist with the U.S. Access Board since March, 1997. He oversees staff work on the Board’s public rights-of-way rulemaking, and provides technical assistance and training on the ADA Guidelines and other standards. Mr. Windley previously worked for two years with The Center for Universal Design in Raleigh, NC, as a technical assistance specialist; before that, he worked as an Intern Architect for the Facilty Planning Department of the University of Idaho. Mr. Windley received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Idaho. * * * * * *Improving Travel Options in Small and Rural Communities* *November 9, 2011, 12:30-1:30 pm CST* Geoff Noxon, Noxon Associates This webinar is intended to help practitioners - engineers, planners, health professionals, economic development officials, and others - produce plans and implement appropriate travel options for residents of small and rural communities. This includes a range of actions that make personal transportation activities more sustainable, such as encouraging drivers to operate their cars more efficiently, or to leave their cars at home and walk, cycle, take transit, or carpool instead. This webinar will look at how to use three guides available for free from Transport Canada: - Improving Travel Options in Small and Rural Communities; - Transportation Demand Management for Canadian Communities: A Guide to Understanding, Planning and Delivering TDM Programs; and, - Changing Transportation Behaviours: A Social Marketing Planning Guide. For more information: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-urban-guidelines-practitioners… http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-urban-menu-eng-2054.htm

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Reminder: Wed Oct.19 webinar - Multimodal Level of Service Analysis
by Beth McKechnie 18 Oct '11

18 Oct '11

*Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future *invite you to join us for this webinar being presented by the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP): Multimodal Level of Service Analysis Wednesday, October 19 • 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Central Time Location: EcoCentre boardroom (303 Portage Ave, 3rd floor) * * * * * The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) is one of the most widely referenced documents in transportation planning and engineering. The 2010 edition includes a comprehensive analysis method for all major users of an urban street, including bicyclists and pedestrians. This webinar will discuss the bicycle and pedestrian level of service methods that allow planners and engineers to analyze how urban streets meet the needs of nonmotorized users and to examine the effects of different improvement options. These analyses help us to efficiently distribute limited funds to the most effective improvements and to better communicate projects' benefits to the general public. Learning objectives for this session include: - How bicycle and pedestrian level of service analyses have evolved - The background behind the HCM 2010 multimodal level of service methods for bicycles and pedestrians - How to apply the HCM bicycle and pedestrian level of service methods and interpret results. The session will also include a brief update on the joint ITE / APBP project, "Evaluation Tools for Complete Streets". The report of this project is being drafted; it covers several analysis tools including MMLOS. Presenters: *Nick Foster*,* Transportation Planner, Kittelson & Associates*. Nick was involved in NCHRP Project 3-70 Multimodal Level-of-Service Analysis for Urban Streets during the field evaluation phase to test the multimodal level-of-service (MMLOS) methodology. The results of this project have been incorporated into the updated 2010 Highway Capacity Manual. In addition to his involvement in the research that developed the MMLOS methodology, Nick has applied it to a variety of projects to evaluate the performance of different urban street forms in meeting the needs of bicyclist and pedestrians. Nick has worked on a variety of projects related to planning and designing for bicyclists and pedestrians. *Jamie Parks, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner, Kittelson & Associates. *Jamie works on a wide variety of bicycle and pedestrian planning projects throughout the country including safety studies, master plans, and trails plans. His experience includes data collection, the development and application of analysis tools, and public outreach to integrate workshops, open houses, citizen committees, and web tools into the planning process. *Jeffrey R. Riegner (PE, AICP, PTOE), Vice President, Whitman, Requardt & Associates*. Jeff is a professional engineer and certified planner with over 20 years of transportation and land use consulting experience, mostly for public-sector clients. He serves as chair of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Pedestrian and Bicycle Council, workshop instructor for the National Complete Streets Coalition, and chair of the Newark, Delaware Bicycle Committee. He holds degrees from the University of Delaware and the University of California at Berkeley. -- *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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Wed Oct. 19th webinar: Multimodal Level of Service Analysis
by Beth McKechnie 11 Oct '11

11 Oct '11

*Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future *invite you to join us for this webinar being presented by the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP): Multimodal Level of Service Analysis Wednesday, October 19 • 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Central Time Location: EcoCentre boardroom (303 Portage Ave, 3rd floor) * * * * * The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) is one of the most widely referenced documents in transportation planning and engineering. The 2010 edition includes a comprehensive analysis method for all major users of an urban street, including bicyclists and pedestrians. This webinar will discuss the bicycle and pedestrian level of service methods that allow planners and engineers to analyze how urban streets meet the needs of nonmotorized users and to examine the effects of different improvement options. These analyses help us to efficiently distribute limited funds to the most effective improvements and to better communicate projects' benefits to the general public. Learning objectives for this session include: - How bicycle and pedestrian level of service analyses have evolved - The background behind the HCM 2010 multimodal level of service methods for bicycles and pedestrians - How to apply the HCM bicycle and pedestrian level of service methods and interpret results. The session will also include a brief update on the joint ITE / APBP project, "Evaluation Tools for Complete Streets". The report of this project is being drafted; it covers several analysis tools including MMLOS. Presenters: *Nick Foster*,* Transportation Planner, Kittelson & Associates*. Nick was involved in NCHRP Project 3-70 Multimodal Level-of-Service Analysis for Urban Streets during the field evaluation phase to test the multimodal level-of-service (MMLOS) methodology. The results of this project have been incorporated into the updated 2010 Highway Capacity Manual. In addition to his involvement in the research that developed the MMLOS methodology, Nick has applied it to a variety of projects to evaluate the performance of different urban street forms in meeting the needs of bicyclist and pedestrians. Nick has worked on a variety of projects related to planning and designing for bicyclists and pedestrians. *Jamie Parks, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner, Kittelson & Associates. *Jamie works on a wide variety of bicycle and pedestrian planning projects throughout the country including safety studies, master plans, and trails plans. His experience includes data collection, the development and application of analysis tools, and public outreach to integrate workshops, open houses, citizen committees, and web tools into the planning process. *Jeffrey R. Riegner (PE, AICP, PTOE), Vice President, Whitman, Requardt & Associates*. Jeff is a professional engineer and certified planner with over 20 years of transportation and land use consulting experience, mostly for public-sector clients. He serves as chair of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Pedestrian and Bicycle Council, workshop instructor for the National Complete Streets Coalition, and chair of the Newark, Delaware Bicycle Committee. He holds degrees from the University of Delaware and the University of California at Berkeley.

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Active Transportation in Canada: a Resource and Planning Guide
by Beth McKechnie 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

Here's a new resource funded by Transport Canada: *Active Transportation in Canada: A Resource and Planning Guide* There are many excellent "Case in point" examples provided, mostly from ON, BC and NB. The ICBC case in point on page 14 is an excellent example of what MPI could be doing here. (Strangely, there are no examples from Winnipeg or Manitoba, boo!) Pasted below this message is a description blurb by the company that produced the publication. Thanks to Laura Donatelli at Public Health Agency of Canada for pointing out this new resource. cheers, Beth * * * * * EcoPlan developed a resource and planning guide for Transport Canada geared towards planners and related professionals to accommodate, promote, and support Active Transportation (AT) in current and long-range planning and development. The guide provides a review of active transportation in Canada, a summary of best practices and key principles, and a strategic planning approach for developing active transportation projects and incorporating active transportation into municipal policy. This guide’s planning framework is organized around EcoPlan’s ten step planning approach. The approach has four phases that correspond to the key planning questions each section asks – *What is happening? What matters most? What can we* *do about it? Are we doing it? *Answering these questions requires guide users to go through a corresponding set of individual planning steps that will help determine: - The current AT situation, opportunities and trends in the local area; - Priority areas for action; - Strategies and actions to respond to community priorities; and, - How to monitor and evaluate AT activities to support future project development.

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Happiness research ranks commuting low: 1 hr commute cuts social life by 10%
by Beth McKechnie 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

Happiness Research Ranks Commuting Low: One-Hour Commute Cuts Your Social Life By 10 Percent *Kirsten Dirksen, Co-founder, faircompanies.com* http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kirsten-dirksen/happiness-research-ranks-_b_8… When asked to name the worst part of our day by happiness researchers, we consistently name commuting as at least one of our least favorite activities. And yet, many of us choose long commutes (the average American commute is 50 minutes per day; nine out of 10 are by car). It's an inconsistency that has troubled academics. Swiss economists Bruno Frey and Alois Stutzer say too many of us make an unequal tradeoff: they call it the "commuting paradox." According to economics, people should be compensated -- either economically or emotionally -- for the burden of their commute, but Frey and Stutzer found that "people with longer commuting time report systematically lower subjective well-being." The rewards associated with longer commutes -- a bigger house, a higher salary or better schools -- don't fully compensate for the sacrifices we end up making by working so far from home (*e.g.*, less time with family, and health issues like back pain, higher cholesterol, weight gain and anxiety). Why do we make the mistake of choosing long commutes if they tend to make us less happy? It turns out that our focus and judgement are off. *Long Commutes Are Because Our Focus Is Off* One possible reason for our error in judgement is what psychologists call a weighting mistake, or a focusing illusion. By simply choosing to consider a higher salary or a bigger house in the suburbs (those things that contribute to a longer commute), we give them more weight than they deserve. So instead of focusing on what would really make us happier -- more leisure, more time with friends/family and more focus on health -- we become fixated on the bigger income or bigger backyard and choose the longer commute. Interestingly enough, it's not for lack of analysis that we often choose wrong. Researchers have found that the more time we spend thinking about that extra bedroom or extra income, the more we think we really need it and the more likely we are to choose the longer commute. To get it right, we need to adjust our focus. *"You Can't Adapt To Commuting"* Another reason we tend to choose badly when deciding the distance between work and home is simply that we aren't very good at assessing the true costs of a commute. Intuitively, we think that a higher salary will make us happier and that we will get used to spending time in the car. In reality, we quickly grow accustomed to material things like more income or a bigger house and, what most of us fail to realize, we have much more trouble getting used to the stresses of commuting. Strangely enough, it's not the bad traffic per se that adds to the commuting burden, but the uncertainty of our commutes that makes them so difficult. "You can't adapt to commuting, because it's entirely unpredictable," explains Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert. "Driving in traffic is a different kind of hell every day." *Before Agreeing To A Commute, Read This* There are, perhaps, reasons to choose a longer commute. Frey and Stutzer performed very exacting calculations and found that to be compensated for a one-hour commute -- as opposed to none at all -- you would need to make a 40-percent higher salary. The extra income might help with overall happiness, especially if it helps to pay for experiences (studies show that experiences, more than things, boost happiness), but a longer commute can also affect those things that rank high in happiness studies: your relationships. Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam can even offer a calculation. "There's a simple rule of thumb: Every [10] minutes of commuting results in [10] percent fewer social connections. Commuting is connected to social isolation, which causes unhappiness." Of course, all commutes are not created equal. I know some people who genuinely seem to enjoy their time in the car -- or on their bike, scooter, etc. My commute is a five-minute walk<http://faircompanies.com/videos/view/happiness-research-ranks-commutes-lowe…>through Barcelona's Gothic Quarter to my daughter's school, and while there are bad days, most of the time, once out the door, it's one of the happiest moments of my day.

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Complete Streets Webinar TODAY 12:30-1:30pm
by Jessie Klassen 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

Just a quick reminder of the free Complete Streets webinar happening TODAY at 12:30pm in the Eco Centre Boardroom, (303 Portage Ave, 3rd floor) * * *Complete Streets* *October 4, 2011, 12:30-1:30 pm CENTRAL TIME* Rebecca O’Brien, Program Coordinator, Sustainable Alberta Association “Complete streets” is a relatively new term that has entered into the parlance of transportation planning. A complete street policy begins with one overriding principle: Design streets for the most vulnerable users. Complete street policies promote planning, engineering, and transportation policies that provide a safer road network for all users, be they drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, or transit users. This webinar will examine the main aspects of complete streets, including innovative policies, success stories, and benefits. For more information: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-utsp-casestudy-cs72e-completes… Hope to see you on Tuesday! ** *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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Death by suburban sprawl
by Beth McKechnie 30 Sep '11

30 Sep '11

Death by surburban sprawl http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1592647/Death-by-surburban-sprawl 30 September 2011 | 08:05:45 AM | Source: Billie Giles-Corti, Professor of Health Promotion & Director of the McCaughey VicHealth Centre at University of Melbourne *Published in collaboration with **The Conversation*<http://theconversation.edu.au/> *, a website that features commentary, research and analysis from Australian universities and the CSIRO.* *Non-communicable diseases*<http://theconversation.edu.au/pages/non-communicable-diseases>– Billie Giles-Corti looks at how the built environment impacts the development of NCDs. Never before in human history have so many people been able to be so sedentary in the course of daily life. Since World War II, technological advances have transformed the design and development of buildings and communities, the way populations are mobilized and fed, the nature of work, and methods of communication. Industrial and home labour-saving devices – from the remote control of garage doors to televisions and everything in between – maximise convenience and minimise effort. So compared with our parents and grandparents, feeding and clothing ourselves has never been so effortless. But while offering convenience, our use of motor vehicles – even for short trips to the local shop – or a blower to “sweep” garden leaves, appears to be having a profound impact on the health of human populations. SITTING TO DEATH Diseases previously associated with affluence – cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses and diabetes – are now prevalent in disadvantaged populations. The problem is so big that an emergency long-term response is required – not just by the health sector but by everyone. The United Nations declaration calling for action on the prevention and control of non-communicable disease highlighted the need for a “whole of society effort” to tackle this enormous global problem, which is crippling already overburdened health systems. This is a call for all hands on deck: no one sector – and certainly not the health sector – can solve this problem. Fixing up people when they are ill is not the solution. The number of people with non-communicable diseases are growing exponentially not because we have changed genetically, but because we have changed our lifestyles in response to a rapidly changing environment. We now sit too much, move too little and over consume energy dense food – just because we can. BUILT ENVIRONMENT The UN call for action specifically mentions the role of urban planning in the development of non-communicable diseases. Research consistently shows that people are more likely to walk if they live in compact, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods characterised by connected street networks, access to mixed-use planning, with presence of local destinations and higher density housing. And that time and distance influences walking and cycling as preferred modes of transport. Heavily trafficked roads are contributing to the decline of active modes of travel. Peter Blanchard Neighbourhood design has a powerful effect on active travel options of all residents, particularly young people. Children’s independent mobility is influenced by traffic exposure and parental concerns (real or perceived) about safety, as well as access to local destinations including schools. Locating schools in neighborhoods with disconnected street networks and heavily trafficked roads is contributing to the rapid decline in children and young people using active modes of travel. In fact, parents chauffering their children to school are themselves contributing to the traffic congestion that makes roads unsafe for children to walk or cycle. The power of planners In the course of their professional lives, urban planners, transport planners, urban designers, civil engineers, property developers and architects make decisions with long-term impacts on the health and well-being of generations of residents. They make design decisions that determine whether neighborhoods have connected street networks and footpaths so that residents – including children – can easily and safely walk to local destinations. They decide whether shops and services are part of communities and in places where people can walk to them. And whether communities have well-designed parks that meet the needs of a range of users from sporting groups, children, dog walkers through to our ageing population. These planners decide whether streets are wide enough to allow access by public transport. And underpinning all these decisions are land use and regional transport system planning policies made by state and local government and politicians. Networking for a healthier society So there’s an urgent need for policies that encompass social, economic, sustainability, and health policies to create more vibrant, pedestrian-friendly communities serviced by public transport. Multiple sectors now promote active transport because of concerns about the health, social, environmental, and economic impacts of a range of agendas. These include rising levels of obesity and inactivity, climate change, population growth, declining oil supplies and rising fuel prices. Active transport can achieve outcomes for all of them, from improved health and traffic management through to environmental protection and climate change mitigation. As Australian cities expand rapidly with continued growth on the urban fringe, the challenge is to adopt joined-up approaches involving creative ways of producing supportive land use and transportation planning that ensures compact pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. But a plan is one thing and a “populated plan” is another – new communities can take decades to build. To ensure people on the fringes of cities are not deprived for decades, we need to move from planning to populating the plan. New business development models that ensure access to local employment and alternative government service delivery models that provide access to local health and public transport are needed. Without joined-up approaches, we can stick on band aid after band aid but the true nature of what ails us will remain unheeded. This is the eighth part of The Conversation's *non-communicable diseases series. * <http://theconversation.edu.au/pages/non-communicable-diseases>

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Selinger - NDP Active Transportation Promise today - as good as it gets - at this stage in the 'election game'
by Janice Lukes 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

fyi Today, the Free Press News Café held a Town Hall with Premier Selinger at 11:30 am. I attended and was able to ask a question of Premier Selinger. I asked: "If elected, will your government commit to implementing a Provincial Active Transportation policy - enabling increased safe opportunities for people to walk and bike - and to put staff on active transportation." His reply was that his government would commit to an active transportation 'strategy' and will work to implement it would have people in the public service to support implementation. I encourage you to listen to the question / and the way he answered it. The question was asked 11:24 minutes into Dan Lett's interview found here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/LIVE-Town-halls-with-Gerrard-a nd-Selinger-130663498.html When Premier Selinger speaks to 'the recommendations' - he is referring to the 25 active transportation recommendations made in the the recently released Greater Strides report to government http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pdf/atag_report6.pdf (which I was holding up when speaking of study after study after study) COMMENT: Sharp politicians! While there is a big difference between the definition of the words "policy and strategy" and I should have jumped on it at the time - at this point in the election, I think this is as good as its going to get in having a PROVINCIAL active transportation commitment from the New Democratic Party. Not as clear and concise as the Progressive Conservatives are offering by any means - but a broader commitment - and from the leader of NDP - than we had prior to today. Complete and updated overview of active transportation election promises can be seen here: http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/2011/09/23/election-promises/ This is it for emails from me on Provincial Election 2011 active transportation updates! All of this takes an extraordinary amount of time and I think for Election 2011 - this is as good as its going to be ! Now ensure you get out and vote on October 4th! thanks Janice Janice Lukes Manager, Special Projects - Winnipeg Trails Winnipeg Trails Association 235-614 Des Meurons Street Winnipeg, MB R2H 2P9 Cell (204) 952-4222 Fax (204) <tel:%28204%29%20237-4618> 237-4618 <mailto:jlukes@riverswest.ca> jlukes(a)riverswest.ca <http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/> www.WinnipegTrails.ca Member of City of Winnipeg Active Transportation Advisory Committee Chair, Province of Manitoba Active Transportation Advisory Group

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Complete Streets Webinar: Oct. 4, 12:30-1:30pm
by Jessie Klassen 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

Green Action Centre invites you to join us for a Complete Streets webinar being presented by Transport Canada's Ecomobility Program: * *Location:* EcoCentre boardroom (303 Portage Ave, 3rd floor) * *Complete Streets* *October 4, 2011, 12:30-1:30 pm CENTRAL TIME* Rebecca O’Brien, Program Coordinator, Sustainable Alberta Association “Complete streets” is a relatively new term that has entered into the parlance of transportation planning. A complete street policy begins with one overriding principle: Design streets for the most vulnerable users. Complete street policies promote planning, engineering, and transportation policies that provide a safer road network for all users, be they drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, or transit users. This webinar will examine the main aspects of complete streets, including innovative policies, success stories, and benefits. For more information: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-utsp-casestudy-cs72e-completes… Hope to see you on Tuesday! ** *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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Traffic Calming, The National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy
by Mike Tutthill 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

** If you are having trouble viewing this e-mail, click here<http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=228366&idcampagne=2317&url=http%3…> . . .......... subscribe to the e-bulletin<http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=228366&idcampagne=2317&url=http%3…> français<http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=228366&idcampagne=2317&url=http%3…> visit our website<http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=228366&idcampagne=2317&url=http%3…> ........................................................................................... The National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy (NCCHPP) seeks to increase the expertise of public health actors across Canada in healthy public policy through the development, sharing and use of knowledge. Contact us<http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=228366&idcampagne=2317&url=http%3…> . *_______________________________________________* . *In the Spotlight this Month - Traffic Calming *. Despite its advantages, motorized traffic has worrisome effects on determinants of health such as collisions, injuries and deaths, air quality, environmental noise and physical activity related to active transportation. Traffic calming offers a way to intervene on the built environment that has significant potential to mitigate these adverse effects and improve the health of exposed populations. *www.flickr.com / Payton Chung* * * In the coming months, the NCCHPP will release different resources related to traffic calming. Click here to learn more<http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=228366&idcampagne=2317&url=http%3…> . If you wish to be informed of the release of NCCHPP's resources in traffic calming, click here to go to our subscriptions page<http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=228366&idcampagne=2317&url=http%3…>, and then check the box for "Traffic Calming". . *Traffic Calming: An Equivocal Concept * The concept of traffic calming encompasses interventions associated with different goals, objectives, principles and way of thinking about the street network and its problems. This briefing note clarifies three meanings of the concept of traffic calming by recounting the historical evolution of the concept. This approach allows for a description of the diverse goals, objectives and means associated with traffic calming. Click here to read more<http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=228366&idcampagne=2317&url=http%3…> . Click here to download the document<http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=228366&idcampagne=2317&url=http%3…> . PDF 856 K [image: Image - cover page of the document - click to download] -- Mike Tutthill Planning & Community Engagement Consultant HEALTH in COMMON 100-6 Donald Street Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6 tel: 204.949.2002 1.800.731.1792 fax: 204.284.2404 email: mtutthill(a)healthincommon.ca web: www.healthincommon.ca +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ *Health in Common on Facebook*<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Health-in-Common/120069149875> ü Please consider the environment before printing this email. *Coming to Health in Common?* *By bicycle: *Bicycle parking is located behind the building. *By Winnipeg transit: *Routes 62, 65, 66, 68, 70* *** *By car: *Two visitor parking spaces are available at the back of the building.* Street parking (restrictions): *Bell Avenue (1hr 9h00 – 17h30), Clarke Street (none); Lewis (none); Cauchon (none); River (none west of Clarke).

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Mayor of Vancouver to Sign Walk21 Charter
by Beth McKechnie 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here <http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=7uj76meab&v=001HZh_ryKk0…> *MEDIA RELEASE* *Mayor Robertson to sign the International Charter for Walking * at 12th International Walk21 Conference in Vancouver, October 2, 2011 VANCOUVER, September 27, 2011 - On October 2, Mayor Gregor Robertson will sign the International Charter for Walking on behalf of the City of Vancouver, reinforcing Vancouver's commitment to innovative and leading-edge best practices in walking and health promotion. The Walk21 International Charter for Walking has been signed by thousands of city councils, walking advocates and individuals around the world. It recognizes the benefits of walking as a key indicator of healthy, efficient, socially inclusive and sustainable communities and acknowledges the universal rights of people to be able to walk safely and to enjoy high quality public spaces anywhere and at anytime. Built on extensive discussions with experts throughout the world, it identifies the needs of people on foot and provides a common framework to help authorities refocus their existing policies, activities and relationships to create a culture where people choose to walk. The signing will take place at the opening reception of the 12th International Walk21 Conference, Transforming the Automobile City: Walking Steps Up! Hosted by Mayor Robertson, the reception will take place at the Creekside Community Centre in Olympic Village. Mayor Robertson will welcome over 500 speakers and delegates to the conference, which begins Monday, October 3 and runs until Wednesday, October 5 at SFU's Goldcorp Centre for the Arts and Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. More information about the conference, including our online registration site, is available at www.walk21.com/vancouver<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7uj76meab&et=1107859999087&s=1713&e=001NvR18K…>or download the Backgrounder<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7uj76meab&et=1107859999087&s=1713&e=001NvR18K…> . - 30 - Media contact information: Patty Loveridge Conference Manager Walk21 Metro Vancouver vancouver2011(a)walk21.com 604-360-8063 www.walk21.com/vancouver Forward email<http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=7uj76meab&m=1104240584348&ea=…> <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001YEZk4OF20b4oPmxP68MARYRd4…> <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_Basic_206> This email was sent to beth(a)resourceconservation.mb.ca by vancouver2011(a)walk21.com | Update Profile/Email Address<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&mse=001YEZk4OF20b4oPmxP68MARYRd4…> | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001YEZk4OF20b4oPmxP68MARYRd4…>™ | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. Walk21 | City of Vancouver | 453 West 12th Avenue | Vancouver | BC | V5Y 1V4 | Canada [image: Web Bug from http://r20.rs6.net/on.jsp?llr=7uj76meab&t=1107859999087.0.1104240584348.171…] -- *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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WFP: Volunteers to sample tourism on eastern Trans-Canada Trail
by Beth McKechnie 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

Volunteers to sample tourism on eastern Trans-Canada Trail http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/volunteers-to-sample-tourism-on-east… A volunteer group is the first bunch of trekkers to try a new commercial tourism package for the eastern Manitoba portion of the Trans-Canada Trail. About seven volunteers from the Manitoba Recreational Trails Association teamed up with Jim Bishop, chairman of the national Trans-Canada Trail, on Thursday to begin a four-day, 225-kilometre tour from Pine Falls to Falcon Lake by bike and shuttle. "You build it, you want to use it," said Ruth Marr, a volunteer who was instrumental in getting the section of the trail in shape. "We're having an opportunity to test some of the economic spinoffs from the trail." There will be stops at resorts along the way and meet-and-greets with local business people. The trail association is a network of volunteers who raise money to maintain the Trans-Canada Trail. Now, for the first time in Manitoba, the network is sharpening up its commercial focus with an eye to building ecotourism. The brains behind the commercial venture is Roy Hildebrand, co-founder of WE Hike and Bike, an ecotourism venture based in Pinawa. "The Border to Beaches trail is a dynamic asset right in our backyard," he said. "What the MRTA has done is provide a link, a network, for everyone who associated with the trail and there are seven groups along Borders to Beaches, local business people. We want to engage them and promote their sections." Based at the Wilderness Edge Retreat and Conference Centre in Pinawa, WE is setting up weekend tour packages, ranging from $300 to $500, to launch next spring.

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Active Transportation Canada - New Posts September 24, 2011
by Beth McKechnie 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Michael Haynes <activetransportation(a)rogers.com> Date: Sat, Sep 24, 2011 at 8:38 AM Subject: Active Transportation Canada - New Posts September 24, 2011 Thirty-five (35) new items have been posted on the Active Transportation-Canada Website. A complete list of titles may be found in the "Blog Archive" box, located on the right margin of the Website. Some sample new items: 1. Latest Hornby, Dunsmuir bike stats show 40% increase in trips since 2010<http://www.geoffmeggs.ca/2011/09/09/latest-hornby-dunsmuir-bike-stats-show-…> 2. Jack Layton saw the future and it was on a bicycle<http://www.wheels.ca/article/799545> 3. U.S. - A New List of Top Walking Cities Reveals Surprises<http://shareable.net/blog/a-new-list-of-top-walking-cities-reveals-surprise…> Active Transportation Canada URL: <http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.com/> http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.com A "Search" function is available on the site. You will find this at the bottom of the page. With more than 1,000 items posted on Active Transportation - Canada, there are links available to dozens of studies and hundreds of news items from communities across Canada and the world. If anyone has a problem reading this message, please let me know. I welcome suggestions for posts, so if you have news items featuring your community, please share them with the other subscribers from Canada, the US, and Australia on Active Transportation-Canada. Thank you. Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions

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ELECTION 2011 - Active Transportation PROMISES
by Janice Lukes 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Hi AT folks - please feel free to circulate widely, I've summarized the various political parties active transportation PROMISES that we've heard / seen so far. I have not listened to last night's CTV debate - if any brilliant AT promises were made please tell me. See complete details of all parties promises: <http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/2011/09/23/election-promises/> http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/2011/09/23/election-promises/ * The Progressive Conservatives put their "PROVINCIALLY" focused promise directly into their healthcare platform - in black and white - and on the web. This promise has a PROVINCIAL focus. * The New Democratic Party did a press release on an AREA infrastructure promise - in black and white and on the web. This promise is for one specific area. * All parties have given verbal "PROVINCIAL" verbal promises. 1. A promise in black and white / on the web is far more desirable than a verbal promise from a politician - in my opinion. 2. Area specific infrastructure promises are fantastic! BUT - these are 'one offs' and virtually always requiring extensive months / years of advocacy from volunteers. Currently the Province of Manitoba has NO active transportation plan, no policy, no point people, no developed expertise. SUGGESTION: IF you are speaking to any NDP candidates - tell them you want to see - in writing - a "PROVINCIALLY" focused promise. Tell them you would like to see a promise in WRITING for: - a provincial active transportation policy - a director of active transportation - an active transportation advisory board (see complete details http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/2011/08/23/provincial-election-2011/ ) Perhaps hand them the black and white promise the Progressive Conservatives have made on Page 11, found here: http://www.pcmanitoba.com/assets/downloads/healthy%20communities.pdf Looking forward to October 4th! apologies if you have received this email more than once! Janice Janice Lukes Manager, Special Projects - Winnipeg Trails Winnipeg Trails Association 235-614 Des Meurons Street Winnipeg, MB R2H 2P9 Cell (204) 952-4222 Fax (204) <tel:%28204%29%20237-4618> 237-4618 <mailto:jlukes@riverswest.ca> jlukes(a)riverswest.ca <http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/> www.WinnipegTrails.ca Member of City of Winnipeg Active Transportation Advisory Committee Chair, Province of Manitoba Active Transportation Advisory Group

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