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More cities trying out ciclovias
by Beth McKechnie 03 Oct '08

03 Oct '08

MORE CITIES TRYING OUT CICLOVIAS According to an article in the Sept. 28 "Parks, Greenways, Trails, Great Places to Walk & Bike" newsletter [by Gil Penalosa], "An increasing number of cities are temporarily opening streets to people and closing them to cars. Without any capital investments (some operational), they are getting people out to be physically active; from thousands in small communities to millions in large cities, it is working. "Thanks to StreetFilms and the leadership of Clarence Eckerson, now we can learn from many of these 'best practices.' Use the videos to get people on board, and then barrow the Nike slogan and 'just do it!' It takes political will, a can-do attitude from city staff, and community engagement. "See four examples of magnificent exercises of social integration where people of all ages, gender, levels of ability, economic and ethnic backgrounds come out and participate as equals. Although Bogota has enjoyed ciclovia for many years, NYC, San Francisco, and Portland began in 2008; you can too, by learning from them. This could be your first resolution for 2009!" Videos: Bogota (CO): http://tinyurl.com/4ynyeu New York City (NY): http://tinyurl.com/3mwe9p San Francisco (CA): http://tinyurl.com/4m3svh Portland (OR) http://tinyurl.com/3tqlh9

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WFP editorial: The right bridge (Sept.25'08)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Sep '08

25 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press a.. Winnipeg Free PressEditorialsThe right bridge bylineParse(' ') Updated: September 25, 2008 at 07:24 AM CDT CITY council, with some dissent, has approved the rational option for saving the Disraeli overpass and bridge, a span that is, by some professional assessment, heading to collapse. It is disconcerting when the public works department says the bridge is OK for now, largely on the premise it is inspected four times a year for further decay. The city administration needs to move this capital priority along as fast is prudently possible. The supports and surface of the 48-year-old bridge will be rehabilitated, and a separate cycling/pedestrian bridge will be built to the east of Disraeli. The project, which will involve a private partner to whom the city will pay rent on the bridge for 30 years, will cost $140 million. Four dissenting councillors wanted to see a double span constructed, for an additional $150 million. They were concerned the closure of the bridge for up to 16 months would make the commute from the city's northeast, down alternate routes, onerous. It is expected to add nine minutes to the trip, which almost doubles travel time for some. No one is predicting that there will be population growth along Henderson Highway to justify a double span bridge over the Red River. Further, if the general trends on bus riding hold, any increased pressure on the route ought to be partially offset by the more efficient mode of transportation. Councillors are expected to speak for their constituents interests but not so disproportionately against the interests of the broader community. The commuters from East Kildonan will feel the temporary inconvenience most acutely, but to double the cost of the Disraeli project would be inappropriate. The city was told that improving bus service with shuttles and park-and-rides is one way to reduce the increased strain on North Main Street, from the Chief Peguis Trail and the Redwood Bridge. The focus inevitably will be on rush-hour demand, but in isolation of the larger picture -- encouraging the development of more useful mass transit options to attract more riders -- would reduce the exercise to a stop-gap measure that likely would revert back to current ridership when Disraeli opens again. Winnipeg has been nursing an infrastructure-deficit hangover for decades. It will take a long time to dig out of the multi-million dollar hole. Bridges and freeways are big, expensive things to build and maintain and dangerous when their repair needs are ignored. Pushing drivers onto mass transit can help ease the long-term cost of road maintenance. That should become an integral piece of Winnipeg's the infrastructure maintenance plan. a.. a.. © 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. Powered by McClatchy Interactive

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WFP: Council OK's Disraeli refit (Sept.25'08)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Sep '08

25 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press a.. Winnipeg Free PressLocal NewsCouncil OK's Disraeli refit; area councillors ignored bylineParse('By Bartley Kives') Updated: September 25, 2008 at 02:50 AM CDT WINNIPEG will forge ahead with a plan to fix the aging Disraeli Freeway against the wishes of every councillor who represents the northeast quadrant of the city. City council voted 11-4 on Wednesday to approve a Disraeli Freeway repair plan that calls for new concrete decking and refurbished structural supports on the existing 1.1-kilometre roadway, which includes a single-span, four-lane bridge that connects Elmwood with downtown. The $140-million plan, which calls for a new pedestrian-and-bike bridge to rise over the Red River three blocks to the east, will result in a freeway closure that may last as long as 16 months. The city hopes to reduce that closure by writing incentives into a formal call for proposals to design, build and maintain the freeway, which was built in 1960 and then damaged by corrosion during the next 48 years. Winnipeg's chief administrative officer will ensure the city chooses a private construction consortium that either comes up with a plan to speed up the Disraeli repair job or finds a way to keep two lanes of freeway traffic open while some of the work takes place, Mayor Sam Katz said. But the mayor's assurances could not stop all four councillors who represent the areas most affected by the closure to vote against the plan. North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty, Elmwood Coun. Lillian Thomas and St. Boniface Coun. Dan Vandal opposed the plan because they believe a 16-month closure is intolerable to northeast Winnipeg motorists. Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt believes the plan is short-sighted because the city will soon need to refurbish the 97-year-old Louise Bridge and must also build a new bridge to carry buses from Point Douglas to a future Nairn Avenue rapid-transit corridor. "This is a city that sometimes thinks like a village," said Wyatt, decrying a lack of long-term planning in the city. The northeast Winnipeg politicians said they would prefer to see Winnipeg build a dual-span, six-lane Disraeli Freeway that could accommodate traffic on one span while the other is under construction. Rookie councillor Browaty called the single-span plan the biggest disappointment he's seen since he joined council, while Thomas suggested city engineers have overstated the cost of building a dual-span Disraeli Freeway. Those engineers have placed the projected cost in the $300-million range. Katz said the city cannot afford the tab and is not likely to get help for the project from the provincial government. "There's no pot of gold on Broadway," the mayor said. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca a.. a.. © 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. Powered by McClatchy Interactive

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Vote online re: ped/cyclist bridge at Disraeli
by Beth McKechnie 23 Sep '08

23 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press Web Poll VOTE ONLINE at winnipegfreepress.com "Do you like the idea of a separate bridge for pedestrians and cyclists on the Disraeli Freeway?" * * * * * * * * * * Beth McKechnie Green Commuting Initiatives Resource Conservation Manitoba www.resourceconservation.mb.ca

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WFP: City eyes pedestrian/bike span - Disraeli reconstruction (Sept.23'08)
by Beth McKechnie 23 Sep '08

23 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press Local News City eyes pedestrian/bike spanWould be part of Disraeli reconstruction bylineParse('By Bartley Kives') Updated: September 23, 2008 at 02:50 AM CDT Cyclists are ecstatic but northeast Winnipeg politicians are fuming over the latest Disraeli Freeway reconstruction plan, which calls for a new pedestrian-and-bike bridge but no guarantees motorists won't be stuck in construction traffic for as long as 16 months. After mulling over three Disraeli design options, city bridge engineers have chosen to forge ahead with a four-lane, single-span structure that will keep the price down to $140 million by reusing existing concrete foundations and steel girders. The design, which comes before city council's public works committee today, calls for a single sidewalk, wider curb lanes to allow vehicles and cyclists to share the road and a brand-new pedestrian/cyclist bridge that would connect Elmwood with North Point Douglas several blocks to the east. City engineers say the dedicated pedestrian/bike bridge will add $12.5 million to a design originally pegged at $125 million, but remains cheaper than a $160-million option that called for a wider motor-vehicle bridge to accommodate a separated bike lane. "No fumes, no fast cars zooming by you. This is exactly what we wanted," said Kevin Miller, a spokesman for Bike To The Future, a commuter-cyclist lobby group. "This is just a wonderful solution that fits in perfectly with the (bike trail) infrastructure that's been built in the last few years." Pending council approval, city engineers will search for a private construction consortium to design, build, finance and maintain the 1.1-kilometre roadway later this fall, with the hopes of seeing actual work start in 2010. Preference will be given to a consortium that comes up with a way to abbreviate the expected 16-month construction period or keep two lanes open to traffic while the work is underway, public works director Bill Larkin said. Those goals will be written into the formal request for proposals, but northeast Winnipeg politicians would still prefer to see the city adopt a design that would not require any closures on the Disraeli Freeway. North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty, Elmwood Coun. Lillian Thomas, Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt and former Elmwood MLA Jim Maloway -- who's now running for a federal seat in Transcona -- have been urging the city to build a six-lane, double-span Disraeli Freeway. Browaty said his constituents won't be happy with any closure on the motor-vehicle bridge. Maloway completely panned the new city design. "This sounds to me like a pretty goofy idea, because it doesn't change the fact people will be inconvenienced for a year and a half," he said. City engineers have pegged the price of a double-span Disraeli Freeway at around $300 million, a figure Larkin says the city cannot justify on the basis of meeting future traffic needs or alleviating construction-period congestion. Even at $140 million, the freeway reconstruction is the second-most-expensive roadway project on Winnipeg's horizon, after the $324-million southwest Winnipeg bus corridor announced by Mayor Sam Katz and Premier Gary Doer earlier this month. The special meeting of city council's public works committee has been called for this morning to allow Couns. Thomas, Browaty, Bill Clement and Harry Lazarenko to review the Disraeli design, while council as a whole votes on the plan on Wednesday. Maloway said that does not allow enough time for debate, claiming he's heard from 5,000 northeast Winnipeg residents who want to see a two-span bridge built at any cost. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca * * © 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. Powered by McClatchy Interactive

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Anders may not toot his own horn ...
by Stacy Matwick 21 Sep '08

21 Sep '08

But I will ;-) "The Front Line: Five Local Eco Heroes" by Jordy Gold GreenLiving Fall 2008 p. 33-37 "For every Al Gore or Jane Goodall, there are a legion of relatively unknown individuals whose accomplishments are equally impressive. Meet five inspiring Canadians." http://www.greenlivingonline.com/EnviroHeroes/5-local-eco-heroes/ For the full article (with pictures) http://magazine.greenlivingonline.com/greenliving/2008fall Cheers Stacy Matwick Information Centre International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Ave. E., 6th floor Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 0Y4 Voice: (204)958-7755 Fax: (204)958-7710 Email: smatwick(a)iisd.ca Website: http://www.iisd.org "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" Groucho Marx "Life is like a bicycle, to keep your balance your must keep on moving" Albert Einstein

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Car Free Day this Sunday and Campus Commuter Challenge
by Stephanie Fulford 19 Sep '08

19 Sep '08

Car Free Day, Sunday, September 21st, 2008 On Sunday, September 21st, community groups will be making part of Winnipeg truly car-free, by closing down Albert Street in the Exchange District to all motorized traffic for the afternoon. If you've ever wished that you could play street hockey downtown, challenge a stranger to a game of chess, or sit on a couch in the middle of a street, then this is the event for you. For more information on the event check out www.resourceconservation.mb.ca (see poster attached) Campus Commuter Challenge, September 22-26, 2008. Fall has arrived, and university students are figuring out how to get to class not just on time, but also on a budget and greenhouse-gas-free. During the week of September 22nd-26th, they will also be engaging in a friendly competition to see which Manitoba campus will be declared the Campus Commuter Challenge Champion for 2008. Participating students have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes, including free monthly transit passes for the school year courtesy of Winnipeg Transit, and free train travel for two from Winnipeg to Churchill courtesy of Via Rail Canada. For more information or to register, visit: www.resourceconservation.mb.ca --------------------------------------------------------------- Stephanie Fulford Green Commuting Initiatives Resource Conservation Manitoba 303 Portage Avenue, 3rd Floor Winnipeg, MB R3B 2B4 Phone: 204.925.3774 Fax: 204.942.4207 www.resourceconservation.mb.ca

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Social costs of transportation = $40B
by Beth McKechnie 19 Sep '08

19 Sep '08

Social costs of cars, planes, trains $40B a year: Transport Canada Last Updated: Monday, September 1, 2008 | 3:47 PM ET Comments30Recommend17 The Canadian Press A groundbreaking federal study has calculated the "social costs" of operating cars, trucks, planes, trains and boats across Canada at up to $40 billion a year. The study for the first time attempts to put a national price tag on the unwanted byproducts of transport, that is, accidents, pollution, congestion, noise and greenhouse gases. The findings, released without fanfare in late August, are the result of a five-year project that drew widely on experts from academia, industry and the provinces. Using statistics for the year 2000, the task force found that the often-hidden social costs for all modes of transport ranged between $24.4 billion and $39.5 billion - or up to 17 per cent of the total costs of transport that year. Automobile accidents represented the largest single source of social costs. Researchers determined that a Canadian life was worth about $4 million on average, based on insurance and court settlements, and that fully disabling accidents cost an average of $260,000. Altogether, road accidents accounted for an estimated $16 billion in social costs in 2000, compared with just $370 million for accidents involving planes, trains and boats combined. Road congestion and air pollution on the roads cost another $5 billion each, while greenhouse gases emitted by road vehicles cost $3.7 billion, based on a carbon-trading market price of $29 a tonne. Noise costs, difficult to estimate, were pegged at just $220 million. Congestion was generally measured in terms of productive time lost while drivers were idled by traffic jams. The air, marine and rail modes accounted for just a fraction of these social costs, the study found. The worst social impact of aircraft was in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted, calculated as costing almost half a billion dollars. The worst impact in the rail and marine sectors was air pollution, each also calculated at about a half billion dollars. Lack of data prevented the researchers from estimating congestion costs for the rail, marine and air sectors. The authors caution that the complex methodology is a still work in progress but that "another tool has been added to the analytical toolbox of transportation analysts." Further related studies are planned. A spokeswoman for Transport Canada said the $1.4-million study was designed "to allow for a better understanding of the relative full costs of the different modes of transportation. "Those social costs are borne by all members of society," Maryse Durette said in an interview. A transportation expert who was consulted throughout the study praised the results. "I have been quite impressed at the care taken in the analysis," said David Jeanes, spokesman for Transport 2000, a non-profit research and advocacy group. "We urgently need this `level playing field' information for governments to make intelligent decisions about investment among the various modes [of transport]. "It has been a very challenging exercise and cannot be absolutely complete and perfect, but I think the report is a good one." The study also tried to compare social costs in Canada with other countries. Canadian accident costs, for example, were generally in line with those in Britain and Europe but were less than half the level for the United States. "The high transportation accident cost in the United States can be explained in part by the higher rate of transportation accident related death observed in that country ... more than 15 per 100,000 inhabitants compared to about 10 per 100,000 for Canada," the report says. On the other hand, the estimated costs of transportation "noise" in Canada were much lower than in any other country, perhaps reflecting a less-dense population in Canada or differing methods of determining the cost, the authors said. Noise costs were generally calculated as the damage to residential property values from the constant sound of vehicle traffic, trains and aircraft. © The Canadian Press, 2008 -- Liz Dykman Coordinator Manitoba Eco-Network 3-303 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3B 2B4 Ph: (204) 947-6511 Fx: (204) 989-8476 Web: www.mbeconetwork.org Manitoba Eco-Network is a regional affiliate of the Canadian Environmental Network

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Active & Green Fall 2008
by Jessie Klassen 17 Sep '08

17 Sep '08

Hello All! Below you will find the link to our latest Active and Green newsletter. We hope you will share it widely with your colleagues, family and friends. http://www.resourceconservation.mb.ca/news/pdfs/Active%20&%20Green%20Fall%20 2008.pdf Here are a few highlights from the Active & Green Fall 2008 issue: * Park(ing) Day (September 19, 2008) * Car Free Day Celebrations (Sun/Mon, Sept 21/22, 2008) * Campus Commuter Challenge (September 22-26, 2008) * International Walk to School Month (October 2008) * Bike to the Future Fall Forum (Wednesday, October 15, 2008) * Civic Centre Public Bike Corral now open * Commuter Challenge Results and Stories * Friday Afternoon at the Movies If for some reason you are not able to access the link, please contact us and we will email the pdf file directly or provide a hard copy for posting at your workplace. Stay Active & Green, Beth McKechnie and Jessie Klassen Green Commuting Initiatives, Workplace Transporation Demand Management Tel: (204) 925-3772 Email: jessie(a)resourceconservation.mb.ca Resource Conservation Manitoba 303 Portage Ave, 3rd Floor Winnipeg, MB R3B 2B4 Fax: (204) 942-4207 web: www.resourceconservation.mb.ca

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WFP: City not supporting cycling
by Beth McKechnie 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press_______________________________________ a.. Winnipeg Free Press Have Your Say Updated: September 15, 2008 at 08:34 AM CDT City not supporting cycling Re: Bike lanes were a bit of a wash, Sept. 12. Four years after the City of Winnipeg received the report it commissioned on active transportation, and two years after the report was adopted in principle, the city has done little to support cycling in Winnipeg. The few things that have been done have been poorly planned and implemented, as the "sharrow" example shows. These extra-wide "sharrow" lanes not only washed away, they were placed too close to the curb, often in lanes that were too narrow to actually share, according to accepted standards for road design. Meanwhile, major priorities for cycling improvements, such as the Pembina corridor, are ignored. We have lots of pavement in Winnipeg, but we need to reallocate some of it for the use of bicycles. When we rebuild roads and bridges and when we plan new suburban subdivisions, we need to consider and encourage cycling as a means of transportation instead of building bicycle paths to nowhere, as is being done in Waverley West. And we need a public education campaign to get cyclists and motorists sharing the road safely. With yet another spike in gas prices, you would think city politicians would get the message-- more and more of us are cycling more often. It's time city council woke up and read the good news: More bicycles mean less traffic congestion, a cleaner environment, fewer street repairs and a healthier, more attractive city. Jeremy Hull Winnipeg a.. a.. © 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. Powered by McClatchy Interactive

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WFP: Bike lanes were a bit of a wash (Sept.12'08)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press a.. Winnipeg Free PressColumnistsBike lanes were a bit of a wash bylineParse('By Bartley Kives') Updated: September 12, 2008 at 02:55 AM CDT A $100,000 plan to make Winnipeg roads safer for cyclists has literally washed off city streets, forcing officials to search for a more durable brand of paint. Back in May, the city created extra-wide "sharrow" lanes on seven major streets to give cyclists and motorists a little extra breathing room. Sharrows were created on Higgins Avenue, Roblin Boulevard, Grant Avenue, Regent Avenue, Plessis Road, Dakota Street and Dunkirk Drive. Bicycle symbols were painted on the streets and metal signs instructing motorists to "share the road" were erected along boulevards. But most of the paint washed off by the middle of June because the city used a water-based paint. "An attempt was made to use an environmentally friendly product for an environmentally friendly project. We're now looking for a better product," said city spokesman Terry Aseltine. Water-based paint performs well when applied to houses, Aseltine said. But the city did not anticipate the pounding the paint would take after it was applied to asphalt. The city is now searching for a more durable alternative, but probably won't get around to repainting the sharrows until 2009. The new lanes, which cost the city $100,000, are part of Winnipeg's $3.2-million plan to create new bike paths and active-transportation corridors. Construction on most of those projects will begin later this month or in September, according to a trail-building update prepared by city active-transportation co-ordinator Kevin Nixon. But trail groups were upset to see the sharrows disappear only weeks after they were painted. "This is really disappointing. This was one of the first things the city did in terms of on-street improvements for cycling, and the paint came off in June," said Janice Lukes, executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association. Lukes said she is also frustrated to see the late-summer or fall start dates for construction of other trails and active-transportation corridors, such as new bike lanes on downtown streets, new trails alongside Bishop Grandin Boulevard and the extension of Northeast Pioneers Greenway. Lukes also questioned whether sharrows are a good solution to Winnipeg's bike-trail woes. "Paint doesn't make me feel safer from an SUV or a semi-trailer. Maybe it does for die-hard commuters, but I have kids. I want a barrier," she said. Winnipeg has increased its funding for trail-building in recent years, boosting the annual budget from $200,000 in 2006 to $1.5 million in 2007 to $3.2 million this year. The latter figure includes spending on trails as well as on-street improvements for cyclists. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca a.. a.. © 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. Powered by McClatchy Interactive

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WFP: Bus corridor plan rolled out
by Beth McKechnie 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press(I expect everyone has seen this article on the new BRT including a bike path, but just in case you missed it... -Beth) a.. Winnipeg Free PressLocal NewsBus corridor plan rolled out $138-M first section to run from downtown to Jubilee bylineParse('By Bartley Kives') Updated: September 9, 2008 at 12:40 AM CDT Winnipeg is breaking from recent tradition by borrowing money to pay for a $327-million bus corridor -- and is banking on taxes from new apartment buildings to pay back the loan. On Monday, Mayor Sam Katz and Premier Gary Doer ended months of speculation by announcing they plan to build a dedicated busway that will eventually connect downtown to the University of Manitoba. The first leg of the corridor -- which comes with a $138-million price tag -- will begin at Queen Elizabeth Way near The Forks and then snake 3.6 kilometres southwest to Jubilee Avenue near Pembina Highway, crossing over Osborne Street on a new bridge and then tunnelling below CN Rail's Fort Rouge Yards along the way. The city and province each plan to spend $55 million toward the first leg of the 7corridor, and Ottawa will contribute $28 million. "I've always said rapid transit is part of the city's future," said Katz, who offered a lukewarm endorsement of bus rapid transit four years after he cancelled a $50-million BRT plan proposed by former mayor Glen Murray. "I do not believe bus rapid transit will get the majority of people to leave their cars at home," said Katz, who has always maintained Murray's bus rapid transit plan lacked sufficient detail and would have cost taxpayers much more than $50 million if it went ahead. On Monday, Doer vindicated Katz by praising Winnipeg Transit for scrutinizing every detail of the new busway and declaring its design -- which calls for complete isolation from existing roadways -- will allow for faster bus travel than would have been possible under the former proposal. "It will be rapid and it will be separate," Doer said. Katz said he now supports a busway because it will serve as a precursor to a light-rail system, the form of rapid transit he has always preferred. The new busway has been designed to accommodate a future upgrade to light rail transit by making allowances for clearances, grades and turning angles required for railcars, Winnipeg Transit director Dave Wardrop said. "Light rail is just around the corner," Katz proclaimed. But he conceded the city has no plans to build light rail in the near or distant future. In fact, the city does not know how it will finance the $187-million second leg of the bus corridor, beyond the fact the province has agreed to match the city's contribution and Ottawa will be asked to contribute as well. Katz said the cost of the second phase could be reduced if CN Rail agrees to sell or lease its underused Letellier line, which runs parallel to Pembina Highway. CN is willing to talk to the city and province about the bus corridor, provided it does not disrupt rail operations, regional spokesman Kevin Franchuk said from Edmonton. The first leg of the corridor will feature a commuter bike path, some form of park-and-ride facility and at least three busway stations, which Doer and Katz hope will stimulate residential and commercial development. Newly introduced provincial legislation will allow property and education taxes from new highrise towers and retail stores within the bus-corridor zone to pay back the cash that must be borrowed to build the project. City property director Phil Sheegl said the city hopes to see 700 new apartment or condo units eventually rise alongside each of 12 new busway stations on the entire corridor. Based on $1,000 of taxes per unit, that could generate $8.4 million a year for the city, he said. The bus corridor announcement garnered a mixed reaction from opposition politicians and transit lobby groups. Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi and St. Boniface Coun. Dan Vandal praised the bus corridor plan, although Vandal accused the mayor of flip-flopping on rapid transit. Manitoba Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard called the policy weak and said Doer should have spent $75 million on a more ambitious rapid-transit system. Paul Hesse of pro-bus Rapid Transition Coalition called the plan a good start, provided new corridors are built in other areas of Winnipeg. Jim Jaworski of pro-rail group TRU Winnipeg panned the new plan. More details about financing for the plan will emerge in coming weeks, transit director Wardrop promised. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca BUSWAY FINALLY ON THE WAY Confirming months of speculation, Premier Gary Doer and Mayor Sam Katz announced their intention to build a $327-million bus corridor between downtown and the University of Manitoba. Breaking with recent fiscal policy, the city plans to use debt financing to pay for its share of the first phase of the corridor. It will then backfill the loan with property taxes expected to flow from new residential and commercial developments near new busway stations. Although it will be possible to convert the busway into a light rail corridor at some point in the future, the city has no actual plans to build a light rail transit system. The city has already started planning to build phase 1 of the busway, but has no start date for phase 2 until it conducts negotiations with CN Rail and secures more federal financing. PHASE 1 Cost: $138 million Length: 3.6 kilometres Route: From Queen Elizabeth Way (southern end of Main Street) to the intersection of Jubilee Avenue and Pembina Highway Features: A new bridge over Osborne Street and a new tunnel below CN Rail's Fort Rouge Yards Stations: Slated for Harkness Avenue, Osborne Street, Morley Avenue and possibly Jubilee Financing: $55 million from the city, $55 million from the province and $28 million from Ottawa. The federal money is in the form of $17.5 million in transit funds announced last March, plus $10 million already granted to Winnipeg to purchase buses. Construction: Could begin in spring 2009, pending council approval Completion: Within three years PHASE 2 Cost: $189 million Length: six kilometres Route: From Jubilee Avenue to Bison Drive Features: New bridges over Pembina Highway and Bishop Grandin Boulevard. Stations: Slated for Windermere Avenue, McGillivray Boulevard, Clarence Avenue, Chevrier Boulevard, Plaza Drive, Chancellor Drive, Markham Avenue and Bison Drive Financing, construction and completion: Dependent on negotiations with CN Rail, which might be persuaded to sell or lease the underused Letellier Line that runs loosely parallel to Pembina Highway a.. a.. © 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. Powered by McClatchy Interactive

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Re: [At-network] Couple of things on Safety
by delmore＠mts.net 31 Aug '08

31 Aug '08

It is great that MPI is taking the initiative to put some 60 second driver commercials together based on cycling, now all they have to do is get the message correct. In the videos, several of the riders travel too close to the curb (Can-Bike recommends a minimum of 1 meter) and in one case John Sauder rides over the catchbasin grate which would put him approximately 0.5 meters from the curb. The video also indicates that as a cyclist we should stay as "close as possible to the curb<' which is again incorrect. The HTA says that we must ride as "close a practicable" to the curb and this is totally different than what is being indicated in the commercial. I have also reviewed the drivers handbook (as I have a young driver who recently went through the course) and it is as well indicates that cyclists are to ride "usually one-half meter from the curb." The illustrations provided showing cyclist signals show the rider with his right foot on the curb, something that again is not a safe position for any cyclist. There is no question that both cyclists and drivers need education, however we need to make sure that the message is correct before we educate. This is part of an on going discussion that Bike to the Future is having with MPI and one can only hope that we can set them straight before they waste anymore money on commercials that provide the wrong message to drivers and cyclists. Thanks' Dave > > From: Stacy Matwick <smatwick(a)iisd.ca> > Date: 2008/08/28 Thu PM 02:35:05 CDT > To: "at-network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca" <at-network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca> > Subject: [At-network] Couple of things on Safety > > Don't know if anyone but me noticed this but the other day one of MPI's Driving Tips commercials was on Bike Safety. It was one of their 60 Second Driver commercials you always see after the CTV evening news. http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/BicycleSafety.html > Since I don't have a car and don't deal with MPI it's a pleasant surprise to see the amount of information they do have http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/60sec.html > > And this from a recent Christian Science Monitor > "New bike commuters hit the classroom, then the road. The rush of new cyclists, created by high gas prices, is driving up demand for bike safety classes" > By Ben Arnoldy Aug. 25, 2008 > http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0825/p01s01-usec.htm > > Cheers > Stacy Matwick > Information Centre > International Institute for Sustainable Development > 161 Portage Ave. E., 6th floor > Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 0Y4 > Voice: (204)958-7755 Fax: (204)958-7710 > Email: smatwick(a)iisd.ca Website: http://www.iisd.org > "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" Groucho Marx > "Life is like a bicycle, to keep your balance your must keep on moving" Albert Einstein > > > > > _______________________________________________ > AT-Network mailing list > AT-Network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/at-network >

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Couple of things on Safety
by Stacy Matwick 28 Aug '08

28 Aug '08

Don't know if anyone but me noticed this but the other day one of MPI's Driving Tips commercials was on Bike Safety. It was one of their 60 Second Driver commercials you always see after the CTV evening news. http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/BicycleSafety.html Since I don't have a car and don't deal with MPI it's a pleasant surprise to see the amount of information they do have http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/60sec.html And this from a recent Christian Science Monitor "New bike commuters hit the classroom, then the road. The rush of new cyclists, created by high gas prices, is driving up demand for bike safety classes" By Ben Arnoldy Aug. 25, 2008 http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0825/p01s01-usec.htm Cheers Stacy Matwick Information Centre International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Ave. E., 6th floor Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 0Y4 Voice: (204)958-7755 Fax: (204)958-7710 Email: smatwick(a)iisd.ca Website: http://www.iisd.org "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" Groucho Marx "Life is like a bicycle, to keep your balance your must keep on moving" Albert Einstein

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Secure bike corral open downtown
by Jessie Klassen 05 Aug '08

05 Aug '08

Hi All, If you were looking for safe bike parking downtown, a new bike corral is now open in the civic parkade across from Red River College, Princess street campus. The corral uses a card reader for access (fun to use!), and currently has space for 50 bikes. The cost is $50/year, and you can get a card, or get more information, by calling the Exchange District BIZ at 942-6716. The bike corral is the result of a partnership between The Winnipeg Parking Authority, Red River College, Exchange District BIZ, and City Councilor Mike Pagtakhan. Spread the word! Let's show 'em safe bike parking is needed and will be well used. Thanks! Jessie Klassen Workplace TDM Coordinator Resource Conservation Manitoba (204) 925-3772 jessie(a)resourceconservation.mb.ca Resource Conservation Manitoba: Living Green, Living Well. Practical solutions for yourself, your community and the environment Green Commuting, Environmental Education, Reducing Waste, Composting

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More on cycling/ped web maps
by Beth McKechnie 31 Jul '08

31 Jul '08

Hello all: Interesting article on increasing demand for cycling/ped web maps: http://www.technologyreview.com/Wire/21131/page1/ cheers, Beth

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Online bike trip planners
by Beth McKechnie 30 Jul '08

30 Jul '08

Hello everyone: In various conversations, it has been noted that an online bike trip planner that is similar to Winnipeg Transit's Navigo tool would be really helpful. (That is, in addition to an updated cycling map of Winnipeg!) Vancouver recently launched a web-based route planner: http://www.cher.ubc.ca/News/MediaReleases/routeplanner_06-25-08.asp Portland also has an online bike trip planner, which they describe as follows: "The byCycle bicycle trip planner is a free online tool to help both new and seasoned cyclists plan safe trips through the city. This private website was created by cycling enthusiasts volunteering their time, with support from Metro." http://tripplanner.bycycle.org/regions/portlandor Something to think about for Winnipeg. cheers, Beth

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Fw: Job Posting - PACM Fueling Physical Activity Project
by Jessie Klassen 29 Jul '08

29 Jul '08

Hello PACM members Please find attached the job description and job posting for the position of Fueling Physical Activity Project Coordinator. Can you please forward this on through your networks. Thank you. Sandy Millar ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Nancy Pallett <pallettn(a)cc.umanitoba.ca> Date: Jul 25, 2008 9:38 AM Subject: re: Job Posting To: Sandy Millar <smillar.pacm(a)gmail.com> Hi Sandy, Would you please send out the attached Job Posting to the PACM listserv. Thanks, Nancy -- Sandy Millar PACM Fueling Physical Activity Project Coordinator (204) 333- 2958

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Upcoming David Suzuki documentary
by David Wieser 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

Should be an interesting Nature of Things coming up. IKEA even has bikes that come with a trailer for taking your purchases home... "He'll be an amazing advocate for bike culture and separated bike infrastructure in Canadian cities." http://www.copenhagenize.com/2008/07/david-suzuki-got-copenhagenized.html David Wieser

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Interesting article
by Stacy Matwick 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

http://www.salon.com/mwt/good_life/2008/07/24/sports_utility_bicycle/ "My family car is an SUB and I love it" On my new "sport utility bicycle" I can cart groceries, take my kids shopping, haul a barbecue grill and make a margarita. By Mark Benjamin Cheers Stacy Matwick Information Centre International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Ave. E., 6th floor Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 0Y4 Voice: (204)958-7755 Fax: (204)958-7710 Email: smatwick(a)iisd.ca Website: http://www.iisd.org "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" Groucho Marx

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FREE Sustainable Transportation Event - Thursday
by Richard Milgrom 16 Jul '08

16 Jul '08

PN2008 Winnipeg The Planners Network Conference Planning in Challenging Climates July 17-20, 2008 Reminder! FREE EVENT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Sustainable Transportation: Research, Advocacy Realization Date: Thursday July 17, 2008 Time: 7:00pm Location: Red River College Princess Street Campus Speakers: Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute Will Toor, Boulder County Commissioner, former mayor of Boulder For speaker biographies, see <http://www.pnmb.org/PN2008Schedule.htm>. This is the opening session of the PLANNERS NETWORK CONFERENCE. For more information about the event or the conference, please contact Richard Milgrom <milgrom(a)cc.umanitoba.ca>. Planners Network is an association of professionals, activists, academics, and students involved in physical, social, economic, and environmental planning in urban and rural areas, who promote fundamental change in our political and economic systems. -- Richard Milgrom Assistant Professor Department of City Planning Faculty of Architecture University of Manitoba Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2 Canada phone: 204.474.6868 mobile: 204.471.1979 fax: 204.474.7532 email: milgrom(a)cc.umanitoba.ca

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Free Public Sustainable Transportation Event - July 17th!
by Jessie Klassen 10 Jul '08

10 Jul '08

Hello All! Next Thursday, July 17th, join the Planners Network for a free public Sustainable Transportation Event, featuring guest speakers Todd Litman from Victoria Transportation Policy Institute, and Will Tour, Former Mayor of Boulder Colorado. The evening includes displays and refreshments. Hope to see you out next Thursday! Date: Thursday, July 17th Location: Red River College, Princess Street Campus, 160 Princess St. Time: 7:00 pm Thanks! Jessie Klassen Workplace TDM Coordinator Resource Conservation Manitoba 303 Portage Ave., 3rd Floor (204) 925-3772 jessie(a)resourceconservation.mb.ca

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Britain invests hundreds of millions to encourage cycling (Jun23'08)
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '08

23 Jun '08

[http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2008/2008-06-23-01.asp] Britain Invests Hundreds of Millions to Encourage CyclingLONDON, UK, June 23, 2008 (ENS) - Persuading people to climb out of their cars and onto bicycles is a key part of the British government's plan to meet its commitment to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. To further this effort, British Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has named Bristol as the UK's first official Cycling City, and announced a further 11 Cycling Demonstration Towns across England. Bristol and the 11 other towns have each won a share of the record £100 million (US$197.4 million) investment package to pioneer innovative ways to increase cycling in their areas. Proposals include improving cycling infrastructure such as dedicated cycle lanes, increasing bike parking, cycle training for children, and promoting the benefits of cycling. "The UK's first ever Cycling City and 11 new Cycling Demonstration Towns will pioneer new ways of encouraging people to get on their bikes, Kelly said. "A quarter of journeys made every day by car are less than two miles," she said. "Cycling is an alternative that could bring real health benefits to millions of adults and children, as well as helping them save money and beat congestion." Cyclists assemble in Bristol's Millenium Square for the city's 15th annual Biggest Bike Ride. June 22, 2008. (Photo by Rob Green) Bristol was chosen in part because it has hosted a popular cycling event for the past 15 years. On Sunday, the 15th annual Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride attracted thousands who helped the city celebrate its selection as the UK's first Cycling City. Phillip Darnton, who chairs Cycling England, said, "We have learnt from our European neighbours, such as the Netherlands, that increased and sustained investment is the key to getting more people enjoying the benefits of cycling. The funding that Bristol and the other 11 towns have been awarded is designed to create a real step change in levels of cycling, starting in 2008 and for years to come." The 11 other Cycling Demonstration Towns are - Blackpool, Cambridge, Chester, Colchester, Leighton/Linslade, Shrewsbury, Southend on Sea, Southport with Ainsdale, Stoke, Woking and York. Cycling England is the national body co-ordinating the development of cycling across England. It was launched by the Minister for Local Transport in March 2005, replacing the previous National Cycling Strategy Board, and is supported by a number of government departments, including health, education, planning and sport as well as transport. Today's announcement aims to encourage 2.5 million more adults and children to take up cycling, improve their fitness and beat the traffic. Bristol wants to double the number of people cycling over the next three years, by creating the UK's first on-street bike rental network, modeled on the successful Paris scheme. Plans include establishing a 're-cycling' scheme, providing free bikes to those in deprived communities. The city has plans to build a state-of-the-art facility for cyclists in the city center providing showers, bike parking and lockers so commuters can have a wash and brush up before starting work. On the drawing board are plans to create a dedicated cycleway to link the suburbs with the city center, opening up new, safer options for commuters who currently rely on their cars. "The first step in persuading people to leave their cars at home is to offer them a real choice," said the minister. "Providing a step change in cycling facilities, dedicated cycle lanes, more training and information will have a big impact on how people choose to travel." "I look forward to seeing these towns and cities put their plans into action and urge other communities across the country to follow their lead," she said. The further 11 Cycling Demonstration Towns will build on the work of the existing six Cycling Demonstration Towns appointed in 2005, which have seen significant increases in cycling levels. These first six towns are - Aylesbury, Brighton, Darlington, Derby, Exeter and Lancaster. They will receive £7 million of the newly announced funding. "Beyond well co-ordinated, consistent investment in cycling, and the introduction of policy measures to encourage it, cycling crucially needs determined and persistent high-level leadership," said Darnton. "We are delighted that the government has championed this and Cycling England's other projects which aim to increase national cycling levels by 20 percent overall by 2012." The government has already announced it is investing an unprecedented £140 million (US$276.5 million) in cycling to increase the provision of Bikeability training to help half a million children cycle safely by 2012; build 250 new Safe Links to School as well as create the UK's first-ever Cycling City and appoint further Cycling Demonstration Towns, as announced today. Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.

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Monday morning reading
by Stacy Matwick 23 Jun '08

23 Jun '08

More commuters choose to pedal right past pumps Source: Chicago Times via iNSnet.org http://www.insnet.org/ins_headlines.rxml?id=14128&photo= I especially liked the quote from the long time commuter at the end of the article about people thinking of it like a gym membership. I wonder what the numbers are for New Years resolutions? If it's only the four (or so) months of summer that would still be great. Cheers and a big thanks to everyone who worked at putting together a fabulous "Bike to Work Day" The pancakes were delish? Stacy Matwick Information Centre International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Ave. E., 6th floor Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 0Y4 Voice: (204)958-7755 Fax: (204)958-7710 Email: smatwick(a)iisd.ca Website: http://www.iisd.org "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" Groucho Marx

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New report on cycling and health benefits
by Beth McKechnie 20 Jun '08

20 Jun '08

Hello everyone: New report on cycling and health, from England, that looks at the specific health benefits from cycling: http://www.networks.nhs.uk/uploads/07/11/cycling_and_health.pdf (Sorry for any duplicate postings) cheers, Beth McKechnie Green Commuting Initiatives Resource Conservation Manitoba www.resourceconservation.mb.ca

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