- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Free Webinar on Applying Dutch Cycling Principles in the U.S.
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

*Webinar Announcement* Upcoming Webinar on Applying Dutch Cycling Principles in the U.S. *Translating Dutch Cycling Ideas to an American Context Tuesday, July 28, 2020* 11:30am-1:00pm Eastern Time Register Here <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> U.S. transportation planners and advocates have long admired the Netherlands’ cycling infrastructure and culture, and some make the trip across the Atlantic to observe its bustling bike lanes and traffic-calmed streets. But coming from a more sprawling, auto-oriented environment, it’s difficult to imagine replicating their success, where the average resident now pedals over 600 miles per year. Discover the key principles that were developed by the Dutch over those fifty years, draw out concrete lessons for America to follow their lead, and learn how some of these ideas are already being implemented in U.S. cities, as they face a crisis forcing many of them to reevaluate how they allocate space on their curbs and streets. This webinar is being organized by the Dutch Cycling Embassy, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Office of Infrastructure and Water Management, the League of American Bicyclists, and the Federal Highway Administration. ------------------------------ PBIC offers free, public webinars approximately every month. To register for upcoming webinars and to access archived presentations, please visit www.pedbikeinfo.org/webinars <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> . Follow the PBIC on Twitter <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> and Facebook <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> and join the discussion [image: https://twitter.com/pedbikeinfo?lang=en] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> [image: https://www.facebook.com/pedbikeinfo] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> [image: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/index.cfm] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> ------------------------------ Since its inception in 1999, PBIC's mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ------------------------------ Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center 730 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Suite 300 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Add us to your address book <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/vcard?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e453ab5d&…> Phone: 1.888.823.3977 Fax: 919.962.8710 www.pedbikeinfo.org <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> View this email in your browser <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…>

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CTV News: The idea that could make Winnipeg more accessible to cyclists and pedestrians (Jul8'20)
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/the-idea-that-could-make-winnipeg-more-accessib… WINNIPEG -- Several groups have joined forces to ask all levels of government to help make Winnipeg more accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. The Green Action Centre, Winnipeg Trails, Safe Speeds Winnipeg, and Bike Winnipeg are calling on the government to create a pop-up connected cycling network in Winnipeg. This would mean Winnipeg cyclists and pedestrians could access a safe route to get where they’re going no matter where they are in the city. “Right now in Winnipeg we do have some cycle routes and some of them are protected, but there’s giant gaps in that infrastructure,” said Mel Marginet from the Green Action Centre. “So for most folks, they can take a leisurely trip on their bike, maybe do a weekend trip with their kids, but the idea is that of being able to get to your essential services, to be able to get to your job, in the fall when the kids go back, for them to get to school." Marginet added, “There’s usually parts of the trip where they feel comfortable, but there’s always an intersection or perhaps a strip that’s a little bit scary and very intimidating, and because of that getting there on a bike or foot just seems inaccessible and impossible.” The groups sent out a letter in June -- addressed to Mayor Brian Bowman but also provided to the provincial and federal governments – asking for the connected network for walking and cycling. Marginet noted the letter was specifically addressed to Bowman as he has the most power in this situation. “It’s the municipal government that really has to champion and really has to prioritize this initiative,” she said. On Thursday, representatives from each of the groups will be delivering the letter to Bowman at Winnipeg City Hall, Minister Rochelle Squires at the Manitoba Legislative Building, and then the Office of MP Dan Vandal. Bowman has been invited to speak on the request, Squires will be available for comment, and Vandal won’t be available for comment but welcomes receiving the letter. “Right now always the go-to is just to build roads and highways and we just need to get beyond that,” Marginet said. *- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace*

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Mississauga adopts new framework to keep peds and cyclists moving safely
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jul '20

13 Jul '20

City Adopts New Framework to Keep Pedestrians and Cyclists Moving Safely July 10, 2020 The City of Mississauga is moving forward with an Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework following approval of a report <https://pub-mississauga.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=2412…> that was brought to Council this week. Starting this summer, the City will introduce more short-term and long-term active transportation options for cyclists and pedestrians that allow for safe physical distancing. Residents can look forward to Quiet Streets that limit vehicle traffic, temporary road closures that provide more space for cyclists and pedestrians and 17.9 km of new separated and on-road bike lanes that will be installed by the end of the year. “Our efforts continue to build cities for people and ensure our residents can continue to travel safely and comfortably around our city while respecting physical distancing,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “It’s especially important now that we are in Stage 2 and are further reopening our economy that we provide residents with more ways to move. During this pandemic, communities like ours have seen cycling increase by as much as 60 per cent. This framework responds to those needs and will work to provide our residents with more options to travel around our City comfortably while providing relief for our busy sidewalks, multi-use trails and enhancing access to local amenities.” Throughout the spring, the City installed temporary active transportation lanes in Wards 4, 7 and 9 to give local pedestrians and cyclists more space to practise physical distancing. The framework allows for the introduction of more short-term options in the form of temporary road closures and Quiet Streets. Temporary road closures will help reduce crowding in Mississauga hotspots, particularly on weekends. Quiet Streets, which temporarily limit vehicle traffic to local traffic only, will provide more space for cyclists, walkers and runners to safely and comfortably use the road. “Active transportation will shape how residents move around Mississauga during recovery and beyond,” said Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation and Works. “We’ll be expanding Mississauga’s cycling network long-term. By adding 17.9 km of new on-road bicycle lanes and separated bicycle lanes by the end of the year, we permanently increase the City’s on-road bicycle lane network by 30 per cent.” Based on data from Peel Public Health and the City’s transportation planning teams, locations for the projects outlined in the framework have been selected using criteria that includes: population density, vehicle ownership per household, commute distances and potential risk of COVID-19 exposure. Locations were also chosen to help fill gaps in Mississauga’s existing cycling network. In addition to consulting Peel Public Health, several key City strategic initiatives support the rapid expansion of the cycling network in Mississauga, including the Cycling Master Plan <https://yoursay.mississauga.ca/cycling-master-plan>, the Climate Change Action Plan <https://yoursay.mississauga.ca/climate-change>, the Transportation Master Plan <https://yoursay.mississauga.ca/transportation-masterplan> and Vision Zero. The Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee was also consulted in the development of the framework. “Staff from across the organization have listened to residents and we recognize the immediate need for more options to travel safely by bike or foot, in both the long-term and the short-term,” said Helen Noehammer, Director, Infrastructure Planning and Engineering Services. “We’re reprioritizing our work plans and using relatively simple materials, available budget and existing contracts in order to accelerate this work.” No new funding is required for the projects identified in the framework. Estimated to cost $1.3 million, budget for the projects will come from existing funding sources, with $830,000 coming from the Federal Gas Tax Reserve Fund and $470,000 coming from the Development Charges Reserve Fund. Noehammer added, “The installation of additional cycling infrastructure will lead to operational impacts. We’re continuing to finalize what dedicated year-round maintenance of this infrastructure will look like, especially in the spring and winter.” To stay up-to-date on COVID-19 impacts on City services, visit mississauga.ca/recovery <https://web.mississauga.ca/city-of-mississauga-news/covid-19-recovery/> and follow the City on Twitter @citymississauga <https://twitter.com/citymississauga>. https://web.mississauga.ca/city-of-mississauga-news/news/city-adopts-new-fr…

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The Metro: Making Furby Street safe for pedestrians (Jul8'20)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Jul '20

08 Jul '20

Making Furby Street safe for pedestrians https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/metro/Making-Furby-Street… A new initiative aims to make Furby Street safer for pedestrians. The Winnipeg Trails Association and West Broadway Community Organization have partnered to introduce “traffic calming measures” to the block of Furby Street between Westminster Avenue and Broadway. They will install a mobile planter on the street, which encourages drivers to slow down on their commutes home. The organizations are working with public works to design the measures, pending council approval. The City Centre community committee approved the project, which went to the infrastructure renewal and public works committee on July 7. While the motion works its way through council, the WTA has designed a prototype which it will present to the city. Anders Swanson, executive director of the WTA, said the prototype will serve as a visual reminder for drivers that they are moving through a residential street and they need to be mindful of pedestrians. “‘Traffic-calming measures’ is a very technical sounding term, what it really means is we’re helping to make our streets into a community asset. It’s a way to remind drivers that ‘hey, you’re entering a place where people are living, so maybe slow down,’” Swanson said. The WTA’s prototype is a wooden planter, placed along the side of Furby Street. Residents will be able to grow herbs and vegetables in it, with the bright greenery serving as a deterrent for speeding. Drivers will still be able to use the road, the WTA hopes that the increased greenery will catch their eye and remind them to be cautious. The proposal is part of their Healing Trails Program, a partnership with the West Broadway Community Organization to create a more walkable and accessible city. Greg MacPherson, executive director of the WBCO, is excited about the proposal. He said residents in West Broadway have been pushing for a more accessible city. “Our mandate is derived from public consultations, our biggest one being the five-year community plan. Through all of our surveys and consolations, residents in our neighbourhood want more infrastructure for active transportation,” MacPherson said. “That block of (Furby Street) is very busy, it’s one of the most densely populated streets in the area. There’s a lot of seniors, people with chronic health issues … They walk wherever they go. Having a bunch of cars speed through there is a huge concern for them.” MacPherson said in the 2018/2019 census, around 60 per cent of West Broadway residents community primarily by cycling or walking. The WBCO did a huge survey in 2016, going door to door asking residents what they want from their neighborhood. According to their survey, 90 per cent of residents wanted traffic calming measures of some kind. The City of Winnipeg has seen a push for active transportation routes throughout the city. Recently, council extended its Sunday/ holiday bicycle routes, closing some streets off to vehicle traffic until September. Organizations like the WTA and WBCO have been pushing for a more walkable city for years. MacPherson said Winnipeg is lagging far behind other cities when it comes to accessibility. “I’ve been to several other cities in Canada and around the world. I’m sorry to say, but Winnipeg is a little behind on this. You see cities everywhere that are starting to take active transportation more seriously, all the studies we have show it benefits our society,” MacPherson said. “I’d love to live in a city where I wasn’t reliant on motor vehicles to get from A to B. Not everyone can afford a car.” >From left: Janell Henry, Healing Trails’ program manager and Anders Swanson, Winnipeg Trails’ executive director, standing beside one of the planter box traffic-calming devices.

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The Lance: Underpass beneath Fermor Avenue opens (Jul8'20)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Jul '20

08 Jul '20

City of Winnipeg opens underpass beneath Fermor Avenue Press release from June 8th: https://winnipeg.ca/cao/media/news/nr_2020/nr_20200608.stm#2 On June 8, Save Our Seine joined city councillors Matt Allard (St. Boniface) and Brian Mayes (St. Vital) and Bike Winnipeg’s Mark Cohoe) at the official opening of the new Fermor Tunnel. This was a day to celebrate. The tunnel allows people to walk or ride safely under Fermor Avenue. Just east of the tunnel, new trails under the refurbished bridge allow deer, other wildlife, and people to cross under the bridge and access the river. The new tunnel and river trails will enhance movement along the Seine River corridor. Canada’s history was built around its rivers. Indigenous people, voyageurs, fur traders, and European settlers used rivers to travel across the vast Canadian landscape. In Manitoba, people travelled on the rivers using canoes or paddlewheel steamboats to carry heavy goods. They walked and drove carts on muddy trails beside rivers. The rivers were transportation corridors that belonged to everyone. The long lot settlement pattern recognized the need for public movement along rivers. The land along the river’s edge was considered to be “common land.” During the development of our city, we lost sight of this history. We overlooked the value of rivers as travel corridors. We built roads, bridges, and buildings that now limit public access and block movement along river corridors. Save Our Seine’s goal is to enhance the Seine River as natural corridor for wildlife, active transportation, recreation, and tourism. The dream is to create a continuous trail from the Red River to the floodway. Today, disconnected trail fragments along the Seine River are interrupted by significant barriers. Fermor Avenue was one barrier. Highway 100 is another. Thanks to another transportation project, Highway 100 will not remain an obstacle. As part of a massive 25-year project to improve traffic flow and safety along the south perimeter, the province has agreed to replace the box culvert over the Seine River. This culvert is too narrow for the river channel. It is often blocked by debris or beaver dams that prevent canoes from passing. Terrestrial wildlife must walk or swim through the culvert or cross the busy highway. The new culvert will have room for a riverside trail. Just imagine, people will be able to walk, bike, or canoe along the river between Royalwood and St. Norbert. Deer will have a way to move safely under the highway. Although the timeline for the culvert replacement is still uncertain, we are already counting the days. Michele Kading is a community correspondent for St. Vital and the executive director of Save Our Seine.

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WFP: One step closer to 30 km/h (Jul8'20)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Jul '20

08 Jul '20

*ONE STEP CLOSER TO 30 KM/H * CITY council’s public works committee has voted largely in favour of a plan to test 30 km/h speed limits. The City of Winnipeg would also hire a consultant to study lowering the default speed limit for all residential roads, but only if council approves the cost in its 2021 budget process. If council approves the changes, the speed reduction would be tested on sections of streets with low-volume, low-speed traffic patterns, including sections of Roch Street, Eugenie Avenue, Warsaw/ Fleet avenues, Machray Avenue and Flora Avenue. However, the committee also moved to require each greenway change be subject to the area councillor’s approval before it is implemented. City staff would also be tasked to consult with councillors on where best to place additional speed-reduction trials, if council agrees.

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Toronto Based Speed Study - 30km/hr vs 40km/hr
by Mark Cohoe 07 Jul '20

07 Jul '20

Hi, I found this report today that looks at a 30km/hr vs 40km/hr speed reduction and compares collision and injury rates. It makes a pretty strong case for 30km/hr over 40km/hr, especially in a winter city. Effect of reducing the posted speed limit to30 km per hour on pedestrian motorvehicle collisions in Toronto, Canada - aquasi experimental, pre-post study <https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12889-019-8139…> *Results*:Speed limit reductions from 40 km/h to 30 km/h were associated > with a 28% decrease in the PMVC incidencerate in the City of Toronto (IRR > = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.58–0.89). A non-significant 7% decrease in PMVC > incidence rates wereobserved on comparator streets that remained at 40 > km/h speed limits (IRR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.70–1.25). Speed limitreduction > also influenced injury severity, with a significant 67% decrease in major > and fatal injuries in the postintervention period on streets with speed > limit reductions (IRR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13–0.85) compared with a 31% notstatistically > significant decrease in major and fatal injuries on comparator streets (IRR > = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.37–1.31). Theinteraction term for group and pre-post > comparisons was not statistically significant (p= 0.14) indicating that > there wasno evidence to suggest a pre-post difference in IRRs between the > intervention and comparator streets. > > *Conclusions*:Declines in the rate of PMVC were observed on roads with > posted speed limit reductions from 40 km/hto 30 km/h, although this > effect was not statistically greater than reductions on comparator streets. > Of note, in the results section they also note that while there was no difference between seasonal collision/injury rates on the 30km/hr streets, there was a marked seasonal difference on the 40km/hr roads, with winters having a far higher collision/injury rate. Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca

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WFP: City testing of e-scooters up to province (Jul2'20)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jul '20

06 Jul '20

*City testing of e-scooters up to province * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-testing-of-e-scooters-up-to-pr… A trial project deploying electric scooters throughout Winnipeg will require a green light from the province before any of the e-powered two-wheelers hit city streets. An administrative report on the standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works meeting agenda Tuesday recommends the city ask the provincial government to approve a trial for e-scooters to operate on the city’s transportation network. The request is the first step toward opening the door to dockless scooter and “micromobility” operators, such as Bird Rides Inc. and Lime, in Winnipeg. Currently, provincial legislation prohibits electric scooters from using public right-of-ways in Manitoba. Dockless e-scooters and e-bikes have gained some popularity with urbanites throughout Canada for ease of access and ubiquitous availability. Electric scooters can be deployed — on boulevards, in parks and plazas — and rented through a smartphone application. Users can find a nearby scooter on the app, unlock and rent the vehicle with their phone, and then zoom to their destination, where they leave the scooter for the next user. “I’m pleased to see the public service has an open mind about asking the province of Manitoba to change the law concerning scooters,” said Coun. Matt Allard, chairman of the infrastructure renewal and public works committee. “I believe this technology could play a key role in our active transportation environment here in Winnipeg, giving people more options to get around outside of their cars.” A spokesman for the provincial government said Tuesday in an email statement e-scooters do not meet the definition of a motor vehicle or a bicycle under the Highway Traffic Act. “There is no means under the existing legislation to pilot test e-scooters and other new vehicle technologies,” the spokesman said. In March, the province introduced the Vehicle Technology Testing Act, which established a framework for testing autonomous vehicles and new vehicle technologies, he added. “Once the bill is passed and a regulatory framework is in place, consideration can be given to safely testing e-scooters and other vehicle technologies that do not currently conform with the (Highway Traffic Act).” City officials hoped to work with third-party micromobility operators to establish a short-term rental network for bikes and e-bikes, in addition to scooters, throughout Winnipeg, but following an expression of interest learned most major players only offer e-scooters. “It appears that, if the city is interested in the provision of micromobility options, the public service may have to take an active role as a stakeholder in the operation of this program,” the administrative report states. “The cost of such a program could be quite significant, but there appear to be merits to offering such a program as a city service.” The public service has asked for permission from council to develop a business case for a city-led program. “With the dramatic drop in Transit ridership due to COVID-19 and its uncertain future, we need to continue to develop other alternative transportation options for Winnipeggers who get around without a vehicle,” Allard said. “This could fit into this picture.” If passed by the standing policy committee, the report would move on to executive policy committee and council for consideration. danielle.dasilva(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: Year-long test of 30 km/h proposed for five city streets (Jun30'20)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jul '20

06 Jul '20

*Feedback from residents will help determine next steps* * Year-long test of 30 km/h proposed for five city streets* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-report-calls-for-testing-lower… WINNIPEG could soon test a 30 km/h limit on five streets and hire a consultant to study lowering the default speed limit for all residential roads. There’s no plan to lower any speed limits at this time, in part because the required signage would cost millions of dollars. A new public service report calls for a one-year reduced-speed trial, which would cost between $250,000 and $300,000. An exact date hasn’t been set for the trial, though it could occur in fall 2020 or spring 2021, said David Patman, the city’s manager of transportation planning. Patman hopes the test period will trigger plenty of feedback to help determine the city’s next steps. “We want to hear from as many people as we can about this because we know this is such a major issue for people in Winnipeg,” he said. Many Winnipeggers have publicly pushed council to reduce the city’s default 50 km/h speed limit to 30 km/h on residential roads, arguing that would reduce the risk of fatal crashes and heighten pedestrian and cyclist safety. By contrast, a petition against lowering the limit to 30 km/h has gathered more than 6,000 signatures. Patman said the trial project should attract broad input prior to any decision on a more permanent change. “We want to take a look at the feedback we get from doing this small trial, seeing how people feel when they’re travelling at 30 (km/h), if it’s something that people in Winnipeg can live with,” he said. If approved, the speed reduction would be tested on sections of streets with low-volume, low-speed traffic patterns. That would include Roch Street (from Poplar Avenue to Arby Bay), Eugenie Avenue (from St. Mary’s Road to Youville Street), Warsaw Avenue/Fleet Avenue (from Nassau Street to Lindsay Street), Machray Avenue (from Fife Street to Main Street) and Flora Avenue (from Sinclair Street to King Street). If council approves the proposal as is, the city would also hire a consultant to study the impacts of both 30 km/h and 40 km/h speed limits on all residential roads. No budget has been approved for that study. Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), the chairperson of council’s public works committee, said he supports the trial project. “I think it’ll allow Winnipeggers the opportunity to think about it, try it and see how it works in the city,” said Allard. Patman estimates it would cost the city about $7.8 million to add enough signs to legally reduce the speed limits on all Winnipeg residential streets right now, due to provincial sign rules he deemed an impediment to lowering speeds more quickly. Currently, the Highway Traffic Act requires a fixed speed limit of less than 50 km/h to be signed on every affected Winnipeg street at the point that limit begins, after each intersection with a roadway (other than a back lane) and as close as possible to the intersection itself. The report suggests council ask the province to require fewer speed limit signs to reduce a street’s maximum speed. Allard said he’d prefer the city be granted the power to add “gateway signage,” which he defines as posting signs with a new default speed limit at the edge of a neighbourhood or city they apply to, should council actually approve one. Mark Cohoe, the executive director of Bike Winnipeg, deemed it “a little disappointing” that the city isn’t taking more action to reduce speed limits right now but said he’s glad to see a test project proposed. Cohoe said lower speed limits should make neighbourhoods safer and more inviting. “It goes beyond the safety issue, it’s also a noise issue, it’s a livability issue,” he said. Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said she’d prefer to see the city test a speed limit reduction throughout an entire neighbourhood instead. “I don’t really understand how using five streets is going to give them a comprehensive (view on this),” said Lukes. All of the changes would require full council approval. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: Birds of a feather fix bikes together (Jun29'20)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jul '20

06 Jul '20

* Birds of a feather fix bikes together * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/wheelie-good-fun-571534962.html GREGORY Allan wants you to get on your bike and ride, and he and the other volunteers at Orioles Bike Cage will help make it happen. Located at 444 Burnell St., just north of St. Matthews Avenue, Orioles Bike Cage is a community bike repair shop. Its mission is to make cycling and bicycle repair knowledge accessible to all, and to remove barriers people face in keeping their bikes in working order. “I love working with the public. I love sharing knowledge. I love teaching people,” says Allan, who has volunteered at the shop for 10 years. “I really, really like bikes. I think they’re amazing machines,” the 31-year-old adds. “I love the community vibe we get at Orioles. Those feel-good community vibes for me are really important.” Community members can visit the shop every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The workshop space provides shared tool access and recycled bike parts, as well as repair advice from volunteers. There is no cost for the service, but pay-what-you-can financial donations, donations of bike parts or in-kind labour are encouraged. For Aaron Maciejko, volunteering at the shop stems from a passion for social justice. “Orioles allows people to get transportation at an affordable price and empowers them to take charge in their lives,” says Maciejko, 41. “That’s important.” Maciejko first got involved at the shop seven years ago when he was getting into bike polo, a sport adapted from horse polo and played on bicycles. He has fond memories of building his first bike using a frame and spare parts he found at the shop. “I was looking for something I could use specifically for bike polo,” he says. “I’ve since gone on to build a number of other bikes.” Charles Pearce started volunteering at the Bike Cage in 2012 and says the community there keeps him coming back. “It’s very friendly,” says Pearce, 39. “It’s a good way to meet people.” In addition to volunteering at the shop, Pearce has also been involved with Meals on Wheels. He enjoys volunteering because giving back to the community is important to him. “It’s always good to offer help when people need it,” he says. “If everybody (were) just completely closed off, it’d be a pretty boring world.” More volunteers are needed to help at Orioles, Allan says. No experience as a bike mechanic is required to volunteer. “There’s a lengthy list of things we need done in the shop,” he says. “Cutting up rags, sorting parts, finding holes in tubes, dealing with scrap metal and scrap rubber, separating aluminum from steel, and on and on it goes.” Greeters are also being sought who will help welcome and orient community members who visit the shop, as well as people who are willing to represent the shop at special events. “Running the shop takes so many different roles and tasks,” he says. A volunteer orientation is set for Saturday, July 18. Anyone interested can email oriolesbikecage@gmail. com. Whether you want to volunteer or just need help with your bike, Pearce invites folks to support Orioles Bike Cage. “I’d encourage everybody to come out,” he says. “If you want to learn to fix your bicycle and all that, we’ll definitely show you how.”

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WFP: Council extends cycling, walking routes till Sept. 7 (Jun27'20)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jul '20

06 Jul '20

(This is old news, as I'm catching up after a week away.) *Council extends cycling, walking routes till Sept. 7 * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/council-extends-cycling-walking-rou… AS Winnipeg city council extended temporary active transportation routes until September, one councillor successfully lobbied for his ward’s route to be removed. Coun. Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) called to close the route along Assiniboine Avenue, from Bedson Street to Westwood Drive, arguing some cyclists and pedestrians disregard “the basic rules of the road.” “We’ve had several close calls with bikes and pedestrians… It makes for a potential danger spot when someone is riding a bike or is walking,” he said Friday. Klein said the busy stretch of Assiniboine Avenue isn’t a good fit for such use, largely since it’s a bus route. Residents have complained of cyclists and pedestrians taking up the entire road and not allowing cars to pass, he said. The AT routes limit vehicular traffic to one block from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, to allow more room for cyclists and pedestrians. Klein’s motion to close the Assiniboine link, which council approved, also called for city staff to consult with him to find an alternative route in his ward. The councillor said he decided to call for the elimination of the route, after 84 residents signed such a petition, including 67 Assiniboine Avenue residents. At the same meeting, council voted unanimously to extend eight other AT routes: sections of Lyndale Drive, Scotia Street, Wellington Crescent, Wolseley Avenue, Churchill Drive, Egerton Road, Kildonan Drive and Kilkenny Drive. The extension will keep them open until Sept. 7, instead of July 6. Meanwhile, another councillor successfully called to have a route added in his ward. Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) requested an AT route be placed on Rover Avenue, between Hallet and Stephens streets. The area is part of the North Winnipeg Parkway, which Eadie’s motion states is slated for medicine plant-filled boxes to help calm traffic in the area, as part of a reconciliation effort. The motion describes the area as well-suited to the change, with “no cross-traffic, low traffic volumes and low traffic speeds.” The routes were first promoted as an option for socially distanced exercise during the pandemic. — Joyanne Pursaga

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Edmonton fights back against the hidden costs of parking with the boldest plan in Canada
by Charles Feaver 02 Jul '20

02 Jul '20

Globe and mail editorial today: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-edmonton-fights-b ack-against-the-hidden-costs-of-parking-with-the/ .. Some cities have started to move away from parking requirements for new buildings, but they are doing it slowly, and usually only in specific circumstances. Edmonton, however, decided to go further. Last week, city council <https://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-Release---Edmonton-first-major-Can adian-municipality-to-eliminate-parking-minimums.html?soid=1127191170163&aid =hSRVUDLmF1Q> eliminated parking minimums from its zoning rules for all developments across the city, the first big city in Canada to do so. All Canadian cities should take inspiration. Edmonton is thinking about what kind of city it wants to be in 2050. To quote a guiding maxim of a famous former Edmontonian: "Skate to where the puck's going and not where it's been." .. Sadly, their front page points to another trend: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-here-in-my-car-i-feel-safest-of -all-and-in-a-covid-19-pandemic-it/ "Here in my car, I feel safest of all - and in a COVID-19 pandemic, it's the only way to live". Charles Feaver 11 Harvard Ave Winnipeg R3M 0J6 204.293.6332

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WFP: City scraps plan for one-way traffic on West Broadway streets (Jun25'20)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jun '20

25 Jun '20

*City scraps plan for one-way traffic on West Broadway streets* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-scraps-plans-for-one-way-traff… THE city has scratched an idea to make two major West Broadway streets into one-way roads as it prepares to begin construction of a bike path in the area next year. In an email sent Tuesday to area residents, the city says it decided to keep vehicular traffic in both directions on Westminster Avenue, Balmoral Street, and Granite Way, from Langside Street to Osborne Street. Residents, parents of children at Balmoral Hall School, and members of the Granite Curling Club opposed one-way traffic. “You told us the project design balances the safety and needs of all road users in some ways, but that you were very concerned with some aspects — particularly one-way streets and their potential to increase traffic and decrease safety along some residential streets,” the email says. The city says it has decided to build a two-way protected bike lane on the east side of Balmoral Street and Young Street, instead of a bike path on either side of the street. However, to fit it in with vehicular traffic, it will reduce the width of the bike lane to 1.5 metres from 1.8 metres, and require the removal of six loading stalls on Westminster in front of Balmoral Hall. The design includes the addition of stop signs on Balmoral Street at Granite Way and the loss of 15 parking spaces on Granite Way. The city said it expects to have a detailed design contract by the end of the summer, with construction expected to begin next year. But, because of low traffic volume connected with the shutdown of nonessential businesses for weeks to slow the spread of COVID-19, the city has decided to hold off on the final design of the rest of the planned bike path along Westminster, from Langside Street to Chestnut Street in Wolseley, until September.

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WFP: Councillors urge city to boost safety by improving markings (Jun25'20)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jun '20

25 Jun '20

Councillors urge city to boost safety by improving markings Faded paint lines not street smart https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/paint-by-numbers-councillors-push-f… WINNIPEG drivers have likely all faced the challenge: you want to stay in your lane but you’re not sure where it is. Snow-clearing, road sand and other Manitoba weather realities strip away paint that marks lanes, leaving just a few flecks of colour or blank pavement. It can take many weeks for city crews to repaint those lines each year. Two councillors are pushing for changes to that process, which they hope will make streets safer. Coun. Shawn Nason (Transcona) is calling on the city administration to provide options to “improve the permanency of lane markings,” in a motion set to be debated at the July 7 meeting of the public works committee. Nason said the current faded markings are barely, or not at all, visible, which could make motorists and cyclists more likely to compete for the same space. “This creates an unsafe situation, and we need to do a better job to ensure (that) there are properly marked trails on our roadways. Then the motoring public can (stay in) their proper lane,” he said. He believes the longevity of the paint is key to addressing the issue. “We need some permanency on our line-painting, that’s not just put down and washed away a few weeks or months later — something that can stay on the road over the winters,” said Nason. The City of Winnipeg website describes road markings as “an important, but often overlooked, safety feature... Painted lines keep traffic in lanes and serve as guide posts for passing, safety, crosswalks and stopping areas.” In 2013, a KPMG public works review offered recommendations for Winnipeg to improve its road markings, which the consultant found were often missing. “Reliance on a single, in-house crew that takes up to 34 weeks to remark the city’s streets implies that many roads are left unmarked for much of this time,” the report notes. KPMG suggested Winnipeg consider the use of longer-lasting paint, try out new technology, and possibly contract out work to address the problem. Meanwhile, Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said she’d like to see the city prioritize lane painting so intersections that have the most collisions get painted first. Lukes said she lobbies for new paint at the intersection of Kenaston and Mc-Gillivray boulevards each year, then waits weeks or months to see the work completed. “It’s still not painted and it’s (late) June. Last year, it was the middle of August,” said Lukes. “Personally, I just think high-collision intersections should be (the top) priority at all times.” A total of 1,352 crashes took place at Kenaston-McGillivray between 2015 and 2019, the most at any intersection, Manitoba Public Insurance figures show. Leila Avenue and McPhillips Street had the second-highest number of crashes (1,191). Lukes said high-crash locations tend to have crosswalks and may also offer bicycle lanes, so making their lane markers more visible would make all road users safer. She plans to soon raise her own motion for the city to paint its Top 10 highest-collision intersections before any other roads each year. The city’s website notes it still uses one lane-liner machine that paints about 1,000 kilometres of roadway lines and edges, including 1,061 intersections. In a written statement, city spokeswoman Julie Horbal Dooley said the complete process takes about 35 weeks, which isn’t finished some years due to weather and resource issues. The work itself is growing, Horbal Dooley said. “The number of lane markings in the city is increasing at a rapid pace as we add active transportation routes to the network and… some regional streets are remarked up to three times a year.” The statement noted paint options that are more durable have a “cost-prohibitive nature.” Horbal Dooley also noted the public works department does prioritize some repainting for sites that need it most and intersections that have the most traffic. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: Segway personal transporter hitting brakes on production
by Beth McKechnie 24 Jun '20

24 Jun '20

Segway personal transporter hitting brakes on production SEGWAY, which boldly claimed its two-wheeled personal transporter would revolutionize the way people get around, is ending production of its namesake vehicle. The Segway PT, popular with tourists and police officers but perhaps better known for its high-profile crashes, will be retired on July 15, the company said in a statement. “Within its first decade, the Segway PT became a staple in security and law enforcement, viewed as an effective and efficient personal vehicle,” said Judy Cai, Segway president, in a statement, noting that in the past decade it gained popularity with vacationers in major cities in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. But the Segway, which carries a standing passenger on a wide platform, accounted for less than 1.5 per cent of the company’s revenue last year. The company said 21 employees will be laid off, another 12 employees will stay on for two months to a year and five will remain at the Bedford, New Hampshire facility. “This decision was not made lightly, and while the current global pandemic did impact sales and production, it was not a deciding factor in our decision,” Cai said. The transportation revolution that inventor Dean Kamen envisioned when he founded the company in 1999 never took off. The Segway’s original price tag of around US$5,000 was a hurdle for many customers. It also was challenging to ride because the rider had to be balanced at a specific angle for the vehicle to move forward. If the rider’s weight shifted too much in any direction, it could easily spin out of control and throw the rider off. They were banned in some cities because users could easily lose control if they were not balanced properly. “What did they think the market was when they built this, when they designed it?” asked Maryann Keller, principal at Maryann Keller & Associates. “My impression was they were talking about this as personal mobility. How could you think that something this large and expensive would be personal mobility?” Segway’s popularity may have peaked in early 2009 with the release of the Kevin James comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop, where the titular Blart patrols a fictional mall on a Segway. Ten months after buying the company in 2009, British self-made millionaire Jim Heselden died after the Segway he was riding careened off a 30-foot cliff not far from his country estate north of London. He was 62 years old. In 2003, then president George W. Bush avoided injury after tumbling off a Segway at his parents’ summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. A cameraman riding a Segway ran over Usain Bolt in 2015 as the Jamaican sprinter did a victory lap after winning a 200-metre race in Beijing. Bolt wasn’t injured and later joked about the incident. In 2017, Segway got into the scooter business, just as the light, inexpensive and easy-to-ride two-wheelers took over urban streets. Riders took 38.5 million trips on shared electric scooters in 2018, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials. Segway’s foray into lightweight scooters may have been a sign that its original PT’s days were numbered. “It was probably over-hyped before it was launched, and when it was launched, it was like, this is not going to work on city sidewalks,” Keller said. — The Associated Press

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Federation of Cdn Municipalities: COVID-19 Street Rebalancing Guide
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '20

23 Jun '20

[*Shared by Brian Patterson of Urban Systems on the TDM listserv]* Earlier today, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) released a new *COVID-19 Street Rebalancing Guide *to help cities effectively modify urban streets to support safe commuting, commerce and exercise. The *COVID-19 Street Rebalancing Guide* is a product of FCM's The Urban Project <https://theurbanproject.ca/>, which convenes a wide spectrum of voices to tackle urban challenges across Canada. The guide itself flows from weeks of engagement with city officials and thought leaders from across Canada. The guide is designed for decision makers and practitioners alike. With case studies from around the world, it offers strategies and practical guidance on rebalancing streets through three phases of COVID-19 response-from immediate to longer term. It explores installations ranging from bike lanes and curbside queuing areas to temporary patios and parklets. The guide was developed for FCM by Urban Systems. *FCM Press Release:* covid.fcm.ca/news/... <https://covid.fcm.ca/news/new-guide-helps-cities-rebalance-streets-amid-pan…> *Download the Guide: *theurbanproject.ca/events/covid-19-and-mobility ------------------------------ Brian Patterson Active Transportation Practice Leader Urban Systems Ltd. Vancouver BC (604) 235-1701 bpatterson(a)urbansystems.ca

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Free webinar: NTSB Bicycle Safety Report (June 24th)
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '20

23 Jun '20

Upcoming Free APBP Webinar: A Discussion of the NTSB Bicycle Safety Report June 24 at 3:00pm EDT Register Here <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ngQtQNNXaYJOFwiJb6fT4Gc9OBGxAi833CZ1DBHW1P8_…> The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its full report on bicyclist safety in December 2019: Bicyclist Safety on US Roadways: Crash Risks and Countermeasures, *the agency’s first report on bicyclist safety in 47 years*. Most of the report focuses on what federal agencies can do to improve the safety of people who bike. Join APBP and NTSB for this free webinar where NTSB's Member Homendy will discuss the full report. Moderated by APBP Board member and Policy Committee Chair, Conor Semler.

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WFP: Cyclist struck by SUV on bike route calls for increased safety measures (Jun23'20)
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '20

23 Jun '20

Cyclist struck by SUV on bike route calls for increased safety measures https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/cyclist-struck-by-suv-on-bike-route… JESSE HAJER was on his way home from his son’s physically distanced birthday party late Saturday afternoon, biking down the Wolseley Avenue active transportation route with four young children, when he was struck by an impatient driver in a sport-utility vehicle. He was keeping an eye out for the group of six- and seven-year-old kids, he said, crossing through the intersection at Clifton Street, when an SUV approached from behind, honking at the group to hurry along. Hajer signalled to the driver to wait but the car accelerated, appearing to try to squeeze between Hajer and the curb, and hit Hajer from behind. “It wasn’t going super fast or anything but it was enough,” Hajer said in an interview Monday, noting that he wasn’t seriously injured but was hit hard enough to damage the car. The incident comes amid ongoing debate about the nine temporary active transportation routes the City of Winnipeg set up at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage physical activity and alternative transportation options during isolation, introducing the question of road safety for those pedestrians and cyclists taking to the road. Hajer said he and his family are supporters of the active transportation road in their neighbourhood, and want to see the city take measures to make the routes appear more permanent, encouraging motorists to slow down and follow the rules. “I’m a huge fan of these routes; they’ve been just a breath of fresh air literally and figuratively in this challenging time,” Hajer said. “It’s stressful, families are super stressed out and they need options like this to get outside.” So far, motorists have been limited to one block of travel between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the routes, seven days a week. Hajer said he would like to see the city commit to traffic calming measures to make the routes more secure, including more frequent barriers to emphasize the rules, or larger and more attractive barriers such as planters. He’d also like to see the one block driving rules extended to 24 hours a day, speed limits reduced to 30 km/h on the residential roads and more educational signage outlining consequences for breaking the rules. Many of those initiatives have been echoed in recent months by cyclists and active transportation advocates such as Anders Swanson, executive director of Winnipeg Trails, who has petitioned the city to extend and expand the open street project. Assuring safety on those routes, he said, is about making cars feel as though they are guests on the road, rather than the road’s intended user. “From Day 1 we should have been working on a plan to make these feel more like pedestrian and cycling spaces, and that can include everything from picnic tables to flower planters to warm and welcoming signage,” Swanson said Monday. “A barricade with a chloroplast board feels like a temporary waiting room set up in the lobby. It doesn’t feel like we’re going to take this opportunity to make the city better and make it so people can make themselves better and heal themselves.” Reducing speed limits, beautifying streets and increasing education about the routes are easy first steps the city can take to more pedestrian and cycling-friendly streets, Swanson said. From there, he’d like to see the city invest in making those streets permanent and expanding the network into as many neighbourhoods as possible. “Our concern is that we’ve only got a toe in the water here, we keep extending them for a measly few weeks, there’s been no firm commitment to turn this into a network that reaches everybody in the city, and when you do that then you’re not mobilizing your department to do the things it needs to do because it’s a half measure,” he added. For its part, the city has no clear plans to enforce safety measures on the routes. A spokeswoman for the Public Works department said in an email Monday that “all modes of road users are reminded to be mindful of others and share the road, and to be aware of their surroundings at all times,” adding that the city is “counting on Winnipeggers to do their part and obey posted signage, and — for the most part — (has) seen them comply.” The city said permanent routes would be enforced “as per the governing bylaws,” but would not indicate whether it has used any disciplinary measures to enforce the rules thus far. julia-simone.rutgers(a)freepress.mb.ca

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This isn't the first time bicycles have been the hottest machines on the market
by Beth McKechnie 22 Jun '20

22 Jun '20

How bicycles transformed our world: Coronavirus has sparked a two-wheeled transport boom in many parts of the globe. But this isn't the first time bicycles have been the hottest machines on the market https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/06/how-bicycles-transformed…

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Toronto Star: COVID-19 and transit - What we think we know may be wrong (Jun18''20)
by Beth McKechnie 22 Jun '20

22 Jun '20

*COVID-19 and transit: What we think we know may be wrong * https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/06/18/covid-19-and-transit-what-we-th… According to everything we know about COVID-19 <https://www.thestar.com/coronavirus.html>, public transit seems like a perfect breeding ground for the disease. During normal times, a functioning transit system requires thousands of people to crowd together in an enclosed space, spend several minutes breathing the same air, and then spread back out into their workplaces and communities carrying whatever they picked up on board with them. Combined with economic shutdowns prompted by the pandemic, the fear of contracting the virus on subways and buses has helped decimate ridership on systems, creating revenue crises that pose an existential threat to transit operators around the world. The effects could be long-lasting. In Toronto, where ridership has dropped to as low as 14 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and the TTC is losing about $21 million a week, one in 10 riders say they won’t take transit again even as provincial authorities deem it safe to reopen the economy, according to a recent survey <https://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commiss…> commissioned by the agency. But is transit as dangerous a vector as it appears? Recent international data show a lack of confirmed cases connected to transit use that is striking even when taking ridership declines into account. Some experts say this can be explained by gaps in contact tracing methodologies, but others argue the risk of transmission on public transportation may not be as severe as initially feared. “There’s so much that we don’t know about the coronavirus and how it spreads. But we’ve seen enough new evidence to suggest that public transportation hasn’t been the super-spreader that many have assumed,” Janette Sadik-Khan, the influential former New York City transportation commissioner and current principal at the Bloomberg Associates, said in an email. She cited a study in France that determined none of 150 COVID-19 infection clusters identified in Paris from early May to early June originated on the city’s transit network. She also pointed to Japan, a country that has experienced only about 17,000 COVID-19 cases, despite having one of the world’s busiest rail networks. Canada has now recorded more than 100,000 cases. Figures like those present a sharp contrast to the conclusions of a study by an MIT economics professor <http://web.mit.edu/jeffrey/harris/HarrisJE_WP2_COVID19_NYC_24-Apr-2020.pdf> that was widely circulated in the early days of in the crisis. It warned the subway network “was a major disseminator — if not the principal transmission vehicle — of coronavirus infection” in New York City. The study’s methodology and conclusions have been widely criticized, not least because in New York infection rates have been lower in subway-rich Manhattan than in transit-poor boroughs like Staten Island. But Sadik-Khan said its findings and similar proclamations early in the pandemic “scared people and may hold them back from returning to transit.” For transit agencies now plunged into financial crisis, “this fear of transit may ultimately be more damaging than the potential threat of riding it,” she said. Conclusive evidence linking COVID-19 transmission to transit use appears to be rare in Canada. As of June 12, 65 TTC employees out of a staff of more than 15,000 had tested positive for the virus <http://www.ttc.ca/Riding_the_TTC/Safety_and_Security/Case_update.jsp>. But it’s not known whether they contracted the infection on the job. Toronto Public Health hasn’t traced any of the city’s more than 13,500 COVID-19 cases to public transit. However, TPH spokesperson Dr. Vinita Dubey cautioned that doesn’t necessarily indicate that infections aren’t occurring in settings like the TTC. Because the virus has a 14-day incubation period and can be spread by people who aren’t exhibiting symptoms, “it is difficult to determine exactly where someone acquired their infection,” she said. The picture is similar in other Canadian jurisdictions. Public health authorities overseeing Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, and Ottawa all told the Star this week that no cases in those cities had been linked to transit. A spokeperson for Vancouver Coastal Health said “we don’t comment on specific cases,” but the agency “hasn’t had need for any public notification to transit users.” Tom McMillan, a spokesperson for Alberta Health, said the agency “has not identified any cases to date where transit is considered the source of exposure.” But the agency is drafting guidelines for operators like Calgary Transit and Edmonton Transit Services to keep riders and workers safe. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Toronto and Toronto General Hospital, said he wasn’t surprised by the lack of cases linked to transit. Even in jurisdictions where transit operators haven’t made safety measures like mask use mandatory for riders, Bogoch said passengers appear to be taking it upon themselves to take precautions like wearing face coverings, washing their hands, and keeping their distance from one another, which has likely helped to reduce the spread. Wearing a mask will become mandatory on the TTC as of July 2, with exceptions for young children and people with medical conditions. Some commentators have speculated transmission on transit hasn’t occurred at high rates because unlike in settings like bars where patrons risk spreading the infection in airborne droplets by talking close to one another, transit riders largely don’t speak to other passengers. And while transit vehicles are enclosed spaces, their doors open regularly, circulating the air. Bogoch said it’s possible such factors have mitigated the spread of the virus, but their effects are difficult to quantify. He argued what’s more important is the infection rate of the societies in which transit systems operate, which he said bodes well for Toronto. Even though the city lags behind the rest of Ontario in reducing caseloads, it still has a rate of about 400 per 100,000 people, according to Ontario Public Health data <https://files.ontario.ca/moh-covid-19-report-en-2020-06-18.pdf>. By comparison, New York state’s rate is about 2,000 per 100,000 people, according to data compiled by the New York Times. The “general low burden of infection” in Toronto, coupled with measures such as mask use, make transit in the city a “low risk” environment, Bogoch said. He cautioned that doesn’t mean the probability of transmission on transit is nonexistent, especially as the province continues to open up and more people return to the system. “We’re going to have outbreaks in the GTA, and certainly someone’s going to be infected by this virus on a bus or on a subway,” he said. Dr. Colin Furness, an epidemiologist and assistant professor at the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto, warned the lack of evidence connecting infections to public transit can’t be taken as proof the virus isn’t being spread there, and instead could be attributed to blind spots in contact tracing. He said chains of infection are more easily recreated in homes, workplaces, and other settings where people know each other and can be identified after they come in contact with someone who has the virus. Accurately determining the rate of transmission on transit would be “enormously difficult” because “people don’t live on public transit, people don’t know each other on public transit,” Furness said. Until there is conclusive proof the virus isn’t spreading on transportation networks, Furness warned any assertions that systems are safe would be overly optimistic. “It’s going to be pretty hard for me to come to the conclusion that buses and subways and streetcars aren’t risky,” he said. “A responsible person is going to say, look, if we’re not sure, we should not downplay the risk … So yes, it’s too early to jump for joy.” TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said it was up to Toronto Public Health to determine how safe the transit system is, but the TTC agrees with the health authority’s position that “the TTC remains a safe system.” Green said the TTC is “certainly aware of examples from around the world that suggest there are no links between mass transit ridership and viral spread,” but “we are not taking that for granted.” He said “as the city reopens and ridership returns, we will take all steps possible to continue to protect the health and safety of everyone in our system.” In addition to mandating mask use, the TTC is also cleaning its vehicles several times a day, deploying additional vehicles to busy bus routes to decrease crowding, and is readying crowd management plans for subway stations. While there remains uncertainty about exactly how risky it is to ride, passengers will continue to have real fear about taking transit while the virus remains a threat, and the TTC will need to address those anxieties to coax customers back. “We absolutely understand that perception matters for our customers and employees,” Green said. “We want them not only to feel safe, but to actually be safe.”

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CTV: Proposed active transportation route extension passed by executive policy committee (Jun19'20)
by Beth McKechnie 20 Jun '20

20 Jun '20

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/proposed-active-transportation-route-extension-… WINNIPEG -- A motion to keep Winnipeg active transportation routes open until September was passed by the mayor’s inner circle on Thursday, and is now in the hands of city council. The executive policy committee voted unanimously on Thursday to support a measure to extend the end of the active transportation routes until September 7, 2020. The active transportation routes are located in these locations: - Lyndale Drive from Cromwell to Gauvin Street; - Scotia Street from Anderson (at Cross Street) to Armstrong Avenues; - Wellington Crescent from Academy Road (at Wellington) to Guelph Street; - Wolseley Avenue from Raglan Road to Maryland Street; - Assiniboine Avenue from Bedson Street to Westwood Drive; - Churchill Drive from Hay Street to Jubilee Avenue; - Egerton Road from Bank to Morier Avenues; - Kildonan Drive from Helmsdale Avenue to Rossmere Crescent; - Larchdale Crescent to Irving Place; and - Kilkenny Drive from Burgess to Patricia Avenues and Kings Drive. On these active transportation routes, traffic is confined to one block through the area from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The city expanded the use of the routes to help with physical distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the motion filed during the meeting, the routes have been popular with city residents and cyclists. If no extension was sought, the routes would end on July 6. The extension will be discussed at the next city council meeting on June 26.

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Fwd: Register for the 2020 TAC Conference & Exhibition!
by Mark Cohoe 18 Jun '20

18 Jun '20

With this conference going online, and thus more affordable, it might be of interest to a few more people and organizations. I'm definitely going to give it some thought. Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: TAC-ATC Communications <secretariat(a)tac-atc.ca> Date: Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 12:49 PM Subject: Register for the 2020 TAC Conference & Exhibition! To: Additional Recipient <mark.e.cohoe(a)gmail.com> [image: Image] * Register for the 2020 TAC Conference & Exhibition! * [image: Image] *As a TAC customer, you might not have heard the announcement <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBUosN5o8b…> that the 2020 TAC Conference & Exhibition won't be held in Vancouver this fall. *Instead, you can *join over 500 thought leaders and influencers* from municipalities, provincial/territorial transport departments, academia, and the private sector at the * 2020 TAC Conference & Exhibition <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBUosN5o8b…>, now with live programming ONLINE, September 21 to October 8!* *Register by August 17 for Early Bird rates* <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBUosN5o8b…> * $225 TAC members | $275 regular | Free for students* This low-cost registration makes attending the TAC Conference & Exhibition easier than ever! * When you register, you get: * - access to *3 Featured Events (1 per week)* on topics including *The Journey to Safer Roads* and the impacts of COVID-19 on transportation in Canada - access to the full technical program <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBUosN5o8b…> of more than *40+ sessions across 16 tracks*, showcasing the work and experience of *150+ presenters* - to learn about and make contact with *leading transportation suppliers and services*. Visit their Partner Profiles, message or video chat with representatives, or attend or view Partner Demos - the choice to attend all of these events via *live web-conference* to participate interactively, including in Q&A sessions, *OR watch the event recordings* after they're over. Access to recordings and the conference event portal continues until March 2021 - to *network, message or video chat* with other participants, presenters and corporate partners Don't miss the opportunity to keep in touch with your peers, and learn about new and evolving practices and challenges in transportation! *Learn More & Register* <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBUosN5o8b…> Finally, if your company is interested in participating in #TACconf as a corporate partner, it's not too late to get involved. *Learn about Corporate Partnership* <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBUosN5o8b…> *Thank you to our Premier Plus partners* [image: Image] <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBS-2FlneO…> [image: Image] <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBZu4Ne8aZ…> [image: Image] <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBepwU9tJi…> [image: Image] <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBRCuniL84…> [image: Image] <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBRcI6EaAJ…> [image: Facebook] <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBaw9DX0kw…> [image: Twitter] <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBfqnDLTJy…> [image: LinkedIn] <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBaEKzYTL8…> TAC © 2020 www.tac-atc.ca <https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=2LEIirtkw1-2BsjXHPJCzkH2D1t9b…> UNSUBSCRIBE *Transportation Association of Canada* *401-1111 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON K2C 3T2* *613-736-1350 secretariat(a)tac-atc.ca <secretariat(a)tac-atc.ca>*

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Minneapolis and Saint Paul lowering speed limits to support safety
by Beth McKechnie 17 Jun '20

17 Jun '20

https://www.visionzerompls.com/speedlimit-s On March 12, The Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul announced plans to lower speed limits to support safer streets. Slower speeds on local streets make travel safer for everyone no matter how you get around. New speed limits will be: - 20 mph for local residential streets; - 25 mph for larger, arterial city-owned streets; and - 30-plus mph for a few city-owned streets. - Per Minnesota law, cities do not have authority to change speed limits on county and MnDOT roads. Speed limits on these streets in Minneapolis and Saint Paul will not change. - Map (see link) shows what the speed limits will be on individual streets Staff from both cities will begin in March to install or change more than 1,000 speed limit signs on city-owned streets in the coming months. New, lower 25 mph speed limits on individual streets will go into effect as soon as they are signed. Once the busier streets are signed, the cities will then install “gateway signs” at entry points in both cities, indicating the citywide speed limit is 20 mph unless otherwise posted. Once the gateway signs are installed, the 20 mph speed limit on local residential streets will be in effect. The cities will generally not be posting 20 mph signs on local residential streets. The cities expect the sign installation to be completed by this fall. Full details: https://www.visionzerompls.com/speedlimit-s

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Please take this commute survey!
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jun '20

16 Jun '20

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jessica Roberts <jessicaroberts(a)altaplanning.com> Date: Tue, Jun 16, 2020 at 12:28 PM Hi all, our friends at the Center for Advanced Hindsight (CAH) are running a study to learn more about the *impact of message framing on commute choices, *including how COVID-19 concerns affect that. Having just taken the study, I can tell you that the results of this study will be *very* helpful to us as TDM practitioners. CAH will share the results with us. Would you please take the survey yourself, and also share with any lists you have access to? It's great for TDM professionals to reply, but it's even better if all your 'ordinary' commuters can reply. The goal is to get 900 replies so CAH has statistically significant replies. *Researchers at Duke University are exploring Commute choices. Please take this short 5 minute survey to tell us about your commuting preferences.* *Click here to answer the confidential survey. * *https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7Vfu246mlMra7hb <https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7Vfu246mlMra7hb>* Thank you very much! -Jessica *JESSICA ROBERTS* *Pronouns: she/her * *Principal + Programs Manager | Alta Planning + Design, Inc.* *d. 503.200.3272 | o. 503-230-9862* *Working remotely. Contact me at 503-752-4144.* 711 SE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR 97214 altaplanning.com *Creating active, healthy communities*

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[SUSPICIOUS MESSAGE] Webinar: Walkability and Health: Building Strong, Vibrant and Resilient Communities – Part 2: Street Design and Placemaking (June 25)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Jun '20

15 Jun '20

===== UofM Email Security Notice - SUSPICIOUS MESSAGE ===== The message below may be a potential threat. It may trick victims into clicking a link and downloading malware. Do not open suspicious links. If you do not know the sender or cannot verify the integrity of the message, please do not respond or click on links in the message. Depending on the security settings, clickable URLs may have been modified to provide additional security. Please contact the Service Desk if you have any questions. (204) 474-8600 ==== Original Email Body Follows ==== ------------ Suspicious threat disclaimer ends here ------------ Part 1 recorded webinar: http://secure-web.cisco.com/14D-YVL4WOxnn0O4Kq2DG00mlLuRwLNCQEkgCN0NWxDnTFh… ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Maryland Department of Planning <michael.bayer1(a)maryland.gov> Date: Mon, Jun 15, 2020 at 8:34 AM You don't want to miss Part 2 with Dan Burden and Mark Fenton UPCOMING FREE WEBINAR <http://secure-web.cisco.com/1NDdfcouZ4v7l3nWt05RIkFIKnk-xgBYnoGd20ul-A60YKo…> Walkability and Health: Building Strong, Vibrant and Resilient Communities Part 2: Street Design and Placemaking Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. EDT Participants of the live webinar are eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits. Join the Maryland Department of Planning and the Smart Growth Network at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 25, for the second part of a series on the connection between walkable communities and public health. Dan Burden, Mark Fenton and Danielle Schaeffner of Blue Zones return to examine the details of street designs and places that work for all. Learn important design features that will help the nation become more focused on people, to be more inclusive, to repair mistakes made to public streets built in the past. Find out more and register for this free webinar via the link below. Register For Walkability and Health: Building Strong, Vibrant and Resilient Communities – Part 2: Street Design and Placemaking <http://secure-web.cisco.com/1NDdfcouZ4v7l3nWt05RIkFIKnk-xgBYnoGd20ul-A60YKo…> Smart Growth Information Clearinghouse | 410-767-4943 | SmartGrowth.org The Smart Growth Information Clearinghouse is a project of the Smart Growth Network and is partially funded by the U.S. EPA, Office of Community Revitalization and managed by the Maryland Department of Planning. Maryland Department of Planning | 301 W. Preston Street, 11th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 Sent by michael.bayer1(a)maryland.gov in collaboration with [image: Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.] <http://secure-web.cisco.com/11s2YyN4vEouei3AJwY9K7v-FPNGmQf_EtQUUSV-svbCrXL…> Try email marketing for free today! <http://secure-web.cisco.com/11s2YyN4vEouei3AJwY9K7v-FPNGmQf_EtQUUSV-svbCrXL…>

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