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WFP: NY Times takes notice of P&M referendum (Oct29'18)
by Beth McKechnie 29 Oct '18

29 Oct '18

*‘No’ vote goes against global trend towards walkable downtowns* * NY Times takes notice of P&M referendum * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/citys-quixotic-decision-on-portage-… IT’S not surprising the New York Times took notice of Winnipeg’s Portage and Main plebiscite because it’s a debate fomenting across North America, said a campaigner to reopen the famous intersection. “At a time when many Canadian cities are moving to make themselves more amenable to pedestrians, it seems a perhaps quixotic decision,” the New York Times said of the vote against opening the intersection. The article lamented that Winnipeggers voted two to one against its opening. International interest shouldn’t come as a surprise, said local Yes campaigner Hazel Borys, “because (the No vote) was such an anomaly. North American cities are making massive strides to become more walkable and accessible to cyclists.” Some cities such as London and Paris are even banning cars from some parts of the city. Winnipeg’s plebiscite was not about anything nearly so drastic. It was not a war against cars but rather an effort to reinvigorate the heart of the city, she said. “Cities are making big moves to make their cities and downtowns more pedestrian and cyclist friendly, and car friendly as well,” said Borys. The New York Times article, titled On Foot and Underground at Canada’s Crossroads, said Winnipeg’s debate may have reflected “tensions between drivers, pedestrians and cyclists that are bubbling up throughout Canada.” The original decision to close the intersection 40 years ago was part of a development deal to get an office tower built on one corner, the article said, thereby funneling people through an underground shopping mall. As well, it came at a time when the fashion in urban centres was to keep cars and pedestrians as separate as possible. However, the idea that vehicle traffic and pedestrians should be kept separate is being rethought, said Borys, an engineer who helped build many roads and bridges. “We thought if we removed things like street trees and parked cars and anything that a car might run into that we would create safer places,” she said. “Instead, what we did is create racetracks out of our urban streets and made very deadly environments.” Borys said some people may have viewed the debate as one of cars versus pedestrians but opening Portage and Main would have benefited both sides. “The more of us who walk or cycle to our daily needs, the easier it is on cars because we’re taking cars off the road and reducing traffic,” she said. Walking and cycling also promote a healthier lifestyle at a time when obesity has become a major issue in the Western world, she said. It’s really about making streets more user-friendly to all modes of transportation, Borys said. Proponents of reopening the intersection didn’t provide residents “with enough information to make a meaningful choice.” Asking property owners in the vicinity of the closed intersection to redevelop their lots “is like asking them to build on a limited intersection of a limited access roadway. We’ve created a limited access roadway at the heart of our city.” Borys said all property owners in the four blocks surrounding the intersection were in favour of opening Portage and Main to pedestrians. bill.redekop(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: On our streets, there’s safety in numbers (Oct22'18)
by Beth McKechnie 22 Oct '18

22 Oct '18

*Facts show roads are less dangerous, despite residents’ belief otherwise* * On our streets, there’s safety in numbers * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/on-our-streets-theres-safety-in-num… IN the face of obvious signs of progress, why would people be so skeptical? A recent Free Press- Probe Research poll, which is part of a series of polls on civic election issues, showed that 40 per cent of Winnipeggers believe they are less safe on or around city roads than they were 10 years ago. In contrast, only 14 per cent of respondents said they feel safer. It’s a remarkable result, considering that by all reasonable measurements, we’ve never been safer. On average, five Winnipeg pedestrians die each year in traffic collisions and another 14 die behind the wheel of their cars. Losing nearly 20 lives every year is still worrisome, although both are down considerably from previous decades. It’s part of a national trend. In 1997, Transport Canada figures show that 2,660 people died in traffic collisions; by 2016, that number had fallen to 1,717. Again, a horrible loss of life, but a glimmer of hope in terms of the trend line. It all adds up to progress. Why, you might ask yourself, would people feel less safe? That’s really hard to tell. In the final analysis, it’s an age-old triumph of intuition over hard numbers. Psychologically, we somehow can’t connect the dots between advances in automobile safety technology (airbags, lane departure and collision warning systems) and improvements in infrastructure and planning (breakaway light poles, improved safety curbs, active transportation and dedicated bike lanes, school-zone speed limits) and overall traffic safety. It doesn’t mean our roads are safe, per se. But we’re moving in the right direction. That having been said, more could be done. Traffic-safety advocates have pointed out that the city needs to be more aggressive in pursuing improvements through the Vision Zero initiative. This Swedish-made, now-international advocacy campaign is aimed at convincing elected officials at all levels to adopt leading-edge road-safety innovations. Local advocates for Vision Zero (referred to as Toward Zero in Winnipeg) believe there has been progress, but would like to see the city move more quickly to implement changes. Resources for those changes, however, remain a challenge. The former NDP government did toy with the idea of using money from MPI for road-safety infrastructure. The theory was that fixing dangerous stretches of roadway or intersections would prevent collisions and reduce insurance rates. It’s a strategy that private insurers have used for decades. In the end, however, the NDP caved to political pressure and shelved the idea. They found out what city councillors already knew: voters would prefer to see their tax money spent paving roads than fixing dangerous intersections. And therein lies the problem for the elected officials who are supposed to make progress on an issue such as road safety. Citizens feel less safe on our roads, despite evidence to the contrary. But when you introduce an initiative that could save lives, those same citizens rail against it and force you to back down. Politicians rarely get any sympathy from voters. But fora moment, couldn’t we all feel sorry for them for this damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t dilemma? You can be sure that the dozens of people vying to fill a seat on Winnipeg city council have already figured out that on many issues such as road safety, you just can’t win. Road safety has not been a high profile issue in the civic election campaign, and perhaps it should have been. However, there is almost no benefit for an incumbent to raise the issue. Anyone running for re-election knows that confronting road safety would force them to spout meaningless statistics about the slow decline in fatalities or highlight unconvincing improvements to infrastructure and traffic design, exactly the kind of things that do not give voters any comfort in the face of their intuitive, but unfounded, fears. Mayor Brian Bowman said as much last weekend in a story on road safety. In his bid for re-election, Bowman admitted he hasn’t been motivated to raise road safety because he supports Toward Zero and nothing has changed his commitment. Why wouldn’t Bowman trumpet his support for Toward Zero and pledge to do more? Although he did not have the Free Press poll results in hand, it seems he had already figured out that voters feel the roads are less safe and no amount of fact is going to change that. The poll results do, however, show that challengers may have missed a glorious opportunity to attack Bowman and incumbent councillors. They certainly use that strategy on just about every other issue. Challengers in civic elections are constantly telling voters to forget the numbers and what they show us about the city’s finances (which have steadily improved) or the infrastructure deficit (down $3 billion in the last term), or the state of the city’s population and economy (both growing above national averages). Challengers want you to give in to your deepest-held preconceptions about civic government, which is that it is bad at everything. There are lots of things that need improving at city hall. But there are also a good number of things that have improved. It’s the same story for every level of government. In case you were wondering, this is not the kind of scenario that ensures we are getting the best people elected. Our own refusal to take comfort in facts leaves us open to being manipulated by negative hyperbole. It’s also what discourages so many citizens from voting. This is a situation that will never improve until voters leave their guts out of the equation, and begin to base their decisions about who to vote for, and whether to vote at all, on hard facts. dan.lett(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Madrid, Spain, cuts speed limit to 18 MPH (30 km/h) on 80% of streets
by Beth McKechnie 19 Oct '18

19 Oct '18

*Madrid City Council is set to approve a new Sustainable Mobility Ordinance that will change the way residents move around public spaces.* The new measures, which will take effect between five and 15 days after the council approves them on Friday, introduce a speed limit of 30km/h on all one-way streets and on single-lane two-way streets. Under the new rules, motorcycles will not be allowed to park on sidewalks less than three meters wide or near pedestrian crossings. Bicycles will be able to make right turns at red lights where indicated. And new traffic restrictions will go into effect in the downtown area on November 23. The ordinance may still be partially amended before passage on Friday, but here are some of its key components. New speed limits Besides the 30km/h limit on one-way streets and single-lane two-way streets, the city will slow traffic down to 20km/h on streets where the sidewalk is not elevated above road level, such as in the neighborhoods of Lavapiés and Chueca. The 30km/h rule will affect 80% of Madrid’s streets – not just in the downtown area. These measures aim to increase road safety and reduce the chance of accidents involving pedestrians. Pedestrians The spirit of the new ordinance is to favor sustainable mobility. New signs will indicate the presence of “Zonas 30,” where pedestrians may cross the street at any spot after checking that they are not running a risk or slowing down traffic. And in “Calles 20,” pedestrians will have priority over vehicles. The city is also planning to roll out more traffic lights with incorporated cameras, and to designate “pedestrian special protection spaces” where neither motorcycles nor bicycles will be allowed to park. Bicycles Bicycles will be able to turn right on a red light where so indicated. They may also move against the traffic on residential streets with speed limits of 20km/h or under, and on shared-use lanes. The 30km/h speed limit on many streets also seeks to favor shared road space between motorists and cyclists. The latter will also be allowed to lock their bikes to street furniture as long as they don’t block the way for pedestrians. Motorcycles and mopeds Until now, motorcycles could be freely parked on sidewalks. The new rules will prohibit this on sidewalks under three meters wide, and less than five meters from a pedestrian crossing. Motorcycles will also have to be more than two meters away from bus stops. On the other hand, there is now twice as much dedicated parking space for motorcycles in the Centro district Skates and scooters People on skates, kick scooters or other devices without a motor may use the sidewalks and other pedestrian areas as long as they travel at an appropriate speed. They may also use cycling lanes and other areas adapted for bicycles. On lanes used by pedestrians, the maximum allowed speed is 5km/h. Motorized scooters and other personal mobility vehicles will no longer be allowed on sidewalks and other pedestrian spaces, and will instead have to use bicycle lanes. Traffic restrictions The newest element in the new regulations is Madrid Central, a restricted traffic area that will apply to most of the city’s Centro district starting on November 23. Residents may enter the area in their vehicles but only park in their own neighborhood. Occasional visitors may be allowed in by residents. Non-residents whose vehicles hold CERO and ECO energy labels may also enter the area. And those with B or C energy labels may only enter to park in a private or public parking lot, not in the street. Exceptions will also be made for people with reduced mobility, ambulances, taxis, private-hire cars and delivery vans. Electric vehicles will also be allowed into Madrid Centro. Public transportation City officials note that there are 60 bus lines going through Madrid’s downtown area, as well as six subway lines and eight underground train lines. There are also 57 BiciMad public bicycle rental docking stations. https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/10/05/inenglish/1538733317_890210.html -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Mark your calendar! APBP 2019 Webinar Schedule
by Beth McKechnie 19 Oct '18

19 Oct '18

Looks like some good webinars planned for the new year: - Jan 16: Bus Stops with Bikeways: Designing Transit Stops with On-street Bicycle Facilities - Feb 20: Viewing Low-Stress Networks Through an Equity Lens - Mar 30: Navigating Without Curbs: Accessibility on Shared Streets - Apr 17: Designing Streets for the Speeds You Want - May 15: Maintaining Green Infrastructure: Hints for Success - Jun 19: Finding Common Ground with First Responders: Enhancing Safety and Maintaining Access in Street Design - Jul 17: Return on investment for Active Transportation - Aug 21: Getting the Green Light: Improving Actuation and Detection for Cyclists & Pedestrians - Sep 18: Can We Talk About the Street? Building Support for Controversial Projects - Oct 16: If We Build it Will They Come? Estimating Demand for Biking and Walking - Nov 20: Aging in Place: Designing Communities to Support Mobility - Dec 18: Education and Encouragement: Bringing the Right People Together -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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INVITATION: OpenFest Saturday October 20th
by Anders Swanson 17 Oct '18

17 Oct '18

Honoured to invite you all to come to an event this weekend full of positivity and hopefulness. Artists and poets and local businesses coming together to share a shared love of Winnipeg and to speak up for the right to cross the street. Incredible line-up donating their time incl. Royal Canoe, Mahogany Frog, JP Hoe, Sweet Alibi, Red Moon Road, The O.B. and more. Speeches by Di Brandt (Winnipeg's poet laureate), Michael Champagne, Brent Bellamy, Allen Mankewich, Dancing Gabe, and more. Craft beer thanks to local breweries donating staff time: Nonsuch Brewery, Little Brown Jug, Lake of the Woods Brewery; Coffee by Grey Owl DJ CO-OP spinning records and Open Mic (by The Purple Room) from 5-9 on stage #2 More coming. *Saturday. 2pm-11pm. Portage and Main. (various locations)* FREE Webpage: https://voteopenwpg.ca/openfest Facebook event <https://www.facebook.com/pg/voteopenwpg/events/> #ShowSomeLove #OpenFest Proceeds from any drink sales go to the Children's Rehab Foundation (donations welcome). All welcome. Invite your friends. Whatever way you/they plan to vote. Come party. Come dance. Yours kindly, Anders [image: OpenFestHeartbeatPromo.gif]

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WFP: Coalition for Portage & Main announces free concert (2pm Sat Oct 20th)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Oct '18

16 Oct '18

Coalition announces free concert THE Coalition for Portage and Main has announced it will host a free concert at the intersection Saturday, featuring local bands, beer and food. The volunteer-run event, called Open Fest, is being thrown the last weekend before Winnipeggers head to the polls to elect a new municipal government and cast a ballot on the intersection’s future. Local bands Royal Canoe, Mahogany Frog and JP Hoe, among others, are scheduled to headline the event. The festival starts at 2 p.m. and all proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation. https://voteopenwpg.ca/openfest/

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CBC's Ismaila Alfa tracks how long it takes to cross Portage and Main — underground — in a wheelchair
by Beth McKechnie 11 Oct '18

11 Oct '18

Advocates for people with disabilities and active transportation who favour opening Portage and Main to pedestrians invited members of the public to try their hands at getting across the intersection in a wheelchair. The event was organized by Winnipeg Trails Association. "We're asking people to time it to see how long it takes," said Trails executive director Anders Swanson. Winnipeggers will vote on whether to open the intersection, which has been closed to pedestrians since 1979, in a plebiscite in this year's civic election. CBC's Ismaila Alfa took the challenge to see how fast he could make it across the intersection both above ground and through the underground concourse. See video on how long it took to get through Portage and Main: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-main-wheelchair-time-1.4858…

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The psychology of speed and the science behind changing road design
by Beth McKechnie 09 Oct '18

09 Oct '18

As Calgary debates whether to reduce residential speed limits from 50 km/h to either 40 or 30 km/h, CBC provides some science on the psychology why road design also needs to change. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/road-design-calgary-psychology-of-sp… cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP: Bait bike program leading to arrests: cops (Sep25'18)
by Beth McKechnie 01 Oct '18

01 Oct '18

Bait bike program leading to arrests: cops https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/winnipeg-police-say-bait-bike-progr… BICYCLE thieves beware, bait bikes are everywhere. At least that’s the message the Winnipeg Police Service wants running through the heads of anyone thinking about helping themselves to a bicycle that isn’t theirs. In July, the WPS rolled out its bait bike program, in response to a noticeable uptick in bicycle theft in the city. Since the program has been up and running, officers have been chaining up bikes — all of which are equipped with GPS tracking devices — in public spaces, and then sitting back and waiting for someone to come steal them. So far, the wait hasn’t been long, and the program has led to arrests, police said Monday. “We want to get people talking, because it really is a deterrent. We want people thinking, ‘Before I rip off this bike, is this a bait bike?’” Const. Tammy Skrabek said. The technology has been available for a few years, but it was only this summer the program was rolled out. According to police, it’s impossible to say for certain how common bicycle theft is in Winnipeg, but anecdotal evidence suggests it’s a problem on the rise. So far in 2018, the WPS has received roughly 1,800 reports of bicycle-theft incidents. However, Skrabek said that figure only represents a portion of the theft taking place in the city. “We can’t really provide stats on stolen bikes in Winnipeg. There’s noway for us to narrow it down. Not all bikes are reported stolen. We have many incidents where there’s more than one bike stolen. Those things change the numbers,” she said. “We also have bikes that are found and picked up by our officers during the course of their duties that aren’t reported stolen. So, that goes down as a recovered bike, but we can’t confirm it’s been stolen.” Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe is happy police recognize this issue as a growing concern. He said anything that could help crack down on theft could lead to more Winnipeggers making their daily commutes on two wheels rather than four. “I really do think bike theft is something that deters people from cycling. So, we’re happy to see some action on this front. People have bikes stolen and they’re frustrated by it. Sometimes, they’re also not in the financial position to replace that bike,” Cohoe said. Cohoe said the city also needs to take steps toward making theft more difficult by installing facilities such as bike lockers and bike cages around Winnipeg. While he welcomes the bike bait program, he also said he’s not naive enough to think it is a problem the city can arrest its way out of. “Unless we really address some of the bigger social issues that are driving the rise of this, then we’re likely going to be left with the problem of bike theft. We have to look at the underlying problems that are driving this,” Cohoe said. ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe

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Come join our team! Sustainable Transportation Coordinator
by Beth McKechnie 25 Sep '18

25 Sep '18

Green Action Centre seeks a Sustainable Transportation Project Coordinator *Programs*: Commuter Challenge and Workplace Commuter Options Program *Location*: Winnipeg, Manitoba *Term*: 9.5 month term at 35 hours per week, with a likely extension beyond July 2019. The position is shared between two sustainable transportation program areas: 3-4 days/wk as the Commuter Challenge Coordinator, and 1-2 days/wk with Workplace Commuters Options. *Position Description*: Green Action Centre seeks an independent, energetic and well-organized individual to fill a dual role within our sustainable transportation team. The coordinator will organize and promote our annual Commuter Challenge event in June and our Bougeons en hiver: The Jack Frost Challenge in February. The Coordinator will also assist with the delivery of our Workplace Commuter Options program (WCO), which includes our provincial wide ride-matching tool, GoManitoba. The position will focus on engaging businesses, employees and community organizations to make active and green transportation options both appealing and within reach for workplaces and employees, ultimately reducing Manitoba’s GHG emissions from drive alone travel by increasing walking, cycling, public transit and car pooling as preferred modes of travel for Manitobans. *Background*: Green Action Centre is an environmental, non-profit organization, based in Winnipeg and serving Manitoba. We are a registered charity, governed by an elected board of directors, with a core group of passionate, dedicated staff. We promote greener living through environmental education and encourage practical green solutions for households <http://greenactioncentre.ca/live/at-home/>, workplaces <http://greenactioncentre.ca/live/at-work/>, schools <http://greenactioncentre.ca/live/at-school/> and communities <http://greenactioncentre.ca/live/in-your-community/>. Our primary areas of work are green commuting <http://greenactioncentre.ca/live/getting-around/>, composting <http://greenactioncentre.ca/live/composting/> and waste <http://greenactioncentre.ca/live/recycling/> reduction, sustainable living <http://greenactioncentre.ca/blog/>, and resource conservation. We also run a social enterprise, Compost Winnipeg, which collects commercial and residential organic waste in Winnipeg. We are located on Portage Avenue in the heart of downtown, and are part of the EcoCentre on the 3rd floor of the Mountain Equipment Coop building. *Responsibilities*: In cooperation with other sustainable transportation team members and Green Action Centre staff, the Coordinator will have the following duties and responsibilities: *Commuter Challenge & Jack Frost Challenge:* - Develop a work plan based on the timeline and activities of prior years - Confirm and recruit Commuter Challenge Planning Partners and chair the planning meetings - Coordinate and build participation in the Jack Frost Challenge! in February; and recruit and build workplace participation in the Commuter Challenge, including connecting with 300+ participating workplaces - Build and/or maintain relationships with workplace wellness and/or environmental committees and champions - Train Commuter Challenge workplace coordinators - Sponsorship management, both maintaining existing sponsorship relationships, and developing new marketing and partnership opportunities - Reach out to communities outside of Winnipeg in an effort to increase participation in Commuter Challenge and Jack Frost Challenge in other parts of Manitoba - Promote Challenge events, including overseeing print and electronic advertising and securing media coverage - Secure and manage distribution of prizes for participants, including soliciting donations for prizes from local businesses - Work with event firm to help coordinate logistics for Commuter Challenge key event activities, such as the event media launch and the awards luncheon - Update related web pages on Green Action Centre’s website - Work with IT technical support to facilitate smooth functioning of web-based tracking tool for the events, and work to resolve issues arising with workplace registrations and/or individual logging of participation; includes liaise with organizers of the National Commuter Challenge - Maintain participation and event records and prepare reports for funders and sponsors - Manage the project budgets and monitor expenses to ensure budget is on track - Other duties, as assigned *Workplace Commuter Options Program:* - Work with the team to coordinate and deliver workshops, presentations, half-day training sessions and keynote speaker events tailored to workplace ambassadors from a variety of organizations, specifically sustainability, wellness and HR managers; program content focused on Transportation Demand Management (TDM) initiatives, transit tools, bike route planning, site assessment, and behavioral change theory. - Support the promotion of and increased participation in Green Action Centre’s GoManitoba ridematching app, including contests to increase new users and subscribers, and outreach to workplaces to increase workplaces with sub-sites - Assist with the delivery and reporting of employee commuting surveys, working closely with workplace representatives and IT consultant - Staff displays and deliver presentations, including participation in events put on by Bike Week, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown BIZ, etc. - Liaise with related workplace committees such as the Downtown BIZ transportation Committee, Workplace Wellness Alliance, City of Winnipeg’s Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC), and Manitoba Network for Healthy Built & Social Environments - Prepare and distribute a follow up survey for Commuter Challenge workplace coordinators, and respond to information requests *Qualifications*: Must be self-motivated, reliable, professional and able to work collaboratively without close supervision. Key qualifications include: - Knowledge of sustainable transportation (green commuting and active transportation) - Experience working collaboratively, specifically with community relations and/or with nonprofits, and in delivering on the ground programs - Experienced in organizing events and creativity in developing ad/media campaigns - Previous experience and skills in media and promotion - Demonstrated ability in public speaking and with presentations and displays - Strong written and verbal communication skills - Experience with project management & budgeting - Tech-savvy with knowledge of WordPress and social media - Above average attentiveness to detail - Strong interpersonal skills, team player - Organized, deadline driven and excellent time management skills - Knowledgeable about Winnipeg and rural/northern Manitoban communities - Experience working with non profits - Able to work independently without close supervision *Term Position*: Starts November 2018 and ends July 15, 2019 with likely extension subject to mutual agreement between the parties and the status of project funding. This position reports directly to the Executive Director. *Remuneration*: $19.75 per hour (35 hrs/wk). A monthly Winnipeg Transit EcoPass is also provided as part of Green Action Centre’s “Active Transportation Benefit” policy. *Deadline*: Resume and cover letter must be received by 4:00 p.m. CDT, October 10, 2018. *To Apply*: Applications will be accepted until the deadline *by e-mail only*. If this opportunity interests you please email your cover letter and resume to info(a)greenactioncentre.ca with “Sustainable Transportation Coordinator” in the subject heading. Please note in your cover letter if you: - Are a graduate from a post-secondary institution within the last three years; and - Are between the ages of 15-30 For more information on Green Action Centre and our programs, please explore our website at www.greenactioncentre.ca. *No phone calls please.* -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP Opinion: Reopening Portage and Main would be good for downtown and suburbs (Sep18'18)
by Beth McKechnie 20 Sep '18

20 Sep '18

*Reopening Portage and Main would be good for downtown and suburbs* *by Glen Murray* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/civicelection2018/ reopening-intersection-good-for-downtown-and-suburbs-493636911.html What does Portage and Main have to be to serve Winnipeg well? Portage and Main is the intersection of Winnipeg’s two most important high streets. It is the very definition of the centre of the city; the crossroads of Winnipeg. What makes a great city is a combination of several factors. The most visible is a vibrant, healthy downtown brimming with businesses and exciting cultural experiences and extraordinarily beautiful historic streetscapes. City streets, especially a city’s high streets, are there for more than moving traffic; in fact, most predate the automobile. Great streets that are essential to a city’s economic success are first platforms for commerce and culture. Transportation systems are there to support these functions that make a street a destination. Streets and streetscapes are major determinants of the strength of a city’s economy, the value of its buildings and ability to attract and retain people and tourism. Downtowns are disproportionately important because most of us form our impression of a city based on the downtown. This core commercial area is very important to the city’s finances, as these properties are a disproportionately large part of the city’s tax base and pay the city a high return, given that they require little infrastructure and occupy a relatively small amount of land. It takes many hectares of suburban residential neighbourhoods to generate the revenues equivalent to a good-sized office building. So these characteristics of design, density and heritage determine the economic health and value of those buildings, which in turn affect the level of revenue they generate for both the building owners and the local municipality. A good urban renewal program grows the tax base and consequently reduces the tax burden on individual taxpayers and businesses. Generally successful urban renewal starts at the shoulder areas of the downtown and works to the centre. In Winnipeg’s case, The Forks, Waterfront Drive, Red River College's downtown campus and the Convention Centre are examples of starting at the periphery before moving toward the centre, Portage and Main. The second critical factor to restoring the economic health of a street or commercial cluster is a highly walkable and pedestrian-friendly environment. In Winnipeg, this was realized in the development and renewal of high-value, well-designed transit and pedestrian friendly corridors. Those projects included the Graham transit mall, the Provencher to Broadway pedestrian corridor, Waterfront Drive, Exchange District streetscaping, the beginning of interior corridors like the enclosed laneway at Red River College, the restoration of historic streetlights and sidewalks on Portage Avenue, and so on. The most critical, and the nexus of the system, was the renewal of the once-famous, now-infamous Portage and Main. There have been several hubs, or nodes, developed in the downtown. The baseball park, Waterfront Drive and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights cluster on the east side; the Centennial Concert Hall and theatre cluster, Red River College and Union Bank Tower on the north side; the Manitoba Hydro tower, Bell-MTS Centre, The Bay, the Winnipeg Art Gallery and its upcoming Inuit Art Centre, the Burton Cummings Theatre, True North Centre, Portage Place, University of Winnipeg’s campus, the Alt Hotel and Mountain Equipment Co-op on the west side; and the Fort Garry historic site, Fort Garry Hotel, the Forks Market and Children’s Museum on the south side. The power of these hubs, or nodes, created by private and public sector collaboration is the impact they have on all the buildings and storefronts between them. The strong street-level connections created by pedestrian traffic between these nodes is essential for retail businesses. This, in turn, builds the tax base to pay for the essential infrastructure to facilitate these connections or nodes and networks. Portage and Main is a critical node and a network in one, the most important synaptic nerve connection in the system. Restoring this intersection’s commercial, cultural and complete transportation functionality is the essential ingredient in the economic renewal of downtown. The debate over opening Portage and Main is tied up in the mistaken idea that one intersection should be or could be responsible for so much of the traffic flow. Before Portage Place cut off north-south traffic, there was a better distribution of traffic along streets such as Edmonton and Kennedy. In fact, improving transit infrastructure and restoring the functionality of the downtown street grid system would solve any marginal traffic issues created in opening up Portage and Main. Most importantly, restoring Portage and Main as the downtown pedestrian connector unlocks and restores the value and increases the income of properties up and down the two high streets. Currently, Portage and Main acts as an artificial border to the downtown and psychological barrier to the east. Opening the intersection to pedestrians will allow the spilling over of culture and commerce to Portage East and will unlock the further potential of our downtown. Finally, if you live in the suburbs and never drive through this intersection, why should it matter? In the 2000/2001 city budget, the growth in commercial assessment in the city turned a two per cent property tax cut for residential ratepayers into a four per cent cut. Turning up the downtown economic engine is building the urban commercial tax base, which in turn reduces the suburban residential tax burden. CentreVenture, the city’s downtown development corporation, has already spun out $600 million in new revenue to the city government from its strategic and restorative investments. While the referendum on Portage and Main is important, it is even more important to do a rigorous study of the economic impacts of a beautiful newly designed intersection versus the dog’s breakfast we now endure. It is time to develop a real strategy to unlock the value of Portage and Main’s potential. So, when you vote on opening Portage and Main, vote yes. You'll be voting to build the tax base and reduce the tax burden. *Glen R. Murray served as mayor of Winnipeg from 1998 to 2004, and before that was the city councillor for Fort Rouge ward for almost a decade. He was elected as a Liberal MPP in the Ontario provincial government in 2010, and served in several senior cabinet roles until his retirement in 2017.*

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WFP: Opening intersection good for economy, business groups say (Sep20'18)
by Beth McKechnie 20 Sep '18

20 Sep '18

Opening intersection good for economy, business groups say https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/civicelection2018/failure- to-open-portage-and-main-will-hurt-city-biz-owners-493766851.html KEY downtown stakeholders are throwing their weight behind the Coalition for Portage and Main, while pushing the message that a failure to reopen the intersection to foot traffic will stifle economic development. This week, two corner properties at the iconic Winnipeg intersection — James Richardson & Sons and Harvard Buildings Inc. — came out in favour of tearing down the barricades. That support was bolstered by ringing endorsements from the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Winnipeg. Both organizations said no Winnipegger should make up their mind on this issue without taking into account the opportunity it poses for economic growth. “Opening Portage and Main is the right thing to do. It’s the right thing for economic development. It’s the right thing for the city. We should encourage people to want more. Let’s not be entrenched in what was the best practice in the 1970s — it’s changed,” Dayna Spiring, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg, said on Wednesday. “We need to keep investing in the future. When we stop, we’re not in neutral, we’re in reverse. We have to be looking towards what we can become... I think people should listen to all of the organizations coming out and saying this is the right decision. But I also think they should look inside and ask themselves what kind of city they want to live in.” Portage and Main has been closed to pedestrians since 1979. On Oct. 24, Winnipeggers will be asked about reopening the intersection on the municipal ballot. While the referendum on Portage and Main is non-binding, Mayor Brian Bowman and rival mayoral candidate Jenny Motkaluk — who is considered his main challenger — have both said they’ll respect the outcome. Harvard Buildings managing director Rosanne Hill Blaisdell said her company, which owns the building at 201 Portage Ave. as well as an adjacent empty lot, would like to invest more in the intersection, but its current setup has been a sticking point. “We have an empty lot that is adjacent to our current building and we would love to develop it. I think the single biggest impediment to us moving forward with a vision for development is the fact that people can’t get to it,” Blaisdell said. Her comments were made in a video testimonial filmed at the Coalition for Portage and Main campaign storefront in the underground at 201 Portage Ave. Volunteers have been staffing the storefront from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays in an effort to rally the “yes” vote in advance of the election. “Portage and Main, right now, it’s been left to disrepair. It lacks pedestrian vibrancy and activity. We really believe this corner is an iconic corner and a place that needs to be celebrated, developed and invested in long term. It’s the heart and soul of Winnipeg’s downtown,” Blaisdell said. ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe

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WFP: People first, not cars, says architect (Sep20'18)
by Beth McKechnie 20 Sep '18

20 Sep '18

Reopening Portage and Main dominates conference discussion People first, not cars, says architect https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/civicelection2018/put- people-first-architect-tells-city-planning-conference-493776401.html MAKING cities livable requires planners and developers to focus on people rather than cars and highrise buildings. That was the message from Danish architect Jan Gehl and several others speakers as the city’s business, development and planning communities gathered at a half-day conference hosted by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. Gehl, 82, established an international reputation as a city planner who “pedestrianized” some of world’s major cities, including Moscow and New York City. He incorporated design and planning that removed vehicles from downtown areas and returned public places to pedestrians and cyclists. He is the author of several influential books on planning, including Life Between Buildings; Public Spaces, Public Life; and one of his most recent, Cities For People, which has been published in 31 languages. During a 50-minute talk that was liberally sprinkled with humorous stories from his 60-year career, Gehl explored the evolution of city planning through the 20th century to today. After the Second World War, Gehl said, city planning was dominated by a preoccupation with the automobile and concrete buildings. Planners didn’t consider how people interacted with their surroundings. “The needs of the car became themajor thing,” Gehl said. “I hear the cars in Winnipeg are the most happiest cars in the world because you have three, four, five parking spaces for each car and that’s fantastic. I would love to be a car here.” Gehl was critical of architecture schools and professors who emphasize design and esthetics at the expense of people. “We knew nothing about what effect this had on people and people’s desire to go outside and use public spaces,” he said, telling the audience that he had a professor in architecture school who said, “A good housing area is something which looks good from a freeway. That was my training.” He credited the late city planner Jane Jacobs for sparking a revolution in urban planning by reacquainting planners and architects with the concept of designing streets and buildings for people. The morning session was dominated by advocates in favour of reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians, including architect Brent Bellamy and former Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray. Other speakers talked about suburban and urban development, including Eric Vogan, vice-president at homebuilder Qualico and president of the Urban Development Institute of Manitoba; City of Winnipeg chief planner Braden Smith; Jeannette Montufar, founding partner and CEP of MORR Transportation Consulting; and Hazel Borys, president and CEO of Place Makers, a planning firm with offices in Winnipeg, Calgary and several U.S. cities. Chamber president Loren Remillard said the event was held during the civic election campaign on purpose. “This is the time we should be talking about what kind of city we want to build — not for the next four years, but for the next 40 years,” Remillard said. “Today was all about talking about the big-picture issues. “Winnipeg is no different from any other city,” Remillard said. “Now is the time to ask the question: is Winnipeg for people?” Borys said streets are important, but places and destinations, such as downtown and walkable neighbourhoods, make a community valuable. “They are our cash cow,” Borys said. “I’m not going to be making the argument that we should do away with suburban development — that’s not going to happen in Winnipeg — but I think we need to get clear on the return to the city and how we can level the playing field so that both forms of development are enabled and fully supported.” Borys said urban development projects generate greater value for communities than suburban growth. He pointed out suburban housing costs more than twice as much as the equivalent space in urban areas. “While the suburbs are growing 150 per cent faster than cities in Canada, suburban dwellers pay only half the cost that city dwellers pay for roads” and other services, Borys said. “We simply can’t keep building low return places without having some cash cows downtown and notably distributed through our suburban fabric to up the ante.” aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Mayoral Fast Pitch and Forum: The Environmental Needs of Winnipeg
by Beth McKechnie 19 Sep '18

19 Sep '18

Hi everyone, In case you missed last night's Mayoral Fast Pitch and Forum: The Environmental Needs of Winnipeg*, *you can watch it in full HERE <http://greenactioncentre.ca/winnipeg-election/>, and there was plenty media coverage (CBC <https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-election-forum-environment…> and Winnipeg Free Press <https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/civicelection2018/mayoral-candidates-tack…> ). Candidates spent 90 minutes talking about the environment and how they would transform Winnipeg into a sustainable city. They were each given an opportunity to share their 3 minute pitch, followed by 1-2 minutes to answer a series of questions. The evening wrapped up with a series of yes/no questions (*see results below*). The questions focused on organic waste diversion, water, *transportation*,* urban development and design*, single-use plastic, and Winnipeg’s climate action plan. The coalition of Environmental Organizations who hosted last night's event are compiling questions for an all-candidate (Mayoral and Councilor) survey to be posted by October 15th. [image: DaveElmore.png] *Support curbside organics collection*: Bowman: Yes Hayat: Yes Motkaluk: Yes Wilson: Yes Diack: Yes Machiraju: Yes Woodstock: Yes *Support $100M+ package of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, making it a top priority for federal funding*: Bowman: Yes and no Hayat: Yes Motkaluk: No Wilson: Yes Diack: No Machiraju: No Woodstock: Yes *Maintain provincial pesticide ban:* Bowman: Yes Hayat: Yes Motkaluk: Yes Wilson: Yes Diack: Yes Machiraju: Yes Woodstock: No *Support winter maintenance of bike-lane infrastructure:* Bowman: Yes Hayat: Yes Motkaluk: No Wilson: Yes Diack: Yes Machiraju: Yes Woodstock: Yes *Support plastic bag ban:* Bowman: Yes Hayat: No Motkaluk: No Wilson: Yes Diack: Yes Machiraju: Yes Woodstock: Yes *Accept Our Winnipeg's sustainability principles:* Bowman: Yes Hayat: Yes Motkaluk: Yes Wilson: Yes Diack: Yes Machiraju: Yes Woodstock: Yes *Prioritize walking/cycling over vehicles:* Bowman: No Hayat: No Motkaluk: No Wilson: Yes Diack: Yes Machiraju: Yes Woodstock: Yes *Improve Winnipeg's tree canopy:* Bowman: Yes Hayat: Yes Motkaluk: Yes Wilson: Yes Diack: Yes Machiraju: Yes Woodstock: Yes -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Invitation: AGM at the Forks on Thursday September 27th.
by Anders Swanson 13 Sep '18

13 Sep '18

Hello friends and supporters in the exciting world of active transportation, *We have a special invitation for you! *You are cordially invited to celebrate our *AGM at the Forks at 6:30pm on Thursday September 27th. * *Come meet some colleagues, join us for refreshments and stick around for little bike/hike to see an outdoor movie. * *All details here. <http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/annual-general-meeting-2018/> * This is a chance for us to share what we do and we would love to see you there. This AGM is particularly special for us because its our very first one as a standalone organization. As you may know, Winnipeg Trails has been active since 2003 and doing amazing things operating under the umbrella of our friends at Rivers West Red River Corridor. Last year, when Rivers West was dissolved, we were asked to continue as an incorporated non-profit . We now have our own volunteer board and have been up to some exciting new things ever since. Building on our last strategic plan, we've growing remarkably, enabling us to take on new activities, reach new areas and communities, build capacity for staff, and contribute valuable new research and ideas. Come see. *OPTIONAL TRAIL COUNT:* Join us a little earlier that afternoon for a fun and meaningful group activity. During the afternoon rush hour, we'll do a little citizen science. Starting at ~3:30 we'll be meeting up at the Forks, fanning out to capture a moment in time on Winnipeg's trails. We'll be looking at trails and roads with bike lanes - counting people on bikes, pushing strollers, wheelchairs, skateboarding, jogging hikers and more! You may be surprised by what's out there. This helps gets us a baseline and builds a picture of the "other" kinds of transportation in Winnipeg. What's measured gets managed. We'd love to reward you with a *FREE BEER *at the AGM party for your trouble. If you'd like to count with us, let our coordinator, Colby Deighton, know by emailing coordinator(a)winnipegtrails.ca and give you a little info. RSVPs appreciated. Email Coordinator(a)WinnipegTrails.ca. Thanks! Anders

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AT Webinar: Placemaking in the Burbs | Wed, Sept 19th, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 13 Sep '18

13 Sep '18

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre boardroom <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth -- Webinar: Wed, Sept 19th, 2-3pm *Placemaking in the Burbs* This webinar will look at challenges the suburban communities of Newcastle, WA and Bellevue, WA face and recent projects to address them. Presenters will walk through existing conditions and challenges in the suburban environment, the impetus for the project, details on the public outreach process that engaged a wide-range of community members, the effort's final recommendations, and lessons learned. *Presenters:* - Sarah Saviskas & Kendra Breiland, Fehr & Peers - Thara Johnson, City of Newcastle - Kevin McDonald & Emil King, City of Bellevue -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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CBC coverage: Portage & Main Probe Poll
by Beth McKechnie 13 Sep '18

13 Sep '18

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-main-declini ng-support-for-opening-1.4818039 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-main-probe-poll-1.4818959 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/do-you-think-portage -and-main-should-be-reopened-to-pedestrians-1.4821170

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WFP: Don’t open Portage and Main: poll (Sep13'18)
by Beth McKechnie 13 Sep '18

13 Sep '18

Only 33 per cent of those polled support removing barricades at iconic intersection Don’t open Portage and Main: poll https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/civicelection2018/poll- finds-winnipeggers-opposed-to-opening-portage-and-main-to- pedestrians-493058361.html THOSE hoping for Winnipeggers to come out in droves to vote in next month’s referendum in favour of reopening Portage and Main to foot traffic shouldn’t hold their breath. Winnipeggers are resoundingly opposed to the idea, according to a new Probe Research survey commissioned by CBC News. Sixty-seven per cent of people interviewed for the survey— which employed statistical weighting designed to make the results representative of Winnipeg’s voting-eligible population — oppose reopening the iconic intersection. Only 33 per cent of those polled support removing the barricades that have kept the Portage Avenue and Main Street intersection shuttered to pedestrians since 1979. The poll has a four per cent margin of error, according to Probe Research. “We’ve tracked this over the years. There has always been a majority who reject the reopening. I would have been surprised had this survey shown otherwise, because I haven’t seen that in 20 years,” Probe Research president Scott MacKay said Wednesday. “But now, this enthusiasm for reopening has declined to an all-time low. It seems people have really dug in on this and their views have hardened.” While many commentators have tried to draw fault lines in the debate— people who live downtown versus people who live in the suburbs, for example — the poll shows otherwise. “There really is no demographic group where you will find a majority of people favouring the reopening. That includes groups you might expect to favour the reopening,” MacKay said. “People who work and play downtown, go to a lot of concerts, sports events, live there and work there – even that group is not in favour of the reopening. So you have to ask: if not them, then who?” Mayor Brian Bowman, who has long been a vocal proponent of reopening the intersection, said he wasn’t surprised by the results of the survey. It has long been a polarizing topic people feel passionate about, he said. On Wednesday, he took the opportunity to reaffirm his promise to respect the outcome of the referendum — even though it’s non-binding. If the ‘no’ vote wins, he won’t bring the matter up again over his next term, if re-elected, Bowman added. “Voters are always right. They’ll have their say, and I’ll fully respect that.” Most people surveyed indicated there was little that will change their mind prior to the Oct. 24 referendum. Seventy-six per cent of respondents said their views on the matter were firmly entrenched. That isn’t good news for the Coalition for Portage and Main, the volunteer group behind the campaign to get the intersection reopened to pedestrians. Adam Dooley, a coalition spokesman, said while the survey results are disheartening, those involved with the campaign knew they were fighting an uphill battle — it’s just maybe more steep than they realized. “We respect people’s opinions, but we’re hopeful people will come out and make an informed vote. We know that they’re smart and they want what’s best for the city. We’re going to do our best to get the information out there,” Dooley said. “We take hope in the fact that when we speak to people and lay out the facts, we tend to get people to change their minds on this issue. So, hopefully, we’ll swing some votes. There’s still a lot of time between now and (civic) election day.” Brent Bellamy, a local architect and coalition spokesman, questions the fairness of putting the matter to a referendum, as much larger and more costly infrastructure projects don’t get such treatment. “There are very few public works projects that we could single out and put to a public vote that would receive a majority of public support,” Bellamy said in an email to the Free Press. He also pointed to other projects, including The Forks, Bell MTS Centre and Esplanade Riel, which faced significant opposition, but which people now recognize provide public value. After reviewing the results of the survey, MacKay said one question posed to respondents cuts to the heart of the matter. Pollsters asked respondents for their take on the following statement: the smooth flow of traffic downtown is more important than pedestrian access. Eighty-five per cent of people opposed to reopening the intersection agreed with the statement, while 76 per cent who want the intersection reopened disagreed. “That’s a competing vision about what a downtown should be about. For better or worse, the prevailing view is that it should be about cars. That’s the whole battleground right there,” MacKay explained. “It’s all about whether the car is king or not.” — with files from Carol Sanders and Aldo Santin ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe

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CBC: Pedestrian mall experiment starts in Winnipeg's Exchange District (Sep8'18)
by Beth McKechnie 09 Sep '18

09 Sep '18

Pedestrian mall experiment starts in Winnipeg's Exchange District Part of Albert Street to be closed off to traffic on Saturday afternoons this September https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/pedestrian-mall-experiment-exchange… A new pilot project is being launched in the Exchange District to see if Winnipeggers will embrace the idea of pedestrian-only streets. For every Saturday in September, one block of Albert Street between McDermot and Bannatyne avenues will be closed to traffic, creating a pedestrian mall. The experiment is an initiative of the Exchange District Business Improvement Zone, after the city approached the organization to conduct it. David Pensato, the executive director of the BIZ, said the idea has been floated for decades. The plan is to just try different things and see if it's something people enjoy, he said. <http://www.gomanitoba.ca> "We're not programming it like an event, because we do want it be an honest experiment of what the conditions would be like if the street was for pedestrians," he said. "We're not trying to compete with any of the businesses on the streets around there. What we're doing is we're inviting the businesses that are on Albert to come out onto the street." The area will be closed off to cars from noon to 5 p.m., with furniture, buskers and games set up for people to enjoy.

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WFP: WRENCH says bring your bikes to them— not the curb (
by Beth McKechnie 09 Sep '18

09 Sep '18

WRENCH says bring your bikes to them— not the curb Don’t do the right thing the wrong way, city group advises https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-group-hopes-youll-donate-your-… KETTLES, clothes, toaster ovens, furniture, books and more will be piled on curbs and lawns Saturday and Sunday, free for the taking as part of the city’s biannual Giveaway Weekend. Pat Krawec, co-executive director of the WRENCH (Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub), hopes bicycles will not be among the items in the pile. He is attempting to educate Winnipeggers about the benefits of taking bikes that have outlived their usefulness — whether they’re old, broken or have been outgrown — to one of the city’s three 4R Depots, rather than leaving them on the curb. The depots — located at 1777 Brady Rd., 1120 Pacific Ave. and 429 Panet Rd. — forward all bikes to the WRENCH, a non-profit charity at 1057 Logan Ave. that offers programs for schoolchildren and adults in bike repair, teaches people to build their own bicycles, and offers off-site tune-ups in the community. Services are by donation on a sliding scale, or can be paid for with volunteer hours at the shop. It also sells refurbished bicycles at its retail location at The Forks. “Why is doing the right thing sometimes the wrong thing?” Krawec said. “Manitobans are generous, it’s true. But putting your bike at the curb can actually act as a buffer for bike theft in two ways.” First, when unwanted bikes are regularly left out for anyone to take — whether it’s during a Giveaway Weekend or not — it offers thieves plausible deniability. “Another way it really promotes bike theft is it devalues the bicycle,” Krawec said. “People say, ‘Well, they’re not important. People leave them lying around, so it’s no big deal if I take one.’ That really contributes greatly to the problem.” Krawec said the current methamphetamine abuse epidemic in Winnipeg has led to a spike in bike theft. “Because we have an addiction crisis, those people are very vulnerable, and they’re going to be preyed upon by dealers and the people who run chop shops — they’re the people who profit (from theft).” With nine community bike shops— including the Bike Dump (631 Main St.) and Co-Op Vélo-Cité (190 Avenue de la Cathedrale) — Winnipeg is an international leader in this kind of programming. The city is also the first jurisdiction in Canada to forge an agreement with community bike shops to handle recycling. “One hundred per cent of the children’s bikes that go in (to the depots) get reused,” Krawec said. “And about 70 per cent of the adult bikes get reused or at least sorted for parts… A bike for the city is worth about 70 cents in dirty scrap. A bike for a community bike project is worth a minimum of $25 per unit. “It’s an instant way to add value into your community.” jill.wilson(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @dedaumier

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WFP: Survey says, make city more bike-friendly (Aug30'18)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Aug '18

30 Aug '18

Survey says, make city more bike-friendly SWEEPING the streets in fall, painting roads with bike lanes and increasing public awareness of infrastructure developments to roads and bike lanes were among a list of recommendations Wednesday from CAA Manitoba, about a month and a half before October’s civic election. The recommendations stem from the concerns respondents found most pressing in a June survey conducted by Probe Research. In that poll, which surveyed 600 Winnipeg adults regarding cycling and driving issues, 59 per cent of respondents said road maintenance is poor and 36 per cent said lane-painting and signage needed improvement. Only three per cent said the city was doing a “very good job” maintaining road surfaces for vehicles, while only eight per cent were satisfied with lane paint and signage. “That’s not news to us,” said Liz Kulyk, CAA Manitoba’s corporate manager of government and community relations at a media event near the soonto- be-complete protected bike lane at the intersection of Ferry Road and St. Matthews Avenue. She said the poll results and recommendations are things “anybody who’s elected to city hall in October should be looking at.” Kulyk said the 2015 cancellation of the fall street sweep program has led to an accumulation of material along city curbs, creating a dangerous situation for cyclists and forcing them further into traffic. She also said such accumulation leads to pavement degradation. Reinstating that program would create a better situation for both cyclists and vehicles, she said. The organizations also suggested starting spring sweeping earlier. Regarding signage and road demarcations, the organizations recommend putting roads with bike lanes first when it comes time to repaint, painting directional arrows on all painted bike lanes, using more high-visibility green paint at high-volume intersections, more consistency in “drivers yield to cyclists” signs and adding an option for citizens to request road painting through the 311 app. Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe said addressing safety concerns revealed in the survey means creating roads with protected bike lanes in mind. “We really want to see this city as a world-class city in terms of biking,” Cohoe said. In June, an Angus Reid poll found more than three-quarters of Winnipeggers thought separated bike lanes were a “good idea.” Other recommendations included a review of the past 10 years of snow-clearing budgets, revising next year’s budget accordingly and creating a reserve of funds set aside as a buffer for heavy snow years. One element present through all recommendations was an emphasis on regular, targeted education campaigns, as well as significant social-media presence in order to ensure the public is aware of proper road etiquette and that people share the road in a safe way. Cohoe and Kulyk also stressed the merit of consulting the public on infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction. Kulyk said the list of recommendations has been shared with the city and will be sharedwith all candidates in the upcoming election. She said the organizations didn’t calculate how much implementing the recommendations would cost, although she acknowledged it would be an expensive, yet worthwhile, endeavour. ben.waldman(a)freepress.mb.ca

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CBC: CAA, Bike Winnipeg push city for transportation improvements (Aug29'18)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Aug '18

30 Aug '18

CAA, Bike Winnipeg push city for transportation improvements https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-transportation-recommendat… CAA Manitoba and Bike Winnipeg have joined forces to ask the City of Winnipeg to make a number of improvements to the city's roads and bike lanes. A list of recommendations released Wednesday by the two organizations — one representing drivers, the other city cyclists — starts with calls to reinstate the cancelled fall street sweeping program and improve lane painting on roads with bike lanes. "Some of these things are small changes that really don't require a big financial impetus. It's just sort of changing some of the priorities," said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. The recommendations grew out of concerns identified in a poll conducted by Probe Research last June. The poll asked Winnipeggers about their cycling habits, problems they face and what they wish to see to improve cycling infrastructure in the city. Among those polled, 59 per cent said road surface maintenance in Winnipeg is poor, while 36 per cent said lane painting and signage needs improvement. The city increased its active transportation budget by 31 per cent in 2018, from $13.2 million to $17.3 million. It also budgeted $116 million for road renewals in 2018, an increase of $11 million over 2017. However, that increase was earmarked for a single project: rebuilding Empress Street between St. Matthews Avenue and Portage Avenue. Money set aside for new roads and bridges, major repairs and equipment purchases dropped by $74 million, to $246 million. While the CAA and Bike Winnipeg recognize that significant improvements to active transportation have been made, they don't want to lose momentum, said Liz Kulyk, corporate manager of government and community relations at CAA Manitoba. "I think the overall theme is they need to continue. They can't ever go down again," she said. Wednesday's list of recommendations was the final release in a three-part series on transportation from CAA and Bike Winnipeg. The first focused on cycling habits of Winnipeggers, while the second focused on safety concerns. The full list of recommendations from CAA and Bike Winnipeg is as follows: - Reinstate the cancelled fall street sweeping program "to address accumulation of material at curbs that create slippery situations for cyclists." This forces cyclists farther into vehicle traffic. Leaving the material on the road also creates issues for drivers, as it degrades the pavement faster, resulting in more repairs and financial investment over time, the organizations say. - Prioritize roads with bike lanes when deciding which ones need lane painting - Undertake a proactive community stewardship campaign, empowering citizens to request lane painting if markings are faded, damaged, missing or unclear. - Increase the number of locations with "high visibility" green paint that warns users of conflict points, such as sidewalks, driveways and intersections, by 25 per cent. - Commit to investigating and consulting with the public on options such as reducing residential speed limits or adding traffic calming measures on main cycling routes by 2019. - Commit to purchasing social media advertising about new facilities that require behavioural changes, such as the no-right-on-red signs installed along the McDermot/Bannatyne bike lane corridor. The recommendations have been forwarded to city administration and the mayor's office. City spokesperson Tamara Forlanski said the city is currently constructing multiple cycling improvements which include protected bike lanes.

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WFP Analysis: Investing in pedestrian movement pays off (Aug27'18)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Aug '18

27 Aug '18

Investing in pedestrian movement pays off https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/investing-in-pedestrian-… WALKING is good for you, and good for the economy. Cities across North America are investing in infrastructure to encourage walking in urban neighbourhoods as a way of improving health, accessibility, quality of life and safety while promoting urban renewal and economic growth. Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton, cities that Winnipeg competes with for investment, tourism and immigration, all have official pedestrian strategies to guide policy, increase pedestrian numbers and make those cities better places to walk. In contrast, Winnipeggers are voting on the idea of keeping concrete walls, in the heart of our city, that have intentionally repelled pedestrians for four decades. The key principles of designing an urban area to be walkable are creating direct and simple pedestrian connections along a network of diverse destinations, as well as establishing physically interesting and comfortable places to walk that feel safe and promote social interaction. Walkability has been quantified by the website walkscore.com using a 100-point scale that measures pedestrian connectivity and distances to employment, education and other amenities. A significant body of research has proven that when neighbourhood walkability increases, so does desirability, and in turn residential property values and the tax base. A national study in the U.S., conducted by CEOs for Cities, found that a one per cent improvement in Walk Score resulted in a residential property value increase of up to US$3,000. It was found that in higher-density areas such as downtown, this benefit was even greater, as people attracted to urban living more often seek a lifestyle that allowswalking to be a central mode of transportation. In Winnipeg, we have recognized this trend and have spent a lot of effort over the past decade trying to improve active transportation and livability in downtown to create an urban neighbourhood that attracts residential development. We have constructed bike lanes, plazas and parks, installed public art and new lighting, narrowed side streets and widened and improved sidewalks. The strategy is working. The population of downtown is nearing 18,000, double what it once was, and the Exchange District population has grown from 250 at the turn of this century to more than 2,500 today. Increased walkability in urban centres has also been connected to growth in commercial property values. In a study conducted by the universities of Arizona and Indiana, it was found that a 10 per cent increase in the walkability of a business district was associated with an increase of up to eight per cent in commercial real estate values. A Brookings Institution study focusing on Washington, D.C., found that office buildings in areas of good walkability commanded on average almost US$9 per square foot more in commercial rent. In Winnipeg, a number of businesses relocating from Portage and Main to True North Square, a development centred around public space designed for pedestrians, is an example of how vibrancy and walkability can create an image and that is attractive to commercial tenants. The economic benefits of walkability also extend to the retail sector. The same Brookings study discovered an increase of almost US$7 per squarefoot in walkable-area retail rents. It has been found that pedestrians in urban centres shopmore often, more locally and spend more money over time than commuting drivers do. Numerous case studies from cities around the world demonstrate that making improvements in a city centre to promote growth in walkability and pedestrian numbers can significantly increase retail activity. Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, N.C., was once the state’s most dangerous street for pedestrians, and has now been transformed into a walkable, complete street, attractingmore than US$200 million in new development and increasing retail sales by more than 30 per cent. Design improvements to increase walkability and improve the pedestrian experience on Washington, D.C.’s struggling Barracks Rowattracted 44 new retail businesses and created 200 new jobs. Melbourne, Australia, implemented a 10-year plan to pedestrianize its downtown, which resulted in a 39 per cent increase in foot traffic, an 800 per cent increase in the downtown population and a 275 per cent increase in the number of sidewalk cafés. A final way in which walkability can be good for the economy was highlighted in an intriguing study completed in Auckland, New Zealand, which looked at the correlation between pedestrianconnectivity and business productivity. It studied the concept of agglomeration economies, in which businesses that locate near one another benefit from the cost reductions and gains in efficiency that result from this proximity. Pedestrian connectivity between businesses was shown to inspire more face-to-face contact, chance meetings, knowledge sharing and idea exchange outside of the office environment, stimulating greater business creativity and innovation. Improved pedestrian access to services, clients and complementary businesses, particularly for knowledge and creative industries, was found to be a key driver of labour productivity. The study mapped buildings, employment densities and pedestrian travel patterns to determine how well connected each business was to other businesses. This was then compared to each firm’s productivity (goods and services delivered per hour). The study concluded that there is a positive and significant correlation between walkability and business productivity. It determined that a 10 per cent increase in walkability for a business location resulted in a 5.3 per cent increase in labour productivity, and if downtown could be made one per cent more walkable overall, it would add NZ$42 million per year to Auckland’s economy. Cities around the world are looking at pedestrians as the drivers of modern urban economies. Those responding to this change today, by making planning decisions that remove barriers to pedestrians and effectively translate walking into economic growth, will be the leaders of tomorrow. *Brent Bellamy is a senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.* <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP: Bike lanes peel after summer sunburn (Aug24'18)
by Beth McKechnie 24 Aug '18

24 Aug '18

Colourful Exchange District project shows signs of distress Bike lanes peel after summer sunburn https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/painted-bike-lanes-chipping-fading-… LESS than two months after artists put their mark on Exchange District bike lanes, and even before some of them have opened, the paint has started to peel. Some bike-lane paintings have already started chipping, and the bright blues, greens and pinks have faded. The City of Winnipeg and Exchange District BIZ partnered with artists to paint new bike lanes downtown this summer. The $5,000 price tag is part of the $4-million budget for the Bannatyne and Mc Dermot avenues protected bike-lane project. The city is paying 60 per cent, and the federal government is paying the rest. “The project is an example of ‘tactical urbanism,’ which aims to make urban areas more lively and enjoyable,” city spokeswoman Michelle Finley said. “The area was targeted for this project because of the Exchange District’s engaging arts and culture community, and it was deemed to be an excellent way to highlight the additional bike infrastructure in the area.” The industrial paint is similar to that of road-marking paint. A non-slip additive was mixed in so it wouldn’t endanger pedestrians or cyclists. Finley said it was expected to “last for some time.” When asked for a more specific life expectancy, she said a number of factors can influence a paint’s longevity, and the city will be monitoring the paint and its durability. “It would be premature to put a detailed time frame on it, other than to say we expect it will last more than one season.” Each artist had two days to complete their mural using buckets of industrial and exterior-grade paint in shades of blue, green and pink. The first group of artists finished their murals during the last days of June. The second set of artists completed the work in mid-July, BIZ director David Pensato said. “The idea was to have it be temporary and a thing to launch the bike lanes and the back-in angle parking,” Pensato said. It is unclear whether it is legal to use permanent paint on roads. Winnipeg artist Pat Lazo painted a strip of the bike lane on Bannatyne Avenue from King to Princess streets. Lazo said he was part of the first group of artists to paint the street murals. “It was a great opportunity; I think we need more projects like it, but I think they need to be better executed,” Lazo said Thursday, after taking a look at his chipped mural. The artist said he expected the paint to chip since his canvas was a street. However, Lazo was surprised to see the bike lane he painted was still surrounded by barricades on Thursday. “It would’ve been better if I painted (it) two days before it opened,” he said. Lazo, who was paid $500, said he normally paints murals on outdoor walls after doing more prep work, such as power-washing and degreasing. For the bike lane project, he washed and swept the surface. “It’s a street, it’s not going to last forever, but at the same time… there is prep that you can do so it’ll last longer.” Mark Penner was cycling on the street, parallel to the bike lane on Bannatyne Avenue on Thursday because Lazo’s colourful mural was blocked off. The cyclist, who is also a professional painter, said the paint job is “a really nice idea,” but the timing was off. Penner said he was somewhat shocked to see the paint already chipping, since he saw artists painting the lanes a few weeks ago. He said it would’ve made more sense to paint the lanes after construction. It would’ve helped had the lanes been painted in cooler weather, he said. “When you apply paint to a surface that’s too hot, it flash-dries and doesn’t have time to adhere,” Penner said, adding paint shouldn’t be applied outside the 10 C to 30 C range. The paint’s adhesive qualities are limited if there is dust on a surface, he added. On June 27, the day Lazo painted his mural, it was 28 C. The artist said there were also piles of dust on the lane that couldn’t be removed after several sweeps. Around the corner from the bike lane mural, Arnold Thiessen, manager of Interior Illusions on Princess Street, said Thursday he thinks the project was a “complete waste of money” and the money could have been better spent. maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie

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WFP: Exchange redesign puts priority on cycling lanes (Aug22'18)
by Beth McKechnie 22 Aug '18

22 Aug '18

Business owners criticize changes Exchange redesign puts priority on cycling lanes https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/exchange-redesign- puts-priority-on-cycling-lanes-491428371.html A RECENT redesign in the Exchange District is making cycling in the city more accessible, but not all Winnipeggers are cheerful about the changes. In addition to new protected bike lanes, the City of Winnipeg has installed a number of no-right-on-red signs along Mc Dermot and Bannatyne avenues downtown. The installation of special traffic lights for cyclists along those two streets in the Exchange is also underway. The new infrastructure is part of the West Alexander to East Exchange Corridor project, an initiative to connect Winnipeg’s cycling network at a $2.6-million price tag. “We’re just relocating some of our road space to give people more options,” said Mark Cohoe of the Bike Winnipeg advocacy group. Cohoe said the new infrastructure isn’t only about drawing cyclists into the downtown core, it’s also about catering to pedestrians. The bike lanes make the streets less daunting to cross because there are fewer lanes and by making righton- red turns illegal, there will be fewer collisions with cars, cyclists and people on foot, he said. The no-right-on-red rule applies to almost 20 new intersections in the Exchange, and eight sets of traffic lights for cyclists will be installed over the next two weeks. The traffic lights will signal a phase for cyclists to proceed into the intersection before the light turns green for motorists. Pavement markings and signage will help both cyclists and motorists navigate the changes safely, city spokeswoman Michelle Finley said in a statement. “Visually, it’s very daunting right now. That’s my perspective as a driver,” said Clinton Skibitzky, co-owner of Across the Board Game Café at the corner of Main Street and Bannatyne Avenue. His perspective as a business owner, however, is the changes that have taken place in the Exchange this summer have been negative overall. “It’s been a very inconvenient summer.” Skibitzky said the majority of his clients aren’t cyclists, so the bike lanes that have replaced the parking spots outside his store and the roadway changes are all inconveniencing his customers. (The bike lanes have pushed the city to create two parking hubs and install angled spots on certain streets in the district.) Construction on the bike lane on Bannatyne Avenue started in early June and only recently ended. The city is also currently finishing up four other bike lane stretches in the area. For Skibitzky, it’s also been in with the bike lane and out a loading zone.That’s made incoming beer keg deliveries difficult to say the least, he added. A number of store owners in the Exchange said constant construction and parking spots being moved from in front of stores have affected profits throughout June, July and August. “In theory (bike lanes are) good, it’s a really positive thing with the area, but I don’t think it’s really that practical here,” said Mark Turner, owner of Amsterdam Tea Room. “I really want it to work, but I’m seeing it not be used very often and, half the time, I’m seeing cyclists use the road and not the bike lane.” It might take some time, but Cohoe said everyone will eventually adjust to the new infrastructure, adding he’s also optimistic foot traffic will increase in the Exchange going forward. Erica Mendritzski and some friends were walking down Princess Street for a lunch date Tuesday. The Winnipegger owns a studio space in the Exchange, and said she’s pro-bike lane. “(Cycling) is a healthy form of transportation, it’s better for the environment and honestly I think that’s the way most cities are headed,” she said. “It’s important for Winnipeg to catch up.” maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca

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