- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Re: [At-network] shed the monster
by Mark Cohoe 14 May '15

14 May '15

Thanks Terry. Very appropriate today! Keep an eye on our site, I think things will come out fine for BW by the end if the day. Mark Sent from my mobile device. ----- Reply message ----- From: "Terry Zdan" <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> To: "AT network" <AT-Network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca> Subject: [At-network] shed the monster Date: Thu, May 14, 2015 10:19 AM We all have those days. Full inbox, stuck in traffic, spilled coffee, barking dogs… The everyday stresses of life can take a toll. We get cranky, grumpy and irritated by things that aren’t a big deal. But if you ride, you know there’s always one thing you can count on: the power of a bike ride to erase the stress and lighten your day. Hop on a bike and shed the monster. Watch the video: PeopleForBikes.org/shed -- Terry Zdan126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com

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shed the monster
by Terry Zdan 14 May '15

14 May '15

[image: Watch the video] <http://peopleforbikes.org/page/m/67f218cb/3a9fcb02/7f0881/3af1d302/16556347…> We all have those days. Full inbox, stuck in traffic, spilled coffee, barking dogs… The everyday stresses of life can take a toll. We get cranky, grumpy and irritated by things that aren’t a big deal. But if you ride, you know there’s always one thing you can count on: the power of a bike ride to erase the stress and lighten your day. Hop on a bike and shed the monster. *Watch the video: PeopleForBikes.org/shed <http://peopleforbikes.org/page/m/67f218cb/3a9fcb02/7f0881/3af1d309/16556347…> * -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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Local media coverage of delay on Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies
by Beth McKechnie 14 May '15

14 May '15

http://globalnews.ca/news/1996785/bowman-delays-cycling-and-pedestrian-stra… http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.2373078 http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/05/13/epc-backpedals-on-active-transportati… http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/cycling-plan-hits-speed-bump-3037084… Cycling plan hits speed bumpEPC agrees to delay vote on $330-million strategy By: Kristin Annable A lineup of advocates for the city's pedestrian-and-cycling strategy arrived at city hall Wednesday to address Mayor Brian Bowman's decision to delay the adoption of the city's $330-million, 20-year strategy. There were few opponents. Yet, council's executive policy committee unanimously approved Bowman's motion to delay the vote on the strategy by more than a month. The delay is to allow further consultation with business owners and residents on infrastructure recommendations in the document. Bowman said a handful of downtown businesses approached him with concerns involving parking and asked for additional time to read the extensive document. "The feedback I received from some is that they didn't feel that they had enough time or avenues to provide their input to the process, and I wanted to let them know we are listening," he said after the meeting. "When you look at the map, if you are under the presumption that the strategies are the final product, then I can understand and appreciate the concern of anyone looking at it." The 356-page document recommends a dense network of protected bicycle lanes be focused within the downtown core. This year, if approved by council on May 27, the city will allot $205,000 for the development of a functional design for the first phase of a downtown protected bike-lane network at Fort Street and/or Garry Street. Coun. Russ Wyatt has led the charge against the quick adoption of the strategy and has been advocating the city take a second look before adopting the document. Earlier this week, the Free Press learned the Transcona councillor sent multiple letters to downtown businesses to inform them of the possible loss of parking resulting from the proposed protected bike lanes. After the meeting Wednesday, Wyatt said Bowman's announcement Tuesday he would delay the strategy's adoption quelled the naysayers. "I think it was a genuine gesture by the mayor and the mayor's staff so they want to respect that," he said when asked why none of business owners concerned with the strategy attended the meeting. Wyatt also takes issue with the proposal of creating "neighbourhood greenways" for non-arterial roads. The idea is to encourage cycling, walking and local traffic, which can include the use of traffic-calming measures such as speed humps or traffic-calming circles. The strategy suggests Point Douglas, Seven Oaks East, River Heights and St. Boniface West are well-suited for extensive neighbourhood greenways. Bowman was quick to remind councillors the document is only a strategy and said "nothing is cast in stone" when it comes to its contents. He said if there is anything council does not agree with, the action plans will still be voted on by council and further public consultation will occur. Advocates such as Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, resident Len Van Roon, Winnipeg Trails Association co-ordinator Anders Swanson and Stephanie Voyce of the Downtown BIZ all came to the meeting to speak in favour of the strategy. Van Roon told members there is room for public consultation, but said he supports the 20-year strategy. "We worry about the cost of cycling and walking infrastructure, but we are subsidizing cars and the repair costs," Van Roon said, repeating the argument more cyclists will save the city money on road repairs. kristin.annable(a)freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 14, 2015 B1

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Now accepting proposals to present at Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis-Saint Paul!
by Beth McKechnie 13 May '15

13 May '15

Very cool (pun intended) to see that the 2016 Winter Cycling Congress is taking place in Minneapolis. Carpool anyone? cheers, Beth ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis-Saint Paul < info(a)wintercyclingcongress2016.org> Date: Wed, May 13, 2015 at 10:36 AM Subject: Now accepting proposals to present at Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis-Saint Paul! To: Beth <beth(a)greenactioncentre.ca> Now accepting proposals to present at #WCC16! View this email in your browser <http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=abcb7e25b4918127c7355edce&id=512bf43b1f…> <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abcb7e25…> Share your winter cycling research and expertise at #WCC16! Proposals to present at the Winter Cycling Congress 2016 <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=abcb7e2…> are now being accepted. The Winter Cycling Congress will be held *2-4 February* in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The congress is a three-day professional development event uniting a diverse and international group with a shared vision of increasing cycling and walking among people of all ages and abilities. This year’s congress will look at winter cycling through the lens of *equity*. How do we engage with a wide range of people and their communities to ensure everyone has an ownership in cycling and active transportation no matter the time of year, where they live, their age, ability or background? Topics & Tracks Topics to be covered at the congress relate to policy, planning, engineering, design, maintenance, implementation, evaluation and encouragement necessary to creating a built environment and social context in which cycling is a safe, comfortable and convenient choice in July or January. There will be three tracks at the congress, including the following. 1. Build it – policy, planning, engineering and design for year-round cycling and walking. 2. Maintain it – implementing the plan and maintaining safe, comfortable conditions. 3. Bike it –evaluating winter cycling and encouraging health, economic and social benefits. Audience Past congresses have featured presenters from the fields of planning, engineering, advocacy, public health, journalism, architecture, the arts and many other areas. It is a Congress for anyone who lives in a winter climate and works with or uses a bike in the winter. More information? Interested parties can learn more about proposal criteria and deadlines at http://wintercyclingcongress2016.org/program/. For specific questions, write to organizers: info(a)wintercyclingcongress2016.org. About the congress This is the first year the Winter Cycling Congress will be held in the United States. The 2016 congress is being organized by a coalition of volunteers representing a diverse group of individuals, organizations and businesses from Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the State of Minnesota. This coalition presents the 2016 edition of the congress in partnership with the Winter Cycling Federation <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abcb7e25…>. The mission of the Winter Cycling Federation is to promote winter cycling around the world. <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=abcb7e2…> <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abcb7e25…> [image: Facebook] <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abcb7e25…> Facebook <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abcb7e25…> [image: Twitter] <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abcb7e25…> Twitter <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abcb7e25…> [image: Website] <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abcb7e25…> Website <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abcb7e25…> *Copyright © 2015 Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis-Saint Paul, All rights reserved.* You are receiving this email because you previously attended the Winter Cycling Congress, have applied as a speaker, are an organizer or have joined our newsletter online. Thanks again for staying in touch! *Our mailing address is:* Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis-Saint Paul c/o Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota P.O. Box 5078 Saint Paul, MN 55101 Add us to your address book <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage.com/vcard?u=abcb7e25b49181…> unsubscribe from this list <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage1.com/unsubscribe?u=abcb7e2…> update subscription preferences <http://wintercyclingcongress2015.us7.list-manage1.com/profile?u=abcb7e25b49…> [image: Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp] <http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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In response to the Free Press article re: Councillor Wyatt
by Patman, David 12 May '15

12 May '15

http://www.citylab.com/work/2013/09/no-bike-lanes-dont-hurt-retail-business… http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2015/03/the-complete-business-case-for-con… http://www.citylab.com/work/2013/12/safer-streets-pay-businesses/7880/ David Patman, P. Eng. Transit Planner Winnipeg Transit | Service Development Division 421 Osborne Street | Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 2A2 P: 204-986-5737 | dpatman(a)winnipeg.ca<mailto:dpatman@winnipeg.ca> From: at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca [mailto:at-network-bounces@lists.umanitoba.ca] On Behalf Of Beth McKechnie Sent: May-12-15 8:33 AM To: AT network Subject: [At-network] WFP: Wyatt wary of two-wheel traffic - says bike-pedestrian paths could hurt downtown business (May12'15) Wyatt wary of two-wheel traffic Says bike-pedestrian paths could hurt downtown business By: Bartley Kives http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/wyatt-wary-of-two-wheel-traffic-3033… Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt is trying to put the brakes on Winnipeg's new bike-and-pedestrian strategy by warning protected bike lanes could harm downtown businesses. The fourth-term councillor has penned a letter to downtown business owners, warning the creation of 13 protected bike lanes over the next 20 years may lead to a loss of parking. "I thought you may want to know this. This is not just a 'strategy,' but calls for the amending of the city's transportation master plan, designating and setting out these streets for this treatment. Once it is in the plan, you are then on the defensive if you want to stop or change it," Wyatt wrote in an email to an undisclosed number of businesses. In the letter, Wyatt noted he spoke against the city's bike-and-pedestrian strategy last week at council's public works committee, "assuming many in the business community have never been consulted." He noted the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ spoke in favour of the plan at the meeting. Wyatt wrote he supports bike-and-pedestrian paths but called the documents making their way through council committees "unrealistic plans that ignore the facts" of how roads are used. "Maybe a street or two could be designated to improve the protected bike lane system in our downtown, but to designate a dozen or more streets seems a bit over the top," he wrote, offering to meet with downtown business owners who are concerned about the plans. In an interview, Wyatt said he contacted "three or four" downtown business owners because he feared Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, who represents the southern half of downtown, would not. "Downtown Winnipeg belongs to all Winnipeggers," he said. "It appears to me we've forgotten the lessons of the Assiniboine Bikeway audit." That audit, conducted following a troubled city effort to conduct $20 million worth of bike-and-pedestrian upgrades in 2010, concluded businesses were not adequately consulted about the construction of a protected bike lane on Assiniboine Avenue as well as traffic-flow changes on the downtown street. St. Norbert Coun. Janice Lukes, city council's public works chairwoman, said she isn't sure why Wyatt is trying to foment downtown opposition to the pedestrian-and-cycling strategy, which comes before council's executive policy committee on Wednesday. "He's free to do what he wants," said Lukes, the former director of the Winnipeg Trails Association. "Any dialogue toward active transportation is a good thing, as nothing can be built until we have consultation." Lukes, however, questioned why Wyatt is so concerned with the relocation of on-street parking spaces when downtown suffers from a surfeit of surface parking. She also called the Assiniboine Bikeway one of the most utilized bike lanes in the city, despite the fact it's interrupted by the Heritage Landing apartment construction. "It's a proven fact more people walking and biking bring value to businesses," she said. "I have no idea what he's doing, but I'm pleased to see he's engaging." The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ plans to consult with its members about the protected bike lanes as well, executive director Stefano Grande said. "We've advised them consultations are just starting. There are no designs," Grande said. Gerbasi concurred, saying nothing will move forward without "extensive consultations" that may include plans to create more parking-protected bike lanes such as the one on Sherbrook Street, where parking stalls are placed between traffic and a bike lane. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca> Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 12, 2015 0

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CBC: Bike paths on Berry Street ripped up, residents question city plan (May11'15)
by Beth McKechnie 12 May '15

12 May '15

Bike paths on Berry Street ripped up, residents question city plan Hydro work also tears up 5-year-old cycling paths By Sean Kavanagh, CBC News <http://www.cbc.ca/news/cbc-news-online-news-staff-list-1.1294364> Posted: May 11, 2015 4:28 PM CT Last Updated: May 11, 2015 4:45 PM CT Residents along Berry Street say they don't understand why the City of Winnipeg would build bike paths only to damage them by subsequent work for another project. The two bike paths along Berry were completed at the end of 2010 as part of an active transportation strategy funded by the province, the federal government and the city. Some residents on Berry were angered by the original bike path project from the start. The paths run along each side of the curb and meander around trees and light posts. "It's the only street in North America with two sidewalks on it … and they are all dirty," said Agostino "Gus" Fiorentino. Fiorentino has run his barber shop on Berry for the past eight years and watched as crews built the bike paths in 2010 and 2011, and then saw other workers damage them last year doing sewer work. "It's just a waste of money," said Fiorentino, who didn't want the paths installed in the first place. He said the work crews seemed to disappear during the sewer repairs last fall. Fiorentino was told they left to work on roads around Polo Park. "They stopped here, and then went to do on St. James. Because they had to — Target has a priority to be opened up first. The Target ended up closed." The paths now have large sections cut out for replacement and there is debris everywhere on Berry from last fall's work. Lindy Alderson has lived on Berry for 24 years. She saw the bike paths built, then damaged. "I don't know what the hell they thought they repaired in the process of doing that. They screwed these up because they drove their equipment over it. They just screwed it up," Anderson said. The city admits that some of the damage to the bike path was caused by combined sewer and basement flood relief work started in April 2014. A city spokesperson also acknowledges the project was delayed and will seek compensation from the contractor in charge of the work. "The project has been delayed for reasons beyond the control of the City including a period of time in July/August 2014 when the contractor reassigned some of its crews to projects in the Polo Park area. Because of these delays, the City will be requesting compensation from the contractor," the city stated in an email to CBC News. The city also said Manitoba Hydro is responsible for much of the damage to the bike path. Hydro has been installing new street lighting on Berry Street and was required to cut out sections of the path for the street light cable replacement. Public works and infrastructure committee chair Janice Lukes says she understands the residents' frustration. "I don't think there was a big embracing of the active transportation path in the first place, and then two years later we have the sewer works that starts, and then the sewer work is delayed and then the sewer work starts up again, and then Hydro starts upgrading their hydro poles. It's been a long process," she said. Lukes is steering a 20-year, $300-million cycling/pedestrian plan through city hall and promises that active transportation routes will be better planned and have more consultation before being implemented. The city says the sewer work and repairs to the damaged bike paths will be completed by the end of this month. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bike-paths-on-berry-street-ripped-up…

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WFP: Wyatt wary of two-wheel traffic - says bike-pedestrian paths could hurt downtown business (May12'15)
by Beth McKechnie 12 May '15

12 May '15

Wyatt wary of two-wheel trafficSays bike-pedestrian paths could hurt downtown business By: Bartley Kives http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/wyatt-wary-of-two-wheel-traffic-3033… Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt is trying to put the brakes on Winnipeg's new bike-and-pedestrian strategy by warning protected bike lanes could harm downtown businesses. The fourth-term councillor has penned a letter to downtown business owners, warning the creation of 13 protected bike lanes over the next 20 years may lead to a loss of parking. "I thought you may want to know this. This is not just a 'strategy,' but calls for the amending of the city's transportation master plan, designating and setting out these streets for this treatment. Once it is in the plan, you are then on the defensive if you want to stop or change it," Wyatt wrote in an email to an undisclosed number of businesses. In the letter, Wyatt noted he spoke against the city's bike-and-pedestrian strategy last week at council's public works committee, "assuming many in the business community have never been consulted." He noted the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ spoke in favour of the plan at the meeting. Wyatt wrote he supports bike-and-pedestrian paths but called the documents making their way through council committees "unrealistic plans that ignore the facts" of how roads are used. "Maybe a street or two could be designated to improve the protected bike lane system in our downtown, but to designate a dozen or more streets seems a bit over the top," he wrote, offering to meet with downtown business owners who are concerned about the plans. In an interview, Wyatt said he contacted "three or four" downtown business owners because he feared Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, who represents the southern half of downtown, would not. "Downtown Winnipeg belongs to all Winnipeggers," he said. "It appears to me we've forgotten the lessons of the Assiniboine Bikeway audit." That audit, conducted following a troubled city effort to conduct $20 million worth of bike-and-pedestrian upgrades in 2010, concluded businesses were not adequately consulted about the construction of a protected bike lane on Assiniboine Avenue as well as traffic-flow changes on the downtown street. St. Norbert Coun. Janice Lukes, city council's public works chairwoman, said she isn't sure why Wyatt is trying to foment downtown opposition to the pedestrian-and-cycling strategy, which comes before council's executive policy committee on Wednesday. "He's free to do what he wants," said Lukes, the former director of the Winnipeg Trails Association. "Any dialogue toward active transportation is a good thing, as nothing can be built until we have consultation." Lukes, however, questioned why Wyatt is so concerned with the relocation of on-street parking spaces when downtown suffers from a surfeit of surface parking. She also called the Assiniboine Bikeway one of the most utilized bike lanes in the city, despite the fact it's interrupted by the Heritage Landing apartment construction. "It's a proven fact more people walking and biking bring value to businesses," she said. "I have no idea what he's doing, but I'm pleased to see he's engaging." The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ plans to consult with its members about the protected bike lanes as well, executive director Stefano Grande said. "We've advised them consultations are just starting. There are no designs," Grande said. Gerbasi concurred, saying nothing will move forward without "extensive consultations" that may include plans to create more parking-protected bike lanes such as the one on Sherbrook Street, where parking stalls are placed between traffic and a bike lane. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 12, 2015 0

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WFP: Show the Free Press the city's worst spots for cycling (May11'15)
by Beth McKechnie 11 May '15

11 May '15

Excellent article! Please share widely and start sending in those photos of the worst spots. * * * * * Show the Free Press the city's worst spots for cycling By: Kristin Annable Bike lanes that lead nowhere or abruptly end, dangerous merges into traffic and a daily battle with cars for a share of the road. These are the hindrances cyclists say they encounter daily as they navigate the streets of Winnipeg. [image: Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg rides through the Pembina Highway Underpass.] <http://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/800*1334/6769357.jpg> Enlarge Image <http://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/800*1334/6769357.jpg> Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg rides through the Pembina Highway Underpass. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)Photo Store <http://store.winnipegfreepress.com/photostore/photo-search/?keyword=Mark+Co…> THE *Free Press *is asking cyclists to submit their own photos of troublesome spots they encounter in their travels. Come across a bike path that goes nowhere, a lane that abruptly ends, or a dangerous merge? Snap a photo and send it in and we will post it <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/multimedia/interactive/Tell-us-where-Winni…>. Our aim is to create a map highlighting all the hindrances cyclists come upon in their travels. We've already started the job for you by mapping out some spots cyclists have already identified to us. Visit wfp.to/cycling to participate. *Winnipeg's bike lanes and paths, by the numbers:* - Winnipeg currently has about 197 kilometres of multi-use paths, 35 km of bike paths, 56 km of bike boulevards. - Estimated cost to create a connected bike network throughout the city: $125 million, plus $1.4 million annually. - Estimated cost of a dedicated downtown protected bicycle lane: $7 million, plus $100,000 annually. - Estimated cost for developing a network that would connect local bicycle networks to the main paths and downtown: $25 million, plus $200,000 annually. - Estimated cost for developing separated crossings for pedestrians and cyclists along major corridors, rivers, and rail crossings: $100 million, plus $500,000 annually. - City's planned investment over six years on walkways and off-street bike paths: $8.3 million. - City's planned investment over six years on bicycle corridors: $11.1 million. *Some examples from cyclists of danger spots they encounter during their commute:* - *Main Street underpass:* Narrow road with many cars and no protected bike lane, a central connection needed for cyclists to cross the city. - *St. Vital Bridge:* Narrow sidewalks, coupled by a dangerous merge where it suddenly turns to 80 km/h when you get over the bridge. - *Portage Avenue and Broadway:*Dangerous merge on the lane eastbound for cyclists. - *The termination of the FortWhyte cycle path: *exits onto Front Street and McGillivary Boulevard, cyclist must now navigate this extremely busy intersection to get to the bike path on the south side. - *Bike path at Taylor Avenue that proceeds south to the IKEA corner:* Example of a path that starts nowhere and ends nowhere. - *Sturgeon Creek path from Ness to Hamilton Avenue:* Path is less than a metre wide in places and has not seen any maintenance for some time. After years of planning, the city has finally released a comprehensive 20-year, $330-million strategy into tackling these issues in Winnipeg and making the city more pedestrian and cycling friendly. The plan is making its way through city hall this month for final approval. In the meantime, the Free Press is launching a project this week to help cyclists identify these troublesome areas and through our website, send in photos to help us map out the city's worst spots for cyclists. And it is a project city officials say they will pay attention to. 'No bike lanes, no calm streets, you'll find you are on a street with a lot of traffic and cars trying to squeeze around you' -- Mark Cohoe on his typical commute It is modelled after a similar project done in Sweden, by the Gteborgs-Posten, a daily newspaper based out of Gothenburg, which saw many cyclists participate and a vast map created. Kevin Nixon, the city's active transportation co-ordinator, said it is something that could help officials prioritize their future investments. "It is really useful, because you can't do everything, so if we get a lot of mentions of a particular issue, then we can make that our priority," Nixon said. "All of these proposed (bike paths) are extremely long and you just don't get the money in one year's budget to do the whole thing." Pathways such as the Bishop Grandin Greenway, which can get a cyclist from Sage Creek to FortWhyte Alive, is one example of a well-designed route the city has created, he noted. The protected bike lane along Sherbrook Street is another example of a well-crafted route for cyclists, said Anders Swanson, the co-ordinator of the Winnipeg Trails Association. But, he points out, it will only function as well as what it is connected to. "With a complete connected network, it is science, you build it and they actually will come, so every bicycle project that makes it safer and easier for people to ride bicycles is more people riding. Period," he said. "I think pointing out how many little or big barriers there are in the city, how much work needs to go into Winnipeg, I think one of the values is until you have these protected lanes, until you fix some of the barriers that are out there, it is tough for someone to understand it is possible." He points to the North End, where there is no safe way for cyclists to cross the Canadian Pacific rail yard, forcing cyclists to navigate dangerous connections such as the Arlington Bridge, which does not have a protected bike path. For Mark Cohoe, the executive director of Bike Winnipeg, he describes his typical commute as one filled with barriers, as he battles to share the road with a heavy onslaught of traffic. "No bike lanes, no calm streets, you'll find you are on a street with a lot of traffic and cars trying to squeeze around you," he said. "A lot of the pathways, you have to stop and dismount or cross multiple lanes of traffic." His nightmare intersection: the Pembina underpass, where more than 60,000 cars a day travel and cyclists are forced to squeeze through a narrow road shared with these cars. However, creating a connected cycling network does not come cheap. The city's 20-year Cycling and Pedestrian Strategies report estimates creating a connected bicycle network throughout the city will cost $125 million, while creating separated crossings for cyclists and pedestrians at major corridors, rivers and rail crossings will cost a further $100 million. On the books for 2016 is a $4-million plan to tackle issues along Pembina Highway, by building buffered bike lanes from Grant Avenue to Osborne Street. Nixon, Cohoe and Swanson all argue the payoff -- less wear and tear on the roads and less congestion, plus a healthier, more active community -- are reasons even those who don't cycle should embrace these sorts of investments. "The fact is if we don't create these alternatives for people to get through, the alternative to creating a safe space for people to be biking is to create more roadways, which is an incredibly more expensive alternative," Cohoe said. "And it is more divisive. Those higher volume roadways are going to be coming through people's neighbourhoods." Through a telephone survey conducted by the city, Nixon said they found a significant population of Winnipeg was interested in cycling, but were concerned about the safety and convenience of the current network. "If you allow the people who want to get out of their cars, a bike is a lot less hard on the road than a vehicle is, it is also healthier for folks and we have to realize there is market out there for walking and cycling that we haven't tapped into," he said. kristin.annable(a)freepress.mb.ca Came across a bike path that goes nowhere? A busy underpass with no space for cyclists? Perhaps a bridge with poor bike path markings? Take a photo and send us a description, so we can add it to our interactive map of cycling problem spots in Winnipeg. See the map below for some troublesome cycling spots, then send us your own using our form below. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/take-us-for-a-bumpy-ride-303249791.h…

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A little Friday fun. Just imagine what Bike to Work Day would sound like!
by Stacy Matwick 08 May '15

08 May '15

Trotify Makes Your Bike Sound Like a Galloping Horse | | | | | | | | | | | Trotify Makes Your Bike Sound Like a Galloping HorseTrotify is a wooden gadget that uses a coconut to that makes your bicycle sound like a galloping horse when pedaling. | | | | View on inhabitat.com | Preview by Yahoo | | | | |

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Protected bike lanes cut sidewalk biking in half
by Beth McKechnie 08 May '15

08 May '15

A few months after Honolulu's first protected bike lane opened, it's the latest to demonstrate a very consistent trend across the country <http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d62…>: almost every protected bike lane cuts sidewalk biking in half. >From August 2014 (before barriers were installed) to February 2015 (after), the number of bikes using King Street (both directions, road bed and sidewalk combined) soared 71 percent. And in the same period, Honolulu bicycle coordinator Chris Sayers said Monday, the number of bikes on the sidewalk plummeted 65 percent. Full story: http://www.peopleforbikes.org/blog/entry/honolulu-installs-protected-bike-l… -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://canadahelps.org/>

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WFP: Stadium pedestrian path takes shape (May7'15)
by Beth McKechnie 07 May '15

07 May '15

Stadium pedestrian path takes shape By: Kristin Annable http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/stadium-pedestrian-path-takes-shape-… THE road leading to Investors Group Field is on the path to a $1.3-million overhaul. As part of the city's 2015 pedestrian and cycling plan, a pathway on Chancellor Matheson Road -- from IGF to Pembina Highway -- is being proposed to deal with safety issues for pedestrians leaving the stadium. The Chancellor Matheson pathway has been given top priority by city officials thanks to a number of high-profile events over the next few years, including the Grey Cup and women's World Cup soccer games in 2015. Mayor Brian Bowman said the pathway will give Winnipeggers more options to travel safely to and from stadium events. "It is a strategic investment, and when you look at the volume of people who are going there for games and also the Bisons and concerts throughout the year," he said Wednesday. "We want to make sure the different points of accessibility are there." When asked whether other stakeholders, such as the University of Manitoba or Winnipeg Football Club, should be sharing the cost for the pathway, Bowman replied, "We are making our investments where our priorities are." This week, public works committee chairwoman Coun. Janice Lukes added an amendment to the project's funding which will take almost $200,000 out of the Waverley multi-use pathway budget. The amendment called for the city to look into alternate sources, such as surpluses in the city's local road renewal fund, to help pay for the project. "A greater percentage of the pathway was actual roadwork that needed to be done to accommodate transit," she said, noting the scope of the project also includes shoulder upgrades for buses, landscaping, lighting and a spot for the buses to pick up and unload riders. "It is heavily needed when you have that many people coming out after an event and we want to get people on the buses as fast we can so we don't have hours of waiting." Lukes said because active-transportation funding is often difficult to wrangle from the city, the money for the pathway shouldn't all come from that source. "A million dollars in pathway work -- that could give us more pedestrian sidewalks. It could go massively far," she said. The 2015 pedestrian and cycling plan heads to council on May 27 for final approval. kristin.annable(a)freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 7, 2015 B4

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WFP L2E: Enforce street-closure rules (May7'15)
by Beth McKechnie 07 May '15

07 May '15

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Enforce street-closure rules I was surprised by the reference to Sunday street closures as "bike-route street closures" (Driving on bike routes to be costly, May 6). We bought a house on Scotia Street over 20 years ago, in part because it is a Sunday-closure street. When we first moved there, plenty of families and people of all ages would be out walking, cycling, Rollerblading and skateboarding every Sunday, enjoying the freedom of the entire width of the street without vehicles. In the past decade, the numbers have dwindled because motorists ignore the barricades and scare families back onto sidewalks (or perhaps couches). I sincerely hope this new approach is enforced, and that Scotia Street will come alive again each Sunday. Beth McKechnie Winnipeg http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/letters-may-…

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Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies - local media coverage
by Beth McKechnie 06 May '15

06 May '15

http://globalnews.ca/news/1979888/cycling-walking-plan-goes-up-for-debate-a… http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/05/05/city-on-bike-path http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-s-334m-cycling-walking-plan… * * * * * Advocates weigh in on city's $330-M active transportation plan By: Kristin Annable http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Advocates-weigh-in-on-citys-330-M-ac… Cycling and walking advocates lined up at city hall to discuss the benefits of the city’s new $330-million active transportation strategy. Representatives from Bike Winnipeg, Winnipeg Trails Association, Green Action Network, Downtown BIZ, along with Coun. Jenny Gerbasi spoke in favour of the 20-year strategy which calls to improve the city’s infrastructure to benefit cyclists and pedestrians at the city’s public works committee Tuesday. 2015 Pedestrian and Cycling Action Plan recommendations to be approved by council: Sidewalk on the north side of Sargent Ave. between Milt Stegall Drive to Strathcona Street - Estimated cost: $497,648 Sidewalk on east side of Donan Street between Murray Avenue and Park Manor Boulevard - Estimated cost: $150,000 The Forks to the Assiniboine Avenue Bikeway connection - Estimated cost: $400,000 Downtown protected bike lane system - Estimated cost: $205,000 for first phase functional design to include Fort Street and/or Garry Street Chancellor Matheson Pathway from Investors Group Field to Pembina Highway bike path - Estimated cost: $1.29 million Northwest Hydro Corridor path - Pedestrian and cycle path in the Northwest hydro right-of-way located one-half kilometer, west of McPhillips Street between McPhillips Street Casino and the North City limits - Estimated cost: $450,000 Public education and awareness program for 2015 Bicycle Corridors - Estimated cost: $105,000 Winnipeg Cycling Map redesign - Estimated cost: $30,000 (in addition to $49,000 identified in 2014 for the project) The 356-page strategy was released on Friday <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/City-plans-improvements-to-walking-c…> . The city also released the public service’s proposed infrastructure projects for cycling and pedestrians for 2015 on Friday. Stephanie Voyce, manager of transportation, placemaking and cleanliness with the Downtown BIZ, asked public the committee to consider supporting a pilot program which would see temporary protected bike lanes created to connect areas of the city to the downtown. For four Sundays in August and September, temporary lanes created from traffic cones would connect areas such as Kildonan Park and Assinboine Park to the downtown. The idea is to fill in the current gaps that exist in the city’s bike lane infrastructure, she said. Meanwhile, Anders Swanson of the Winnipeg Trails Association, commended the city for releasing a strategy, but called for the city to move faster on getting more protected bike lanes across the city. "Every street, small or big, needs to include cycling/walking improvements. Period," Swanson told the committee. He noted cities such as Vancouver, Indianapolis and Calgary are already ahead of Winnipeg in building protected bike lanes, adding it encourages cycling in the city by up to 40 per cent. Mark Cohoe of Bike Winnipeg listed off a number of bike lanes in the city that need to be extended or created such as extending King Edward Street across the railroad tracks, upgrading Ferry Road to protected bike lane, and extending the Jefferson Street lane past McPhillips Street. However, not everyone was happy with the contents of the strategy. Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt called it a tremendous report, but pointed to a specific caveat of the document which recommended the city look at changing the priorities of sidewalk snow clearing. "They are recommending creating a special sidewalks category, that would require... folks to shovel their own sidewalks," he said, noting in the report they would take the savings from that and put it towards snow removal on the bike path system. He said he will vote against the strategy if it comes to council in its current form, arguing more public consultation needs to occur. He also questioned the impact on traffic some of the proposed pedestrian infrastructure recommendations will have on traffic. "This is a major change that is being recommended," Wyatt told the committee. Committee chair Coun. Janice Lukes fired back at Wyatt’s opposition to the strategy, saying every aspect of the report will have to go through public consultation and council before it is implemented. "We will be doing in-depth consultation on any project that we undertake," she said. "There is no proposal to get residents to clear their own sidewalks, there is many, many recommendations... these are things that could be considered." Looking to the future, however, Lukes said the city will have to take a closer look at how snow is cleared from sidewalks frequently used by pedestrians. And residents shoveling their own sidewalks might have to happen. "I think with consultation with communities and neighbourhoods, that is the only way to go about it," she said. Krisitn.annable(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) 925-3772 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://canadahelps.org/>

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WFP: Driving on bike routes to be costly - Sunday, holiday closures will carry hefty fine (May6'15)
by Beth McKechnie 06 May '15

06 May '15

Driving on bike routes to be costlySunday, holiday closures will carry hefty fine By: Kathleen Saylors http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/driving-on-bike-routes-to-be-costly-… Drivers face hefty fines later this month if they're caught driving too far in designated cycling routes. A bylaw approved by city council last summer comes into effect May 24 and lasts until Thanksgiving Monday. The bylaw prohibits traffic from travelling more than one block on four Winnipeg roads, including Wellington Crescent, Wolseley Avenue, Lyndale Drive and Scotia Street on Sundays and holidays. Drivers will face a fine of $190.80 for driving more than the allotted one block through the bike routes. The streets are part of the Sunday and holiday bike-route street closures -- roads set apart for cyclists during the summer to encouraging biking. The streets are favourites for cyclists because of the picturesque routes. River Heights-Fort Garry Coun. John Orlikow, whose ward includes Wellington Crescent, said the restrictions foster a sense of community for cyclists. "It will provide a nice environment for families to get out on a Sunday, to take their kids on the street to bike or learn to bike. It allows people to connect in the neighbourhood," Orlikow said. Drivers should expect a two-week phase-in period as police begin to educate the public, police Staff Sgt. Rob Riffel said. "Our primary goal is to change driving behaviour. Officers may use discretion when issuing any offence notice," Riffel said. "The police are not going to be draconian," he said. "For one day a week. I believe it's a good community-building thing." Any inconvenience to homeowners in the area should be minimal at best, he said. "If there is an inconvenience, it will be minor. It's only on the Sunday, they have access to their property at all times. They just have to tell visitors to go up the side street closest to them." City spokeswoman Lisa Fraser said the city is making drivers aware through media releases and social media, as well as issuing letters to homeowners on the affected streets. Traffic signs will be posted to let drivers know when they are entering a bike zone. Before the bylaw, bike routes were not enforced. Barriers were put up to discourage traffic, but cyclists said they often found themselves surprised by cars. "You'd see people who would simply drive normally through the street, and when they reached the barricade, they would thread their way through and carry on," said Shawn Kennedy, a cycling advocate. He said there were huge risks to cyclists by people who disrespected the current bylaw. Mark Kohoe from Bike Winnipeg said property owners might be surprised by the pleasant effect of the bylaw on the community. "It's just more the through traffic that is dropping down," Kohoe said. "It might be kind of nice because you're not getting the though traffic you might otherwise be getting." Sunday and holiday bike-route closures are in effect regardless of the weather every Sunday and holiday from May 24 to Oct. 12 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. kathleen.saylors(a)freepress,mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 6, 2015 B1

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WFP: City plans improvements to walking, cycling paths (May2'15)
by Beth McKechnie 04 May '15

04 May '15

Other local media coverage of the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/active-transportation-gets-a-leg-up-… http://www.cjob.com/2015/05/02/winnipeg-making-strides-to-modernize-city-st… http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/05/02/cyclists-continue-drive-for-better-ac… * * * * * City plans improvements to walking, cycling paths http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/City-plans-improvements-to-walking-c… CITY officials are attempting to encourage Winnipeggers to get active with an extensive document that maps out a $330-million, 20-year plan to increase cycling and walking in the city. "The City needs a road map to prioritize active transportation infrastructure, programs and policy to support a growing and dynamic city," Kevin Nixon, the city's active transportation co-ordinator, said in a news release. The city's 356-page Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies guideline outlines the city's short- and long-term goals for walking and cycling in Winnipeg, and provides the framework for its 20-year plan. Public works chair Coun. Janice Lukes is happy the city finally has a plan. "It is a plan; it is not a random approach. We are identifying key connections, we have brought extensive data to make extremely informed decisions on how we invest our funding, and we don't have a ton of funding, so we have to be extremely strategic on how we invest it," the St. Norbert councillor said, noting the latest report is a comparable document to the city's Master Transportation Plan, which guides road investments. "This brings us up to speed with cities around North America and Europe." It outlines several barriers the city needs to address in order to support this plan, including increased sidewalk snow removal and better connectivity for bicycle paths. The cost to implement the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategy is pegged at about $334 million over the next 20 years, a cost Lukes notes is about 10 per cent of what the city plans to spend on roads. It will also require approximately $3.7 million annually to support infrastructure improvements needed in tandem with the strategy. The strategy calls for improving the convenience of cycling by providing parking for bikes to encourage cyclists to bike to work. The plan also cites the need to improve maintenance of the city's sidewalks and bicycle networks. In this year's capital budget, $250,000 was set aside for new regional sidewalks, as well as $150,000 for new non-regional sidewalks, $1 million for recreational walkways and bike paths, plus $1 million for bicycle corridors. For 2015, the public service has outlined a series of proposed new sidewalks, bike paths and multi-use active-transportation paths, such as a $1.29-million bike path for Chancellor Matheson Pathway to connect Investors Group Field and Pembina Highway. The report outlining the strategies will be first considered by public works committee on May 5, before heading to council for approval. kristin.annable(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Mobilizing Knowledge for Active Transportation (MKAT) Project update
by Beth McKechnie 04 May '15

04 May '15

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dawn Sheppard <dawn.sheppard(a)phac-aspc.gc.ca> Date: Mon, May 4, 2015 at 8:50 AM Hello All, I am writing to share an update with you about the *Mobilizing Knowledge for Active Transportation (MKAT) *Project. MKAT was started in 2013 as a way to strengthen evidence-informed Active Transportation (AT) work across Canada. Despite this being an area of growing policy and program development, evidence sharing and learning mechanisms were lacking across Canada in the area of healthy built environments, and AT in particular. In response to this, and as a way to advance the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention's (CCDP) commitment to healthy living and physical activity, the project was launched. Over the last two years, MKAT has undergone a number of phases including research, development and sharing of knowledge products and identifying further actions to advance active transportation. Content experts representing a variety of sectors have provided input and advice over the course of the project. We wanted to share the products that have been developed and disseminated during the project (attached below). This includes two scans and the resulting brief knowledge products, in addition to a series of webinars that were delivered over the last year by ACT Canada to highlight developments and learning about provincial AT efforts. A primer on evaluating AT initiatives has recently been developed and will be shared with you at a later date. We also wanted to let you know that, as a result of recent changes within our Centre, the MKAT project will not be continuing in its current form. However, the issue of active transportation and built environment will continue to be addressed by the Centre. For example, our Surveillance Division is in the process of modernizing its physical activity surveillance system based on new, emerging research and data sources and plans to report regularly on active transportation levels of Canadian adults, youth and children in the future. In addition, there are opportunities through the Multi-sectoral Partnerships to Promote Healthy Living and Prevent Chronic Disease fund to pursue targeted interventions focused on innovative, integrated approaches that promote healthy living, prevent chronic disease and address common risk factors. Please visit this link for details: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fo-fc/mspphl-pppmvs-eng.php. We are grateful to all those who contributed to this project and we hope that you will keep in touch regarding your active transportation news and developments. Should you have any further questions, please contact us directly. Thank you and all the best, Dawn, Kerry and Pam *Attachments:* Mobilizing Knowledge for Active Transportation Scan: of Provincial/Territorial Policies, Strategies and Approaches completed by Opus International Consultants (Canada) Limited (Please note that these scan are meant to inform your own AT work and are not meant to be shared outside of your organization) *(See attached file: MKAT Opus Scan - Final Draft Jan 2015.docx)* Mobilizing Knowledge for Active Transportation: Scan of Regional-level and NGO Perspectives completed by Wellspring Strategies (Please note that these scan are meant to inform your own AT work and are not meant to be shared outside of your organization) *(See attached file: MKAT Wellspring Scan.Final Draft. Jan 2015.docx)* Mobilizing Knowledge for Active Transportation: Project Briefing and Highlight Sheets developed by Noxon Associates - http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/hl-mvs/pa-ap/mobil-transport-eng.php Ideas in Motion: Mobilizing Knowledge for Active Transportation Webinars developed in conjunction with ACT Canada - - http://www.actcanada.com/events/webinars Dawn Sheppard Senior Policy Analyst Public Health Agency of Canada 785 Carling Avenue, PL 6807B Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9 Ph: 613-946-6442 Fax: 613-941-2633 dawn_sheppard(a)phac-aspc.gc.ca

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2015 projects also online.
by Anders Swanson 01 May '15

01 May '15

Please also note that, in the midst of the hoopla about the strategies, there is also the matter of the projects being done in 2015. See agenda item 15 here. <https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=808847135865501&id=771955…>

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Fwd: City of Winnipeg News Release – City takes first step in long-term commitment to support and encourage walking and cycling in Winnipeg
by Anders Swanson 01 May '15

01 May '15

They are out! Could this be a turning point? *The City of Winnipeg Pedestrian/Cycling Strategies are posted online: WalkBike.Winnipeg.ca <http://walkbike.winnipeg.ca/>. * The strategies will now be considered by Council. This is going to the Public Works standing policy committee on Tuesday. <http://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=14318&SectionId=&InitUrl=> If you would like to get involved, there are details on how to do that on this Facebook post <https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=808847135865501&id=771955…> . Full version of City of Winnipeg press release below. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Hello, Please see the below media release related to the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies. Thank-you for working with us and for your contributions on this exciting project. The City is looking forward to continuing to work collaboratively with stakeholders as we develop and shape our City to provide transportation choices that are safe, convenient, accessible, and attractive to citizens of all ages and abilities. Best Regards, Scott [image: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image002.jpg@01CDEF0F.40CC9670] For Immediate Release Friday, May 1, 2015 *City takes first step in long-term commitment to support and encourage walking and cycling in Winnipeg* *Pedestrian Cycling Strategies to serve as roadmap to make walking and cycling safer, more convenient, accessible, and attractive to citizens* *Winnipeg, MB *– The City is taking a first step in a long-term commitment to support and encourage walking and cycling in Winnipeg. The public service is seeking Council approval for the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies, a policy document which will serve as a roadmap for civic investments into infrastructure and active transportation support programs in order to make walking and cycling safer, more convenient, accessible, and attractive to citizens. Encouraging walking and cycling creates countless community benefits. Providing greater access and options for walking and cycling will lead to improved health, increased personal mobility, more liveable and socially active communities, and reduced impacts on the environment and our climate. “This project aims to improve the quality of life for all Winnipeggers,” said Kevin Nixon, Active Transportation Coordinator. “The City needs a roadmap to prioritize active transportation infrastructure, programs, and policy to support a growing and dynamic City. It is evident that providing safe, convenient, accessible and well maintained pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is important to most Winnipeggers.” A key component in the development of the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies planning has been public engagement. The City heard directly from thousands of Winnipeggers throughout the process through online and telephone surveys, public open houses, stakeholder meetings and a workshop, and through the project website. This feedback was instrumental in developing the recommendations and plans in the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies. Included in this plan are a series of short, medium and long-term strategies which focus on: · *Improving connectivity*, including expanding the bicycle network, expanding and enhancing the sidewalk network, and addressing barriers to connectivity. · *Improving convenience* to using active transportation by providing bicycle parking and end-of-trip facilities and increasing and improving multi-modal connections. · *Improving safety and accessibility* by providing accessible infrastructure, including improving pedestrian and cycling crossings, developing safe routes to school, and providing well-lit, visible facilities for pedestrians and cyclists to use. · *Improving maintenance* for the bicycle and sidewalk networks. · *Improving vibrancy* of our public spaces by enhancing streetscapes, land development and site design. · *Increasing awareness* by offering enhanced way-finding, signage and trip planning and improving education and awareness on the benefits of active transportation. The full cost to implement the strategies is estimated to be approximately $330 million over the next 20 years. However, consideration will be given to these strategies in the yearly budgeting process and the use of funds for specific projects and programs will be approved by Council on a yearly basis through the Pedestrian and Cycling Action Plan. These strategies will also be implemented in existing road renewal programs, development projects and major capital projects. The Strategies will be a living document and will require continuous monitoring of the implementation actions and continued collaboration with stakeholders. A report <http://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=14318&SectionId=&InitUrl=> outlining the strategies will be first considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works on May 5. -30- Media inquiries should be directed to the City of Winnipeg Media Inquiry Line at 204-986-6000 or via email at City-MediaInquiry(a)winnipeg.ca. Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg <http://www.facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg> Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg <http://www.twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg>

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City of Winnipeg News Release – City takes first step in long-term commitment to support and encourage walking and cycling in Winnipeg
by Beth McKechnie 01 May '15

01 May '15

[image: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image002.jpg@01CDEF0F.40CC9670] For Immediate Release Friday, May 1, 2015 *City takes first step in long-term commitment to support and encourage walking and cycling in Winnipeg* *Pedestrian Cycling Strategies to serve as roadmap to make walking and cycling safer, more convenient, accessible, and attractive to citizens* *Winnipeg, MB *– The City is taking a first step in a long-term commitment to support and encourage walking and cycling in Winnipeg. The public service is seeking Council approval for the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies, a policy document which will serve as a roadmap for civic investments into infrastructure and active transportation support programs in order to make walking and cycling safer, more convenient, accessible, and attractive to citizens. Encouraging walking and cycling creates countless community benefits. Providing greater access and options for walking and cycling will lead to improved health, increased personal mobility, more liveable and socially active communities, and reduced impacts on the environment and our climate. “This project aims to improve the quality of life for all Winnipeggers,” said Kevin Nixon, Active Transportation Coordinator. “The City needs a roadmap to prioritize active transportation infrastructure, programs, and policy to support a growing and dynamic City. It is evident that providing safe, convenient, accessible and well maintained pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is important to most Winnipeggers.” A key component in the development of the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies planning has been public engagement. The City heard directly from thousands of Winnipeggers throughout the process through online and telephone surveys, public open houses, stakeholder meetings and a workshop, and through the project website. This feedback was instrumental in developing the recommendations and plans in the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies. Included in this plan are a series of short, medium and long-term strategies which focus on: · *Improving connectivity*, including expanding the bicycle network, expanding and enhancing the sidewalk network, and addressing barriers to connectivity. · *Improving convenience* to using active transportation by providing bicycle parking and end-of-trip facilities and increasing and improving multi-modal connections. · *Improving safety and accessibility* by providing accessible infrastructure, including improving pedestrian and cycling crossings, developing safe routes to school, and providing well-lit, visible facilities for pedestrians and cyclists to use. · *Improving maintenance* for the bicycle and sidewalk networks. · *Improving vibrancy* of our public spaces by enhancing streetscapes, land development and site design. · *Increasing awareness* by offering enhanced way-finding, signage and trip planning and improving education and awareness on the benefits of active transportation. The full cost to implement the strategies is estimated to be approximately $330 million over the next 20 years. However, consideration will be given to these strategies in the yearly budgeting process and the use of funds for specific projects and programs will be approved by Council on a yearly basis through the Pedestrian and Cycling Action Plan. These strategies will also be implemented in existing road renewal programs, development projects and major capital projects. The Strategies will be a living document and will require continuous monitoring of the implementation actions and continued collaboration with stakeholders. A report <http://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=14318&SectionId=&InitUrl=> outlining the strategies will be first considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works on May 5. -30- Media inquiries should be directed to the City of Winnipeg Media Inquiry Line at 204-986-6000 or via email at City-MediaInquiry(a)winnipeg.ca. Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg <http://www.facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg> Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg <http://www.twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg>

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WFP: No to through-pass traffic (Apr.30'15)
by Beth McKechnie 01 May '15

01 May '15

City hall in brief Posted: 04/30/2015 http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-hall-in-brief-301789591.html No to through-pass traffic CITY council has unanimously voted to reject traffic entering Winnipeg via a planned through-pass in East St. Paul. North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty has been one of the project's biggest opponents because of the influx of traffic it would allow to flow into Winnipeg. "There is no support now or forever for the idea of having general traffic use the Raleigh corridor," he said Wednesday at council. "The streets were not designed to handle this kind of traffic." The new interchange was announced by the province in September, to be constructed at Highway 59 and the north Perimeter. Part of the project would see the Perimeter elevated to accommodate a grade-level extension of Raleigh Street, connecting both sides of the RM of East St. Paul. The city administration joined Browaty this month in voicing concern over the proposed traffic link's impact on road congestion. The motion adopted on Wednesday called for council not to support the accommodation of general traffic entering Winnipeg from East St. Paul via the through-pass. In the province's original plan, the through-pass was intended for pedestrians, active transportation and emergency-vehicle access. In November, however, the province raised the possibility of opening the through-pass to vehicle traffic, a proposal since endorsed by the RM. "What we are saying is that what is being built, we don't have any consideration for it being open to vehicular traffic," Browaty said after the meeting. "The RM can build what they see fit, but what we are saying is we are not supporting the idea of opening it up to vehicular traffic through this tunnel." Public works chairwoman Coun. Janice Lukes brought forth an add-on to the motion, which called for public transit to be accommodated via the through-pass. Browaty, a longtime opponent of bus rapid transit, called the motion offensive and later remarked "it feels like this council will vote for anything that has rapid transit in its title." Browaty and St. Charles Coun. Shawn Dobson were the only councillors who voted in opposition to the add-on to the motion.

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New study: People who walk, cycle or take transit a third less likely to be obese
by Beth McKechnie 30 Apr '15

30 Apr '15

*People who walk, cycle or take transit a third less likely to be obese: study* by ALISON BAILEY <http://www.news1130.com/author/alison-bailey> Posted Apr 29, 2015 9:34 am PDT http://www.news1130.com/2015/04/29/people-who-walk-cycle-or-take-transit-a-… VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – If you walk, cycle, or take transit, chances are, you’re healthier than your friends who drive every day. Those are the results of a new study <https://www.myhealthmycommunity.org/Portals/0/Documents/MHMC%20Transportati…> that comes just one month before ballots have to be in for the transportation plebiscite. People who choose to walk, cycle, or take transit are 33 per cent less likely to be obese than those who are dependent on their cars, says Dr. Jat Sandhu with Vancouver Coastal Health. He adds they also are likely to have more positive lifestyle habits. “And these lifestyle attributes [are] characterized by eating five or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day, having 30 minutes of walking a day, meeting their 150 minutes of exercise a week, as well as not smoking.” There was a difference in level of connection to the community, as well. “Those car users with longer commute times had a much lower sense of community belonging, and that’s a proxy marker for your social connectedness to your community as well as your social connections around you. So, really, the message here is that there are clear positive health dividends for those that participate in active transportation, whereas for car users with long commutes, there’s a downside in relation to how well connected they are to their community,” says Sandhu. This study began in 2013 and the data was collected over a year. About 28,000 people took part in the study, which is part of a larger project called My Health, My Community. Sandhu is the principal investigator of that project. “This is part of our broader work around healthy communities. Across both VCH and Fraser Health, there are in excess of 30 municipalities that we work with and we’re working with local governments to develop official community plans to consider factors that may support creating health promoting environments, so this information is really going to inform that, and that was really the primary purpose of undertaking this project. Along the way, we realized we’ve collected a wealth of information that could inform other issues as well, and hence, the first report that we released was the transportation and health.” Sandhu adds community profiles for 30 Lower Mainland municipalities will be released in about a month; the municipalities are benchmarked across their regional comparators.

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Another Fine Day in the City
by Stacy Matwick 29 Apr '15

29 Apr '15

Just a shout out to all AT Folk (and a hello to Beth) I thought this would brighten your Wednesday.Having nothing whatsoever to do with active transport but everything to do with the song.Crusoe's Dog-Friendly Florida Vacation 2015 | | | | | | | | | | | Crusoe's Dog-Friendly Florida Vacation 2015 | | | | View on www.youtube.com | Preview by Yahoo | | | | | Cheers from Stacy Matwick (enjoying my retirement)

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The Guardian: End of the Car Age - How Cities Outgrew the Automobile
by Jackie Avent 29 Apr '15

29 Apr '15

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/apr/28/end-of-the-car-age-how-cities…

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No Safe Routes to School in Nova Scotia
by Jackie Avent 28 Apr '15

28 Apr '15

Hey folks, If anyone can put out the word to Nova Scotia that they should not cancel their ASRTS program funding, that would be great. It's an important, successful and award winning program that makes a proven difference. http://metronews.ca/voices/your-ride-halifax/1352740/nova-scotias-budget-cu…

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Cinematheque: Marinoni - The Fire in the Frame
by Beth McKechnie 23 Apr '15

23 Apr '15

Marinoni: The Fire In The Frame For cycling fans, his name is nothing less than legendary. In 1964, when he was 25, Giuseppe Marinoni left his native Italy for a bike race. Not only did he get countless Canadians interested in the sport, he went on to become one of the most passionate and trusted bicycle builders in the world. Now 75, the man with “a character of iron and the soul of an angel” is as driven as ever, and plans to break the world record for distance cycled in one hour for his age group, a record held by Eddy Merckx. For 60 days leading up to the event, Tony Girardin documented this intriguing, complete man, who shared not only his own story but those of the people important to him. *Generously sponsored by Natural Cycle* *Now playing at Cinemathque. Check showtimes and buy tickets <https://www.winnipegfilmgroup.com/event/marinoni-the-fire-in-the-frame/2015…>.*

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