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WFP: Winnipeg's soul got buried - Pedestrian-free iconic intersection cold, uninviting (Aug.14'13)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Aug '13

15 Aug '13

Winnipeg's soul got buried Pedestrian-free iconic intersection cold, uninviting By: Bartley Kives http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/winnipegs-soul-got-buried-219526071.… An eight-lane intersection, barred to the public by barricades under a 37-year deal to push pedestrians underground, cannot be considered a "great place" by anyone who loves cities. Great urban spaces are places where human beings congregate. Remove people from the streetscape and all you're left with is concrete and asphalt. That's why there's no shortage of subversive genius behind a bid to designate Portage and Main -- off limits to humans for decades -- the greatest street in the nation, as part of a Great Places in Canada contest run by the Canadian Institute of Planners. Back in the early days of the Bill Norrie administration, Portage and Main was barricaded as part of the deal to build the skyscraper now known as the Commodity Exchange Tower as well as Winnipeg Square, the underground pedestrian mall. Whoever nominated Portage and Main as a 'great place' must have a fantastic sense of humour -- or a knack for inspiring outrage It was 1979, and Winnipeg was starting to suffer severely from a peculiar form of urban psychosis -- a belief in the revitalizing powers of downtown megaprojects. A decade earlier, entire blocks of northeastern downtown were razed to make room for the Manitoba Centennial Centre and the Civic Centre complex. This upgraded Winnipeg's institutional infrastructure, but whittled away at downtown's pedestrian streetscape, as small-scale buildings were replaced by concrete plazas. Unconvinced this was a bad idea, Winnipeg grew addicted to the magical powers of the megaproject. So down went an entire block bounded by Main Street, Portage Avenue, Fort Street and Graham Avenue. In its place, we received a nice skyscraper, a weird underground mall and the roots of a weather-protected walkway system designed to vacuum away what remained of Portage and Main's remaining pedestrians. It's now been 34 years since the barricades went up. Entire generations have been raised knowing that getting across that intersection without heading underground involves defying the edict of Gandalf: "Thou Shalt Not Pass." Portage and Main is no longer a streetscape, at least in the conventional sense. It's simply a multi-lane intersection where traffic signals maximize the movement of motor-vehicle traffic. Sure, there remains an idea of "Portage and Main" as the theoretical centre of the city. But that's a purely abstract sort of place name, used in the same manner international reporters use the term "Moscow" to describe the political machine at the heart of Russia. The real Portage and Main is a cold and uninviting place. At the southwest corner, you face a wall of the Commodity Exchange Tower complex -- Scotiabank windowglass frosted over with a Winnipeg Jets banner. At the southeast corner stands the stately, 100-year-old Bank of Montreal building, whose front entrance is seldom used. At the northeast corner stands the Richardson Building, whose wide and slightly more inviting plaza is adorned with Tree Children, a sculpture by Leo Mol. The office tower now known as 201 Portage Ave. graces the northwest corner, offering only a glass facade toward the actual intersection. On a sunny Tuesday morning in August, only one person stood, sat or walked at any of these four corners. Whoever nominated Portage and Main as a "great place" must have a fantastic sense of humour -- or a knack for inspiring outrage. Shortly before departing office in 2004, former mayor Glen Murray launched a design contest in the hopes of reopening the intersection in some way. A resulting scheme received the nominal support of six out of seven Portage and Main property owners, but died on the vine in 2006. That's when current Mayor Sam Katz declined to endorse a plan to replace the barricades with movable bollards, which would have been opened on evenings and weekends. Under the terms of the original agreement, the intersection is slated to remain closed until 2016. Even if it reopens in 2017, pedestrians trained to treat it like a minefield will not suddenly find themselves attracted to the intersection. Genuine public spaces draw people to them. Portage and Main keeps them away. It would be lovely to live in Winnipeg where "Portage and Main" is an actual place along with an idea. Instead, the streetlights change like clockwork, ushering cars through a city centre that is quite literally without a soul. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca *Is it time for Winnipeggers to come up into the sunlight? Should Portage and Main be open to pedestrians? Join the conversation in the comments below. [ http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/winnipegs-soul-got-buried-219526071.… ] * *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 14, 2013 B1*

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Vote now to reopen Portage & Main to pedestrians!
by Beth McKechnie 14 Aug '13

14 Aug '13

http://globalnews.ca/news/778573/pressure-building-to-reopen-portage-and-ma… Pressure building to reopen Portage and Main to pedestrians [image: Lorraine_personalities 220x260px]<http://globalnews.ca/author/lorraine-nickel/> By Lorraine Nickel <http://globalnews.ca/author/lorraine-nickel/> Reporter/Anchor WINNIPEG — Portage and Main is famous as Canada’s windiest corner and the heart of downtown Winnipeg but for 34 years, something’s been missing. “Portage and Main which was, it still probably is, the symbolic heart of the city has become a place for cars, not a place for people,” said Prof. Richard Milgrom, the head of the department of city planning at the University of Manitoba. For decades, people crossed Portage Avenue and Main Street freely. Then in 1979, the city signed a contract with area businesses that closed the intersection to pedestrians for 40 years and built the underground concourse. The contract expires in six years and key players are talking about plans to reopen the famous intersection to pedestrians. “85 per cent of our BIZ members would like to see Portage and Main reopened. Part of what makes downtown vibrant and excited is the ability for people just to walk around,” said Stefano Grande of the Downtown BIZ. Some city councillors are on board but say discussions haven’t started at city hall yet. “I like the idea of putting people on Portage and Main. You could do it on a gradual basis, like starting at six or on weekends,” said St. Boniface Coun. Dan Vandal. “I would love to have that happen somehow,” said River Heights Coun. John Orlikow. “I know there’s issues down below with some of the shopkeepers.” To take down the barricades, all the property owners on the famous corner must first agree. The Bank of Montreal and Creswin Properties (owners of the office tower at 201 Portage Ave.) want it opened. But the Richardson Centre “wants things to stay the same” and Artis REIT, the owner of the underground shops of Winnipeg Square, said “it’s premature to discuss the idea.” A lot has changed downtown since the 1970s, with the MTS Centre being built, several new condo and apartment developments going up and the Human Rights Museum slated to open next year. “The downtown in the last seven years has become a much more vibrant place,” said Jino Distasio, urban studies professor at the University of Winnipeg. But it’s not that simple, he admits. “There will be some growing pains. It’ll be some frustrated drivers who are going to have to wait on a corner that they’ve been able to speed through.” Former Mayor Glen Murray tried to open the intersection in 2002, asking architects to design a safe pedestrian crossing, but the 40-year agreement derailed those plans. “I’m disappointed it didn’t happen because I think it was critical for the city,” said Murray. “You can’t find a major city in the world anymore that has blocked off a street, never mind its main corner.” So will seeing people crossing Portage and Main remain a distant memory, or is there a new future for this famous intersection? “I think it has to happen if our downtown is going to become a vibrant place, an exciting place,” said Grande. http://globalnews.ca/news/778573/pressure-building-to-reopen-portage-and-ma…

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Bike theft deterrents
by Dave Elmore 13 Aug '13

13 Aug '13

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Slamming+brakes+stolen+bikes/8781652/stor y.html Slamming the brakes on stolen bikes Some cities, and even the University of Saskatchewan's Campus Safety, have experimented with bait bikes, equipped with GPS to track down thieves. (AP file Photo) As bike thefts in Saskatoon skyrocket this summer, some cities across the world are taking a more creative approach to deter cycle thieves. According to Saskatoon police, reports of stolen bicycles jumped 80 per cent this year between June 1 and July 31, compared to the same time frame last year - to 149 from 83. Reported bike thefts during the same two-month period on the University of Saskatchewan campus also doubled - to 10 from five. City police are repeating the usual message, warning bicyclists to always lock up their bikes and make note of their ride's serial number. Fenced areas devoted solely to private bicycle parking can be found scattered throughout the city. Bike lockers can also be rented on the University of Saskatchewan grounds, and Campus Safety has experimented with bait bikes - rides equipped with GPS to track thefts - in the past. Cities around the world have used these same methods to deter bike thieves, but some aren't satisfied with the same old tricks. Researchers at Newcastle University in the U.K. recently targeted thief psychology with a simple poster, staring down potential stealers. The posters, each featuring a pair of watchful eyes and equipped with the warning, 'Cycle Thieves: We are watching you,' were placed around campus, and led to a 62 per cent reduction in bike thefts over two years in areas where posters could be found. "It's amazing that just a picture would have a bigger effect than a camera recording people," Melissa Bateson, an ethology professor at Newcastle University and one of the study's authors, told the Toronto Star in April. Police in Cambridge, Mass. instituted a similar strategy in one of the city's most frequently cycled areas. Two cardboard cut-outs of a Massachusetts transit police officer were placed in the bicycle cages at the Alewife Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority subway and bus station, where hundreds of people use the racks daily and bikes are frequently stolen. Police only saw one reported bike theft between July 5, when the cut-outs were placed in the cages, and Aug. 4, according to Deputy Chief Robert Lenehan. Last year, six bikes were stolen from the area over the same time period. "All you see is this imposing figure of a police officer," Lenehan told the StarPhoenix. He said the number of reported bike thefts also decreased by 56 per cent in the Alewife station over a oneyear period from July 2012 to July 2013 with the introduction of more patrol officers. He said there is no single best method to reduce bike thefts. "You can never arrest yourself out of a crime problem," Lenehan said. "There is no one magical way out of it. If the cut-out is deterring two or three bike thefts a month, or even two or three bike thefts each quarter, it's still part of the overall approach to try to drive down the crime." MBTA transit police were even able to stop a Craigslist bike thief a few years ago by following him online. The thief was snapping photos of bicycles locked up on the street and posting the photos to Craigslist, a popular classifieds website. When users on the site wanted to buy a bike, the man stole it. "You have to be aware. Every time you think you've locked the doors, you find out there is a window open somewhere," Lenehan said. Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X)

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Flin Flon Reminder - Why not leave the car at home?
by Beth McKechnie 13 Aug '13

13 Aug '13

*From:* Reaney, Vicky (MLG) *Sent:* Tuesday, August 13, 2013 5:06 PM ** ****

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Active Commuting Cuts Risk of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure
by Beth McKechnie 09 Aug '13

09 Aug '13

Ditch the Car: Active Commuting Cuts Risk of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure By Tamarra Kemsley<http://www.natureworldnews.com/reporters/tamarra-kemsley> http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/3387/20130808/ditch-car-active-comm… By forgoing the car and opting for a more active commute, a person can cut their risk of developing diabetes by as much as 40 percent, a new study [ http://www.ajpmonline.org/webfiles/images/journals/amepre/AMEPRE_3837-stamp…] published in the *American Journal of Preventative Medicine* shows. Led by researchers at Imperial College London and University College London, the report examines how 20,000 people throughout the UK traveled to work and compared this to a number of health indicators, many of which put a person at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes. In doing so, they found that cycling, walking and using public transport were all associated with a lower risk of being overweight than driving or taking a taxi. Specifically, the data showed that 19 percent of working age adults who used private transportation -- such as cars, motorcycles or taxis -- to get to work were obese, compared to 15 percent of those who walked and 13 percent of those who cycled to work. Meanwhile, people who walked to work were also 17 percent less likely than people who drive to have high blood pressure. All told, cyclists were around half as likely to have diabetes as drivers. Based on these findings, the researchers argue that people can reduce their risk of serious health problems such as heart attacks as well as diabetes by simply avoiding the use of a car. "This study highlights that building physical activity into the daily routine by walking, cycling or using public transport to get to work is good for personal health," said Anthony Laverty, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London. Though, the researchers note, not everyone has the option to pursue these more active forms of commuting. Public transportation, they found, was used most in London, at 52 percent, compared with just 5 percent in Northern Ireland. "The variations between regions suggest that infrastructure and investment in public transport, walking and cycling can play a large role in encouraging healthy lives, and that encouraging people out of the car can be good for them as well as the environment," Laverty concluded.

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Summer Photo Contest (Please distribute widely)
by Shoni Litinsky 06 Aug '13

06 Aug '13

[image: Inline images 3] Summer is here and with it comes the fun of commuting outdoors! Peg City Car Co-op wants to see photos of your summer commute featuring themes of biking, walking, and busing. It's easy. Check out our Facebook page here <http://a.pgtb.me/7q2dNs> to enter the contest. Enter your photo and get your friends to vote for it. Photos with the most votes will win a MEC gift certificate each week! Enter as many photos as you like to win multiple prizes! Our grand prizes will be awarded to three lucky finalists including: 1. One years worth of Driving Credit with Peg City Car Co-op 2. One $500 Custom Bike from Natural Cycle 3. One Winnipeg Transit Half-Year Bus Pass Grand Prize winners will be chosen by our stellar Jury Panel that boast local artists, Josh Ruth (Art City), Natalie Baird, Lucas Pauls (The Distillery), and Shawna Dempsey. We can't wait to see your snapshots! Peg City Car Co-op -- Emma Bonnemaison *Marketing Coordinator * emma(a)pegcitycarcoop.ca +1.778.891.0337 <http://pegcitycarcoop.ca/> -- *Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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G&M: Vancouver's bike lanes have made it a city to watch (Aug2'13)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Aug '13

04 Aug '13

Vancouver’s bike lanes have made it a city to watch FRANCES BULA VANCOUVER — Special to The Globe and Mail Published Friday, Aug. 02 2013 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/why-vancouvers-bike-la… To many cities, building bike lanes isn’t about serving a small slice of the hipster set. It’s about showing that the city is planning for a different, more sustainable transportation future and serving an increasingly important demographic. City cycling is no fad, say municipal officials and cycling experts around the continent: It’s here to stay and should be embraced. “All of us, in every city around North America, because of demographic forces, are really seeing an increase in cycling,” says Andrew Stober, chief of staff for the mayor’s office on transportation in Philadelphia. “This is not a case of ‘Build it and they will come.’ We are seeing that we need to build something because they’re already here.’” As cities get more dense, more people are coming to the conclusion that a bicycle is often the most efficient and cheapest way to travel within the five-kilometre radius where they increasingly spend most of their time. And businesses, looking around the globe at where to locate, factor in the effort that cities are making to provide for their potential bike-riding employees. Philadelphia recently got shortlisted as a new location for a major brewery’s East Coast base because of its robust bike-route network. As a result, Mr. Stober and many other city officials say they are constantly scanning the horizon to see what other cities are doing. One of the places they always look: Vancouver. Vancouver doesn’t have the biggest cycling network. Montreal has far more concrete barrier-protected lanes; New York has more miles of bike routes overall. It doesn’t have the highest percentage of cycle trips (as opposed to walking, driving and taking transit). Copenhagen, with 40 per cent, and even Berlin, with 15 per cent of trips by bicycle, far outstrip Vancouver, which is currently closing in on 5 per cent. It doesn’t have a bike-share program yet, like other cities aggressively pushing cycling. But Vancouver was one of the first cities in North America to create a low-cost, low-impact network by creating bikeways along residential streets with relatively light traffic volumes – a system that Portland, Ore., copied. That system has helped push cycling trips in some parts of the city – Commercial Drive, Kitsilano – to the 12- to 15-per-cent range. “It really has led the way in North American in local-street bikeways,” says John Pucher, a Rutgers University urban planning professor and author of *City Cycling*. But in the last five years, the city has moved into a tougher phase: increasing barrier-separated lanes and other route improvements that visibly take space away from cars. It’s the kind of cycling infrastructure that Mr. Pucher and other researchers say is the safest and the type most likely to encourage regular people, especially women, to try cycling. Vancouver’s efforts have meant fights with residents, downtown businesses, and political opponents who accuse Mayor Gregor Robertson and his Vision Vancouver councillors of catering to the city’s tiny minority of cyclists. This week, city council’s decision to approve a new section of bikeway alongside some of the city’s most expensive properties – and some of its most vehemently opposed residents – was watched carefully across the continent. “They’re one of the leaders,” says Laura Spanjian, sustainability director for the City of Houston, which has built 300 miles of bikeways recently and introduced a small but enthusiastically welcomed bike-share program this spring. “That huge controversy they had … it’s kind of fantastic for the country. It shows that even when there’s opposition, if you have strong leadership, you can move ahead and show the success later. It helps other cities when you have wins like this.” Vancouver is one of the models for smaller or more car-oriented cities that have decided unilaterally to create a cycling culture. Amsterdam and Copenhagen, the current superstars among cycling cities, are admired, but not always seen as examples that can be emulated. Amsterdam, where 57 per cent of all trips are done by bicycle, has had a strong cycling culture since the bicycle was invented. Its city governments over the years have mostly strengthened that. Copenhagen, which has reached the 40-per-cent mark for cycling trips, made more of a leap, but it had a long history of building separated bike lanes – called “cycle tracks” by the experts – in its central city. As well, like many European cities, its public spaces were never taken over by the car to the extent that North America’s were when cars began fighting for and winning dominance on the roads over pedestrians and streetcars in the 1920s and ’30s. But Vancouver, and other cities like New York, Chicago, Berlin, Seville, Barcelona, Montreal, and Portland that have had to fight to create a cycling culture, are the ones showing the way to cities anxious to transform transportation in their metropolises. Paris and London mayors may have embraced the bicycle, but they didn’t have the problems of New York – taxi drivers, truckers and rich people who fought against bike lanes. With the fierce Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan leading the way since 2007, New York has added nearly 350 miles of on-street bike lanes to its city, including 25 miles of protected lanes, for a total of about 850 miles. It has shut down some streets entirely for car-free days on occasion. But not without some serious skirmishing. Wealthy residents in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn sued over one section of proposed bike lane – a case the city won. Complaints were also in full flood for the bike-share system, introduced this spring, from worries that the docking stations were taking up too much sidewalk space to griping about the technical problems with the stations. But something is working. Statistics show the number of bike riders crossing into Manhattan during a average 12-hour period doubled from 16,000 to 32,000 between 2005 and 2012, a number that is likely to be up again once the 2013 numbers are counted. “New York City’s streets are now the safest they’ve been, with the last five years recording the fewest traffic fatalities since records were first kept in 1910,” adds Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Gastel. As Vancouverites were lining up pro and con to argue about the city’s new Seaside Greenway last week, a University of B.C. researcher pointed out that Vancouver – contrary to public opinion – has been rather timid in its push for separated bike lanes. “Since 2009, Vancouver has added six kilometres of separated bike lanes,” Kay Teschk says. “Seville has built 120 kilometres of separated bike lanes in the same five-year period.” Mr. Pucher, of Rutgers University, calls Seville the most dramatic example of a complete turnaround: Before the city started its cycling improvements, only about 0.5 per cent of all trips were made by bicycle. Now, about 6.5 per cent of trips are bike trips, about 85,000 a day. “Seville is the most interesting because it started with zero tradition of daily, utilitarian cycling,” Mr. Pucher says. That was in keeping with elsewhere in Spain, especially cities like Madrid, where a cyclist on a regular street is a rare sight. Some German cities, like Hamburg and Munich, have been good cycling cities for decades. Hamburg had separated bike lanes, complete with little traffic lights that showed green and red bicycles, back in the 1970s. Not Berlin. “Berlin has turned to it partially because of financial issues,” says Ralph Buehler, an urban affairs professor at Virginia Tech and co-author of *City Cycling*. The city was struggling economically after re-unification. “It found out that building bike infrastructure is much cheaper than highway interchanges or even subways.” Mr. Buehler says. Between 1990 and 2008, the number of cycling trips doubled, accounting by the end of that period for 13 per cent of all trips. The figure is now up to 15 per cent (and as high as 25 in some neighbourhoods), as cyclists now have access to about 620 kilometres of bike lanes. Cycling experts gripe about some aspects of the Berlin system – that it’s inconsistent, with riders sometimes in protected bike lanes, sometimes on the sidewalk, and sometimes on roads with arrows. The group Copenhagenize Design, which rates cities on the cycling facilities, also notes that Berlin is still doing contradictory things, like pouring money into projects for cars. *Related stories*: Bike route approved for Vancouver’s western beaches following passionate debate <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-to-get-bikew…> Vancouver’s bike lanes: Gordon Price on when to ignore the opposition <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouvers-bike-lanes-…>

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WFP: A little love at the landfill - WRENCH sets out to salvage 900 discarded bikes (Aug.4'13)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Aug '13

04 Aug '13

A little love AT THE LANDFILL WRENCH sets out to salvage 900 discarded bikes By: Bill Redekop http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/a-little-love-at-the-landfill-218259… Pat Krawec once found a $5,000 Italian, handmade bicycle at the Brady Road Landfill, but that's not what drives his passion for repairing and salvaging discarded bikes. "It's just such a waste" said Krawec, executive director of the WRENCH (Winnipeg Repair, Education and Cycling Hub), a local group that is to bicycles what Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was to the 1970s. "We're Winnipeggers. We're thrifty. It's a moral outrage. There's still lots of life left in these bikes," said Krawec. WRENCH held its annual version of the push, pull and drag sale on Saturday but at no charge. Volunteers from Winnipeg's half-dozen community bike shops came by to save and strip parts from bicycles that wound up in the Brady Road Landfill. About 900 bikes were being picked over Saturday, including tricycles, kids bikes, 10-speeds, mountain bikes, trick bikes and even exercise bikes. "The amount of used bikes being thrown away is crazy, and it shows no sign of slowing down," said Krawec. The organization puts a positive spin into the old saying "throw a wrench" into something, which usually means bungling things up. Here, WRENCH fixes the situation. But WRENCH has a larger mission than to just repair bikes. It's more like bicycle maintenance as a "solution" to many of society's ills. Bikes are exercise, fresh air, environmentally friendly, and bicycling helps clear your head. Repairing bikes makes for sustainable cycling. The main component to the non-profit WRENCH is to educate the public to do its own bicycle maintenance. It runs programs for everyone from prison inmates to special-needs people to inner-city kids. WRENCH also runs Build-a-Bike programs for schools and community centres. "One reason the programs work so well is that by working on bicycles, you can get outside yourself. People learn to actually fix stuff," said Krawec. It receives donations from some heavy hitters including the Richardson Foundation and Winnipeg Foundation, and government grants from the Neighbourhoods Alive and waste-reduction programs. Volunteer-run community bike shops that WRENCH assists include The Big Dump, The Bike Dungeon and Bike Lab. "Most of these bikes just need a little love," said Robin Ellis, volunteer co-ordinator for WRENCH, surveying the tangle of bikes at the Brady Road Landfill. Bike culture is growing, said Ellis. For example, she plays in a bike polo league. "It's like hockey on bikes with mallets." It's played on indoor rinks, with a street hockey ball and mallets that are typically ski poles with PVC piping taped to the end. If a player puts a foot down, they have to retreat to an area and touch the boards. One might have predicted everyone at WRENCH pedals to work, as staff don't even own cars. "A lot of people who come to our shops depend on bikes for their transportation," Ellis said. More information is at wrench.ca. bill.redekop(a)freepress.mb.ca *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 4, 2013 A4*

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Fwd: Help divert bikes from the landfill at Empty the Fill - THIS SATURDAY!
by Mark Cohoe 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

Help divert bikes from our land fills to our community bike shops by volunteering with the WRENCH this weekend! Mark -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Help divert bikes from the landfill at Empty the Fill - THIS SATURDAY! Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 15:10:56 -0500 From: Robin Ellis <volunteer(a)thewrench.ca> To: Robin Ellis <wrenchvolunteer(a)gmail.com> Inline image 1 Hey Folks! This Saturday (August 3rd) is the annual massive landfill diversion blitz: EMPTY THE FILL! We will be heading out to the Brady Road Landfill bicycle compound to STRIP, SORT, STACK and SCRAP bikes to fill the racks and shelves of community bike shops in Winnipeg. Come see what's in our waste stream as we turn garbage into the stuff of dreams! We can use as many volunteers as possible, and no prior bicycle knowledge is necessary! It would also be great to get some more folks with vehicles to transport people, parts or bikes. The WRENCH will be providing bike stands and tools, food, water, and shade for everyone who comes to help out. Be sure to sport sturdy closed toed footwear, a hat, sunscreen, rugged clothing, and a water bottle. Rides will be meeting at the bike dump at 10 am on Saturday morning. Feel free to email/call for more info, and please RSVP via email or phone so we know how many people to expect. Thanks! See you then! -- *Robin Ellis*, Volunteer Coordinator The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub 1057 Logan Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 www.thewrench.ca <http://www.thewrench.ca/> 204.296.3389

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Fwd: Cognitive performance is better in girls whose walk to school lasts more than 15 minutes
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

Cognitive Performance Is Better in Girls Whose Walk to School Lasts More Than 15 Minutes Published: July 24, 2013 By University of Granada<http://www.sciencenewsline.com/source/University+of+Granada> http://www.sciencenewsline.com/articles/2013072415030021.html *Cognitive performance of adolescent girls who walk to school is better than that of girls who travel by bus or car. Moreover, cognitive performance is also better in girls who take more than 15 minutes than in those who live closer and have a shorter walk to school.* These are some of the conclusions of a study published in *Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine*. The results come from findings of the nationwide AVENA (Food and Assessment of the NutritionalStatus of Spanish Adolescents) study, in which the University of Granada has participated together with the Autonomous University of Madrid, University of Zaragoza and the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid. They constitute the first international study that associates mode of commuting to school and cognitive performance. The authors analysed a sample of 1700 boys and girls aged between 13 and 18 years (808 boys and 892 girls) in five Spanish cities (Granada, Madrid, Murcia, Santander and Zaragoza). They studied variables of mode of commuting to school, cognitive performance, anthropometrics—like body mass index and percentage of overweight and obesity—and participants' extracurricular physical activity. They also gathered data on their families' socio-economic status using the mother's level of educational achievement (primary school, secondary school or university) and the type of school (state-funded or private) that participants attended. Information on mode of commuting to school came from a question asking participants how they usually travelled to school and giving the following response options: on foot, by bicycle, car, bus or subway, motorcycle, and others. They were also asked how long the journey to school took them. Cognitive performance was measured by applying the Spanish version of an educational ability test. Participants completed this standardized test that measures intelligence and the individual's basic ability for learning. The test assesses command of language, speed in performing mathematical operations, and reasoning. In adolescence, the plasticity of the brain is greatest. The researchers affirm that, during adolescence, "the plasticity of the brain is greater than at any other time of life, which makes it the opportune period to stimulate cognitive function". However, paradoxically, adolescence is the time of life that sees the greatest decline in physical activity, and this is greater in girls. Therefore, the authors of the study think that "inactive adolescents could be missing out on a very important stimulus to improve their learning and cognitive performance". "Commuting to school on foot is a healthy daily habit, which contributes to keeping the adolescent active during the rest of the day and encourages them to participate in physical and sports activities. This boosts the expenditure of energy and, all in all, leads to a better state of health", say Palma Chillón, researcher in the Department of Physical and Sports Education of the University of Granada, and David Martínez-Gómez, of the Department of Physical and Sports Education and Human Movement (Faculty of Teacher Training and Education) of the Autonomous University of Madrid, who have both participated in the study.

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Fwd: PACM Contract position
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

Forwarded on behalf of PACM: Enclosed is the PACM contract position information. Please circulate to candidates who you feel may be suitable. ** ** ** ** ** Casie Nishi**** Executive Director**** Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks General Hospital **** 1075 Leila Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2P 2W7**** Phone: (204) 632-3901 Fax: (204) 697-2412**** Email: cnishi(a)sogh.mb.ca**** www.wellnessinstitute.ca**** ** ** ** ** ** ** This email and/or any documents in this transmission is intended for the addressee(s) only and may contain legally privileged or confidential information. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, distribution, copying or dissemination is strictly prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and return the original. Ce courriel et tout document dans cette transmission est destiné à la personne ou aux personnes à qui il est adressé. Il peut contenir des informations privilégiées ou confidentielles. Toute utilisation, divulgation, distribution, copie, ou diffusion non autorisée est strictement défendue. Si vous n'êtes pas le destinataire de ce message, veuillez en informer l'expéditeur immédiatement et lui remettre l'original.

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News flash for drivers: Cyclists are helping subsidize your ride
by Beth McKechnie 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

News flash for drivers: Cyclists are helping subsidize your ride *Local roads and bike lanes are almost exclusively paid for by local property taxes, not fuel taxes* By Peter Ladner Tue Jul 30, 2013 12:01am PST http://www.biv.com/article/20130730/BIV0319/307309939/-1/BIV/news-flash-for… As the “war on bikes” continues in my little corner of our sun-drenched paradise, I’ve been trying to understand the road rage that’s generated every time space for cars is shifted to other uses. Some of it is fear borne out of fertile imaginings of disasters unforeseen by professional traffic engineers. It’s true, the engineers have been wrong before. They initially predicted massive lineups from the east and west to get onto the south end of the Burrard Bridge if a bike lane was put in on the bridge. Those turned out to be only minor delays in one direction at peak travel times. Business organizations recoil at the uncertainties by assuming harm for businesses if a bike lane is put in. Yet in New York City, retail sales along new bike routes jumped by 49% compared with 3% overall. On the Hornby bike route, retail vacancies went down from 10% to 2% after the bike lane was installed. So, yes, businesses along Cornwall should be concerned about a new bike route along York Street – they’ll lose bicycle-riding customers who no longer go by their premises. In a week when the Transport for London reported that 24% of all vehicles in the morning rush in London are now bicycles, many people refuse to believe that cycling is a viable alternative to the automobile, because it wouldn’t work for them. Fine, it doesn’t have to, but it does work for a lot of people – and will work for a lot more when they can do it safely in a protected lane. But the biggest gagging point for many motorists is that they think cyclists are getting a free ride on someone else’s dime. The rude, arrogant and law-breaking attitude of some cyclists only adds to this resentment. Oddly, drivers who endanger lives by breaking the speed limit rarely provoke the same reaction. In fact, the opposite is true. Cyclists subsidize car drivers. Local roads and bike lanes are almost exclusively paid for by local property taxes, not fuel taxes. Yes, some city hall revenue comes from parking fees, but those fees don’t begin to cover the opportunity and maintenance costs of the 30% of the city’s land base that is used for cars, especially for “free” on-street parking. The amount of roadway in Vancouver dedicated to cars is 10 times that dedicated to bicycles, which usually park off-road. Property taxes are paid by everyone who lives in the city, whether they rent or own. Cyclists are more likely to live in the city, since they stay closer to home than motorists who come into Vancouver from all over the region. Cyclists also subsidize motorists when they live in buildings or buy groceries that cost more because of legislated off-street parking spaces they don’t use. City police costs to patrol traffic, enforce drunk driving laws and attend to accidents are paid by cyclists and car drivers alike, even though car drivers use up vastly more of those resources than cyclists. Then there are health-care costs, which everyone pays through provincial income taxes and medical service premiums. Cars are huge health hazards, plain and simple. Pollution from cars generates huge health-care costs – especially diesel cars like my Passat TDI. Accidents and ambulances are an obvious source of those costs, but they only account for 10% of the casualties due to traffic. Three times as many people die from the effects of emissions, and twice as many again die prematurely from lack of exercise and obesity-driven diseases related to time spent driving. Protected green lanes reduce non-fatal cyclist road injuries by 90%, so the return on investment from bike lanes is possibly covered by that health care saving alone. Drivers concerned about unfair tax burdens should welcome more bicycle lanes – especially in pricy waterfront neighbourhoods where the increased property values will lighten the property tax load for everyone else.

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Webinar recording now available: The Latest Spin on University Bike Share Programs
by Beth McKechnie 29 Jul '13

29 Jul '13

In case you missed last week's webinar on University Bike Share Programs, here's a link to the recording along with pdfs of the slides: http://www.bestworkplaces.org/events/best-workplaces-for-commuters-web-conf… I found it particularly interesting that there appears to be a shift in the approach to bike sharing on campuses vs municipal bike share programs. The key difference being that the technology is stored on the bike's rear rack, which means that regular bike racks can be used rather than specialized docking systems. cheers, Beth

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WFP: Long-term planning crucial - Strategic thinking needed with Winnipeg seeing growth (July22'13)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jul '13

25 Jul '13

Long-term planning crucial Strategic thinking needed with Winnipeg seeing growth ON ARCHITECTUREBy: Brent Bellamy http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/long-term-planning-crucial-216396… Winnipeg's population is nearing 800,000 and is growing by more than 10,000 per year. Property values are rising, construction is happening and the economy is prospering. We have an IKEA, a professional hockey team and a half-dozen new towers rising in our skyline. Winnipeg is without question a progressing city -- but is it a progressive one? After decades of stagnation, Winnipeg is beginning to face the challenges that come with more rapid urban growth. The suburbs are sprawling in every direction, traffic levels are increasing and established neighbourhoods are being redeveloped. The city is evolving and we are at the point of having to ask ourselves: What kind of community do we want Winnipeg to become? Old Winnipeg was a special place, filled with dense, tree-lined, walkable neighbourhoods of grid-pattern streets, community clubs and corner stores. Will new Winnipeg have the same character and soul, or will we look back on this growth period as a lost opportunity to progressively shape our future city? Will we have the same pride and foresight as those who planted our characteristic tree canopy a century ago, or will we leave a legacy of ubiquitous suburbs, unmanageable civic finances and crumbling infrastructure? In 2011, city council voted to accept the Our Winnipeg plan and the Complete Communities Direction Strategy into official civic policy as a response to these very questions. These comprehensive planning guidelines are intended to provide a progressive blueprint for the city's economic, social and physical growth over the next 25 years. Our Winnipeg emphasizes creative ways to guide new neighbourhood design and transform existing areas into "complete communities." It focuses on developing mixed-use, mixed-income and mixed-density neighbourhoods that are walkable, safe, beautiful and vibrant. Perhaps, most importantly, it outlines ways to make the city more economically sustainable by curbing the prevailing model of low-density, expansive growth that has already stressed civic budgets to a point where taxes are rising and public services are declining. Our Winnipeg is a long-term plan, but it is not a law. Without aligning its strategies with current zoning bylaws, the document becomes a fanciful vision without any real method of implementation. Earlier this month, city council chose to defer their vote on a series of recommendations from the planning, property and development department that would align several features of Our Winnipeg with zoning bylaws. The recommendations focused on reducing red tape and streamlining the approval process for desirable development. Densification of existing neighbourhoods is seen as a key strategy for making the city more economically sustainable in the long term, but the provision of parking to meet current bylaw standards can be a barrier to infill development on smaller urban sites. The recommendations addressed this issue by reducing minimum parking levels in mature communities, permitting some on-street parking for multi-family developments and allowing car-share and bike programs to offset parking requirements. To promote the subdivision of larger properties, it was recommended that the minimum required lot areas be reduced while allowing properties to be subdivided as long as newly created lots are no smaller than existing ones located within 60 metres on the same street. These modest changes met with apprehension from council, which cited fears of increased street parking and smaller residential properties that might be considered unappealing to community residents. It is human nature to fear change, but councillors who struggle every year to balance civic budgets likely understand our current urban-development model is not economically sustainable. As Winnipeg grows, promoting density is the only way to ensure a healthy and competitive city in the future. To prosper, we will have to embrace the long-term goals outlined in the Our Winnipeg plan by empowering it with a legal backbone. This resistance to long-term planning as a method of guiding change seems to have recently become a trend in Winnipeg. Last year, the Corydon-Osborne Neighbourhood Plan was stopped in its tracks despite the pressing need to address significant changes happening in the area. Promises to restart the process have gone unfulfilled for almost a year. Recently, the City of Winnipeg cancelled its active-transportation study, indicating its $400,000 cost would be better spent on construction. The complex web of bike and pedestrian paths, intertwined with transit and vehicular networks across the city, will now be implemented without a strategic plan to ensure its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The argument appears to fall flat considering other studies continue, including a $1.2-million plan for the development of the Waverley Street underpass. The lessons of proceeding without planning and public consultation might have been learned when a hotel and water park near The Forks were abruptly proposed, resulting in significant community opposition and the eventual failure of the project. The value of an effective urban plan can be seen as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers implement costly reactive solutions to traffic issues at their new stadium. Winnipeg is at a critical moment in its history. Just as development from the pre-war boom era a century ago continues to inform our city's urban character today, the decisions we make in this growth period will define what kind of city we pass on to future generations. To be a truly progressive city, we must establish long-term goals through comprehensive planning and without fear of change, implement public policy that adheres to plans such as Our Winnipeg and promotes development that effectively realizes the goals they strive to achieve. *Brent Bellamy is senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.* bbellamy(a)numberten.com Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 22, 2013 0

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Webinar: The Latest Spin on University Bike Share Programs, Thurs, July 25, 2-3:15
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jul '13

25 Jul '13

Friendly reminder regarding today's FREE webinar on University Bike Share Programs. *PLEASE NOTE the correct local time for the webinar is 2:00-3:15 pm today! * If you like, come join us in the EcoCentre boardroom (303 Portage Ave, third floor) for a group viewing or simply watch from your own desk (no registration required). cheers, Beth ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Bond, Julie <bond(a)cutr.usf.edu> Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 8:15 AM Join us for an intriguing look at three University Bike Share programs during a FREE Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) webinar. **** ** ** *Date*: Thursday, July 25, 2013**** *Time: *2:00 - 3:15 pm (Central / local)** ** ** *Join the Session: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/cutr/join?id=bwcbikeshare&role=attend&pw=web… * * * *Add to your Outlook calendar: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/cutr/meetingICS?id=bwcbikeshare&role=attend&… * * * *Speakers:* * * *Holly Parker, Director ***** *Sustainable Transportation Systems***** *Yale University***** Still unsatisfied with the existing bikeshare models available at the time, Yale started “Y-Bike,” a departmental bikeshare program in 2008—in which a bicycle was provided to a Yale department for anyone in the department (a small, controlled environment) to use. The expense of the kiosk-based bikeshare system was prohibitive, and it was felt that getting staff members—some of whom hadn’t been on bikes since childhood—to use bikes for travel between campus locations would be a good way to build bike culture. In addition to the over 40 Y-Bikes on campus (and 8,000 collective miles pedaled later), Yale now provides 50 shared-use bicycles to anyone who registers with a valid Yale email address. Listen to how Yale designed this 6-month pilot and how they plan on evaluating it. **** **** *Jim Simon, Sustainability Engagement Coordinator***** *University at Buffalo***** When the community bicycle sharing program closed, a search began for alternatives that would meet the needs of the campus in light of their goal of becoming climate neutral by 2030. Counseled by a report prepared by an undergraduate planning class and examined options that would promote synergy in the community with partners working on providing bike share in their city and region, they engaged in a partnership with a start-up company that offers a GPS-enabled bike that can be located and borrowed using your mobile phone. The technology meets students where they are—on their mobile phones and computers—and is accessible at any time. By becoming the first college or university to partner with this company, they have learned and applied several important lessons about innovation, partnership, and the development of learning opportunities for our students. Participants will learn how being on the leading edge of innovation through embracing new technology can benefit the research, teaching, and public service mission of your university. Additionally, participants will learn how to involve students in campus decision making through classroom learning opportunities and how the immediate risk of working with a start-up organization can lead to rewarding opportunities for collaboration with students, the community, and the campus. **** **** *Joshua Cantor, Director* *Parking and Transportation* *George Mason University* George Mason University’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and fostering a bicycling community on campus has led to a series of new projects, including a bike path that would stretch from the Fairfax campus to the Vienna-Fairfax-GMU Metro Station and Patriot Bike Share, a bike-sharing program on campus. George Mason’s Office of Sustainability has joined with the local bicycling community to create a series of new initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2015. Chief among them is the Patriot Bike Share program on campus, which allows students to rent bicycles for two hours and return them at one of four locations across campus. The program was started by Tyler Orton, bike program manager for the Office of Sustainability, who brought his idea to the Office of Sustainability and was given $36,000 to invest in the project as part of the office’s new “Patriot Green Fund”. Listen to the challenges and opportunities that existed for this customized bike share solution.**** **** *Moderator:* Julie Bond, Program Manager, Best Workplaces for Commuters**** National Center for Transit Research, University of South Florida**** ** ** A Q and A session will follow the presentations. Visit www.bestworkplaces.org for further information, and learn how you can become a member.**** ** ** If you have questions, please email bond(a)cutr.usf.edu.**** ** ** Best regards,**** ** ** ** ** Julie Bond**** Program Manager, Best Workplaces for Commuters**** National Center for Transit Research**** Center for Urban Transportation Research**** University of South Florida**** 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CUT100**** Tampa, FL 33620**** Direct Line: 813.974.9799**** [image: cid:image002.png@01CE0EB7.27D18690]**** ** ** ------------------------------

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Bicycles - the new conservative enemy (Macleans.ca)
by Beth McKechnie 24 Jul '13

24 Jul '13

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Terry Zdan <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 09:25:52 -0500 http://ca.news.yahoo.com/bicycles--the-new-conservative-enemy-203422964.html Bicycles: the new conservative enemy The rise of bike-sharing programs has created an unlikely new target in the culture wars [image: Maclean's] <http://www.macleans.ca/> By Jaime Weinman | Maclean's – Sat, 20 Jul, 2013 [image: At more than one million rides, Toronto's BIXI service is proving popular with riders but is struggling to cover costs.] <http://ca.news.yahoo.com/photos/more-one-million-rides-torontos-bixi-provin…> CBC/Ivy Cuervo/CBC - At more than one million rides, Toronto's BIXI service is proving popular with riders but is struggling to cover costs. In the 1980s, the conservative humourist P.J. O’Rourke wrote “A Cool and Logical Analysis of the Bicycle Menace<http://www.bikereader.com/contributors/misc/menace.html>.” He was joking. In 2013, *Wall Street Journal* editorial board member Dorothy Rabinowitz said, “the bike lobby is an all-powerful enterprise<http://live.wsj.com/video/opinion-death-by-bicycle/C6D8BBCE-B405-4D3C-A381-…>” and the presence of a bike-sharing program in New York was an example of “the totalitarians running the government of this city.” She wasn’t joking. Rabinowitz’s widely discussed appearance on a Wall Street Journal video, which was picked up by many news outlets and *The Daily Show* (“Slow down, lady, they’re just bikes!” Jon Stewart exclaimed), did more than draw attention to complaints about the effectivness of the Citibike program, New York’s attempt to compete with the bike-sharing in other cities such as Paris and Montreal. It made people aware of just how hostile some conservative commentators are to bikes. Rabinowitz was hardly the first conservative pundit to express scorn for bicycles and the people who ride them. One of the most-publicized recent bike-bashers was Don Cherry, who showed up to meet Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in 2010<http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/12/08/put-that-in-your-pipe-you-left-wing-kook…>wearing a loud pink shirt, explaining: “I’m wearing pink for all the pinkos out there riding bicycles.” Popular southern California radio host John Kobylt, an opponent of plans to build more bike lanes in Los Angeles, recently explained that cyclists are members of “a bizarre cult that worships two-wheel transportation, not a traditional God.” And Rush Limbaugh, the leader in conservative radio punditry, has always been willing to tee off on the pesky pedal-pushers: “Frankly, if the door opens into a bicycle rider, I won’t care,” he once said. “I think they ought to be off the streets and on the sidewalk,” where bike riders aren’t actually allowed. Why would bicycles become a political issue? Partly because things like bike-sharing programs are often placed in opposition to cars and the people who drive them. Lloyd Alter, an adjunct professor at Ryerson University’s school of interior design and the managing editor of *TreeHugger.com<http://www.treehugger.com/> *, says conservatives sometimes associate bikes “with environmentalism and anti-capitalism. Bike riders live in denser places, don’t go to big-box supercentres, lead a suspiciously different lifestyle.” The political splits in cities are often strongest between urban areas and the suburbs or exurbs, and that pits suburb-friendly transportation, mainly cars, against more “urban” vehicles such as bikes and light rail. So just as conservative politicians such as Ford have often won votes for their support of the automobile against non-traditional transportation, conservative pundits often stick up for suburban car drivers in the culture war, and portray bicyclists as elitists. Kobylt, cited by *The Atlantic*’s Conor Friedersdorf as a practitioner of “the paranoid style in bicycle politics,” told his listeners he fears that cyclists are trying to make him feel like, “I’m second class because I drive a car, or I have a commute to work, or I live in a suburban neighbourhood.” Journalist George Will, a prominent opponent of trains, also mocked then-U.S. secretary of transportation Ray LaHood for his support of biking: “Does he think 0.01 per cent of Americans will ever regularly bike to work?” Will sneered. Alter says that, to some pundits, cyclists are “a powerful force trying to squeeze cars off the road,” and “every advance by the cyclists is seen as an attack on the suburban way of life.” But just as there are plenty of liberals who drive SUVs, there are plenty of conservatives who contradict the bike-hating stereotype. Nicole Gelinas, a contributor to the conservative urban policy magazine City Journal, published an article about Citibike that, while critical of the program, also tried to counteract some of the stereotypes about it: “Despite fears to the contrary, especially among the elderly,” she wrote<http://www.city-journal.org/2013/eon0530ng.html>, “bike share won’t harm pedestrians.” Still, as bike-friendly conservative radio host Mitch Berg told the Utne Reader<http://www.utne.com/Politics/Conservative-Cyclists-Republican-Bikes-Transce…>, “people on both sides of the political aisle do ascribe political significance to biking.” Or, as P.J. O’Rourke put it all those years ago, “I don’t like the kind of people who ride bicycles.” -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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Canstar weeklies: Bike study scrapped (July24'13)
by Beth McKechnie 24 Jul '13

24 Jul '13

Bike study scrapped By: Matt Prepost http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/times/Bike-study-scrapped-… Local councillors and bike advocates are cycling different paths when it comes to building an active transportation network in northwest Winnipeg. Earlier this month, the city confirmed it was suspending a $400,000 consulting study to develop a strategy to build future bike and pedestrian paths in the city. Instead, the city says it will spend that money on a handful of projects which are already underway. Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg, said the decision means the city is continuing to miss the big picture due to the competing interests and ideas of cyclists, residents and politicians, and will miss out on opportunities that could save the public money down the line. "They’re not looking at how individual projects fit into the whole," said Cohoe. "When we don’t have an overall strategy looking at the whole network, it’s hard to figure out what the role of one route would be in the network and what kind of infrastructure would fit that best. "Sometimes it can be a neighbourhood street with a sharrow (a shared or painted lane on the road). But, if it’s going to be a spine in your network, a sharrow won’t cut it." Cohoe has been developing a proposal for a path that would run through the Manitoba Hydro right-of-way that runs alongside McPhillips Street, from the Perimeter Highway to the McPhillips Street Station Casino. The nine-kilometre stretch passes near several shopping destinations, including a Wal-Mart, Safeway and Superstore, and connects into a number of schools. He sees opportunities along the path for community and butterfly gardens and gathering spots for the community. Cohoe led a group of about 10 people through the area in late May as part of the Jane’s Walk event looking at alternatives to cycling along McPhillips. He plans to hold a series of open houses on the project in the fall. "It really could create that situation of giving people the opportunity to take a short trip by bike instead of by car," said Cohoe, who lives in Corydon Village. Area councillors, however, have different ideas. Mynarski Coun. Ross Eadie wants the city to carve up a pathway along the old Winnipeg Beach rail line owned by CP, which runs along the western edge of Riverbend before bisecting the West Kildonan, Garden City and North End communities. Old Kildonan Coun. Devi Sharma wants to see the city complete a trail connection from Kildonan Park under the Chief Peguis Trail and into Rivergrove. And Point Douglas Coun. Mike Pagtakhan said he’d like to see buffered bike lanes, similar to those built along Pembina Highway earlier this year, placed along Main, Arlington and McPhillips streets. "Without a strategy, where do we go first? Where do we spend the money?" said Eadie, who opposed cancelling the contract. "If we’re not going to have a strategy, it’s just going to be randomly picked." Sharma said the city’s public works committee will put the cycling strategy on its agenda when it resumes sitting in September. "There seems to be some agreement to have the study, but how much do we spend on it?" said Sharma, who sits on the committee. Pagtakhan said the city does need an overall strategy for cycling and pedestrians, but should complete its existing list of projects before committing dollars and embarking on a study. "If we were to ask people, would they rather see a study or would they rather see dollars put on building actual active transportation routes, I believe people would want to see tax dollars put on actual routes," he said. Cohoe believes the city can do both. "You can definitely work on projects and plan for the future," he said.

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MUTCD (U.S.) - Bicycle Facilities - what's in, what's not
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jul '13

23 Jul '13

Please see message below from Terry regarding the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) in the U.S. On a related note, the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) is updating the Canadian MUTCD<http://www.tac-atc.ca/english/projects/trafficcontrol.cfm>. Looks like it will be a while though, as the analysis of what is needed to be updated is not expected to be completed until spring 2014. cheers, Beth ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Terry Zdan <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 12:05:01 -0500 Subject: This is a nice summary of what is in the MUTCD and what is not and the status of some of the "experimental" treatments of late… http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/guidance/design_guid… -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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Bombers Bike Valet and Great News!
by Janice Lukes 19 Jul '13

19 Jul '13

Just following up on all the great media coverage Anders landed with his Biking to the Bombers video - It's a beautiful day for a bike ride - If anyone finds they have some time and would like to help tonight at the bike valet - pick a time slot and sign up here: http://www.doodle.com/iky46pck2fwbn2yk And back to more south end great news: The Bombers transportation team have 'confirmed' they will be expanding the bike valet to accommodate many many more bikes! We did a walk through on Wednesday and they identified an ideal location. Watch for further details in the very near future! Janice Lukes AT rep on the Stadium Partners - Event Day Stadium Advisory Committee

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Webinar: The Latest Spin on University Bike Share Programs, Thurs, July 25, 1-2:15
by Beth McKechnie 18 Jul '13

18 Jul '13

Hello everyone, Please note this FREE webinar (no registration required) on University Bike Share Programs next *Thursday, July 25, 1-2:15 pm*. If you like, come join us in the EcoCentre boardroom (303 Portage Ave, third floor) for a group viewing or simply watch from your own desk. cheers, Beth ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Bond, Julie <bond(a)cutr.usf.edu> Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 8:15 AM Join us for an intriguing look at three University Bike Share programs during a FREE Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) webinar. **** ** ** *Date*: Thursday, July 25, 2013**** *Time*:1:00 - 2:15 pm (Central / local)** ** ** *Join the Session: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/cutr/join?id=bwcbikeshare&role=attend&pw=web… * * * *Add to your Outlook calendar: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/cutr/meetingICS?id=bwcbikeshare&role=attend&… * * * *Speakers:* * * *Holly Parker, Director ***** *Sustainable Transportation Systems***** *Yale University***** Still unsatisfied with the existing bikeshare models available at the time, Yale started “Y-Bike,” a departmental bikeshare program in 2008—in which a bicycle was provided to a Yale department for anyone in the department (a small, controlled environment) to use. The expense of the kiosk-based bikeshare system was prohibitive, and it was felt that getting staff members—some of whom hadn’t been on bikes since childhood—to use bikes for travel between campus locations would be a good way to build bike culture. In addition to the over 40 Y-Bikes on campus (and 8,000 collective miles pedaled later), Yale now provides 50 shared-use bicycles to anyone who registers with a valid Yale email address. Listen to how Yale designed this 6-month pilot and how they plan on evaluating it. **** **** *Jim Simon, Sustainability Engagement Coordinator***** *University at Buffalo***** When the community bicycle sharing program closed, a search began for alternatives that would meet the needs of the campus in light of their goal of becoming climate neutral by 2030. Counseled by a report prepared by an undergraduate planning class and examined options that would promote synergy in the community with partners working on providing bike share in their city and region, they engaged in a partnership with a start-up company that offers a GPS-enabled bike that can be located and borrowed using your mobile phone. The technology meets students where they are—on their mobile phones and computers—and is accessible at any time. By becoming the first college or university to partner with this company, they have learned and applied several important lessons about innovation, partnership, and the development of learning opportunities for our students. Participants will learn how being on the leading edge of innovation through embracing new technology can benefit the research, teaching, and public service mission of your university. Additionally, participants will learn how to involve students in campus decision making through classroom learning opportunities and how the immediate risk of working with a start-up organization can lead to rewarding opportunities for collaboration with students, the community, and the campus. **** **** *Joshua Cantor, Director* *Parking and Transportation* *George Mason University* George Mason University’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and fostering a bicycling community on campus has led to a series of new projects, including a bike path that would stretch from the Fairfax campus to the Vienna-Fairfax-GMU Metro Station and Patriot Bike Share, a bike-sharing program on campus. George Mason’s Office of Sustainability has joined with the local bicycling community to create a series of new initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2015. Chief among them is the Patriot Bike Share program on campus, which allows students to rent bicycles for two hours and return them at one of four locations across campus. The program was started by Tyler Orton, bike program manager for the Office of Sustainability, who brought his idea to the Office of Sustainability and was given $36,000 to invest in the project as part of the office’s new “Patriot Green Fund”. Listen to the challenges and opportunities that existed for this customized bike share solution.**** **** *Moderator:* Julie Bond, Program Manager, Best Workplaces for Commuters**** National Center for Transit Research, University of South Florida**** ** ** A Q and A session will follow the presentations. Visit www.bestworkplaces.org for further information, and learn how you can become a member.**** ** ** If you have questions, please email bond(a)cutr.usf.edu.**** ** ** Best regards,**** ** ** ** ** Julie Bond**** Program Manager, Best Workplaces for Commuters**** National Center for Transit Research**** Center for Urban Transportation Research**** University of South Florida**** 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CUT100**** Tampa, FL 33620**** Direct Line: 813.974.9799**** [image: cid:image002.png@01CE0EB7.27D18690]**** ** ** ------------------------------

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Bike to the Bombers a big hit for cyclists
by Dave Elmore 18 Jul '13

18 Jul '13

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/07/17/mb-bombers-bike-cycl ing-game-stadium-valet-paths-infrastructure.html Bike to the Bombers a big hit for cyclists More than 1,200 football fans biked to CFL team's home opener By Leslie McLaren, CBC News <http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html> Anders Swanson made a video of his bike ride to Investors Group Field to share the experience and show how many people like to cycle to events. Anders Swanson made a video of his bike ride to Investors Group Field to share the experience and show how many people like to cycle to events. (CBC) A Winnipeg cycling advocate has made a video called "Bike to the Bombers" after more than 1,000 football fans cycled to the team's home opener June 27, far more than expected. Anders Swanson says he counted 1,222 bikes at the game, overwhelming the free <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/07/17/mb-bombers-bike-cyc ling-game-stadium-valet-paths-infrastructure.html> bike valet at the stadium which has a capacity of about half that. Cyclists had to lock up hundreds of bikes along walkways and fences, wherever they could. "It was just a literal sea of bikes," he said. "Winnipeg looked like Amsterdam for a minute there. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least, so basically I just went around the stadium counting every single bike that I could see locked up to either a fence or in the bike valet." Swanson's video had hundreds of hits after it was published on Tuesday. He said he made it to share the experience, and prove a point - people want to cycle to events. "It was really special for me to show up at the stadium and see just how many people rode their bike," he said. "I don't think anybody expected that there was going to be that many people, to the point where they really just weren't prepared for it." Swanson said the bike valet service, which is free, was fantastic. It just wasn't big enough. He took the trouble to count the total number of bikes because "data is important." "I wanted to be able to show that there was that many people, so that they know what to do for next time, to make sure there was enough people in the bike valet, to make sure there's enough bike racks," he said. "All you have to do is make it really easy and people will do it." Bombers plan to expand bike stands Blue Bombers spokesperson Darren Cameron said it's great to hear that the number of people riding their bikes to games has jumped. He said at the old stadium, usually between 60 and 70 cyclists would show up. He confirms that it was 1,200 at the home opener. "Compared to the old place, it's night and day," he said. "One of the things we asked fans to do was to consider biking to the game, and obviously people have taken advantage of that option which is great. We are looking at possible options to expand but at this point do not have anything set in stone." 10K fans cycling to games a 'possibility' Swanson said cyclists had a very different experience getting to the game than motorists, and he wanted to send fans in cars <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/07/17/mb-bombers-bike-cyc ling-game-stadium-valet-paths-infrastructure.html> and buses a message. "There was a lot of stories about the traffic chaos and people stuck in their cars for hours and waiting for the bus," he said. "I just wanted to show them, 'Hey, just hop on a bicycle and you'll have a smile on your face all the way there and all the way back.'" His video is a fast-paced romp along bike paths but it also shows the number of stop signs and busy crossings cyclists encounter. He said Winnipeg has come a long way, but those disruptions show the big gaps in Winnipeg's cycling infrastructure. "I wanted to show that it wasn't perfect yet. That there's a lot of stops, that there's some big, major intersections to cross." Swanson said well-designed bike paths don't have gaps like that. "A true, proper world-class city that has good bicycle infrastructure means that you get on something (and) you know you can get to wherever you need to go. It doesn't matter whether its Polo Park, Northgate shopping centre or the stadium. You know you can get on. with your kids, and they don't have to be experts. They'll be able to get there." Swanson said while he did see a lot of bikes at the stadium, he noted there were few children's bikes. "Theres a lot of kids that like to go to the Bombers game. I think the true test is whether or not anybody can leave from their home with an eight-year-old kid and get to the Bombers game and feel safe about it." He believes even more people would cycle to the stadium with better infrastructure and a secure place to leave their bikes. "You have to look no further than a soccer game in Germany or a field hockey game in the Netherlands. You can get literally 20 to 30 per cent of the people showing up by bicycle, so that means what, 10,000? It's possible. It's just a matter of a city that takes it seriously. It's not rocket science." He said there's no question Winnipeg can be a world-class cycling city. "We're flat. We're fun. We've got lots of trees covering us. There's a lot of things that are very special actually about Winnipeg. And a lot of people are realizing that and jumping on a bike even though there's a lot of work left to be done," he said.

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Handouts for Today's Webinar: From Paint to Preform: Getting the Most from Pavement Markings
by Bike Winnipeg 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

For those who were at today's webinar, or those who missed it but would like to have a peak, handouts can now be downloaded from http://www.apbp.org/?page=Webinar_Downloads -- Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg (formerly Bike to the Future) http://bikewinnipeg.ca <http://biketothefuture.org>

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Portage Daily Graphic - AT gets a boost
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jul '13

16 Jul '13

Active transportation gets a boost By Svjetlana Mlinarevic<http://www.portagedailygraphic.comportagedailygraphic.com/>, QMI Agency | Sunday, July 14, 2013 3:22:13 CDT PM http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/2013/07/14/active-transportation-gets-a-… During the last City of Portage la Prairie council meeting, councilors approved the construction of a 1,500-metre pathway to be built in the north end, July 8. The limestone cycle/walkway will stretch from Berkley Avenue to 3rd Street NE and then at North Memorial Park from Oak Bay to 6th Avenue. “It’s all part of trying to promote active transportation within Portage la Prairie. Not only to allow communities and members of our community to get out and get active, but it brings people together and it ties in all areas of our community,” said Coun. Diane Stasiuk, who spoke on behalf of transportation committee chair Coun. Brent Froese, as he was not in council. The total cost for construction of the pathway is $17,500; $7,500 for labour and $10,000 for equipment. “The $10,000 is an in-kind donation in terms of, it’s what we call an almost rental, to the citizens to be using our equipment. It’s not really a cost to the city. We’re providing the equipment for the work to be done,” she said. Council has also earmarked $10,000 to hire a consultant to develop an active transportation network strategic plan. The plan is expected to be presented to them on Aug. 12. The city has been looking at active transportation since the last election when the committee first approached them. The plan to connect all areas of the city by a pathway system will take years to compete, which will be done in phases, according to Stasiuk. “It takes time. It takes money,” she said, adding there has not been a discussion yet on an on-road aspect of active transportation, such as a cycling path, but that it was clearly needed. “You see that in more cities – Brandon, Winnipeg – bicycle traffic is becoming more popular and people are commuting to and from work and recreational activities and just getting around town on other forms of transportation. We have to get with the program,” said Stasiuk. When asked if a public transportation system will be developed in Portage, Stasiuk said it was something that council has looked into since the last election. The Portage Community Revitalization Committee, seniors and families have also brought up the issue with councillors, according to Stasiuk. “Perhaps we just need to find better ways of utilizing our existing shuttle and taxi service and not look at a public transportation system, per say. We need to look into that and we need to look at the feasibility of it. The city is not committed to it, but it’s certainly something that has been raised and will likely be raised in the next strategic planning process,” she said. The north end pathway is expected to be completed by July 31. svjetlana.mlinarevic(a)sunmedia.ca Twitter@PDGSvjetlana

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VIDEO - Biking to the Bombers: Downtown to the Stadium
by Anders Swanson 16 Jul '13

16 Jul '13

Hi, You may have heard about all the bikes at the first Bomber game (I counted an astounding 1222 bikes parked around the stadium at game time)....but its another thing to see what that looks like. Consider watching this: http://vimeo.com/activetransportation/ biketothebombers-downtown I took a camera with me that day, and put together a short film with the footage I took. I tossed in a little animated bomber dude on a cycling map to help you keep your bearings - and there's some footage of the bike valet in action. Its only 7m47secs. Turn up the sound. Please feel free to share widely...especially with folks who may be going to the football game this friday. After all, friends don't let friends wait in traffic, do they? Cheers, Anders Swanson @SwansonAnders P.S. ..and if they aren't the type to be arriving early, tell them to bring a lock. ; )

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On-street cycling infrastructure in Toronto and Montreal
by Erik Dickson 12 Jul '13

12 Jul '13

Here's an interesting video from the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation that explores the history, differences in and future of on-street cycling infrastructure in Toronto and Montreal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bMDXOMrzYw <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bMDXOMrzYw&feature=youtu.be> &feature=youtu.be Also in case you missed the news yesterday, a team from the U of T set a new record last month designing the first working bike-powered helicopter. Their next goal is to design bicycles capable of 120 km an hour! http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/u-of-t-engineers-make-history-with-first-huma n-powered-helicopter-1.1362742 Happy Friday! Regards, Erik Dickson Suite 1120 - 201 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3B 3K6 ph: (204) 927-3444 ext. 242 fax: (204) 927-3443 web: www.scatliff.ca blog: http://scatliff.tumblr.com Please consider our environment before printing this message.

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