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WFP: Cyclist killed on Higgins Ave was passionate mentor, volunteer (May25'12)
by Beth McKechnie 25 May '12

25 May '12

Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer By: Mary Agnes Welch A longtime North End volunteer who died Wednesday in a bike accident was an expert cyclist who always followed safety rules. Violet Nelson taught dozens of neighbourhood girls proper road safety and organized a 15-kilometre bike-a-thon when she ran the North End's aboriginal Girl Guides program. "She biked for transportation. She didn't like the idea of driving a vehicle," said her mother, also named Violet Nelson. "She didn't like the pollution." At the time of the accident, the mother of two was cycling the few blocks from her work as the finance manager of a cutting-edge art gallery to the Native Women's Transition Centre, where she planned to join two of the province's most powerful politicians for a news conference. Nelson, who chaired the NWTC's volunteer board, worked for years on a new halfway house for former female inmates. Premier Greg Selinger and St. Boniface MP Shelly Glover were on hand Wednesday to open the 15-unit lodge meant to help offenders get back on their feet and reunite with their children. "She was always late," her mom said with a small laugh. "But I knew something was wrong when she didn't show up. That was a very important project to her." In a short interview, Lucille Bruce, executive director of the NWTC, said staff was in shock over Nelson's death. Nelson was cycling westbound on Higgins, just past Main Street, when she was in collision with a westbound vehicle in the curb lane. The collision threw her under the wheels of a semi-trailer, also travelling westbound, in the median lane. The driver of the semi wasn’t aware that he had run over Nelson and continued on. He was later contacted by police. Nelson, known as Vie to all her friends, leaves behind two young children -- an 11-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son. "Her life revolved around them," her mother said. She was very fit and sporty and had a wall full of trophies, her mom added. She suffered from dyslexia and dropped out of school a few credits into her Grade 9 year. But she was a whiz with numbers and later taught herself all kinds of administrative skills. Most recently, she was the finance manager at the Graffiti Gallery on Higgins Avenue. Nelson was an avid volunteer from the time she was in grade school at Faraday School in the North End, where she also routinely stuck up for her brother when he got picked on. As a teen, she spent nine months as a Katimavik youth volunteer in Quebec. Later, when she was on staff at the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre, she founded the aboriginal Girl Guides, recruiting and training the leaders and designing the curriculum for a program that quickly spread into several low-income neighbourhoods. It was through the Guides that she offered bike riding and safety lessons, and organized the bike-a-thon. "She was a very passionate woman. She'd come into the room and she'd light up the room," her mom said. "She knew how to get people doing things." A wake is planned for Wednesday at Thunderbird House, likely beginning at 6 p.m. A formal service will follow Thursday at 11 a.m. at Thunderbird House. maryagnes.welch(a)freepress.mb.ca http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/inspiration-to-aboriginal-girls-1539…

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WFP: NDP introduces law making bike helmets mandatory for those under 18 (May24'12)
by Beth McKechnie 24 May '12

24 May '12

Wear those bike helmets, kids NDP introduces law making headgear mandatory for those under 18 By: Larry Kusch After refusing for years to mandate the use of bicycle helmets, the Manitoba NDP relented with legislation that will require cyclists under the age of 18 to don protective headgear. Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau, who introduced the legislation on Wednesday, said the government's approach was to rely first on public education and programs that provided free or inexpensive helmets to preschool and school-age children. Those programs saw 80,000 helmets distributed to kids over the past half-dozen years, he said. Introducing a bike-helmet law was "the next logical step," Rondeau said Wednesday. "The amendments introduced today are a critical step forward in protecting our children and young cyclists and preventing serious injuries and fatalities," Rondeau said. Anke Sinclair, a mother of two boys, Mehru, 9, and Yannick, 3, said her children use helmets. "I think it's a safety issue. I think if they do fall -- whatever the cause -- I think it will protect their heads," she said. Sinclair said she thinks there needs to be more education for motorists around cyclists. "Me, as a cyclist, I see that some motorists don't really know what to do with me," said Sinclair. She said she's spoken to other people who want to ride their bikes more, but "do not feel safe." Sinclair also said it's very important to improve bike lanes in the city. Rondeau told reporters he doesn't expect police will be handing out many tickets once the bill is passed and proclaimed. He did not indicate when the new law would take effect. "We're not going to have a lot of cops chasing kids -- ever," Rondeau said, noting that in jurisdictions with similar legislation "very, very few tickets are given out." What the government is counting on, he said, is once a law is in effect, folks will understand it and obey it. "The major goal is to get people to know the law." Manitoba is one of only four provinces without some kind of bicycle-helmet law. Several jurisdictions, such as Alberta and Ontario, have had laws in place for a decade or more, while four provinces require all cyclists wear helmets. In provinces where child bicycle-helmet use is mandatory, compliance rates are 80 per cent or more. The usage rate in Manitoba sits at 42 per cent among children. The Manitoba Liberals have beat the drum for a bike-helmet law since 2006, but every time one of its members introduced a private member's bill touting a bike law, it was shot down by the ruling NDP. Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard said he was "very pleased that the government at last has listened" to his party and introduced the legislation. But he said it should have applied to adults as well as children. A Winnipeg pediatric neurosurgeon agreed. "There's nothing more protective about an adult's skull and brain versus a 17-year-old's. When your head hits the concrete... the impact is the same," Dr. Patrick McDonald told The Canadian Press. Rondeau didn't rule out expanding the helmet law to cover adults, but he said for now the government was content to apply it only to kids. He said children are less-experienced riders and prone to "the most risky behaviours" on a bicycle. "We'll monitor (the legislation) to see if we have to go further in the next little while." Charles Weaver, a spokesman for the Winnipeg cycling group Bike to the Future, said he is disappointed the government isn't doing more to protect cyclists. He noted his organization is split on whether bike-helmet use should be legislated. The province should be doing more to promote cycling as a healthy form of transportation and to educate motorists and cyclists on road safety, he said. Right now, many people are discouraged from riding their bikes because of safety fears. "We'd much rather they (the government) spent an effort on making cycling safer rather than protecting us from our own crashes," Weaver said. In some countries, such as Holland and Denmark, bike usage is much higher and injury rates are lower because of better laws, bike infrastructure and education, he said. "In this legislation, government is telling Manitobans: 'Our roads are dangerous for cyclists, so wear a helmet to protect yourself.' This is a Band-Aid solution," Weaver said. Will Belford, a mechanic/owner at Natural Cycle on Albert Street, said there are "many different aspects" of safety on the road. "As it stands right now, for Winnipeggers, it is still dangerous," he said. "Given the complexity of the situation, helmets for minors... would not be a mistake in my mind. Children are certainly at most risk because they have the least experience riding on roads, and that's really where most of the accidents happen." -- with files from Gabrielle Giroday larry.kusch(a)freepress.mb.ca *Cycling injuries (2005-2009)* An average of 165 cycling-related injuries requiring hospitalization occurred each year in Manitoba between 2005 and 2009, the most recent period for which statistics are available. Forty-five per cent of these injuries involved children. An average of 22 people per year were hospitalized for cycling-related head injuries during that time. About half were children. 13 people, including one child, died as a result of cycling mishaps between 2005 and 2009. -- source: Province of Manitoba *What's proposed:* All Manitobans under 18 years of age would be required to wear a proper helmet when riding a bicycle. Exemptions would be made on religious grounds. Kids riding on private property would also be exempt. Children under age 14 would not be prosecuted for failing to wear a helmet, but their parents would face fines of up to $50. Provision would be made for alternatives to fines for a first offence; those alternative penalties are still to be decided. Kids riding as passengers on a bike or being towed by a bicycle would also be required to wear a helmet. *Helmet safety tips* Buy a helmet that is approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) for use while riding a bicycle. Replace a helmet that's got a crack in it, since it might not offer maximum protection. Ensure the helmet fits properly and is adjusted regularly. -- source: Safety Services Manitoba (formerly Manitoba Safety Council)

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Posting to the AT Network
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '12

17 May '12

Hello AT Network subscribers! Just a friendly reminder that everyone subscribed to this list can post messages – new research, events, programs, opportunities to collaborate, requests for information, etc. All you have to do is address the message to: AT-Network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca cheers, Beth

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Evaluation for In-street Bicycle Parking Webinar
by Mark Cohoe 17 May '12

17 May '12

Hi, For those who attended yesterday's webinar, " In Street Bicycle Parking: What, When, Where and How Much?", we hope you enjoyed the webinar and found it valuable. Please take a few minutes to complete a short online evaluation <http://www.apbp.org/surveys/?id=Evaluation_May-12>to help improve future webinars provided by APBP. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next APBP webinar, "Resolving Conflicts at Complex Intersections". Join us Wednesday June 20th from 2pm to 3pm in the Eco Centre Boardroom. Cheers, Mark *//*

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WFP: Changes favour pedal-pushers - Bill loosens law for bikes on roads (May17'12)
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '12

17 May '12

Changes favour pedal-pushers Bill loosens law for bikes on roads By: Larry Kusch THE province plans to make it easier for municipalities to create designated bike lanes for cyclists. On Wednesday, the Selinger government proposed several changes to the Highway Traffic Act, amending the law's definition of traffic to include bicycles. Bicyclists have always been allowed to use roadways and will still have that right under the proposed amendments. But under the current act, municipalities can only create shared bike lanes on roads where bikes share the roadway with buses. Under the proposed legislation, municipalities would be able to create bike lanes on roadways even if buses don't travel that route. Also under the current act, bicycles are not allowed to use the shoulders of highways even if they are paved. A proposed change would permit bikes on highway shoulders. "Municipalities are asking for a way to address cycle traffic and bike lanes and so on within their municipal boundaries," Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux told reporters. "This will give them the bylaw-making authority to do that." Lemieux said the changes were developed in response to the growing number of Manitobans who choose bicycles as transportation over gas-powered vehicles. He said the proposed legislation would not give municipalities power to set new rules for cyclists or impose or adjust fines. That would remain under provincial authority. One proposed change would specify cyclists must ride single file on highways unless passing another bike. Winnipeg's cycling community responded positively to the proposals. Tim Woodcock, owner of Woodcock Cycle Works, said the changes would make it considerably safer for cyclists to get around. "There are a lot of cyclists who would love to ride more, but they're not comfortable riding on the roads the way they're designed and with the cars being so close," he said. Don Ellison, who commutes 40 kilometres every day on his bike, said the changes would raise awareness among motorists that cyclists have the right to use the road. Commuting cyclists seek routes that include a maximum of bike paths and a minimum of roadways, Ellison said. "We need bicycle routes that cut right through the city and come from all the different boroughs. That's how you get people riding for transportation, by getting them off the main drags." -- with files from Geoff Kirbyson larry.kusch(a)freepress.mb.ca http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/changes-favour-pedal-pushers-1518409…

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Manitoba News Release: Proposed Amendments to Highway Traffic Act Would Support More Active Transportation: Lemieux
by Anders Swanson 16 May '12

16 May '12

FYI May 16, 2012 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT WOULD SUPPORT MORE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION: LEMIEUX - - - Municipalities Could Set Bylaws On How Cyclists Use Roadways Proposed amendments would expand the Highway Traffic Act to boost forms of active transportation and help create designated bicycle pathways on existing roads, said Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux after introducing the legislation. "The proposals will amend the act's definition of traffic to include bicycles," said Lemieux. "It means municipalities would have the power to make bylaws that regulate bicycle traffic and adapt the bylaws to the specific needs of their communities, and that will mean more routes for cyclists." Commuter cycling is largely an urban activity and the proposed changes would give municipalities a larger role in managing the flow of traffic on their streets and in their neighbourhoods, Lemieux said. Municipal governments are often best positioned to assess routes and areas where integrating bicycles with motor vehicles is appropriate, he added. The minister said the proposed amendments are part of the Manitoba government's ongoing commitment to support healthy living and a cleaner environment. The proposed changes have been developed in response to the growing number of Manitobans who are choosing bicycles over gas-powered vehicles. "The environmental benefits of this trend are enormous and we want to support and encourage the use of bicycles across the province," Lemieux said. "We think this proposed legislation will open an important dialogue between motorists and cyclists and increase mutual respect for everyone who operates a vehicle on public roads." More information on the proposed amendments is available at: http://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/40-1/index.php. - anders

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ParkBus offers carless Toronto (and next year, Ottawa) an escape route for camping
by Beth McKechnie 16 May '12

16 May '12

What a fabulous idea for Manitoba! Birds Hill Park would be the perfect place to start with its proximity to Winnipeg and camping/trails. (Thanks to Mike Balshaw for sharing.) ParkBus offers carless Toronto (and next year, Ottawa) an escape route for camping Posted by John Michael McGrath<http://toronto.openfile.ca/users/john-michael-mcgrath>on Friday, May 11, 2012 http://toronto.openfile.ca/blog/toronto/2012/parkbus-offers-carless-toronto… If you live in downtown Toronto and want to go camping, there's a non-trivial chance that you don't own the car to get you from A to B. This is a problem crying out for a solution. So when the Ontario Parkbus Initiative <http://www.parkbus.ca/>'s press release started flying around Twitter this afternoon their traffic spiked because, apparently, a lot of people are interested in their service: offering carless urbanites a route out of the city in the summer. "Our website is crashing today," says Boris Issaev, project manager at Parkbus.ca. They're not about to become millionaires from the brisk business (Parkbus doesn't make money on the ticket sales) but that's not the point. If the traffic they're seeing today is any indication, the point is that a large market was apparently being ignored, and isn't anymore. Issaev says the first idea for Parkbus started in 2010, with an information table at Mountain Equipment Co-Op to sign up interested campers and some emails to skeptical bus companies. The first year was a small success, and 2011 saw it expand slightly in what Issaev calls "almost regular service" and get the attention of Ontario Parks. The summer of 2012 is going to be even bigger, thanks in part to a $240,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, with regular service from Toronto to Bruce National Park, as well as Killarney, Algonquin, and Grundy Lake Provincial Parks. "We'd love to be in every park in Ontario, obviously, but we're trying to grow sustainably," says Issaev. Part of the plan for that growth is to start a pilot program in Ottawa next year, on at least some weekends. "Right now, we're getting some people taking the train down from Ottawa and getting on the bus in Toronto, which doesn't make sense for them," says Issaev. "So next year we're looking at weekend pilots in Ottawa to Algonquin." Booking with Parkbus may not be quite as flexible as renting an SUV (there's a limit to the number of bikes allowed on a bus, for example—and no canoes allowed) but anyone who's had the dubious pleasure of trying to wrangle a few friends into a rented SUV and keeping all the gear straight for the weekend may want to check Parkbus out. CORRECTION: The grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation that is making Parkbus' expansion possible is $240,000, not $40,000 as this post originally stated.

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Which commute is the healthiest
by Beth McKechnie 16 May '12

16 May '12

Which commute is the healthiest? By Laurie Tarkan<http://www.foxnews.com/archive/author/laurie-tarkan/index.html> Published May 10, 2012 FoxNews.com The longer you commute, the worse your health, according to the latest in a string of studies showing that sitting—even in a car—is bad for you. The study, published in the June issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that those who have the longest drives to work have decreased cardio fitness, are heavier and have higher blood pressure than those with shorter commutes. That’s bad news, since the average time driving to work increased from 17.6 minutes in 1983 to 22.5 minutes in 2001. The question: Is it being sedentary for so long that raises the risk or is it the stress of driving, or both? And is another type of commute, like taking a train or bus any better for you? In this study, researchers studied about 4,000 residents who lived in metropolitan areas of Texas. Researchers recorded commuting distances as well as several measures of health including cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glucose levels, cholesterol and blood pressure. Participants also recorded the amount of physical activity they did. The study found that people who drove longer distances to work reported doing less physical activity, had decreased cardio fitness and greater BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure. Cholesterol and glucose levels were not affected. Those who drove only 10 miles or more to work were more likely to have high blood pressure, and those who commuted 15 miles or more were less likely to meet recommendations for physical activity and were more likely to be obese. Even when physical activity was adjusted for (meaning taken out of the equation), the other risk factors remained, suggesting that long commuters expend less daily energy than others. The reason blood pressure also increased with driving distance may be linked to the stress of commuting. Past studies have associated daily commuting with high blood pressure, tension and fatigue. "Those with longer commutes may be more likely to be exposed to heavy traffic resulting in higher stress levels and more time sitting," says lead investigator of the new study, Christine M. Hoehner of Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. *Commuting by Train* But is commuting by train or bus any better? One study looked at the health of people who took a train from New Jersey to Manhattan. It turns out that if you use public transportation, you spend more time walking – to the train station and to your office – than if you drive. The study found that train commuters walked an average of 30 percent more steps per workday than those who drove to work. It also found that people commuting by car reported significantly more stress and a more negative mood than those who rode the train. *The Best Commute* Of course, the best way to get to work is to walk or ride a bike—an active commute. One study found that active commuting that incorporates walking or cycling was associated with an 11 percent reduction in cardiovascular risk. Another study found that men with any active commuting (versus none) were less likely to be obese, and had lower risk factors for heart disease across the board. Since there’s growing evidence that sitting at your desk all day is bad for your health, try to maximize the activity of your commute to your office. If walking or biking isn’t possible, second best is public transportation since. If you must drive to work, as most Americans do, then think about incorporating walking into your day as much as possible to counter all that time you’re sitting. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/05/10/which-commute-is-healthiest/#ixzz1…

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Webinar reminder: In-Street Bicycle Parking: Wed, May 16, 2-3 pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 15 May '12

15 May '12

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow's webinar *** Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed descriptions provided below.* *In-street Bicycle Parking: What, When, Where and How Much? Wednesday, May 16th • 2:00 to 3:00 pm CST RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth 925-3772 * * * * * Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) presents: In-street Bicycle Parking: What, When, Where and How Much? Wednesday, May 16th • 2:00 to 3:00 pm CST Increasingly communities face the dilemma of bicycles and pedestrians competing for scarce sidewalk space. As pedestrian activity increases wider sidewalks are needed, while as cycling increases more bicycle parking—traditionally placed on sidewalks—is also needed. In-street bicycle corrals allow agencies to place bicycle parking in the street, [image: parking]off the pedestrian way, resolving this conflict and making more efficient use of existing parking spaces. However, jurisdictions may hesitate to undertake bicycle corrals since there are few design examples and little specific guidance on which to base such projects. Planners, engineers, developers and advocates should attend this webinar to learn how to scale up bicycle parking to meet growing demand while avoiding negative impacts to the pedestrian environment. Placing bicycle parking in the street presents unique challenges for traffic engineers and streetscape designers. Issues include roadway operations, cyclist and pedestrian safety, placement of a bike corral in relation to other sidewalk and street design elements, pedestrian flows and adjacent land uses. The webinar will address these challenges with examples of successful in-street bicycle parking projects (examples from New York City, Portland, and Washington D.C.). Presenters will also define best practices for providing bicycle parking in the street and discuss how a program might progress, beginning with public process and moving through costs, installation, and maintenance. Presenters include Eric Anderson, City of Berkeley, California; Sarah Figliozzi, Portland Bureau of Transportation; Chris Holben, District Department of Transportation; and Hayes Lord, New York City Department of Transportation. -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 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/memberships/>

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Wales to discourage car reliance - Active Travel Bill
by Beth McKechnie 15 May '12

15 May '12

[Couldn't find this Globe & Mail (May14'12) article online so here's a scan – very interesting!] [image: Inline image 1]

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