[Apologies in advance for any cross-postings. Hope to see you there! - Anders]
*Two-Day Professional Training Session on Bicycle-Friendly and People-Friendly Cities Winnipeg* *Nov.22nd and 23rd*
Bicycle-friendly cities are people-friendly cities. Building a city that accommodates the bicycle means building an economically viable, sustainable and socially vibrant city. This November and December, a team of internationally known experts from The Netherlands, Denmark, Canada and the United States are traveling across North America with an innovative training program called "The Kickstand Sessions". Customized training sessions take European expertise and an understanding of North American context to develop solutions that suit the unique characteristics of each city. Trainers coach participants to discover local solutions in engineering, planning, policy, culture and marketing which will permit people of all ages, abilities, genders and backgrounds to bicycle more often.
*Two Day Workshop* Thursday, Nov 22nd (8:30am - 5:00pm) Friday, Nov 23rd (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) Space limited to 36 participants.
*Location:* University of Manitoba Events Centrehttp://umanitoba.ca/admin/campus_planning_office/Event%20Centre.html 100 One Research Road (in Smart Park) Complimentary bike parking for 20 and vehicle parking for 75
*Workshop Fees and Registration*: $800 / pp for two day workshop (taxes, lunch and refreshment breaks included) *Register Now. http://copenhagenize.eu/kickstand/signup.html*
For more information, visit to the Kickstand websitehttp://kickstandsessions.com/.
All training fees are processed through PayPal. Spaces are limited to ensure a high quality learning environment.
*PLEASE NOTE:* We are also coordinating an opportunity for the general public to hear / see / learn from our European friends. Details coming soon.
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*FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS*
*Is this a training session just about applying European best practices in North America?* No. We know that European best practices cannot be directly applied in the North American context. We have heard the argument about how large and spread out North America is, and of course the winters! This training session is unique as it brings together experts from The Netherlands, Denmark, Canada and the United States. Our training team will inspire and coach participants in devising local solutions that build on local conditions. The Kickstand Sessions provide a unique opportunity for professionals to work alongside international cycling experts. Spaces are limited to ensure a high quality learning environment with 4 trainers and a maximum of 36 participants. * TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS * -Focus on the local conditions that need to be in place for the bicycle to work as a catalyst for creating people-friendly cities -Learn how to create the cultural and political support that is necessary to incorporate bicycle infrastructure into your city's transport system -Understand the most strategic and cost-effective approaches for integrating bicycle routes and facilities with other forms of transport -See how to incorporate bicycle planning into pedestrian planning and why this creates safe street designs that work for all road users -Learn what it means to accommodate the needs of women, children, the elderly, low-income families, immigrants and people with disabilities (All of these groups use bicycles heavily in The Netherlands and Denmark) -Uncover the leading-edge approaches used to market and promote urban cycling and why it works -Be motivated by international best practices and lessons that matter to your community -Dispel common barriers to cycling like weather, topography, funding, political will and car-oriented planning -Discover how cycling is central to building livable, modern, resilient and active cities -Find out the characteristics of bicycle culture and how this can be inherited and supported locally -Set a roadmap of key action items that are proven in cities around the world -And much more! * Who should attend this professional training session? *-Transportation engineers and planners -Professionals and business leaders in development, architecture, planning and design -Local economic development officials and tourism professionals -Public health promoters and professionals -Community groups and business improvement associations -Organizations that support women, children, the elderly, new Canadians, low-income families and other key groups -Champions of resilient and liveable communities
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*SOCIAL MEDIA* Join the discussion on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kickstandsessions and Twitter https://twitter.com/kickstand_bike!
*CONTACT* If you have any questions about the training session, please do not hesitate to contact:
*in Manitoba:* Anders Swanson (204) 797-1962 andersswanson@gmail.com
*Canadian Coordinating Chair:* Elizabeth Allingham Community Engagement Manager, The Kickstand Sessions - North America (613) 216-2332 kickstandcanada@copenhagenize.eu
*THANKYOU* to representatives from government and non-government organizations for helping to coordinate logistics and spread the word esp. the University of Manitoba, Manitoba’s Dutch and Danish Consuls, Portage la Prairie's bicycle committee, The University of Manitoba Institute for Transportation Engineers Student Chapter, Bike to the Future, the Winnipeg Trails Association, Manitoba Professional Planners' Institute, MPI, Green Action Centre, the Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba Local Government and more.