February 2014 - AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

a little humour
by Cyndi Otfinowski 28 Feb '14

28 Feb '14

Hi, I hope this is not an abuse of the network, but I thought a little humour about winter driving (or not) might be appreciated. Rick Mercer on: Rick's Rant: "Winter Driving". http://youtu.be/fgUosngyAu0 Sincerely, Cyndi

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Fwd: Invitation to Bid - Winnipeg Trail Signage
by Anders Swanson 27 Feb '14

27 Feb '14

FYI. See below. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Melissa Sitter <executive_director(a)trailsmanitoba.ca> Date: Thu, Feb 27, 2014 at 11:34 AM Subject: Invitation to Bid - Winnipeg Trail Signage To: Cc: margaret(a)trailsmanitoba.ca Hi Everyone; Further to our meeting on January 6th, we have an opportunity to hire a consultant to develop a signage strategy for the Winnipeg Trail. The project description is included in the attached invitation to bid. The purpose of this project is to answer the preliminary questions that arose at our meeting, such as what types of signs should be used (e.g.: reflective or aluminum; TCT logo only or TCT logo with directional arrows or a customized sign), how many signs of each type, where should they go, and provide a cost estimate for the project. Please share the invitation widely. I'm available to answer questions about these projects. Thank you, Melissa Melissa Sitter Executive Director *Trails Manitoba/Sentiers Manitoba* 3-303 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3B 2B4 204-786-2688 www.trailsmanitoba.ca *"In every walk with nature one receives * *far more than he seeks."* - John Muir

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Fwd: A Dialogue on Public Health and its Relationship to Sustainable Development
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 26 Feb '14

26 Feb '14

Some of you may be interested in the content of these lectures and discussion. Jackie ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Tim Walker (Basecamp) <notifications(a)basecamp.com> Date: Wed, Feb 26, 2014 at 1:13 PM Tim Walker posted this message on Basecamp. *For anyone who may be interested. A Dialogue on public health and its relationship to sustainable development in Winnipeg, in Manitoba, in Canada, and globally is happening soon..........* "I want to engage the audience in a dialogue on important, challenging and controversial issues of public health - and its relationship to sustainable development in Winnipeg, in Manitoba, in Canada, and globally". - Dr Joel Kettner Former Chief Public Health Officer for Manitoba Current Director of The Canadian Public Health Association *Public Health in the 21st Century. Presentation and Community dialogue every Tuesday in the Month of March. *in Convocation Hall at the U of W. 2nd floor Wesley Hall (the castle like building). Public Health | What is it? Who needs it? Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at *7:30 p.m.* Priorities for Prevention in Manitoba Our Provincial Profile Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at *12:30 p.m*. Public Health How can we prevent the threats that we do not see or know? Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at *12:30 p.m.* Principles, Power and Public Policy The Peculiar Ethics and Politics of Public Health Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at * 7:30 p.m*. "Manitoba has significant inequalities in health status, associated with racial, gender, socio-economic and geographic factors." "Dr. Kettner will explore how we can understand the related roles and opportunities of public health and social development in tackling big issues such as poor health status, poverty, and illiteracy - within Manitoba - and within and between countries." RSVP Appreciated by: Jennifer Ledoux je.ledoux(a)uwinnipeg.ca 204-786-9157 -- *Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 *|* Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>

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Free Commuting Ambassador Session THIS Wednesday, 1- 4:30pm
by Jessie Klassen 24 Feb '14

24 Feb '14

Just a reminder of a free half-day session coming up* this Wednesday* on becoming a Creative Commuting Ambassador at your workplace (info below). All are welcome, please RSVP by emailing <jessie(a)greenactioncentre.ca> or calling 204-925-3772. Two related sessions that are coming up include creating baseline commuting surveys<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/creative-commuting-ambassador-training/>(March 12, 12:00 - 1:30) and behaviour change<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/creative-commuting-ambassador-training/>strategies(March 26, 1:00 - 4:30). [image: Inline image 1] I: Tools and hands-on training *Wednesday, February 26, 1:00 - 4:30pm* Become a Creative Commuting Ambassador at your workplace! Get the tools and guidance to support your co-workers to get the most out of their commutes. >From a basic primer on different types of bike infrastructure to transit tools, such as Navigo, BUStxt and transit apps, to understanding carpooling vs carsharing. *Jessie Klassen* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca>| Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3772 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>

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WFP: In conversation with Bartek Komorowski [winter cycling conference] (Feb.22'14)
by Beth McKechnie 23 Feb '14

23 Feb '14

In Conversation with Bartek Komorowski By: Estefania Wujkiw *http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/in-conversation-with-bartek-komorowski-246651851.html <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/in-conversation-with-bartek-komorows…>* For the 170 delegates who attended last week's International Winter Cycling Congress, the challenges facing Winnipeg proponents couldn't have been more apparent. Frigid temperatures. Plenty of snowfall. Slippery streets. But Bartek Komorowski, who was one of the invited experts to the conference, believes the obstacles can be overcome. He works at Vélo Québec as the project leader in the research and consulting division. He has extensive experience on projects about active transportation and sustainable urban development for cities, including Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal.ã He sat down with Free Press intern Estefania Wujkiw and explained that biking is not about income, but about convenience. Biking is not only fast, but environmentally friendly and cheap, because it doesn't require any fancy gear. *FP: What do you hope to see in Winnipeg?* Komorowski: I would hope to see more cycle tracks hopefully, and maybe a cultural change as well. I think a lot of people are telling me here that Winnipeg is very much a car city and there is a bit of friction between cars and bicycles. But that can change. Right now in Montreal, it is better than it used to be. Apparently, the people that started, when they would go out and bike on the streets, they would get things thrown at them out of cars back in the '70s. *FP: What are the prejudices of winter cycling?* Komorowski: What really fascinates me is that Canadians generally have no issue with doing winter sports. We go skiing, snowshoeing and that's OK, yet cycling for some reason, it is too cold to cycle. If you are dressed reasonably, it is no different. The benefits of cycling in the winter are exactly the same as the benefits of cycling in the summer. In my case, I keep riding through the winter because it's the fastest option to get to work. I could drive, but there's no parking around where I work. I could take transit, but that would take about 45 minutes, or I could ride my bicycle and it takes me about 15 (minutes). *FP: What has been the craziest idea you've heard at this event?* Komorowski: The most out-there idea I've heard of was a presenter from Finland saying that they are working on a cellphone app which will track cyclists with a GPS. When a few cyclists are approaching an intersection, they will turn the light green. In Copenhagen, for example, they have green way, so they time the traffic light to the speed of a bicycle. But this is even better because this is dynamic. If there are unexpectedly a bunch of cyclists heading towards an intersection, that intersection will turn green for them. They are working on it, incidentally, in Oulu, which is actually where Nokia cellphones come from, so it makes sense that they would do that there. *FP: What best practices were discussed?* Komorowski:ã The key practices are building separated paths, also prioritizing. You have a network and then you have to decide what are you gonna maintain first, what are you gonna maintain second and third. If you try to do everything at once and you don't have a plan, then it doesn't work and nothing gets done. That's really a big message that a lot of people here had. Then there are technical things like different techniques, like using salt or sand, or scratching the surface to make grooves. Those all depend on the type of climate you have. By exchanging (ideas) we can avoid making mistakes. *FP: Is the overall experience different between winter and summer cycling, besides the obvious cold weather?* Komorowski: I heard that there's apparently a Norwegian saying that "there is no such thing as bad weather, there is only bad clothes." It's really not that different from cycling in the summer; you just have to dress appropriately. The only place where it's sort of painful is any part of your face that is exposed. In terms of your technique, you have to be a little more careful in the winter, and it's probably best to go a bit slower because there can be unexpected circumstances. If you have studded tires, you can stop on a dime, but a car might skid. In places where you are sharing the road with cars, you have to remember that. *FP: Do you have any advice for beginners?* Komorowski: It is possible to bike in the winter; it is not insane to do it. You dress the same way you would as if you were going cross-country skiing. Maybe if you have a road bike with slick tires, that's not the best. (Try) a slightly bigger tire or with a bit of tread or even a winter tire. Just do it. Go slow when you start just to get a feel for it. Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 22, 2014 D3

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Protected intersections for bicyclists -- 6 minute video presentation
by Kevin Miller 21 Feb '14

21 Feb '14

http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/next-breakthrough-bike-friendly-world-pr otected-intersections-video.html

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Active Transportation-Canada
by Beth McKechnie 20 Feb '14

20 Feb '14

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Terry Zdan <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, Feb 20, 2014 at 3:18 PM Subject: Active Transportation-Canada Active Transportation Listserv Members: It is past due for a reminder of the new articles that have been posted on Active Transportation-Canada. Since the last notice, on February 1, links to more than 65 new items have been added. We all have our favourites, but here are a few that I found worthwhile reading: 1. Brisk Walking Delays Cognitive Decline in Older Adults <http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/brisk-walking-delays…> 2. Calgary - 1st Street cycle track to be debated by city committee<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/calgary-1st-street-c…> 3. Montreal winter Tour de l'Île kicks off inaugural edition<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/montreal-winter-tour…> 4. Bike share program coming to Hamilton this summer<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/bike-share-program-c…> 5. Edmonton's bike-lane plan unproven and costly<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/edmontons-bike-lane-…> 6. Call for Proposals: Present at the 2014 Ontario Bike Summit<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/call-for-proposals-p…> 7. Cycling infrastructure more economic than for other transport<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/cycling-infrastructu…> 8. Bike lane removal and relocation peddled by Edmonton councillor<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/bike-lane-removal-an…> 9. Build it and they will come: Peak car culture<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/build-it-and-they-wi…> 10. Canada - The Federal Election and Cycling<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/canada-federal-elect…> Or, just visit the home page and explore for yourself: http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/. If you are interested in Active Transportation isssues, I suspect you will find something worthwhile among the more than 2,800 items that have been posted. Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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WFP: Leadership makes wheels turn - Political will a must to spur year-round cycling (Feb.18'14)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Feb '14

18 Feb '14

Leadership makes wheels turn Political will a must to spur year-round cycling in city ON ARCHITECTUREBy: Brent Bellamy http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/leadership-makes-wheels-turn-2459… Winnipeg played host last week to the second International Winter Cycling Congress. Nearly 200 delegates from across North America gathered to discuss the challenges of urban winter cycling and celebrate the benefits it can have for northern cities. The health and quality-of-life-benefits cycling as urban transportation can bring to the citizens of a city are obvious. Numerous studies show commuters who cycle are generally healthier; they feel less stress, sleep better and have more energy. Physically active employees often show improved productivity, reduced absenteeism and turnover. Beyond improving the well-being of its citizens, many cities that struggle to keep up with infrastructure deficits are beginning to understand the positive role investment in active transportation can have in building a sustainable city. As we construct sprawling suburbs, greater commuting distances increase vehicle time on the road, which, in turn, increases congestion levels. The response is often to build new roads or expand existing ones to accommodate higher traffic volumes at peak times. This increased capacity then drives new development even further out and the cycle begins again. By investing in initiatives such as public transit and cycling infrastructure, cities can begin to affect the urban-sprawl spiral, while incrementally reducing road construction and maintenance costs. At less than a tenth of the cost of a new road, construction of fully segregated bike lanes is an attractive option for cities interested in sustainable growth. For the first time, vehicle-ownership levels are declining in Canada and young people in particular are looking for alternative transportation options. Enticing even a small percentage of commuters to choose cycling can significantly affect overall traffic congestion. A study by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration indicated reducing the number of cars by only three per cent can lower peak rush-hour traffic by nearly 30 per cent. Realizing the benefits of reduced infrastructure spending through the provision of alternate transportation options is only effective if the strategy is successful year-round. A harsh winter climate is an obvious barrier to achieving these results. Delegates at the Winter Cycling Congress were inspired by the successful growth of four-season cycling in Minneapolis, a sprawling suburban metropolis that has been named the best cycling city in America, despite winter conditions similar to those in Winnipeg. Political leadership in Minneapolis has been dedicated to transforming the city's urban-cycling culture, making it a central component of overall transportation planning and a primary tool in its urban-design strategy. Widespread construction of dedicated bike lanes, urban zoning requirements for bike parking, rapid transit with bicycle-carrying capability and the implementation of a successful 170 station bike-share program has led to a 78 per cent increase in commuter cyclists since 2007. Despite being America's coldest major metropolitan area, winter cycling rates are growing three times faster than those in summer. Today, five per cent of Minneapolis residents bike to work (twice that of Winnipeg) and nearly 40 per cent of those cycle through the winter months. The most significant barrier to winter cycling participation is not temperature, but the perception of safety. Riders generally feel cold can be accommodated with proper clothing, but unsafe road conditions pose a deterrent that is difficult to overcome. The Twin Cities has addressed this issue by developing a system of paths that physically separate cars and bikes. Smaller street-side bike lanes connect to an innovative system of 'bicycle freeways' linking downtown and the suburbs along former rail lines. The eight-kilometre Midtown Greenway carries as many as 4,000 cyclists per day. The city has committed to clearing these paths within 24 hours of a snowfall, providing winter cyclists with a safe and efficient commuter path in all seasons. With winter participation rates growing, Minneapolis cyclists are experiencing safety in numbers as greater presence in the streets has heightened overall awareness and lowered accident rates. Similarly, in Montreal, a city that keeps 60 km of bike lanes clear from snow all winter, participation has grown by 70 per cent since 2009 with the number of accidents remaining constant. Winnipeggers often hide behind the excuse of cold winters to resist new ideas for improving our city's urban quality. Minneapolis should inspire us to embrace northern-city living and reap the benefits of becoming a year-round cycling community. The conditions for developing a four-season cycling culture in Winnipeg are more favourable than they were in Minneapolis. Our city is denser, it's smaller with far shorter commuting distances, a more highly concentrated downtown workforce and stronger initial participation levels. Both cities have ample sunshine and flat topography, each with rail lines and hydro corridors that could serve as 'bicycle freeways.' Climate and urban form are not the most important factors in developing an urban cycling culture. The common characteristic shared by all bike cities is political leadership that makes active-transportation policy a priority. These cities achieved high numbers of commuter cyclists through deliberate municipal-development decisions. They serve as a model for winter cities such as Winnipeg, demonstrating what is possible with strong political leadership committed to sustainable urban growth and healthy cities. Brent Bellamy is senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group. bbellamy(a)numberten.com Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 18, 2014 B5

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AT Webinar: Design for Cyclist and Pedestrian Comfort, Wed, Feb 19, 2-3pm, Ecocentre
by Beth McKechnie 18 Feb '14

18 Feb '14

*Apologies for the late notice regarding tomorrow's webinar due to being away at the excellent Winter Cycling Congress last week followed by the holiday Monday.* <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of the following APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave). This will be followed by group discussion of local applications. Description provided below. RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth / Jessie (204) 925-3772 ** * * * ** Design for Cyclist and Pedestrian Comfort Wednesday, February 19 | 2:00-3:00 pm CT Learn what tools some communities are using to make qualitative assessments of cycling and walking facilities. Case studies include San Francisco's Bicycle and Pedestrian Environmental Quality Indices and the Traffic Stress model developed at the Mineta Transportation Institute. *Presenters:* - Conor Semler, Kittelson and Associates - Megan Wier, San Francisco Department of Public Health - Peter Furth, Professor of Civil Engineering, Northeastern University

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New report: Best Complete Streets Policies of 2013
by Beth McKechnie 18 Feb '14

18 Feb '14

*The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2013,* released today by Smart Growth America's National Complete Streets Coalition, highlights *15 communities that led the nation *in creating comprehensive Complete Streets policies last year. See the winning communities and download the full report: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets-2013-analysis

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Now here is a bike trailer!
by Dave Elmore 15 Feb '14

15 Feb '14

http://cdn2.tinyhouseliving.com/wp-content/uploads/bicycle-micro-gypsy-wagon -8-700x611.jpg bicycle-micro-gypsy-wagon-3 bicycle-micro-gypsy-wagon-4

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Car Free Hamburg
by Dave Elmore 15 Feb '14

15 Feb '14

http://www.02b.com/en/notices/2014/01/hamburg_sets_out_to_become_a_car-free_ city_in_20_years_6403.php Hamburg sets out to become a car-free city in 20 years Hamburg is virtually to become a car-free city in 20 years Hamburg City Council has disclosed ambitious plans to divert most cars away from its main thoroughfares in twenty years. In order to do so, local authorities are to connect pedestrian and cycle lanes in what is expected to become a large green network. In all, the Grünes Netz <http://www.hamburg.de/gruenes-netz/> (Green Web) plan envisages eliminating the need for automoviles within two decades. By connecting the entire urban centre with its outskirts Hamburg is expecting to smooth inner traffic flow. In all, the northernmost city is to lay out new green areas and connect them with the existing parks, community gardens and cementeries. Upon completion of the plan Hamburg will pride itself on having over 17,000 acres of green spaces, making up 40% of the citys area. According to an official, the ambitious plan will reduce the need to take the car for weekend outings outside the city. The entire city centre is to be linked with its outskirts by an extensive network of pedestrian and cycle lanes Although vehicles are not to be banned from the main thoroughfares, the council expects residents and tourists alike to be able to explore the city exclusively on bike and foot. At the same time, the green ring will play a crutial role to help the metropolis fight against rising temperatures and urban flooding. The average temperature in Germanys second-largest city has risen by 9 degrees Celsius in scarcely half a century, experts warn. As regards to leisure, the interspersed patches of green areas will let residents "hike, swim, do water sports, enjoy picnics and restaurants, experience calm and watch nature and wildlife right in the city.

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Calgary Herald: Who rides a bike in winter? Study sheds light (Feb.11'14)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Feb '14

11 Feb '14

Who rides a bike in winter? Study sheds light on thousands of urban winter cyclists in Calgary<http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2014/02/11/who-rides-a-bike-in-winter-study-…> February 11, 2014. 6:24 am * Section: Pedal<http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/category/calgary/pedal/> http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2014/02/11/who-rides-a-bike-in-winter-study-… The average winter cyclist in Calgary is a middle-aged man who rides almost every day, usually to work, and will brave temperatures down to -20 C and colder to do so. That's some of the initial findings of a project from the University of Calgary <http://www.ucalgary.ca/> that is shedding light on heretofore enigmatic winter cyclists in Calgary, those sometimes misunderstood and maligned people who ride their bikes through Calgary's long and ever-fluctuating dark season and have become a major part of the debate over cycling in Calgary. The project is being spearheaded by Dr. Farnaz Sadeghpour in the Schulich School of Engineering <http://www.schulich.ucalgary.ca/> and is designed to teach engineering students the importance of engaging with the community and users before designing solutions to real-life civic problems. The nice side-benefit to the project is that it gathers data on winter cycling in Calgary. Sadeghpour, a passionate professor, recently agreed to show me the data that has been collected so far, and work with me to present it here. It's still early in the process and she has yet to do much serious analysis, but after attending the world'sfirst winter bicycle conference in Finland <http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2013/02/13/never-mind-the-plows-five-things-…>last year and seeing how little information has been collected about winter cyclists anywhere in the world, I don't think it's a stretch to say this may be the most advanced project of its kind in the world. This is the third year in which Sadeghpour will ask her students to stand at strategic places around the city and stop cyclists during the evening commuting hours with a survey that asks questions about themselves and their cycling habits. In the first year, the project was limited to about 100 cyclists on the then-newly painted bike lanes on 10th St. N.W. Last year, it was expanded throughout downtown and captured more than 2,000 different cyclists in all kinds of winter weather. This winter, the project will focus even more on downtown. Sadeghpour loves to speak about how the project gives her students a chance to tackle a pressing issue in the city -- she has even involved planners at City Hall to help judge students' final designs- but what grabbed me most was what the data revealed about winter cyclists in the city. These highlights were pulled from the 2013 data: * Most of the winter cyclists were male (more than 70 per cent). Most were over 35 years old, and the biggest segment was those older than 44. * More than 30 per cent said they ride when the temperature dips as low as -20 C, and nearly 25 per cent will ride no matter how cold it gets. That means about 55 per cent of them say they ride to -20 C or colder. * The most common distance travelled was 10 kilometres, but many cyclists travelled much farther distances. Nearly 30 per cent said their ride was longer than 10 kilometres, a distance Sadeghpour notes is farther than has been recorded in academic literature from any other city. * Fifty six per cent of survey respondents said they were on their bikes as part of their commute. The second most common reason for riding in winter was recreation and exercise. * The biggest safety concern of the 2,100 cyclists surveyed was ice and snow, which was cited by 30 per cent of respondents. Lane width (which also includes proximity to moving vehicles), poor pavement, and gravel were also areas of concern. * When asked where bike routes should be expanded, 38 per cent said downtown, 36 per cent said routes into downtown, and 25 per cent said communities. * A quarter of respondents said their bike trip was supplemented by another form of transportation. Among those, 44 per cent said their multimodal trip included a car, while 35 per cent said transit. * More than 75 per cent of winter cyclists said they own a car. What does all this mean? Sadeghpour is reluctant to read too much into the early data. It did, however, point out some intriguing things to me. The data contradicts some common perceptions of winter cyclists in many ways. The vision of cyclists being aggressive young men is only partly true. Yes, most are men, but they aren't necessarily young. The single biggest segment, 33 per cent of respondents, were 44-years-old or older. The data also suggests they are committed commuters who let little stop them from riding, including cold weather. In fact, I was surprised to see more than half will ride when the temperature reaches -20 C or colder. Assumptions are often made about northern cities being unsuitable for cycling because of the cold. Considering the temperature last winter reached -20 C or colder only four times, according to Environment Canada<http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html?timeframe=2&Prov=…>, that means there aren't many days that would be considered too cold to ride for most winter cyclists. (So far this winter, 13 days have been colder than -20 C). A bigger challenge to those surveyed, however, is snow and ice, which was cited as the biggest concern. Cracks in the pavement, gravel and proximity to vehicles were also big concerns, which underscores the importance of road and pathway maintenance, snow clearing, and good-quality infrastructure. All of this is important information because Sadeghpour says it offers insight into one of the bigger questions facing civic leaders as they consider ways of making the city more bicycle friendly: In a city as cold as Calgary, is it worth investing in bicycle infrastructure? It's proving to be a contentious question these days, so this data may prove to be crucial. Sadeghpour says a great addition to the data would be querying people who don't ride in winter to find out what is stopping them. For now, however, she plans to repeat this project every year, building up our understanding of what motivates people to ride bikes in winter and how city leaders can accommodate them, if they choose to. This student assignment could wind up to be an essential resource as Calgary evolves.

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Calgary Herald: Cycle track deserves to get some traction (Feb.7'14)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Feb '14

11 Feb '14

Graham: Cycle track deserves to get some traction BY BRUCE GRAHAM, CALGARY HERALD FEBRUARY 7, 2014 http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/op-ed/Graham+Cycle+track+deserves+some… Calgary's proposed cycle track network has been creating quite a buzz around town lately and we wanted to weigh in on this issue. You may wonder why we, as Calgary's leading economic development organization, care about a cycle track network for Calgary. Well, as the promotional agency tasked with attracting and retaining the best talent, as well as promoting our business and lifestyle advantages around the world, a cycle track network will help us do just that. It may be less obvious than an increase in healthy lifestyle or taking tailpipes off the roads, but an inner city cycle track network can boost business. In Colorado, cycling brought more than $1 billion to the state's local economy, and in New York, after the installation of a protected bike lane, retail sales increased by as much as 49 per cent compared to a three per cent increase in sales citywide during the same period. When San Francisco optimized Valencia Street for cyclists and pedestrians, nearly 40 per cent of merchants reported increased sales and 60 per cent reported more area residents shopping locally due to reduced travel time and convenience. Travelling by bike encourages more frequent stops than travelling by car; a study of Toronto merchants revealed that patrons arriving by foot and bicycle visited the most often and spent the most money per month. It goes without saying that parking the car and jumping on your Trek is good for your health, but it's also good for the health of the community. Business owners would be interested in a study done by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, which found that cycling reduced employee absenteeism -- specifically, the employees who cycled to work regularly missed less work, on average more than one day per year less than colleagues who didn't. And a Minnesota company that encouraged its employees to bike to work saved $170,000 in health care over three years and $301,000 through increased employee productivity every year. And then there's the social reputation factor: The "I didn't know the city built on energy invested in commuter bike lanes." And make no mistake, it is an investment. This is a prime example of the kind of selling feature we use when telling Calgary's story around the world. People want to live in a city that invests in making the lives of its citizens better. Sixty-two per cent of recent transplants to Portland, Ore., said that the city's bike friendliness was a factor in their decision to move there. By 2018, Calgary's population is expected to grow by more than 150,000 people. We'd love to add the cycle track network to our people-attraction tool kit before we see tens of thousands of new cars added to our morning commute. The major benefit of dedicated bike lanes is they help pedestrians, motorists, transit users and cyclists coexist safely. Even in Calgary's harshest weather, you'll see many diehard cyclists making their way to work, and these numbers would increase if we made their commute safer. After New York City installed their first protected bike lane (the first in the U.S.), they saw a reduction in injuries to all street users by 58 per cent. Calgary drivers will be the first to say that the unpredictability of cyclists sharing the narrow downtown roadways makes them nervous for the safety of the cyclists and themselves. A cycle track network in Calgary gives commuters a reliable alternative to driving, while ensuring the well-being of both cyclists and motorists. Calgary is already well suited to adopting a cycle track network and here's why. With the most expensive parking in Canada, our citizens have already shown us they would happily utilize this healthy and fun mode of transportation. The first leg of the cycle track network runs on 7th Street S.W., and over the course of a year (2012-2013), the number of bikes quadrupled per day. Pedestrians were happier too, as the number of cyclists riding on the sidewalk went down by 25 per cent. At 700 kilometres, Calgary has the longest paved urban pathway system on the continent. With the addition of a downtown cycle track (and Calgary Transit's recent announcement that all new buses will have bike racks), commuters can safely and efficiently travel from their homes in any quadrant of the city into the core. Calgarians may be surprised (and hopefully delighted) to learn that over the past five years, a multitude of downtown building owners have added up to 2,000 bike parking stalls in their buildings, telling their tenants and their employees they support their desire to embrace diverse transportation options. We realize adoption will take time and people want to be involved in the process to understand where the proposed network will go and how it impacts them. We encourage Calgarians looking for more information on the cycle track network, to stop by the CORE Shopping Centre, Plus-15 level, by Holt Renfrew, this Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to talk to the cycle track network team. Bruce Graham is president and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. (c) Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

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Bicycle Safety Education for Children From a Developmental And Learning Perspective
by Terry Zdan 10 Feb '14

10 Feb '14

*Subject:* Children & Bicycling Research For your reference, NHTSA has just produced a new publication entitled Bicycle Safety Education for Children From a Developmental And Learning Perspective: http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/bicycles/pdf/Bicycle_Safety_Education_… -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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WFP: Winter cycling focus of congress (Feb.10'14)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Feb '14

10 Feb '14

Winter cycling focus of congressWinnipeg welcomes experts, advocates By: Bartley Kives http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/winter-cycling-focus-of-congress-244… The coldest winter in decades has proven challenging to year-round cyclists in Winnipeg, but not because of the temperatures alone. In late December and early January, people who use bikes to get around uttered many of the same complaints motorists made about the condition of the city's streets. The heavy ruts that made driving difficult a month ago also made cycling frustrating and dangerous, especially on routes where cars and bikes are expected to share the road. Although road conditions have improved, Winnipeg's recent transportation headaches will provide a timely backdrop for a gathering of international winter-cycling advocates and experts known as the Winter Cycling Congress. Beginning this Wednesday, approximately 170 delegates and speakers will spend three days in the Manitoba capital, sharing ideas about making winter cycling easier, safer and more accessible. Conference director Anders Swanson said slightly less than half the participants are coming from outside the province, including delegates from European and North American cities and towns where the winter climate is similar to that of subarctic Winnipeg. "What we're trying to do is change the conversation in terms of what is possible for year-round transportation," said Swanson, who travelled to Oulu, Finland, for the 2013 conference before lobbying to bring the event here this year. "We're trying to connect places that know what they're doing with places that are learning to fully embrace the bicycle year-round." As recently as the 1990s, the only people who rode bikes year-round in Winnipeg were couriers and a handful of die-hard commuters. Now, both recreational cyclists and commuter cyclists are a common winter sight, albeit in modest numbers. The main obstacle is not cold, but road conditions. "On some of the colder days, you have to bundle up a bit more," Swanson said. "In my experience, in cities that take care of winter cycling infrastructure properly, the cold really doesn't matter." Swanson said several Scandinavian cities are among the world leaders in this capacity, but that's hardly surprising considering the immense popularity of warm-weather commuter cycling in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The challenge in North America -- and in Winnipeg in particular -- is to convince cash-strapped municipal authorities to devote more resources to clearing bike paths and bike lanes. Swanson said he believes the City of Winnipeg is doing the best it can. "I have no interest in suggesting there's any problem this winter, when we've had a lot of cold and a lot of snow," he said. Still, delegates to the Winter Cycling Congress will hear from a range of Scandinavian and Canadian panellists about ways to improve winter street and bikeway maintenance. Other conference topics include sessions on the design of the perfect winter bike, winter cycling fashion and the creation of other modes of alternative winter transportation, from Winnipeg's river trail to a curb-side commuter-skating trail in Vancouver. The conference was timed to take place the same week as this Friday's Winter Bike To Work Day, the 130-kilometre Actif Epica winter race on Saturday and Sunday's Icebike race. The Forks also hoped to extend its river skating and walking trail to the University of Manitoba by this weekend, but the weather would not co-operate. "We came up against the worst conditions on the Red River we've ever encountered," said Paul Jordan, chief operating officer at The Forks. The presence of almost more than two metres of snow on the Red insulated the surface, creating dangerous slush that made the southern extension of the trail impossible, he said. Jordan nonetheless expects existing river trail sections to be visited by the roughly 75 out-of-province Winter Cycling Congress delegates as they explore downtown Winnipeg by bike. "This conference has really exploded," Jordan said. "There are a lot of cities looking at doing more (with active transportation) during the winter." bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 10, 2014 A6

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REMINDER! Sunny Saturday - Winter Walking Day - Saturday, Feb 8th
by Janice Lukes 07 Feb '14

07 Feb '14

TOMORROW TIME: 11:00 am MEET: At the central canopy in front of the Forks Market building! Huts / RAW:almond / frozen river trail / Sharon Blady / sunny Saturday morning - & Free Cocoa From: at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca [mailto:at-network-bounces@lists.umanitoba.ca] On Behalf Of Janice Lukes Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2014 12:24 PM To: at-network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca Subject: [At-network] Winter Walking Day - Saturday, Feb 8th And here is another winter event - for the walkers in the crowd! See attached poster - and those warming huts on the river are a must see! * * * * * * * * * * Come and join Sharon Blady, Minister of Healthy Living and Seniors, the Winnipeg Trails Assoc. and friends to walk on the Red River Mutual River Trail! DATE: Saturday, February 8th TIME: 11:00 am MEET: At the central canopy in front of the Forks Market building! Calling all Winnipeg winter walkers! Walk and talk with the Minister, check out the architecturally designed warming huts, sip on free hot chocolate and make new winter memories with friends and families! We have ordered up a sunny mild day - so shake that cabin fever and come out for a winter walk!

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Workshop: Welcome to Canada - (Winter) Riding for Newcomers
by Winter Cycling Congress 2014 07 Feb '14

07 Feb '14

**Please forward this opportunity to anyone who works with newcomers and who may be interested in attending a workshop next Friday. Workshop is free. Conference registration is not necessary.** *Workshop: Welcome to Canada - (Winter) Riding for Newcomers* *Friday, February 14th - 1 - 4pm Manitoba Theatre For Young People (The Forks)* *(Free - coffee provided)* Do you work with newcomers to Canada? Do you get asked questions about transportation? Wonder how to use the power of the bicycle build self-esteem and create community? Whether its year-round or just when spring hits, bicycles can be a powerful tool. Learn how to make it easier for everyone to adopt. Join us for unique and exciting "train the trainers" workshop for those who work with new Canadians, refugees and others being run by Angela Van Der Kloof<http://wintercyclingcongresswinnipeg.org/speaker-lineup/angela-van-der-kloo…> an internationally-reknowned educator, specialist in newcomer issues and an expert on bicycle skills programming who is joining us from Delft, Holland. *All the details on the workshop are here <http://wintercyclingcongresswinnipeg.org/welcome-to-canada-winter-riding-fo…>. * *Please RSVP to local organizer Robin Ellis at volunteer(a)thewrench.ca <volunteer(a)thewrench.ca>. * Thank you. The Organizing Team *Winter Cycling Congress Winnipeg 2014 <http://wintercyclingcongresswinnipeg.org/>* *Feb 12-14, 2014* *Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada* [image: Inline image 1] phone: 1-204-797-1962 email. info(a)wintercyclingcongresswinnipeg.org facebook. /Wintercyclingcongresswinnipeg<http://facebook.com/Wintercyclingcongresswinnipeg> twitter. @wccwpg <http://twitter.com/wccwpg>. #wccwpg #wintercycling

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Treat a cyclist like a horse?
by Dave Elmore 06 Feb '14

06 Feb '14

This UK commercial was banned because it showed a cyclist without a helmet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELId66LUupw Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X)

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School Travel Planning Benefit Cost Analysis
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 06 Feb '14

06 Feb '14

Green Communities Canada, Metrolix and the University of Toronto have completed the first Canadian Benefit-Cost Analysis of School Travel Planning. Looking at 19 Ontario schools from varied urban, suburban and rural communities, the findings illustrate a benefit-cost ratio of 1.8. It's important to note that the estimated annual cost of $93,000 for the 19 projects is not the influx of all "new" money, but rather a re-prioritization of time and resources at a school, regional and provincial level along with some monetary investment. The one-year endeavour was estimated to garner $200,000 in annual health and societal benefits from car trip reduction and increases in walking. You can find the full-version of the report here<http://metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/schooltravel/Costs_and_Benefits…>; the executive summary here<http://metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/schooltravel/Costs_and_Benefits…> . Reposted from: http://www.greencommunitiescanada.org/blog/ School Travel Planning: The Way to Go <http://greencommunitiescanada.org/school-travel-planning-costs-and-benefits/> Posted on February 3, 2014<http://greencommunitiescanada.org/school-travel-planning-costs-and-benefits/><http://www.greencommunitiescanada.org/blog/> [image: Canada Walks Director Jacky Kennedy introduced School Travel Planning in Canada.]<http://greencommunities.nonprofitwebsites.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/sch…> Canada Walks Director Jacky Kennedy introduced School Travel Planning to Canada. The results are in: School Travel Planning (STP) is a cost-effective way to increase walking and cycling to school. What's more, it provides economic, health and environmental benefits. School Travel Planning is designed to take active school travel to the next level by comprehensively addressing barriers and incentives that affect behaviour. The first benefit-cost analysis<http://metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/schooltravel/Costs_and_Benefits…> of STP projects in Canada was released in January 2014 and is a collaboration of Green Communities Canada, Metrolinx and the University of Toronto. Key findings, extrapolated for a full school year, show the 19 STP projects studied are estimated to have: - reduced 192,224 vehicle kilometres travelled; - reduced 41.7 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 1.7 tonnes of air pollutants; and - increased physical activity, including 1.3 million minutes of walking, and 2 million minutes of cycling. Translated into dollars, this increase in walking and decrease in driving shows: - annual societal benefits of approximately $200,000; - net benefits of $1.8 million is STP if maintained for 11 years; and - an average benefit per student of approximately $221 over 11 years. Based on the average benefits versus the average costs per student, if STP programming was delivered across Ontario the benefit-cost ratio would be 1.8. In other words, benefits are almost double the costs. The STP model was introduced in response to studies showing the number of children being driven to school nearly doubled over the 20 year period between 1986 and 2006. Driving causes traffic congestion, safety concerns and increased air pollution around schools. STP promoted active and sustainable ways of getting to school at 71 elementary schools in Ontario between 2009 and 2012. -- *Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 *|* Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>

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Fwd: [RAIN] Snow patterns showing opportunities for depaving
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 06 Feb '14

06 Feb '14

Here are some interesting photos from Philadelphia using snow patterns to show what parts of roads are used and what parts aren't. This could be useful in terms of planning for enhanced pedestrian crossings and/or including storm-water management infrastructure as part of the inclusion of AT infrastructure in roadway redevelopments... Jackie ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: <cblakelock(a)greencommunitiescanada.org> Date: 6 February 2014 10:27 Subject: [RAIN] Snow patterns showing opportunities for depaving To: rain(a)greencommunitiescanada.org, depave(a)greencommunitiescanada.org In case you missed it on facebook and twitter, here's a cool series of photos from Philadelphia showing how patterns in the snow can show what parts of roads are actually used and what aren't. http://thisoldcity.com/advocacy/photos-what-snow-tells-us-about-creating-be… It could be a fun idea to see if you can see examples of this in your communities and take photos to post on social media! *Clara Blakelock* Coordinator of Water Programs, Green Communities Canada (705) 745 7479 ext. 159 www.greencommunitiescanada.org www.slowrain.ca www.depaveparadise.ca www.raingardentour.ca _______________________________________________ RAIN mailing list RAIN(a)greencommunitiescanada.org http://greencommunitiescanada.org/mailman/listinfo/rain_greencommunitiescan… -- *Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 *|* Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>

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New York's Cyclists Are Getting Better at Following the Rules
by Dave Elmore 05 Feb '14

05 Feb '14

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2014/02/new-york-more-cyclists-has- led-better-biking-habits/8299/ New York's Cyclists Are Getting Better at Following the Rules More New Yorkers are riding bicycles than ever before, on an ever-expanding network of bike lanes. The city's new bike-share system has had phenomenal early success, logging 40,000 trips daily on peak days in good weather, and even averaging nearly 9,600 in the cold and snowy month of January <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/29/nyregion/snow-ice-and-wind-no-issue-for-c iti-bikes-die-hards.html> . But it's not just the number of riders that is different from the past. A new study suggests that the way New Yorkers ride is changing - for the better. According to the research, conducted by Peter Tuckel and William Milczarski of Hunter College at the City University of New York, New Yorkers on bikes are measurably more law-abiding than they were just four years ago. They are also proportionally more female. The study, "Bike Lanes + Bike Share = Bike Safety" [PDF <http://silo-public.hunter.cuny.edu/62eaab1fad6c75d37293d2f2f6504a15adacd5c6 /Cycling_Study_January_2014.pdf> ], looked at the behavior of 4,316 bicyclists at 98 different locations in central and lower Manhattan. The researchers compared the resulting data to what they found in a similar, although not identical, survey in 2009. Since that year, the city has installed more than 200 more miles of bike lanes, for a total of 537 miles; launched a bike-share system with 6,000 bikes (in May 2013); and seen a pronounced increase in general ridership <http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/bike-counts.shtml> . Cyclists have a legitimate right to the street. What has changed, with so many more people on two wheels? "There has been a significant improvement in bike safety," says Tuckel. More riders are stopping, or at least pausing, at red lights; riding in bike lanes; and wearing helmets. Fewer riders are pedaling against traffic. This, despite predictions <http://www.policymic.com/articles/12371/citi-bike-share-program-in-nyc-will -bring-total-carnage/186972> that the launch of the city's bike-share program last May would mean chaos, as inexperienced riders hit the city's notoriously contested streets. "Everybody had predicted with the Citi Bike riders that there would be a spike in the number of accidents," says Tuckel. "I think it was the same people that predicted that the Broncos were going to win the Super Bowl. It didn't materialize." In fact, the study found that Citi Bike riders were exceptionally law-abiding, and there have been relatively few, mostly minor injuries <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/05/nyregion/no-riders-killed-in-first-5-mont hs-of-new-york-city-bike-share-program.html?_r=0> in the first few months of the program. Here are a few of the findings that Tuckel and Milczarski gleaned from their research: * The proportion of women pedaling on the city's streets is still low, just 21.1 percent. But compared to the 2009 study, the proportion of female riders to male has doubled. Women made up 31.1 percent of Citi Bike riders observed. * Women tend to be much more law-abiding than men in every way, but male bike-share riders stop fully at red lights at a rate significantly higher than male general cyclists or male delivery cyclists. * In the recent study, 34 percent of riders were observed going through red lights without pausing or stopping, down about 10 percentage points from 2009. * Just 4.2 percent of cyclists were observed riding against traffic in the street and 3.2 percent were riding against traffic in the bike lane, for a combined total of 7.4 percent - well below the 13.2 percent recorded in 2009. * Helmet use rose from 29.9 percent to 49.8 percent, with much of that being driven by an increase in use by male commercial cyclists (the city passed a law in 2007 that requires businesses to provide their delivery riders with helmets), who wore them at a rate of 72.7 percent. Among general male cyclists, helmet use also went up dramatically, from 32.2 percent to 47.8 percent. * Citi Bike riders in general are more compliant with traffic laws and ride in bike lanes at a higher rate than other riders. As for helmets, 31.1 percent of male Citi Bike riders and 36.2 percent of female Citi Bike riders were wearing them. "They're taking advantage of the infrastructure," says Tuckel of the bike-share user. "That's important from a policy standpoint." Not only did the presence of more bike infrastructure literally pave the way for the bike-share program in New York, he says, the lanes have made a place for a more diversified ridership. Women and Citi Bike riders of both sexes are more likely to use bike lanes when they are available. Tuckel says that the most recent data reflects an evolving street culture in New York, one in which drivers no longer have a monopoly on the roadway and all users are adjusting to new infrastructure. "I think what is happening now in New York City is that drivers realize that even though they have had a dominant position on the road, the roads now have to be shared," says Tuckel. "Drivers are becoming more aware of cyclists, and cyclists are becoming more aware of drivers. It's going to result in safer habits for drivers and cyclists."

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Free Creative Commuting Ambassador Sessions
by Jessie Klassen 05 Feb '14

05 Feb '14

Green Action Centre has some free upcoming Creative Commuting Ambassador Training<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/creative-commuting-ambassador-training/>sessions that may be of interest to many of you. Also, just a friendly reminded to strap on your skates, skis, snowshoes or otherwise for the Jack Frost Challenge<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/bougeons-en-hiver-the-jack-frost-challe…>starting this Saturday! [image: Inline image 3] *Creative Commuting Ambassador Training* Want to support your co-workers to bike, bus, walk or carpool? Does employee health and wellness or benefits fall under your responsibilities? Perhaps you simply want to improve green commuting options at your workplace. Sign up for one of our FREE workshops to increase your knowledge, answer questions and grow your toolkit of resources. *I: Tools and hands-on training* *Wednesday, February 26, 1:00 - 4:30pm* Become a Creative Commuting Ambassador at your workplace! Get the tools and guidance to support your co-workers to get the most out of their commutes. >From a basic primer on different types of bike infrastructure to transit tools, such as Navigo, BUStxt and transit apps, to understanding carpooling vs carsharing. *II: Baseline commuting surveys* *Wednesday, March 12, 12:00 - 1:30pm* Understanding how your co-workers currently get around will help inform your next steps. This 1-1/2 hour workshop will help you plan and create a basic online survey to determine existing commuting habits and what programs, policies or incentives could have the biggest impact on commuting choices at your workplace. *III: Creating change over time* *Wednesday, March 26, 1:00 - 4:30pm* Do you want to sing the praises of creative commuting with your co-workers but no one seems to be listening? Explore the many facets of behaviour change from a social marketing, transitions and systems perspective. Walk away with some strategies you can apply to create a more commuter friendly and active workplace. *Location: *All workshops are held in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave). *Register today: *Email beth(a)greenactioncentre.ca or jessie(a)greenactioncentre.ca today or call us at (204) 925-3772. *Jessie Klassen* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca>| Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3772 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>

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Sunday Review: When Pedestrians Get Mixed signals
by Beth McKechnie 02 Feb '14

02 Feb '14

SundayReview <http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html#sundayreview> |OPINION When Pedestrians Get Mixed Signals By TOM VANDERBILTFEB. 1, 2014 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/02/opinion/sunday/when-pedestrians-get-mixed… A FEW years ago, I was waiting to cross the street in Los Angeles. And kept waiting. I watched several cycles of traffic go through the intersection. I checked my iPhone. I admired the distant Hollywood Hills. But the indication to walk never came. I was contemplating a four-lane dash when a man appeared who told me I had to press the "Walk" button. I did, and at the next signal change for cars, my signal appeared as well. At first, I applauded this municipal beneficence, which I encountered during a visit while researching my book. Los Angeles is looking after its pedestrians! In New York City, by contrast, the once-functioning "Walk" buttons were left to go dormant, then largely removed. But in my subsequent visits to Los Angeles, my feelings have shifted. The reason the buttons were rendered obsolete in New York is that there was no need for them. There were always pedestrians waiting to cross. In Los Angeles, the working button came to seem a rare and feeble plea: May I *please* cross the street? Let's put aside the tired trope that no one walks in Los Angeles -- Ray Bradbury nailed that one with his 1951 short story "The Pedestrian," about a man picked up by the police for the suspicious activity of walking. In fact, Los Angeles has many places that are quite pleasant for walking. Take the Silver Lake neighborhood: It does not even rank among the city's top 20 "most walkable" areas, according to the website Walk Score<http://www.walkscore.com/CA/Los_Angeles/Silver_Lake>, yet still wins 75 points ("most errands can be accomplished on foot") -- a number that puts many American cities to shame. In 2012, the city hired its first "pedestrian coordinators." But then came the surest indication of a walking resurgence in Los Angeles: It suddenly had a pedestrian problem. As The Los Angeles Times reported<http://articles.latimes.com/2013/dec/18/opinion/la-ed-jaywalking-20131218>, the Police Department was targeting people for a variety of pedestrian violations in downtown Los Angeles -- an area that once featured as an emptied post-apocalyptic wasteland in the 1971 science fiction movie "The Omega Man," but has of late enjoyed a renaissance of life, much of it occasioned by foot traffic. "We're heavily enforcing pedestrian violations because they're impeding traffic and causing too many accidents and deaths," said Lt. Lydia Leos<http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/police-crackdown-on-jaywalking-means-tic…> of the Los Angeles Police Department. Thus a familiar pattern reasserts itself: The best way to reduce pedestrian deaths is to issue tickets to pedestrians. A similar dynamic can be seen<http://www.newstimes.com/news/us/article/I-m-walkin-here-NYC-takes-aim-at-j…> in recent weeks after a spate of pedestrian deaths in New York City, where Mayor Bill de Blasio has endorsed more aggressive enforcement by the New York Police Department against jaywalkers. Enforcement against jaywalking varies between states, but it is an infraction in most, even a misdemeanor in some. The international picture is mixed: Crossing the road at other than a designated spot is also an offense in Canada, Spain, Poland and Australia, among other countries. Singapore is especially harsh -- jaywalking can earn a three-month prison sentence. As you might expect, Scandinavian countries are less punitive. In Britain, the term is rare, and the presumption is that crossing the road safely is a matter of personal responsibility. But neither enforcement nor education has the effect we like to think it does on safety. Decades of graphic teenage driving safety films did not bring down teenage driving deaths; what did was limiting the age and conditions under which teenagers could begin to drive. Similarly, all the "awareness campaigns" on seatbelt usage have had a fraction of the impact of simply installing that annoying chime that impels drivers to buckle up. If tough love will not make pedestrians safer, what will? The answer is: better walking infrastructure, slower car speeds and more pedestrians. But it's easier to write off the problem as one of jaywalkers. Nowadays, the word connotes an amorphous urban nuisance. In fact, the term once referred to country bumpkins ("jays"), who came to the city and perambulated in a way that amused and exasperated savvy urban bipeds. As the historian Peter Norton <http://virginia.academia.edu/PeterNorton> has documented, the word was then overhauled in the early part of the 20th century. A coalition of pro-automobile interests Mr. Norton calls "motordom" succeeded in shifting the focus of street safety from curbing the actions of rogue drivers to curbing rogue walkers. The pedestrian pushback was shortlived: An attempt to popularize the term "jay driver" was left behind in a cloud of exhaust. Sure, we may call an errant driver, per the comedian George Carlin, an "idiot" or a "maniac," but there is no word to tar an entire class of negligent motorists. This is because of the extent to which driving has been normalized for most Americans: We constantly see the world through what has been called the "windshield view." Those humans in Los Angeles who began walking a second or two after the light was blinking were, after all, violating the "Vehicle Code." Note that cars, apparently, do not violate a "Human Code." As for pedestrian safety, which is the typical stated purpose of jaywalking crackdowns, more pedestrians generally are killed in urban areas by cars violating their right of way than are rogue pedestrians violating vehicles' right of way. Then there are those people struck on sidewalks, even inside restaurants. What do we call that? Jay-living? I routinely jaywalk across one-way streets with my young daughter in our Brooklyn neighborhood. I do this not as an act of vigilante pedestrianism, but simply because the times we came closest to being hit by cars were when we had the "Walk" signal and a driver attempted to make a turn. Pedestrians, who lack air bags and side-impact crash protection, are largely rational creatures. Studies have shown that when you shorten the wait to cross a street, fewer people will cross against the light. When you tell people how long they must wait to cross, fewer people will cross against the signal. When you actually give people a signal, more will cross with it. As the field of behavioral economics has been discovering, rather than penalizing people for opting out of the system, a more effective approach is to make it easier to *opt in*. The Los Angeles Police Department may be patrolling on foot in downtown Los Angeles, but it is still looking through the windshield. Tom Vanderbilt is the author of "Traffic" and a visiting scholar at New York University's Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management.

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These 15 stories show exactly how great bikeways help local economies
by Dave Elmore 01 Feb '14

01 Feb '14

http://www.peopleforbikes.org/blog/entry/these-15-stories-show-exactly-how-g reat-bikeways-help-local-economies These 15 stories show exactly how great bikeways help local economies January 15, 2014 Michael Andersen, Green Lane Project staff writer It's time for American bicycling advocates, government leaders and the public at large to permanently retire an idea that's been hurting our economy, preventing equitable development and generally holding our country back. Here's the destructive, mistaken idea: that great biking is something a city pays for if it can afford it. The truth is just the opposite. In the modern United States, creating protected bike lanes and other great bikeways are something a city does to help create prosperity. Great bikeways are things people make so they and their governments can afford to do all the other important things they want to do. Great biking, in other words, is wonderful. But for cities, it's not the end goal. Great biking is the means. The reason that not everyone already thinks this way - even many of us who passionately support bicycling - is that until recently, it wasn't nearly as true. In a major report being released today <http://peopleforbikes.org/page/-/uploads/GLP/Protected%20Bike%20Lanes%20Mea n%20Business.pdf> , the national research and advocacy groups PeopleForBikes <http://peopleforbikes.org> and the Alliance for Biking and Walking <http://peoplepoweredmovement.org> consider four megatrends that are transforming the U.S. economy in ways that are only now being widely understood, only now being integrated into the conventional wisdom of American communities and businesses. Here they are: * Skills are scarcer: Companies are scrambling to attract the most skilled Millennials and Gen X-ers, who increasingly prefer downtown jobs and commutes that don't involve a car. * Cities are more popular: Americans are flocking to urban areas, creating demand for solutions that increase traffic flow without adding congestion. * Unhealthy lifestyles are more expensive: With health care costs near an all-time high, employers are scrambling to encourage active living. * We are literally running out of room for all our cars: In the country's newly thriving urban shopping districts, physical space is at a higher premium than ever before. In today's report, we use 15 stories from thriving businesses in Texas, Illinois, Oregon, California and Washington DC, backed with up-to-the-minute research from academic and government studies, to show with concrete examples and personal stories how bicycles, and the protected bike lanes that are proven to put more people on bicycles, are solving each of these problems and creating economic growth for the cities that are using them. We'll also be covering these issues over the next week here on the blog. But you can start by checking out the full report <http://peopleforbikes.org/page/-/uploads/GLP/Protected%20Bike%20Lanes%20Mea n%20Business.pdf> , and maybe sharing it with someone else who might be interested. Neither of you may think about better biking the same way again.

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Cold Campus Cycling - FREE Winter Cycling Congress Panel & Workshop at University of Manitoba - February 14, 2014
by Beth McKechnie 01 Feb '14

01 Feb '14

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ian Hall <Ian.Hall(a)umanitoba.ca> Date: Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 3:49 PM Subject: Cold Campus Cycling - FREE Winter Cycling Congress Panel & Workshop at University of Manitoba - February 14, 2014 Hi friends, You're invited to join us for Cold Campus Cycling<http://umanitoba.ca/campus/sustainability/events.html>at the University of Manitoba - a free, open-to-all panel discussion and facilitated workshop focused on winter cycling in a campus environment. Four experts from around the world will share their perspectives on the planning, design, culture, and engineering keys to great cold campus cycling. Join us for the panel (1 p.m.), a coffee break (2 p.m.), the workshop (2:30 p.m.), or all three. For those attending the main Winter Cycling Congress at The Forks, a group ride option from downtown to the university on a bike route is planned (alternatively, the University is well served by Transit <http://winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo>). I'd be grateful if you could share this invitation with your networks. Thanks, Ian

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