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

Ontario Cycling Action Plan
by Beth McKechnie 18 Apr '14

18 Apr '14

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Terry Zdan <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> To: "at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca" < at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca>, Mark Cohoe <mcohoe(a)casch.com>, Anders Swanson <andersswanson(a)gmail.com>, jlukes <jlukes(a)shaw.ca> Cc: Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 12:03:15 -0500 Subject: Ontario Cycling Action Plan " Quick Facts - Since 2010, Ontario has added 112 kilometres of paved shoulders along provincial highways. - Ontario has introduced legislation to improve cycling safety. If passed, it would require motorists to maintain a distance of at least one metre while passing cyclists and introduce harsher penalties for dooring. - In 2010, two million Canadian visitors spent $391 million while cycling in Ontario -- an 18 per cent increase over the previous year. - According to the Canadian Medical Association, a 10 per cent increase<http://policybase.cma.ca/dbtw-wpd/Policypdf/PD09-04.pdf>in physical activity could reduce direct health care expenditures by $150 million a year. - Ontario has the second-lowest cycling injury rate of all Canadian provinces." http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/index.shtml http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2014/04/province-building-cycling-infrastruct… -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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Winnipeg neighbourhood in the Top Ten for cycling accross canada for cycling.
by Anders Swanson 17 Apr '14

17 Apr '14

The article also has some interesting things to say about Winnipeg's potential overall. Check it out: http://www.cityclock.org/10-neighbourhoods-highest-levels-cycling-work-cana…

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Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies - Input opportunity!
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 17 Apr '14

17 Apr '14

For those who may have missed the pedestrian and cycling strategies open houses over the last week, you can check out the boards and offer input until the end of next week (April 25th). http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/MajorProjects/ActiveTransportation/WalkB… -- *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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4 Fascinating Facts about Bicycling and Walking
by Beth McKechnie 16 Apr '14

16 Apr '14

Dear friend, How does your state stack up on bicycling and walking? Today, we are releasing *Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2014 Benchmarking Report*, a massive compendium of data on bicycling and walking in all 50 states, the 52 largest U.S. cities, and a select number of midsized cities. The Alliance produces the Benchmarking Report every two years in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthy Community Design Initiative. The report comprehensively examines bicycling and walking transportation across the U.S. and how these trends relate to public health, safety, and social and economic well being. There's a TON of really fascinating data in this year's Alliance Benchmarking Report. See for yourself: download the 2014 Benchmarking Report.<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018mgUXQ5cNJhaCBFrkAHXPo0JfPeZiG-AnC5lEMdPV8KI…> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018mgUXQ5cNJhaCBFrkAHXPo0JfPeZiG-AnC5lEMdPV8KI…> For a sneak peek, check out four of the most fascinating facts from the report below. *1. We're seeing small but steady increases in the number of people biking and walking to work.* The average large American city experienced a 5.9% increase in population from 2000 to 2010 without comparable increases in land mass, and budgets are tight across the board. Both of these factors point to a need to find cost-effective modes of transportation that move people without taking up more space. *2. There are lower bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities where there are more people are biking and walking.* There is safety in numbers. In the graph below, orange dots represent pedestrian fatality rates -- i.e., the number of people who have died while walking as a portion of the number of people who walk to work. The grey line indicates the percentage of the population who bikes to work, and the green line shows correlation between the two. *3. More people tend to bike or walk to work when a city has strong biking and walking advocacy. * In 1996, there were just a handful of state and local biking and walking advocacy organizations and only 10 full time staff working on these issues. Now, there are over 230 state and local biking and walking advocacy groups and over 500 full time staff. A growing number of concerned citizens are organizing for safer, more accessible streets for walking and bicycling. And there is a positive correlation between the number of people who bike and walk to work in a city and the incomes and staff sizes of those cities' biking & walking advocacy organizations: *4. A large percentage of commuters bike and walk to work in Alaska, Oregon, Montana, New York, and Vermont. * Not so much in South Carolina, Atlanta, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Here's a map of bicycling and walking levels by state across the country: Think this is interesting? Download your copy of the 2014 Benchmarking Report here.<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018mgUXQ5cNJhaCBFrkAHXPo0JfPeZiG-AnC5lEMdPV8KI…> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018mgUXQ5cNJhaCBFrkAHXPo0JfPeZiG-AnC5lEMdPV8KI…> Best, Mary Lauran Hall Communications Director <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001fVXok0jsw3t7yu4AtMBC1w%3D%3…> <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_Basic_209> This email was sent to beth(a)greenactioncentre.ca by info(a)peoplepoweredmovement.org | Update Profile/Email Address<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=001fVXok0jsw3t7yu4AtMBC1w%3D%3…> | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001fVXok0jsw3t7yu4AtMBC1w%3D%3…>(tm) | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. Alliance for Biking & Walking | PO Box 65150 | Washington | DC | 20035

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Motor Vehicle-Pedestrian Collisions and Walking to School: The Role of the Built Environment
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 16 Apr '14

16 Apr '14

Motor Vehicle-Pedestrian Collisions and Walking to School: The Role of the Built Environment http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2014/04/02/peds.2013-23… CONCLUSIONS: Pedestrian collisions are more strongly associated with built environment features than with proportions walking. Road design features were related to higher collision rates and warrant further examination for their safety effects for children. Future policy designed to increase children's active transportation should be developed from evidence that more clearly addresses child pedestrian safety. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Michael Haynes <activetransportation(a)rogers.com> Date: 15 April 2014 17:46 Subject: Active Transportation Canada - New Listings: April 15, 2014 To: Winter is behind us (Let us hope), and the worlds of cycling and walking are becoming more active with the warmer weather. Since the last notice, in March, links to more than 100 new articles that have been posted on Active Transportation-Canada. You probably will not have time to read more than a few, so here are some recommendations: 1. Toronto Star - Ontario commits $25M for cycling infrastructure<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/04/toronto-star-ontario…> 2. Want a Healthier City? Prescribe Biking<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/04/want-healthier-city-…> 3. Ontario Planners Push for 'Active Transportation'<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/04/ontario-planners-pus…> 4. Motor Vehicle-Pedestrian Collisions and Walking to School: The Role of the Built Environment - Study<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/04/motor-vehicle-pedest…> 5. Report - Has Motorization in the U.S. Peaked?<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/04/report-has-motorizat…> 6. Copenhagen - Is Cycling Up or Down or What?<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/04/copenhagen-is-cyclin…> 7. Popularity of wheelchair skateboarding is on a roll<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/04/popularity-of-wheelc…> 8. 48 Madcap Hours in the Life of Citi Bike<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/04/48-madcap-hours-in-l…> 9. Will a World of Driverless Cars Be Heaven or Hell?<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/04/will-world-of-driver…> 10. Calgary - Wrong Track for Calgary Cycle Tracks<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/04/calgary-wrong-track-…> But if you have some time, 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 nearly 3,000 items that have been posted. Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions -- *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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Take a stroll through the city - Jane's Walks about community talks
by Beth McKechnie 15 Apr '14

15 Apr '14

Take a stroll through the cityJane's Walks about community talks THE eighth annual Jane's Walk is back -- this time with more than a dozen guided walks throughout fascinating areas of Winnipeg. Jane's Walk celebrates the ideas and legacy of Jane Jacobs -- a celebrated urbanist and activist whose writings championed a fresh, community-based approach to building walkable and vibrant cites. Free walking tours held on the first weekend of May each year are led by locals who want to create a space for residents to talk about what matters to them in the places they live and work. The first Jane's Walk was organized in Toronto eight years ago and it has since spread to cites across Canada, the United States and worldwide. Community members with a passion for urban issues and local history volunteer to organize a walking tour in their neighbourhood exploring an interesting aspect of the lived urban experience. Jane's Walks are about community conversations. Walks confirmed for this year include: - Neighbourhoods Change: Exploring North Point Douglas. Join longtime North Point Douglas tour guide Rob Galston as he highlights important landmarks, sites, personalities and historic events that have given shape to one of Winnipeg's most historic, fascinatng and resilient neighbourhoods. - Explore the forgotten history of Victoria Park, the main gathering place for strikers during the 1919 General Strike in Sandy Gesslar's History and Heroes: Victoria Park and Winnipeg General Strike. - Join Tricia Wasney, manager of the Winnipeg Arts Council's Public Art Program, for an inspiring tour of the public art you walk by every day. - Over Under Sideways Down: Downtown! invites you to explore one of the most fascinating urban centres in Canada. Veteran Jane's Walk leader Rob Shaw presents an eclectic walk looking at "old gems" and new trends in downtown street design and residential development. - What can one street tell you about the changing face of a neighbourhood? On Our Way, West Broadway invites you to join Choi Ho as she walks a short stretch of Spence Street. A complete list of walks is published on www.janeswalk.org/canada/winnipeg. Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 14, 2014 A10

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Chamber of Commerce BOLD Conference Idea: Creating a Year-Round Active Transportation Network
by Anders Swanson 14 Apr '14

14 Apr '14

*[Even though it is extremely unlikely there is someone on this list that is still interested in hearing me expound on ideas related to active transportation, t**he organizers asked me to pass it along and it's a worthwhile event, so I am. Details below. **- Anders]* On April 22 I am presenting my BOLD idea for Winnipeg at The Chamber’s half-day BOLD Conference—I encourage you to come out and do the same. The BOLD movement is all about bringing people together and thinking outside the box. Please consider joining the discussion Tuesday, April 22 from 7:30 am – 1:30 pm at The Met. The morning’s three panels focus on: 1. Creating community 2. Encouraging creativation (creativity, innovation and inspiration) 3. Looking ahead to what aspects will define Winnipeg over the next 100 years The event’s keynote speakers include *Gail Stephens* (Chief Operations Officer, CMHR) and *Hon. Kevin Chief*, Minister responsible for relations with the City of Winnipeg, Minister for Children and Youth Opportunities. For more information and to purchase tickets: http://www.winnipeg-chamber.com/events/BOLD-Winnipeg-Conference-56937/detai… I hope to see you there. *Details:* Half-day BOLD Conference Tuesday, April 22, 2014 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM The MET 281 Donald St. Tickets are $75 + GST and include breakfast, coffee, and lunch. Click here<http://www.winnipeg-chamber.com/events/BOLD-Winnipeg-Conference-56937/detai…> to get your tickets. [image: photo BOLDconferenceApril22-e-ad_zpsf78d5b37.jpg]<http://www.winnipeg-chamber.com/events/BOLD-Winnipeg-Conference-56937/detai…>

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WFP: Bike, sidewalk plan under public scrutiny (Apr.13'14)
by Beth McKechnie 13 Apr '14

13 Apr '14

Bike, sidewalk plan under public scrutiny Some progress but more needed: backers By: Carol Sanders http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bike-sidewalk-plan-under-public-scru… With freezing rain and an unwelcome dump of snow, Saturday wasn't a great day for Winnipeg cyclists or walkers. But that didn't stop them from packing an open house at The Forks to get the lay of the land on the city's proposed bike and sidewalk strategies. Visitors to the Manitoba Theatre for Young People were asked for their feedback on City of Winnipeg plans to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. The Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies spring from the city's 2011 transportation master plan. It calls for continuous improvements to Winnipeg's cycling network and making walking a more attractive choice. Plans for active transportation have come a long way in a short time, said Mark Cohoe, a cycling advocate who started out with Bike to the Future. The citizens group began in 2006 and quickly gained traction, pushing for better bike routes in Winnipeg. "It's like night and day," Cohoe said Saturday at the Walk Bike Winnipeg open house, where he represented the stakeholders' committee. He's seen the budget for sidewalks and bike routes go from just $250,000 in 2006 to more than $3 million today, resulting in more people walking and riding around the city. "The number of cyclists we're seeing is a great return on investment." More and better trails for cyclists will get more people riding bikes and result in a healthier population, said Nick Humniski. The second-year medical student said he's studying what deters Winnipeggers from cycling and its health benefits. The avid cyclist said he's ridden bikes in other cities, including Vancouver. "It has amazing bike infrastructure." Its dedicated bike lanes aren't just white lines painted on the road. "They're separated from the road and safer," Humniski said. There are bike traffic signals plus a lot of people riding bikes in Vancouver, and there's safety in numbers, he said. In Winnipeg, he gets the sense cyclists feel "second-rate." Bike routes will end suddenly, for example, he said. The one he follows from the Corydon Avenue area to classes at Health Sciences Centre ends abruptly on Sherbrook Street at Notre Dame Avenue. At rush hour, he's left feeling pretty vulnerable on his bike in the high-traffic area, he said. "There's no protection," said Humniski, who has been hit by vehicles twice on his bike but was not seriously hurt. Police are happy to see more bike trails and pedestrian paths and remind both cyclists and pedestrians to look out for each other. "Entering spring, there are a lot more people out these days," said Winnipeg police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen. A common concern police hear is from the elderly and disabled who say they're being hit or jostled by bikes riding on sidewalks. Kids' bikes are OK but bigger bikes are supposed to be on the road, he said. "These are shared spaces," said Michalyshen. "We need to be courteous to one another and know what our responsibilities are." carol.sanders(a)freepress.mb.ca *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 13, 2014 A3* ** * * * ** Also some positive coverage in the Winnipeg Sun! (just don't wade into the comments) http://www.winnipegsun.com/2014/04/12/winnipeggers-get-glimpse-of-cyclist-s…

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WFP: Advocates hail new bike lane on Sherbrook - Will separate traffic from bicycles (Apr.11'14)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Apr '14

11 Apr '14

Advocates hail new bike lane on SherbrookWill separate traffic from bicycles <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/> By: Adam Wazny http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/advocates-hail-new-bike-lane-on-sher… <http://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/800*730/5802799.jpg> Enlarge Image<http://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/800*730/5802799.jpg> OPEN HOUSES TO TALK BICYCLING Starting Saturday, the city is holding a number of open houses to discuss pedestrian and cycling strategies. A review of draft recommendations that will shape the city's active transportation plan is scheduled, including how recent changes to the bike lane/walking trail infrastructure will co-exist with future projects. Saturday's open house goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People. Two separate public forums are scheduled for Tuesday (April 15); one at Manitoba Hydro Place atrium and the other at the Sinclair Park Community Centre. Both are open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. A new bike lane appears to have Winnipeg on the right track. Earlier this week, the city announced plans to construct a new dedicated bike lane on Sherbrook Street running north from the Maryland Bridge to Cumberland Avenue. Part of this lane includes a parking-protected section for cyclists, a stretch of lane that will feature a row of parked cars serving as a physical divide between riders and traffic. The protected section of the lane, which should open to cyclists this summer, is widely considered a trial project for lanes of this kind in the city. The premise has city cycling advocates excited for what the future could hold for those interested in getting around on two wheels. 'We've been pushing for something like this, whether it's a separated cycle track or a protected bike lane, for a long time' -- Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe "We've been pushing for something like this, whether it's a separated cycle track or a protected bike lane, for a long time," Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe said Thursday. "We've been working with the city on Sherbrook since 2010 so we're excited to see it's coming through. "We hope this is the start of more improvements to the bike infrastructure in the city. One of the biggest fears we hear from cyclists is that fear of traffic and having to mix in between the traffic. This project will be worth the wait." The new lane will be split into three sections. The parking-protected stage will run from Wolseley Avenue to Broadway, on the right side of the one-way street. Cyclists will ride between the parked cars (which will now be 24-hour parking) and the sidewalk, with some curb bump-outs to alert motorists of the bike lane when parking. Unlike the wider bike lanes and sidewalk ramps on Pembina Highway (between Chevrier Boulevard and Plaza Drive), which continue to create confusion between cyclists and pedestrians, Winnipeg Transit users will find the new bike lane environment on Sherbrook a little easier to navigate. Bicycles will stay on the street, Cohoe said. The second section (from Broadway to Ellice Avenue) will be a wider, clearly marked lane to the left of the parked cars adjacent to traffic. Between Ellice and Cumberland avenues, the lane will slide up against the curb on the right side of the street, similar to the bike lane that runs along Maryland Street in the other direction. The city has indicated two white painted lines on the roadway will provide more navigation room for cyclists travelling along Sherbrook. "It will have a little more buffer to it, a little more space," Cohoe said. Cohoe said the existing width of Sherbrook is the biggest reason the project is going ahead, as retrofitting proper bike lanes into the current city layout on the cheap is proving to be a challenge for active transportation hopefuls. "We're going to continue to push to get a little more width in some spaces, but this is a good first step," he said. adam.wazny(a)freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 11, 2014 A7

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Montreal this Summer? --> Bike lab 2014
by Anders Swanson 10 Apr '14

10 Apr '14

Hello, Passing along an opportunity to all of you local bike/pedestrian-inclined planners/engineers....some of whom may have seen Bartek and JF's respective presentations this February (or remember Marc's back in 2009). If you plan to be anywhere near La Belle Province this June - or want to - you may want to have a look at this info on Bike Lab Montreal 2014: http://www.velo.qc.ca/en/event/bikelabmtl-home A trip to Canada/Quebec's most beautiful, exciting and bike-friendly city is never wasted - no matter your reason - but especially with the chance to learn from the pioneers, experience the Tour de L'Ile first-hand and meet all kinds of people as you take part in an intensive 2-day design workshop. Cheers, Anders

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