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

City of Montreal to pump $10 million into expanding bike paths (May30'14)
by Beth McKechnie 31 May '14

31 May '14

City of Montreal to pump $10 million into expanding bike paths Critics call the plan too timid, considering recent deaths BY MICHELLE LALONDE, THE GAZETTE MAY 30, 2014 http://www.montrealgazette.com/City+Montreal+pumps+million+into+expanding+b… MONTREAL — The city of Montreal will spend $10 million to expand and improve bike routes this year and will likely begin construction of a 14-kilometre bike path along a Canadian Pacific rail line spanning the island from north to south. The city will add a total of 50 kilometres of bike lanes and paths this year, in a total of 49 different locations. There will also be 24 projects to repair existing paths or lanes. Aref Salem, responsible for transportation issues on the city's executive committee, said construction of a 14-kilometre "Véloroute" from Rivière-des-Prairies to the St. Lawrence River could begin this fall if negotiations between the city and the railway result in a settlement. If not, an arbitrator will be appointed to resolve the issue, but Salem said he is confident the project will go ahead. The Véloroute will become the "spinal cord" of Montreal's cycling network, Salem said, connecting the Île Perry Bridge to Laval and the Notre Dame bike path that connects to Île Ste-Hélène, Île Notre-Dame and the South Shore. "The Véloroute will enchant cyclists who want to cross the city completely protected from car traffic, in an environment that is welcoming to the whole family," Salem said. He said construction on phase one of the Véloroute, from the Île Perry Bridge to Henri-Bourassa Blvd. should begin this fall. The route will offer easy access to métro and train stations along the way. But critics immediately denounced this year's bicycle infrastructure plan as timid, considering the recent deaths and serious injuries of cyclists and the administration's promise to act quickly to significantly improve cycling safety through infrastructure changes. The city has budgeted the same amount as last year for bike routes, they noted. The city's goal, according to the 2008 Transportation Plan, was to grow its cycling network from 400 to 800 kilometres of bike routes by 2015. (Bike routes include painted bike lanes, pictograms on the roads indicating safe bike routes, protected bike paths on roads, paths on sidewalks, and off-road paths shared with walkers and joggers.) The goal was not met, Aref conceded, as the total is currently only 650 kilometres, but he said the new administration intends to exceed 800 kilometres by 2017. "We would like them to be a lot more ambitious," said Mariane Giguère, Plateau-Mont-Royal borough councillor and Projet Montréal's critic on cycling issues. She said more work needs to be done immediately to make intersections and major arteries safer, and more protected bike paths must be built if the city really wants to persuade more people to use bikes for transportation. "It's not only about adding more kilometres of bike paths," she said. "We are looking for quality ... if we want to increase the number of people who use bicycles to get around the city every day, we need to offer safer routes, not just in the periphery but where most people live and work." Suzanne Lareau, executive director of the cycling advocacy group Vélo Québec, said the plan for this year is quite good, but more could be done. "We always want more, but 50 kilometres is not bad. There are some interventions that are really significant like at St-Laurent Blvd. and Bernard St., and remember that sometimes there are links of only half a kilometre that are extremely structurally important because they allow cyclists to go from Point A to Point B (safely) where there had been a gap in the route before." But she was disappointed the city has still not announced a solution for giving cyclists a safer route leading from Old Montreal north up to the area where St-Laurent Blvd. and Bellechasse St. intersect. She said that segment of St-Laurent is very busy and dangerous for cyclists going north and they need a protected lane or a safer alternative route nearby, along Clark St. or St-Dominique St. for example. The city plans to paint two more green bicycle boxes at busy intersections, similar to three existing pilot projects on Milton St. and University St., on Villeneuve Ave. at St-Urbain St., and on Laurier St. at St-Laurent Blvd. These painted green areas on the pavement indicate that cyclists can gather in front of cars at intersections and have priority to proceed before waiting vehicles when the light turns green. The new ones will be on Laurier St. at St-Denis St., and on Thimens Blvd. at Cavendish Blvd.. Lareau applauded these plans but said bike boxes should be painted at about 30 intersections where bicycle traffic is heavy, considering they are proven to improve safety and do not cost much. She would also like to see coloured bicycle lanes painted through the city's most dangerous intersections, so vehicles are expecting cyclists and so that cyclists follow a clearly delineated route. But Lareau said she finds the new city administration of Mayor Denis Coderre to be very receptive to ideas for improving cycling safety. "They really are in listening mode," she said. *For the list of projects planned for this year, go to:www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/velo <http://www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/velo>* <mlalonde(a)montrealgazette.com> <mlalonde(a)montrealgazette.com> mlalonde(a)montrealgazette.com © Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

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New from the NCCHPP - 30 km/h speed limits & 3.0m traffic lanes
by Beth McKechnie 29 May '14

29 May '14

*Our apologies for cross-posting.* Dear colleagues, The National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy (NCCHPP) recently published two briefing notes documenting municipal norms that have the potential to help create environments promoting safe, active transportation. These documents are available in both English and in French on the NCCHPP's Website: *A 30-km/h Speed Limit on Local Streets* http://www.ncchpp.ca/175/publications.ccnpps?id_article=1080 <http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=992827&idcampagne=2514&url=http%3…> (En) http://www.ccnpps.ca/187/publications.ccnpps?id_article=1081 <http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=992827&idcampagne=2514&url=http%3…> (Fr) *Traffic Lane Width of 3.0 m in Urban Environments* http://www.ncchpp.ca/175/publications.ccnpps?id_article=1097 <http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=992827&idcampagne=2514&url=http%3…> (En) http://www.ccnpps.ca/187/publications.ccnpps?id_article=1096 <http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=992827&idcampagne=2514&url=http%3…> (Fr) To learn more about this project, click here: http://www.ncchpp.ca/en/IndexNoComments.aspx?sortcode=2.4.14.15.16 <http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=992827&idcampagne=2514&url=http%3…> If you have questions or feedback, please contact Olivier Bellefleur at olivier.bellfleur(a)inspq.qc.ca <http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=992827&idcampagne=2514&url=mailto…>, or François Gagnon at françois.gagnon(a)inspq.qc.ca <http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=992827&idcampagne=2514&url=mailto…>. Kind regards, Marianne Jacques Network Development Officer National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) 190 Crémazie Est, Montréal, Québec Phone : 514-864-1600, ext. 3613 Email : marianne.jacques(a)inspq.qc.ca <http://netmail.ccnpps.ca/redirect.aspx?id=992827&idcampagne=2514&url=mailto…>

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Press and popsicles - 11am TODAY Disraeli AT Bridge for Commuter Challenge Kickoff
by Beth McKechnie 29 May '14

29 May '14

Need a break this morning? *Escape the office and join us for a press release <http://greenactioncentre.ca/living-green-living-well/2014-commuter-challeng…> and popsicles at 11 am on the south side (Rover Ave) of the Disraeli AT Bridge!* It's time to kickoff the 2014 Commuter Challenge! Hope to see you there.

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AT overpass - PTH 59
by Beth McKechnie 28 May '14

28 May '14

Please see message below from Terry Zdan... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Terry Zdan <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 13:41:49 -0500 Subject: active transportation overpass The premier noted an active transportation overpass at the northeast Perimeter Highway and Raleigh Street/Gateway Road will also be built in conjunction with structures at the northeast Perimeter Highway and PTH 59 interchange, in order to connect the northeast Pioneers Greenway with the Duff Roblin Parkway Trail and Birds Hill Park. May 28, 2014 PROVINCE ANNOUNCES MAJOR HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS ALONG PTH 59 - - - Design Work to Begin Immediately On North Perimeter Interchange: Premier Selinger The Manitoba government will invest hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs and upgrades along PTH 59 including immediately undertaking design work on the PTH 59 and PTH 101 interchange, major paving projects and bridge rehabilitation, Premier Greg Selinger announced today. "PTH 59 is a heavily travelled north-south tourist and trade route, and these road investments will improve the ride for heavy trucks and commuters," Premier Selinger said. "The new projects include bridge replacements and paving of this roadway to Birds Hill and the east side beach communities of Lake Winnipeg." Approximately $160 million was initially budgeted for PTH 59 work over the next five years, but even more will be allocated to PTH 59 with the completion of the PTH 59/PTH 101 interchange in the five-year period, the premier said. The project will see design and tendering take place over this year, with planned construction beginning in the fall of 2015 and completed over a three-year period, he said, adding the size of the interchange project is similar to CentrePort Canada Way and will be constructed along much the same timelines. -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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Active & Green: 6 guys & 1 van, It's Commuter Challenge time, Free transit
by Beth McKechnie 28 May '14

28 May '14

Check out our latest e-newsletter for all sorts of info and events on green commuting! (Click here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/active-green/> if you'd like to subscribe or see past issues.) Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.<http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3f55cc&id=852acefb0a…> *Looking to improve commuter options at your workplace?* Request resources<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>employee commuting surveys, secure bicycle parking, Smart Trips, and more. Register for free Creative Commuting Ambassador Training<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>sessions. Book a presentation<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>on creating a commuter friendly workplace, greening the workplace, and more. Rent our bike-powered blender<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>for your next workplace event -- always a hit! Feeling inspired? Check out these other pedal-powered<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>machines. Melissa Gayle-Smith from the University of Manitoba's Sustainability Office gives the bike blender a whirl. ------------------------------ *Upcoming Events* Commuter Challenge Kickoff!<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> 11am, Thurs, May 29 South side of Disraeli AT Bridge (Rover Ave) The W.R.E.N.C.H. Workshops<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> Bike Part Art, Sat, May 31 3 Speed Hubs, Sat, May 31 Hubs, Sat, June 28 Headsets, Sat, July 26 Frame Bending, Sat, August 23 Commuter Challenge Week<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> June 1-7, 2014 *Clean Air Day on the Bridge*<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> Wed, June 4, 2014, 7-9am NE corner Leg grounds near ped & bike signal on Osborne #busisbetter<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> The Downtown BIZ will be rewarding transit riders at different bus stop locations. Transit riders can help themselves to *FREE* Starbucks coffee and other coupons/vouchers from 15 different downtown restaurants and businesses. 7:30-9am, June 2-6 Mon: Main @ Broadway (Northbound) Tue: Portage @ Edmonton (Westbound) Wed: Graham @ Edmonton (Eastbound) Thu: Portage @ Donald (Eastbound) Fri: Graham @ Donald (Westbound) Bike Week Winnipeg<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> June 16-22, 2014 Includes 7th Annual Bike to Work Day on Fri, June 20 Bike Ride to Folk Festival<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> Wed, July 9, 2014 A Moveable Feast<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> June 19, September 27 ------------------------------ <http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> <http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> <http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> *6 guys, 1 van, great carpool* Meet Cody, Guy, Darrel C., Rick, Justin and Darrel F. In 2010, they bought a van together and have been saving money on gas and repairs by vanpooling to work ever since. Read their story<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> and collect a few tips to start your own carpool. *Commuter Challenge is on!* Need a reason to participate in the 15th annual Commuter Challenge<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>? Here are my top 4 reasons to take part: 1. I can see the difference I'm making by walking to work when combined with the efforts of 7,000 other participants in Manitoba and 25,000 across Canada. 2. I can see the money I’m saving, GHG emissions I’m avoiding, and calories I burn every time I add another day's commute. 3. I can gloat that I helped Winnipeg to win the Commuter Challenge for the 11th year. 4. ... and have you seen the prizes<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> ?! Register today<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> and tell us why you’re taking the Challenge. Also, if you're hosting an event at your workplace the week of the Challenge, let us know and send us your pictures<jessie@greenactioncentre.ca?subject=Events%20and%20pictures%20from%20Commuter%20Challenge%20week> ! *Try transit - FREE pass* Work downtown and want to give transit a try? You're in luck as the Downtown BIZ is giving away 250 FREE 5-day passes as part of the Bus is Better<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> campaign. Just in time to use during Commuter Challenge! Head down to the Millennium Library Desk to pick up a pass while supplies last. You might also be one of the lucky transit riders who gets a free coffee and other giveaways at a downtown bus stop June 2-6 during Commuter Challenge. *Take your brain for a walk* If you need an excuse to go for a walk, research is on your side. Researchers from Santa Clara University have found that going for a walk increases your creative thoughts<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>both during and afterward. Just to be sure, they put their volunteers to the test – walking indoors on a treadmill, walking outside, sitting inside a lab with no windows, and sitting outside in the fresh air. Without question, those who were walking (indoors or out), “...had more thoughts, but they also had a higher density of creative thoughts than sitters”, says Marily Oppezzo, lead author of the study. So if you need to do some creative thinking today, take your brain for a walk! *RRC takes the bus* Red River College has offered downtown employees a 60% EcoPass discount on monthly bus passes since 2012. This works out to a cost of about $33 per month for a staff bus pass - a much more appealing option than paying for parking downtown. The result? 84% of RRC staff at Paterson Global Foods Institute take the bus! Find out more on Red River College's Red Goes Green<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>blog. *Clean Air Day on the Bridge* Join us on Wednesday, June 4th, between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. to celebrate active and green commuting on Clean Air Day. All part of the week-long Commuter Challenge June 1-7! Stop along your way to work for a tasty snack, enter to win a great draw prize, get a quick adjustment on your bike, chat with other active commuters, and even register on the spot for the Commuter Challenge. Find details here<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> . *Bikes, bikes and more bikes* After this winter, there's nothing better than being out on your bike enveloped in warm sunshine. 'Tis the season for all things bike-related and here are our top 5. First and foremost, take in Winnipeg's annual celebration of cycling with a full week of activities during Bike Week<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…> (June 14-22). Second, discover which Winnipeg neighbourhood made a Top 10 Cycling Communities in Canada<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>list. Third, get ready to ride Winnipeg's first parking protected bike lane<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a…>. Fourth, ride your bike to Winnipeg Folk Festival<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…>. Finally, try out the 20km City Loop Trail<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a1…> to get around Brandon. You are receiving this email because you are an Active & Green subscriber. Our mailing address is: Green Action Centre 3-303 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B4 Canada Add us to your address book<http://greenactioncentre.us2.list-manage.com/vcard?u=af15a2f9f91ef9a183a3f5…> Copyright (C) 2014 Green Action Centre All rights reserved. [image: Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp]<http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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Walkability is good for business
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 27 May '14

27 May '14

Good blog post from Green Communities Canada... http://www.greencommunitiescanada.org/blog/ -- *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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Kickoff the Commuter Challenge! Thurs, 11am, Disraeli AT Bridge
by Beth McKechnie 27 May '14

27 May '14

*Join us for sunshine and fun when we kickoff the 15th Annual Commuter Challenge!* *11am, Thursday, May 29th* *Disrael AT Bridge (south side @ Rover Ave)* Let's ensure that Manitoba continues to have the highest percentage of participation of all provinces and that Winnipeg wins the national Commuter Challenge title once again! In the spirit of the Commuter Challenge<http://greenactioncentre.ca/event/2014-commuter-challenge/>, we invite you to arrive to the media launch by bike, bus, on foot, rollerblading, carpooling, canoeing, or any other active and green way to get around. Hope to see you there! cheers, Beth <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>

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Sustainable Mobility & Healthy Communities Summit: Nov 30th-Dec 3rd
by Jessie Klassen 26 May '14

26 May '14

(This has been an excellent conference in past years. If you plan to be near Toronto at the end of November, the focus for 2014 is on health and transportation.) *Save the Date! * The pioneering ACT Canada *Sustainable Mobility & Healthy Communities Summit will be held November 30th to December 3rd, 2014 *at the Hilton Markham Suites Hotel. With hotel suite rates of only $139 CAD/night and easy direct flight access to the Toronto Pearson Airport this conference is not only affordable – it is strategically targeting the most critical issues facing our communities today. Research and practical experience in the health, transportation and planning fields has made an indisputable case for the connection between the built environment and health. This Summit is a *call to action* to achieve a shift in how we plan communities and the movement of people from auto-dependent communities to communities that not only support efficient vehicle travel but also puts an emphasis on walking, cycling, ridesharing and taking public transit. An increase in active and sustainable transportation is critical to addressing the magnitude of the health challenge affecting North America. Conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes have been rapidly rising and a significant percentage of these diseases are preventable through increased physical activity. The ACT summit calls on transportation and health professionals, from Ontario, Canada, USA and internationally, to come together and collaborate on multi-disciplinary solutions to built environment challenges that will increase the accessibility and use of active and sustainable travel modes. Plan to attend to be part of this trail-blazing event! Our Call for Presentations will be released shortly and all Summit news will be posted at www.ACTCanada.com *ACT Canada* 613-226-9845 *Summit(a)ACTCanada.com <Summit(a)ACTCanada.com>* www.ACTCanada.com <http://www.actcanada.com/> *Connect with ACT Canada:* [image: cid:image002.jpg@01CE56E2.8BE373A0] <https://twitter.com/ACTCanada> [image: cid:image003.jpg@01CE56E2.8BE373A0]<http://www.linkedin.com/company/3098941?trk=vsrp_companies_res_name> [image: cid:image004.jpg@01CE56E2.8BE373A0]<https://www.facebook.com/pages/ACT-Canada/68980019569> [image: cid:image005.jpg@01CE56E2.8BE373A0]<https://plus.google.com/111714074517087148654/posts> [image: 13-09-2010 3-20-36 PM signature] *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 No Accident - Part 7 (final): Proceeding with caution - We surveyed mayoral contenders about their plans to make streets safer (May24'14)
by Beth McKechnie 24 May '14

24 May '14

Proceeding with caution We surveyed mayoral contenders about their plans to make streets safer NO ACCIDENT SERIESBy: Mary Agnes Welch Part 7 (final) - http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/proceeding-with-caution-260507861.ht… [Find the whole series here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/no-accident/]

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Transit investments drive positive change
by Beth McKechnie 23 May '14

23 May '14

Interesting article on transit investments from the David Suzuki Foundation. Thanks to Jessica Jacques for sharing! http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/science-matters/2014/05/transit-investment… *From:* David Suzuki Foundation [mailto:subscribers@davidsuzuki.org] *Sent:* May-23-14 9:17 AM Transit investments drive positive change What makes a city great? Among other things, great cities welcome ethnic diversity, support and foster the arts, have access to venture capital to spur entrepreneurship and innovation and benefit from healthy environments that provide clean air and water. New York City is a driver of global finance and a hotbed of arts and culture. It's also known for green spaces, like Central Park and the award-winning High Line <http://go.davidsuzuki.org/s0Uh0410zD0I0V0E6U00N0U>. San Francisco is celebrated for its narrow streets, compact lots and historic buildings. These contribute to the city's old-world charm, but they're also the building blocks of a more sustainable, pedestrian-friendly urban form <http://go.davidsuzuki.org/DVV600J0UDz00h01400U0NE> that reduces the need for cars. The world's leading cities also owe their success to government investments in transit systems that move residents safely and affordably using a range of solutions, from light rail and subways to bus rapid transit networks. The latter include state-of-the-art fast vehicles that run in lanes separated from traffic. The City of Markham, north of Toronto, is building an impressive BRT network with rapid transit corridors<http://go.davidsuzuki.org/K00E6VD004hW0KNzU0100U0>for a fleet of modern and comfortable fast buses. Transit-oriented cities have better air quality with lower greenhouse gas emissions and benefit from reduced traffic congestion with shorter commuting times. Evidence even shows people in cities with a range of transportation options, like Vancouver, are less sedentary, get more exercise and are happier and healthier<http://go.davidsuzuki.org/ND00XVEN0001UhU0L060z04>as a result. There's growing recognition that prioritizing transit is crucial to moving a region forward. Since the 1970s, Curitiba, Brazil, a city of 1.9 million, has invested billions in its bus rapid transit network<http://go.davidsuzuki.org/f00hN040zY001D0EV0UMU06>. There, public transportation is fully integrated into planning decisions. High-density hubs with shopping centres and office buildings are located within walking distance of transit stations and commuters have access to a fleet of more than 2,000 modern, low-emission buses, servicing 390 routes that crisscross the city and connect it to surrounding communities. Eighty-five percent of Curitiba's residents use the BRT system<http://go.davidsuzuki.org/VzDN000Nh10U000V46EUZ00>, which has reduced car trips by a whopping 27 million a year. But you don't have to travel far to see how transit investments can improve residents' lives. In his book, Arrival City<http://go.davidsuzuki.org/P00000NV4D0U060i0zPU1E0>, Globe and Mail columnist Doug Saunders argues that easy access to transit, among other factors, is one reason Toronto's Thorncliffe Park<http://go.davidsuzuki.org/HV0000E00UQziU6041D001N>has avoided many social problems that plague similar inner-city neighbourhoods. Though most are recent immigrants, half speak a first language other than English and many are poor, Thorncliffe Park residents integrate well into Canadian society, and many enter the urban middle-class within a generation. Saunders believes this is in part because the neighbourhood is well connected to Toronto's downtown, with bus and subway routes, and easy access to schools, employment and other opportunities. Transit facilitates social and economic links to the core of the city and helps residents overcome the physical isolation that plagues many communities. Politicians are starting to recognize transit's importance<http://go.davidsuzuki.org/WV01R0D64020UNU00E0zi00>to the economic, social and environmental health of Canadian cities. It's even become a major issue in the Ontario election<http://go.davidsuzuki.org/e00z3U00000DVi0E61S4U0N>. Premier Kathleen Wynne committed $29 billion over 10 years in the recent budget to expand transit networks in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and other regions of the province, but the budget failed to pass. Other parties have committed to funding improved transit if they're elected, but all of them need to step up with concrete details and credible plans to ensure dedicated and sustained funding. More problematic is the reluctance of the major political parties in Ontario to consider new revenue tools<http://go.davidsuzuki.org/M00U0E0zVi61N00T40UD040>, such as modest increases in the gas tax or regional sales tax. Polls show most residents support increases in taxes and fees to improve transit<http://go.davidsuzuki.org/Y0N6i0U0U00Ez0004DV05U1>, and two expert panels studying the issue have recommended fiscal solutions such as these. Transit investments are a catalyst for change. They reduce barriers that strangle economic productivity and improve the well-being of commuters who would otherwise be stalled in gridlock. It's time to put people ahead of politics and support dedicated transportation investments in Ontario and other provinces. Doing so will transform the way our communities move and generate numerous other benefits. Effective transit and transportation solutions can spur economic productivity, protect the environment and improve quality of life. It's time to get moving. *By David Suzuki with contributions from Faisal Moola, Director General, Ontario and Northern Canada *

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