June 2016 - AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP: Selkirk-Winnipeg bus line saved (Jun4'16)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jun '16

06 Jun '16

Selkirk-Winnipeg bus line saved http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/selkirk-winnipeg-bus-line-saved-3… The Walt Morris Group of Companies is picking up the route Beaver Bus lines dropped with commuter service between Selkirk and Winnipeg. The announcement Friday of a partnership between Exclusive Bus Lines and Selkirk Transit was released was made on Twitter. The news came as welcome relief to Selkirk. "People will be excited about that. There’s no other way of getting to Winnipeg from Selkirk unless you have a car," Selkirk resident Ian Kathwaroon said. The owner of the Walt Morris Group of Companies, which includes Exclusive Bus Lines, said he’s delighted to have struck a partnership with Selkirk Transit to keep the service going. "We are very excited, and we’re looking forward to this new endeavour," Walt Morris said in a phone interview. The partnership will dovetail the existing transit service in Selkirk with the new commuter service to Winnipeg, Morris said. "Two heads are better than one and it really helps to streamline the public transit with the commuter service, to make it easier for the ridership," Morris said. The commuter service is due to start at the beginning of July, Morris said, adding he expected there would be no interruption in service. "The schedule will come out very shortly," Morris said. Beaver Bus Lines announced a couple of months ago it was the end of the line for its commuter service as of July 1. It runs a week-day service Monday to Friday between Winnipeg and Selkirk. The biggest difference between the old service and the new one are the departure locations. Riders currently catch the Beaver bus from at the Selkirk Bus Depot on Main Street. And in Winnipeg, commuters depart from the Balmoral Street and Ellice Avenue bus stop. Exclusive Bus Lines will operate an express from Selkirk to St. Andrews which will go on directly to the downtown campus of the University of Winnipeg on Portage Avenue. The Walt Morris Group of Companies is a transit and auto conglomerate in Winnipeg. It includes Winnipeg Dodge, Winnipeg Collision and Auto Glass, Winnipeg Auto-Spa, Winnipeg Rent-A-Car, Walt Morris Auto, Walt Morris Powersports, Red River Co-op Speedway and Exclusive Bus Lines.

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WFP: Mayors approve of opening Portage & Main to pedestrians (Jun4'16)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jun '16

06 Jun '16

Mayors approve of opening Portage & Main to pedestrians http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/mayors-approve-of-opening-portage--m… Mayor Brian Bowman has found some strong support from visiting mayors to the controversial proposal to re-open Portage and Main to pedestrians. Bowman told reporters Friday that he hopes the intersection can be opened by next summer, in advance of the Canada Summer Games which are being held in Winnipeg. Bowman took some of the visiting mayors on a walk Thursday night through the East and West exchange districts, city hall and around Portage and Main. "Some were just shocked that you couldn’t walk across Portage and Main," Bowman said. "There was unanimity from all who were walking with us that it’s just ridiculous in this day and age, when you have so much positive growth going on around that intersection, not to open it to pedestrians." Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi took a tour of Winnipeg’s downtown on Wednesday and described the concrete barriers at Portage and Main as the most hostile pedestrian environment he had ever seen. Edmonton mayor Don Iveson said the barriers are counter-productive to what the city’s objectives should be. "It’s not a great pedestrian experience," Iveson told reporters Friday. "When you’re trying to create a downtown that’s vibrant and has a great street life to it, your major intersections have to be a hub of pedestrian activity – not a zone to be avoided." Bowman said he is continuing discussions with property owners at the intersection and expects to get unanimous agreement to remove the barriers. "We’re having good discussions with the property owners," Bowman said. "It would be wonderful the next time we have so many people here for such a huge event, it would be great for them to be able to cross." aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Fwd: Weather looks sunny and the prizes look great! Commuter Challenge starts on Sunday!!
by Dave Elmore 03 Jun '16

03 Jun '16

Don't forget to register and log your commutes ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Green Action Centre <commuterchallenge(a)greenactioncentre.ca> Date: Fri, Jun 3, 2016 at 3:14 PM Subject: Weather looks sunny and the prizes look great! Commuter Challenge starts on Sunday!! To: daveelmore12(a)gmail.com The Commuter Challenge is off to the races (June 5-11th) View this email in your browser <http://us13.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f93515e0084306ab5cc7339c7&id=c8c215af2…> Hello Commuter Challenge-ers! Get ready to go! Sunday June 5th is the commencement of the 2016 *Commuter Challenge*! Plan ahead for the week and make walking, biking, busing, part of your day! Or any other creative and sustainable way of getting to work (rollerskating, canoeing, hang-gliding, etc.). You can even bring your work home with you and "telecommute" (sounds fancy), and the kilometers you save on driving count as green commute kilometers. Remember you need to have commuted in a green way at least *once* to be entered to win prizes. The Challenge officially* starts on Sunday June 5th*, and you can begin logging all of your green commutes to and from work on the Commuter Challenge website. Login <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> and track your commutes! Keep us posted with the hashtag *#commuterchallengemb* and use these graphics <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> to get others involved! If you use the hashtag, you will also be *entered into a special prize draw* for a framed Honey Dill <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> print! Find us on Facebook <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> , Twitter <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…>, and Instagram <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> . One last detail and I'll leave you to it! All next week Dave Turnbull (@TurnbullDave) and Trevor Dineen (@TrevorCBC) are making an effort to bring you an alternative traffic report! Feel free to tweet them with updates, photos or any other information that pertains to your Commuter Challenge friendly commute! Let's get together to help make Manitoba and Manitobans a little bit healthier! Happy commuting, Christey :-) -- *Christey Allen* | Commuter Challenge Coordinator Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3775 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306…> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> . Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f93515e0084306a…> *Copyright © 2016 Green Action Centre, All rights reserved.* Thank you for Registering for the Commuter Challenge! *Our mailing address is:* Green Action Centre 303 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, Mb R3M 0A1 Canada Add us to your address book <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/vcard?u=f93515e0084306ab5cc73…> Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage.com/profile?u=f93515e0084306ab5cc…> or unsubscribe from this list <http://greenactioncentre.us13.list-manage1.com/unsubscribe?u=f93515e0084306…> [image: Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp] <http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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New Portage Community Bicycle Repair Shop
by Ian Wassink 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

A group in Portage la Prairie is starting a new Community Bicycle Repair Shop. Based on The WRENCH's model of recovering parts and donations, people will learn to fix their bikes. Slated to open end of June 2016 with grand opening in summer/fall 2016. *Some recent news coverage can be found here:* 1) http://www.portageonline.com/local/49390-bike-shop 2) http://www.communitynewscommons.org/our-city/health-safety/new-community-bi… *Media release found below:* Portage AT Committee Announces new Community Bicycle Shop Project *Portage la Prairie MB – May 30, 2016* – Portage la Prairie cyclists of all ages will soon have a place to fix their own bicycles at a newly established Community Bicycle Repair Shop. The Community Bicycle Repair Shop is a partnership between the Portage Active Transportation Committee and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Central Region. The shop will provide access to repair space, bicycle repair tools, bicycle parts, and educational programming. Tools are being donated and purchased now for an end of June 2016 opening. Use of tools will be on a donation basis with everyone welcome to use the tools and space. All donations will support the not-for-profit charitable project. “The Community Bicycle Repair Shop project is a profound community building idea,” said Jordan Friesen, Executive Director of CMHA-Central Region. “This project will help enhance people’s lives, and it fits well with CMHA’s mental health initiatives of supporting people who are marginalized, at-risk, or vulnerable.” “This project is truly for everyone,” said Ian Wassink, Project Steering Committee Chair for the Community Bicycle Repair Shop and Portage AT Committee member. “Portagers – from kids to seniors - will have access to specialized bicycle tools, bike stands, parts, oil and grease, and educational programming. We are going to bring in bike experts to lead repair workshops, and have Open Shop hours for drop-in repair time. Volunteers can also help maintain the shop during Volunteer Shop.” In recent years, the number of bicycles and Active Transportation initiatives have risen in Portage la Prairie. In addition to pathways, the Portage Fire Fighters Annual Bike Auction, and the annual Bike Week events each June, Portage will now have a volunteer-based bike repair shop. The timeline for the shop includes organization and initial tool purchase in June 2016 with a soft opening end of June. Educational programming will hopefully roll out in the summer and into the fall. The use of space is being donated by CMHA-Central Region at a new garage built near the Tupper St. Bridge/Overpass. A grand opening will occur in the summer or fall of 2016. The Portage AT Committee is looking for anyone who knows anything about bicycle repair or tools to come forward and assist. Donations of tools, bicycles, bike parts, skills, money, and volunteer time are welcome. People are encouraged to join the project steering committee to help guide the initial set-up and operation of the shop. To assist further, please contact Ian Wassink at ianwassink(a)gmail.com For media inquiries and interview opportunities, please contact: Ian Wassink Project Steering Committee Chair Portage Active Transportation Committee member Community Bicycle Repair Shop 204-249-0088 ianwassink(a)gmail.com

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Metro News: Active transportation may not be rolled into Winnipeg's budget process (Jun2'16)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

Active transportation may not be rolled into Winnipeg's budget process *By:* Braeden Jones <http://www.metronews.ca/authors.jones_braeden.html> Metro Published on Thu Jun 02 2016 http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/06/01/winnipeg-council-may-separ… The idea of not having enough time to debate active transportation during budget deliberations really grinds the gears of some city councillors. At Tuesday’s public works committee meeting, Coun. Devi Sharma told her peers that “there isn’t adequate time” to really get into cycling and walking plans amidst other budget issues. “On the floor of council (there’s) obviously not a lot of time to talk about anything,” Sharma said. “I don’t agree with that.” For 2016, the plan was passed several months after the budget was approved, but for 2017 it’s slated to be debated along with road spending and the rest of council’s priorities during budget deliberations. Councillors recently passed a $6-million pedestrian and cycling action plan unanimously—green-lighting the construction of paths, sidewalks and bike lanes that will be part of a $334 million active transportation roll-out over the next 20 years. At that time, Coun. Matt Allard expressed the same concerns as Sharma, saying rolling it into the budget process could potentially see it buried. Sharma said in her six years on council “there has never been adequate time” to get into nuance while balancing large spending priorities, so she doesn’t “think big changes are going to be on the horizon” and wants active transportation kept separate from the rest. Committee chairperson Coun. Janice Lukes sympathized, and said giving active transportation spending plans time at a separate meeting might be best. “Currently (for 2017) it’s tied to the budget process, what we might do is take it out of that process and make it still in the public works committee, which probably is a good idea,” she said. “In a regular committee meeting we can have more flexibility to make adjustments to the report and to work with the departments, whereas in the budget it’s usually all or nothing.” She said because active transportation is “literally in your front yard, you want it to go smoothly.” *2016 Active transportation spending* - $1.3 million for walkways and bike paths - $1 million for regional sidewalks - $1.5 million for bicycle corridors

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Invitation: International Trails Day
by Anders Swanson 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

Hi At-Network, Are you excited for International Trails Day on Saturday? We are! This year the theme is "Snapshot". Inspired perhaps by the Census, we want to get a picture of what's going on our growing and busy trail network. Other fun stuff too. Details below. The latest updates are on our website here. <http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/international-trails-day-2016-saturday-june-4t…> ////// INTERNATIONAL TRAILS DAY 2016 – Saturday June 4th Every year, we celebrate International Trails Day to recognize the important contribution that trails make to the fabric of communities around the world. This year, our local International Trails Day theme is “Snapshot” and it is all about documentation. Our goal to take this day to document and measure our trail system. Trail usage is skyrocketing and interest is growing. We want to prove it and show it. We want to know how it is being used and be able to share all the wonderful things that you can do while you are out there – all year round. Want to help? There are all kinds of ways in which you can participate: 1. Get Out There and Have Fun These simplest way to participate is to go outside!!! Just be one of the hundreds of thousands of Winnipeggers that use our trail network. That’s good enough for us. [image: :)] Go outside on June 4th. Enjoying a trail system that is growing every day is important. Go alone or call someone up and go outside and explore together. 2. Be a Star? Help us Make a Movie with Winnipeg’s Best Trails Vistas! CASTING CALL: Couples who like to ride bikes. We will be out on Saturday afternoon, teaming up with videographers to document footage of trails that are in use all around the city. We can use it in all kinds of ways If you’re lucky, you may appear in a (very very brief, but still) scene in a short video being shot for our partners at Bike Week Winnipeg!! If you are interested in appearing and available in the afternoon, please email info(a)winnipegtrails.ca with “Bike Couple” as the subject line. Tell us about a nice scenic/busy spot near you where you might like to film. We’ll try and arrange to meet you there. We want all ages and demographics. The more the better. Let us know and we will do our best to include you! 3. Capture Some Animals?…with a camera, of course. Save Our Seine has organized a sweet Nature Photo Hunt. Camera buffs are requested to group up and test their skills (and luck) to show us all the creatures that can be find in the wild places that trails let us access – even right here in the city! See all the details here. <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/save-our-seine-nature-photo-hunt-tickets-253666…> 4. Spend an hour on your phone and watch others move? Help us count trail traffic. Bring your phone and let’s do some citizen science, shall we? Volunteers and staff with iPhones will be outside on June 4th for the first of a whole series of traffic counting exercises meant to get some facts on what we see as crazy numbers of people on trails. We’ll be counting everything from little ones on a scooter to groups of middle-aged weekend warriors on their way to Bird’s Hill on their bikes. We’ll be using Green Action Centre’s made-in-Manitoba app, CounterPoint. To participate, all you have to do is download the app atCounterPointApp.org. <http://counterpointapp.org/> Once you are ready, join one of many counterpoints around the city or set up one of your own on a trail near you. Count what goes by, share your results. We recommend anything from a 15 minute to a 2 hour count between 1pm and 3pm. 5. Come for a Run with the FCM June 4th is also National Health and Fitness Day <http://nhfd.ca/> and it just so happens that councillors from around Canada are in Winnipeg for a big conference. We are partnering with NHFD to promote this event. You are welcome to join us bright and early and come for a run/walk/job/bike along a route that features some of downtown Winnipeg’s best trails and views. See the details here <http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/wp-content/uploads/FCMRunWalkFlyer2016.pdf>. 6. Transcona Trails Photo Contest Starting on June 4th, Transcona Trails is accepting submissions of cool photos for a new contest. See all the details here. <https://www.facebook.com/201005480033430/photos/a.811610448972927.107374183…>7. New Trans Canada Trail Trailheads Unveiling 10am and Noon Join us at 10:00am in King’s Park and and at 12:00noon in St.Norbert at the Farmer’s market to cut some ribbons on the latest amenities to be added to the Trans Canada Trail. See details here. <http://janicelukes.ca/blog/celebrate-international-trails-day-on-saturday-j…> 8. Find gems – share gems with our new app. For the last 14 months we have been testing and refining a scavenger hunt-style Winnipeg Trails app <http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/app/> and we think it’s pretty cool. We have added a bunch of new gems and are looking for more! If you are already familiar with the app, we challenge you to suggest new gems. We know there are hundreds more out there that deserve to be shared. Tell us where they are! The world needs to know! 9. Beefs and Bouquets? How is our trail network doing? What do you see out there? What’s awful? What’s great? What can we do better? Join a conversation. Tag us @winnipegtrails on Twitter or post to our page on Facebook with pics or comments on the quality of our trails network. Be gushing, be grumpy. Up to you. We want to hear it. Remember that if you see something dangerous or that you want to see fixed, it’s always a good idea to let 311 or your councillor know, depending on what kind of issue it is. If you love something, it is important to share that too! <http://winnipegtrails.ca/add-a-hidden-gem> *10. Spread the word about the event. *Some of the above relies on crowdsourcing, so you can help right now just by sharing the event. Pick your poison. Here is a good one to retweet on Twitter. <https://twitter.com/WinnipegTrails/status/738131198090706944> Or try sharing this one on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/WinnipegTrails/posts/1005978292819050>. We've got even more in store... Check back for more activities planned by Winnipeg Trails and its partners in the lead up to the event.

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