June 2024 - AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP: Feds give $1M for active transportation, transit upgrades in rural Manitoba (Jun29'24)
by Beth McKechnie 29 Jun '24

29 Jun '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Feds give $1M for active transportation, transit upgrades in rural Manitoba https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/06/27/feds-give-1m-for-… THE federal government is injecting more than $1 million to fund transportation upgrades for rural Manitobans. The money will be used to build active transportation infrastructure and improve accessible transit service in rural communities throughout the province, the government announced in a news release Thursday. “By investing in transportation infrastructure and services in rural communities in Manitoba, we’re broadening access to essential resources and helping Manitobans get to where they need to go more quickly,” Winnipeg MP Dan Vandal, the minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, said in a statement. The Town of Niverville will use its portion of the funding to build a new sidewalk and extend sections of an asphalt bike path that connect the community’s residential and commercial areas. The municipalities of Glenboro-South Cypress, Oakland Wawanesa, Teulon, Argyle and Piney, as well as Buffalo Point First Nation, will purchase new transit vans and accessible buses. The vehicles will help people with mobility issues travel within their communities. Elsewhere, the municipalities of West Interlake, Grahamdale and Coldwell will purchase a new vehicle and construct a garage to enhance existing transit services and expand the medical shuttle network. Further studies and transit plans are being funded in Berens River First Nation and for a group of municipalities in southwestern Manitoba, including Piney and La Broquerie, the release said. The funding totals $1,051,329 and is sourced from the federal government’s active transportation fund and the rural transit solutions fund. Municipal governments are contributing $159,496, and the Province of Manitoba is providing $7,500. Other sources are providing an additional $160,064, the release said. fpcity(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:fpcity@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: City could plow ahead on clearing sidewalks sooner (Jun27'24)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Jun '24

27 Jun '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. City could plow ahead on clearing sidewalks sooner https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/06/26/city-could-plow-a… RESIDENTIAL sidewalks could be cleared of snow days sooner this winter in an effort to improve accessibility. A proposed policy change would require the city to “normally” complete plowing on its “Priority 3” (residential) sidewalks within 36 hours after the work begins. The current completion target is set at five working days after clearing starts. “That’s huge … We’re hearing what the people want. They want more accessibility on walking with (enhanced) snow clearing and we’re delivering on that,” said Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of council’s public works committee. The Waverley West councillor said the changes will make it easier to walk around during the winter, following repeated requests from residents to ramp up plowing efforts. The work will be funded through money approved during the 2024 to 2027 multi-year budget process, which added $551,803 in 2024 and similar amounts in each of the following three years, according to a city staff report. The city’s total snow-clearing budget is set at $40.45 million for 2024. The new report reveals exactly how much more quickly sidewalk clearing can be completed as a result of that funding, estimates that were not previously available. Some residents say they would love to see the city clear snow off residential sidewalks that much faster but fear the target won’t actually be achieved. “I think if it (proves) true, that would be great. I find it hard to believe that it’s true that they’ll do it in 36 hours,” said Lori Ross, who uses a wheelchair. Delayed sidewalk clearing has triggered complaints in the past, with snow sometimes staying put for several days after a snowfall ends. Ross said the wait can strand people with mobility challenges at home on the worst winter days, especially those who rely on wheelchairs, walkers and other devices. “For a lot of people, that means they don’t get out to get to work, they can’t get out to the doctor’s, they can’t do anything because it’s not like we can levitate over the snow,” she said. City staff tracked sidewalk clearing operations last winter to help determine the new target. Since last winter saw lower-than-average snowfall, the report cautions snowier weather could yield different results. “I will be the first one to cheer if it actually works,” said Ross. The report also highlights the city’s struggles to cope with repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which climate change has made more common in Winnipeg winters. “The mild winter season of 20232024 introduced challenges in keeping sidewalks passable during prolonged melting periods. The melting and lack of proper drainage traps water on the sidewalk, which then freezes again when temperatures drop and causes slippery conditions,” writes Michael Cantor, the city’s manager of streets maintenance. Lukes said she’ll call for a report on how to cope with that problem, which would include gathering feedback on how other winter cities address it. Meanwhile, the city is also set to enhance its online snow-clearing map, which would offer live updates on parking bans and track snow-clearing progress on streets and paths. Lukes said the information for sidewalks and pathways will be updated every 10 to 15 minutes, while road status will be updated at least twice a day, starting sometime this winter. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca> X: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: The Forks rolls out bike-check service (Jun26'24)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Jun '24

26 Jun '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. FORKS ROLLS OUT BIKE-CHECK SERVICE A NEW bike-check pilot project is in place at The Forks this summer. The Forks has partnered with the Winnipeg Trails Association to create the secure area, which is being operated out of the atrium space on the south side of The Forks Market. “We’ve heard through our annual public surveys that more and more people are coming to The Forks via active transportation, and many of these folks suggested they’d bike here even more often if there was a managed, secure spot to store their bikes,” The Forks North Portage Partnership CEO Sara Stasiuk said in a news release Tuesday. Other items such as cargo bikes, e-bikes, scooters, e-scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, unicycles and wheelchairs can also be checked. The service is offered for free or by donation, with proceeds raised going to support Winnipeg Trails Association programming. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, and on the three holiday Mondays this summer.

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WFP: Students pumped by new bike trail (Jun26'24)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Jun '24

26 Jun '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Students pumped by new bike trail https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/06/25/students-pumped-a… A GUIDANCE councillor’s vision of a bicycle trail near his school was almost too much to handle. Luke Barr of École Stanley Knowles School set the wheels in motion for a trail to be built after an open field caught his eye on the way to work one morning. But he quickly started to feel defeated when looking into funding and realizing the logistics needed to maintain the trail. Then, his students got involved. “They really pushed and said, ‘No, keep doing this. We really want this,’” Barr said. The students got their wish Tuesday as plans for the new Fairgrove Park Community Trail at the Tyndall Park-area school were unveiled at a news conference. The trail will run along the perimeter of Fairgrove Park with construction expected to start next summer. The trail is set to open next fall. “We need to have a trail here. We need to have a reason for students to bring their bikes to school and have something for the community to use in the evening,” Barr said. The trail will be funded with $55,000 from the Trails Manitoba grant program, and $100,000 from the city’s land dedication reserve fund. The project is one of 33 recipients for the Trails Manitoba grant this year. Others include a pathway development at the Leaf in Assiniboine Park and enhancing the community trail at Steep Rock. Max Bundoc, a Grade 8 student at Stanley Knowles, believes the new trail will mean a lot to his school and the community. He credits biking and school programs with becoming more confident in himself. “I really found out who I am. And because of Mr. Barr, I’ve been able to learn a lot about biking and now I really have something I’m doing in my life,” Bundoc said. The school offers multiple bike programs for students, including cycling trips to Birds Hill Provincial Park, a bike mechanic program at lunchtime and a bike bus. Bundoc said he’ll be first in line to use the trail when it opens and will probably spend three hours there on the first day. “This new bike trail is not just a physical addition to our park, but it’s a symbol of progress, community spirit and a commitment to our children’s future,” said Point Douglas Coun. Vivian Santos. The Trail Manitoba grant program dedicates $697,365 annually for trails outside of Winnipeg and $190,000 for trails within the city, a government release stated. With the funding, 36 kilometres of new trails will be built and 600 km will be maintained around the province. matthew.frank(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:matthew.frank@freepress.mb.ca>

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City of Wpg: Pedestrian crosswalks have a new look
by Beth McKechnie 21 Jun '24

21 Jun '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. https://www.winnipeg.ca/people-culture/our-city-our-stories/pedestrian-cros…

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WFP: Winnipeg celebrates successful 11th Annual Bike Week Amid calls for Safer Cycling Infrastructure (Jun16'24)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jun '24

16 Jun '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Winnipeg celebrates successful 11th Annual Bike Week Amid calls for Safer Cycling Infrastructure https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/06/15/winnipeg-celebrat… Bike advocates and Sunday cyclers alike gathered at the legislative grounds Saturday to wrap up Winnipeg’s 11th annual Bike Week. Thousands of wheels were spun by thousands of cyclists throughout the week of activities, which ranged from a bike to work day to a scavenger hunt to a kid-centric ride to kick off Saturday’s get-together. This year’s events brought cyclists back in pre-pandemic numbers, Bike Week Winnipeg chair Dave Elmore said Saturday. “It was really, really good this year,” Elmore said. “I think we had great weather. I only know of one ride that got rained on, and it didn’t seem to bother them at all, because we’re not made of sugar.” Whether you bike for sport, bike to work or bike for fun, Elmore said the goal of Bike Week is to create programming for everyone. His dream for the future of Bike Week is to bring in more people from suburban areas and people who may not have considered becoming a regular bike-rider. “In the bigger picture, we’re trying to reach those people who are interested, but concerned,” he said. “What we want to do is get them to make the cross-over to being more interested, and less concerned.” Patty Wiens with Bike Winnipeg has helped set up local bike groups that hold small-scale neighbourhood-based rides that help teach new cyclists how to get around safely. “We show people what exists in their neighbourhood, and we take them safely and say, ‘Hey, it’s kind of tricky crossing here, but we’re working with the city on providing a safer way for you to cross’ … it’s a very educational ride,” she said. This year’s festivities were preceded by tragedy, after 61-year-old cyclist Rob Jenner was struck and killed by a driver in a hit-and-run on Wellington Crescent June 6. Over 100 cyclists shut down the intersection where the collision occurred the next day in protest and mourning. Jenner’s family released a statement calling on the city to invest in safer cycling infrastructure and called cycling “something he loved to do.” Beckham Keneth Severight, 19, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and leaving the scene of a collision. Jenner’s memory was front of mind for Meghan Gallant, who had taken part in a child-friendly group ride organized by Bike Winnipeg that morning with her six-year-old twins. Gallant’s husband was Jenner’s co-worker. A regular cyclist herself, she said coming out in celebration and support of cycling in Winnipeg Saturday while remembering Jenner was a meaningful, “conscious decision.”

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Equitable Cities | You're Invited!
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jun '24

13 Jun '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. [Ticket banner.png]<https://greenactioncentre.ca/healthy-travel/equitable-cities/> GET YOUR TICKETS!<https://3common.com/equitablecities> On Wednesday, October 9th Green Action Centre and Peg City Car Co-op will welcome Arrested Mobility’s Charles T. Brown to Winnipeg. Tickets are now on sale for Equitable Cities: How to liberate those caged by our transportation system. Charles T. Brown is the founder and principal of Equitable Cities, a minority- and veteran-owned urban planning, public policy and research firm focused at the intersection of transportation, health and equity. He is also an adjunct professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. He is the host of Arrested Mobility<https://arrestedmobility.com/>, a podcast that asks: What can we do to change the outcomes when people of colour step out their door to exist in the world? In this keynote presentation, Charles addresses how our transportation system underserves and disproportionately harms those who are most vulnerable. By understanding inequities in our transportation system, Charles identifies potential strategies for action. The audience for this presentation will leave the event with a greater understanding of the history of our transportation system across North America, and be inspired to correct past injustices to bring better health, equity and freedom to all. Following the keynote, attendees will be invited to participate in discussions to bring the themes of the keynote into our local context. Get your Early Bird tickets, available while stock lasts or until July 31st. Use the promo code: ECEARLYBIRD to save! Equitable Cities' Builder and Influencer sponsors: [https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcf4SN9GcXcyTOCxAWs23-U3cRQ…] Thank you to our Advocate and Supporter sponsors: The Johnston Group & Councillor Janice Lukes Would you like to support Equitable Cities? We are still in need of sponsorship and would love your support. We have various levels available. Please reach out to gohappy(a)greenactioncentre.ca<mailto:gohappy@greenactioncentre.ca> for details. Mel Marginet | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 300-286 Smith Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 1K4 | Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> *Note: I work two days a week at Green Action Centre and it may take a few days to respond to you. We are located on Treaty 1 Territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation. The water we drink comes from Shoal Lake First Nation. [https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif] Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org<http://canadahelps.org/> [https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4xnHIzg-oNAxItLMxFnB1HS5HGb…]<http://gomb.ca>

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WFP: Wolseley residents pan Transit plan (Jun12'24)
by Beth McKechnie 12 Jun '24

12 Jun '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Fear overhaul will trade cars for buses on greenway Wolseley residents pan Transit plan https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/06/11/wolseley-resident… WOLSELEY residents are asking Winnipeg Transit to pause their neighbourhood’s portion of a citywide bus network overhaul, arguing the changes could undermine a reduced-speed route designed to safely serve cyclists and pedestrians. A network transformation of bus routes is set to alter almost every city route, bring buses closer to many residents and increase bus frequency, starting on June 29, 2025, with council slated to vote on the exact changes this month. Some residents fear part of a newly proposed No. 28 route that’s set to travel over the Wolseley Avenue neighbourhood greenway and interfere with its objective to welcome active transportation. The greenway recently saw its permanent speed limit drop to 30 km/h and got new speed humps to help slow traffic. “There’s huge support for the new greenway on Wolseley Avenue. Residents want transit to co-exist with Wolseley, not overwhelm it, not undermine its livability, not change it from a walkable and family friendly community into a major bus thoroughfare,” said Rachel Morgan. Morgan said the residents don’t oppose the Transit investment but the proposed path would include old, narrow roads that are well used by pedestrians and cyclists and weren’t designed to handle so many buses, raising the risk of crashes and injuries. “Running 130 buses a day through a residential bottleneck will be neither efficient nor reliable. That’s why residents urge council to pause the plan for Wolseley. Please give us time to properly consult with Transit,” she said. The group’s estimate is based on one bus passing through every 7.5 minutes between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m. the following day. City staff said later the actual frequency would be much lower, often about one bus every 15 minutes. The residents said 467 people signed a petition to support pausing the Wolseley area changes. Daniel McIntyre Coun. Cindy Gilroy suggested relocating the No. 28 route around Wolseley to address the concerns. The currently proposed route would travel south down Arlington Street, then head east down the Wolseley greenway toward Academy Road. Instead, she asked that the route stay off Wolseley entirely by having buses travel south on Arlington, then go east on Broadway before heading south on Academy. The councillor also stressed the greenway isn’t suited to heavy bus traffic. “If you go down there around 8:30 to 8:45 (a.m.) you are going to see a mass of kids, children riding their bikes … And then you see a mass of adults riding their bikes … I think that Wolseley residents would rather walk a little ways to a (high) frequency (transit) line (than have this route),” she said. Another Wolseley resident expressed concerns that the plan’s removal of the current No. 10 bus route would force her to walk 20 minutes further to catch a ride. “I don’t know how that is even a conceivable idea in winter,” said Kathryn Martin Winnipeg Transit officials expect the overall network overhaul to roughly double the number of people who are in walking distance of frequent transit service, with a bus arriving at least every 10 minutes on the most frequent routes during rush hour. A Transit advocate said those changes are desperately needed. “(This) is essentially taking the system we have right now and blowing it up and starting over again, (which) is exactly what needs to be done. It is focused on getting people from where they are to where they want to go more efficiently,” said Brian Pincott, a spokesman for Functional Transit Winnipeg. Pincott urged councillors not to alter specific changes, which he said could result in a less efficient system. “This is an integrated, linked network and the moment you start whittling away at any one of those links, the whole thing could fall apart or not function very well,” he said. Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, told media she does have concerns about increased traffic on greenways, which aim to slow vehicles down. “Do we want buses travelling regularly on a greenway route? Personally, I wouldn’t. But (we also) want to deliver bus service to Wolseley,” she said. Lukes (Waverley West) noted any changes council approves will be reviewed in 2026, about a year after the new routes are expected to take effect. She said there was extensive planning and consultation on the new transit network, though many public meetings were forced online during the pandemic. “This is all because we want to deliver better transit service. We want to have higher frequency. We want to have dependable service,” she said. On Tuesday evening, the public works committee voted to move the new route plan forward, while requiring additional consultation. Any route changes would be subject to a final council vote. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca> X: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: Safer roads needed, family of cyclist killed by hit-and-run driver says (Jun11'24)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Jun '24

11 Jun '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Safer roads needed, family of cyclist killed by hit-and-run driver says https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/06/10/safer-roads-neede… A 61-year-old cyclist was on the way to his job at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights when he was killed last week by a speeding driver who fled the scene. The national museum said in a news release sent on behalf of the man’s family Monday that Rob Jenner was its shipper/receiver and had worked there since September 2014. He regularly cycled to work, the CMHR said. Jenner was cycling eastbound on Wellington Crescent near Cockburn Street when he was hit by an eastbound vehicle shortly after 7 a.m. Thursday. “Rob was killed cycling to work, something he loved to do. He knew cycling in this city could be dangerous, but he loved it,” the family said. “The city needs to do more for safer roads for cyclists, and we would ask every driver in Winnipeg reading this to think of Rob and take extra care and patience while passing cyclists. We don’t want another family to experience this grief.” Jenner’s widow, Wendy Van Loon, said in the statement that, “He was my everything. And I know I was his.” More than 100 cyclists blocked a stretch of Wellington Crescent and the adjacent street at a protest late Friday afternoon. Some people in the crowd held signs demanding action to protect cyclists and pedestrians with protected bike lanes and slower speeds. Jenner, a grandfather, was a caring person who was looking forward to retirement, his family said. “He was an artist and writer; his home was filled with art. He was also an incredible chef — his family and friends looked forward to the meals he prepared for them with love,” the statement said. “Rob was friendly, blunt and also very kind. He had a soft spot for people and was quick to connect with everyone. He was a person who treated everyone he knew with respect and dignity.” Beckham Keneth Severight, 19, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and leaving the scene of a collision. He has had no prior convictions in Manitoba, court records show.

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WFP Editorial: A wake-up call the city shouldn’t need (Jun11'24)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Jun '24

11 Jun '24

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. A wake-up call the city shouldn’t need https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/2024/06/11/a-wake-up-c… THE death of a cyclist struck by a speeding vehicle in Winnipeg last week is a stark reminder of the need to reduce speed limits on residential roads and to significantly expand protected bike lanes. A 61-year-old man was cycling eastbound on Wellington Crescent near Cockburn Street North at 7 a.m. Thursday and was hit by a motorist police say was driving erratically. About 100 cyclists staged a protest at the location Friday to demand greater bike safety on city streets. Many of them said vehicles often speed on that stretch of Wellington. They want the city to build more protected bike lanes, not only on Wellington but throughout Winnipeg, to better separate cyclists from motor vehicles. Some of those at the protest also demanded the city lower speed limits on residential roads to reduce the chances of collisions between motor vehicles and cyclists. It should not take a tragic incident like last week’s to effect change. But all too often, that is what is required to motivate politicians to do the right thing. To be fair, city hall has made progress expanding the network of protected bike lanes in Winnipeg, including in the downtown area. There are now more active transportation routes than ever. Many are well used. The edict “build it and they will come” aptly applies to the city’s small but growing network of protected bike routes. But it’s not enough. Cyclists in Winnipeg are routinely forced to switch from protected bike lanes to busy roadways to reach their destinations. They must often compete with fast-moving motor vehicles whose drivers do not always respect or make accommodation for cyclists. Riding a bike on busy roadways can be hazardous. It not only discourages many people from cycling, it can end in tragedy, as we saw last week. City hall can and must do better. City politicians should make active transportation a higher priority. Right now, motor vehicles are still the highest priority for city hall when it comes to transportation budgeting, whether it’s street repairs, snow clearing or the widening of roadways. The car is still king in Winnipeg. That mentality has to change. City hall needs to find a better balance between single occupancy motor vehicle use and active transportation when drafting budgets. There needs to be a shift in resources from the former to the latter. Does the city, for example, really need to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to widen Kenaston Boulevard (the latest cost projection is now over half a billion dollars for that project), or would those resources be better spent on active transportation and transit improvements? These are big picture issues city hall should re-evaluate. The resources are there to improve active transportation and to make cycling and pedestrian traffic a greater priority. But it has to come at the expense of motor vehicle use. That would require a paradigm shift at city hall, something that is long overdue. Tragedies like last week’s cannot be eliminated altogether. There will always be a risk of collision between cyclists and motor vehicles, no matter how many protected bike lanes are constructed. But those risks can be mitigated by lowering speed limits and separating cyclists as much as possible from motor vehicle traffic. Last week’s fatal collision should be a wake-up call for city hall. It’s time for Winnipeg to take the next step on active transportation by making it a much higher priority.

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