- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

AT Webinar: How Rapid Transformation Delivers Bike-Friendly Streets, 2-3pm, Wed, July 29, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jul '15

23 Jul '15

Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of the APBP and Green Lane Project webinar: *How Rapid Transformation Delivers Bike-Friendly Urban Streets*. The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local applications. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth ** * * * ** How Rapid Transformation Delivers Bike-Friendly Urban Streets *Wednesday, July 29th, 2-3pm, EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Boardroom* Explore how the concept and practice of rapid implementation is evolving and has altered the way cities develop and deliver urban street projects. This webinar previews a new report from PeopleForBikes on the institutionalization of real-time transportation programs and shows how the techniques are becoming embedded as normal practice within city governments. A developing project delivery technique is transforming the way cities put new bicycle facilities on the ground. Presently identified with pilot projects and rapid implementation, real-time transportation programs are progressing rapidly from outlier status to status quo. PeopleForBike’s research indicates that no two cities have established and evolved these programs in quite the same way, suggesting that the technique is flexible and easily adaptable. The report also delves into the role of leadership and different scenarios for selling the approach. This webinar reviews the origins of rapid implementation and discusses institutional settings, relationships with other parts of transportation, planning and public works departments, the process of project development, relationship to capital programs, and emerging issues. Speakers from Pittsburgh and Seattle provide insight based on their cities’ experience. *Speakers:* - Dongho Chang, City of Seattle - Jon Orcutt, PeopleForBikes - Kristin Saunders, City of Pittsburgh

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CBC: Helmet camera catches close call between Winnipeg cyclist and bus
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jul '15

23 Jul '15

Helmet camera catches close call between Winnipeg cyclist and bus A close call caught on camera between a Winnipeg cyclist and bus has a cycling instructor calling for the bus driver to be fired. "It was definitely scary," said Al Paul, who captured the incident on a camera mounted on his helmet. Paul said the near hit happened at about 7:10 am Monday morning when he was commuting by bike to his downtown job. *Full article and video*: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/helmet-camera-catches-close-call-bet…

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Rossland BC drops speed limit to 30km/h
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jul '15

23 Jul '15

Rossland, B.C. Speed Limit Dropped To 30 Km/H http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/07/22/rossland-bc-speed-limit_n_7852790.h… A southeastern city in B.C. is bucking the trend to raise speed limits and is actually slowing traffic down to 30 km/h. The city of Rossland, B.C. <http://www.rossland.ca/new-speed-policy-rossland> announced the local speed limit change last week. Maximum speeds in the city are dropping to 30 km/h, with schools zones and narrow streets at 20 km/h and drop-off areas at 15 km/h. The changes are in response to years of public safety concerns, as well as part of the traffic calming effort in the area, according to a city news release. "Council took a look at it, and we decided that yeah, 30 kilometres an hour is plenty fast <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/rossland-speed-limit-drops-t…>," Rossland Mayor Kathy Moore told CBC Radio. It's also meant to encourage people to walk or ride bikes more often. Despite the slower pace, the city said nearly everyone will be able to reach a main provincial highway within three minutes of leaving their home. Last summer, the provincial government raised the speed limit on some highways <http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/07/02/highway-speed-limit-bc_n_5552447.ht…> to 120 km/h from 110.

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Metro: Winnipeg's new pedestrian and cycling strategy, by the numbers
by Beth McKechnie 14 Jul '15

14 Jul '15

Winnipeg’s new pedestrian and cycling strategy, by the numbers By Colin Fast <http://metronews.ca/author/cfast/> http://metronews.ca/voices/your-ride-winnipeg/1425450/winnipegs-new-pedestr… As council prepares for its final (God willing) debate over the city’s new pedestrian and cycling strategy on Wednesday, it’s a good time to look at some of the key numbers surrounding this initiative: *— $334 million. *That’s the total price tag for the strategy. While it sounds like a lot, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, that‘s spread out over 20 years to build multi-use paths, greenways, protected bike lanes, sidewalks and pedestrian bridges all over town. And second, that funding might never actually materialize, as city council would have to approve capital funding for active transportation projects every single year based on what money is available in the budget. And while opponents say that’s too much to spend on bike paths, here’s another number to keep in mind … *— Five billion.* That’s what the city’s Transportation Master Plan will cost in the next 20 years. And that’s not for fixing existing infrastructure — that’s for new roads, bridges, underpasses and rapid transit lines. So that means walking and cycling projects only account for about 6.7 per cent of the total transportation wish list, which is a lot lower than … *— Nine per cent.* That’s the current share of Winnipeggers who use walking or cycling as their primary form of transportation each morning, according to that very same Transportation Master Plan. So it appears the city isn’t proposing to spend “too much” on active transportation, but actually not enough. The problem gets even worse when you consider this statistic … *— Forty-seven per cent.* That’s the percentage of Winnipeggers who said in a phone survey they would cycle more often if the city built more separated bike lanes. That’s right, this strategy wasn’t just created by a cabal of consultants and cycling elitists on Twitter, but actual scientific polling was done to figure out whether people were interested in biking and walking more. Speaking of walking … *— Fifty-three per cent.* That’s the share of people who said they would walk more often if the city filled in the gaps in the cycling network. And if the city actually goes ahead with this plan, maybe they could walk to one of … 3,800 new construction and engineering jobs. According to a University of Massachusetts study, cycling projects create 11.4 local jobs for every $1 million spent, while pedestrian projects create about 10 jobs for the same amount of money. Multiplied by $334 million, that’s a lot of additional employment and economic activity. Interestingly, the same study said road projects only generate 7.8 jobs for every $1 million. And if all that’s not enough to convince councillors, then here’s one last figure for them: 142 years. That’s how long it has taken for Winnipeg to finally come up with a comprehensive plan to get more people walking and biking. It’s time to get this city moving. *Colin Fast is a communications specialist and freelance journalist in Winnipeg. Out of guilt, he avoided looking directly at his unused bike while writing this column. Find him @policyfrog on Twitter.*

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Playing, with fire: How much risk should we expose our kids to?
by Beth McKechnie 14 Jul '15

14 Jul '15

Letting children slip the leash and engage in risky outdoor play offers huge benefits to physical, emotional and social health, says Mariana Brussoni, an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia’s school of population and public health. Brussoni is lead author of a review of play research published last week in the *International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25023135>*. Overprotective parenting and tediously safe playgrounds contribute to a decline in rough-and-tumble play and a generation of sedentary children. The report concludes: “There is a need for action to slow or reverse the trend in order to promote and preserve children’s health.” http://www.macleans.ca/society/life/playing-with-fire-how-much-risk-should-…

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New reports: Active Cities and State of Walking Movement in Canada
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jul '15

13 Jul '15

Thanks to Jaymi Derrett for sharing the following two new reports: *Designed to Move: Active Cities* A new report, *Designed to Move: Active Cities* <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001sSzFkjCHriLo0e2HUsB-iMemcooqSuaq3xztKCiOEPKs…>, is a blueprint for city leaders in creating an active city, regardless of city size or location. The report shows that cities with physically active populations are not only more economically competitive - they also benefit from increased productivity, improved school performance, higher property values, and improved health and well-being. *State of the Walking Movement in Canada* The State of the Walking Movement in Canada: Survey Summary Report <file:///C:/Users/Owner/Desktop/State-of-Walking-in-Canada-Survey-Summary-Report_final_2015.pdf> is the presentation of findings collected from The State of the Walking Movement in Canada Survey. The survey investigated the practices, resources, and needs of groups and organizations across Canada that promote walking and plan for walkability. Acquiring this information is of timely importance due to the increasing reliance on the private automobile, and increasing rates of chronic illness throughout the country, to which walking can combat. cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | 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/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://canadahelps.org/>

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AT Webinar: Health in All Policies, Wed, July 15th, 2-3:15pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jul '15

13 Jul '15

Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of the APBP webinar: *Health in All Policies*. The presentations will include how this approach can increase prioritization of active transportation and explore different tools for quantifying the health benefits of bicycle and pedestrian projects. The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local applications. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth ** * * * ** Health in All Policies *Wednesday, July 15th, 2-3:15pm, EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Boardroom* *Learning objectives: * - Define Health in All Policies - Describe model policies and tools to implement the HiAP approach to active transportation - Identify and understand analytical tools for evaluating the health benefits of nonmotorized transportation investments Health in All Policies provides a way for policymakers – at all levels and across all agencies – to systematically consider health in their policy development efforts. With local government facing tremendous budget constraints, HiAP offers a cost-effective approach that focuses on improving existing programs, policies and projects (rather than creating new programs that require additional funding). Learn how adopting a Health in All Policies approach can result in enhanced collaboration between agencies and increase prioritization of active transportation. California's unique statewide, multi-agency Health in All Policies Task Force is in the vanguard of this new planning approach. Speakers describe how the task force has promoted a coordinated approach to statewide active transportation initiatives, explain how to replicate the HiAP approach in any community, and review a toolkit of model policies to establish Health in All Policies at the local level. The session also identifies and explores different tools for quantifying the health benefits of bicycle and pedestrian projects. *Presenters:* - Sean Co, Toole Design Group - Meredith Lee, California Department of Public Health - Dr. Sandra Whitehead, National Association of County and City Health Officials - Heather Wooten, ChangeLab Solutions

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EPC Wednesday
by Anders Swanson 06 Jul '15

06 Jul '15

The latest post on winnipegtrails.ca http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/another-opportunity-to-have-a-say-epc-wednesda… ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A SAY: EPC WEDNESDAY JULY 8TH PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLING STRATEGIES There is one more opportunity to speak about the cycling and walking strategies at committee before they are sent to council for adoption. The strategies are appearing in front of the Executive Policy Committee on Wednesday, July 8th: West Committee Room Council Building, City Hall, 510 Main Street 9:00am Here is the agenda <http://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=14504&SectionId=&InitUrl=>. (look for bullet 4 in the public works committee report section). *If you wish to register to speak (We urge you to come out and express your views: Whether you speak for or against, please consider attending. It is always valuable to exercise your democratic right to speak. You can register to speak by emailing the committee clerk, Carlos Gameiro, at CGameiro[a]winnipeg.ca <http://winnipeg.ca>. Note: If you are working that day or otherwise too busy to attend, note that you can also send a letter to the above email and have it included in the register and officially submitted to the committee. * To recap: We have been following this closely and are very much looking forward to Winnipeg having vision for cycling and walking. While this is far from the last time to give input (all recommendations and projects in the strategies are subject to extensive consultation and further research and approval), we look forward to – for the first time – operating in a city with an official mandate that takes walking and cycling (and scooters, wheelchairs, skateboards and strollers) seriously. [image: NortheastPioneersGreeway1] You can read all about the pedestrian and cycling strategies here. <http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/MajorProjects/ActiveTransportation/WalkB…> Since 2003, Winnipeg Trails has been working with you to create a connected network of trails and protected bicycle facilities throughout Winnipeg, for everyone. All of our partners, including the City of Winnipeg, the Province of Mantioba, NGOs, stewardship groups, firms, private businesses and clubs have begun to envision walking and cycling for what it is: extremely important to the fabric of our city. Until now, we have often helped target connectivity based on when/if funding was available, sought expertise and network planning where we could find it and built trails where space could be found. In general, without an official plan, you do the best you can with what you have. Our vast network of skilled and knowledgeable individuals and groups have done tremendous things, but we all recognized we were ready for the next step. At our most recent strategic planning session, there was unanimous consent on two things: the need for more connectivity and the importance of these cycling and walking strategies. We are not alone. Cities across Canada have been developing walking and biking plans in haste. We need one too. And we need ours to be on the leading edge. There are incredible advantages to walking and cycling seriously – not the least of which is that it offers mode choice and improves the efficiency all other modes of transportation – including bussing and driving. Cities are also in competition with each other – for investment, for tourists, for innovation, for taxpayers. It is very important to recognize that liveability is an extremely important metric for businesses looking to locate and stay. Keeping ones skilled workforce, and youth, is critical. Investing in walking and cycling means investing in a city that is modern, vibrant and forward-thinking. When it comes to transportation, it can be quite simple: give people a choice, make it equitable, make it inexpensive, make it easy, make it good for the environment, make it cool, make it healthy and make it fun. Win, win, win, win, win, win, win. [image: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA] The best cycling and walking environments are created when they are treated as an essential service like any other part of the transportation system. In 2010, Winnipeg finally began to live up to its potential and spent more per capita on cycling and walking than almost anywhere else in the world. Cycling numbers jumped in the years thereafter and sparked a bike boom that we are still seeing growing today. So many people are out walking on key trails that they are nearly shoulder to shoulder in busy times. Much can be accomplished with stakeholder input and councillor guidance, but it was recognized that Winnipeg needed a long term vision based on community, councillor *and* professional input (for the same underlying reasons that automobiles and transit networks require a long term plan).. Soon after 2010, as part of the Our Winnipeg, Winnipeg released a master transportation plan for automobiles and buses. One of its key recommendations was the development of separate walking and cycling strategies (presumably there wasn’t enough time/budget to do the extensive consultations and work required to address these modes properly at the time). This process (the development of the cycling and walking strategies) began a couple years after the larger transportation master plan was finished and adopted. Consultants were hired, it was briefly cancelled, then reinstated due to popular demand and, ploddingly, the process began to move forward. The report received input in numerous ways. Strategically located open houses were advertised broadly. Thousands of Winnipeggers took the time to fill out exhaustive surveys. Comprehensive and impartial telephone polls reached hundreds of random people who might not have taken the time to respond to surveys or attend open houses. The results of the random polling confirmed what we suspected all along – trails and protected bike lanes are popular, walking is important, and people want safe and connected trails in order to feel comfortable exploring the city they love. It also determined that there is a vast pool of “interested but concerned” people who are simply awaiting investment in safe infrastructure. They may not read the paper, or show up at trails meetings, but if you build it, they said they’d come. As the Winnipeg Trails Association, we have seen it in action. Representatives from Winnipeg trails joined a large and diverse group of stakeholders from numerous different communities and causes including environmental, cycling, seniors, real estate and development, business, Universal Design and Accessibility, who were honoured to sit on the Stakeholder Advisory committee for two years as these strategies were developed. As the consultants did their work, Winnipeg Trails representatives were asked to give approximately 16 hours of their time each to sit on various review committees, attend large stakeholder workshops and raise awareness of the open houses. They offered their non-binding input and feedback, giving the consultants valuable insight. In a rare development, even young children were consulted in the preparation of this plan. A special workshop was developed locally just for them, where internationally-respected planners joined WTA, local NGOs and school children themselves to do their own version of the walking and cycling consultations – in a language they could understand. For once, even those under 16 we’re included in discussions on changes that affect them. They were, understandably, all for more trails. [image: YRibbon1] Most recently, a review of the consultation work <http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/canada/manitoba/story/1.3081263> determined that the consultation met international best practices for community consultation – and confirmed what senior officials were saying – that all cycling and walking projects done as part of the plan would have built-in and extensive consultation as part of the design process. The upside of recent media stories is that they too have drummed up a high level of interest. We are now at the point where almost no one in Winnipeg remains unaware of this exciting issue! Nonetheless, the fact remains that roads in Winnipeg are still missing sidewalks, our trails are too-often sparse in key areas and disconnected, and many of our bike paths simply end. Demand is far outpacing supply and we need to catch up. It is time to move forward. a message from Anders Swanson Coordinator, Winnipeg Trails Association

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Protected bike lanes across Canada
by Anders Swanson 29 Jun '15

29 Jun '15

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/editors-picks/out-of-harms-way-310…

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WFP: Sno job for citizens? City to consider requiring residents to keep sidewalks shovelled (Jun24'15)
by Beth McKechnie 24 Jun '15

24 Jun '15

Snow job for citizens?City to consider requiring residents to keep sidewalks shovelled http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/snow-job-for-citizens-3094641… The burden of clearing snow from city sidewalks may soon fall onto the shovels of Winnipeg homeowners. Residential walks are currently cleared of snow by the city, but support is growing at city hall to follow the practice of most other Canadian cities, which force homeowners to shovel the city's walks and fine those who refuse. "We typically look at it annually during the budgeting process," said Brad Sacher, director of public works, adding the city spends hundreds of thousands of dollars every winter clearing sidewalks. "We're asked to look at what kind of efficiencies we can find, and this one sticks out like a sore thumb because so many other cities do it this way." Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of the public works committee, said if Sacher doesn't raise the issue in a pending cost-benefit analysis of snow clearing, she will make sure it becomes part of the public debate. "We should put the facts on the table about what it costs," Lukes (St. Norbert) said. "We're one of the very few cities that do it." The issue surfaced after it was discovered it was included as part of a 20-year pedestrian and cycling strategy. Buried in the 344-page report was a recommendation the city end its practice of clearing residential sidewalks and instead require homeowners to do it and fine those who don't. Residential sidewalks "should become the responsibility of every owner or occupant of any building abutting the public sidewalk," the recommendation in the pedestrian and cycling strategy report states. "These sidewalks should be cleared within 24 hours of end of snowfall and should be shovelled to bare pavement... "Penalties should be imposed on residents who fail to clear their sidewalk." Public works acknowledges some people -- particularly seniors and those with mobility issues -- may not be able to clear their own sidewalks in winter, and recommends initiatives to assist those individuals, including a "snow angels" program -- neighbours and volunteers who shovel works for those physically unable. Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt told the committee the recommendations on sidewalk snow clearing should be removed from the strategy document, but the committee accepted the report in its entirety and it now heads to council for consideration. In addition to sidewalk snow clearing, city streets are cleared down to the bare pavement, from curb to curb. There was a public uproar when a consulting firm reviewed the public works department operations and said city hall could save money if it didn't clear the streets from curb to curb. The suggestion was never adopted. Sacher said the sidewalk snow-clearing issue found its way into the strategy document after it was raised by residents during the public consultation process. Sacher said some residents said they'd prefer to shovel the walk in front of their homes instead of waiting for city crews to do the work a week after a snowstorm. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 24, 2015 B1* JUST TO BE CLEAR... WINNIPEG isn't the first Canadian city to consider DIY snow clearing for public sidewalks. The Ontario cities of Hamilton, Kitchener, Waterloo and Windsor have all left residents responsible for sidewalk snow clearing. Here are six other cities that have also gone that way: - *Vancouver:* Residents and business owners are expected to clear sidewalks by 10 a.m. the day after every snowfall, seven days a week. The city encourages residents to adopt the sidewalks of neighbouring seniors or people with mobility issues and keep them clear all winter long. Failure to keep walks adjacent to residential homes can lead to fines of $250 per offence, while apartment blocks and business can incur fines ranging from $750 to $2,000. - *Calgary: *Since 1974, property owners in Calgary have been responsible for clearing the sidewalks adjacent to their properties within 24 hours of snow or ice accumulating. The city has also been promoting a Snow Angels campaign for more than 10 years, encouraging able-bodied residents to help seniors and others in need by adopting sidewalks to clear. Residents nominate their Snow Angels annually for special recognition letters from the mayor, and Snow Angels are given free parking passes from the Calgary Parking Authority. If property owners don't clear their sidewalks within 24 hours, the city gives them notices to shovel and scrape their walks within an allotted period of time. Fines vary based on the length of sidewalks and the amount of snow and ice accumulated. - *Edmonton: *A community standards bylaw requires property owners shovel their adjacent walkways -- sidewalks and driveways -- within 48 hours of a snowfall. Those who violate the bylaw are given one warning notice per season before being issued a ticket. Tickets are $100, and if a contractor has to be sent to remove snow, the property owner will be invoiced again separately. The city recommends residents sprinkle salt or gravel on the ground to give pedestrians traction and provides free boxes of sand at community drop points for citizens to use. - *Regina: *The City of Regina also provides sand to help residents keep their walks safe. Regina requires downtown businesses to clear their walks within 24 hours of a snowfall, while businesses, apartments and vacant lots outside downtown are given 48 hours to clear the snow. - *Saskatoon:* Residents are required to clear their private walks within 48 hours of a snowfall, while some commercial properties are only given 24 hours. When reports of uncleared sidewalks are filed to the City of Saskatoon, a bylaw inspector investigates and doles out 48-hour warnings to residents. Those who don't clear adequately can expect fines ranging from $100 to $2,000, depending on the severity and number of infractions. - *Toronto: *City crews clean the snow and ice from much of Toronto but aren't able to do so in core areas. Residents and business owners in the city's core are asked to clear adjacent walkways within 12 hours of every snowfall. Violating the bylaw can result in a $100 fine, with $25 surcharges. People needing snow-clearing help in Toronto's core can submit special requests to the city. *-- Jessica Botelho-Urbanski*

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