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Fwd: GREAT NEWS ON THE BICYCLE TRAFFIC BYLAW ISSUE!
by Beth McKechnie 17 Sep '13

17 Sep '13

Great news from Councillor Gerbasi... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Gerbasi, Jenny <JGerbasi(a)winnipeg.ca> Date: Tue, Sep 17, 2013 at 11:46 AM Subject: GREAT NEWS ON THE BICYCLE TRAFFIC BYLAW ISSUE! Dear Friends, ** I just spoke with the Acting head of the Winnipeg Police service and he let me know that they will be pulling the Traffic Bylaw item off of the EPC agenda and sending it back for review to be part of a larger more detailed review that Public Works is doing of the traffic bylaw.**** ** ** In other words, the bylaw is not going ahead as planned and they will work to address the concerns raised about the wording of the bylaw. So groups of 10 or more cyclists do not have to worry about receiving fines..**** ** ** Cheers!!!**** ** ** Jenny**** ** ** ** ** ** ** Jenny Gerbasi Councillor, Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry Phone: (204)986 5878 Fax: (204) 986 5636 jgerbasi(a)winnipeg.ca **** If you wish to sign up for my e-newsletter and receive occasional updates of city hall happenings please go to my web site: www.jennygerbasi.ca . You can also follow me on twitter @JennyGerbasi or join my Councillor Jenny Gerbasi page on Facebook. **** Dear Friends,**** ** ** I am writing in follow-up to the concerned raised about the changes to the Traffic Bylaw that EPC is considering tomorrow.**** ** ** I am advocating strongly to get the traffic bylaw matter referred back to the Standing Policy Committee …and then to staff to be reconsidered and address the issue raised of fines for bikes in groups of 10 or more.**** ** ** It is my understanding that the intention of the bylaw change is to allow parade permits for large bike events for groups that wanted to have a police escort and that a change was made in the definition to include bikes in the bylaw. This was something some councilors and groups were advocating for. However…the change in definition which now includes cyclists in the traffic bylaw allows any group of cyclists of 10 or more to be a finable offence if they DON”T have a permit …which is not what was intended at all. This is a problem as numerous community activities could result in fines…things like family or group rides, Downtown BIZ cycling tours and much more.**** I expect that this problem is an unintentional side effect of the change in definition …It is better to take more time and do this right…than have it done speedily.**** So I will be advocating to have this referred back and have this addressed.* *** ** ** EPC meets on this tomorrow and hopefully they will be receptive to revisiting this. I will be contacting EPC members ahead of the meeting and I know a number of citizens are scheduled to attend. I am not able to be there tomorrow in person as am speaking at a community event…but will be following this issue closely.**** ** ** Most sincerely, Jenny**** ** ** Jenny Gerbasi ****

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WFP: Parade permits for cyclists around corner (Sept.17'13)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Sep '13

17 Sep '13

Pasted below this article is additional information from David Sanders and who to contact if you wish to speak to the amendment at tomorrow morning's EPC meeting. There appears to be a difference in interpretation between the Winnipeg Free Press's reporting below that this change would *allow* cyclists to obtain a parade permit if they so wished vs. the concern that it will be enforced by police as *required* by any group of 10 or more cyclists (i.e. organized or spontaneous group rides, even a gathering of friends travelling by bike from place to place). The wording of the amendment could more clearly stipulate that it is intended to allow cyclists who wish to apply for a parade permit to do so. (See suggested rewording in attached submission by David Sanders.) Note that there's a meeting tonight at 7 pm at Mondragon (91 Albert St) to discuss potential response strategies for those who are interested. * * * * * Parade permits for cyclists around corner http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/parade-permits-for-cyclists-around-c… THE City of Winnipeg is poised to change its traffic rules to allow cyclists to obtain a parade permit, but some cyclists are already up in arms. On Wednesday, council's executive policy committee is considering an amendment to the traffic bylaw that would allow 10 or more bike riders to obtain a parade permit. Right now, cyclists can't obtain parade permits because it's illegal to ride side-by-side. "A number of bicycle groups apply for parade permits each year with the intent of operating in a parade fashion with a police escort," reads the report to council. This amendment, however, has sparked fears police could use the amendment to crack down on groups of cyclists. Winnipeg lawyer David Sanders, who represented members of a Critical Mass ride, issued a statement Sunday warning of $1,000 fines to anyone who rides in a group of 10 or more. *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 17, 2013 A2* ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: *David Sanders* <westhawk41(a)yahoo.ca> Date: Sun, Sep 15, 2013 at 3:10 PM Hi all: If any of the old email addresses work, hope you are all doing well. If you want to be able to cycle in *groups of 10 or more people* on Winnipeg streets without a parade permit issued by the Chief of Police 48 hours before, without facing *fines of up to $1,000 each*, you may want to check this out. On Wednesday, September 18, Executive Policy Committee will be asked to approve the recommendation of the Standing Policy Committee on Protection and Community Services, that the City of Winnipeg Traffic By-law 1573/77 be amended to restrict cyclists in that manner. Attached is a copy of the last minute submission I sent to the Committee last week, to no avail. And it appears the press didn't pick it up. You will find the EPC agenda and the Standing Policy Committee minutes on the City's Decision-Making System website, with the text of the amendment, the half-truth of the Administration's recommendation, and By-law 1573/77 itself, which describes the stringent requirements for holding a "parade" and provides for fines of up to $1,000 for violating those requirements. If you have trouble accessing the pdf's with Google, try Google Chrome or Moxilla Firefox. You may wish to notify others who might find this undesirable, and encourage them to contact Carlos Gameiro at cgameiro(a)winnipeg.ca if they wish to register to speak to the amendment at EPC on Wednesday morning. Regards, David Sanders

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WFP: Truckers slam bid to ban rigs [on Provencher] (Sept.13'13)
by Beth McKechnie 13 Sep '13

13 Sep '13

Great to see Councillor Vandal working to make Provencher more pedestrian and bike friendly! Truckers slam bid to ban rigsBarring trucks from Provencher costly, lacks vision: industry By: Kevin Rollason http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/truckers-slam-bid-to-ban-rigs-223585… <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Truckers are grinding their gears over a move by the city to explore the possibility of banning trucks from Provencher Boulevard and Portage and Main. The Manitoba Trucking Association is upset the civic infrastructure renewal and public works committee wants the administration to study the pros and cons of a ban and report back in 90 days after Coun. Dan Vandal, the committee's chairman, asked for the report. Terry Shaw, the MTA's general manager, wants to hit the brakes on the issue because he says the problem for truckers is actually larger than the possibility of being banned on two major streets in Winnipeg. "The congestion and growth of Winnipeg is far outstripping the ability of the infrastructure -- we don't have a transportation vision 2013 let alone 2040," Shaw said. "Instead of piecemeal moves like banning trucks from Provencher and Portage and Main, let's step back and see what do we need for everyone and then put together the vision that captures it all. "You are not making the trucks go away -- you are just putting them elsewhere." Shaw said the road bed on Provencher was constructed to take into account it was a truck route. About 27,000 vehicles per day drive on Provencher. Shaw worries what could happen next if trucks were banned from those two areas. "Osborne, Corydon and Academy are all lovely areas and they are all truck routes. Trucks should always have access to the areas they need access to. "Six hundred trucks is only five per cent of the traffic on Provencher -- it is a small percentage of the traffic." Shaw said the association has already calculated that, based on the city's statistics of 600 trucks on Provencher during an average 11-hour period, it would cost Winnipeg industries $600,000 to ban trucks due to longer driving distances. But Vandal is not backing down on the issue. On Tuesday, Vandal said the issue was "a no-brainer." On Thursday, Vandal said "I am concerned about both Provencher and Portage and Main and The Forks in between. "I simply think we need to encourage a more pedestrian environment down the entire corridor... as we fast approach 2014, tractor-trailers and semi-trailers should not be at Portage and Main and Provencher Boulevard by extension." Matt Allard, president of the Old St. Boniface Residents' Association, said area residents have been pushing the issue for years. "We endorse the motion to ask the administration to ban truck traffic on Provencher," Allard said. "Generally this issue comes up at almost all of our residents' meetings. "It's not something we are doing on a whim." Allard said Provencher is changing with more coffee shops and outdoor cafes on the street and they want to encourage other traffic rather than trucks. "With the new pedestrian bridge and the new human rights museum, there's really a feeling we do want a Provencher more amenable to cyclists, pedestrians and coffee shops." Ahmed Shalaby, head of the University of Manitoba's department of civil engineering, said truck routes are built to a higher standard than residential streets, but not much different than other busy roads. Shalaby said the idea of banning trucks from areas of the city is not new because it has been done in other metropolitan areas in North America. "In the end, you have to provide access to goods and services and activity. You are moving trucks from one road to the next." kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 13, 2013 B1

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PUB denies BW intervention on Road Safety
by feaver＠mymts.net 13 Sep '13

13 Sep '13

The Manitoba Public Utilities Board has refused Bike Winnipeg's application for joint intervention with the Manitoba Consumers' Association of Canada at the MPI hearing. Working with pro bono lawyer James Benson, a small group of BW volunteers put a lot of time into preparing for the MPI hearing, which the PUB had indicated would include a significant focus on promoting safety on Manitoba roads. We initially proposed participating as full interveners and introducing expert testimony on safe driving near cyclists and on communicating effectively with the driving public. MPI objected to allowing us to participate as full interveners, and the PUB rejected our application, suggesting we could collaborate with one of the other interveners. We worked with the Manitoba Consumers' Association of Canada (CAC MB) to be joint interveners with them, MPI objected again, and PUB released a decision yesterday denying our application. BW wanted our lawyer to represent us at the portion of the hearing which covered road safety programs, present our final argument after all the evidence has been heard, and be compensated for this work as are the other lawyers at the hearing. That is what has been denied. We can make public presentations at the start of the hearing, like we did last year, but that's all. We see this as a sign of the PUB backing off in its demands for more effective road safety programs. MPI argues that ""Road safety, as a general issue, has a marginal impact on the rates set by the Board..". We believe that is because their multi-million dollar road safety programs are ineffective. MPI says on the record that their ads are successful if they create the perception to the public that they are encouraging road safety. BW proposed to bring in expertise to show how effective advertisers use communications to successfully change behaviour, but that was deemed by the PUB to be "too narrow". Bottom line; Cyclists (and pedestrians) are getting killed and injured on our roads. BW has to find a different way to increase provincial agencies' accountability on road safety. - Source: <http://bikewinnipeg.ca/2013/09/13/mpi-pub-refuse-bw-intervention-road-safet y/#sthash.YmkDye2N.FvBbpZMj.dpuf> http://bikewinnipeg.ca/2013/09/13/mpi-pub-refuse-bw-intervention-road-safety /#sthash.YmkDye2N.FvBbpZMj.dpuf

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AT Webinar: Integrating Spatial Data to Develop Community Priorities, 2-3pm, Wed, Sept.18th, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 12 Sep '13

12 Sep '13

<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of the following APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave). This will be followed by group discussion of local applications.* *Detailed description provided below. *Wednesday, Sept. 18th | 2:00-3:00 p.m.* RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth (204) 925-3772 * * * * * ** Integrating Spatial Data to Develop Community Priorities Learn how collaborative mapping can be a planning tool for regional networks. This webinar will feature examples of using map data to help multiple, adjacent jurisdictions create long-term plans for prioritizing improvements. One of the case study projects used map data to tell a story that brought the wider community into the planning process.

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TOD EVENT CANCELLATION
by Beth McKechnie 12 Sep '13

12 Sep '13

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Stephanie Voyce <stephanie(a)downtownwinnipegbiz.com> Date: Wed, Sep 11, 2013 at 7:57 PM Subject: TOD EVENT CANCELLATION Good evening, We regret to inform you that this week's conference - Ideas for Action on Transit Oriented Development, organized by Via Fara Transportation Policy and Planning Consulting, has been cancelled. The forum, scheduled for September 12 from 7pm-9pm at Portage Place, will also not be taking place. Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience this may cause. We hope to be able to engage you in the future with another forum on this topic. Please don't hesitate to be in contact with us if you have any questions or comments. Best regards, Stephanie Voyce Project Manager, Image & Transportation Downtown Winnipeg BIZ 204.958.4621 office 204.958.4630 fax Visit our website at www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com!

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Webinar: How to build a culture of walking in your community or province
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 11 Sep '13

11 Sep '13

Please see below for a webinar opportunity. Please pass on to your networks. ** ** ** ** Hi everyone!**** ** ** We are hosting a webinar on Sept. 19th and I was wondering if you could help us spread the word!**** ** ** Thanks so much,**** Christa**** ** ** ** ** ** ** *Want to know how to build a culture of walking in your community or province? * Join us on *Thursday,* *September 19th from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. EST* for *Part I* of our Walking series. **** Kate Hall from Green Communities Canada, Elaine Shelton from Heart and Stroke Foundation (Nova Scotia), Graham Matsalla from Alberta Health Services, and Dr. Ron Wilson from the BC Medical Association will provide an overview of the initiatives that are making walking more prominent in four different provinces across Canada.**** *Part II* of our series will take place on *Thursday, September 26th from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. EST* and will provide the opportunity to delve deeper and help you implement similar initiatives. This will also provide an opportunity to share the work that you are doing related to walking. Registration for Part II will be limited to 25 ParticipACTION Network participants to facilitate discussion and sharing.**** To register for the September webinar on walking, please email * forum(a)participACTION.com <%20forum(a)participACTION.com>* by September 17, 2013 to reserve your spot.**** ** ** [image: cid:image002.jpg@01CEAE43.C81F7630]**** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** *Christa Costas-Bradstreet* Relationship Manager/ Gestionnaire des relations**** * * *ParticipACTION***** Phone/ Téléphone: 416.913.1397**** Main Line/Ligne principale: 416.913-1511**** 77 Bloor St. W. Suite 1205/ *77*, rue Bloor ouest, bureau 1205 **** Toronto, On. M5S 1M2**** www.participACTION.com <http://www.participaction.com/>**** ** ** ** ** [image: SDIC bilingual signature 2013] <http://sportsday.cbc.ca/>**** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

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Ontario's Cycling Strategy
by Dave Elmore 11 Sep '13

11 Sep '13

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/index.shtml CycleON: Ontario's Cycling Strategy Ontario's Cycling Strategy looks ahead 20 years and outlines what needs to be done to promote cycling across the province as a viable mode of transportation. More and more people are choosing cycling as their preferred way to get around. Ontario's Cycling Strategy provides a route map to support and encourage this growth in cycling over the next 20 years. Increasing the number of cyclists in Ontario holds many potential long-term benefits. Ontario's Cycling Strategy supports Ontarians adopting healthier and active lifestyles, the tourism industry, as well as the achievement of environmental and economic <http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/index.shtml> objectives. The province will play a leadership role in striving to achieve our cycling vision, but we are asking municipalities, the public, road users, businesses and non-governmental organizations to partner with us to create <http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/index.shtml> a more cycling-friendly future for Ontario. #CycleON: Ontario's Cycling Strategy <http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling-guide/pdfs/MTO-CycleON-EN.pdf > (PDF: 16.9 MB) <http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/pdfs/MTO-BicyclingStrategy-Pr int-EN.pdf> Download a printer-friendly version <http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling-guide/pdfs/cycling-strategy-r eport-print.pdf> (PDF <http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling/index.shtml> : 14 MB) Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X)

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IMPORTANT: City's plan for active transport revived
by Anders Swanson 07 Sep '13

07 Sep '13

[This is relevant to anyone who may have been planning to speak on Tuesday as per the reminder sent out last week. I for one am going to celebrate instead. - Anders ] http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/citys-plan-for-active-transport-revi… THE City of Winnipeg has revived a bike-and-pedestrian strategy the cancellation of which earlier this summer sparked an outcry from cycling activists. In July, Winnipeg's public works department nixed a plan to spend $400,000 on an active-transportation master plan that would have been prepared by Vancouver consulting firm Urban Systems. The plan, initiated in the wake of a messily executed 2010 bike-and-pedestrian upgrade, was intended to help the city choose future active-transportation routes, ensure the city had the capacity to build them and align the funding priorities with those of two other levels of government. But the plan was cancelled when the city official in charge of the project wound up busy with a road-twinning project, public works director Brad Sacher said. Several members of council, including public works chairman Dan Vandal (St. Boniface), were concerned the $400,000 price tag was too high for a planning framework. But in the wake of complaints from the public and others members of council, Sacher renegotiated the scope of the consulting contract, which has been scaled back. The revived master plan may be completed by the end of January, Sacher said Friday. "There's a lot of work to do and not enough resources to get everything done. But after (this plan) was cancelled, it became really apparent it's a really important project to a lot of Winnipeggers," Sacher said. City staff will now oversee the implementation of the plan, which could be completed in time to inform decisions about routes to build in 2014, he added. "It will help us for the budget and for capital-planning projects going forward. It's an important study and something we really needed to complete." As a result of the change, the project fee was reduced by $70,000 to $330,000, Vandal said. "Nobody was ever against a master plan. We just felt the price was crazy," he said. Mark Cohoe, executive director of commuter-cycling lobby group Bike Winnipeg, said he is thrilled the city has salvaged the plan. "It's good to see the city is listening and reacting," Cohoe said after hearing the news. "It's going to bring a lot of outside expertise to Winnipeg -- a fresh set of eyes with a worldly perspective that will give us a bit of focus. "It will get us in line with what other cities are doing."

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WFP: City's plan for active transport revived (Sept.7'13)
by Beth McKechnie 07 Sep '13

07 Sep '13

City's plan for active transport revived By: Bartley Kives http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/citys-plan-for-active-transport-revi… THE City of Winnipeg has revived a bike-and-pedestrian strategy the cancellation of which earlier this summer sparked an outcry from cycling activists. In July, Winnipeg's public works department nixed a plan to spend $400,000 on an active-transportation master plan that would have been prepared by Vancouver consulting firm Urban Systems. The plan, initiated in the wake of a messily executed 2010 bike-and-pedestrian upgrade, was intended to help the city choose future active-transportation routes, ensure the city had the capacity to build them and align the funding priorities with those of two other levels of government. But the plan was cancelled when the city official in charge of the project wound up busy with a road-twinning project, public works director Brad Sacher said. Several members of council, including public works chairman Dan Vandal (St. Boniface), were concerned the $400,000 price tag was too high for a planning framework. But in the wake of complaints from the public and others members of council, Sacher renegotiated the scope of the consulting contract, which has been scaled back. The revived master plan may be completed by the end of January, Sacher said Friday. "There's a lot of work to do and not enough resources to get everything done. But after (this plan) was cancelled, it became really apparent it's a really important project to a lot of Winnipeggers," Sacher said. City staff will now oversee the implementation of the plan, which could be completed in time to inform decisions about routes to build in 2014, he added. "It will help us for the budget and for capital-planning projects going forward. It's an important study and something we really needed to complete." As a result of the change, the project fee was reduced by $70,000 to $330,000, Vandal said. "Nobody was ever against a master plan. We just felt the price was crazy," he said. Mark Cohoe, executive director of commuter-cycling lobby group Bike Winnipeg, said he is thrilled the city has salvaged the plan. "It's good to see the city is listening and reacting," Cohoe said after hearing the news. "It's going to bring a lot of outside expertise to Winnipeg -- a fresh set of eyes with a worldly perspective that will give us a bit of focus. "It will get us in line with what other cities are doing." *bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca* *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 7, 2013 A4 *

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