- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

"Green man" signal gives priority to pedestrians
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jul '18

25 Jul '18

Very cool! https://usa.streetsblog.org/2018/07/23/new-traffic-signals-in-london-will-t… Streetsblog USA reports "Green man" authority will prioritize pedestrians over cars in parts of London, England as part of the Mayor's ambitious plan to get a million more walking trips by 2041. (Walking Action Plan: Making London the World's Most Walkable City: http://bit.ly/2A7z0Kp <https://pps.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c803e70a8ad33c13a95a1ee6&id=…>) To help meet its goals for "pedestrian time saved," the transportation agency will begin using smart traffic signals with "Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique" to detect the number of pedestrians waiting at an intersection and automatically adjust timing to minimize their wait and ensure they have enough time to cross. At 10 other intersections, they want to use traffic signals to give pedestrians the right-of-way by default. They call it the "green man." -- *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) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP: Cyclists want safer streets: poll (Jul25'18)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jul '18

25 Jul '18

Cyclists want safer streets: poll https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/more-than-a-third- of-winnipeggers-hungry-for-bike-friendly-commute-to-work- survey-489040481.html CAA and Bike Winnipeg are attempting to steer cycling infrastructure out of the margins and into the centre of political debates in the leadup to the civic election inOctober. And if the result of a new Probe Research poll conducted for the agencies is any indication, their message is likely to resonate with at least a third of Winnipeggers. The poll, conducted June 5-19, asked 600 adults a series of questions about cycling, finding 21 per cent of residents are regular cyclists and 35 per cent said they would cycle more if the city was more bike friendly. “With 21 per cent of people out there biking on a regular basis, it means it’s an issue for them. It’s definitely something I think is going to come up at the door, and if you’re a wise candidate you’re going to make sure it’s part of your platform,” Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe said Tuesday. The 21 per cent of regular cyclists identified in the poll is the highest self-reported figure his group has seen to date, he said. According to Probe Research, the random phone poll — landline and cellphone numbers were called — offers 95 per cent certainty the results are within a plus or minus four percentage point range of what they would be if Winnipeg’s entire adult population had been queried. In the 2016 Statistics Canada census, 6,200 Winnipeggers (0.87 per cent of the city’s population) reported cycling was their main mode of commuting to work. In the poll, a regular cyclist was defined as someone who pedals to work daily or several times a week for transportation. The data released Tuesday was the first instalment in a three-part series focused on the city’s appetite for cycling and the obstacles currently in place preventing people from hittingthe road on twowheels, rather than four. Liz Kulyk, CAA’s corporate manager of government and community relations, said the release of the poll results were purposefully timed to coincide with the run-up to the municipal election. The next two instalments in the series will take a closer look at the safety concerns raised by cyclists (Aug. 8) and will also call on council and mayoral candidates to make improved cycling infrastructure a part of their campaign platforms (Aug. 29), she said. “Of all the issues facing our city, this is the one where we can really capitalize and move our city forward. There’s lots of things, visionary ideas, that you’re going to hear from various candidates in the election — ‘do this, don’t do that,’” Kulyk said. “What we can tell you is if we want to move Winnipeg forward to a city of one million (residents) and continue to grow and be an economic hub, we can’t not tackle this one headon.” When respondents were asked what the biggest barrier to becoming an active cyclist was, the issue of protected bike lanes on major routes quickly jumped to the top of the list. Nearly half of the Winnipeggers polled (47 per cent) also said building protected bike lanes in the downtown core should be the city’s top priority. Kulyk believes that too often the issue of cycling infrastructure pits cyclists and drivers against each other, when — in reality— what’s good for one is good for the other. “More people cycling and leaving their car at home means better roads. We’re seeing record construction in our city right now and we’re doing a lot of wholesale changes to some pretty main thoroughfares,” she said. “There should not be a single decision made about those wholesale changes to roads without also considering what is the best way forward to ensure cyclists and drivers and everybody using the road gets to use it in the most efficient and safe way possible.” ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe

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Fwd: NEWS RELEASE - CYCLING BECOMING MORE MAINSTREAM: CAA, BIKE WINNIPEG SURVEY - July 24, 2018
by Mark Cohoe 24 Jul '18

24 Jul '18

Cycling is becoming more mainstream in Manitoba’s capital city, but we are really just scratching the surface of our city's cycling potential. Research commissioned by CAA Manitoba and Bike Winnipeg also shows that Winnipeggers have an appetite to bike even more often – if infrastructure conditions are right. Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca *CYCLING BECOMING MORE MAINSTREAM: CAA, BIKE WINNIPEG SURVEY* *First of three-part series focuses on Winnipeggers’ appetite to bike & obstacles preventing use to commute* WINNIPEG, July 24, 2018 – CAA Manitoba and Bike Winnipeg have partnered on a survey, conducted by Probe Research, to delve deep into the problems and the potential regarding Winnipeggers cycling to get around town. The surprising results reveal that not only is cycling becoming more mainstream in Manitoba’s capital city, but that Winnipeggers have an appetite to bike even more often – if infrastructure conditions are right. “CAA and Bike Winnipeg have been talking about how to make our city more bike-friendly for years,” said Liz Kulyk, corporate manager of government and community relations at CAA Manitoba. “Yet we kept coming back to the same questions, which is why we needed to hear directly from Winnipeggers about their needs, desires and the obstacles that are keeping them from getting on their bike.” A solid 21 per cent of Winnipeggers polled said they are already cycling daily or a few times a week for transportation – the highest self-reported usage that Bike Winnipeg has seen to date. “It’s fantastic to hear more people are choosing to use two wheels to get around than ever before,” says Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. “But we’re even more excited about the fact that there’s still room to grow that mode share - 35 per cent of people saying they would cycle a few times a week or more if the conditions were optimal would put us on par with some European cities. Winnipeggers have told us loud and clear that they’re willing to bike, if there’s a way.” When asked to consider and rank options that would get them moving, literally and figuratively, from an aspiring cyclist to an active user, one improvement quickly rose to the top of the list: more protected bike lanes on major routes. Additionally, in a related question, almost half (47 per cent) of respondents said building protected bike lanes downtown should be the city’s priority. “When it comes to infrastructure, it’s clear that what’s good for cyclists is good for drivers. Safety for all road users increases when we separate cars and bikes,” says Kulyk. “Winnipeggers obviously feel the same way, and this is not the first time they’ve spoken out in favour of separated infrastructure <https://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/strategiesActionPlan…>. ” Both advocacy groups agree that with a civic election just around the corner, city council candidates should prepare to have discussions with Winnipeggers about their plans to address active transportation. “Record construction is great because every project is an opportunity to build for the future – not just with fresh pavement on an old outdated design, but to do what the young Winnipeggers who will inherit our city want and need,” Cohoe says. “We need to be considering improved designs that provide options for people of all ages and abilities to get around on foot or on bike as well as well as by car.” The next release in the series delves deeper into the top safety concerns of local drivers and cyclists. The third instalment discusses Winnipeggers’ views on how the City of Winnipeg and elected officials must move road design and maintenance forward to benefit citizens and all road users for years to come. Probe Research surveyed a random representative sample of 600 adults residing in Winnipeg between June 5 and 19, 2018. The survey sample size offers 95 per cent certainty that results are within plus or minus 4.0 percentage points of what they would be if the entire adult population of Winnipeg had been studied. *About CAA Manitoba:* * Since its inception in 1904, CAA Manitoba has been a non-profit, member-driven organization that advocates for road safety and the Canadian traveler, however they choose to commute.* *About Bike Winnipeg:* * As a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, Bike Winnipeg advocates for increased cycling awareness in Manitoba and works to make cycling in Winnipeg a safe, convenient, accessible and enjoyable transportation choice year-round.* – 30 – *For more information, please contact:* Erika Miller, Communications Consultant 204.797.4326 • erikam(a)caamanitoba.com This communication (including all attachments) is intended solely for the use of the person(s) to whom it is addressed and should be treated as a confidential CAA communication. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, distribution, printing, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please immediately delete it from your system and notify the originator. Your cooperation is appreciated.

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Old-fashioned warnings against women cycling sparks theme for new play: Bikeface
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jul '18

23 Jul '18

A little Monday humour (sort of)... cause we need it more on a Monday than on a Friday! https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/article-old- fashioned-warnings-against-women-cycling-sparks-theme-for-new-play/

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The impact of young peoples' choices on traffic planning
by Beth McKechnie 19 Jul '18

19 Jul '18

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Michael Sivak <sivakappliedresearch(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, Jul 19, 2018 at 2:34 PM Subject: Re: [At-network] The impact of young peoples' choices on traffic planning Beth, The second publication has data through 2016. A corrected link is below. • *Has motorization the U.S. peaked?* http://www.umich.edu/%7Eumtriswt/PDF/SWT-2018-2.pdf Regards, Michael Michael Sivak, Ph.D. Managing Director Sivak Applied Research Web: www.sivakappliedresearch.com Email: sivakappliedresearch(a)gmail.com On Thu, Jul 19, 2018 at 11:29 AM, Zdan, Terry (MI) <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> > wrote: > > • *Recent decreases in the proportion of persons with a driver's license > across all age groups* > > http://www.umich.edu/~umtriswt/PDF/UMTRI-2016-4.pdf > > > > • *Has motorization the U.S. peaked?* > > http://www.umich.edu/~Eumtriswt/PDF/SWT-2018-2.pdf > > > > happy trails > > TZ > > > > *From:* at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca < > at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca> *On Behalf Of *Charles Feaver > *Sent:* July-19-18 10:47 AM > *To:* at-network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > *Subject:* [At-network] The impact of young peoples' choices on traffic > planning > > > > A good piece in the BBC about the impact of the younger generation’s > decreased interest in cars on traffic growth. > > > > https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44849381 > > > > …In the 1990s, 80% of people were driving by 30; now this marker is only > reached by 45. > > > > Men under 30 are travelling only half the miles their fathers did. > > > > The Commission on Travel Demand says this should lead to a government > re-think about travel priorities. > > It points out that people in general are driving much less than expected: > > > > · People are travelling 10% fewer miles than in 2002 and spending > 22 hours less travelling each year than a decade ago. > > · There has been a 20% reduction in commuter trips per week since > the mid 1990s > > · Growth in car traffic has slowed. In the 1980s, it grew by 50% > whereas in the decade to 2016 it grew by 2% > > > > Yet BBC News has learned that next week the government is likely to > forecast a rise in traffic of between 20% and 60% by 2040. … > > > _______________________________________________ > AT-Network mailing list > AT-Network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/at-network > >

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The impact of young peoples' choices on traffic planning
by Charles Feaver 19 Jul '18

19 Jul '18

A good piece in the BBC about the impact of the younger generation's decreased interest in cars on traffic growth. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44849381 .In the 1990s, 80% of people were driving by 30; now this marker is only reached by 45. Men under 30 are travelling only half the miles their fathers did. The Commission on Travel Demand says this should lead to a government re-think about travel priorities. It points out that people in general are driving much less than expected: * People are travelling 10% fewer miles than in 2002 and spending 22 hours less travelling each year than a decade ago. * There has been a 20% reduction in commuter trips per week since the mid 1990s * Growth in car traffic has slowed. In the 1980s, it grew by 50% whereas in the decade to 2016 it grew by 2% Yet BBC News has learned that next week the government is likely to forecast a rise in traffic of between 20% and 60% by 2040. .

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WFP: People to get final say on Portage& Main (Jul19'18)
by Beth McKechnie 19 Jul '18

19 Jul '18

[Sadly, it looks like this will keep Portage and Main closed to anyone but motorists, as the issue is pretty much guaranteed to fail in a referendum. Winnipeg solidly remains a car-centric city well into the 21st century (my two cents). Sigh.] Mayor throws support behind making pedestrian access to famous intersection a ballot-box question People to get final say on Portage& Main https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/mayor-throws- support-behind-proposed-referendum-on-reopening-portage-and-main-488556851. html AFTER ardently campaigning in 2014 to reopen Portage and Main to pedestrians, Mayor Brian Bowman has agreed to let Winnipeggers have the final say. On Wednesday, the mayor (who is standing for re-election in October) announced he will support a motion at today’s council meeting proposing a referendum on the future of the historicintersection be added to the ballot. “I see no reason why we wouldn’t let Winnipeggers voice their views on this issue,” Bowman told reporters. “If the feedback from Winnipeggers on a referendum is not to open it up to pedestrians at this time, then I’ll respect that in letter and spirit. “I’ll treat a referendum as binding, either way.” Bowman’s decision disappointed Allen Mankewich, who lives and works downtown and uses a wheelchair. “If we put everything to a referendum, nothing would change in our city,” said Mankewich, who supports reopening the Portage Avenue and Main Street intersection that’s been closed to pedestrian traffic since 1979. “We live in a city where wewill spend $150 million at the drop of a hat on an underpass to help people get home five or 10 minutes quicker by car, but we don’t show the same level of decisiveness on a project like this, which will help pedestrians move through Portage and Main a little faster and connect neighbourhoods close to downtown,” he said. To cross the street via the underground concourse, he has to rely on a series of elevators that are, at times, out of service. The intersection and underground concourse have suffered from decades of decay and neglect. The city has set aside $3.5 million for repairs, including rebuilding and repairing sidewalks and curbs, Bowman said. It’s working with the private sector to address surface drainage, water leakage, asbestos abatement and ventilation modifications, in conjunction with upgrades planned at the Richardson Building plaza, he said. Putting the referendum on Portage and Main on the ballot in October won’t cost the city anything, the mayor said. However, it might cost Bowman some support. Backing a referendum put forward by suburban Couns. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) and Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) may be seen as giving in to the mighty suburban motorist vote — drivers passing through downtown who don’t want pedestrian crossings to slow them down. “I think, obviously, he’s received some push back on the issue, in terms of public opinion,” Mankewich said. “I’m disappointed that the mayor is backtracking on the issue. He was the only candidate who said he would open Portage and Main to pedestrians.” Bowman said, however, he’s not backtracking. “My campaign commitment when I ran for election was to ensure that I work collaboratively with the property owners and engage the community. We’ve done that,” he said, noting all the affected property owners support opening the intersection. “When I ran for office, I talked about the benefits of opening it up and I’ll continue to do so.” A rival for themayor’s seat said Wednesday she wants the discussion shut down. “I don’t believe this plebiscite should go forward,” candidate Jenny Motkaluk said. “We should not spend another minute talking about the issue.” She called reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians Bowman’s “vanity project,” adding she’s worried thirdparty advertising spending on a referendum will influence voters. “There will be all kinds of interest groups spending money on both sides of the issue and we don’t know where they’re coming from,” she said. “My opinion is if we open this up to thirdparty spending, we’re going to have the wild west.” A third party can advertise on a civic issue, provided there is no mention of a candidate in the materials, said a spokesman for the City of Winnipeg. For example, a third party could say: vote yes on this issue, but not support candidate X on this issue. carol.sanders(a)freepress.mb.ca -- *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) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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STRIDE Report: Using crowdsourcing to prioritize bicycle route network improvements
by Beth McKechnie 18 Jul '18

18 Jul '18

This one is for the real data nerds out there! Some of you may recall the OTTO cycle study done in Winnipeg years ago. This study is somewhat similar but using smartphones and the Strava, CycleDixie and Cycle Atlanta apps. https://stride.ce.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/STRIDE_Report_2013-083… In a nutshell, here are the research objectives: - Collect crowdsourced cycling data through smartphone applications - Compare and analyze measures describing the quality of bicycle facilities, in terms of level of service and level of stress - Model the factors affecting bicycle route choice in urban and suburban areas - Develop route suitability score and route preference models If you want to skip to the conclusions, go to page 138 of the pdf, though the conclusions are not particularly surprising; it's the methodology that is likely of most interest (to those so inclined), in particular the Bicycle Level of Service (LOS) and Level of Stress discussion. Thanks to Michelle Porter for the share. 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) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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NACTO guide: How cities should regulate the scooter and dockless bikeshare surge
by Beth McKechnie 17 Jul '18

17 Jul '18

How cities should regulate the scooter surge This article from Curbed discussed a new report by the NACTO, “Guidelines for the Regulation and Management of Shared Active Transportation <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001hpCMF90qxHIrXECg_jUiBq7mo5rCns1PNYXt4tdGNWmM…>,” which lays out potential rules and regulations for the fast-growing world of electric scooters and dockless bikeshare, collating current examples from more than a dozen cities with existing policies, permitting fees, and ideas for equity programming. In many respects, the NACTO report offers common-sense recommendations, beginning with the not-so-radical idea that cities—which have the financial and legal responsibility to build, maintain, and protect the local transit system—should have a say in deciding what vehicles are allowed to use said streets. The report comes down hard on the common practices of tech transit companies, that tend to beg for forgiveness as opposed to asking for permission. Due to differing and sometimes incomplete regulations, ebikes, scooters, and electric scooters “exist in a regulatory grey area, regulated in a limited fashion on an individual or recreational level but not envisioned en masse or in an automated rental scenario.” The NACTO report also offers a few starting points for cities that want to design pilot programs to help these companies expand. These proposed rules of the road offer a pretty easy template for cities to adopt. Most importantly, they should take control of the street and the curb. New startups also should require legal permission, which can cap the number of vehicles in operation, and be subject to fines or expulsion if rules or regulations are flagrantly or repeatedly violated. Cities should push for data-sharing, transparency, and safety. Agreed-upon rules to clear disabled or downed vehicles from right-of-ways should be strictly enforced, cities should be aware of staffing and operations plans, protocols for extreme weather or natural disasters should be clearly laid out. Additionally, companies should be rewarded for pushing equity and access to underserved neighborhoods. For example, in St. Louis, dockless bike companies will be allowed to expand past an initial 2,500 vehicle cap, but only if they present and implement a social equity plan and meet other ridership requirements. I -- *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) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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AT webinar reminder: Safety Manuals - the Good Stuff | Wed, July 18th | EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 17 Jul '18

17 Jul '18

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow's webinar *** Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wednesday, July 18th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. *AT Webinar: Wed, July 18th, 2-3pm* *Safety Manuals – The Good Stuff* FHWA Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) Program: Selecting Countermeasures for Uncontrolled Crossing Locations APBP is hosting a webinar to share information about a new guide and tech sheets promoting the use of countermeasures for uncontrolled pedestrian crossing locations. The “Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crossing Locations” follows a six-step process and provides tools that help agencies select countermeasures for uncontrolled crossing locations based on roadway characteristics and pedestrian safety issues. This guide was developed as part of the FHWA Every Day Counts - Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) program. In addition to this new guide, the STEP program released a series of new tech sheets highlighting the safety benefits of the STEP countermeasures. The tech sheets provide conceptual visualizations, best practices for installation, and cost considerations for each of the countermeasures. The new STEP guide and tech sheets are posted to the program website: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everydaycounts/edc_4/step.cfm *Presenters*: - Lauren Blackburn, VHB - Charlie Zegeer, UNC Highway Safety Research Center -- *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) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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