- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

City Infrastructure Announcement Blazes Trails for Winnipeg School Children
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 21 Nov '13

21 Nov '13

Today's Active Transportation infrastructure announcement is a promising step forward in creating safe, active corridors for students to travel actively to and from school. The investment in school-based infrastructure is precedent setting and exciting - highlighting the benefit of wide-spread community engagement and consultation done by Green Action Centre through the Bike Walk Roll Fort Richmond Project. This was on the coat-tails of the School Travel Planning pilot project where we worked with all neighbourhood schools. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Katz-releases-details-on-2014-active… http://winnipeg.ca/cao/media/news/nr_2013/nr_20131121.stm#1 -- *Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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Webinar slides: Is there safety in numbers for cyclists and pedestrians?
by Beth McKechnie 20 Nov '13

20 Nov '13

Hi everyone, While slides from a webinar are not always helpful without the recording to go with it, today's APBP webinar on "Is there safety in numbers for cyclists and pedestrians?" is an exception. It all seems to be common sense conclusions but they provide the research to back up the important role that larger volumes of cyclists, road design and the presence of bike infrastructure play in reducing crash rates. Two clarifications to note: first, crashes here refer only to motorists and peds or cyclists (not bike/bike or bike/ped) and second, there is an error in Luis M.'s conclusion slide (63 of 85). The blue line should read "Rates without refuge island" and the red line is "Rates with refuge island". cheers, Beth

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Fwd: Budget 2014 Invitation from Mayor Katz: Active Transportation Corridor Announcement
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 20 Nov '13

20 Nov '13

Short notice, but there will be an announcement tomorrow morning related to active transportation corridors. 10:30 am at Dalhousie School. Cheers! Jackie ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: MYO-Mayor <MYO-Mayor(a)winnipeg.ca> Date: 20 November 2013 16:39 Subject: Budget 2014 Invitation from Mayor Katz: Active Transportation Corridor Announcement To: -- *Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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WFP: Bylaw to enforce [Sunday street] closures (Nov.20'13)
by Beth McKechnie 20 Nov '13

20 Nov '13

[This is one of those good news items that is tucked into the newspaper and easy to miss!] Bylaw to enforce closures http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bylaw-to-enforce-closures-232621631.… CITY hall hopes to have a bylaw in place to allow police to enforce Sunday street closures along bike routes. It turns out the prohibition of driving vehicles on Sundays on Wellington Crescent, Scotia Street, Wolseley Avenue and Lyndale Drive couldn't be enforced. "There was a challenge at some point that motivated our people to get this done," public works committee chairman Justin Swandel said. "There was a technicality that didn't actually allow it to be enforced." The public works committee instructed civic administration to draft a bylaw and get approval for proper signs to be posted along the street routes. The new bylaw will allow motorists to travel a distance of one block on the bike routes on Sundays. Motorists travelling farther will be ticketed, once the bylaw is passed. The committee was told posted signs will replace most of the barricades, which will result in a savings. The signs have to be designed and approved by the Highway Traffic Board before they can be erected and the new bylaw goes into force. Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 20, 2013 B2

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Design with the blind in mind
by Beth McKechnie 19 Nov '13

19 Nov '13

Hi everyone, This moving and funny TED Talk provides some great insights into why, as Judy Redmond would say, Universal Design is just good design. cheers, Beth <http://ted.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=07487d1456302a286cf9c4ccc&id=…> 11:40 minutes · Filmed Oct 2013 · Posted Nov 2013 · TEDCity2.0 What would a city designed for the blind be like? Chris Downey is an architect who went suddenly blind in 2008; he contrasts life in his beloved San Francisco before and after -- and shows how the thoughtful designs that enhance his life now might actually make everyone's life better, sighted or not. Watch now »<http://ted.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=07487d1456302a286cf9c4ccc&id=6…>

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Fwd: [Eco-man] Province, City Announce Funding to Extend Rapid Transit into Southwest Winnipeg
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 19 Nov '13

19 Nov '13

News Release November 19, 2013 PROVINCE, CITY ANNOUNCE FUNDING TO EXTEND RAPID TRANSIT INTO SOUTHWEST WINNIPEG - - - Project Expanded to Include More Lanes At Pembina-Jubilee Underpass The Government of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg announced funding today to build the second phase of rapid transit in southwest Winnipeg and redevelop the Pembina-Jubilee Underpass to include additional vehicle and bike lanes, with each government providing up to $225 million toward the integrated project and seeking federal funding for the balance, Premier Greg Selinger and Mayor Sam Katz said. "Each day more and more people are making the move to Manitoba. The City of Winnipeg is expected to reach a population of one million within the next 20 years and the hallmark of any thriving big city is a modern, efficient public transit system," said Premier Selinger. "Building rapid transit will mean good jobs to get the work done and it will connect families with opportunities across this great city, well into the future." "Rapid Transit provides faster, more reliable transit service while helping to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions as well as congestion on regional streets," said Mayor Katz. "Today's announcement for Stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway helps complete the vision of a rapid transit corridor from the downtown to the southwest regions of Winnipeg, substantially increasing the competitiveness of transit for thousands of Winnipeggers. With this announcement, the City of Winnipeg will continue its focus on the development of a rapid transit network across Winnipeg with additional projects such as the Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor." The premier and the mayor noted that combining the Pembina-Jubilee Underpass work with the rapid transit work is expected to speed up construction on both projects by at least two years and reduce disruption for families and businesses while they are built. The seven-kilometre second phase of rapid transit in the city will run from Pembina Highway and Jubilee Avenue to southwest Winnipeg. Public consultations, and design and engineering work on the project are underway with construction scheduled to be completed in 2019. The mayor noted the investment from the Manitoba government allows the City of Winnipeg to proceed with its application to the Government of Canada for the outstanding 25 per cent of project costs through the P3 Canada Fund. It will also allow the city to address storm-water and drainage issues in the underpass. "The extension of bus rapid transit service to our Fort Garry campus is critical to the future of our university community," said David Barnard, president and vice-chancellor, University of Manitoba. "It will provide students, faculty and staff a fast, safe and environmentally sustainable means of getting to the university. It also makes our university more accessible to people who come to our campus for sporting events, concerts, gallery exhibits, public lectures and a variety of other activities that enhance the vibrancy of our city." The premier noted in addition to supporting investments in a new rapid transit corridor, the Manitoba government will continue to fund 50 per cent of Winnipeg Transit's operating costs. - 30 - _______________________________________________ Eco-man mailing list Eco-man(a)uwinnipeg.ca https://mta.uwinnipeg.ca/mailman/listinfo/eco-man -- *Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/> Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>

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WFP Editorial: Take back Portage & Main (Nov.18'13)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Nov '13

18 Nov '13

[Definitely party-worthy when Portage & Main finally reopens...] Take back Portage & Main http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/take-back-portage--main… It's often said the big-box developments in Winnipeg's suburbs are symbols of a city that has surrendered to the culture of King Car. Maybe so, but the worst example of Winnipeg's automobile mentality is Portage and Main. The famous intersection was closed to pedestrians in 1979 as part of an agreement with the owners of the businesses at the four corners to direct human traffic underground and into the shops of Winnipeg Square. There have been cries of protest ever since, and even a few demonstrations led by the likes of activist Nick Ternette and former city councillor Joe Zuken, who illegally crossed the intersection to draw attention to the issue. The official reason it has remained behind hideous concrete barricades all these years is the legal agreement designed to support subterranean commercial activity, but civic traffic planners and others have disliked the idea of mixing pedestrians and cars at the busy intersection. One civic study even said it would be dangerous for pedestrians to cross in some places because of turning lanes and the rapid movement of cars. Architectural historian Jeffrey Thorsteinson, however, has debunked this excuse for eliminating humanity from the intersection. As Mr. Thorsteinson explained on these pages recently, there are busier and seemingly more dangerous intersections in Winnipeg where pedestrians are allowed to cross the street. About 154,000 cars navigate Portage and Main every day, while nearly 190,000 vehicles pass through Regent Avenue and Lagimodiere Boulevard, where people are welcome. Confusion Corner also witnesses more traffic than Portage and Main, Mr. Thorsteinson said, yet no one has seen fit to ban those who walk on two feet in favour of those who move on four wheels. As for the famous legal agreement, always touted as the reason nothing can be changed until it expires in 2017, well, the city has a legal opinion that it can easily be broken. That's because it was written in the form of a bylaw, and not a contract that implies penalties and redress if broken. Bylaws are passed by council, and they can be rescinded the same way, the city was told in a legal analysis prepared for CentreVenture Development Corp. The agreement with the property owners apparently also permits pedestrian surface crossings, provided they can enter the concourse at the four corners. Of the seven property owners affected, six have said they are not opposed to reopening the intersection to pedestrians. The seventh has since been replaced by another company, whose opinion has not been disclosed. The bottom line is there seems to be very little stopping the city from demolishing the barricades and allowing pedestrians to once again cross the windy corner. Council recently passed a motion asking administrators to prepare a study on what the city would have to do if an opportunity arose for removing the barricades. What the city really needs to do, however, is pass a motion to take back the corner, starting with the removal of the barricades and the erection of the proper traffic and pedestrian signals. It should set a date, say June 1, to get the ball rolling. A deadline would then force the city to determine the costs and other requirements that would be needed to make it work. The city could also re-examine some design options for improving the intersection, but it shouldn't postpone the process of reopening Portage and Main to people. If cars have to wait an extra few minutes, well, that's the price of vibrancy. The heart of the city currently looks dead, but that would change if people were actually allowed to take back the street. Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 18, 2013 A8

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WFP: Planning strategy guides growth along city's rivers (Nov.16'13)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Nov '13

17 Nov '13

Planning strategy guides growth along city's rivers By: Aldo Santin http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/planning-strategy-guides-growth-alon… Winnipeg's future identity will be linked to its rivers. A new report to city hall proposes a 20-year planning strategy to guide development along the Red and Assiniboine rivers. An administrative report supporting the new strategy, Go To the Waterfront, proposes all development along the two rivers "acts as a magnet for new investment in housing, business and mixed-use development." The proposal will need to be adopted by council, but the first step is its review at Monday's meeting of the downtown development, heritage and riverbank management committee. Coun. Mike Pagtakhan, who chairs the committee, said as the city's waterfront properties begin a rebirth, such a strategy is needed to ensure development is consistent with the city's goals. "It is a vision for Winnipeg's rivers," Pagtakhan (Point Douglas) said, adding the proposal is consistent with other planning documents that guide the city's growth. The strategy focuses on development along 40 kilometres of riverbank connecting six neighbourhoods: Armstrong's Point and Wellington Crescent; Assiniboine Avenue and Osborne Village; St. Boniface and The Forks; Norwood and Riverview; Exchange District and north St. Boniface; Point Douglas, Archibald and Elmwood. The plan was drawn up following a series of public consultations and involved participation of The Forks, Tourism Winnipeg, Economic Development Winnipeg, CentreVenture, Enterprise Riel, Rivers West and other organizations. The document envisages development that links the six neighbourhoods through a series of riverfront pathway networks -- scenic drives, paths, sidewalks and pedestrian bridges, "to build and celebrate Winnipeg's identity as a river city." A long-term goal is to extend the linkages to include the city's three regional parks: Kildonan Park, Assiniboine Park and St. Vital Park. "The more that we can capitalize on our public waterfront, the more we can define our city as a real tourist attraction and for the benefit of our citizens," Pagtakhan said. The administrative report says there is no cost associated with the strategy, but the city could incur expenses as it requires private developers and its own initiatives to conform to the strategy. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 16, 2013 B2*

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Cycling video to make you smile
by Beth McKechnie 17 Nov '13

17 Nov '13

Hope you enjoy this lighthearted (but revealing) 2-1/2 minute video on cycling in the Netherlands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqkDiExIEiE cheers, Beth

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AT Webinar (2-3:15pm, Wed.Nov.20'13, EcoCentre) -- Is there safety in numbers for cyclists and pedestrians?
by Beth McKechnie 15 Nov '13

15 Nov '13

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. Please note this webinar is 75 minutes (rather than the usual one hour). *Wednesday, Nov.20th | 2:00-3:15 p.m.* RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth (204) 925-3772 ** * * * ** Is There Safety in Numbers for Cyclists and Pedestrians? *Wednesday, Nov.20th | 2:00-3:15 p.m.* Is there safety in numbers? At this webinar, learn if increasing the number of cyclists and pedestrians can lead to a better safety regimen. Our presenters review the research related to safety analysis and the relationship between volume of users and facilities, as well as the policy implications for practitioners who seek to increase cycling and walking. The webinar presenters will talk about these points related to the phenomenon of safety in numbers: - When do we observe "safety in numbers” and how can we explain it? - What factors affect cyclist safety, and can we build a framework to understand how these factors interact? - What approaches might a municipality take to analyze and understand cyclist safety? *Presenters*: - Simon Blenski, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, City of Minneapolis - Dr. Luis Miranda-Moreno, McGill University, Montreal - Dr. Krista Nordback, Research Associate, Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium (OTREC), Portland State University

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