- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Montréal Urban Ecology Centre given green light to create Active Neighbourhoods in QC, ON & AB
by Beth McKechnie 27 Jun '13

27 Jun '13

PRESS RELEASE | June 26, 2013 Montréal Urban Ecology Centre given the green light to create a network of Active Neighbourhoods across Canada http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130626-907057.html?mod=googlenews_wsj MONTREAL, June 26, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Montréal Urban Ecology Centre<http://www.urbanecology.net/>(MUEC) is known for its ground-breaking expertise in urban planning and active transportation. Public Health Agency of Canada announced (PHAC) that the MUEC has been given the green light to launch the Active Neighbourhoods Canada/Réseau Quartiers verts (ANC/RQV) project. The MUEC is thrilled by this news, which will enable it to implement the ANC/RQV project over a wide territory in twelve communities located in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta. Over the last four years, the MUEC has developed tools for participatory urban planning which have been made available to municipalities, citizens, and professionals. These tools have contributed to creating a synergy between the public health network and the municipal sector, as well as between citizens and other local stakeholders. "The MUEC has developed a tremendous wealth of expertise in community mobilization for the collaborative creation and design of people-friendly neighbourhoods. This is an incredible opportunity for us to expand our knowledge base and share it. We use innovative tools that encourage dialogue between experts, citizens, and policy makers. In recognizing the MUEC's expertise in this type of project, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the MUEC's partners confirm that our methods are not only sound, but also deserve to be tried elsewhere," says Julie Rocheleau, MUEC General Manager. *Partnerships in Ontario and Alberta* The Sustainable Calgary Society, the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation <http://www.torontocat.ca/> (TCAT) and the MUEC are the partner organizations of the ANC/RQV project. They will identify possible local partnerships in twelve communities, three of which will be located in rural, remote or northern areas. "TCAT is very pleased to be a partner of the Active Neighbourhoods Canada project," says Nancy Smith Lea, TCAT Director. "The project's goals align very closely with our mission, which is to create a better environment for cyclists and pedestrians, and to promote public participation in local decisions regarding the built environment." "The research conducted by the Sustainable Calgary Society has consistently demonstrated that social equity and over-consumption are two of the most challenging issues in Calgary," says Dr. Noel Keough, Chair, Sustainable Calgary Society Board of Directors. "This project allows us to engage Calgarians in finding practical solutions to these problems." The Sustainable Calgary Society <http://sustainablecalgary.org/>, the TCAT and the MUEC have four years to stimulate dialogues and spread best practices in urban planning, public transportation, and citizen participation. These three organizations are well-equipped to identify core groups of active citizens to come together to develop sustainable communities. Challenges will be met thanks to technological innovation and the sharing of expertise, knowledge, and experimentation between citizens, professionals, elected officials, and researchers. *About the MUEC and its urban planning and transportation focus * Over the last five years, the MUEC has been working with Montréal communities to develop a network of Green, Active, and Healthy Neighbourhoods. With the support of the Fonds des saines habitudes de vie (Healthy Lifestyles Foundation) of Québec en Forme, the MUEC has mobilized hundreds of citizens, created forums for information sharing, and established urban planning methods that benefit cyclists and pedestrians. As a result of our efforts and general concern for healthy cities, in 2013 the City of Montréal will invest $10 million in eight green neighbourhoods in five boroughs. SOURCE: MONTREAL URBAN ECOLOGY CENTRE CONTACT: * * *MUEC CEUM * Brigitte Geoffroy 514 282-8378 # 253 Email: Brigitte(a)ecologieurbaine.ca *TCAT * Nancy Smith Lea 416 392-0290 Email : nsmithlea(a)tcat.ca *Sustainable Calgary Society * Ryan Martinson 403 463-7761 Email : ryan.j.martinson(a)gmail.com Copyright CNW Group 2013

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Next Generation Bikeway Design Webinar
by Mark Cohoe 26 Jun '13

26 Jun '13

Hi, For those coming to this afternoons webinar, Next Generation Bikeway Design: Raised cycle tracks, handouts can now be downloaded at http://www.apbp.org/?page=Webinar_Downloads <http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=markc@biketothefuture.org&job=952923&ymlink=…>. The webinar will be hosted at the MB-Ecocentre, 3rd floor 303 Portage Avenue. Local viewings of the NACTO webinars are made possible by the generous sponsorship of Freig and Associates. Mark Cohoe Bike Winnipeg *#3, Next Generation Bikeway Design: Raised cycle tracks * Wednesday, June 26 | 2:00 -- 3:15 p.m. CDT While many cities have relied primarily on signs and markings to radically transform their streets, a growing number of bikeways around the country have been improved and made permanent using higher cost materials, curb relocation and complex engineering. This session will look at two facilities that embody long term solutions for city streets. How can cities effectively move the curb without creating drainage problems? What "green" infrastructure solutions can be incorporated into these new bikeways? What are the highest and lowest cost alternatives to these designs? Presenters: Wendy Cawley, Engineer, City of Portland Karen Haley, Executive Director, Indianapolis Cultural Trail Jennifer Tower, Engineer, City of Portland

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Dooring fine in Chicago goes to $ 1000.00.
by Dave Elmore 26 Jun '13

26 Jun '13

http://globalnews.ca/news/671802/cyclists-call-for-more-safety-infrastructur e-in-toronto/ Cyclists call for more safety, infrastructure in Toronto TORONTO - Chicago will soon fine drivers $1000 for opening their doors on unsuspecting cyclists. That has some asking what Toronto is doing to curb something that causes dozens of injuries each year. Chavisa Brett was doored last year when she was cycling on Yonge Street near Carlton Avenue. "I went up and over, flying on to the other side of their door, landing on concrete," Brett said. "I feel like cycling in Toronto is too dangerous." She sustained serious bruising and soft tissue injuries. "Dooring" or being "doored" happens when a parked driver opens his or her door in the path of a cyclist who doesn't have time to move out the way. In Chicago, dooring accounts for 12 to 17 per cent of all accidents each year, according to Charlie Short, a cycling activist in the American city. In 2008, the fine for dooring in Chicago was $500 but city officials recently voted to double that fine to $1000. The change takes effect on July 6. "We knew it was a problem, we knew it was happening all over the city. Mostly by anecdotal evidence. And so urged the Chicago police to start tracking that information," Short said. Officials in Los Angeles and New York City also track dooring in their cities. But Toronto officials don't track it because by law, it's not a collision. According to the Highway Traffic Act definition, the vehicle would need to be moving, says Toronto Police Const. Clint Stibbe. But the incidents can still be investigated. Stibbe said dooring could fall under improper opening of a vehicle door, which carries a fine of $110. Jared Kolb, a Toronto-area cycling advocate, said city officials need to do more - including building more cycling infrastructure. "Get them out of the pathway of opening doors. In other words: bike lanes," Kolb said. "Cyclists need their own space on the roads." Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X)

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South End - Stadium UPDATE
by Janice Lukes 25 Jun '13

25 Jun '13

Wow - lots going on down south! CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING at this THURSDAY's BIKE VALET !: This Thursday, I'm guessing upwards of 2000 people will come on bikes to the Bombers opening game - I think it is a sell out - ? 32,000 or so people! Is the traffic issues solved - why risk it - jump on a bike! I think many will do this! I worked with Amanda and team at the Bike Valet after the Taylor Swift concert! She has it down to a science! BUT More volunteers would help ensure the BEST POSSIBLE BIKE VALET EXPERIENCE - and contribute to the overall 'stadium cycling experience'. Its super easy - super fun - and is only for a short time! Amanda sets up a Google with different time slots (short shifts) and you just fill in when you can work. You show up - observe - and jump in and help! . VOLUNTEER FOR THIS THURSDAY: <http://www.doodle.com/chw57xe6vfwfy5bw> http://www.doodle.com/chw57xe6vfwfy5bw . GENERAL BIKE VALET INFO: http://www.bicyclevaletwinnipeg.ca/contact REFLECTIVE GEAR & LIGHTS if YOU BIKE! Please encourage anyone you know who is biking to the stadium to ensure they wear reflective gear and have lights on their bikes. It will be dark when the game is over and many 'new' cyclists just aren't set up for night cycling - yet. We are working with CAA and MPI to have lights to hand out at the Bike Valet. BIKE LANES ON PEMBINA - BIKE TO WORK DAY: Late last fall I was posting construction photos of the Pembina Bike Lane. Lots of snow came, a late spring . . and yeah! LAST WEEK the final touches were put on - the permanent paint markings are now down, the poly posts are up - and the route behind the bus shelters is now complete! Other than directional signage for new users departing the bike lanes - I believe it's pretty much complete - and looking fantastic (photo attached) Bike to Work Day: Alter Ego and Winnipeg Trails hosted a pit stop at the CanadInns / Plaza end - and overall the comments were super . . 'I love it' - 'continue the lanes all the way to downtown' - 'put some on Portage Ave' - 'I want to ride it all year around' ! We've been talking about creating a video of it in 'full use' this Thursday (Bomber game) HUGE HUGE KUDOS to Councillor Swandel for bringing the motion forward and getting the ball rolling - and to the Public Works / Property Planning and Development teams for so much thought into designing / developing. Yes - we need more. TAYLOR SWIFT: Quite a different demographic attending - lots of big equipment sitting on the old Zellers parking lot in the 'hood - lots of interest for boys - and girls! ~175 or so bikes in the Bike Valet - and many locked up around at the permanent bike racks. Concert was over just after 10:00 - I worked the Bike Valet and talked to folks - lots of people biked to the stadium for the first time - to avoid congestion - the loved it. BUT I noticed at least 80% didn't have lights on their bikes - or reflective clothing as they departed. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on their 'Stadium cycling experience' - feel free to keep the feedback coming so we can work towards the best possible cycling experience! Thank you Janice Lukes 952-4222

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Dutch children not riding bikes?
by Dave Elmore 24 Jun '13

24 Jun '13

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2013/06/road_safety_experts_worried_as .php Road safety experts worried as Dutch children stop cycling Monday 24 June 2013 An increasing number of children cannot cycle properly, particularly in the bigger cities, according to traffic safety body Veilig Verkeer Nederland. Fewer primary school children are taking cycling proficiency tests and parents are increasingly taking their children to school by car, VVN says. According to the AD, transport minister Melanie Schultz wants local authorities to ensure all primary schools include cycling proficiency tests in their curriculum. Schools are ditching the tests because too few children cycle to school. 'They can't cycle or don't have a bike,' a spokesman said. Cars Cycling instructor Ronald Wittenberg told the paper the Netherlands has a 'back seat generation'. 'Parents take their children to school by car because they have to go on to work,' he said. 'All those cars make the situation around schools more dangerous and so fewer parents send their kids to school by bike.' Figures from the national statistics office CBS show the number of children killed in cycling accidents is going up. In 2010 nine children were killed in a bike accident but last year that had risen to 13. - See more at: http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2013/06/road_safety_experts_worried_as .php#sthash.fYjZ79Xa.dpuf Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X)

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New MPI 60 second driver commercial
by Dave Elmore 23 Jun '13

23 Jun '13

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Rd-Safety/Tips/60-Sec-Driver/Pages/CyclistsAndCars.a spx Click on the link "View video" Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X)

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Happy Bike to Work Day
by Stacy Matwick 21 Jun '13

21 Jun '13

I can just imagine thousands of us tooling about the downtown core :) Well this isn't for me (afraid of heights) but ... at least it uses biofuel. http://boingboing.net/2013/06/20/flying-bicycle.html#more-237536 [cid:image003.jpg@01CE6E5A.CE469FD0] Happy 'Bike to Work Day' everyone. Stacy Matwick Information Centre International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Ave. E., 6th floor Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 0Y4 Voice: (204)958-7755 Fax: (204)958-7710 Email: smatwick(a)iisd.ca<mailto:smatwick@iisd.ca> IISD Research Library web page: http://www.iisd.org/ic SD-Cite: IISD Research Library database: http://sd-cite.iisd.org<http://sd-cite.iisd.org/> GENERata web-magazine: http://www.iisd.org/generata/ Twitter: @iisd_library Google+<https://plus.google.com/b/115807178630169130619/115807178630169130619/posts> Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/IISD-Research-Library/213770388697688?sk=wall> "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" Groucho Marx

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AT Webinar: Raised Cycle Tracks - Wed, June 26th, 2-3:15pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 20 Jun '13

20 Jun '13

Bike to the Future and Green Action Centre 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. RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth (204) 925-3772 * * * * * ** NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide Webinar Series *Session #3: Next Generation Bikeway Design: Raised Cycle Tracks* [image: nacto] Get the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide here.<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=beth@greenactioncentre.ca&job=920221&ymlink=…> While many cities have relied primarily on signs and markings to radically transform their streets, a growing number of bikeways around the country have been improved and made permanent using higher cost materials, curb relocation and complex engineering. This session will look at two facilities that embody long term solutions for city streets. How can cities effectively move the curb without creating drainage problems? What "green” infrastructure solutions can be incorporated into these new bikeways? What are the highest and lowest cost alternatives to these designs? *Presenters:* - Wendy Cawley, Engineer, City of Portland - Jennifer Tower, Engineer, City of Portland - Karen Haley, Executive Director, Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

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CBC: Downtown food, cycling tour attracts over 50 people
by Beth McKechnie 20 Jun '13

20 Jun '13

Downtown food, cycling tour attracts over 50 people Downtown BIZ initiative combines sightseeing, local restaurants CBC News<http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html>| Posted: Jun 19, 2013 8:40 PM CT Winnipeg’s first-ever restaurant bicycle tour attracted over 50 people Wednesday evening. The tour, organized by the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, took the cyclists on a seven-restaurant tour of downtown. The massive group could be seen moving from the legislative building to The Forks and through the Exchange District. Stops included the Promenade Café, Don Pedros and Cakeology. Participants were given a tour of the areas they were cycling in and many stopped to snap photos. The five-hour event, dubbed A Moveable Feast, was the first of its kind in the city and cost $30 to participate in. See video: * http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/06/19/mb-moveable-feast-d… *

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TONIGHT - Filmed by Bike, 7:15pm, U of W Eckhardt Grammatte Hall
by Beth McKechnie 20 Jun '13

20 Jun '13

Join us tonight for an evening of short films celebrating cycling, including a couple that focus on Winnipeg. Tickets are $5 at the door and support Bike to Work Day Winnipeg <http://biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org/>(Friday, June 21st). *FILMED BY BIKE * *7:15 pm, **Thurs, June 20th, U of W - Eckhardt Grammate Hall * *Goldilocks and the Three Bikes 1:18 *Prof. Dave + Mimi G. – Seattle, WA *La Bicicleta 4:45 *Mark Beaty – Victoria, BC * Locomotive 5:11 *Geoffrey Feinberg – New York, NY * Long Life 6:48 *Emmy Wills, Jade Owen + Jon Flahr – Vancouver, BC * Ninja Bike Lock 3:21 *Johnnie Olivan – Portland, OR * Roll On, Oregon 1:30 *Bicycle Transportation Alliance, North + Chris Hombecke – Portland, OR * Stronger Than Dirt 7:11 *Dan Schneider – Portland, OR *The Golden Tree 3:06 *Ninian Doff – London, UK *The Loaded Warrior 4:15 *Jay Browmmer, Taylor Fitzgerald + Steven Bellesiles – San Francisco, CA * Bikerafting Alaska’s Lost Coast 10:00 *Mike Curiak – Grand Junction, CO * Invincible 1:47 *Mike Vogel – Portland, OR * Bike Winnipeg! 3:38 *Green Action Centre, Trevor Gill + Christopher Paetkau – Winnipeg, MB * Bring The Kid Outta Ya 7:07 *Brent Miller, Winnipeg, MB *Door prize*: Fringe Festival show pass courtesy of event sponsor Peg City Car Co-op <http://pegcitycarcoop.ca/>.

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