- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

AT webinar: Open Streets Project, Wed, Oct. 10th, 2-3 pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 04 Oct '12

04 Oct '12

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed description provided below.* **Opening Streets to People, Sharing Resources, Transforming Communitie*s Wednesday, October 10th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT * *Note that this webinar will be of particular interest to all of us involved with Ciclovia locally. RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! Also mark your calendar for 2 pm, Wed, Oct. 17th - FHWA Experimentation for Advancing Best Practices. Details to follow next week. cheers, Beth 925-3772 * * * * * * * The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) and Open Streets Project presents: *Opening Streets to People, Sharing Resources, Transforming Communitie*s Wednesday, October 10th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT **Open streets initiatives temporarily close streets to automobile so that people may use them for any activity but driving—walking, jogging, bicycling, dancing or almost any other physical activity. The open streets movement in North America has grown from only 11 initiatives in 2005 to over 80 in 2012, with more initiatives being launched each year. This free webinar sponsored by APBP and the Open Streets Project features an overview of the Open Streets Project's interactive website ( http://www.openstreetsproject.org/) and case studies of a large city's open streets program and a smaller city's program. Learn about best practices in North and South America and additional resources that can provide further guidance for cities organizing new initiatives.

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FW: Manitoba News Release: Province Announces 2013 Community Places Program to Help Upgrade Recreational Facilities Across Manitoba
by Kalinowsky, Leita (MLG) 03 Oct '12

03 Oct '12

Please note a new intake date for this existing provincial program. Grant applications under the 2013 Community Places Program are now being accepted until Dec. 15. To receive a grant application or for more information, contact the Community Places Program office in Winnipeg at 204-945 0502 or 1-800-894-3777 (toll-free), e-mail mcpp(a)gov.mb.ca or visit www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp. Active Transportation projects including AT infrastructure-on road or off road or bike racks are all eligible. Bike racks should be incorporated into a broader project. Demonstrating community use is a key factor in successful applications. Good luck with your applications! Leita -----Original Message----- From: News Media Services [mailto:nmservices@leg.gov.mb.ca] Sent: October-01-12 1:15 PM To: Kalinowsky, Leita (MLG) Subject: Manitoba News Release: Province Announces 2013 Community Places Program to Help Upgrade Recreational Facilities Across Manitoba October 1, 2012 PROVINCE ANNOUNCES 2013 COMMUNITY PLACES PROGRAM TO HELP UPGRADE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ACROSS MANITOBA - - - Grants to Non-profit Groups to Help Improve Sports, Cultural Opportunities for Manitobans: Selinger The province will help revitalize communities and improve recreational opportunities in towns and cities throughout Manitoba under the 2013 Community Places Program, Premier Greg Selinger announced today. "In 2012, more than 270 non-profit community groups were able to create or upgrade local recreational, wellness or cultural facilities for Manitoba families as a result of Community Places grants," said Selinger. "Gathering places such as seniors' centres, playgrounds and hockey rinks play an important role in enhancing the quality of life families have come to enjoy in communities throughout our province." The Community Places Program provides funding and planning assistance to non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects. Eligible projects are those that provide sustainable recreation and wellness benefits to communities. Eligible projects can receive up to 50 per cent of the first $15,000 of total project costs and up to one-third of costs over that amount; the maximum grant is $50,000. Applicants must contribute to project costs by providing additional resources from local fundraising, grants from local governments and other sources, or donated labour and materials. Examples of Community Places Program projects approved in 2012 include: * a playground development project for the Ryerson Association of Parents and Teachers, * renovations to the Manitoba Farmers with Disabilities' building in Elm Creek, * stage lighting upgrades for the Pinawa Players, * a wind-power electric turbine for Selkirk's Manitoba Paddling Association, * support to Opasquia Agricultural Society's redevelopment project for The Pas and District Exhibition Grounds, * kitchen renovations for the Waterhen Community Council, * support to the Oak Lake Beach Playground Committee for construction of a natural playground, * support to the Friends of Living Prairie Museum for construction of an outdoor education shelter, and * upgrades to the Building Urban Industries for Local Development's HVAC system. Since its inception, Community Places has provided more than $104.3 million in grants to support more than 6,815 community construction projects provincewide, the premier said, adding these grants have leveraged an estimated $651.7 million in infrastructure improvements in both rural and urban communities. Community Places has provided funding and planning assistance for 10,706 applicants from non-profit community organizations. Grant applications under the 2013 Community Places Program are now being accepted until Dec. 15. To receive a grant application or for more information, contact the Community Places Program office in Winnipeg at 204-9450502 or 1-800-894-3777 (toll-free), e-mail mcpp(a)gov.mb.ca or visit www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp. - 30 - ==== UNSUBSCRIBE Instructions ==== You received this email as a result of your voluntary subscription to the Manitoba News Release List You are currently subscribed to "Manitoba News" as: Leita.Kalinowsky(a)gov.mb.ca. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.gov.mb.ca/cgi-bin/press/release.pl click "here" and follow the directions or send a blank email to: mailto:leave-83348-61016.f558bdfd34ca36383c0e6b451a1a9654@mailmanager.leg.gov.mb.ca

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Manitoba News Release: New Program to Help Northern and Remote Communities Build, Upgrade Recreational Facilities
by Kalinowsky, Leita (MLG) 03 Oct '12

03 Oct '12

Please note this new provincial program for northern and remote communities. Applications are now available and are open until Nov. 30. Grant approvals will be announced in January 2013. A second intake will take place in June 2013. Active Transportation projects including AT infrastructure-on road or off road or bike racks are all eligible. Bike racks should be incorporated into a broader project. Demonstrating community use is a key factor in successful applications. Good luck with your applications! Leita -----Original Message----- From: News Media Services [mailto:nmservices@leg.gov.mb.ca] Sent: October-01-12 1:18 PM To: Kalinowsky, Leita (MLG) Subject: Manitoba News Release: New Program to Help Northern and Remote Communities Build, Upgrade Recreational Facilities October 1, 2012 NEW PROGRAM TO HELP NORTHERN AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES BUILD, UPGRADE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES - - - Grants to Create More Healthy Opportunities For Families, Youth: Premier Northern and remote communities can now apply for grants to improve their recreational facilities through the new Community Places Program - North, Premier Greg Selinger announced today. "Making life better for families in all parts of our province is a priority for our government," said Selinger. "This program will make a difference in the lives of northern families by providing more recreational opportunities in their communities." Over the next three years, the program will provide planning assistance and $2 million in funding to northern and remote communities for new recreation and community facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects, as well as the purchase of essential non-personal sporting equipment that is directly related to the capital project. Eligible projects are those that would provide sustainable recreational and wellness benefits to communities, with an emphasis on youth, the premier said, adding non-profit community organizations can apply for assistance with critical building repairs, energy-saving initiatives and user-related improvements. Grants of up to $75,000 are now being made available to northern and remote communities, with no requirement to match funding, for infrastructure and recreational projects such as playgrounds and outdoor rinks. The projects can include small repairs to things like boards on ice rinks, replacement of old windows and doors or more substantial upgrades to modernize an entire recreational facility. The program is designed to ensure application deadlines and approvals are completed by winter road season so construction materials can be transported to communities with only winter road access. Applications are now available and are open until Nov. 30. Grant approvals will be announced in January 2013. A second intake will take place in June 2013. All projects are community-led. Eligible applicants include incorporated recreational, sports, cultural, heritage and other non-profit community organizations, First Nations and local urban districts. Program criteria calls for applicants to be a northern or remote community located north of the 53rd parallel and exclude The Pas, Thompson and Flin Flon. South of the 53rd parallel, remote communities only accessible by a winter road can apply. For more information and to download a Community Places North application, go to: www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp. - 30 - ==== UNSUBSCRIBE Instructions ==== You received this email as a result of your voluntary subscription to the Manitoba News Release List You are currently subscribed to "Manitoba News" as: Leita.Kalinowsky(a)gov.mb.ca. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.gov.mb.ca/cgi-bin/press/release.pl click "here" and follow the directions or send a blank email to: mailto:leave-83351-61016.f558bdfd34ca36383c0e6b451a1a9654@mailmanager.leg.gov.mb.ca

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City of Winnipeg Community Wide GHG Reductions Strategy RFP
by Mark Cohoe 02 Oct '12

02 Oct '12

Hi, I found this on the city's bid opportunities page today and thought it was interesting enough to pass along in case anyone feels motivated enough to start working on some proposals for the stakeholder and public engagement process. It seems like a positive development. Bid Opportunity Page <http://winnipeg.ca/MatMgt/FolderContents.asp?FOLDER_NAME=631-2012&YEAR=2012> Request for Proposal Document <http://winnipeg.ca/finance/findata/matmgt/documents//2012/631-2012//631-201…>. Sections A,B, and C are generic boiler plate RFP requests, sections D and E have the substance. Here are some of the highlights (at least from my perspective): E3.2 The City of Winnipeg's commitment to a low carbon future is reflected in key achievements, policy tools & directives: (a) Membership and Council commitment to the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program in 1998. (b) 2007 municipal achievement of a 20% reduction in corporate GHG emissions over a 1998 baseline and subsequent Council endorsement of a further 20% GHG reduction (overall goal of 40% below 1998 levels). (c) Council endorsement of a 6% community-wide GHG reduction goal over 1998 levels. E4.10 Types of GHG to be measured: (b) Types of emission sources to be measured: (iv) Within transportation, the inventory should be broken down by different transportation modes and vehicle types for passengers and freight wherever possible. Emission per kilometre per transportation mode, and emission per kilometre per vehicle type, should be calculated. E7. MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF POLICY & ACTION IMPACTS E7.3 Policy and actions to be analyzed by the Consultant shall be developed in consultation with City staff and key stakeholders and with the contribution of the Consultant's experience in other jurisdictions. It is anticipated that the following areas shall be considered at minimum: (a) Land use change; (b) Solid waste and landfill management; (c) Transportation demand management; (d) Active transportation improvements; (e) Building code changes; (f) Local energy efficiency retrofits; (g) The use of on-site renewables; (h) District energy; (i) Transit quality improvements; (j) Transit route and rapid transit expansion; (k) Tailpipe emission standards and fuel switching. E7.5 The Consultant's analysis of relevant policy & action shall include key evaluative criteria for consideration including, but not limited to: (a) Emissions reduction potential; (b) Co-benefits; (c) Implementation cost; (d) Feasibility; (e) Applicability; (f) Implementation timeframe. E7.7 Further to the Consultant's analysis, the Consultant shall prepare supporting graphical, tabular, geospatial and comparative materials as is contextually appropriate and are suitable for communicating the comparative impact of each relevant action. (a) At minimum, the Consultant shall demonstrate the emissions impact and relevant associations between current land use patterns and transportation amenities in Winnipeg and the impact of future land use changes and transportation system improvements in accordance with Winnipeg's development plan, OurWinnipeg, and the Transportation Master Plan. The dissemination level shall be by census area or traffic zone. (i) Additionally, the Consultant shall recommend key performance indicators for monitoring and tracking progress towards each action area. Cheers, Mark

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WFP: Copenhagen shows bicycles can improve cities and their citizens (Oct.1'12)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Oct '12

02 Oct '12

Copenhagen shows bicycles can improve cities and their citizens By: Brent Bellamy Home to inspiring modern architecture, set within a dense and vibrant urban context, the most significant impression any visitor has of the Scandinavian capital is an overwhelming presence of bicycles. In Copenhagen, 37 per cent of the population ride their bikes to work every day. With a vast, integrated system of separated lanes and dedicated lights, rush-hour traffic can often be heavier for cyclists than motorists. The system is so safe only 15 per cent of Danes choose to wear a helmet. During a recent architectural pilgrimage to the Nordic city, I was lucky enough to visit prominent Danish architect and urban planner Jan Gehl. Having written several influential books on the design of livable cities, he has been instrumental in establishing Copenhagen's bike culture. In our discussion, Gehl lamented the lack of cycling infrastructure in most Canadian cities and cited the significant social and economic benefits it can have. He referred to a study commissioned by the mayor of Copenhagen indicating that when taking all factors into account, every kilometre ridden on a bike saves Danish society 25 cents and every kilometre travelled by car costs them 16 cents. In Winnipeg, the first steps toward implementation of an active transportation network have largely been focused on encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, but expanding on Gehl's business case for an urban cycling infrastructure might be a valuable strategy to galvanize government and public support for its continued development. The most easily quantifiable economic impact of active transportation is realized through individual savings. Car ownership is the second-greatest expense in a typical Canadian household, costing on average $7,500 annually, per vehicle. When alternate transportation options are provided, costs such as fuel, parking and maintenance can be greatly reduced. If a household is able to eliminate one car, these savings can be substantial. Developers across Canada are realizing more compact, walkable neighbourhoods that are integrated into an overall urban active-transportation network are seen to provide a higher quality of life, are more desirable and as a result command greater property values and tax revenue. Cities that struggle with infrastructure-funding deficits can look to an improved cycling network as a means of reducing some of that pressure on local government. A small shift in vehicle use can have a disproportionate impact on the need for increased road construction. According to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, by decreasing the number of cars on a high volume urban street by only three per cent, peak rush hour congestion can be reduced by nearly 30 per cent. With the cost of road construction being more than 10 times that of segregated bike lanes, significant economic savings can be realized by enticing more commuters to choose alternate means of transportation. Implementation of an active transportation network has shown to be an effective government policy for targeting employment growth. Bike-lane construction is labour-intensive rather than equipment- and material-intensive. A study done in Baltimore revealed that for every dollar invested in developing segregated bike lanes, more than twice as many jobs were created when compared to road construction. An active-transportation network can also be good for business. When compared to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians spend more money in local and small retail establishments. Healthier employees can decrease absenteeism and improve job satisfaction, while reducing the burden on our health-care system. Cyclists contribute to the creation of an active street culture, which improves neighbourhood vibrancy and safety, in turn promoting increased spending and economic growth. As urban quality improves, the livability and public image of the city as a whole is enhanced, becoming more attractive to investment, tourism and immigration. The cost of implementing an urban active-transportation network is not unattainable when weighed against these economic benefits. It is estimated the City of Portland, considered the most bike-friendly municipality in North America, where six per cent of commuters are cyclists (under two per cent in Winnipeg), could replace its entire existing cycling infrastructure for only $60 million. That represents the cost of widening less than two kilometres of Kenaston Boulevard. Winnipeg will likely never be Copenhagen, but its urban structure makes it a favourable candidate for an effective cycling network. With 72 per cent of the population living with 10 kilometres of downtown and a highly centralized workforce, the median commute is only 6.1 kilometres, a much shorter distance than in other Canadian cities. There is a pervasive attitude in Winnipeg that our harsh winters make these economic benefits less attainable and investment in active transportation less valuable. When speaking with Jan Gehl, I asked him how he would respond to that criticism. He replied by saying in Canada, we focus so much on being protected on the bad days it often keeps us from taking full advantage of many good days. He wants us to shift our priority and look at the glass as being half full, recommending we take care of the 250 good days first and then find a balance for the others. He makes a good point. *Brent Bellamy is senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.* bbellamy(a)numberten.com http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/healthy-life-cycle-172043051.html

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Safe Route to School Planning: A Transportation Engineering Perspective
by Shoni Litinsky 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

For anyone interested in delving deeper into understanding the ins and outs of transportation engineering related to site designs (you don't have to be involved with school's to learn from this one) - this Canadian webinar is extremely helpful! This webinar archive has been put out by Canada Walks - the Active and Safe Routes to School Program in Ontario, and covers how the engineering approvals and practices related to school siting and design have been changing over the past ten years. The webinar provides examples of opportunities to proactively work with engineering partners in planning and designing schools that promote walking, cycling, and transit trips. Click here to view webinar <http://tinyurl.com/9qdr7xj> Please contact me if you would like to request any of the resources that are shared in the presentation. *Did you know?* Monday October 1st kicks off International Walk to School Month! Sign up your school today<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/iwalk/>. -- *Shoni Litinsky* | 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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Edmonton Public School Board calls on all schools to have AT plans (Sept.26'12)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

Edmonton Public School Board calls on all schools to have active transportation plans http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/384082/edmonton-public-school-board-calls… The Edmonton Public School Board has enacted a policy to encourage students and parents to look to active transportation first when heading to school. In a release Wednesday, the board said the plan has many benefits, including increased safety, reduction in car volume and traffic volume as well as health benefits for students. Of all Edmonton Public Schools, 13 already have formal active transportation plans in effect. EPSB is asking students and families to use any “self-propelled” mode of transportation – like biking or walking – and to couple these with public transportation. * * * * * [Related articles follow from June 17'12] Active travel plans in motion at some Edmonton schools http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/266701/active-travel-plans-in-the-works-a… Each morning and afternoon during the school year, a few parents wear fluorescent vests out in front of Johnny Bright School. They wave vehicles along, tell them where to stop, open doors and assist students in getting in and out quickly and safely. Called greeters, they are one of many initiatives the K-9 school has in place as part of a School Travel Plan launched in early 2011 to promote active transportation and cut down on vehicle congestion. “It speeds up the time (a vehicle) might sit there,” said Jennifer Harbin, parent to a Grade 8 student and volunteer on the Parent Traffic Committee. And that’s the No. 1 issue, according to principal Scott Millar. “We have such a high volume of traffic,” he said, noting the school is “bursting at the seams.” When the school opened in 2010, Harbin began driving her daughter to school. “But when I saw how long the line-ups were, I looked at her and said ‘you’re going to start taking the bus,’” she said. A hands-up survey last year showed 40 per cent of Johnny Bright students are driven, 27 per cent walk, nine per cent ride bikes, 13 per cent take the school bus, six per cent carpool and two per cent take public transit. “We’re really working hard at the awareness, and getting families to think about how they’re getting to school,” said Harbin. *Other initiatives* - Other committee initiatives include walk and bike to school weeks, newsletters and identifying drop-off locations not directly in front of the school. - Future plans include installing another bike rack, incorporating active transportation into the health curriculum, and developing a map of routes with Walkable Edmonton. District-wide active transportation plan possible for Edmonton Public School Board http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/266696/district-wide-active-transportatio… Parents driving their kids to school is a growing trend, and it’s something the Edmonton Public School Board is trying to put the brakes on. According to Statistics Canada, more students are driven compared to the number who walk or bike to school – and that same trend is observed equally in both suburban and mature Edmonton neighbourhoods, according to a report that went before the board of trustees last month. Reasons for that include convenience, weather and program location, said EPSB planning director Lorne Parker, noting resulting problems include improper parking, illegal U-turns, unsafe drop-offs, and disruptions to buses. And while there are 10 schools with School Travel Plans in place, various levels of participation and success has led to discussion of the feasibility of a district-wide active transportation plan. “There’s certainly a will on the part of the board to look at developing one,” said Parker. “But it would be significant work to have all schools on board.” Of course, different schools have different needs based on neighbourhood design, enrollment and other “local factors,” said Parker. An initial timeline of three years would be challenging, according to the report, so in the meantime EPSB is working to refine individual school approaches, and will continue working with partners AMA School Safety Patrol, Walkable Edmonton, EPS and Alberta Transportation.

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Job posting: Executive Director, Bike to the Future (and more)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

*Job posting: Executive Director, Bike to the Future* Bike to the Future <http://biketothefuture.org> (BttF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to making cycling in Winnipeg a safe, enjoyable, accessible, and convenient transportation choice year-round. BttF relies largely on volunteers to promote cycling education, advocate for cycling infrastructure, and generally encouraging more people to cycle more often. BttF is looking for an energetic and organized individual who is passionate about cycling in Winnipeg to work as Executive Director. The Executive Director will be responsible for providing administrative support, strategic planning and direction, resource generation, and public relations. The Executive Director will report to and receive direction from the BttF Board <http://biketothefuture.org/about>. Compensation includes a base amount of $600 per month for 40 hours work per month, and an amount equal to 30% of resources generated in excess of $5000 per year. A flexible work schedule is required. Resumes and cover letters can be sent to Loren Braul, Bike to the Future Co-Chai <loren(a)biketothefuture.org>r. *Application Deadline:* October 6, 2012 BttF Executive Director contract<http://biketothefuture.org/attachments/0000/1812/2012-09-25_bttf_executive_…>(PDF) ________________________________________ The minutes from BttF's September Monthly Meeting have been posted at biketothefuture.org/about/meetings. Our October Monthly Meeting<http://biketothefuture.org/events/archives/2012/09/19/october-monthly-meeti…>is on Tuesday October 9 at 5:30 at the *Sport for Life Centre*. ________________________________________ Bike to the Future's Co-Chair, Tom McMahon, appeared before the Manitoba Public Utilities Board <http://www.pub.gov.mb.ca> (PUB) on September 25 to make a presentation on Manitoba Public Insurance’s (MPI) 2013-2014 rate application. *The presentation pointed out many actions that MPI could take to increase the safety of cyclists on Manitoba roadways. and asked the PUB to tell MPI to improve and increase its public education for drivers and cyclists.* Afterwards, another presenter told us he thought it was one of the most comprehensive, well-researched presentations he has seen at a PUB hearing. Thanks to Tom, Charles Feaver (BttF's Provincial Committee Director), Manitoba Cycling Association <http://mbcycling.ca> President Jason Carter, Anders Swanson, and other BttF volunteers for producing the *presentation document<http://biketothefuture.org/attachments/0000/1813/2012-09-25_bttftopub_mpi.p…> * (PDF, 14 pages with color diagrams). ________________________________________ Kevin Miller Bike to the Future, Secretary biketothefuture.org

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Globe & Mail: Ontario coroner recommends speed limit of 30 km/hr
by Beth McKechnie 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

[Following up on Shoni's email yesterday, here's a related Globe and Mail article] Lower residential speed limits, Ontario coroner urges Renata D’Aliesio The Globe and Mail Published Wednesday, Sep. 19 2012, 11:50 AM EDT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/lower-residential-speed-limits… In an era when the car is no longer the undisputed king of the road, Ontario’s chief coroner is calling for an overhaul of the province’s streets to bolster pedestrian safety, including suggesting many residential speed limits be lowered to 30 kilometres an hour. Andrew McCallum made this recommendation and 25 others Wednesday after analyzing the circumstances of 95 pedestrian deaths on Ontario roads in 2010. The review found that 67 per cent of the fatalities took place on streets with a posted speed limit above 50 km/h, while only 5 per cent occurred on roads with a lower limit. Video: Road-safety tips for drivers, parents and students<http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/life-video/video-road-safety-tips-for-d…> Other significant factors cited in the review were jaywalking – nearly one-third were killed as they tried to traverse a street outside of a crosswalk or intersection – and inattentive motorists and walkers. In fact, pedestrian distractions, such as smartphones, music players and dogs, may have contributed to about 20 per cent of the fatalities compared with 14 per cent linked to driver inattention. “We know that we need to make … a road paradigm shift,” said Deputy Chief Coroner Bert Lauwers, who led the pedestrian-death review. “We don’t do well when we’re struck by a car and we do a lot poorer when the rate of speed is high.” Echoing a contentious recommendation made by Toronto’s medical officer of health in the spring, the province’s top death investigators are urging municipalities to lower speed limits to 30 km/h on many residential streets and to drop the unsigned limit to 40 km/h from 50 km/h. Dr. Lauwers said a change to the provincial Highway Traffic Act would be needed to reduce the unsigned speed limit, but a spokesman for Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli suggested municipalities already have the power to reduce speeds within their boundaries. “This should be a decision for local representatives to make with their communities,” said David Salter, the minister’s press secretary. Back in April, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford balked at the idea of lowering speed limits by 10 to 20 km/h, calling the proposal “nuts, nuts, nuts, nuts.” But Dr. Lauwers said research shows that people struck by a car travelling 50 km/h are twice as likely to die than at 40 km/h and five times more likely to perish than at 30 km/h. The review of pedestrian deaths follows an Ontario coroner’s probe of cyclist fatalities, released in June. That review, which examined 129 cyclist deaths between 2006 and 2010, prompted 14 recommendations for improving bike safety and curbing fatalities. They included developing a provincial cycling plan, designing streets to accommodate all road users – and a controversial call to make helmets mandatory for all riders, which is the case in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The coroner is also urging Transport Canada to require heavy trucks to install side guards to help prevent cyclists and pedestrians from falling underneath and getting crushed by the rear wheels. The federal transport regulator, however, has maintained there is not sufficient evidence to support such a regulation. Ontario’s Transportation Ministry, which is finalizing a provincial cycling strategy, will take a close look at the proposals to bolster pedestrian safety, Mr. Salter said. With the changes, the coroner believes pedestrian fatalities could be cut by 50 per cent by 2022. Many of the recommendations, such as increased enforcement and redesigning communities to better accommodate all road users, would cost money, but they underscore the changing nature of Canada’s traffic-clogged cities. More and more, people are commuting by bike, transit or on foot. Ontario Provincial Police Chief Superintendent Don Bell supports the coroner’s pedestrian-safety recommendations, which include encouraging walkers to put away their smartphones. Distracted pedestrians have become a major challenge for police officers, he noted. “Walking is like driving a motor vehicle,” Mr. Bell said. “By not paying attention in a road-traffic situation, you are putting your life at risk.”

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Creating a Walking Strategy for Ontarians is a top recommendation in the Chief Coroner's report released today
by Shoni Litinsky 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

In case anyone is interested to see the latest news from Ontario... September 19, 2012 Recommendations Aim to Prevent Pedestrian Deaths in Ontario<http://news.ontario.ca/mcscs/en/2012/09/chief-coroner-releases-pedestrian-d…> Dr. Andrew McCallum, Chief Coroner for Ontario, today released the Office of the Chief Coroner's Pedestrian Death Review. The Pedestrian Death Review was undertaken as a result of concern surrounding the issue of pedestrian safety after a spate of deaths in January 2010. The purpose of the review was to examine the circumstances of 95 deaths that occurred from Jan. 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2010 and make recommendations to help prevent future deaths. The review was led by Dr. Bert Lauwers, Deputy Chief Coroner, Inquests with help from stakeholders and members of the public, who contributed their comments. It resulted in 26 recommendations in the areas of leadership, legislation, education, engineering and enforcement. These include: - Creating a Walking Strategy for Ontarians - Adopting a 'complete streets' approach to guide the development of new communities and the re-development of existing communities in Ontario - Installing side guards on heavy trucks - Providing municipalities greater flexibility to adjust speed limits and create more pedestrian crossings - Educating drivers on the scenarios that can lead to a pedestrian collision - Increasing enforcement. QUICK FACTS - 67 per cent of the deaths occurred on roads with a posted speed limit beyond 50 km/hr and only 5 per cent on roads below 50 km/hr. - 75 per cent of the fatalities occurred on wide arterial roads. - Pedestrians over the age of 65 accounted for 36 per cent of the fatalities but account for only 13.2 per cent of the population of Ontario. - Children accounted for 3 per cent of the fatalities. - Peak hours for pedestrian collisions were between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. - Approximately 20 per cent of pedestrians may have had some form of distraction such as a mobile device. - January was the peak month for pedestrian collisions. LEARN MORE - The full report is available online at www.ontario.ca/coronersreports. <http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/DeathInvestigations/office_coroner/P…> CONTACTS - Jennifer Kerr Office of the Chief Coroner 416-314-4005 Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services ontario.ca/safety <http://www.ontario.ca/safety> -- *Shoni Litinsky* | 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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