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WFP Analysis: Reduced speeds won’t expand travel time (Jul17'21)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Jul '21

17 Jul '21

Reduced speeds won’t expand travel time https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/reduced-speeds-wont-expa… I DRIVE a car that spends almost all its time on the streets of Winnipeg. Thanks to the vehicle’s trip computer, I know my average speed — 31 kilometres per hour. So, the current debate over lowering speed limits on some city streets comes as a bit of a surprise. There is some opposition as the City of Winnipeg begins a yearlong experiment with reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h from 50 km/h on sections of four local streets. Do opponents of the move realize how fast they really travel? The simple fact is that lowering speed limits to 30 km/h on many residential streets is not going to change how quickly you get around town — and it will save lives in the process. It is well known that the actual speed vehicles travel in an urban area is governed by such factors as traffic volumes, the road system, accidents and construction — and not so much by posted speed limits. A study in New York a few years ago famously found that the average travelling speed of a vehicle in Manhattan was 7.5 km/h, which means you can just about keep up to cars on foot at a brisk walking pace. Winnipeg rarely has gridlocked traffic, but try crossing the city on Route 90 during morning or afternoon rush hours. Sure, the signs say 50 km/h, 70 km/h or even 80 km/h, but try achieving that on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. I am about as average a motorist as can be, driving to work and other activities over a series of residential streets, neighbourhood collector roads and highways, all within city limits. I rarely venture outside the Perimeter Highway. Over thousands of kilometres every year, the trip computer comes up with the same average of 31 km/h in the stop-and-go traffic I encounter across the city. That’s not going to change if I have to slow down to 30 km/h on some residential streets. In fact, like most drivers, I spend very little time on residential streets and rarely drive the speed limit on them in any event. They are usually the first leg or the last leg of a journey, as they are intended to be. The focus on speed limits shows a lack of knowledge about how fast people really drive, and also about how speed limits fit into the bigger program of road safety. The stated goal of many cities now is to achieve “Vision Zero,” a concept that eliminates traffic fatalities entirely. Lower speed limits play a role in this. But the concept is much broader. Its goal is a safe transportation system in which the needs of street users, vehicles and the transportation network have to be addressed in an integrated manner, through a wide range of interventions. It can involve redesigning roads, redirecting traffic, creating separate routes for pedestrians and cyclists, improved driver training and many other features. The whole system must work together and cannot have elements that are at odds with the bigger picture. That is where lower residential speed limits come in. The design of most residential streets makes them perfectly safe if vehicles travel at 30 km/h. Drivers can stop quickly if, for example, a child runs onto the street. Motorists and cyclists can safely share the road, with lots of time to react, move over and drive around. Speed things up to 50 km/h and the dynamics change. The motorist expects to travel at that speed. The child is in danger. The cyclist and motorist get into conflict because the motorist must slow down or stop to avoid a collision. My River Heights street has speed bumps, stop signs and yield signs, all within a distance of a few hundred metres. The only thing that makes it dangerous is a motorist racing to get up to the 50 km/h speed limit for a few seconds on the oneblock, 400-metre unimpeded stretch in front of my house. A street for vehicles going 50 km/h needs separate lanes for motorists and cyclists, more traffic lights and crosswalks, more safety measures. There are lots of streets like this in Winnipeg, nearby the residential streets, and the speed limits on them are not changing. Neither is the time it is going to take you to get across the city, travelling at the real average speed you go on city streets. *Bob Cox is the publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press*.

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Next national series event - Bike To The Future
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jul '21

16 Jul '21

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Shaun Loney <info(a)encompass.coop> Date: Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 1:52 PM The role of bikes in designing cities for people. Getting from here to there. [image: Logo] <https://encompass.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9f8c78844735ab51e913e66…> Upcoming series event:Bike To The FutureRole and impact of bikes in designing cities for people. Thursday July 22nd at 1:00 - 2:30 EDTSeries: What If the Ways We Build Back Better Rewrite the Social Contract? During the pandemic Canadians started biking more than ever, and it became apparent to many people that so far city planning has focused on moving cars around efficiently. As part of a larger discussion on active transit, this week's series seeks to ask “what could the impact be of instead centering our designs on moving people? Specifically, what if biking was fast, easy, safe, and maybe even the most fun way of getting around? What needs to happen to get us from here to there? (pun intended!) Join us with special guest Mel Marginet of the Green Action Centre in Winnipeg, as we continue this generative series about shooting for better than “normal” as we come out of the pandemic. Mel, who is prolific on twitter <https://encompass.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9f8c78844735ab51e913e66…>, is focused on what individuals can do to live sustainably, while also advocating for governments to do their part to make healthy, green choices the most convenient, appealing and affordable for all. We look forward to having her as part of this timely conversation. By re-writing social contract we mean the rules, written and unwritten, that hold society together. Is there a better time than now to question societal norms and assumptions? In the series so far, we’ve explored how everyday people can invest in non-profit real estate through community bonds and we learned about complementary currency. Before we take a break in August, we’ll get together from coast to coast to talk bikes. Encompass Coop and Axiom News invite you to park your bike and jump on Zoom and join a highly participatory conversation….. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXPERIENCE: - Being lit up by new ideas that bring more love, compassion, and kindness into the world. - Aha moments that excite you. - A tangible ways of approaching city design that could: - Increase livability, environmental action, affordability, and maybe our own physical and mental health. - How about some confidence and inspiration? Then this might be the conversation for you! YOU MUST REGISTER <https://encompass.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9f8c78844735ab51e913e66…>TO RECEIVE THE LINK FOR THE CALL. *See you there!* Lucas and Shaun Register at Eventbrite <https://encompass.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9f8c78844735ab51e913e66…> *Copyright (C) 2021 Encompass Co-op. All rights reserved.* You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. [image: Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp] <http://www.mailchimp.com/email-referral/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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WFP: Bike-building event to put discarded rubber back on road (Jul16'21)
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jul '21

16 Jul '21

Bike-building event to put discarded rubber back on road https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bike-building-event-to-put-discarde… IT’S a venture that combines cycling with recycling. Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub, a non-profit, is set to hold the first of two events that will get more bikes on the road at the very time cycling has experienced a resurgence. At “empty the fill” events (the first one takes place this weekend), volunteers collect discarded bikes from Winnipeg 4R depots and make them roadworthy. They sort, disassemble and reassemble the bikes, deliver them to volunteer builders and shops so they can be donated to people who need a set of wheels. Executive director Kate Sjoberg said the rising popularity of cycling means there’s a greater opportunity to make bicycles and bicycle repairs more accessible to schools, non-profits and the greater community. “Bikes are such a source of joy for so many,” she said. “So, to be able to divert this waste from the landfills and make them really useful to communities that really want them, that’s really exciting.” This weekend’s event involves parts collected at the Brady Landfill recycling depot. To account for COVID-19 safety measures, some volunteers will take the bikes into their own homes to put together. Using this socially distanced system, the charity was able to fix almost 600 bikes last December during its annual Cycle of Giving event. This weekend’s event will gear itself more towards children’s bikes, which will go to schools along with weekly giveaway events in different locations. The shop has added events to its schedules, including pop-up bike repair stands and bike giveaways at pop-up COVID-19 testing sites. WRENCH depends on volunteers, such as longtime core volunteer and bicycle advocate Dave Elmore. Years ago, bicycle parts were wasted, but during his time, Elmore has been able to recycle the parts so they “find their way back into the hands of people who need them,” he said. gillian.brown(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Transit's Rider Happiness Benchmark survey results & webinar
by Beth McKechnie 14 Jul '21

14 Jul '21

Hi everyone, Please see the link below to access a webinar recording below (which I haven't listened to yet) and here's the link to the Rider Happiness report for Canada: https://blog.transitapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/RHB-Report_CAN.pdf *Note*: This data is from Transit app users and the goal is to get transit agencies to subscribe to the service for reports. Still, it provides some potentially helpful information. cheers, Beth ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Elizabeth Resta <elizabethresta(a)gmail.com> Fellow transportation enthusiasts, I wanted to share the results of Transit's April 2021 Rider Happiness Benchmark survey. Findings could be helpiness as you're thinking about building out your organization's post-COVID transportation plan. https://blog.transitapp.com/case-study/rider-happiness-benchmarking-survey-… There will be a webinar Thursday, May 27th, 2pm PT if you're interested in diving deeper into the results. There's also a link to the full report. Some takeaways: - Transit riders are incrementally returning and feeling optimistic about riding more. - They’re getting vaccinated at an even higher rate than the general population. - Transit riders' overall satisfaction with their agency has increased since November (but some agencies have risen in the rankings, while others have fallen). Happy reading, Beth --- Beth Resta elizabethresta(a)gmail.com

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Upcoming Webinar on Rails-with-Trails
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jul '21

13 Jul '21

*Webinar Announcement* Upcoming Webinar on Rails-with-Trails *Thursday, August 19, 2021* 1:00 - 2:30 pm Eastern Time Register Here <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> Many communities across the United States recognize the benefits of developing shared use paths and other trails to make transportation network connections for bicyclists and pedestrians and to increase physical activity and improve health. A new report from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Rails-with-Trails: Best Practices and Lessons Learned <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…>, examines safety, design, and liability issues associated with the development of shared use paths and other trails adjacent to active railroad and transit rights-of-way. It explores lessons learned from the experience of rails-with-trails, and suggests best practices to enhance safety and security for railroads, transit, and trail users. During this webinar, the authors will share findings, recommendations, and lessons learned. Following the presentations, the panelists will respond to questions from webinar participants. Panelists include: - Shari Schaftlein, Director, Office of Human Environment, Federal Highway Administration - Mike Long, Director, Regional Operations, Office of Regional Operations and Outreach, Federal Railroad Administration - Frank Frey, General Engineer, Federal Railroad Administration - Michail Grizkewitsch, Transportation Analyst, Federal Railroad Administration - Jared Fijalkowski, Community Planner, U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center - Kelly Pack, Senior Director of Trail Development, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - Christopher Douwes, Community Planner, Federal Highway Administration ------------------------------ PBIC offers free, public webinars approximately every month. To register for upcoming webinars and to access archived presentations, please visit www.pedbikeinfo.org/webinars <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> . Follow the PBIC on Twitter <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> and Facebook <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> and join the discussion [image: https://twitter.com/pedbikeinfo?lang=en] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> [image: https://www.facebook.com/pedbikeinfo] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> [image: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/index.cfm] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> ------------------------------ Since its inception in 1999, PBIC's mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ------------------------------ Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center 730 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Suite 300 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Add us to your address book <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/vcard?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e453ab5d&…> Phone: 1.888.823.3977 Fax: 919.962.8710 www.pedbikeinfo.org <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> View this email in your browser <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…>

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WFP: City speed pilot project lifts off on select streets (Jul13'21)
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jul '21

13 Jul '21

CITY SPEED PILOT PROJECT LIFTS OFF ON SELECT STREETS TRAFFIC on some Winnipeg roads will soon need to slow down. The City of Winnipeg will reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h from 50 km/h on sections of four local streets known as “neighbourhood greenways,” with the first changes starting Monday. Between July 12 and 23, city crews will install new speed limit signs, speed humps and intersection controls along the routes to support the slower speed limit for a one-year pilot project. The changes will begin this week along Machray Avenue (between Fife and Main streets) and Powers Street (between Dufferin and Partridge avenues). The speed will begin to drop during the week of July 19 on Eugenie Street (from St. Mary’s Road to Youville Street) and Warsaw Avenue (from Thurso Street to Pembina Highway). Once new speed limit signs are posted, they will take effect immediately.

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How to make your bike data count
by Beth McKechnie 07 Jul '21

07 Jul '21

Best-practices for analyzing and applying bike data *Let's talk data: join us for a free webinar* View this email in your browser <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/lk-about-data-4992738-e-UNIQID/725ry…]> 'How to make your bike data count' *On Tuesday July 20th at 2PM ET, join us for a webinar* For the past few months, we have been running a competition called 'Bikes Count' <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/-during-bike-month-eco-counter/725s1…> with our partners at The League of American Bicyclists <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/community/725s3/295005844?h=LgIONFQU…>. This year's winners - Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance and the City of Charlottesville (VA) - are receiving expert data services from us, including data cleaning, analysis and communications. In two weeks from now, on July 20th at 2-30PM ET, join us for a free webinar to hear about those projects and discover actionable best-practices for organizing, analyzing and communicating bike data. Click here to register for the webinar <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/urrTsvHtcqLa279KkJgFFq8uPEOk9k/725s5…> *About the webinar:* For Bicycle Friendly Communities and bike advocacy groups, the importance of collecting bike data is often well known. From manual counts to surveys, bike parking data to automated counts, bike data is more available than ever. Analyzing, organizing and communicating that data for meaningful change, however, remains challenging and under-discussed. What are the best-practices for collecting, analyzing and communicating bike data? How can advocates get the most out of a little bit of data? How can manual bike counts be leveraged in a community to support change? During this free one-hour webinar, hear from bike data experts and the winners of this year’s Bikes Count data competition on all things bike data. We look forward to seeing you there! [image: Facebook] <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/EcoCounter-/725s7/295005844?h=LgIONF…> [image: Twitter] <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/Eco-Counter/725s9/295005844?h=LgIONF…> [image: Website] <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/2021-07-07/725sc/295005844?h=LgIONFQ…> Copyright © 2021 Eco-Counter. 3981 Saint-Laurent Blvd, Suite 604 | Montreal, QC | H2W 1Y5 Office: 1-514-849-9779 | Toll Free: 1-866-518-4404 This email was sent to <<Adresse e-mail>> *why did I get this?* <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/e85ca3a9-e-UNIQID-c-b9989169e3/725sf…> unsubscribe from this list <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/e85ca3a9-e-UNIQID-c-b9989169e3/725sh…> update subscription preferences <https://info.eco-compteur.com/e/685233/e85ca3a9-e-UNIQID-c-b9989169e3/725sk…> Eco-Compteur · 4 Rue Charles Bourseul, Lannion, France · Lannion 22300 · France

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PST eliminated for electric bicycles in BC
by Beth McKechnie 07 Jul '21

07 Jul '21

As the popularity of electric bikes (e-bikes) continues to grow in North America, the B.C. government has eliminated the PST on e-bikes and e-trikes, as announced in Budget 2021. “We have removed the PST on e-bikes to help people save money,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance. “This is just one of the ways our government is encouraging people of all ages to make the switch to an electric-assisted bicycle that will ease commuting pressures and help the environment.” The PST exemption on e-bikes and e-tricycles is a component of building a greener, stronger economy as part of CleanBC. Budget 2021 includes $36 million over the next three years for active transportation infrastructure, such as bike lanes, sidewalks, lighting improvements and multi-use pathways. Read full release <https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021FIN0045-001313>

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When a car improves your life, it’s a public policy failure
by Beth McKechnie 05 Jul '21

05 Jul '21

[excerpted from https://ggwash.org/view/81764/national-links-when-a-car-improves-your-life-… ] *If we had better transit, I wouldn’t need this car*: When buying a car cuts down travel times and opens access to more of a city, that is a failure of planners and leaders who could be making many more people’s lives better by providing more robust active transportation including transit. Baltimore-based writer Dharna Noor laments the improvements to her mobility that purchasing a car during the pandemic created because of poor policy and service. (Dharna Noor | Earther <https://bit.ly/3iWKBkd>) https://gizmodo.com/buying-a-car-improved-my-life-it-shouldnt-have-18471060… <https://gizmodo.com/buying-a-car-improved-my-life-it-shouldnt-have-18471060…>

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WFP: Wellington Crescent bike access to remain unchanged (Jun25'21)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Jun '21

25 Jun '21

Wellington Crescent bike access to remain unchangedCouncil votes 13-1 against curtailing 'open streets' period https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/wellinton-crescent-bike-access-to-r… City council has voted to maintain the "open streets" project route on Wellington Crescent that has been the source of debate among neighbourhood residents and street users. Brenlee Carrington Trepel, who gathered 68 pages' worth of letters that supported the route reduction, said more than 100 households wanted it changed. Meanwhile, a petition that called for council to keep Wellington’s daily access in place until November had gathered more than 1,700 online signatures by Thursday night. Just after 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Coun. Matt Allard’s (St. Boniface) call to keep the Wellington Crescent route’s daily status in place until November was approved in a 13-1 vote, which only Coun. Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) opposed. Klein said he voted against the motion due to a lack of consultation on the routes. Councillors John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry) and Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) were absent from the meeting, due to personal matters. The Wellington route is one of 17 street sections where vehicle travel is restricted to one block between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. to allow more room for cyclists, a follow-up to the 2020 program known as "open streets." Most of this year’s routes operate daily, though a few are already limited to weekends and holidays. During debate prior to the vote, multiple council members urged all road users to share the road respectfully.

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