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Helmets not the only answer
by Beth McKechnie 27 Jun '12

27 Jun '12

[Editorial from The Record newspaper in Waterloo Region re the recently circulated report on bicycling deaths in Ontario. Note that I have put a couple of links in below that were not in the original article. -cheers, Beth] Helmets not the only answer Editorial | Fri Jun 22 2012 | Waterloo Region: The Record http://www.therecord.com/opinion/editorial/article/747763--helmets-not-the-… Humans naturally crave quick and easy fixes for tough problems, and this holds true whether the human is pedalling a bicycle or driving a car. No surprise, then, that this week’s release of a report<http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/stellent/groups/public/@mcscs/@www/@com/docu…>on bicycling deaths by the office of Ontario’s chief coroner sparked heated demands for a new law forcing every cyclist in the province — regardless of age — to wear a helmet. The coroner’s report recommends precisely this change and a public debate on such legislation would surely be timely. Yet the report’s call to action includes so much more than just a mandatory helmet law that it would be wrong, in fact needlessly distracting, to focus on this issue alone. Too many people are doing this. The public deludes itself if it thinks a tough new helmet law will suddenly end all the dangers cyclists face on the road or that the passage of such a new rule will free us to move onto other matters, confident our roads are safer. Not so. It might be quick and easy. But it would hardly confer the armour of invincibility on those who mount a bicycle for fun, recreation or a commute. In fact, to read the Cycling Death Review of 129 fatal accidents involving cyclists in Ontario over a five-year period ending in 2010 is to reach a far different conclusion. Major changes, extensive changes, very expensive changes are needed in how this province builds its transportation networks. That’s the real point the coroner’s report: There are no simple fixes. We need what the report calls a “complete streets<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/complete-streets/>” approach that focuses on “the safety of all road users.” And this would lead to a profoundly new way of redeveloping existing communities and designing new ones. Why can’t we seriously consider putting in segregated cycling lanes whenever we rebuild major municipal roadways or construct new arteries? And why can’t we make it a priority to pave shoulders on provincial highways for the specific use of cyclists? Of course, this would cost us big-time. It’s so much easier to enter a predictable and somewhat tedious debate about bike helmets, with one side insisting they must be mandated and the other arguing that such a move would unreasonably infringe on personal liberties. Let’s resist that temptation. It won’t solve the problem. In its analysis of specific fatalities, the report itself is often ambiguous about the effectiveness of helmets in protecting riders. In some cases we know that riders who died weren’t wearing helmets — but the report refuses to speculate on whether a helmet would have made a difference. Similarly, there are other cases where riders wearing helmets were struck and killed by vehicles. No wonder some of the people who wrote this report urged careful study of the pros and cons of a helmet law before bringing one into force. One of the most stark and disturbing findings of this report is the fact that 71 per cent of the cycling deaths over five years — that’s 91 fatalities — occurred at least partly because of an avoidable cyclist error. Failing to yield the right of way, ignoring traffic signals, travelling against traffic and improperly using road lanes were all fatal errors. Amazingly, in 23 per cent of the cycling deaths that were studied — 30 lost lives in all — the cyclist was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision. All this explains, and supports, one of the report’s other major conclusions. We have to do a better job educating cyclists and some of this could be done in our publicly funded schools. Better instruction on the responsibilities of drivers for those seeking a motor vehicle licence is also in order. This is an important report, one that should not collect dust on the shelf of some provincial bureaucrat’s office. But if Ontarians agree with its authors that the lives of cyclists should be a higher priority, they will also realize they must commit themselves and their tax dollars to prove it.

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Cycling study in [Waterloo] busts myths
by Daniel Gravenor 26 Jun '12

26 Jun '12

Adding to this: When I managed the OttoCYCLE GPS bicycle study here in Winnipeg, we had over 700 people participate and found similar results. Some perspective is required in looking at the results too - most people volunteered for the Winnipeg study which would depend on who heard of it, and might have limited participation from lower income groups, etc. ======================================= Cycling study in region busts myths http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/750633--cycling-study-in-region… VANCOUVER — Some myths about cyclists were busted by a study done by the University of Waterloo and the Region of Waterloo, presented Tuesday among the opening sessions of Velo-city Global 2012 in Vancouver. Velo-city Global, the international conference sponsored by the European Cycling Federation, is being held outside of Europe for only the third time, drawing 800 delegates from 41 countries to Vancouver, to discuss cycling infrastructure, planning, technology and advocacy. Among the reps from Australia, Uganda, the U.K., Germany and Korea are dozens of presenters and participants from Ontario universities and municipal governments. Kyrylo Cyril Rewa, a master’s student at UW, presented the joint UW-Region of Waterloo GPS study of cyclists, done between March 2010 and January 2011. Some 400 cyclists kept diaries, filled out surveys and carried GPS devices, tracking the best and worst that the area’s roads have to offer cyclists. Rewa told the audience that the research group was surprised to find that the study seemed to undermine the preconception that cyclists choose bicycles because they may not have the money for a car. In fact, the participants tended to have higher average incomes than the regional norm, and may have in fact have owned a car in their household, but chose to ride a bicycle. Another preconception, said Rewa, is that cyclists ride for leisure, recreation or exercise, but the GPS survey showed that the highest bicycle use occurred during the peak travel times for commuters. Essentially, the participants were riding to and from work. Rewa said this demonstrated the potential for reducing rush-hour congestion by encouraging more cycling among commuters. To reach that potential will require overcoming some obstacles, Rewa said. Among them: the feeling of many non-cyclists that cycling is unsafe. That the concern about high traffic on area roads and the perception that many motorists demonstrate poor behaviour to cyclists, were the main barriers to increased cycling. During the GPS study, cyclists identified several areas of concern in Waterloo Region, and Rewa drew laughter from the audience of 60 delegates when he showed an image of the intersection of Erb and Caroline streets in Waterloo, with red lines indicating the dangerous routes that cyclists have to take to proceed through the intersection. The database developed by the survey is being used to develop a “generalized cost” for cycling, to give regional planners a baseline for budgeting for future cycling infrastructure. Rewa told the group that the methodology developed by the Region and UW has attracted attention from outside the area, and a revised version of the project is being launched in Peel Region, tracking cycle use in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

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FW: Put onus on drivers, says cycling world champion Mark Cavendish | The Times
by Charles Feaver 26 Jun '12

26 Jun '12

A good article on British & EU rules on liability of drivers who hit cyclists: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3451896.ece#.T-n0JS… Charles Feaver Sent from my mobile

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WFP: Winnipeg counts down to countdown crosswalks (Jun26'12)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Jun '12

26 Jun '12

[Print from today's Freep of the article Anders circulated yesterday] Winnipeg counts down to countdown crosswalks PEDESTRIANS will get a heads-up about how much time they have to cross Portage Avenue and Donald Street. This Wednesday, the City of Winnipeg will install a pedestrian countdown signal at all four points in the downtown intersection to indicate the number of seconds remaining to cross the street. It's Winnipeg's first countdown signal and is part of a pilot project to test the devices. Traffic-signals engineer Michael Cantor said the devices are mandatory at some intersections in the United States, and other Canadian cities have also installed them. He said Winnipeg traffic officials decided the downtown intersection would be a good place to test the device, since there is a high volume of foot traffic and it is close to the MTS Centre. "If you decide to start (crossing) later, at least you know how many seconds you have," Cantor said. It costs up to $10,000 to install the devices at an intersection. Cantor said the city plans to review feedback from a survey at the downtown site and consider whether the devices can be installed at other locations. He said there are some technical challenges involved in making the device a permanent fixture on city streets since the new software in Winnipeg traffic-control signals doesn't support the countdown system. Cantor said the city will work to address this challenge. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/winnipeg-counts-down-to-countdown-cr…

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City's first pedestrian countdown signal slated for Portage Avenue
by Anders Swanson 25 Jun '12

25 Jun '12

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Citys-first-pedestrial-countdown-sig…

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Provincial AT Plan and Coordinator announced
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '12

23 Jun '12

*Provincial press release:* http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=2012-06-01&item=14672 * Provincial AT page & coordinator contact info:* http://www.gov.mb.ca/ia/programs/bldgcomm/at_general.html *Greater Strides:* http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pdf/atag_report6.pdf * * * * * Winnipeg Free Press Active transport plan unveiledBy: Larry Kusch There was more tolerance and respect on city streets Friday between motorists and cyclists -- and the province's local government minister would like to see that happen more than one day a year. The well-publicized Bike to Work Day saw thousands of Winnipeggers don helmets and pedal to their jobs. By all accounts, riders and drivers got along on the way to work, despite all the extra two-wheeled traffic. Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux chose the day to unveil a three-year active transportation action plan he hopes will help lead to a permanent increase in cycling. It includes pledges of funding and technical support to municipalities to develop active transportation infrastructure and efforts to promote more understanding between cyclists and drivers. "I'm personally very concerned with improving awareness of motorists so that the tragic collisions we've seen recently can be avoided," Lemieux said at a press conference. "We need to find better ways of balancing the needs and rights of all users of roadways (so they) get to their destinations safely and feel secure while they're doing so." Lemieux, who lives outside the city, said he was impressed with the consideration he witnessed between motorists and cyclists as he drove in to work on Friday. He said the government is working on ways to ease tensions between the two groups since "active transportation is only going to increase." The program he announced Friday was lean on specifics and lacked a dollar figure. Lemieux said initiatives will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months as the province consults further with stakeholders. He also said the province would press hard for the funding of active transportation improvements under a new Building Canada capital projects fund (involving all three levels of government), which is expected to be unveiled in a couple of years. In the spring sitting of the legislature, the Selinger government passed legislation giving municipalities more authority to set rules governing bicycle traffic within their boundaries. That is expected to set the stage for future active transportation improvements. Doug Dobrowolski, president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, said his group supported the legislation and hopes future active transportation infrastructure spending will help promote local tourism. "Each community has something unique they want to showcase. So this gives another opportunity for people to come to these communities and see what's outside the city of Winnipeg," he said Friday. Janice Lukes, who chairs the province's Active Transportation Advisory Group, called Lemieux's announcement a good start. She applauded the fact the province has appointed an active transportation co-ordinator -- Vicky Reaney. But Lukes would have liked to have seen a funding commitment. "I'm still challenged by the fact that there's over $500 million spent on roadways this year and we haven't heard a dedicated amount... put into active transportation," she said. Meanwhile, Anika Terton, who bikes to work between April and October, said Friday the key to improved cycling safety is simply getting more people out riding bikes, whether they use them to get to work or not. "I felt safer today because there were more cyclists on the road, and I felt there was more respect because there were more cyclists on the road," she said. "I think if you cycle and drive your car, you respect cyclists more when you're in your car." larry.kusch(a)freepress.mb.ca * Manitoba's active transportation plan* -- Develop design guidelines for active transportation infrastructure. -- Provide new funding and technical support to help municipalities integrate AT planning with other land use and transportation planning and development. -- Launch a new online portal with AT resources and an inventory of cycling routes across the province. -- Work to complete the Borders to Beaches section of the Trans Canada Trail (from the Ontario border to Grand Beach). -- Construct a new AT overpass at the north Perimeter Highway to extend the popular Northeast Pioneers Greenway, which runs along Gateway Road. -- Work with Manitoba Public Insurance to raise awareness of safety issues concerning cyclists and pedestrians. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/active-transport-plan--unveiled-1601… *Additional coverage:* http://www.cjob.com/News/Local/Story.aspx?ID=1726507 http://metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/273618/manitoba-rolls-out-action-plan-on-…

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Bike to Work Day - WTA_AlterEgo_CanadInns Pit Stop - Leg announcement
by Janice Lukes 22 Jun '12

22 Jun '12

Bike to Work Day 2012 Pembina and Plaza Pit Stop Leg Announcement - 3 year AT Action Plan with list if actions / Vicki Reaney as dedicated person / coordinator BEST t-shirts every - and was one of the first 300 to register - but never made it to Natural Cycle - And am looking for a left over ! Wow! Janice Lukes

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Webinar Evalluation
by Mark Cohoe 22 Jun '12

22 Jun '12

Hi, Thank you to all who attended Wednesday's APBP webinar "Resolving Conflicts at Complex Intersections". I hope the session was helpful to you. If you haven't already evaluated this webinar, please take a minute and fill out the webinar evaluation <http://www.apbp.org/surveys/default.asp?id=Eval_Jun-12>. Cheers, Mark

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ON Planners issue *Call to Action on Active Transportation"
by Beth McKechnie 21 Jun '12

21 Jun '12

The Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) calls upon planners, the provincial government, municipalities and the public to make non-motorized forms of travel a mainstay of daily life throughout Ontario communities. OPPI prepared this Call to Action to raise awareness and to highlight key issues so that Ontario’s planners and communities can address the challenges associated with planning for active transportation. Read more: http://www.ontarioplanners.on.ca/pdf/Call-to-Action-on-Active-Transportatio…

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Friday is Bike to Work Day! 24 degrees and SUNNY.
by Beth McKechnie 21 Jun '12

21 Jun '12

*Count Yourself In. Make Cycling Count. * So far *2522 people* have registered to Bike to Work this Friday, June 22nd. That's $1261 that Manitoba Pubic Insurance will dedicate to The WRENCH<http://thewrench.ca/>, and a massive group of cyclists to take to the streets and stand up for cycling in Winnipeg. * BRING A FRIEND.* If everyone can encourage one other coworker, friend, or stranger to register and ride we could see over 4000 cyclists on Friday and maximize our donation to the WRENCH. It's free for you! * * *If you haven't yet, REGISTER TODAY<http://biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org/register><http://t.ymlp226.net/eyybaxajjqbadausqaxahyse/click.php>at biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org/register <http://t.ymlp226.net/eyyhanajjqbavausqaxahyse/click.php> * OR *Pedal by a pit stop to register on your way to work on Friday between 6:30-9:00 a.m.* There are 38 around the city! Plus one at the Forks opening at 9:00 and closing at 3:30 when our BBQ party begins. Find one along your route on the pit stop map at: http://biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org/pitstops<http://t.ymlp226.net/eyywacajjqbarausqacahyse/click.php> BBQ party at The Forks! *****Mogley and the Woodland Creatures* and *Flat City Folk* will entertain us at the BBQ while we enjoy* Half Pints' Pedal Pusher Ale* and draw for our grand prizes: a new *Schwinn bike, bike trailers, a stay at Falcon Trails Resort *and an enormous amount of prizes from Fort Whyte Alive, Assiniboine Credit Union, and all of the incredible Winnipeg Bike Shops. *Count Yourself In. Make Cycling Count. * See you in the sunshine on Friday! Andraea Sartison Event Coordinator Bike to Work Day 2012 www.biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org<http://t.ymlp226.net/eyyqaiajjqbatausqapahyse/click.php> LOVE US ON THE FACEBOOK<http://t.ymlp226.net/eyyyaaajjqbaxausqaaahyse/click.php>

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