- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

New bike plan unveiled for Toronto (includes a number of cycletracks)
by Anders Swanson 16 Jun '11

16 Jun '11

See more here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/06/15/toronto-bike-plan.ht… As per the article, these curb-protected facilities will be a first for Toronto. Winnipeg already has one on Assiniboine... Winnipeg: 1 .....*+0.5 if you count the Norwood Bridge* Toronto: 0 Success. Related note of pride: Thompson is getting its first bike lanes ever, this year (on Burntwood). Anders Swanson Active Transportation Project Coordinator Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba | www.pacm.ca c.204-294-7027 | activetransportation(a)pacm.ca

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In Mexico, citizens create DIY bike lanes
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jun '11

16 Jun '11

In Mexico, citizens create DIY bike lanes By Colleen Kimmett On Vancouver's city council, support for building bike lanes has been pretty much unanimous <http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/08/11/BicycleBacklash/>. (It helps having a mayor who bikes to work and opposition members who spend their vacation cycling around Europe.) Here, it's the politicians who have had to ease bike infrastructure into the public realm, with communication plans, consultations, and trial runs<http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Transportation/2009/06/23/BurrardBridgeBike…>. For some, it's still too much. For others, not enough. In Mexico, reports Treehugger.com <http://www.treehugger.com/>, residents of Guadalajara -- a city that adds 350 cars to its street every day -- are taking a different approach, with DIY bike lanes. The city at one point created a cycling plan with recommended bike routes. But nothing ever came of it. Fed up with their government's inaction, a group of citizens led by students and teachers at a local technical college, decided to take matters into their own hands. They erected signs and painted lines on the street to create dedicated bike lanes, and released a video and document explaining how and why they did it. "In Mexico, the cost of building a bike lane reaches about a hundred thousand dollars per kilometer," the group explained. "This means that the section on which we worked, 2.5 kilometers on each side of a two way avenue, could have cost about five hundred thousand dollars. The investment, the citizen's investment, was of only a thousand dollars." The full story and video, can be found here<http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/guerilla-diy-bike-lane-guadalajara-…>. *Colleen Kimmett reports for The Tyee.* *http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/2011/01/13/DIYBikeLanes/ * -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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Register for Bike to Work Day Winnipeg!
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jun '11

16 Jun '11

*** Please share widely *** Dear Fellow Winnipegger, Join us in making an impact by cycling to work on June 24th as part of the 4th annual Bike to Work Day Winnipeg! By registering for free online, not only will you get a chance to take part in all of the days events including complimentary snacks, beverages, BBQ, prizes and parties, you will add your voice to ours and take a stand for cyclists and a greener, more bike-friendly Winnipeg. This year is a year to celebrate both the advances in our city's walking and cycling infrastructure as well as our event plans. Please take a moment to learn more at www.biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org Even if you are unsure today whether you can bike on June 24th--register! Your registration and support of the event will help grow the event each year. Please see below for a schedule of the day. We look forward to seeing you on your bikes soon! cheers, Beth -------- *JUNE 24th is BIKE TO WORK DAY* *6:30-9:00am* Locate a pit stop using our online map<http://bikeplanit.org/map/index.html?site=btwd&ll=49.87335,-97.160518&z=13&…>. Stop along your commute and receive free snacks and coffee (available on a first come, first serve basis) along with other swag and t-shirts. Find a buddy and share the ride to work! *Please note that there is NO pancake breakfast this year; instead we will be hosting a BBQ to bookend the day.* *4:00- 7:00pm* Manitoba Lotteries BBQ at the Forks. Stop by on your way home for free music and a great party! Free food for the first 300.

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New research: Benefits of New and Improved Pedestrian Facilities - Before and After Studies
by Beth McKechnie 11 Jun '11

11 Jun '11

S. Turner, R. Singh, P. Quinn and T. Allatt (2011), "*Benefits Of New And Improved Pedestrian Facilities – Before And After Studies*," Research Report 436, NZ Transport Agency ( http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/research/reports/436/docs/436.pdf ). [snipped from the Executive Summary:] This research, conducted between 2005 and 2009, aimed to investigate whether the implementation of new pedestrian facilities (or the improvement of existing facilities) led to increased pedestrian rates, and to record these changes in a standardised format that could be used in transport planning and project funding. This study also tried to develop an expected pedestrian-usage model, based on before and after data analysis, for planners and funding agents to use when planning new or improved facilities and evaluating projects. The final part of the project involved developing a monitoring database containing before and after pedestrian count data for various new and improved pedestrian facilities, along with a list of accompanying factors such as safety, delay and directness. Results from the before and after pedestrian count surveys and analysis of the individual case studies showed that the implementation of improved pedestrian facilities resulted in increased usage at seven out of the eight sites analysed. The magnitude of these changes varied between sites, from 7% for the Moorhouse Ave signalised pedestrian crossing to 90% for the kerb extensions at Collingwood St. The reasons for the increases in flows were analysed in each of the individual case studies, and were found to be a mix of factors such as safety, delay and directness. Overall, it was observed that the construction of kerb extensions/refuge islands resulted in the largest increase in pedestrian numbers, followed by the installation of kea crossings. -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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New research: increasing sidewalk coverage to reduce GHG emissions
by Beth McKechnie 11 Jun '11

11 Jun '11

[From the Victoria Transport Institute (VTPI) newsletter] Lawrence D. Frank , et al. (2011), "*An Assessment of Urban Form and Pedestrian and Transit Improvements as an Integrated GHG Reduction Strategy*," Washington State Department of Transportation (http:// www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/765.1.pdf ). This study used detailed data to assess the impacts of various urban form factors on vehicle travel and carbon emissions. This analysis indicates that increasing sidewalk coverage from 30% to 70% of streets in an urban neighborhood would typically reduce vehicle travel 3.4% and carbon emissions 4.9%. Land use mix and parking pricing also had significant impacts. Increasing average parking fees from $0.28 to $1.19 per hour (50th to 75th percentile) reduces vehicle travel 11.5% and emissions 9.9%. Study results were used to develop a spreadsheet tool that can evaluate the impacts of urban form, sidewalk coverage, and transit service quality and other policy changes for local and regional analysis. -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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Bike to Work Day Winnipeg is June 24
by Beth McKechnie 07 Jun '11

07 Jun '11

If you haven't registered yet for the 4th Annual Bike to Work Day Winnipeg, then please register now! It's easy and FREE! Just go to http://biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org/ and click Register in the top right corner then fill in your information. You'll be entered to win great prizes like a *bike makeover from Natural Cycle*. Then *on Friday, June 24th*, ride your bike to work. *Locate a pit stop near you using our online map and stop by between 6:30 and 9 AM for free snacks and coffee. At the end of the day you can wind down at the Forks from 4-7pm with a free BBQ for the first 300 cyclists and live music. Please note that there is NO Pancake Breakfast at the Forks in the morning.* It is very important for everyone to register as we want to show how important cycling is in Winnipeg with a great turn-out. Please forward this on to all your friends, family and coworkers so that we can make this the most successful Bike to Work Day Winnipeg yet! There are also volunteer opportunities still available. Please contact *CARA FISHER programs(a)thewrench.ca * if you would like to help.

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TRAIL BUILDING WORKSHOP - PROVIDENCE COLLEGE - OTTERBURNE JUNE 18th
by Anders Swanson 07 Jun '11

07 Jun '11

For those of you interested in the nuts and bolts of trails infrastructure development, please see the information on the workshop hosted by the Crow Wing Trail below. Regards, Anders Swanson Active Transportation Project Coordinator Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba | www.pacm.ca c.204-294-7027 | activetransportation(a)pacm.ca ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Crow Wing Trail <cwta(a)voyageur.coop> Date: Tue, Jun 7, 2011 at 2:40 PM Subject: MORE INFORMATION ON TRAIL BUILDING WORKSHOP - PROVIDENCE COLLEGE - JUNE 18th Please find attached cover letter, press release and poster providing more information about the trail building workshop. Please print and distribute or forward to your members and/or organizations that could benefit from this opportunity. Please register asap to assist us in accommodating everyone. Thank you. Murielle Bugera, President Crow Wing Trail Association

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Grist: How bike tourism helps local economies
by Beth McKechnie 07 Jun '11

07 Jun '11

The grand tour: How bike tourism helps local economies by Elly Blue <http://www.grist.org/people/Elly+Blue> 6 Jun 2011 10:49 AM http://www.grist.org/biking/2011-06-06-the-grand-tour-how-bike-tourism-help… Bike-friendly cities, off-road paths, and scenic country roads where cyclists can spin along in comfort aren't just good for the people who live in those places. They also attract tourists. And tourists mean money for the local economy. Tourism is one of the U.S.'s largest industries and biggest employers, creating millions of jobs and bringing in hundreds of *billions* of dollars each year<http://www.ustravel.org/government-affairs/travel-industry-economic-impact>(not to mention the tax benefits). Bicycle touring has long had an honored place in the tourism economy and culture. This doesn't go unrecognized: In Wisconsin, bike tourism is estimated to contribute $1.5 billion to the state's economy<http://urbanpedal.com/2011/02/04/economics-of-biking/>every year. It's not just about paths or trails, though the measurable impacts these facilities have on local economies are a big deal. Bicycle transportation may not yet be mainstream in the U.S., but recreational bicycling is. More people ride bikes than ski, and more bikes than cars are bought here every year -- presumably for the purpose of family rides along the riverside trail<http://www.bikesbelong.org/resources/stats-and-research/statistics/economic…>and the like. For communities looking to up the ante, in adventure or economic development, there are many enticing opportunities for bicycle touring beyond a short jaunt on the rail trail. Take, as an example, RAGBRAI (that's the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa <http://ragbrai.com/>), which calls itself "the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world." Now in its 39th year, the seven-day event follows a different route every year. Participants and spectators drop plenty of cash into small-town economies along the way -- buying pancakes, beer, massages, and souvenirs. The ride also has a longer-term economic impact that's harder to quantify -- in marketing<http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=297766>the state's attractions and even in job creation<http://www.iowacityareadevelopment.com/news/ottumwaragbrai/> . Rides like RAGBRAI -- few are nearly as large, but every state boasts smaller supported tours -- introduce participants to the satisfaction and camaraderie of bicycle touring. And they are ambassadors of mutual goodwill, paving the way<http://pathlesspedaled.com/2011/05/rough-cut-tara-corbin-rural-communities-…>for acceptance in communities where a person on a bike on a rural road might otherwise be seen as an inconvenience. Then there's unsupported touring. It's the same thing you might do with a car -- strap some basics to your rear rack and take off down the road to meet people, see sights, and gaze contemplatively at the road ahead. You can take a bike trip for next to no money by camping and picnicking your way down scenic country roads, picking up supplies and souvenirs at the same places locals shop, finding your focus in grueling mountain climbs and your joy in the long descents. At the other end of the spectrum is what a friend calls "credit card bike camping": short hops between charming bed and breakfasts, stopping at every tucked-away restaurant and winery. Either way, you're expanding your horizons under your own power and putting your money directly into small, local businesses rather than into your gas tank or the chain hotels off the freeway. There's a resurgence of interest in this kind of touring, though few are embracing it as completely as Russ Roca and Laura Crawford, who a year and a half ago decided to sell all their possessions and take off across the country by bike <http://pathlesspedaled.com/about/> without a set destination or plan. They financed the trip in part with speaking engagements at local bike shops, which have proven unexpectedly popular. Roca and Crawford seem to be onto something. The rising price of gas and a growing disenchantment with cars, traffic, and the sedentary life mean have resulted in new interest in different types of vacations and adventures. The hurdle, for local decision makers and business leaders who want to encourage bike tourism, is to avoid the pitfall of classifying bikes as purely recreational, a luxury alternative to the classic Sunday drive. Welcoming bicycle tourists should go beyond a friendly attitude and amenities from business owners, though those two things certainly make a big difference<http://pathlesspedaled.com/2011/05/5-easy-ways-to-be-a-bike-friendly-busine…> . The benefits of bike tourism aren't just for rural communities. In Portland, with its well-established bikeway network, a survey found that 78 percent of visitors said that the city's bicycle-friendly reputation played a role in their decision to travel here<http://bikeportland.org/2009/01/28/60000-free-bike-maps-a-look-at-transport…>. Bikeshare systems can change a visitor's experience of a city<http://www.grist.org/biking/2011-05-25-washingtons-bikeshare-is-a-capital-i…> . Bike touring, when it's embraced at a policy level, breaks down the dichotomy between recreation and transportation. After all, bike-minded improvements in infrastructure and enforcement create healthier<http://www.grist.org/biking/2011-03-28-pedaling-away-from-the-health-care-c…>, more economically sound places not just to visit but to live. Streets and roads where it feels comfortable to ride a bike are good for residents, tourists, and the economy. Elly Blue is a writer and bicycle activist <http://ellyblue.net/> living in Portland, Oregon. You can find her on Twitter <http://twitter.com/ellyblue>.

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WFP: City brings back bike-pad parking
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jun '11

06 Jun '11

Going for a ride? City brings back bike-pad parking By: Melissa Martin THERE is suddenly a surge of parking in the heart of Winnipeg -- as long as you leave your car at home. City workers have installed new bike parking pads over 18 street spots in downtown, the Exchange District and the West End. It is the second year for the active-transportation feature, which was launched as a pilot program last summer. The mobile pads take up about two car-lengths of space on the street, and have room to securely hitch 16 bikes per rack they carry. "They are designed to be semi-portable so that, should a location not be in high demand, they can be moved to an area of higher demand," city spokeswoman Alissa Clark said. For instance, you may have spotted the pads -- which are built on a base of recycled wood -- outside Canad Inns Stadium for last Sunday's U2 concert. Currently, the pads have a home at spots including outside the MTS Centre, near the Sport Manitoba building on Pacific Avenue, and on Langside Street, north of Portage Avenue. In some high-traffic spots, the pads have been a hit with cyclists who have long had to lash their bike to fences or light poles. Unlocking her bike from the pad at the corner of Bannatyne Avenue and Albert Street, one frequent cyclist applauded the pads' return. "It's an incentive," said Elisa Contreras, 24. "Everything that makes a city more friendly for cyclists is great. They're well-made and incredibly easy to lock your bikes to ---- it's a great idea." Not all are so thrilled. Last year during the pilot program, witnesses in the Exchange District watched as a car accidentally drove into one of the pads, damaging bikes and the car itself; on Twitter and in Exchange District cafés, some drivers were overheard voicing concerns that the pads' presence on the street wasn't safe. But the pads are marked by tall blue columns to alert drivers, and Clark pointed out that they are only placed in existing street parking spots to minimize risk. Each spot is vetted by the public works department to make sure it's safe for drivers, she said. The bike-pad program is administered by the city's parking authority and designed to complement the city's active transportation initiatives. They are monitored by local Business Improvement Zone organizations, which keep an ear out for feedback. Last year, the Exchange District BIZ heard a few complaints about where the bike pads were located. So this year, they tweaked the placement of their four pads. "So far, we haven't had a single complaint, and for the most part they're full," said BIZ operations director Derek Manaigre. "So we are happy." The BIZ also hopes to install 15 to 30 more individual bike racks this year. melissa.martin(a)freepress.mb.ca -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>

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Active Transportation Canada - New Posts June 3, 2011
by Beth McKechnie 03 Jun '11

03 Jun '11

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Michael Haynes <activetransportation(a)rogers.com> Date: Fri, Jun 3, 2011 at 10:00 AM Subject: Active Transportation Canada - New Posts June 3, 2011 More than 20 new items have been posted on the Active Transportation-Canada Website over the past month. A complete list of titles may be found in the "Blog Archive" box, located on the right margin of the Website. Some sample new items: 1. Halifax - Active transportation plan stalls 2. ‘Cycle tracks’ in cities could save bicyclists lives 3. Nova Scotia Rural Active Transportation Summit Active Transportation Canada URL: http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.com A "Search" function is available on the site. You will find this at the bottom of the page. With more than 1,000 items posted on Active Transportation - Canada, there are links available to dozens of studies and hundreds of news items from communities across Canada and the world. If anyone has a problem reading this message, please let me know. I welcome suggestions for posts, so if you have news items featuring your community, please share them with the other subscribers from Canada, the US, and Australia on Active Transportation-Canada. Thank you. Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions

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