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GLOBE AND MAIL: Separated bike lanes make cyclists safer, study says
by Anders Swanson 19 Oct '12

19 Oct '12

[ source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/separated-bike-lanes-make-cycl…] Separated bike lanes make cyclists safer, study says One of the most ambitious studies of bicycle injuries ever conducted in Canada has reach a conclusion that won’t surprise anyone who rides to work: It is far safer to travel on a physically separated bike lane than on busy city streets. The research, led by Prof. Kay Teschke of the University of British Columbia’s school of population and public health, involved interviewing hundreds of victims of bike accidents in Toronto and Vancouver, and then studying the location where the accident took place. More Related to this Story - Bicycle Data Toronto falling behind pack in averting bicycle collisions, data reveals <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/toronto-falling-behind-pack-in-…> - Helmets can prevent bicycling deaths, study finds <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/helmets-can-p…> - Toronto's Jarvis bike lanes to be removed by end of year <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/torontos-jarvis-bike-lanes-to-b…> <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/explore-the-data-toronto-bicycl…> Interactive Data Explore the data: Toronto bicycle collisions mapped over 25 years<http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/explore-the-data-toronto-bicycl…> The analysis, published in the American Journal of Public Health, shows that a cyclist is ten times as likely to be injured on busy street with parked cars than on a cycle lane alongside the street, separated by a physical barrier. It is also much safer to bike on less busy local streets, major streets without parked cars, and on bike lanes through parks, the study found. On those routes, the risk of injury is about half what it is on a busy street with parked cars. The study shows there is a “dramatic reduction” in accidents when separated bike lanes exist, Prof. Teschke said. And it underlined how much more likely bike accidents are to occur if there is construction, steep hills, or, in the case of Toronto, streetcar tracks. Indeed, nearly one-third of the accidents studied in Toronto occurred on streetcar tracks, either with bike wheels getting caught in the tracks or slipping on the slippery rails. Prof. Teschke said the results jibe with earlier studies of route preferences that indicate people don’t like to ride on busy streets. This research shows “there is a reason for that [attitude]. People’s gut reaction is the correct reaction.” The study could bolster the action being taken in many large North American cities, where separated bike lines are now being constructed. Vancouver and Montreal already have many kilometres of separated lanes, and the first one in Toronto is now being built along Sherbourne St. on the east side of the downtown core. While there are enough separated bike lanes in Montreal to form a connected network throughout the downtown core, Vancouver is not at that point yet, and Toronto is years away from anything similar, said Toronto bicycle consultant Yvonne Bambrick. “If you have one little space that [has separated lanes] and everywhere else is regular, it doesn’t make any sense,” she says. She also notes that the design of separate lanes is crucial in making them safe and functional. The new bike lane on Toronto’s Sherbourne Street has been criticized because its barrier is so low that it will still allow delivery vehicles to pull into it and park. The UBC study interviewed 690 people who were injured in bike accidents, 414 from Vancouver and 276 from Toronto. Almost three-quarters of the accidents involved collisions with motor vehicles.

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The future of driving - seeing the back of the car (The Economist)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Oct '12

18 Oct '12

*The future of driving - seeing the back of the car* *In the rich world, people seem to be driving less than they used to* For transportation geeks, this comprehensive article from The Economist about driving levels and car ownership includes some compelling statistics. For example: * At Canary Wharf, a business district in east London, 100,000 jobs are supported by only 3,000 parking spaces. * Space is already at a premium in dense centres such as Jakarta, where the number of cars is growing ten times faster than the roads available for them to roll on. Read the full article: http://www.economist.com/node/21563280

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[At-network] WFP View from the West: We could learn from Copenhagen, Moscow (Oct.17'12)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

[Nice to see these columns about Copenhagen and other bike friendly cities keep popping up in the Free Press...] We could learn from Copenhagen, Moscow By: Michael Czuboka My wife and I recently spent three days in each of the cities of Copenhagen St. Petersburg, Russia and Moscow. As Winnipeggers, we could not help but make comparisons. Returning to Winnipeg, after viewing and travelling over the excellent streets in these European cities was like coming to a third world country insofar as road maintenance and quality are concerned. We love Winnipeg. Our city has many fine qualities, but our roads are rough, uneven, patched, in some cases dangerous, and in general an absolute disgrace. Copenhagen was especially impressive because of the wide and clearly marked bicycle paths that are a feature of many of its major streets. Copenhagen has a population of about 528,000, so it is similar in size to Winnipeg with our population of about 684,000. We learned that about 40 per cent of Copenhagen's citizens bicycle to work or school on a system of paths that run for about 400 kilometres. How much would 400 kilometres cover in Winnipeg? The combined lengths of Portage, Pembina, Main, Henderson, St. Mary's, St. Anne's, McPhillips and Regent, according to Sherlock's map of Winnipeg, is less than 200 kilometres. It is obvious that 400 kilometres of bike paths would cover all of our major streets very adequately. Each bicycle path in Copenhagen is about the width of an automobile lane. Motor vehicles seldom intrude on bicycle paths and cycling is relatively safe for cyclists of all ages and abilities. We watched in awe as hundreds of bikers filled the streets every day. St. Petersburg often is referred to as the most beautiful city in the world and it is certainly very attractive with many beautiful buildings and parks. Its major streets, like those of Moscow, seemed to be absolutely perfect and without blemishes of any kind. Apologists claim that Winnipeg's cold weather is to blame for many breaks and potholes that occur, but that excuse does not hold up when Winnipeg's weather is compared with that of Russia. Winnipeg has an average January temperature of -13.2 C; St. Petersburg's is -6 C, and Moscow's is -9 C. Both Russian cities, like Winnipeg, have winter temperatures that often plunge to -30 or -40 C. It appears the Russians, perhaps because of their tendency toward authoritarian leadership, spend whatever it takes to make perfect roads in their major cities. Winnipeg's mayors and councils, on the other hand, seem to base their decisions mainly on the prospect of upcoming elections. "What do I need to do to get re-elected?" they seem to ask themselves. "Keep taxes down, of course," is the answer. Our engineers probably know as much about building good roads as their compatriots in Russia, but the limited funds allocated to Winnipeg's roads results mostly in patching and inferior paving that results in limited longevity. The bright side of our poor roads is it provides our vehicle repair shops with a lot of extra business. We did not see any graffiti or beggars in St. Petersburg or Moscow. It appears that the police and courts are much less forgiving than those in our country. Ugly overpasses were not evident in the three cities we visited. Is the Disraeli Freeway really necessary? A tunnel, similar to those of major cities, would have been much more preferable. Was a tunnel ever considered? Are our civic leaders lacking in creativity and imagination? Although we travelled on many streets in St. Petersburg and Moscow, we did not see even a single road barrier or construction project. The major streets appear to be in perfect condition and apparently rarely need patching or new paving. Travelling the streets of Winnipeg, after we returned, came as a shock. Almost every street seems to have construction of some kind in progress. A major problem, however, is not just the construction itself, but rather how it is organized. Barriers, which restrict the flow of traffic and create hazardous conditions, often go up for several days or even a week or more before any construction takes place. There seems to be very limited communication or co-ordination between those putting up the barriers and those doing the actual construction. We were also very impressed by the cleanliness of the streets of St. Petersburg and Moscow. Looking out of our hotel room window in Moscow early one morning, we witnessed, much to our amazement, several orange trucks pouring large quantities of water on the sidewalks and streets. According to the Moscow News, an English-language publication, thousands of tons of water are used daily. Winnipeg's streets, by way of comparison, are generously speaking, unclean. We live in Osborne Village, which recently was judged to be the best neighbourhood in Canada. We live here, and we love the place, but street washing in Osborne Village and elsewhere in Winnipeg takes place only when it rains. Winnipeg is a great city, but we could improve greatly by studying and implementing some of the practices of places such as Copenhagen, St. Petersburg, and Moscow. Let's keep this in mind the next time we have an election for a mayor and councillors in Winnipeg. *Michael Czuboka, former superintendent of schools in Manitoba, is the author of Why It's Hard To Fire Johnny's Teacher; Juba; They Stopped at A Good Place; and Ukrainian Canadian, Eh.* http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/we-could-learn-from-copen… * *

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Sou'Wester - Bike, Walk and Roll in Fort Richmond
by Shoni Litinsky 17 Oct '12

17 Oct '12

The article below can be found in the Sou'Wester and provides a great overview of the Green Action Centre project - Bike, Walk, Roll Fort Richmond. The project is funded through the Neighbourhoods Alive - LIFT program and aims to increase awareness and expand education on A/T in the Fort Richmond community. Live in Fort Richmond? Our public open house is next Tuesday October, 23rd from 7-8:30pm at the Acadia Junior High School library, located at 175 Killarney Ave. See more project details at: fortrichmondat.ca Bike, walk and roll in Fort Richmond<http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/Bike-walk-and-ro…> A brand new active transportation initiative is hitting the streets of Fort Richmond. Bike Walk & Roll Fort Richmond is a project that aims to increase awareness and expand active transportation opportunities and safety in the community. Active transportation includes walking, cycling, in-line skating or any mode of self-propelled transportation. The project was initiated by local community residents, but is being spearheaded by the Green Action Centre, a non-profit environmental education hub that does work throughout the province. Bike Walk & Roll builds on the Green Action Centre’s Active and Safe Routes to School program, which works with Fort Richmond schools to increase the number of students who walked or cycled to school. Through the program, the Green Action Centre had the opportunity to apply for the Bike Walk & Roll grant which will allow them to offer the program to the entire community, not just students. "It’s helping us to work more broadly with all ages and abilities to increase the education and awareness of active transportation around the whole community," said Shoni Litinsky, co-ordinator of the Active and Safe Routes to Schools program. Litinsky said the project will include different community events, including cycling education and public open houses. The first open house will be held Tues., Oct. 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Acadia Junior High School library, located at 175 Killarney Ave. The open house will be an opportunity for residents to learn more about active transportation and discuss how the conditions in the community can improve for cyclists and pedestrians. "If you look at the area, it’s a classic representation of a lot of old neighbourhoods with lots of bays, and a shortage of sidewalks. It’s really hard to navigate on foot," Litinsky said. She said one of the key components of the project will be to work with the community to develop a map to highlight walking and cycling routes in the neighbourhood. "We’re trying to highlight the key destinations and routes people can take," she said. Fort Richmond resident Jennifer Watt said such a map would be useful tool for people living in the neighbourhood. Watt said the neighbourhood is full of cut-through paths that go from one bay to another, but that many residents don’t know where they are. She thinks a map might encourage residents to get out and walk more. "A map is a very practical step that gives people options to go through residential bays where there’s not much traffic." Watt stressed other solutions will still be needed. She’s hoping to see a walking and cycling path installed near Ecole St. Avila, where her children attend school. "Walkers and bikers don’t really have a safe path to get to get to school," said Watt, who said one of the main concerns for residents in the area is the lack of sidewalks. "My daughter is in Grade 3 and she’s at the age where she should be able to bike to school by herself, but it’s really difficult to (allow it) because... the traffic... can make it quite dangerous. "With a few modifications we can make this a safer and more sustainable neighbourhood." For more information on the Walk Bike & Roll Fort Richmond initiative go to FortRichmondAT.ca. -- *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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AT webinar CANCELLATION: Wed, Oct. 17th, 2-3 pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

*Please note that this Wednesday's AT webinar is CANCELLED:* ** *FHWA Experimentation for Advancing Best Practices Wednesday, October 17th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT* The content appears too U.S.-focused to be of value for us in Winnipeg. However, please plan to join us next month to hear about: Maps that Guide, Encourage and Inform Wednesday, November 14th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST Details will follow closer to the date. cheers, Beth * *

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Happy International Walk to School Month
by Shoni Litinsky 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

Green Action Centre's Active and Safe Routes to School Program<http://greenactioncentre.ca/program/asrts/>would like to wish everyone a happyInternational Walk to School Month<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/iwalk>! Currently more than 70 schools in Manitoba are participating in IWALK, and encouraging students to walk to and from school. IWALK presents a chance for schools to celebrate our environment by keeping our air clean, to share walking safety skills with children, to bring safety to our neighbourhoods, address traffic congestion and speed around our schools. <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/iwalk-reg/> Schools can still sign up here.<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/iwalk-reg/> Last Wednesday was International Walk to School Day - and several schools held their own events to celebrate. See below for details! ----------------------------------- mysteinbachonline <http://www.steinbachonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id…> Niverville Elementary Places Emphasis On Walking To School Written by Sawyer Klassen on Saturday, 13 October 2012 [image: 2012 10 nes walk1]*One of the groups of students leaves for NES.* On Wednesday, students from Niverville Elementary School (NES) joined over 3,500 schools in North America in participating in International Walk to School Day. Students met at a church one block from NES before school started, and walked to the school from there in groups. Students who were bussed to school also participated by walking laps around the school playground. Matthew Fast, a grade five teacher at NES, explains why they chose to participate in I-Walk to School Day. "We're starting to try to change things around our community and make it safer for kids to walk to school. So in an effort to promote walking or biking to school and less driving, we want to be part of events like I-Walk to School Day." World-wide, schools in 40 different countries participated in the event. Fast notes that at NES, the majority of students also chose to take part in I-Walk to School Day. "I think we're close to about 65% participation. I'm not quite sure about the numbers yet as I'm still waiting for results from a few classes to come in, but I would say upwards of about 200 to 250 students at least." Fast adds this was the second year in a row they have taken part in the event, and he notes several other schools in Hanover School Division also participated. ----------------------------------- Green Action Centre Blog<http://greenactioncentre.ca/2012/a-successful-iwalk-day-celebrated-by-maple…> A successful IWALK Day celebrated by Mapleton School & Green Action Centre!<http://greenactioncentre.ca/2012/a-successful-iwalk-day-celebrated-by-maple…> **Despite the chilly weather in the morning, International Walk to School Day 2012 was a great success with approximately 150 students, teachers, and the school principal all joining in the walk together on October 10th! This year, Mapleton School in St. Andrews <http://www.lssd.ca/maple/> was selected as the recipient for a walk to school with Green Action Centre along with Councillor Russ Garvie. The event focuses on getting more kids active by walking and biking to school and over 65 schools in Manitoba and 40 countries worldwide will be participating over the month of October this year. It was great to see the excitement among the students and staff there to participate on IWALK day, since every single student was out there walking. Mapleton School also committed to doing this walk the entire week to show students that it’s fun to participate! Since some of the students at Mapleton live farther away, this morning walk is also meant to show the school that even though busing is a reality for some, they can still join in with those who walk and bike in this event. The morning walk started just after 8:30 am in the school yard where the staff and students began the walk on the track laid out around the school. Everyone was happy to celebrate IWALK day, especially the students who had fun playing and chatting with their friends along the way. When everyone completed their walk around the track and arrived back at the school, Councillor Russ Garvie said a few words on why it’s important to be active and participate in International Walk to School Month. For participating in the event, every student in the school also got a small prize and sticker! Thanks to Mapleton School and Mrs. Bouchard, the school’s IWALK coordinator, for celebrating the event with Green Action Centre this year and setting a great example for schools all across Manitoba! If your school would still like to participate, don’t worry, there’s still time! Register for IWALK here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/iwalk-reg/>and your school will receive a kit with all the resources, posters and stickers you need! This event is a chance to promote active transportation to students over a *day*, a *week*, or the *entire m**onth of October.* In addition for participating, your school can be entered great prizes including *great active transportation gear from Bikes&Beyond, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Healthy Schools in Motion and MPI! *Just remember to send in your tally sheet before *November 9*th! Happy Walking! By Lea Grezenda -- *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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Economic Impacts of AT Backgrounder (Toronto Centre for Active Transportation)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

On Oct 11, 2012, the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) released its latest backgrounder, *The Economic Impacts of Active Transportation*. This backgrounder discusses some of the economic impacts related to walking and cycling within an urban environment, in terms of impacts on businesses and real estate, personal and public finances, and indirect impacts such as health and productivity. It also includes figures from recent surveys and studies to introduce the wide array of economic benefits that investments in walking and cycling can return to governments, business owners, and individuals. *http://tcat.ca/sites/all/files/Backgrounder_Economic_Impacts.pdf* This backgrounder is the third in TCAT's periodic backgrounder series, the first focused on Bikeway Options currently under consideration in Toronto<http://tcat.ca/node/1686>and the second on Designing Off-Road Paths for Pedestrians and Cyclists <http://tcat.ca/node/1751>.

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UPDATE - Pembina Buffered Bike Lanes
by Janice Lukes 15 Oct '12

15 Oct '12

Hello! The below comments are made purely from observations made on Saturday, October 13th - I'm not aware of any updates from the City on the project -these are solely my observations and comments on the Pembina buffered bike lane project. If anyone else has observations - consider sharing them with this posting! PEMBINA MEDIAN (between Plaza Dr and Chevrier): Narrowing of the centre median between Plaza Dr and Chevrier, and construction of the curbs and roadway on both sides of the median is now complete. This aspect of the buffered bike lane project took about 3 months - undoubtedly creating new roadway lanes is a big component of the project. On Saturday, new topsoil was being installed on the medians and expect the salt resistant grass will be sprayed on shortly. In this last month of construction - the project is going to become really interesting as the detail for the buffered bike lanes is starting! BUS STOPS: Safe access on / off busses for transit users was a key aspect of the design of the buffered bike lane project. Transit users could not be in the 'line of cycling traffic' when waiting for or exiting a bus. The Bus Stop Treatment <http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/MajorProjects/ActiveTransportation/Pembi naBufferedBikeLanes/PDF/PembinaBufferedBikeLane-ChevrierBusStop.pdf> enables transit users to have a 'landing area' as they wait to enter / exit busses. The landing area has a point where they can then safely check for cycling traffic and cross the buffered bike way to the sidewalk. Southbound Pembina: You may recall that last year - new asphalt surfacing was placed on southbound Pembina between Chevrier and Plaza Drive ($890,000) as part of the City <http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/Streets/StreetsProgram.asp> 's street maintenance program. Now, as part of the buffered bike lane design, construction is starting on the southbound Bus Stop treatments. Sections of asphalt are being cut out of the roadway at all the bus stops between Chevrier and Plaza Drive (see southbound Pembina jpg) to provide 'enhanced bus stop design <http://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/MajorProjects/ActiveTransportation/PembinaBu fferedBikeLanes/default.stm> '. Not sure if the bus stop will be identified with raised surfacing or colored surfacing and expect the bike lane to transition into the existing sidewalk curbs. This will be interesting to watch unfold. Northbound Pembina: This year, as part of the City's street maintenance program, northbound Pembina (between Chevrier and Plaza Drive) was scheduled for new asphalt surfacing. This new asphalt surfacing is occurring simultaneously with the buffered bike lane project on the northbound side of Pembina. See the attached north bound Pembina jpgs highlighting the new roadway asphalt surfacing, bus stops awaiting enhanced design and soon to be constructed new sidewalk sections. PAINT & POLY POSTS: The final touches - once all asphalting / concrete is complete, there are to special paint markings installed on the roadway to provide a 'buffer' from vehicular traffic and the bike lane AND what I consider the most important part of this project - the installation of poly posts (upright posts) to create a 'visual separation' between vehicular traffic and the bike lane. SIGNAGE & PROMOTION: In theory - this new bike facility is to be 'intuitive' related to how it is used. (Wasn't the thought that traffic circles were 'intuitive'??!) I'm hoping there will be some kind of AWARENESS campaign about the buffered bike lanes. I really believe a lot of folks still think Pembina is being widened for vehicles - all in preparation for the new stadium. Last year saw upwards of $6 M worth of roadway improvements in the Pembina and Bison / Chancellor area related to the new stadium. COST for BUFFERED BIKE LANES: I've not heard what the final cost for the bike lanes will be - noting it is incorporated with the northbound Pembina new roadway asphalting project. (~ $1M) All very exciting for sure! Janice Lukes

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New 40 km/h speed limit on local residential streets (Montreal)
by Anders Swanson 14 Oct '12

14 Oct '12

*[Stumbled upon this today. Text copied below. To see associated schematics and images, see the original source: City of Montreal<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=5957,54865598&_dad=portal&_…>- A.S.] * Introduction of the 40-km/h speed limit in Montréal's boroughs On December 14, 2009, Ms. Manon Barbe, executive committee member responsible for transportation, and Mr. Claude Trudel, executive committee member in charge of public safety, announced measures to introduce the reduced 40 km/h<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=5957,55187595&_dad=portal&_…>(from 50 km/h) speed limit on local residential streets. New signage by sector was implemented first in 2009 in Lachine, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Rosemont-La Petite Patrie, Saint-Laurent and two parts of Ville-Marie. The new speed limit is being introduced gradually in all of Montréal's boroughs between now and the end of 2010. The city will consult the other 15 reconstituted cities on the island of Montréal to coordinate the introduction of the new speed limit across the Montréal agglomeration. *...* In boroughs where there are already streets with a 40 km/h speed limit, the new signage by sector wuill be installed in order to harmonize this measure across the city. Drivers develop a number of automatic behaviours that make driving easier. Setting the same speed limits in similar road environments helps drivers to understand the desired behaviour more easily, which helps to improve safety. Furthermore, the new signs are more reflective, which makes them more visible. *How does it work?* As a rule, the speed limit will remain at 50 km/h along the main arteries. This limit will apply also to industrial zones, as well as roads where transit priority initiatives are in effect (reserved lanes, bus rapid transit service). The 30-km speed limit will apply to school zones and near parks, as posted. The *sector* concept was used as part of the introduction of the 40-km/h speed limit, to reduce the number of signs which would have to be installed. Signs that read MAXIMUM 40 – SECTEUR will be posted at the entrance to a residential sector. Motorists must obey the speed limit until they see another speed-limit sign. When SECTEUR does not appear on a speed-limit sign, the speed limit is only in effect along the road on which the sign is posted. The new by-law comes into force 90 days after adoption by the borough council: - Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve : September 14, 2010 - Ahuntsic-Cartierville : August 1, 2010 - Saint-Léonard : August 1, 2010 - Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension : August 2, 2010 - Le Sud-Ouest: July 5, 2010 - Le Plateau–Mont-Royal: July 5, 2010 - Saint-Laurent: December 30, 2009 - Two sectors in Ville-Marie (see map): December 28, 2009 - Lachine: December 27, 2009 - Pierrefonds-Roxboro: December 27, 2009 - Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie: December 27, 2009 At all times, motorists must obey signs and speed limits in force. ... *Where does the 40-km/h speed limit apply?* The reduced speed limit has been implemented in Lachine, Le Sud-Ouest, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont - La Petite-Patrie, Saint-Laurent and two sectors of Ville-Marie. The maps below show speed limits for each borough. will be implemented first in the Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Saint-Laurent, Lachine and Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie boroughs, as well as in two sectors in Ville-Marie. - Ahuntsic-Cartierville<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/8C8D79A08F446018E0430A93013…>[778,6 ko - 1 page] - Lachine<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/transport_v2_fr/media/docu…>[1,19 Mo - 1 page] - Le Sud-Ouest<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/8AE917C457ADD078E0430A93013…>[1,9 Mo - 1 page] - Le Plateau–Mont-Royal<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/8AE870629B63B090E0430A93013…>[1,4 Mo - 1 page] - Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/90CB00709933A0DCE0430A93013…>[628,1 ko - 1 page] - Pierrefonds<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/transport_v2_fr/media/docu…>[2,12 Mo - 1 page] - Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/transport_v2_fr/media/docu…>[1,34 Mo - 1 page] - Saint-Laurent<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/transport_v2_fr/media/docu…>[1,88 Mo - 1 page] - Saint-Léonard<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/8F2554EEBDE220B6E0430A93013…>[1,5 Mo - 1 page] - Ville-Marie<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/transport_v2_fr/media/docu…>[1,26 Mo - 1 page] - Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension<http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/url/ITEM/8C8D14B4910B106AE0430A93013…>[522,6 ko - 1 page] The new speed limit will be gradually extended to the rest of Montréal boroughs by the end of the year 2010, and measures will be taken with the 15 related municipalities to harmonize the new speed limit throughout the urban agglomeration. *Why is Montréal reducing the speed limit?* The Transportation Plan aims to reduce accidents by 40 per cent by the year 2018. Several measures have already been implemented as part of the 17th annual workshop, which included improving safety at intersections, introducing countdown displays at pedestrian crossings and emphasizing road safety awareness campaigns. These measures have helped significantly to reduce the number of accidents within the urban agglomeration since 2007. In fact, 13 per cent fewer deaths were reported at the end of 2008, all categories included. The 40-km/h speed limit is one of several measures to improve the quality of living for Montrealers. It will help to reduce the probability and severity of injuries, since the odds of motorists fatally injuring a pedestrian with their vehicle are 70 per cent at 50 km/h and 25 per cent at 40 km/h. The impact of the new speed limit will be reviewed closely to determine if the goals regarding motorist behaviour and fatality reduction have been achieved. Other appropriate measures may be introduced as per the results and conclusions of this review.

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“Do It Like The Dutch & Danes”: A Guide To Becoming A Bike Friendly Mecca
by Beth McKechnie 13 Oct '12

13 Oct '12

“Do It Like The Dutch & Danes”: A Guide To Becoming A Bike Friendly Mecca *Why are some European cities cycling mad? And how can other cities copy their infrastructure? ECF spoke to Kalle Vaismaa, co-author of the book “Best European Practices in Promoting Cycling and Walking”. * Working for the Transport Research Centre at the Tampere University of Technology, Vaismaa spent more than two years researching the best cycle infrastructure that Europe has to offer and compiling it into a 269 page book packed full of colour photos and diagrams. “We originally published the book in Finnish,” explains Vaismaa, “but then we realized there was a huge demand for it in Europe and now it has been translated into English.” It’s easy to see why people were eager to get their hands on this gem. The book looks at some of Europe’s most famous cycling cities with insight into cycling greats such as Groningen, Strasbourg, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. And it comes as no surprise as to which countries do cycling infrastructure best. Read more: http://www.ecf.com/news/do-it-like-the-dutch-danes-a-guide-to-becoming-a-bi…

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ITE E-newsletter 10.11.12
by Beth McKechnie 11 Oct '12

11 Oct '12

Some interesting AT-related articles in the ITE newsletter below... *From:* Institute of Transportation Engineers [mailto:info@ite.ccsend.com] *On Behalf Of *Institute of Transportation Engineers *Sent:* Thursday, October 11, 2012 1:03 PM *To:* Kurylko, Robert *Subject:* ITE E-newsletter 10.11.12 Having trouble viewing this email? Click here <http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=umc9fycab&v=001BpBBz7jUJ…> *[image: ITE Banner]* [image: ITE E-Newsletter] * * *10.11.12* *FHWA Releases 2012 Version of Interactive Highway Safety Design Model* http://www.ihsdm.org/wiki/Welcome<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdXsVrmSUCfHUjOP9o-SciOZYuPCQKf7MKk…> Analysis Tool: *Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)* FHWA has released version 8.0.0 of the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM), a suite of software analysis tools for evaluating safety and operational effects of geometric design decisions. The 2012 release includes a Crash Prediction Module (CPM) that implements the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual (HSM), Part C: Predictive Method. The 2012 version also includes a Beta version of crash prediction capabilities for mainline freeway segments, based on draft HSM materials developed under National Cooperative Highway Research Project 17-45. *Driving Down the Numbers - Toward Zero Deaths* http://youtu.be/E9sImnOIS3M<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKemsM6j6WNu-jtnNPuhpSvetFJHb16nNOoU…> Video: *Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT)* The compelling RIDOT video promotes the concept of zero deaths on roads and highways. The video features interviews with Rhode Island residents who respond to a series of questions about highway safety. When asked to think about themselves, family members, and friends, the majority of people positively respond to the zero deaths message *Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21)* http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKfd5sYKlot47R4_TEBStzWRuk2-SzH1o-lJ…> Guidance Documents: *Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)* FHWA has posted new guidance documents and an expanded set of questions and answers on the MAP-21 website. The guidance covers Infrastructure; Environment, Planning, and Realty; Safety; Operations; Innovative Program Delivery; and Federal Lands. *Introducing the Redesigned www.dot.gov* http://www.dot.gov/briefing-room/introducing-redesigned- wwwdotgov<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdTFfHmHLWNrjUYq9ZTovVMf9HyUYGkZ7LD…> Website: *U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)* The USDOT website has been redesigned to help the reader find what is needed as easily as possible, to make the most popular resources more accessible, and to improve the arrangement of the website resources. *40 years of Swindon's Magic Roundabout* http://www.itv.com/news/west/2012-10-09/40-years-of-swindons-magic-roundabo…<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKd2wlABFKFFgIEJXfX7WR16-gVrI_r6ZvKX…> News Report: *ITV News* The article describes an atypical roundabout design in Great Britain that consists of five mini-roundabouts arranged around a sixth central, anti-clockwise roundabout. An aerial photograph is included. *Investigation of Pedestrian/Bicyclist Risk in Minnesota Roundabout Crossings* http://www.its.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/ reportdetail.html?id=2186<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKcR4vScRot0pd9k8z90526kh1cumiTCESWJ…> Research Report: *University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies* The report investigates pedestrian accessibility at two urban roundabouts in Minnesota, addressing complaints from pedestrians regarding difficulties in crossing and safety. The methodology includes a sufficiently large number of observations on the interactions between pedestrians or bicyclists and vehicles. The results highlight and categorize the existence of friction between pedestrians and motorists at roundabout crossings. *Sharing the Road: Optimizing Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Vehicle Mobility* http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9622_11045_24249-279311--,00.html<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKfUi0qWmLxxFBydgwjrKDPPhjfKdgKhmzEN…> Research Report: *Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)* The report reviews roadway improvements designed to enhance bicyclist, pedestrian, and motorist safety and mobility. The report includes a review of national design guidelines on methods to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, a case study analysis of recently completed improvements in Michigan, and a set of recommended best design practices for walking and bicycling. *Ride-Sharing Services Grow Popular in Europe* http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/01/technology/ride-sharing- services-grow-popular-in-europe.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdH_W1J-58hKxGfTxYybEEsV68BVI48dFKw…> News Report: *New York Times* Private rideshare matching services are flourishing throughout Europe. Two companies based in France and Germany together have more than 6 million registered users. Expansion to the rest of Europe is underway. *Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes Handbook, Third Edition; Chapter 16, Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities* http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/167122.aspx<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKemCbGLf_PB1UQqlnDbXE7vvchwa4FDWp-J…> Research Report: *Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) of the Transportation Research Board (TRB)* TCRP has published the non-motorized transportation chapter of the Traveler Response Handbook series. The chapter synthesizes available findings on observed effects of pedestrian and bicycle improvements and programs, covering both travel demand and public health outcomes and implications. The chapter is available as a free download or a print copy can be purchased. Accompanying PowerPoint slides may be downloaded. *Utah Officials Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Traffic Signal that Debuted in Salt Lake City* http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/ 3795d8a4d70a4b13800dee0425c7db34/UT--Celebrating-Stoplights<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKeT8DoDthSlWVw5PnT2-GRBgttvxQ2QLRf7…> http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/55027680-90/1912-green- invention-lake.html.csp<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKc6k6fhKkhDugdtI8IhfJPvrhetY5KG93pz…> News Articles: *The Republic and The Salt Lake Tribune* Utah is celebrating the 100th anniversary of a traffic signal developed by Lester Farnsworth Wire, arguably the inventor of the world's first electric traffic light in 1912. The second article includes a photograph of the birdhouse-like box with red and green bulbs on each side to signal stop and go to travelers. *Data from Only State that Tracks Dooring Show Its Big Problem* http://transportationnation.org/2012/09/28/data-from-only- state-that-tracks-dooring-show-its-big-problem/<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdxLeCkCGhqRWA09nDqli2MyMeFe12rgYXl…> News Article: *Transportation Nation* Data from Chicago shows that dooring - a crash that involves a bicyclist hitting an open car door - represented nearly 20 percent of all reported bike crashes in 2011. *Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities 2012 Request for Letters of Interest* http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/buildingblocks/ building-blocks-2012-rfli-9-25-12-final.pdf<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKcj-jhrNMeTBCfQdl-bVmp2gpgkL6PRI9xI…> Request for Letters of Interest: *Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)* EPA is offering help to communities through its Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. The quick and targeted technical assistance areas include conducting parking audits, creating Green Streets strategies, and planning bikeshare programs. Applications for the assistance are due October 26. *2012 National Rural ITS Conference* http://www.nritsconference.org/Proceedings2012.html<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdA3dj_z9J0-o_Qx5-gy7JBbtujxB87YXlQ…> Conference Proceeding: *2012 National Rural ITS Conference* The conference brought together traditional and non-traditional ITS users to address rural safety, multi-agency coordination, transit and other topics. The website provides links to 34 presentations given covering topics such as adaptive traffic signal control, work zone traffic management plans, and motorist information systems. *In Bike-Friendly Copenhagen, Highways for Cyclists* http://www.npr.org/2012/09/01/160386904/in-bike-friendly- copenhagen-highways-for-cyclists<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKf6HmbVvskV_SuO3lIbVcETr5Xw7wUj3pvB…> News Report: *National Public Radio (NPR)* NPR reports on the development of a "cycling superhighway" in Copenhagen where currently one-third of commute trips are by bicycle. Existing features such as traffic signals timed to accommodate bicyclists and the placement of footrests with bars to lean on at signalized intersections are also featured. *Highway Robbery - The Real Cost of Traffic Jams* http://www.nationwide.com/cps/road-congestion-infographic.htm<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKeyLI6Qg5zgAaPTvgDwt-OoWeWuoKkfIcdr…> Infographic: *Nationwide Insurance* The infographic highlights several facts covering the causes of traffic congestion, the average duration of traffic congestion per day by month of the year, and the amount of excess fuel consumption that is a result of traffic congestion. *'Terminus' Teaches Transportation Planning to High Schoolers* http://www.gatech.edu/newsroom/release.html?nid=158521<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKe2dVgIE8C9fiAdwe-H4uPzxoH9c1wPWIdq…> Press Release: *Georgia Institute of Technology* Three Georgia Tech graduate students have developed a game that teaches high school students how transportation planning works. *Transportation/Land Use Greenhouse Gas Reduction Toolkit* http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP/Pages/GHGToolkit.aspx<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKe-BBCVfLlKVRkP9CnsjX9m48gBdCFvWVi9…> Toolkit: *Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)* ODOT has assembled a toolkit to help local jurisdictions identify and explore the kinds of actions and programs which can be implemented to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. The toolkit measures include pricing, land use, bicycle and pedestrian, public transportation, transportation demand management, operations, capacity expansion and bottleneck relief, fleet, and freight. The toolkit has several components which can be used together or independently: Database; Modeling and Analysis Tools Report; Case Studies; and a Communications Guide. *Road Safety in the United States: Are the (Relatively) Good Times Over?* http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/ 93637/1/102887.pdf<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKfz2Rhsmy6bMjQynumHcHTx0uFaeYfwM7y5…> Research Report: *University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI)* The UMTRI research reports that over the 7-year period ending in 2011, road fatalities in the U.S. decreased 26 percent. Data have indicated that a reversal of this trend might be now taking place. [image: Like us on Facebook]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKcdWZ8JAXPCSRtRumm4za902T805xKURPbd…> [image: Follow us on Twitter]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKdPyHBEUo_0yVcjWgAjHu05x8EErqTTaqlL…> [image: View our profile on LinkedIn]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKctjuXMk2EbhkW6rRVuTF7p1uHwP0OiLHCd…> [image: ITE Community]<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001VdSws4-9JKfiR7X1LqffVg92vHRhZ1bKYQeCIsOEePxO…> <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001kkqO0FxDKZT4vX7yz6nMv4DYC…> <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?pn=buynow&cc=TEM_RSS_001> This email was sent to robert.kurylko(a)stantec.com by info(a)ite.org | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&mse=001kkqO0FxDKZT4vX7yz6nMv4DYC…>™ | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. Institute of Transportation Engineers | 1627 Eye Street NW | Suite 600 | Washington | DC | 20006

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Mark Your Calendars - Two Important Bicycle Infrastructure Design Training Sessions in November
by Anders Swanson 11 Oct '12

11 Oct '12

*A quick note about two important and complementary training opportunities. This is aimed squarely at those planners/engineers/folks interested in applying the best and latest in bicycle infrastructure design principles to all kinds of projects. There is a cost associated with each session, yet it is recommended that you plan to attend both if at all possible to get the full perspective. Knowledge is, after all, much cheaper than concrete! * *Monday November 19 TAC is offering a seminar on bicycle facility guidelines in Winnipeg: http://www.tac-atc.ca/english/seminars/cycling.cfm Thursday November 22 and Friday November 23 Kickstand sessions* Mobycon <http://www.mobycon.com/page/352/about.html> and Copenhagnize<http://copenhagenize.eu/clients.html>are presenting a made-for-North America two-day workshop on applying the hallmarks of Dutch and Danish cycling policy, engineering and bicycle culture principles to Canada. This presentation is aimed at combining Canadian guidelines and European know-how to come up with solutions adapted to North America. http://kickstandsessions.com/ * I am part of the organizing team for the latter. The local steering committee is meeting next week to finalize location, but the dates are firm. Registration is in fact already open. More details and ancilliary events to follow. If anyone wants more info in the meantime, feel free to call me.* * Anders Swanson 204-797-1962 *

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Charleswood "Transportation" Study
by Mark Cohoe 11 Oct '12

11 Oct '12

Hi, I attended the Charleswood Transportation Study Public Information Display tonight, and the news was quite bad. The draft plan completely ignores the city's AT policy in their recommendations for Shaftesbury. They are recommending widening this road to four excessivley wide lanes without providing any cycling facilities at all on a roadway that connects one of the city's main east west AT corridors (the Harte Trail) to Assiniboine Park, the Canadian Mennonite Museum, and a critical bicycle pedestrian bridge over the Assiniboine River. This is despite the fact that north of the study area, a multi-use pathway runs along the west side of Shaftesbury all the way to the pedestrian/bicycle bridge and over the Assinboine River. I wish I could say I was surprised by this, but in truth it is not at all surprising. Beyond the issue with Shaftesbury, both Shaftesbury and Taylor/West Taylor were omitted from the City's network of proposed AT facilities, and while both Grant and Roblin were correctly marked as having sharrows, there was no indication that these would ever be upgraded to something useful such as a bike lane, or better yet, a buffered bicycle lane or cycle track, which would be warranted. In fact, I was told point blank by one of the MMM staff that AT was not within the mandate of the study other than to identify existing facilities. Shaftesbury was the one exception, but as I indicated above, they have inexplicably excluded any cycling facilities from their recommendation to widen this roadway to four lanes (each 4m wide)! The only other AT related recommendation I saw was what appeared to be a recommendation to remove the restriction on right turns on red in front of a busy pedestrian crossing leading to Royal School. Here are the points I think need to be made: 1. Any widening of Shaftesbury needs to include a bicycle path and sidewalk on the west side of the roadway 2. A bicycle/pedestrian overpass for the Harte Trail must be included in any southward extension of the William Clement Parkway 3. Bicycle lanes or cycle tracks should be added to West Taylor and Taylor from Shaftesbury to Kenaston 4. A recommendation to add buffered bicycle lanes or cycle tracks to Grant and Roblin as part of any future rehabilitation 5. The study needs to look into traffic calming on North/South residential streets in the study area that would encourage more cycling and walking, especially on streets leading to schools and commercial nodes 6. If the city had maintained the AT Advisory Committee, these errors would have been spotted prior to the public information display This can likely all be paid for if they simply reduce the lane width on Shaftesbury from 4m to a more reasonable 3.35m (11 ft), which is still wider than the current edition of the Highway Capacity Manual (The Green Book) recommends. Mark

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You're Invited: Creative Commuting Ambassador Training I and II
by Jessie Klassen 09 Oct '12

09 Oct '12

*Creative Commuting Ambassador Training I * You are invited to a FREE, half-day interactive workshop on becoming a Creative Commuting Ambassador at your workplace! Get the tools and guidance to help improve commuter options on-site and support your coworkers to get the most out of their commutes. *Hands-on training and resources you'll get at the workshop:* - Training in bike route planning - Experience with all the latest Winnipeg Transit tools - An evaluation of your workplace's existing commuter options - A folder filled with tools and resources relevant to your workplace - Ideas for a simple project to apply these tools and resources right away *Workshop date:* Thursday, November 1st, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm * Workshop location*: EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) Creative Commuting Ambassador Training II: Behaviour Change Do you want to sing the praises of creative commuting with your co-workers, but no one seems to be listening? This FREE, interactive half-day training session is for you! Explore the many facets of behaviour change from a social marketing, transitions, and systems perspective. Walk away with some strategies you can apply to create a more commuter friendly and active workplace. *Hands-on training and resources you’ll get at the workshop:* - Tools and strategies to engage your co-workers more effectively - Greater knowledge of behaviour change - Local success stories - Program and communication ideas you can begin to apply right away *Workshop date:* Thursday, November 8th, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Workshop location:* EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) * Register today by contacting Jessie Klassen at 925-3772 or jessie(a)greenactioncentre.ca. * ** *Jessie Klassen* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca>| Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3772 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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Economic Benefits of Cycling - Updated US Report
by Beth McKechnie 05 Oct '12

05 Oct '12

[Circulated by Alan Medcalf on Share the Road (Canada) LinkedIn group] Economic Benefits of Cycling - updated US report This 2009 report was republished this past July, incorporating updated material. It provides a clear picture of the myriad economic benefits to be accrued from supporting cycling, from multiple perspectives. Report at: http://www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/Final_Econ_Update(small)…<http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eadvocacyadvance%2Eo…>

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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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