- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Bike Parking in Chicago
by David Wieser 21 May '09

21 May '09

WOW, check out the bike parking facility they have had in Chicago since 2005. Could this be something similar to what is going to be built at the University of Winnipeg? Could this be what could be designed into the new Bombers stadium at the University of Manitoba for a bike valet? http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/bike-parking-respect-in-chicago-mcdonal… David Wieser

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NYC's streets are to behave - New York Times, May 21, 2009
by Beth McKechnie 21 May '09

21 May '09

In the Future, New York Citys Streets Are to Behave Imagine narrow European-style roadways shared by pedestrians, cyclists and cars, all traveling at low speeds. Sidewalks made of recycled rubber in different colors under sleek energy-efficient lamps. Mini-islands jutting into the street, topped by trees and landscaping, designed to further slow traffic and add a dash of green. This is what New York City streets could look like, according to the Bloomberg administration, which has issued the citys first street design manual in an effort to make over the utilitarian 1970s-style streetscape that dominates the city. Article online at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/nyregion/20streets.html?_r=2&ref=todayspa… NYC street design manual at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/streetdesignmanual.shtml

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NYC report - bringing back pedestrian streets
by Beth McKechnie 12 May '09

12 May '09

Interesting summary of New York City's experience in closing streets to cars and opening them to pedestrians and other AT users. Find the full report (55 pages, publ. March 2009) at: http://www.transalt.org/files/newsroom/reports/2009/walk_in_my_street.pdf -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Executive Summary In the summer of 2008, thousands of New Yorkers took a walk in the street. For a handful of weekends strung throughout the summer, several streets around New York City were opened to people instead of cars, bringing the idea of pedestrian streets back into the sun after a three-decade exile in history's dustbin. Transportation Alternatives studied this effort to reintroduce pedestrianization to the streets of New York, documenting three community-driven street events-Summer Space on Montague Street in Brooklyn, the 78th Street Play Street in Queens, and Williamsburg Walks on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The results paint a picture of a New York desperate for more public and community space, and New Yorkers ready to make the most of what they have: * Opening the street to people is a boon to local retail: Montague Street retailers experienced 26% higher sales during Summer Space than on comparable days in 2007, on average. * People who have experienced a pedestrian street want more: before the closure, 42% of respondents said they would visit Montague Street if it were closed to auto traffic; during the closure this number jumped by an additional 30%. * Pedestrianization improves visitors' perceptions of a street: the percentage of respondents who rated the pedestrian experience of Montague Street as "Good" or "Very Good" increased from 79% before the closure to 97% during. * Opening the street to people builds community: 100% of those surveyed at the 78th Street Play Street felt that the event "enhanced the park and farmers' market". * Pedestrian streets encourage walking: during the Williamsburg Walks event, 47% of those surveyed said that they had walked to the event, a 14% improvement over normal levels. The experiences of these three events points to a clear conclusion: thirty years after political expediency killed pedestrian streets in New York City, they are making a comeback. And with the help of dedicated, savvy community organizers, they are successfully bringing new open spaces into the communities that need them most.

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Active & Green Spring 2009
by Jessie Klassen 08 May '09

08 May '09

Hello All and Happy Spring! (Apologies for cross-postings) Our new issue of Active & Green is out. Visit the link at: http://www.resourceconservation.mb.ca/news/pdfs/Active%20&%20Green%20Spring% 202009.pdf We hope you will share it widely with your colleagues, family and friends. Here are a few highlights from the Active & Green Spring 2009 issue: * Commuter Challenge and Be a Winner! * Clean Air Day on the Bridge * Take the Green Leap Forward * How to Host a Webinar * The Evidence is Mounting: New Studies Released * New City Bike Map Released * Let Otto Come To * Power to the Pedals Contest * Green Commuting Highlights from Elsewhere If for some reason you are not able to access the link, please contact us and we will email the pdf file directly or provide a hard copy for posting at your workplace. Stay Active & Green, Jessie Klassen Green Commuting Initiatives, Workplace Transporation Demand Management Tel: (204) 925-3772 Email: jessie(a)resourceconservation.mb.ca Resource Conservation Manitoba 303 Portage Ave, 3rd Floor Winnipeg, MB R3B 2B4 Fax: (204) 942-4207 web: www.resourceconservation.mb.ca

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CFLRI resources: Making the Case for AT
by Beth McKechnie 08 May '09

08 May '09

http://www.cflri.ca/eng/active_transportation/index.php Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute: Making the Case for Active Transportation Information bulletins have been developed for professionals and community members who want to build a case for active transportation in their community. Academic, government and non-government sources are used to build a strong case for implementing active transportation opportunities at the local level. Canadian sources are used whenever available. All bulletins are available in English and French. Each bulletin includes evidence that supports the investment of time and resources for active transportation opportunities at the local level. They focus on designing communities for moving people and not cars. Recommended actions to increase and strengthen collaborative partnerships for active transportation are also included. Making the Case for Active Transportation: a.. # 1 - Health Benefits (download now) b.. # 2 - Barriers to Active Transportation (download now) c.. # 3 - Economic Benefits (coming soon) d.. # 4 - Environmental Benefits (coming soon) e.. # 5 - Built Infrastructure (coming soon) f.. # 6 - Safety (coming soon) g.. # 7 - Increasing Social Capital (download now) h.. # 8 - Role for Municipal Decision Makers (download now) Other AT resources from CFLRI: . Research File - Active Transportation (09-04): http://www.cflri.ca/eng/research_file/index.php . Lifestyle Tips - Active Transportation (2009 series): http://www.cflri.ca/eng/lifestyle/index.php

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Bike article round-up
by Beth McKechnie 08 May '09

08 May '09

Bixi bikeshare launched in Montreal: http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/628997 NOW Magazine: It's a bike-friendly world http://www.nowtoronto.com:80/daily/story.cfm?content=169259 Globe and Mail: Pedal Power to the People: Ride on! http://www.theglobeandmail.com:80/servlet/story/LAC.20090502.STLEAH02ART134… CBC News: City to convert 1 traffic lane on Burrard Bridge for bicyclists (Vancouver) http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/05/07/bc-burrard-bike-…

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MB News Release: Rondeau Appoints Members to New Active Transportation Advisory Group
by Beth McKechnie 08 May '09

08 May '09

Manitoba News Release ............................................................ May 7, 2009 RONDEAU APPOINTS MEMBERS TO NEW ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP Science, Technology, Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau today appointed 11 people to the Active Transportation Advisory Group which will make recommendations for improving Manitoba's active transportation policy and infrastructure. "Having a strong active transportation policy improves our environment, complements our transportation systems, provides better recreation opportunities and enhances our personal and public health," said Rondeau. Appointed to the board are Janice Lukes (chair), Terry Zdan, Anders Swanson, Russell Wychreschuk, Tim Deacon, Marcela Rivera, Mark Cohoe, Pat Locken, Gary Ewen, Murray Haukaas and Steve Paulson. "The creation of the Active Transportation Advisory Group illustrates the province's recognition of the importance of investing in varied transportation choices," said Lukes. "Having transportation choices will have a positive impact on the health, environment and social aspects of our communities." Rondeau noted the group will look at provincial bicycle policy, development of multi-user recreational trails and ways to incorporate both recreational and commuter trails into an overall network. It will also make recommendations on improved signage, bicycle safety, cycling tourism and assess to the economic benefits of active transportation infrastructure. - 30 -

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Active Transportation - Canada: May 7, 2009
by Beth McKechnie 07 May '09

07 May '09

From: Michael Haynes Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 4:00 PM Subject: Active Transportation - Canada: May 7, 2009 Active Transportation - Canada features a regular posting of news articles, studies, reports, and other items that have relevance in this field, with previous postings available in an archive. In addition, pictures of existing Active Transportation infrastructure from communities across Canada will be profiled each week. The following items have recently been posted to the Active Transportation - Canada Blog. To view in more detail, go to: http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.com **************************************************************************************************** AT Infrastructure Example: Lethbridge AB - Pdestrian/Cycling Bridge separated from busy road 1.. Resource - New Active Transportation Fact Sheets 2.. Event - Car-Free Vancouver Day 2009 3.. Article - Cyclists sought for project on improving Winnipeg pathways 4.. Article - Municipalities get moving on sustainable transportation 5.. Article - Montreal pedals past us 6.. Article - Toronto: Four Wheels Good, Two Wheels Bad 7.. Brochure - The Myths and Facts about “Shared Use” Trails in Nova Scotia 8.. Report - I Walk in My Street 9.. Article - Italian Government Spurs Bike Sales with Incentives 10.. Article - Seoul spends on bicycles 11.. Article - Calgary: School bans skateboards 12.. Report - Planning for Cycling: Report to Cycling England 13.. Article - Ireland: The tricky transition to two wheels 14.. Article - Scotland: More children walking to school 15.. Article - UK: Speed limit to be cut on A-roads in bid to save 1,000 lives **************************************************************************************************** A reminder e-mail of new postings will be sent no more often than once per week. To continue to receive these updates, you need take no action. Should you not wish to receive updates, please return this e-mail with "Unsubscribe" in the Subject area. Interested in an AT workshop in your community? For more information, please contact: Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions activetransportation(a)rogers.com 613.424.2803

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Commuter Challenge launch this Thurs, May 7 at the Forks Skateboard Plaza
by Beth McKechnie 04 May '09

04 May '09

Please join us to kick off the 10th annual Commuter Challenge! Thursday, May 7 at the The Forks, Skateboard Park at 10:00 am (Rain location will be under the centre pavilion tent or just inside the Forks Market in the Atrium) The Commuter Challenge is a national sustainable transportation event to celebrate Environment Week, May 31-June 6. This friendly competition encourages individuals in workplaces and schools to adopt "green" forms of transportation. Last year, over 13,000 Manitobans from more than 200 workplaces and schools participated! This year we're celebrating the 10th year of Commuter Challenge in Manitoba featuring a $10,000 grand prize in our "Be A Winner" promotion. Minister Jim Rondeau and Mayor Sam Katz will be speaking at the kick-off, encouraging Manitobans and Winnipeggers to participate in the Commuter Challenge, and highlighting the numerous environmental, social, economic and health benefits of active living and green commuting. Jackie Avent from Resource Conservation Manitoba, Megan Tate from the Winnipeg Foundation and Paul Jordan from The Forks will also be presenting. For more information about the Commuter Challenge, please contact: Becky Elko, Commuter Challenge Coordinator Resource Conservation Manitoba303 Portage Avenue, 3rd FloorWinnipeg, MB R3B 2B4 Phone: 204.925.3775 / Fax: 204.942.4207 www.resourceconservation.mb.ca

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Ottocycle GPS study details
by Beth McKechnie 01 May '09

01 May '09

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WFP: Winnipeg unveils three bike-friendly initiatives (Apr.30'09)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Apr '09

30 Apr '09

[Winnipeg Free Press] Winnipeg unveils three bike-friendly initiatives WINNIPEG The city has announced three bike-friendly initiatives for this spring: a new cycling map for Winnipeg, the upcoming Bike to Work Day in June, and a GPS project that will let hundreds of cyclists track their routes around the city. The 2009 Winnipeg Cycling Map replaces a 1999 version commissioned for the Pan-Am games, and is available at bike shops and other Winnipeg stores as of today. To find the nearest location, call 925-5686. The GPS project, dubbed OttoCycle, is run by the Centre for Sustainable Transportation and the City of Winnipeg. Over 900 cyclists can track their routes between May and October to see where potential cycling infrastructure could be built in Winnipeg. Anyone who cycles more than once a week is eligible, and can sign up by emailing Ottocycle(a)uwinnipeg.ca or calling 988-7182. Bike to Work Day falls on Friday, June 19 this year. More information is available at www.biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org.

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The Times: Plan for bikeway Powers forward (Apr.30'09)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Apr '09

30 Apr '09

From: Canstar Community News (The Times) http://www.canstarnews.com/page/story/the_times/3867 Plan for bikeway Powers forward By Avi Saper April 30, 2009 Public input will be a key component of the citys plans to turn Powers Street into a bicycle boulevard by the end of the year, says Winnipegs active transportation czar. Were making a significant change to their neighbourhood, said active transportation co-ordinator Kevin Nixon. They have to be onside with whatever we decide to do. They have to understand it, and they have to be in favour of it. The North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists, a group of bicycle activists that has been lobbying the city for two years to make Powers more bike-friendly, will be hosting a public meeting at Pritchard Park Community Centre beginning at 6:30 p.m. on May 14. Residents will be asked at the meeting for their thoughts on how to discourage non-local vehicle traffic from using Powers all the way from Flora Avenue to Leila Avenue while encouraging cyclists and pedestrians. That could mean reducing the number of four-way stops along Powers, installing traffic circles at intersections, narrowing certain sections of the road into chicanes and creating speed humps to slow down cars. Theres a degree of guesswork right now on how all this is going to work, said NWCC member Nona Pelletier. We have an opportunity to do something fantastic here and really change the look of the North End. Pelletier and her husband Greg Littlejohn, who is also a member of NWCC, said Powers is the ideal street for the project because plenty of pedestrians already walk on the road and cyclists use the route year-round. The idea isnt that were going to eliminate cars entirely, Pelletier said. That isnt our intention. The idea is to keep the cars going at the same speed as the bikes. Littlejohn said the eventual goal is to have a street that community members especially children can use on a regular basis to get anywhere they might need to go. In order for that to happen, the communitys safety concerns must be addressed, he said. There isnt that much traffic now (on Powers), Littlejohn said. But it is a street where stolen vehicle are sometimes driven, and some people come down here to avoid the possibility of a breathalyzer. The only comparable bike boulevard the city already has is Argue Street in Lord Roberts, which was created last year. Nixon says the city learned some valuable lessons on the importance of public consultation while working on that project, and will be making sure it hears from all residents by the end of June before proceeding on Powers. Trying to determine where traffic will go instead of Powers is a key consideration, Nixon said, as well as how easily pedestrians and cyclists will be able to get from one end of the street to the other. (This site has) a lot of good things going for it, he said. Theres a good crossing with a crosswalk at Selkirk, and Burrows and Inkster both have medians so youre only crossing one direction of traffic at a time. Residents and city planners are sharing an enthusiasm that the project will soon be a reality. Two years ago, the idea that Powers could be a bikeway didnt exist, Pelletier said. Nixon, who has been working on active transportation since July 2007, said city council is making it easy for him to do his job. Its an exciting time to have this job, he said. Theres a lot of political support for this right now.

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Walking....The NEW Full Body Workout - May 22, 2009
by Deanna Betteridge 30 Apr '09

30 Apr '09

Hello, Can you please assist Winnipeg in motion by promoting the following FREE event and forwarding this information on to your networks? See you at the Library, Deanna ************************************************************************* Take Your Walk to the Next Level! Walking......The NEW full body workout. Walking is great exercise and most of us already walk a little bit every day. The benefits of walking are even greater when you use walking poles or add strength training to it. Join Deanna and Kristine of Winnipeg in motion and Ken Chura of Keenfit as they show you how to get more out of your every day walk. Ken will discuss the advantages of using walking poles and demonstrate how to use them. Deanna and Kristine will show you how to get a full body workout by using simple equipment and objects along your walking route. This session will be held on Friday, May 22, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. in the Carol Shields Auditorium on the second floor of the Millennium Library. Admission is FREE and registration is NOT required - just wear comfortable clothing to join in the activities, or come to watch! Unable to attend? Visit www.winnipeginmotion.ca for great resources related to this session (& many others) to help you and your family get "in motion". Please feel free to pass this information on to your co-workers, family and friends. Contact Winnipeg in motion at 940-3648 for more information. ************************************************************************* Take Your Walk to the Next Level is part of "in motion Fridays", a series of monthly workshops that promote physical activity for better health. The in motion @ the Library series is sponsored by Winnipeg in motion and the Millennium Library. For a complete list of workshops, visit http://www.winnipeginmotion.ca/resources/in_motion_library . ** Sign-up to receive Winnipeg in motion email updates www.winnipeginmotion.ca/signup/ ** ------------------------------------------------------------- Deanna Betteridge, M.Sc. in motion Coordinator 2 - 189 Evanson St. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 0N9 204-940-3264 (w) 204-232-3297 (c) 204-940-8409 (f) E-mail: dbetteridge(a)wrha.mb.ca Web site: www.winnipeginmotion.ca This email and/or any documents in this transmission is intended for the addressee(s) only and may contain legally privileged or confidential information. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, distribution, copying or dissemination is strictly prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and return the original. Ce courriel et tout document dans cette transmission est destiné à la personne ou aux personnes à qui il est adressé. Il peut contenir des informations privilégiées ou confidentielles. Toute utilisation, divulgation, distribution, copie, ou diffusion non autorisée est strictement défendue. Si vous n'êtes pas le destinataire de ce message, veuillez en informer l'expéditeur immédiatement et lui remettre l'original.

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Streetfilms - Portland Bridge
by David Wieser 30 Apr '09

30 Apr '09

Just imagine a bicycle traffic jam on the new Disraeli Bike / Pedestrian Bridge. Check out the new Streetfilms video on the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland, Oregon. http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/portland-bike-rush-hour-on-the-hawthorn… 7000 + bicycle crossings per day 20% of the traffic on the bridge less than 10% of the space David Wieser

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Take a Jane's Walk this weekend - May 2 & 3
by Beth McKechnie 29 Apr '09

29 Apr '09

Hope to see you out on a Jane's Walk this weekend! Check out all the walks at: http://janeswalk.net/participating_cities/winnipeg (Please share widely...)

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City media launch Wed noon - cycling hot topics
by Beth McKechnie 28 Apr '09

28 Apr '09

[forwarded from Bike to the Future] The City of Winnipeg, along with their partners from Bike to the Future, the Winnipeg Trails Association, Climate Change Connection, One Green City, Resource Conservation Manitoba, the Manitoba Cycling Association, and The Centre for Sustainable Transportation will be announcing three exciting Active Transportation initiatives for 2009 on Wednesday April 29th at noon at the City Hall Courtyard: * Winnipeg Cycling Map 2009 will be available at bike shops throughout Winnipeg starting on Wednesday April 29th. http://biketothefuture.org/news/archives/2009/04/28/winnipeg-cycling-map-20… * A GPS cycling study called OttoCYCLE: Building Better Biking in Winnipeg will start on May 1st. http://biketothefuture.org/news/archives/2009/04/19/cycling-gps-mapping-pro… * The 2nd annual Bike to Work Day will be held on Friday June 19th. http://biketothefuture.org/events/archives/2008/12/20/ Mayor Sam Katz, City Councillor Russ Wyatt, City Active Transportation Coordinator Kevin Nixon, and representatives from each partner organization will be attending. A good turnout of cyclists will help launch these three initiatives on a very positive note. Kevin Miller Bike to the Future, Co-Chair http://biketothefuture.org

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Fw: Active Transportation - Canada: April 22, 2009
by Beth McKechnie 22 Apr '09

22 Apr '09

I found the article on "The physics of why bicyclists hate stop signs" particularly interesting. If you want to go straight to the original essay/paper: http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2009/04/physicsofstopping.pdf cheers, Beth ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Haynes Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 9:14 AM Subject: Active Transportation - Canada: April 22, 2009 Active Transportation - Canada features a regular posting of news articles, studies, reports, and other items that have relevance in this field, with previous postings available in an archive. In addition, pictures of existing Active Transportation infrastructure from communities across Canada will be profiled each week. The following items have recently been posted to the Active Transportation - Canada Blog. To view in more detail, go to: http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.com **************************************************************************************************** AT Infrastructure Example: Yellowknife NT - Frame Lake Walkway 1.. Report - Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center: Case Study Compendium 2.. Article - But the emperor has no clothes! 3.. Article - Urban design turning kids off being active 4.. Article - Go ahead, take a walk in the park 5.. Report - The physics of why bicyclists hate stop signs 6.. Article - Ottawa: Skateboarder contests city's helmet proposal 7.. Article - Australia: Eco suburb plan unveiled for city 8.. Video - L.A.’s Orange Line: Bus Rapid Transit (plus bike path!) 9.. Article - Thinner is better to curb global warming, study says 10.. Article - EU Digs Deep in Public Rental Bikes 11.. Article - University of Kentucky plans bicycle permit parking 12.. Article - South Korea: [President] Lee Highlights Plans to Promote Bicycle Use 13.. Article - Plan to reduce speed limit to 30km/h throughout most of Dublin city centre 14.. Article - Taiwan to promote bike tourism 15.. Article - Can Abu Dhabi be a pedestrian city? **************************************************************************************************** A reminder e-mail of new postings will be sent no more often than once per week. To continue to receive these updates, you need take no action. Should you not wish to receive updates, please return this e-mail with "Unsubscribe" in the Subject area. Interested in an AT workshop in your community? For more information, please contact: Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions activetransportation(a)rogers.com 613.424.2803

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Happy Earth Day
by Stacy Matwick 22 Apr '09

22 Apr '09

Interesting post with some good tips. http://www.good.is/post/bike-commuting-and-living-to-tell-about-it/ Cheers Stacy Matwick Information Centre International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Ave. E., 6th floor Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 0Y4 Voice: (204)958-7755 Fax: (204)958-7710 Email: smatwick(a)iisd.ca Website: http://www.iisd.org "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" Groucho Marx "Life is like a bicycle, to keep your balance your must keep on moving" Albert Einstein

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WFP L2E: Make room for cyclists (Apr.21'09)
by Beth McKechnie 21 Apr '09

21 Apr '09

[Nicely expressed letter in today's Winnipeg Free Press. -cheers, Beth] Letters to the Editor Have your say:Make room for cyclists I work downtown and commute by bicycle along Pembina Highway. I do my best to be respectful of motor vehicle drivers and allow enough room for small vehicles to share the lane with me most of the time. However, due to potholes, gravel/sand build-up, and certain areas where lanes are narrow, I need to take the full lane along small stretches of my commute. For safe riding, this is recommended by the Canadian Cycling Association, and permissible under the Highway Traffic Act. I applaud most drivers, because they are respectful of my safety, and change lanes, or give me ample room within my lane as they pass by me. Unfortunately, I also face daily assaults on my safety by an angry few. Drivers speed by within inches of me, cut me off, honk, and even yell profanities. In fact, the other day I was flipped the bird twice on my way home. This message is aimed at those angry few. If I am taking the full lane, I am doing it for safety reasons. It is not intended to upset you, so please don't show your frustration by putting my life at risk. If you are a large truck or SUV driver, we almost certainly can never share a lane, even if I am far to the right. The width of your vehicle does not allow for a reasonably safety cushion of space between us. You need to change lanes to pass me. Again, I'm not trying to upset you by riding my bike, so please do not show your frustration by putting my life at risk. If you still feel frustrated and angry over having to share the road with me, rest assured, we are on the same side! I don't want to be on the road with you either, but I do not have any other options along Pembina Highway. So instead of aiming your anger at me, and thereby putting my life at risk, I suggest you funnel your anger into a letter to your city councillor demanding the city fast track cycling infrastructure. Then, I can be out of your hair and your lane once and for all. Sylvia Buchholz Winnipeg

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TO posts 32% increase in biking to work
by Beth McKechnie 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Toronto posts a 32% increase in biking to work between 2001-2006: http://www.bikingtoronto.com:80/2009/04/biking-to-work-in-toronto-increases… cheers, Beth

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Fw: Active Transportation - Canada: April 8, 2009
by Beth McKechnie 09 Apr '09

09 Apr '09

----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Haynes Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 8:41 AM Subject: Active Transportation - Canada: April 8, 2009 Active Transportation - Canada features a regular posting of news articles, studies, reports, and other items that have relevance in this field, with previous postings available in an archive. In addition, pictures of existing Active Transportation infrastructure from communities across Canada will be profiled each week. The following items have recently been posted to the Active Transportation - Canada Blog. To view in more detail, go to: http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.com **************************************************************************************************** AT Infrastructure Example: Rails with Trails 1.. Conference - Toronto: Bike Summit 2009 2.. Article - Active transportation plan will wait til 2010 3.. Article - Vancouver set to launch bike sharing program 4.. Article - Transit use associated with better fitness, say Canadian researchers 5.. Report - Cycling on the Rise: Public Bicycles and Other European Experiences 6.. Article - Lakefront plan gives pedestrians top priority 7.. Article - Korea: Insurers urged to offer policies for bike riders 8.. Report - Chicago: Bicycle and Pedestrian Crashes in Illinois: 2004-2007 9.. Article - US: City to spend millions on walking paths, bike lanes 10.. Article - Vandalism Doesn't Damage Paris Cycle Hire Scheme 11.. Article - Hey, you! On the cell phone! Watch where you're walking! 12.. Article - Skateboarding at school? Fridley elementary says sure 13.. Article - Skateboarding and yoga boost PE 14.. Article - Skateboard park breaks ground this spring 15.. Article - Documentary deal eases pain of city fine **************************************************************************************************** A reminder e-mail of new postings will be sent no more often than once per week. To continue to receive these updates, you need take no action. Should you not wish to receive updates, please return this e-mail with "Unsubscribe" in the Subject area. Interested in an AT workshop in your community? For more information, please contact: Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions activetransportation(a)rogers.com 613.424.2803

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WFP: Walk to store keeps weight down: study (Apr.7'09)
by Beth McKechnie 07 Apr '09

07 Apr '09

Canada News Walk to store keeps weight down: study By: Joanne Hatherly VICTORIA -- Want to lose weight? Try moving closer to a grocery store. A new study from the University of B.C. shows people who live within a kilometre of a grocery store are half as likely to be overweight, compared to those living in neighbourhoods without grocery stores. The study shows that old-style urban planning that mixes retail with residential zones gets people out of their cars, onto the sidewalks, and helps them keep their weight down. And if one grocery store is good, two or more is even better, the report released Monday showed. Researchers found that every additional store within a kilometre translated into an 11 per cent reduction in the likelihood of being overweight. "People have to access food," said study author Lawrence Frank. "It's a marker for other commercial uses, as well, so it's not just grocery stores that matter." The research found that people walked more often when they lived in neighbourhoods with good street lighting, continuous sidewalks and a variety of shops, services, schools, parks and workplaces within walking distance. The study also linked body mass to urban design, showing that people who live in suburb-style neighbourhoods that force them to drive to the store makes them more likely to be overweight. -- Canwest News Service

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Sharrows webinar - Wed, Apr. 15, 2-3 p.m., EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 06 Apr '09

06 Apr '09

Resource Conservation Manitoba invites you to... SHARED ROADWAY MARKINGS (SHARROWS) WEBINAR Date: Wed, April 15th Time: 2-3 p.m. CST Location: EcoCentre Boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) In a one-hour webinar, Mike Sallaberry, a registered [U.S.] traffic engineer, will discuss the Shared Roadway Marking, or "Sharrow." The sharrow has been accepted in the California MUTCD [Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices] and proposed for inclusion in the next MUTCD; it is becoming a popular addition to a bicycle engineer/planner's toolbox. Mike will provide information about placing and installing the marking on a variety of street types, and will present findings of the San Francisco-sponsored experiment, showing what the marking was and was not able to accomplish. Mike will also provide examples of less-obvious situations where sharrows can be used to address design challenges where other markings, signage, facilities, etc. are inappropriate or insufficient. The Sharrows webinar is part of the Professional Development webinar series , co-hosted by the National Center for Bicycling & Walking (NCBW), the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP), and Cullbridge Communications. Please RSVP as space is limited. cheers, Beth Green Commuting Initiatives Resource Conservation Manitoba (204) 925-3772 www.resourceconservation.mb.ca www.LivingGreenLivingWell.ca

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Jane's Walk 2009 - Lead a walk in your neighbourhood!
by Beth McKechnie 06 Apr '09

06 Apr '09

Jane's Walk Winnipeg - May 2 & 3, 2009 Winnipeg's first year (2008) was a huge success! Over 500 people came out for the 13 walks that were offered in Winnipeg - in spite of snow on the second day! Nationally, over six thousand people took part in Jane's Walk 2008, wandering through 141 neighbourhoods in eleven Canadian cities - Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Guelph, London, Toronto, Thornbury, Ottawa, Charlottetown and Halifax plus Salt Lake City Utah. Be part of Jane's Walk 2009 ! This series of neighbourhood strolls, given and taken for free on the first weekend of May, offers an insider's take on this city's vibrant and fascinating neighbourhoods. The walks showcase great Winnipeg neighbourhoods in a new and exciting manner while celebrating the legacy of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs. Jane's Walk is an exceptional opportunity for Winnipeggers to discover their city - both places they think they know well and places they want to explore. We welcome you to lead a walk as part of this event - in a Winnipeg neighbourhood that you're involved with or where you live, work or play. We already have 8+ walks confirmed with more in the hopper, ranging in neighbourhoods from the West End to Transcona to Gilbert Park to St. Boniface and more. Find out more at: http://www.wolseleypost.mb.ca/janeswalk09invite.pdf Please forward to any friends, family, colleagues or distant acquaintances that you think might be interested. Thank you from the Jane's Walk 2009 volunteer organizers! (Apologies for any cross postings.) Beth, Joel & Jino

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WFP: Winnipeggers race toward sustainability & Symposium on Sustainability (Apr.4'09)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Apr '09

06 Apr '09

Winnipeg Free Press Winnipeggers race toward sustainabilityStaff Writer A sustainability symposium to be held by Mayor Sam Katz later this month will coincide with a green-themed race that will take participants all over downtown Winnipeg. Sprinting Towards Sustainability: An Amazing Race Adventure will let up to 10 teams of two people cycle, walk or run around the course in a bid to win two bicycles worth $600 each. After finishing off five mystery sustainability tasks, participants can check out an eco-pavilion at The Forks Market, where activities will include a composting demonstration, vehicles on display and green prize giveaways. Registration for Katz's Symposium on Sustainability kicks off Monday at 9 a.m. The city says people who want to take part should call early, as the attendance is capped at 100. To sign up, call 986-7367 or visit www.winnipeg.ca/MayorsSymposium. The day-long symposium is happening Saturday, April 25 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's aimed at launching a year-long process to come up with a new official 25-year plan for the City of Winnipeg. The plan would be a successor to Plan Winnipeg, the city's long-term blueprint for land-use and planning. Participants will share their views, take part in round-table discussions and hear from a panel of experts at the symposium. The mayor's environmental reputation took a hit in recent months, with the chair and most members of his environmental advisory committee quitting in February over what they said was a lack of political clout and money. Katz revived the panel later that month and put Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt in charge.

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