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WFP Sou'wester: Community survey results are in (Jan4'21)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jan '21

06 Jan '21

Community survey results are in https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/forum/Community… During the summer, my staff and I created a community needs assessment survey and sent it out to all Fort Garry constituents. We received approximately 100 responses from folks in Fort Garry. Thank you to those who completed the survey. This valuable input will allow me to better represent the constituency and I want to share some common themes that we heard about in your responses. First, I want to take a moment to celebrate the diversity within our constituency. Many respondents have lived in Fort Garry for well over a decade, while others have recently moved here. In recent years, demographics have changed rapidly as more young families, newcomers, and students have arrived in the constituency. I am so proud to represent such a diverse community, and I am committed to representing the diverse needs of our constituency in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. *A common theme in the feedback was the need for increased active transportation infrastructure in Fort Garry. We heard from many folks who want to see more sidewalks, bike lanes, and improvements to road safety to increase safety for pedestrians. During the pandemic, getting outside in the community has been so important for the mental and physical health of Manitobans. I applauded the City of Winnipeg for closing many different streets during the summer to promote active transportation, and I continue to advocate for extended closures of these streets so that Fort Garry residents can continue to enjoy the outdoors safely in our community.* *We also heard from Fort Garry residents that there is a strong desire for better public transportation options and improved access to basic needs like groceries and other essential services.* I understand that ensuring access to transportation and essential services is more important than ever. As we move forward, I will continue to advocate for improvements that will make Fort Garry more accessible, healthy, and vibrant. While this edition of our community survey has since closed, we always welcome your feedback and ideas to improve life for everyone in the constituency. You can call or email my office at mark.wasyliw(a)yourmanitoba.ca or 204-421-4241. I wish you a safe and happy new year! [image: Mark Wasyliw] *Mark Wasyliw* *Fort Garry constituency report* Mark Wasyliw is the NDP MLA for Fort Garry.

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CBC: Ice bikes and new skating trail introduced at Calgary's Bowness Park
by Beth McKechnie 05 Jan '21

05 Jan '21

Like a regular bicycle on a sled platform, they 'are a safe, stable alternative to skating' https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bowness-park-calgary-ice-bikes-trail…

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WFP: City’s slushy sidewalks make for serpentine strolls (Jan5'21)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Jan '21

05 Jan '21

Mild, windy weather turns freshly cleared paths into slippery, wet obstacle courses City’s slushy sidewalks make for serpentine strolls https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/slushy-sidewalks-make-for-serpentin… MAKING use of some Winnipeg sidewalks right now requires some fancy footwork to stay out of the unseasonably slushy morass. The recent mild spell has made the prospect of a fresh-air stroll appealing to many pandemic-forced shut-ins, but it’s important to watch your step. Michael Cantor, the city’s manager of streets maintenance, said that even though the sidewalks were cleared of a recent snowfall by Sunday evening, navigation may still prove challenging, partly due to wind and mild weather that quickly messed up freshly cleaned paths. “It’s usually (due to) blown-in (snow). And… when temperatures go up, the packed snow that was there got a little slushy,” said Cantor. “In conditions like that, it’s difficult for wheelchair users, so when we get calls and we inspect (these places) and we see some trouble areas, we replow them.” Residents made their concerns known across social-media platforms. Abnormally warm conditions, which saw Winnipeg’s temperature rise just above the freezing mark Monday, means hard-frozen snow that would typically offer an even walking surface has softened into slick, treacherous little mounds of slush. “We plow to a compacted snow condition, not bare pavement all the time.… (If) you have two centimetres of compacted snow, you can walk on it when it’s -10 C. But when it becomes 1 C, it could become slushy and then it’s harder to pass,” said Cantor. He urged Winnipeggers who see trouble spots to call 311 to report them. While some Winnipeggers criticized the city for slush piles along the edges of some roads, Cantor said the city’s snow-clearing policy doesn’t require it to deal with residential streets yet. The policy calls for residential street clearing when an inspection deems the routes impassable, which may (but is not guaranteed to) occur after at least 10 cm of snow falls. Since climate change is expected to trigger an increasing number of unseasonably warm winter days, some Winnipeggers are urging the city to explore new winter street-grooming options. “As the climate changes and these freeze-thaw periods are something we see a lot more of… I think it is something the city needs to think about,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. “Instead of having that solid, sort of packed snow base (these conditions create) this slushy mound. It takes a lot more energy to move around in.” Cohoe said he’d like the city to consider making travel easier for pedestrians and cyclists on sidewalks and pathways, possibly through clearing efforts aimed at slush removal. Lindsey Wilson, the chairman of the Island Lakes Residents’ Group, said he believes the city has done a good job plowing sidewalks, but he hopes more will be done to combat the ice that can make sidewalks slick after freezing rainfall, especially just before and after winter. “It becomes hard to walk and there’s a ton of people walking these days,” he said. The city does appear set to study ways to make sidewalks and active transportation routes less dangerous during winter. Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface) raised a successful motion at Monday’s Riel community committee meeting that would direct city staff to study how best to make such paths less slippery. The motion asks the public service to study the health costs of slips and falls on those routes and report on ways to make them safer, which could be tested via pilot projects. “I’m looking to ask the public service for a higher level of service. I think that we’re doing the best we can with available resources. But, certainly, we could do better if we were to allocate more resources,” said Allard, the chairman of council’s public works committee. The study requires the approval of council’s public works committee. Allard said he wants the report to consider increasing sand and salt treatments to add traction, acquiring new snow- and ice-control equipment and possible changes to snow-clearing schedules. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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FYI How accessibility in the transportation system affects well-being
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 05 Jan '21

05 Jan '21

How accessibility in the transportation system affects well-being https://www.itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/dimensions-accessibility-… 181652 How accessibility in the transportation system affects well-being Dimensions of Accessibility Benefits<https://www.itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/dimensions-accessibility-…>, released by the International Transport Forum [cid:image018.jpg@01D6DF7C.29ACAF50] [The COVID-19 pandemic in Canada]<https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https://curio.ca/en/collection/the-covi…>Terry Zdan, BA MEDes [Google (Android 10)] "...Resilience is the ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from, and more successfully adapt to adverse events..." þ Think green, read on screen | Soyez écolo, lisez à l'écran

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WFP: Portage and Main concourse overhaul could hit $47M (Dec31'20)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Dec '20

31 Dec '20

Engineering report says waterproofing membrane, most mechanical and electrical systems need replacing Portage and Main concourse overhaul could hit $47M https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/portage-and-main-overhaul-could-hit… THE City of Winnipeg was once warned the full cost to repair and update the underground concourse at Portage Avenue and Main Street could reach as high as $46.8 million. That potential tab includes $12.6 million to repair the underground over the next 10 years ($16.8 million with inflation), according to the “Portage & Main Underground Concourse Facility Condition Assessment report” written by SMS Engineering Ltd. in May 2019. The cost could soar another $15 million to $20 million higher, if surface work to get access to the roof membrane is included, raising the total price to $32.6 million ($46.8 million with inflation), the report adds. The report cautions that the roof membrane price is a preliminary estimate. The city stresses there’s still work to do to pin down a final price. “At this point in time, those estimates… do not include actual costs or contingencies,” said Kalen Qually, a city spokesman, in an email. The engineering report was posted online with a new request for proposals. The RFP seeks a consultant to design the most immediate and critical underground repairs at the Portage and Main concourse, which opened in 1979, and determine a more refined cost estimate for the work. That plan will address repairs that are required over the next five to 10 years to keep the concourse “accessible and available to the public while the city continues to develop a more comprehensive investment strategy,” wrote Qually. The head of council’s property and development committee said the need for repairs at the aging concourse is obvious. “There’s a lot of work that we know needs to be done. Of course, any time we have (a price estimate) that high it is a bit of a shock… We would have to look at this closely,” said Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre). Gilroy said she believes some of the repairs are critical, including those that address safety. The engineering report details many problems at the aging concourse, including a Portage Avenue skylight that “leaks during any major rain event.” It concludes the waterproofing membrane, most of the mechanical systems and most of the electrical systems are “beyond their theoretical service life” and should be replaced. It also found the site’s “obsolete” fire alarm doesn’t meet current code or life safety standards. Investments in Portage and Main have become a hot topic, especially since Winnipeggers voted against reopening the intersection’s aboveground crossing to pedestrians in 2018. Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital), a former property and development chairman, stressed the underground repairs can’t be ignored, even if pedestrian access never resumes. “It’s not like if we just agreed to crossing at grade, we could have avoided all this cost. It’s some aging infrastructure that needs to be fixed up,” said Mayes. The RFP calls for detailed drawings to repair leakage to concrete foundation walls, a complete roofing system replacement and a skylight replacement at 210 Portage Ave. It also calls for repair and/or replacement plans for some electrical, pipe, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system), and fire protection elements. While the contractor is expected to provide a schedule for the work, the RFP notes “the city has no obligation to proceed with the construction services… until sufficient funding is available.” Qually confirmed funding has not been approved for the construction work at this point. The city expects to award the contract in March 2021. Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) said the public service will also seek a second consultant in January to address “intersection revitalization” for Portage and Main, which he said would look at sidewalk enhancements and the renewal of the roof membrane. However, Browaty stressed he believes the city must complete access agreements with property owners at the intersection before it sets aside new funding for the concourse. “I don’t think we should be spending a single dime right now, until we figure out what the sharing agreement is going to be with our partners, beyond the absolute bare minimum in maintenance to keep it open,” he said. Browaty, who was a vocal opponent of reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians, said he agrees some underground upgrades and repairs are necessary. Joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: Plebiscite should decide speed limit question, councillor says (Dec24'20)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Dec '20

25 Dec '20

*(Portage & Main all over again...)* Plebiscite should decide speed limit question, councillor says https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/plebiscite-should-decide-speed-limi… <https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/plebiscite-should-decide-speed-limi…> Coun. Shawn Nason hopes to put to rest the issue of reducing the speed limit on residential streets, by calling for a plebiscite in 2022, when voters elect a new mayor and council. "This has been an ongoing dialogue in the City of Winnipeg likely before I was elected," said Nason. "There’s lots of talk of is it 30 km/h? Is it 40 km/h? Or do we maintain the 50 km/h? My residents in Transcona have said very loudly and clearly they want to maintain the current limit." Nason said a plebiscite is the best way to let Winnipeggers have a say in the matter. He added that he supports maintaining the 50 km/h speed limit and believes the public does, too. "Residential neighbourhoods in the City of Winnipeg have been 50 km/h forever and a day and there doesn’t seem to be a want and desire by the mass majority to make any changes of that nature, nor to spend the money it would take to do such an undertaking," he said. The speed limit on residential areas isn’t the problem, said Nason, it’s that drivers need to be more aware of their surroundings. "Safe operation on the streets, that is where the biggest challenges come from on our residential streets," he said. "People need to drive for conditions and be aware that people might not be aware of their surroundings. We’re driving two-tonne vehicles, we need to take the abundance of caution that those who are riding bikes, playing street hockey, might not be alert and aware of what’s coming at them." The idea of reducing the speed limit on residential streets was raised at the Dec. 4 public works committee. Nason said he believes the committee chairman, Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), wants to spend $1.8 million to lower the speed limit to 30 km/h and put up signage in residential areas. "If we do that citywide, that’s an exponential amount of money," said Nason. Nason plans to present his idea for a plebiscite at the next East Kildonan-Transcona community committee meeting on Jan. 5. Two of three councillors must approve the idea for it to be considered by other city committees. "This will go up to the mayor and his committee if they look at this or accept this as information, I do hope they give it some consideration." kellen.taniguchi(a)freepress.mb.ca <https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/plebiscite-should-decide-speed-limi…>

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[SUSPICIOUS MESSAGE] WFP: Province asks city to redirect federal transit funding (Dec18'20)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Dec '20

18 Dec '20

===== UofM Email Security Notice - SUSPICIOUS MESSAGE ===== The message below may be a potential threat. It may trick victims into clicking a link and downloading malware. Do not open suspicious links. If you do not know the sender or cannot verify the integrity of the message, please do not respond or click on links in the message. Depending on the security settings, clickable URLs may have been modified to provide additional security. Please contact the Service Desk if you have any questions. (204) 474-8600 ==== Original Email Body Follows ==== ------------ Suspicious threat disclaimer ends here ------------ Province asks city to redirect federal transit funding https://secure-web.cisco.com/12lklxClhZk9_g82T2Ym0jx3Z-oQnHdGK-1Qaqu7WmYKa7… THE Manitoba government is seeking to divert millions of federal dollars earmarked for Winnipeg Transit to support “green” projects around the province. However, the move would require Winnipeg council approval, and Mayor Brian Bowman is not on board. In September, city council did support a provincial request to transfer $321 million of future Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program funds from a public transit stream to a green infrastructure category. That change was meant to accommodate the federal share for the first two phases of a $1.8-billion North End sewage treatment plant upgrade. Council’s vote included a “condition” the province seek no further reductions to Winnipeg’s remaining ICIP transit cash. On Thursday, Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires confirmed the province is now asking the city to support a transfer of the remaining $204 million of potential federal transit funding to green projects around the province. The $204 million could trigger about $534 million of total transit funding, should the money stay in place and all three governments agree to an ICIP deal. Squires said the funds should be transferred because the federal government wants to allocate all ICIP funds by December 2021. The minister said Winnipeg would need to complete its transit master plan and an application for federal funding to access the transit funds. Squires said she doesn’t expect that will happen prior to the end of next year. “If the transit stream money isn’t allocated into green, it will go unutilized… It could be for any green project in the province, and it’s either going to be lapsed money or spent money on green projects,” she said, stressing the province does support public transit, in general. “If there were a transit application in front of me, I would be giving serious consideration to that,” said Squires. The minister confirmed a city council resolution is needed to support the additional transfer. She did not confirm exactly which green projects the new funding transfer would support. The province said it could include more funding for the North End plant upgrade — if a request for its final phase is submitted and approved in time. The province and feds are currently being asked to help the city pay for the first two phases of that upgrade. The work would clear the way for a third phase that reduces the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen in effluent released by the plant, nutrients that promote algae growth on Lake Winnipeg. On Thursday, Bowman said he wouldn’t support another transfer of transit cash, however, especially if it involves shifting money earmarked for Winnipeg to other municipalities. “We don’t want to see that money stolen and used elsewhere outside the city of Winnipeg. It is earmarked for Winnipeg Transit. Transit is incredibly important to Winnipeggers and the future of our city,” said Bowman. In contrast to Squires’ timeline, the mayor said he expects a Transit master plan will be completed in about three months. “We want to make sure that there are dollars to implement and actually support the Transit master plan as soon as possible, once that’s done,” he said. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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January 21, 2021 Winter Cities Webinar Registration Link Fixed
by Beth McKechnie 17 Dec '20

17 Dec '20

If you haven't registered yet, do it before it's sold out! <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> Wintermission Webinar Winter-Friendly Cities: Addressing Social Isolation in Winter If you were having trouble registering for our January Wintermission Webinar the registration link <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…>has now been fixed! Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for the quick feedback! See you in 2021. [image: Facebook] <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> [image: Twitter] <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> [image: Link] <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> [image: Website] <http://www.880cities.org> * <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> Copyright © 2020. 8 80 Cities. All rights reserved.* *Our mailing address is:* 364 - 401 Richmond Street West Toronto, M5V 3A8 Canada Questions? Contact Us: info(a)880cities.org <info(a)880cities.org> Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/profile?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124fb7&…> or unsubscribe from this list <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> .

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WFP: School paves way to safety for pedestrians, cyclists (Dec17'20)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Dec '20

17 Dec '20

School paves way to safety for pedestrians, cyclists https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/school-paves-way-to-safety-for-pede… ISAAC Brock School’s early success with an active transportation pilot project could pave the way for other communities seeking to promote walking, biking and rolling to class in Winnipeg. On the first day of the new school year, the Green Action Centre, Winnipeg School Division, and City of Winnipeg launched a first-of-its-kind “school street” project in Manitoba, at 1265 Barratt Ave. In the months since, Barratt Avenue, the street on which the main doors to the K-9 school are located, has been closed off to the public between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays, to protect pedestrians, limit idling near the school entrance, and encourage alternatives to car commuting. The oldest students at Isaac Brock are tasked daily with setting up barricades to block off the stretch during the morning and afternoon rush hours, when pupils are coming and leaving the grounds. “It’s really opened our eyes to the fact that we do need to encourage students to walk to school more,” said Marla Tran, vice-principal at Isaac Brock. Tran admits the pilot has made her more conscious of how she commutes. She’s started to walk to and from work whenever she can this year, while the roster of students and staff doing the same has also increased. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 52 per cent of the student population walked, rolled or biked to school, per a new report authored by the Green Action Centre. The rest of the families either drove children to school or sent them on a school bus, both with 24 per cent of the total share of commuters. Mid-pilot this fall, GAC surveyed families to gauge experiences. Of the 71 guardian respondents, 15 per cent indicated a shift in their children’s travel mode to walking, biking or rolling, citing Barratt Avenue being closed. (Total enrolment is approximately 348, although many families have more than one child at the school.) There have been challenges with congestion on surrounding streets, access for residents who live on Barratt Avenue, and accommodations for students with mobility needs, but Denae Penner, GAC lead on the project, said changes will be made in the coming months to improve the pilot for all community members. Overall, focus groups and surveys yielded positive results about security, with the majority of students and area residents saying the pilot makes them feel safer, she said. “It can be difficult to move away from using your car every day, so we’re hoping we can do things like this that create a safe opportunity to start in a small way, incorporating walking into daily routines,” Penner added. “By offering one safe block where that can happen, I’m hoping we can help people see the benefits it can have in the long term for their family and their neighbourhood.” The school street was originally slated to last 60 days. The city extended it into December, and more recently, until the last day of school in June. Ken Allen, city spokesman, said in a statement Wednesday the public works department will consider whether school streets are feasible elsewhere throughout the rest of the 2020-21 Isaac Brock pilot. maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie

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Canada's public transit looks to rebound from COVID-19 (Dec16'20)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Dec '20

17 Dec '20

MONTREAL - The COVID-19 pandemic has led to massive declines in public transit ridership across Canada, yet many cities decided to maintain service levels this year, while others even chose to expand. Not long after the global health crisis reached Canada, rates of public transit use across the country dropped by about 85 per cent, according to prof. Matti Siemiatycki of University of Toronto's geography and planning department. The transportation policy expert said there were fears transit agencies in Canada would have to make drastic service cuts. “Public transit networks have been among the most impacted sectors in the economy from the pandemic,” he said in a recent interview. Instead, provincial and federal funding rescued the country's transit systems from the verge of collapse, he said. In the United States, however, public transit systems are facing the "dreaded transit death spiral,” Siemiatycki said, where cuts lead to further declines in ridership, which lead to further cuts and declines. Washington, D.C., and Boston have announced major service cuts. In New York City, the local transit authority said in mid-November it may be forced to cut bus and subway service by 40 per cent and lay off more than 9,000 workers. In contrast, Toronto and Montreal are expanding their transit systems. Luc Tremblay, CEO of the Montreal Transit Corp. said in a recent interview Montreal chose to maintain service levels in 2020 at 2019 levels — despite the fact ridership is about 35 per cent of what it was before COVID-19 hit. Montreal, Tremblay said, made that choice so service is available when riders decide to return. “It’s the key,” he explained. “Build it and they will come.” On Dec. 15, as Quebec imposed more COVID-19-related restrictions to stop a surge in infections across the province, the government announced a major expansion to the city's light rail system. Twenty-three new stations will be added to the commuter rail network, with construction set to begin in 2023. In the country's largest city, the Toronto Transit Commission said service during the week of Dec. 4 was at 95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. The transit agency said it will maintain the same level of service in 2021. The Ontario government is also moving forward with a $28-billion plan to expand transit in the Toronto area. In British Columbia, transit agencies will receive more than $1 billion in federal and provincial funding to maintain service levels. Federal money also helped Winnipeg's public transit agency fill a gap in its budget after ridership — and fare revenue — declined. Marco D'Angelo, president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, a trade association that represents the country's public transit agencies, said service across the country is currently about 87 per cent of pre-COVID levels. "Systems are not planning to reduce service, but that will likely change unless governments extend financial support," he said in an email. Siemiatycki said that while ridership is down, the health crisis has shown the importance of public transit. “Even through the pandemic, transit played a critical role in our economies," he said. "Transit was a lifeline service for people to reach their front-line place of employment." Daniel Bergeron with Montreal's public transit authority said he expects the pandemic-induced decline in ridership to have an almost $1-billon impact on the agency's budget between 2020 and 2022. He said government subsidies will help cover most of the shortfall, but added that expenses will need to be cut and improvements put off in order to continue to offer service at 2019 levels. When the pandemic is over, people will move around differently, he said, adding that he expects service to increase outside traditional peak periods. People working from home will be more likely to take trips during the day instead of at rush hour, he said. “In the short term, there’s uncertainty," he said. "But in 10, 20 years, it will be a new normal but still normal. We may have a bit more working from home, but it’s not open to everybody.” People will still have to go to work in shops, restaurants and manufacturing facilities, and he thinks people will still want to go out to restaurants and go shopping downtown. “Good quality of life is not living near a highway,” Bergeron said. “Nice neighbourhoods usually come with good public transport services.” *This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2020.*

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Winter-Friendly Cities: Addressing Social Isolation in Winter (webinar)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Dec '20

17 Dec '20

Join 8 80 Cities on January 21, 2021 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm CST to celebrate our Wintermission program Teams from Buffalo, NY, Eau Claire, WI and Leadville, CO will share their experiences in engaging communities in creating more inclusive winter-friendly public spaces that support social connection and reduce social isolation. Register here <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/winter-friendly-cities-addressing-social-isolat…>

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After the Pandemic: Canada Releases Climate Change Plan to Build Back Sustainably and Exceed its 2030 Target - Lexology
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 17 Dec '20

17 Dec '20

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=c7b730a0-dcc0-4040-8dfa-c790… See the AT item in the transportation sector Happy Trails Terry Zdan

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The impact of e-cycling on travel behaviour: A scoping review
by Beth McKechnie 16 Dec '20

16 Dec '20

Highlights • E-bikes increase the frequency and duration of cycling compared to conventional bikes. • Uptake of e-cycling largely substitutes for conventional cycling or private car journeys. • E-bikes are primarily used for utilitarian purposes, with older adults also using e-bikes for recreation. • E-cycling promotion campaigns should be guided by evidence on the purpose of e-cycling and factors associated with e-bike use. Conclusions This review suggests that the personal use of e-bikes is associated with a reduction in motorized vehicle use, which has potential positive impacts on the environment and health. The impacts of e-bike share schemes and workplace initiatives are less well understood. Evidence describing the purposes for which e-bikes are used, and the factors associated with usage, are useful to inform e-cycling promotion policy. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140520301146

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WFP: Case of officer who pepper-sprayed cyclist raises questions over limits of oversight (Dec15'20)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Dec '20

15 Dec '20

Case of officer who pepper-sprayed man raises questions over limits of oversight Manitoba police watchdog muzzled by ‘reasonable doubt’ https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/manitoba-police-watchdog-muzzled-by… MANITOBA’S system of civilian oversight of police makes it a “pointless exercise” for the independent watchdog to criminally charge officers against prosecutors’ advice, a justice source says. In a case that has raised questions about the limits of oversight in the province, the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba announced last week it would not lay charges against a Winnipeg Police Service officer who pepper-sprayed a cyclist. Prosecutors recommended against proceeding with the case, even though the IIU has the power to lay charges if it sees fit. A justice source familiar with the process said IIU files involving WPS officers are forwarded to a rural senior Crown attorney to decide if the case has a reasonable likelihood of conviction and if prosecuting it is in the public interest. While the IIU has the ability to lay a charge regardless of the Crown opinion, the case will only end up back in the hands of the same Crown, the source said. “It’s sort of a pointless exercise because even if (the IIU) says no, we don’t agree with you, we are laying a charge; it’s just going to go back to that Crown to prosecute it and it will just go away,” the source said. “So that’s where they are stuck. “They have that power legally, but that power means nothing if the Crown’s office isn’t backing them up.” The Crown would have to provide the IIU reasons why charges were not recommended, but those reasons do not have to be made public, the source said. “If there is not a reasonable likelihood of conviction, we would have to weigh it: can we prove this beyond a reasonable doubt? If the answer is no, we don’t proceed,” the source said. WPS Patrol Sgt. Jeffrey Norman was investigated for alleged assault, after an April 12, 2019, incident in which he pepper-sprayed a 29-year-old man who was biking home from work. Norman was investigating car break-ins in the area, and said the cyclist fit the description of a suspect. In his report, Norman claimed he felt threatened, and said he had to use pepper spray to detain a man who was trying to get away. The cyclist, Thomas Krause, said the officer got angry when asked to turn off his car’s high beams, and pepper-sprayed him when Krause told him he didn’t think Norman had the right to search his backpack. On Dec. 10, the IIU announced Norman won’t face any charges, following a Crown office review of the case. A former law professor and federal prosecutor says Manitoba prosecutors followed proper legal standards. “It would be a little bizarre to get a Crown opinion that there’s no reasonable likelihood of conviction and then lay a charge anyway, in the face of that opinion, knowing that it’s going to go to the Crown and they’ll stay it,” said Bruce MacFarlane, who has taught at University of Manitoba’s law school, worked as a prosecutor, and served in the federal and provincial justice departments. “It was dealt with the way it should have been dealt with, in my view.” Police can lay a criminal charge if they have reasonable grounds, meaning enough evidence. The test for Crown prosecutors is a step above: they have to decide there’s a reasonable likelihood of conviction, based on the evidence and the public interest in bringing the case to court. Unlike in B.C., Quebec and New Brunswick, Manitoba prosecutors don’t screen every case before criminal charges are laid. Police can ask for a Crown review when they choose, and often do so in cases that involve complex legal questions or suspects who are public figures, MacFarlane said. “This is not special treatment, because there’s many different types of cases, tough cases, where a Crown opinion is sought first. Many, many — so to leave any impression that police are being given special treatment, it would be false,” he said. The public typically doesn’t get a glimpse of a Crown review — a portion of the Crown’s opinion was released as part of the IIU’s final report in this case. MacFarlane said the Crown has to consider possible defences when it determines whether there’s a reasonable likelihood of conviction. In this case, the Crown consulted a use-of-force expert from out of province (whose report hasn’t been publicly released) before prosecutors decided there was “reasonable doubt” Norman’s actions constituted excessive force. That language raised a red flag for Ian Scott, former head of Ontario’s police watchdog Special Investigations Unit. “My personal view is that whether or not there’s going to be a doubt or not, it’s kind of irrelevant. That’s really for the judge to decide, not the prosecution service,” Scott said. It’s up to the prosecution to decide if there’s a reasonable likelihood of conviction, but reasonable doubt about whether a crime occurred needs to be decided by the courts, he said. “If that’s the standard... the chances that there’s ever going to be a trial of a police officer in circumstances like this is next to nil... When you’re reading a file in an office, there’s always a reasonable doubt,” Scott said. “The prosecution service is usurping the role of the courts.” The Free Press requested copies of the Crown’s full opinion on the case, and the use-of-force expert’s report prosecutors consulted, but a spokesperson for Manitoba Justice said the materials are privileged and won’t be released. katie.may(a)freepress.mb.ca <katie.may(a)freepress.mb.ca> dean.pritchard(a)freepress.mb.ca

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OECD report finds measures needed to curb PM emit…
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 15 Dec '20

15 Dec '20

https://www.greencarcongress.com/2020/12/20201214-oecd.html Happy Trails Terry Zdan

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U.S. DOT Publishes Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 10 Dec '20

10 Dec '20

From: FHWA Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty (HEP) <FHWA.HEP(a)info.dot.gov> Sent: December-10-20 11:02 AM To: Zdan, Terry (MI) <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> Subject: Human Environment Digest 12/10/20 [header] Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVy…>. December 10, 2020 Human Environment Digest Welcome to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Human Environment biweekly email digest. This digest shares the latest information from a range of Federal and non-Federal sources, addressing transportation and its relationship to the human environment. Through this information exchange, FHWA hopes to foster dialogue at all levels and continue to further the state of the practice on these important topics in support of safety; infrastructure, including accelerated project delivery, access to jobs, and community revitalization; technology and design innovation; and accountability, including, data-driven decisions and performance-based planning. For more information on any of these topics, see the FHWA Related Links on the sidebar. Click here<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVy…> to manage your subscriptions. *The information provided in this mailing does not necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Highway Administration or the U.S. Department of Transportation. EVENTS Please check with event organizers on if/how events are being adjusted to accommodate remote participation. December 8-10, 2020<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVy…>: FHWA's Every Day Counts-6. Virtual Summit. February 28-March 3, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVy…>: League of American Bicyclists' 2021 National Bike Summit. Virtual Event. (There is a fee) January 5-8 and 11-15, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVy…>: TRB's 100th Annual Meeting: Committee Meetings. Virtual Event. (There is a fee for some) January 16, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVy…>: Transportation for America's TransportationCamp DC. Virtual Event. (There is a fee) January 21-22 and 25-29, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVy…>: TRB's 100th Annual Meeting: Sessions and Exhibits. Virtual Event. (There is a fee for some) January 27-29, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVy…>: Micromobility World Conference. Virtual Event. (There is a fee for some) March 17-19, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVy…>: National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program, Washington, D.C. (There is a fee for some) March 17-19, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVy…>: Urbanism Next Center Forum. Virtual Event. WEBINARS December 10, 12:00-1:15 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVy…>: Rail~Volution's Micromobility: Scooter Technology and Accessibility in Cities. December 10, 1:00-2:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVy…>: Next City's Solutions of the Year: How Cities Can Promote Environmental Justice in Underserved Neighborhoods. (There is a fee for some) December 10, 1:00-3:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTMsInVy…>: TRB's Cross-Cutting Issues in Urban Congestion Pricing. (There is a fee) December 10, 2:00-2:45 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTQsInVy…>: Eno Center for Transportation's Environmental (In)Justice During COVID-19. December 10, 2:00-3:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTUsInVy…>: Alta Planning + Design's Delivering Quick-Build Projects: Four Cities Share their Stories of Doing More with Less. December 10, 3:00-4:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTYsInVy…>: PeopleForBikes' Leveraging Policy to Support the Bike Boom in 2021. December 11, 1:30-3:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTcsInVy…>: ITE's Smart Columbus Program: Event Parking Management. December 14-15, 6:00-8:00PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTgsInVy…>: Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation's Compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act in the Public Right-of-Way. (Session 1 of 2. This session is offered twice and there is a fee) December 15, 1:00-2:30 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTksInVy…>: AASHTO Council on Active Transportation and FHWA's Speed Management. December 15, 1:00-2:30 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjAsInVy…>: American Planning Association Oregon Chapter's Equity by Design. (There is a fee for some) December 15, 2:00-3:00PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjEsInVy…>: Association for Commuter Transportation's New Year... New Transportation Possibilities! (There is a fee for some) December 16-17, 10:00AM-12:00PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjIsInVy…>: Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation's Compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act in the Public Right-of-Way. (Session 2 of 2. This session is offered twice and there is a fee.) December 16, 3:00-4:00 PM ET:<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjMsInVy…> Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals' Are We There Yet? Best Practices in Speed Management. (There is a fee) December 18, 1:00-2:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjQsInVy…>: Center for Advanced Transportation Mobility, North Carolina A&T State University's Collaborative Multimodal Decision Making with Advanced Transportation Technologies and Computing. December 17, 1:00-3:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjUsInVy…>: FHWA's Moving FoRRRwD with Safety Action Plans: Statewide, Regional, and Local. December 21-23, 10:00AM-12:00PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjYsInVy…>: Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation's Design of Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramps and Pedestrian Access Routes. (There is a fee) January 6, 1:00-2:30 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjcsInVy…>: PBIC's Improving Safety with Bicyclist and Pedestrian Road Safety Audits. January 19, 1:00-2:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjgsInVy…>: Transportation Research and Education Center's Transportation Benefits of Polycentric Urban Form. January 21, 1:00-2:00PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjksInVy…>: American Trails' Making Meaningful Spaces: A Brief Survey of Integrative Active Transportation. February 9, 1:00-2:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzAsInVy…>: Transportation Research and Education Center's Land Use and Transportation Policies for a Sustainable Future. FHWA RELATED LINKS Environment Homepage<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzEsInVy…> Bicycle/Pedestrian<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzIsInVy…> Environmental Justice<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzMsInVy…> Transportation Alternatives<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzQsInVy…> Recreational Trails Program<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzUsInVy…> To submit comments or information for inclusion in the next HE Digest, click here<mailto:livable.communities@dot.gov>. Submissions must be made before 12 PM ET Wednesday. [safety] U.S. DOT Publishes Pedestrian Safety Action Plan The U.S. Department of Transportation released a pedestrian safety action plan<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzYsInVy…> to address pedestrian fatalities and injuries through the expanded use of countermeasures, technology, and data-driven practices. The plan explains the Department's comprehensive approach that encompasses improvements to the roadway and surrounding environment, increased education on the shared responsibility of both pedestrians and motorists, along with enforcement and adjudication of pedestrian safety laws. It identifies actions the Department intends to accomplish in the next two years, focusing on the development or update of resources, tools, and plans; new and revised campaigns, programs, and initiatives; the creation or revision of curriculum; and new research to improve pedestrian safety. U.S. DOT Releases Summary Report on Pedestrian Safety Summit The U.S. Department of Transportation published a summary report<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzcsInVy…> of the Pedestrian Safety Summit held in July 2020. The three-part webinar series covered the current state of pedestrian safety, risk factors that impact pedestrian safety, and the Department's planned efforts to improve pedestrian safety. Additional videos, presentations, and materials<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzgsInVy…> from the event are also available. IIHS Studies Find Most E-scooter Rider Injuries Occur on Sidewalks The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety developed two research<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzksInVy…> papers using interviews of electric scooter (e-scooter) riders whose injuries brought them to an emergency room in Washington, DC. One study examined how the severity of their injuries varied according to where and how they were injured. The second compared the rider demographics, usage patterns, and injuries to those of bicyclists who were interviewed as part of an earlier study. The studies found that e-scooter riders suffered more injuries per mile traveled than bicyclists, but bicyclists were more likely to have conflicts with motor vehicles. Research Assesses Safety of E-bikes Relative to Conventional Bicycles The Journal of Transport & Health published a study<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDAsInVy…> examining the role of bicyclists' health condition on safety of electric bicycles (e-bikes) compared to conventional bicycles. Researchers surveyed bicyclists treated at emergency rooms for crash injuries and a control group without known crash experience. The findings indicate that e-bike users were not more likely to be involved in a crash or to sustain more severe injuries; however, older female bicyclists had an elevated risk on e-bikes and sustained more severe injuries. The study suggests that older females are more likely to fall while mounting or dismounting their e-bikes, and recommends lower saddle height to mitigate risk. ________________________________ [infrastructure] White Paper Discusses Framework to Balance Utility, Safety, and User Experience on Shared-Use Paths Alta Planning + Design published a white paper<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDEsInVy…> exploring how shared-use paths should be designed, operated, and managed to accommodate micromobility transportation options, including powered micromobility. The paper discusses policy and design considerations for multi-use paths, provides implementation advice for trail managers, and shares examples of how trails across the U.S. are adapting to emerging mobility trends. It suggests several principles to guide decision making regarding powered micromobility devices on trails: advance mobility justice, design for safety, complement the natural environment, prioritize the human experience, expand user amenities, and design for the future trail. Research Analyzes Parking Supply and Demand at Transit-Oriented Developments The Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board published a study<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDIsInVy…> examining parking at seven transit-oriented developments (TODs) in the U.S. to determine how much less parking is required at TODs than the new Institute of Transportation Engineers Parking Generation manual would suggest. Researchers conducted a literature review and measured parking generation at the TODs through field observation and intercept surveys. The findings indicate that, at the peak parking demand hour, only 51 to 84 percent of spaces are filled. The study suggests TODs could improve use of shared parking and change policies around bundled residential parking. ________________________________ [innovation] Transportation Research Board to Host 2021 Annual Meeting The Transportation Research Board 100th Annual Meeting<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDMsInVy…> will be conducted as a virtual event throughout January 2021. The meeting program will cover all transportation modes, addressing topics such as micromobility, ridehailing, emerging mobility technologies<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDQsInVy…>, transportation equity<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDUsInVy…>, safety and public health<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDYsInVy…>, resiliency and security<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDcsInVy…>, and more. The sessions and workshops will focus on the spotlight theme for the 2021 meeting: Launching a New Century of Mobility and Quality of Life. This year's meeting will feature dozens of sessions on how the national health emergency<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDgsInVy…> has impacted transportation and how transportation professionals and researchers are responding. Committee meetings will be held January 5-8 and 11-15. Sessions and exhibits will occur January 21-22 and 25-29. Report Examines Availability and Use of Pedestrian Infrastructure Data to Support Active Transportation Planning The National Cooperative Highway Research Program published a report<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDksInVy…> describing how State departments of transportation (DOTs) are collecting, managing, sharing, and analyzing pedestrian infrastructure data. The report documents and summarize current State DOT practices for defining, storing, collecting, and sharing pedestrian infrastructure data. Agencies can use the report's findings to tailor the data collection process to build data infrastructure that supports various uses, leading to more consistent and efficient planning and management of pedestrian infrastructure. ________________________________ [account] Involving Underserved Populations in Rural Community Transportation Planning The Federal Highway Administration published a case study<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTAsInVy…> discussing community engagement approaches with traditionally underserved populations, including Hispanic and Tribal communities, in Cortez, Colorado during an update to the town's Access Control Plan. The plan is intended to improve traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and preserve traffic flow capacity of two highways in the city. The outreach process gave residents the opportunity to express concerns about street design and high-speed vehicles in the central business district, and as a result, the city incorporated traffic calming measures into the design. Cortez's holistic public engagement efforts enhanced project delivery and established long-term strategy for ongoing engagement. Presentations Discuss Environmental Justice Resources and Methods for Collaboration The National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program released presentation recordings<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTEsInVy…> from the October 2020 virtual event. The presentations share ideas and approaches to environmental justice, including the impacts of the national health emergency on low-income communities, energy solutions, as well as active transportation and transit considerations. They explain the nexus of environmental justice with the National Environmental Policy Act. Podcast Examines Use of Digital Tools for Participatory Transportation Planning The Public Transport Research Group at Monash University in Australia released a podcast<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTIsInVy…> discussing how virtual tools can facilitate more collaborative transportation planning. Researchers explain how data and digital tools can assist the public and decision makers during the transportation planning process. The discussion also explores the synergies between transportation and health. The podcast details how an interactive walkability planning support map tool helped planners understand infrastructure needs and healthcare costs of developing in a new neighborhood with limited walkability, compared to redeveloping an existing site. Survey Requests Inputs on Complete Streets Education and Outreach Efforts The Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, in partnership with a national transportation advocacy group, is leading an effort to collect information about effective and notable complete streets outreach, along with educational and engagement activities across the country. The researchers encourage representatives of State departments of transportations, regional planning authorities, county and local governments, advocacy groups, community organizations, and all others to respond to the survey<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTMsInVy…> by December 15. [footer] ________________________________ Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTQsInVy…>. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTUsInVy…>. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTYsInVy…>. ________________________________ This email was sent to terry.zdan(a)gov.mb.ca<mailto:terry.zdan@gov.mb.ca> using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration * 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE * Washington, DC 20590 * 202-366-4000 [GovDelivery logo]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTcsInVy…>

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Upcoming Webinar on Conducting Pedestrian and Bicyclist Road Safety Audits
by Beth McKechnie 09 Dec '20

09 Dec '20

*Webinar Announcement* Upcoming Webinar on Conducting Pedestrian and Bicyclist Road Safety Audits *Improving Safety with Bicyclist and Pedestrian Road Safety Audits Wednesday, January 6, 2021* 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern Time Register Here <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> Pedestrian and bicyclist road safety audits (RSAs) are valuable tools that can be used by transportation agencies to formally evaluate roadway conditions and better understand factors influencing road user safety and comfort. Performing audits of field conditions can provide real-world perspectives and valuable contextual information to those charged with developing and implementing safety countermeasures for vulnerable road users. RSAs can be used in any phase of project development from planning and preliminary engineering, design and construction. During this webinar, panelists from VHB and the UNC Highway Safety Research Center will share new guidance from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Road Safety Audit Guide and Prompt List <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…>, demonstrating how this new resource can be used to plan and conduct RSAs. Representatives from Caltrans and the City of Albuquerque will share their experiences using RSAs to investigate sites and develop safety improvements. This webinar will be delivered by VHB and the UNC Highway Safety Research Center through a contract to provide training and technical assistance to the FHWA-designated Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Focus States and Cities. ------------------------------ PBIC offers free, public webinars approximately every month. To register for upcoming webinars and to access archived presentations, please visit www.pedbikeinfo.org/webinars <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> . Follow the PBIC on Twitter <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> and Facebook <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> and join the discussion [image: https://twitter.com/pedbikeinfo?lang=en] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> [image: https://www.facebook.com/pedbikeinfo] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> [image: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/index.cfm] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> ------------------------------ Since its inception in 1999, PBIC's mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ------------------------------ Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center 730 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Suite 300 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Add us to your address book <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/vcard?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e453ab5d&…> Phone: 1.888.823.3977 Fax: 919.962.8710 www.pedbikeinfo.org <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> View this email in your browser <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…>

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Continental bicycle tire made of dandelion rubber…
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 09 Dec '20

09 Dec '20

https://www.greencarcongress.com/2020/12/20201207-taraxagum.html Happy Trails Terry Zdan

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Free download - Safety Performance of Bicycle Infrastructure in Canada (TAC Nov 2020)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

In case you weren't able to download this report from an earlier post, here are links to both the report and technical appendices: <goog_1441524465> https://www.tac-atc.ca/en/publications/ptm-spbi-e (Thanks to Terry Zdan for the link.)

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Portland e-scooter report (phase 2)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

[From the APBP listserv] The Portland Bureau of Transportation has published a report <https://www.portland.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/pbot_escooter_report_f…> about their phase 2 e-scooter pilot program, evaluating it against the goals they established for it. I found a lot in the report that would be of interest to active transportation professionals, including what types of facilities are used, how usage changes when new facilities are installed, how to reduce sidewalk riding and ped-unfriendly parking, what reduces pedestrian conflict, what percentage of scooter trips replace walk/bike trips, and more. *JESSICA ROBERTS* *Pronouns: she/her* Principal | *Alta Planning + Design, Inc.* *Working remotely: c**:* 503.752.4144 Portland, OR | altago.com

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Webinar: City Efforts to Realize Low-Carbon, Equitable Transportation
by Beth McKechnie 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser <https://www2.aceee.org/webmail/310911/722316487/7e7e0f2608add2f597fa5711bd2…> . [image: ACEEE LOGO] Webinar Announcement * City Efforts to Realize Low-Carbon, Equitable Transportation* *Date and time: Thursday, December 10, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET* Transportation has replaced the power sector as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the United States. Local governments and metropolitan regions play a critical role in maximizing this sector’s energy efficiency, reducing its GHG emissions, and working to ensure that all residents benefit from an accessible, efficient transportation system. Those efforts face new challenges as COVID-19 has had a severe impact on shared transportation, hampering transportation modes that are key to reducing GHG emissions. Research from ACEEE’s 2020 City Clean Energy Scorecard shows that some cities have taken key steps over the past 18 months to reduce transportation-related emissions, with several municipalities releasing sustainable transportation plans and four cities (of 100) taking new steps to create compact, transit-oriented communities welcoming increased density to reduce vehicle travel distances. However, our research also suggests that all cities can do much more, including adopting vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) reduction targets and tracking progress toward meeting them. Join us to discuss ACEEE’s research findings and learn from two leading cities. Officials from Minneapolis and Washington, DC will discuss their strategies to reduce transportation-related emissions and inequities. <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/D0F89995A13921A5E69974DB755239/23cfwms/7223…> *Speakers:* *David Ribeiro, Moderator* Director of Local Policy American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy *Shruti Vaidyanathan* Transportation Program Director American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy *Matthew Gaskin* Air Quality Coordinator Washington, D.C.'s District Department of Transportation *Kim Havey* Sustainability Director City of Minneapolis Share/forward this email: [image: Forward This] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/-us-pubid-aceee-news-gmail-com/23cfwmv/7223…> [image: blank] [image: Tweet This] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/-en-pubid-aceee-news-gmail-com/23cfwmx/7223…> [image: blank] [image: Send to Linkedin] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/-en-pubid-aceee-news-gmail-com/23cfwmz/7223…> [image: blank] [image: Send to Facebook] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/-en-pubid-aceee-news-gmail-com/23cfwn2/7223…> [image: blank] [image: blank] [image: blank] [image: View more services] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/que-pubid-aceee-news-gmail-com/23cfwn4/7223…> *About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit aceee.org <http://aceee.org>* ### Connect with us on social media: [image: Follow us on Twitter] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/ACEEEdc/23cfwn6/722316487?h=vb_CSmlS8eqNtoJ…> [image: Like us on Facebook] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/myACEEE--fref-ts/23cfwn8/722316487?h=vb_CSm…> [image: View our profile on LinkedIn] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/company-962421-/23cfwnj/722316487?h=vb_CSml…> [image: View on Instagram] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/aceeedc/23cfwnd/722316487?h=vb_CSmlS8eqNtoJ…> ACEEE, 529 14th Street., N.W., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20045 Sent by aceeenews(a)aceee.org . <https://www2.aceee.org/emailPreference/e/epc/310911/hZB0-mx4t2AIr6BpeRISGhL…>

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CBC: Snow clearing on sidewalks, pathways more crucial than ever during pandemic, advocates say (Dec6'20)
by Beth McKechnie 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

Public health orders mean outdoor activity is one of few options left, but clearing must keep up: advocates https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-winter-covid-19-1.5827678 Manitobans are being encouraged to stay active and get outdoors this pandemic winter — but advocates say that means sidewalk and active transportation route clearing has to keep up. "If people felt trapped before, they're really going to feel trapped now," said Anders Swanson, executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association. The organization is working with multiple city councillors and community groups to try to make more opportunities for skiing, snowshoeing, biking and walking this winter. On top of those efforts, the city should be doubling down on sidewalk clearing, with extra attention to areas around schools, grocery stores and seniors' homes, Swanson said. "Right now, trails and getting outside is really the only recreational opportunity that is available. I think it's taken on an importance that even we couldn't have conjured before this," he said. "People are going to need to get outside. More than ever, we need to look at … the ways we maintain our existing pathway networks to make sure that everybody has access." David Kron, executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba and a spokesperson for Barrier-Free Manitoba, said poorly maintained sidewalks affect everybody. "It's not just for folks who are in the disability community. It's for all Winnipeggers and all Manitobans," he said. "It's a safety issue. It's an access issue. It's [an] equality issue." Everyone can appreciate getting outdoors and getting some exercise, especially during the pandemic, Kron said. "It's great to get out and get some fresh air, and it's something you can do safely together, but separately," he said. "It's just what everybody needs." 'Fear of falling' Aida Champagne, board member and consultant for the Filipino Seniors Group of Winnipeg, said the people she works with are lonely right now and facing limited options for how to get out of the house. Sidewalks can be treacherous even with very little snow, and popular options for indoor activities, like mall walking, are closed. "It's too lonely to be cooped inside a house, especially for some seniors without any relatives, or living alone in their apartments or a nursing home," she said. Connie Newman, executive director of the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres, said the seniors she works with — and she herself — are also apprehensive about getting outdoors in the winter. "For many of us and many of our centres, the ability to get outside and enjoy relatively OK fresh air right now is very, very important for own mental health and our physical health," she said. "I love to walk in my neighbourhood, and yet with our icy conditions, it makes it almost impossible because of fear of falling." 'A bleak winter if we don't' No matter your reason for getting outside, Swanson said it can have a major impact on mental health. The Winnipeg Trails Association has some projects in the works that he hopes to share more information on soon, but everyone can play a role in helping make the outdoors accessible, he said. "What we're looking at doing is bringing enhanced winter trail activities to every area of the city, because, quite frankly … it's going to be a bleak winter if we don't," he said. "I think that there's a role for everybody to play, to be honest." Champagne and Newman echoed that sentiment. If you're a business owner or a homeowner, ensuring the sidewalks in front of your property are cleared can be a huge help, they said. "The more the individual person can do on our side streets, on our cul-de-sacs, to make sure the front sidewalks are cleared — that would be a great support," Newman said. "From a city point of view, our main sidewalks should be cleared. And if they can't be cleared, there should be sand on them so that we can all walk." Kron added that one perk of the pandemic has been the increased ease of working from home, which has helped some in the disability community who had faced challenges in their commutes. He hopes to see that change last longer than COVID-19. Municipal planning Michael Cantor, manager of maintenance for Winnipeg's public works department, said the city isn't planning on doing anything differently regarding sidewalk or active transportation clearing this year, but will continue an effort launched last year to enhance clearing of those areas. The city worked with community groups like Bike Winnipeg to determine which active transportation routes are the highest priority, he said. He expects to see more people using those routes this season, as usual winter recreation options remain closed due to public health orders. The city launched *new features on its website for snow clearing this year* <https://www.winnipeg.ca/PublicWorks/snow/default.stm>, so residents can check an interactive status map to see crews' progress during major plowing operations. Spending time outdoors in the Manitoba winter still might not be everyone's idea of fun, but Swanson said this is the year to change that attitude. He's focused on highlighting the benefits of winter in Winnipeg. There's magic out there waiting to be found, he said. "We take … this embracing of winter pretty seriously," he said. "We think this winter is going to be the winter that sort of defines us as a city, because it can sink us in a lot of ways."

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Fwd: City of Toronto's Automated Sidewalk Winter Maintenance Challenge
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

Happy Trails Terry Zdan Begin forwarded message: From: Barrie Kirk <bkirk(a)cavcoe.com> Date: December 3, 2020 at 6:08:05 PM CST To: "Zdan, Terry (MI)" <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> Subject: City of Toronto's Automated Sidewalk Winter Maintenance Challenge

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WFP: Tired of falling, councillor wants to give icy sidewalks the slip (Dec4'20)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Dec '20

04 Dec '20

Tired of falling, councillor wants to give icy sidewalks the slip https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/tired-of-falling-councillor-wants-t… HE has fallen multiple times on pavement so slick that even thick winter boots couldn’t keep him upright. “I can remember two total wipeouts. Just falling onto the ground and ending up horizontal,” said St. Boniface Coun. Matt Allard. Now Allard, chairman of city council’s public works committee, is searching for ways to make sidewalks and active transportation routes less slippery. The councillor, who has tried to rely on Winnipeg Transit and active transportation as much as possible since January 2018, said he’s fallen a few times over the past two years, including one incident that damaged his computer. In November, he said he slipped twice in one walk while turning right onto Main Street near city hall, at one point grabbing a building to avoid hitting the ground. “The sidewalk was icy and slippery and the road was pristine, bare pavement,” said Allard. After he raised the issue on social media, Allard said he heard from hundreds of Winnipeggers who also want the city to find a way to make sidewalks and paths less treacherous. The councillor said he’ll raise a motion at a council committee in January, which would require city staff to study how to improve the condition of sidewalks and active transportation paths. The motion will call on the public service to study the health costs linked to slips and falls on sidewalks and how changes to snow clearing and ice treatments could make the surfaces safer. “I think there are always ways to make things better, so I’m asking the questions,” he said. Allard said he wants the city to consider factors such as increasing sand and salt treatments to add traction, new snow and ice control equipment, and an altered snow clearing schedule. Southdale resident Mary McWilliams said she agrees there’s room for improvement, especially on the Vermillion Road sidewalk she avoids walking on each winter. “There’s just a sheet of ice,” said Mc-Williams. “I’m a senior, and I had a hip replacement a couple of years ago, so I would not even try to walk on it for fear of falling.” Last winter, the city implemented some sidewalk and active transportation snow-clearing improvements, which cost about $800,000 annually. Michael Cantor, Winnipeg’s manager of streets maintenance, said those changes ensure that snow is cleared from entire active transportation routes to avoid gaps and that top-priority sidewalks (typically the most used ones) are cleared each time at least five centimetres of snow accumulates on them. “Before, some of those paths weren’t cleared on a priority basis and they were more cleared based on whether resources are available. Now… it’s defined based on usage,” said Cantor. Cantor said that’s triggered a “dramatic improvement” in snow clearing, while ice control is still performed on an as-needed basis, following sidewalk inspections and 311 complaints. Cantor said the city could explore additional work to remove ice, though changes would largely depend on how much council is willing to pay for the service. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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The WRENCH launches fundraiser for new building
by Beth McKechnie 02 Dec '20

02 Dec '20

The WRENCH is on the move Non-profit bike shop launches fundraiser for new building https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/times/The-WRENCH-is-on-th… The WRENCH is launching a fundraising campaign in tandem with its annual Cycle of Giving event in hopes of finding another home. The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub, a bike shop that offers programs aimed at educating youth and empowering volunteers, is located in the basement of the Animal Services building on Logan Avenue. Overwhelmed by hundreds of bikes, tools and parts, the WRENCH wants to add some square-footage to its cycling hub and is searching for an additional space. “We’re busting at the seams and we’re constantly having to dance around piles of bikes that are kind of edging into walkways,” Kate Sjoberg, executive director, said. “The WRENCH has been a part of creating a culture of cycling in Winnipeg for a long time, and creating physical infrastructure that can help cyclists like community bike shops … So, we really see this move towards establishing an above-ground space as a part of that story of Winnipeg embracing cycling, and Winnipeg creating the spaces needed to support cyclists in the city, whether they are new to cycling, or have been cycling for a long time.” The Moving On Up campaign will begin Sat., Dec. 5, the same day the WRENCH is celebrating the 10th annual Cycle of Giving. Every year, volunteers come together to build as many bikes as possible within 24 hours using bicycles and parts saved from local landfill and recycling sites. The WRENCH partners with local organizations, schools and families to subsequently distribute the bikes to kids. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers have been building bikes in their home-based or private shops since the beginning of November. “This decentralised build will culminate on Dec. 5, a day of simultaneous bike building at shops throughout the city,” a news release said. “We’ve got more than two dozen people, individuals, and also bike shops, building bikes as we speak,” Sjoberg said. “On the day of Dec. 5, we’re treating it as a celebratory kind of day where everyone’s building at the same time. And so, we’re going to encourage people to be connecting over social media and sharing what they’re doing in their homes. And then we’ll distribute the bikes after Dec. 5.” Leading up to that Saturday, the WRENCH will be posting on its social media pages stories and histories of Winnipeg bike culture and activism. Also different this year, the WRENCH is gifting individuals items for their donations. If someone donates $30 or more, they will receive a screen-printed WRENCH t-shirt with artwork by Sarah Thiessen, the organization’s volunteer co-ordinator. Someone who donates $60 or more will receive a WRENCH t-shirt and raffle ticket for one of three hand-painted helmets by Graffiti Gallery-affiliated artist Marco Muller. A donation of $100 or more will earn the donor a WRENCH t-shirt and raffle ticket for a hand-painted bike by Art City-affiliated artist Kiana Fontaine. More information can be found online at thewrench.ca

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