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WFP: Gas tax funds may save city street work (Apr3'19)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Apr '19

04 Apr '19

*Meanwhile, Waverley underpass nears completion, work on low-income bus pass begins* * Gas tax funds may save city street work * *https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/gas-tax-may-take-city-street-work-off-chopping-block-508015662.html <https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/gas-tax-may-take-city-street-work-o…>* * A WINNIPEG city council committee wants the $40 million-plus in bonus federal gas tax revenue announced in the 2019 budget to go toward restoring local street renewal work and active transportation projects.* * Councillors on the public works committee voted 3-1 Tuesday in support of using the money on the streets program that had previously been cancelled after the city said the province reneged on its funding.* * Jim Berezowsky, director of public works, said how much of the original program could be carried out this year depends on when the federal government approves its budget and when city hall receives the funding.* * Included in the March 19 federal budget was a commitment to double the dollars given to municipalities through the federal gas tax program, valued at more than $2 billion. Winnipeg budgeted to receive almost $44 million this year from the gas tax, and now council has to decide how to spend an additional $40 million-plus.* * The public works department had a list of 53 residential streets and back lanes it wanted to rebuild in 2019. Berezowsky said it may not be possible to do all the work, but that he would have a report ready for council on what streets could be completed this year.* * The lone dissenting voice Tuesday was Coun. Vivian Santos, who said it would be premature to allocate all of the bonus funds to local street work, explaining now would be the time to reinvest in the city’s neglected recreational and leisure facilities and the parks branch.* * The committee’s recommendation will go before council on April 25.* Waverley underpass update The Waverley Street rail underpass should be substantially completed by October, with the $97.9-million project finished by summer 2020. Officials from the public works department told councillors the project is on budget and on schedule. The project was originally budgeted for $156 million, but was revised downward in November 2017 to $121.34 million and again in January. Winnipeg chief administrative officer Doug McNeil said the $467-million southwest transit corridor project is also on budget and on schedule. The transit corridor is set for completion in late fall, and set to be fully operational by spring 2020. Bus-pass business Winnipeg Transit has initiated work on the proposed low-income bus pass. Transit officials told the committee a team has been assembled and would hold its first meeting Tuesday. Council approved the initiative in the city’s 2019 budget, passed March 20. The low-income bus pass is supposed to be operational by April 2020, first with a 30 per cent discount on the regular adult fare, rising to 50 per cent in 2022. Currently, the full-fare monthly pass costs $100.10. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: As fatalities mount, city’s road-safety strategy has stalled (Apr3'19)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Apr '19

04 Apr '19

*As fatalities mount, city’s road-safety strategy has stalled * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/nothing-done-on-road-safety-strateg… THE death toll on Winnipeg’s streets continues to mount while officials appear unable to develop a plan to make them safe for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. It’s been more than two years since the public works department was directed to produce a road safety strategy that would strive to eliminate traffic fatalities. But no work has been done since the public works committee issued the directive in January 2017, David Patman, the city’s transportation manager, told councillors Tuesday. Department staff have been working instead on a handful of safety measures, he said. In that time 14 pedestrians and one cyclist have been killed in traffic collisions, as have nine people in vehicles and two motorcycle riders. Coun. Janice Lukes, who urged the committee to get tough on the department, said the death toll on city streets is tragic. “We are making record investments in roads, in transit and in active transportation, yet we are nowhere near having a comprehensive road-safety strategy in place,” Lukes said. Patman told the committee turnover in two senior positions was behind the department’s failure to begin the work, adding he expects it will get underway and become part of an updated transportation master plan due in three years. Anders Swanson, executive director of Winnipeg Trails Association, said the number of fatalities on Winnipeg streets is proof they are being designed for the benefit of motorists, not all users. “The reality is everybody would like to do the right thing, but only you folks (councillors) have the political tools,” he said. Swanson, who is participating in a panel discussion at the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals in Calgary in May, said professionals aren’t designing city streets from the perspective of people who walk or cycle, or from the perspective of a child. “You like to blame bad behaviour for causing traffic glitches. The reality is the same bad behaviour is the same behaviour inherent with children,” he said. “If we designed a public road system around children specifically, then it would be, by definition, safe. There would be basketballs flying around, bikes weaving in an out, there’d be three bikes riding side by side with children laughing, giving high-fives, passing a Slurpee to each other. And that would be OK. “But we haven’t, and the reason we haven’t is because in 1950 or so, we got addicted to building a city for cars, for dad driving alone to work in the morning, and we haven’t been able to get ourselves out of that, and that’s a conscious decision.” Committee chairman Coun. Matt Allard said the public works department has initiated traffic safety measures across the city and he’s confident a report will be completed someday. “From my experience, the public works department is really prioritizing this in ways that I haven’t seen in the past,” Allard said. “We have a number of things on the go. There’s a lot going on (for) road safety and traffic calming in the city and I’m looking forward to the reports coming down the pike.” Allard was unable to explain how he or the department could be certain ongoing safety initiatives meet any defined target without a strategy in place. “I think the public service is doing what they can to keep us safe on the roads and they’ll be confirming that in future reports,” he said, while acknowledging the department has yet to provide him with a comprehensive list of safety initiatives he requested in November. “I think you heard today we’re going above and beyond the status quo” when it comes to road safety, Allard told reporters. “The public service is doing their job. They are working on this.” aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: City safety audit to zero in on crosswalk where girl killed (Apr3'19)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Apr '19

04 Apr '19

*City safety audit to zero in on crosswalk where girl killed* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-to-zero-in-on-crosswalk-where-… THE inner-city intersection where a four-year-old girl was struck and killed by a vehicle last month is one of several areas in the city that will be studied as a prelude to the introduction of traffic safety enhancement measures. Public works officials were directed Tuesday to conduct a pedestrian-traffic study at the intersections of Isabel Street and Alexander Avenue — where the girl was struck March 18 as she crossed with her mother — and also two blocks to the south, at Isabel and Ross Avenue. “We have more pedestrians, we have more traffic in that area for sure and I definitely would like to see some improvement,” said Coun. Vivian Santos, who proposed the studies at the public works committee meeting. The moves had been promised by Santos, the ward councillor, following the child’s death. The committee also agreed to conduct a study in six months at an intersection near École Sage Creek School, at Prairie Smoke Drive and Wild Iris Walk. Parents in the neighbourhood expressed concern about the potential threat to their children at the intersection, where there are no sidewalks or a crosswalk. Councillors on the Riel community committee agreed with the parents’ concerns and asked the public works committee to direct the department to investigate traffic-calming measures, including making the intersection a three-way stop or installing a pedestrian crosswalk. Discussion on road safety dominated the committee meeting, during which councillors learned the public works department had yet to begin developing a citywide road-safety strategy, despite being directed to by the same committee in January 2017. There have been five pedestrian deaths thus far this year, the most recent Monday in a Garden City Shopping Centre parking lot. In 2018, three cyclists and a pedestrian were killed in separate collisions with vehicles. In 2017, six pedestrians were killed and in 2016, four cyclists and three pedestrians were killed in separate collisions with vehicles. The Isabel-Ross intersection has a marked pedestrian crosswalk, but residents in the area requested an upgrade in 2016. The nearby Freight House community centre, located on the west side of the intersection, is a popular destination for area children, Santos said, and vehicles were frequently ignoring the crosswalk signals. Santos said she’d like to see a pedestrian- activated signal installed at Isabel and Ross, where the light would remain green for north-south traffic until a pedestrian activates the signal to cross the busy street. Santos said the intersection to the north, Isabel and Alexander, needs a formal crosswalk — she recommended something similar to the eye-level, flashing LED installation put up in St. Vital a year ago, following the death of an eight-year-old boy. That type is becoming common in many other Canadian cities. “I’m very, very happy that my council colleagues supported me,” Santos said, adding she briefed the other committee members before the meeting and advised them of her proposals. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Invitation to Canadian Bike Summit May 12-14
by Anders Swanson 03 Apr '19

03 Apr '19

Dear fellow at-network colleagues, As you may know, I am the volunteer chair of Vélo Canada Bikes, a national non-profit organization that advocates for increased federal support for everyday cycling in Canada. Founded in 2012, Vélo Canada Bikes has a vision of a Canada where all people of all ages and abilities can safely use a bicycle for daily transportation and a federal government that plays a big role in making it happen. We are hosting our 3rd National Bike Summit <http://www.canadabikes.org/2019-national-bike-summit/> in Ottawa on May 13th and 14th, 2019 in conjunction with the 8th annual Bike Day on the Hill celebration and I hope you will join us. Why attend? Highlights will include keynotes include *Todd Litman*, *Kay Teschke* (in case you missed her at ModeShift2018 she is a must see for many reasons..), *Karl Saidla,* *Teresa Tam and more.* You'd be joining and supporting a Winnipeg contingent (see Jamie Hilland's presentation for example) and contribute to the future of cycling back home (consider how many projects in Winnipeg have benefitted from federal funding in the past or stand to in the future). You are offered a chance to join meetings with MPs and Senators and make a real difference. Full program info here. <http://www.canadabikes.org/2019-summit-program/> Quick breakdown: The summit is an opportunity for cycling stakeholders from across Canada to join in a national conversation on the importance of federal support for cycling in Canada, particularly policy support, such as a National Cycling Strategy and specific components especially funding for cycling infrastructure. New topics/focus this year includes the emerging e-bike revolution, MTB'ing trails and greenways, gender equity, and much more. Sunday May 12 - Pre-conference - Join us on Sunday for a national conversation on greenways and trails. Monday May 13 - The first day of the Bike Summit itself takes place at Ottawa City Hall and consist of presentations and interactive sessions. The purpose of this day is to mobilize and educate cycling stakeholders so that, together, we can take coordinated and concrete steps towards building a bike friendly Canada. In the evening, a reception will be hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Caucus on Parliament Hill. Tuesday May 14 - Day 2 takes place on the Hill itself and is a combination of meetings with MPs/Senators and concurrent programming related to federal cycling advocacy(You can opt to be included in cycling education meetings with Parliamentarians or not, but I strongly reommend it for anyone). It can be quite eye-opening, productive and always very interesting. At 4:30pm, Summit delegates will join National Health and Fitness Day organizers and participate in the 8th Annual Bike Day on the Hill. Delegates and other cycling supporters will gather on the steps of Parliament Hill for a few speeches followed by a 40 minute bike ride with MPs, Senators and other federal officials. The day will be capped off by an informal BBQ reception in the East Block courtyard. Summit registration is open <http://www.canadabikes.org/registration/> and early bird and student discounts are available. Those who register by April 12th can take advantage of early bird prices. Thanks for reading. Kindly, Anders 204-797-1962 P.S.. I realize Ottawa is far away. It is far cheaper/easier to stay home, especially at such a busy time in the spring. I personally hate to fly and/or travel so far to reduce GHGs. However, each every time we do this, I feel that we inch just a little closer to a bike friendly Canada. And doing that opens doors for a lot of people. It is worth it. With an election coming, this is a critical chance to help put cycling on the agenda for once and for all. And whether you are a professional or a keen advocate, hearing what's up across Canada and visiting the hill itself is both invigorating and fascinating. Hope you can make it.

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Fwd: Newcomer Mentor Job Posting - WoC please disseminate
by Anders Swanson 02 Apr '19

02 Apr '19

FYI. Know someone with a passion for cycling and experience working with newcomers to Canada? The WRENCH is seeking a Newcomer Mentor to be part of our Wheels of Courage project team. The posting for the position is attached as a pdf. It can be found on the WRENCH website here: http://thewrench.ca/wordpress/the-wrench-is-hiring-newcomer-mentor/

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FHWA Bikeway Selection Guide Webinar
by Mark Cohoe 26 Mar '19

26 Mar '19

Hi, If you missed this webinar today, you can view it through the PBIC site here <http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/training/webinars_FHWA_032619.cfm>. It was fairly informative and had some good advice, touching on policy and planning, as well as on implementation. Resources: A copy of the presentation and additional resources from this webinar are now available at http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/training/webinars_FHWA_032619.cfm On that same page we provide links to a few resources we discussed during today's webinar, including the FHWA Bikeway Selection Guide, https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/tools_solve/docs/fhwasa18077.pdf Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca

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WFP Analysis: Mature trees worth saving (Mar25'19)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Mar '19

25 Mar '19

*Mature trees worth saving, not just replacing * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/mature-trees-worth-savin… THE elm bark beetle kills 15 mature elm trees in Winnipeg every day. The emerald ash borer that arrived in late 2017 could kill every ash tree in the city in the next decade. Winnipeg has the unfortunate distinction of being the only city in North America at war with both of these tree-killing insects at the same time, and the two species they destroy make up almost two-thirds of the city’s public trees. Our urban forest is on the cusp of devastation, but a sense of public urgency has yet to set in. In Ottawa, more than 100,000 ash trees have been lost in the eight years since the emerald ash borer’s arrival. Our day is coming. As we battle the invaders, management of our street trees will mean replanting more diverse species as old ones are lost, but we should not undervalue efforts to preserve our existing older trees. The economic, environmental and social benefits of street trees increase exponentially with size, and it can take generations for the value of a lost mature tree to be regained. A replanted basswood, as an example, will be less than half of its mature height and breadth after 30 years of growth. A disease-free American elm can live up to 300 years, and doesn’t reach full maturity until 150 years. With salt and other environmental pollutants in today’s city, most replanted trees will never reach the scale of our current canopy. Because of this, investment made to preserve larger trees will have significant payback over several decades. The costs will be high, but there are few public expenditures with greater return on investment than protecting our street trees. The majestic beauty of leaf-filtered light streaming through the cathedral arch canopy of towering street trees inspires a sense of place that emotionally connects people to their neighbourhoods and cities. They create a comfortable pedestrian experience by providing shade and wind protection, while establishing an intimate pedestrian zone that separates cars and people. This perception of safety is enhanced as street trees define the road edge and enclose a driver’s field of vision, which instinctively calms traffic and lowers driving speeds. *A 2008 study by the Texas Transportation Institute found that the presence of large street trees lowers the average cruising speed of vehicles in suburbs by almost 5 km/h.* This more comfortable pedestrian environment translates into economic benefit. A study from the University of Washington determined that when shade trees are added to a retail street, the positive impact on the experience makes people stay longer and shop more, increasing spending by as much as 12 per cent on average. It also found that the attraction to mature street trees can increase residential property values by as much as 15 per cent. In Portland, Ore., this was calculated to be worth US$15 million in added property tax revenue for the city. Street trees also improve physical and mental health. A large tree can remove up to 25 per cent of nearby airborne fine particulates and gaseous pollutants emitted by vehicles and buildings. Large mature trees remove 70 times more urban air pollution than the small trees planted to replace them. Recent findings published in the Urban Forestry and Urban Greening Journal indicated that across 86 Canadian cities, the combined reduced air pollution from urban trees saves the health-care system $227 million annually, avoiding 22,000 incidences of acute respiratory symptoms. A Toronto study, Neighbourhood Greenspace and Health in a Large Urban Centre, found exposure to trees can be psychologically and physiologically restorative. The study asked 31,000 residents in different communities to assess their perceived state of health. When the data were overlaid on tree maps, they revealed that having 10 or more mature street trees on a block had the equivalent self-reported health benefits of feeling seven years younger. People in poorer areas with plentiful street trees reported health that resembled affluent neighbourhoods, and those living on wealthier streets without trees reported health like that of people in poorer areas. As trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere, they can play an important role in reducing a city’s contribution to climate change. Once again, size matters. As trees age, their climate benefits increase disproportionately, with as much as 50 per cent of their carbon accumulation occurring in the last quarter of their lives, and almost three-quarters in the last half. The cooling effect of shade trees also reduces the energy requirements for the air-conditioning of buildings, which in turn reduces GHG emissions. A study by the City of Sacramento determined that large street trees can reduce summertime energy use by as much as 35 per cent, twice as much as medium-sized trees, with small trees having very little effect. With climate change increasing the frequency of high-volume stormwater events, street trees are playing a more important role managing runoff and relieving pressure on municipal infrastructure. Large street trees can absorb as much as 60 per cent of the water in a rainfall, with capacity being directly related to the size of the tree’s canopy and root system. Losing our large trees would likely have catastrophic effects on Winnipeg’s combined sewer system — pipes that collect both raw sewage and rainfall, with a replacement cost pegged at more than $4 billion. Winnipeg without its majestic street tree canopy is difficult to imagine. The economic, social and environmental impact would be devastating. The battle to preserve as many large old trees as possible, and to replace the ones that are lost, will take a significantly increased commitment from private citizens and all levels of government. Their benefits show that a city’s trees are not merely leafy decoration, but should be considered an essential piece of urban infrastructure, no less valuable than roads, sidewalks and sewer lines. *Brent Bellamy is a senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group.*

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CTV: City council passes budget with 11-5 vote
by Beth McKechnie 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

*City council passes budget with 11-5 vote* [Note: see highlighted text below] https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/city-council-passes-budget-with-11-5-vote-1.434… With spring on the horizon, Winnipeg driver Armond Eaglestick says his street is showing signs of wear and tear. "There's a lot of potholes," said Eaglestick. He says Winnipeg streets aren't doing his truck any favours. The shocks are always going, you got to pay you know shocks and tires, sometimes they pop," said Eaglestick. Winnipeg city council passed the 2019 budget by an 11 to 5 vote, but there was no last minute money added to fix residential streets. The outcome came in spite of lobbying efforts from the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and others to find some cash. "This year you wiped out all significant work on neighbourhood streets," said Chris Lorenc, president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. Because of a $40 million funding dispute with the province, the city says it was forced to chop the local roads budget this year. Fifty-three street and lane projects fell by the wayside, even though homeowners are paying more in taxes. "This was I believe a fiscally responsible reaction to the shortfall," said Mayor Brian Bowman. Prior to the budget vote, councillors Ross Eadie and Jason Schreyer tabled a motion to borrow $10 million this year to reconstruct some of those roads. "There is an expectation on our residents that they actually see some work this year," said Eadie. Council voted against that plan. "I for one do not believe it is appropriate to pull out the city's credit card to make Winnipeg taxpayers pay the province's bill," said Scott Gillingham, chair of city council’s finance committee. But all might not be lost for the city's residential roads. The Trudeau government's federal budget this week contained a pledge to double gas tax revenues. Winnipeg's share comes out to around $40 million. "You know local roads could be one area for consideration by council, there could other things, active transportation,” said Bowman. Mayor Brian Bowman says it's unclear when that money could flow. Armond Eaglestick says the sooner the better. "You can't really drive anywhere you have to dodge the holes and everything," said Eaglestick.

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WFP: Newcomer girl, 4, hit at crosswalk dies (Mar21'19)
by Beth McKechnie 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

*Family suffers ‘profound shock’; mother recovers in hospital* * Newcomer girl, 4, hit at crosswalk dies * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/girl-4-struck-by-vehicle-at-crosswa… A FOUR-YEAR-OLD girl who was struck by a vehicle at a Winnipeg crosswalk Monday has died. The girl, named Galila, recently arrived in Canada from Eritrea with her parents and six-year-old brother. She died at the Health Sciences Centre, where she and her mother, who was also hit by the vehicle as they crossed Isabel Street at Alexander Avenue, had been listed in critical condition. “It’s a profound shock,” said family spokeswoman Dorota Blumczynska, who was at the hospital late Tuesday to console the child’s father. “Everything has happened so quickly,” said the executive director of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM), which runs the transitional housing complex on Isabel Street where the family lives. “The family has continued to ask for privacy.” On Monday, just before noon, Galila and her mother — identified Wednesday by Blumczynska as Genet Bruk — were walking to pick up Galila’s six-year-old brother, Lamek, at Dufferin School. The pair was hit by a northbound vehicle at the crosswalk. Police have not released more details about the incident, other than that Galila died as a result of her injuries. Blumczynska said Bruk remains in hospital in stable condition. Her husband, Rezene Bruk, was there when his daughter died Tuesday evening, she said. “Now he has to direct his energy to his wife,” said an emotional Blumczynska, after she and other IRCOM staff held a vigil at the hospital with the Bruks until the early hours Wednesday. The couple is in the early stages of learning English and an interpreter is helping them through the complex medical information at HSC. The language of grief, however, is painfully simple. “The father and I exchanged some words of profound sadness,” Blumczynska said through tears. “The mom needs to fully recover and it will be a long journey for her... She and her husband and son need our continued prayers and love and support to make it through this.” Galila’s death echoes a similar tragedy in the city, a little more than a year ago. In February 2018, eight-year-old Surafiel Musse Tesfamariam was on his way to École Varennes with his mother, when he was hit and killed by a vehicle at a crosswalk on St. Anne’s Road. After Surafiel’s death, St. Vital residents pushed for greater safety at the crosswalk, Coun. Brian Mayes said. “I got more calls and emails on this than anything,” he said. “It was upsetting for the whole community.” In May, city councillors on the public works committee unanimously approved an administration plan for the installation of eye-level, flashing warning lights at the St. Anne’s Road crosswalk. Tree branches that could obscure the existing flashing amber lights at the crossing were pruned to improve visibility. The cost was roughly $25,000. “I think it improves visibility,” the councillor for St. Vital said, adding he would like to see more crosswalks get beefed-up warning lights. “Anecdotally, people have been positive about it,” said Mayes, who is waiting for a formal report on the effect of the improvements at the St. Anne’s Road crosswalk. Manitoba Public Insurance’s more recent statistics show the number of pedestrians hit by vehicles has gone up. MPI doesn’t have specific crosswalk data, but its 2017 report shows 179 people were killed or injured that year — an involvement rate of 13.2 per 100,000 people, compared with an average of 11.4 per 100,000 from 2012 to 2016. Most pedestrians in Manitoba were hit on a weekday (82 per cent) and between noon and 6 p.m. Almost half (41 per cent) were hit at an intersection and had the right of way. Manitobans ages 55 to 64 had the highest rate of being hit and killed, MPI numbers show. Children under the age of 10 had the lowest rate of pedestrian deaths and injuries in Manitoba. Their deaths, understandably, often prompt the biggest response, Mayes said. “When a child is killed, people want action,” the councillor said. In April, the city’s Riel community committee will consider a request from Surafiel’s mother to put an honorary street name topper on the sign at the corner where he died. The blue sign would say “Surafiel,” Mayes said. He said he’ll vote to approve the sign staying up for 10 years. carol.sanders(a)freepress.mb.ca

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CBC: Pedestrian death, injuries put renewed focus on road design and safety
by Beth McKechnie 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

*Pedestrian death, injuries put renewed focus on road design and safety* *Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman says the city is following a plan to reduce collisions* https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/pedestrian-safety-vision-zero-1.506… The death of a four-year-old girl after she and her mother were hit by a vehicle in a crosswalk on Monday has put renewed focus on pedestrian safety in Winnipeg. Some people, including Coun. Janice Lukes, have called on the city to adopt a concept called Vision Zero. Developed in Sweden, it aims to change infrastructure and road design to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle accidents, with the aim of zero injuries and fatalities from car collisions. Edmonton adopted the strategy in 2016 and has seen a reduction in the number of people hurt and killed on their streets. "We feel we've been very fortunate over the last three years," said Gerry Shimko, executive director of Edmonton's office of traffic safety. Serious injuries have gone down 17 per cent, from 385 people hospitalized in 2015 to 319 last year. Pedestrian injuries are down 21 per cent, cyclist injuries are down 29 per cent and motorcycle injuries 26 per cent over the last three years, Shimko said. "So it's all trending in the right direction," he said. Changes under the program include narrowing roadways so drivers don't feel like they can speed through, and setting speed limits at 40 km/h in some communities. The strategy also proposes raising crosswalks to encourage drivers to slow down, and putting in curb extensions to reduce the distance pedestrians have to cross, "One of the primary focuses is to really look at identifying where your high-risk locations are for fatalities and serious injuries," he said. Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman says the city's road safety improvement efforts are following a plan adopted by the federal government called Towards Zero. "That's been incorporated and has been demonstrating, notwithstanding the fact that accidents are still going to happen, is still demonstrating some good, positive successes," Bowman said. The four-year-old girl and her mother — newcomers to Canada — were hit while in a crosswalk at Isabel Street and Alexander Avenue around noon Monday. On Wednesday, a pedestrian was taken to hospital in critical condition after being hit on Osborne Street near Morley Avenue and Bartlet Avenue. Bowman said he's committed to discussing ways to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in the city. Shimko said anyone interested in learning from Edmonton's experience is welcome to visit. "At the end of the day we believe that everybody's family should leave and come home safely."

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Fwd: Got unwanted bikes? We need 'em for spring programming!
by Dave Elmore 19 Mar '19

19 Mar '19

Got bikes that are just sitting around collecting dust. The WRENCH needs bikes. We are critically short. Please help if you can. Oh and if you would like to support the WRENCH while enjoying a cold beer, Barn Hammer Brewing Company is having their monthly Barn Raising in support of the WRENCH tomorrow. See details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/419737035440805/ Thanks Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X) ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Wrench Volunteer Coordinator <wrenchvolunteer(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, Mar 19, 2019 at 12:09 PM Subject: Got unwanted bikes? We need 'em for spring programming! To: *The WRENCH needs your help* to ensure that children and families across the city can experience their summer by bike! During the snowy months bike donations slow down drastically but WRENCH programming keeps going strong all winter long. In fact we are doing more youth programming and giving out more bikes to community organizations & schools than ever before! Yes it is a very exciting time at The WRENCH, but the challenging situation is that now that spring is in the air our bike stock is critically low while demand is rising. *Support vital bike programming in your community by dropping off your unwanted bicycles and parts at any 4R Winnipeg Depot <https://winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/recycle/4rdepots/>today!* [image: WRENCH needs bikes square.jpg] *(Incase you can't see the above image...) Please bring your donations here:* 1) Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot 1777 Brady Road, south of the Perimeter Highway Weekdays 8am – 8pm. Weekends 9am – 5pm. 2) Pacific 4R Winnipeg Depot 1120 Pacific Avenue Weekdays (except Wednesday) 10 am – 6 pm. Weekends 9 am – 5 pm. 3) Panet 4R Winnipeg Depot 429 Panet Rd Weekdays (except Wednesday) 10 am – 6 pm. Weekends 9 am – 5 pm. 4) The WRENCH 1057 Logan, basement of the Animal Services building Thursdays Noon – 5:30 pm. Saturdays 2 pm – 4:30 pm. *For further information on bike donations, email: resource(a)thewrench.ca <resource(a)thewrench.ca> *

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City of Winnipeg seeks input for Transit Master Plan & SW Rapid Transitway Route Planning
by Beth McKechnie 18 Mar '19

18 Mar '19

City of Winnipeg seeks public input for two transit projects Released: 4:08 p.m. March 15, 2019 https://winnipeg.ca/cao/media/news/nr_2019/nr_20190315.stm#2 The City of Winnipeg is kicking off two major transit projects today and inviting Winnipeggers to share their input over the next month. *Winnipeg Transit Master Plan* The City wants to hear from Winnipeggers about the future of our transit system to help shape the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan. The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan is a 25-year plan that will cover all aspects of the transit system – Transit, Rapid Transit, and Transit Plus (formerly Handi-Transit) service and infrastructure. “We expect Winnipeg to be home to nearly one million people within the next 25 years and our transit system needs to grow along with the city,” said Kevin Sturgeon, Senior Transit Planner. “This project will give us an opportunity to talk to Winnipeggers about what’s important to them in a transit system for the future.” In the first phase of public engagement, the project team will talk to Winnipeggers about how they currently use transit services, what is important to them, and what they would like to see in the future. The information gathered will be presented in a report that identifies key areas of study for the Transit Master Plan project. >From March 15 to April 20, Winnipeggers are invited to provide input online, by email at: transitmasterplan(a)winnipeg.ca, or in person at one of five open houses, or at one of six pop-up events throughout the city. *Open house details:* *Date* *Time* *Location* April 9, 2019 3:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m. South Winnipeg Community Centre – Waverley Site 1885 Chancellor Dr. <https://goo.gl/maps/PD4JyJTfZvv> April 10, 2019 4 p.m to 8 p.m. Transcona East End Community Centre 517 Pandora Ave E. <https://goo.gl/maps/srNK8zHQGLQ2> April 11, 2019 4 p.m to 8 p.m. Seven Oaks Arena 745 Kingsbury Ave. <https://goo.gl/maps/h6ZYjqQxd2x> April 16, 2019 4 p.m to 8 p.m. Sturgeon Heights Community Centre 210 Rita St. <https://goo.gl/maps/u1PfvJALXtC2> April 17, 2019 4 p.m to 8 p.m. Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain 340 Provencher Blvd. <https://goo.gl/maps/T2WnpRWLDTE2> *Pop-up details:* *Date* *Time* *Location* April 4, 2019 10 a.m to 1 p.m. Charleswood Library 4910 Roblin Blvd. <https://www.google.com/maps/place/4910+Roblin+Blvd,+Winnipeg,+MB+R3R+0G7/@4…> April 5, 2019 10 a.m to 1 p.m. Windsor Park Library 1195 Archibald St. <https://goo.gl/maps/Fuiv2rbB2nq> April 6, 2019 10 a.m to 1 p.m. St. Norbert Farmers Market 3514 Pembina Hwy. <https://goo.gl/maps/UbGuLwQbQfG2> April 8, 2019 4 p.m to 7 p.m. Elmwood Kildonans Pool 909 Concordia Ave. <https://goo.gl/maps/tcjySn5Jm892> April 12, 2019 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Merchants Corner 541 Selkirk Ave. <https://goo.gl/maps/iGgud4SECNx> April 13, 2019 1:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m. Lindenwoods Community Centre 414 Lindenwood Dr. W. <https://goo.gl/maps/NvQ7U4KPDnM2> Work on the Transit Master Plan will continue throughout the year, with an anticipated completion date in 2020. For more information on the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan, please visit: winnipeg.ca/transitmasterplan. *Southwest Rapid Transitway Route Planning* Winnipeg Transit is proposing improvements to bus routes in southwest Winnipeg to coincide with the opening of the Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) in spring 2020, including a new spine and feeder network, subject to Council approval. The implementation of the proposed new routes using a spine and feeder network will ensure optimal use of Winnipeg Transit’s resources so that it can improve the delivery of efficient, fast, and reliable transit service for residents in the southwest of the City. The proposed network changes include a central spine, with feeder routes. The proposed BLUE Line is the backbone of the Southwest Transitway, providing frequent high-speed service between Downtown, the University of Manitoba and St. Norbert. Short routes will connect neighborhoods in southwest Winnipeg to the transitway but will not operate on the transitway. A mobile Ideas in Motion bus will be popping up in communities throughout southwest Winnipeg in early April where residents will have an opportunity to learn more about the proposed system and route changes, and share their input with the project team in person. An online survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HSZXQ9R> is also available on the project website until April 15, 2019. *Date* *Time* *Location* Wednesday, April 3, 2019 12 p.m to 2:30 p.m. University of Manitoba Station Dafoe Rd. @ Gillson St. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Dafoe+Rd+W+%26+Gillson+St,+Winnipeg,+MB+R3…> Wednesday, April 3, 2019 3:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m. Osborne Junction Bus Loop Pembina Hwy. @ Osborne St. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Southbound+Pembina+at+Osborne+Junction/@49…> Thursday, April 4, 2019 2:15 p.m to 4:30 p.m. University of Manitoba Station Dafoe Rd. @ Gillson St. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Dafoe+Rd+W+%26+Gillson+St,+Winnipeg,+MB+R3…> Saturday, April 6, 2019 11 a.m to 1 p.m. St. Norbert Farmers’ Market Eagles Club, 3459 Pembina Hwy. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Eagles+Club+No+3870/@49.7678078,-97.156272…> Saturday, April 6, 2019 2 p.m to 4 p.m. Bridgwater Centre Exact location to be determined Monday, April 8, 2019 3 p.m to 5 p.m. South Pointe School 615 Kirkbridge Dr. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/South+Pointe+School+%2F+%C3%89cole+South+P…> Monday, April 8, 2019 6 p.m to 8 p.m. Kenaston Common 1665 Kenaston Blvd. <https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Northbound+Kenaston+at+Wal-Mart/@49.822787…> (Walmart parking lot) [image: Ideas in Motion Bus Promo Picture 2] Input gathered throughout the public engagement process will help further refine the proposed route improvements before recommending changes to Council for its approval in advance of the opening of the second stage of the Southwest Transitway. For more information on the Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2) project, please visit winnipeg.ca/southwestrapidtransitway <https://winnipeg.ca/cao/media/news/nr_2019/nr_20190315.stm#2>.

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AT Webinar: Navigating without curbs & accessibility, Mar 20th, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 14 Mar '19

14 Mar '19

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of the recorded February APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom. This will be followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth *AT Webinar: Wed, March 20th, 2-3pm* Navigating without curbs: Accessibility on shared streets Shared streets are becoming a common Placemaking tool for our communities. Creating streets where the curbs are removed in favor of low-speed and vibrant shared spaces creates challenges for users who have vision impairment, both in terms of identifying conflicts with other users and navigating a corridor with minimally defined edges. This webinar will explore the latest guidance in addressing the needs of persons with no or low vision in shared streets and plazas. Presenters: - James Elliott, Toole Design - Elizabeth Hilton, Federal Highway Administration, Office of Infrastructure - Dylan Passmore, City of Vancouver - Janet Barlow, Accessible Design for the Blind -- Beth McKechnie* | *Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Transit Score rankings for Canadian cities
by Beth McKechnie 13 Mar '19

13 Mar '19

The folks at Walk Score have now developed a Transit Score for Canadian cities. Toronto and Vancouver fare pretty well while (spoiler alert) Winnipeg comes in at the low end, bunched in with about 10 other cities out of the 15 ranked. https://www.redfin.com/blog/2019/03/best-cities-canada-public-transit-score… -- Beth McKechnie* | *Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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Facilitators and barriers to winter cycling
by Beth McKechnie 11 Mar '19

11 Mar '19

Hi everyone, Though the snow is starting to soften and soon to melt, you may be interested in this research article "Facilitators and barriers to winter cycling: case study of a downtown university in Toronto, Canada". https://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.viewdeta… Thanks to Kristine Hayward for the share! cheers, Beth -- Beth McKechnie* | *Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP: More Winnipeggers are forgoing their cars (Mar2'19)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Mar '19

02 Mar '19

*More Winnipeggers are forgoing their cars, creating new attitudes and business opportunities* *Take my keys, please * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/take-my-keys-please-50… FOR a long time, Mel Marginet’s car sat in her driveway, unused. She had started biking and taking the bus to work, and was making a conscious effort to be an active commuter. “I knew the heavy environmental impact driving a car as your primary mode of transportation has, and I knew (Manitoba) had a really high rate of people driving alone,” says Marginet, who now, fittingly, works in workplace commuter options at Green Action Centre. “To me, you can be part of the problem or part of the solution. I didn’t want to be a person who complained about things, then did nothing.” And so, two years ago got rid of her car. Marginet is part of a small but growing segment of Winnipeggers who are ditching their cars— a move that might seem incongruous or even illogical, depending on who you ask. Winnipeg, after all, is a city built for cars. Many people can’t imagine living here without one. Some might be able to picture a car-fee life during those days when the bus-scheduling gods have smiled down upon us and everything is running on time, or during an idyllic summertime bike commute under the city’s sun-dappled elm canopies. But when it’s February and freezing, busing seems unappealing and biking seems “extreme,” to borrow a word from Coun. Jeff Browaty. Marginet, who’s in her 30s, felt similarly once upon a time. “I thought people who biked in the city were crazy,” she says with a laugh. The more she did it, though, the easier it became. “I actually found owning a car more stressful,” she says. “I always had to be concerned about finding a parking space, whether it would start or not, shovelling out the drive or, ‘Am I going to get stuck in the backlane?’” She’s seen other positive upshots to active commuting, too. “I haven’t had a gym membership since I’ve started commuting by bike,” she says. “If I had to go to a gym to put in those kilometres, I wouldn’t have time.” She’s saved a pile of money, too. But her biggest motivator is the environment. Transportation makes up the biggest piece of our province’s carbon footprint pie, and she wanted to do her part by reducing hers. Active transportation, she points out, does not have to be all-or-none. It is also possible to develop a transportation plan, as Marginet has, that incorporates biking, Winnipeg Transit and, yes, even driving. “Peg City Car Co-op was the final push for me to get rid of my car,” Marginet says. “There’s always those trips where you have to have a car in Winnipeg; getting big, heavy bulky shopping done, or there’s just parts of town that are impossible to get to.” Peg City Car Co-Op is Winnipeg’s only car-sharing program. Through a membership, people access to a car when they need it. When Peg City launched in 2011, it had three vehicles; it has since grown to 33 vehicles, and 1,200 members. “In the past 12 months, we’ve seen a growth in our fleet and membership of 30 per cent, and we’re continuing that trajectory,” says Philip Mikulec, operations manager at Peg City Co-op. “Besides the laudable environmental goals, people who are joining car-sharing are largely doing it for economic reasons. This speaks to the change in the way people use our service and the kind of demand we’re seeing in our fleet. As we mature, we’re seeing more and more people joining because I think they see the economic benefits to themselves of not owning a car and having a reliable service they can use.” So who uses car-sharing? At first, Peg City’s membership base was mostly the early adopters, or “avid non-car owners.” As the idea of a car co-op has become more accepted and mainstream, that base has widened to include people from a wide cross section of socio-economic backgrounds. Based on Peg City’s data, the co-op’s core membership is made up of young, highly educated professionals who live in six-figure households. They tend to live and work either downtown or in the Exchange District. “They’d rather not spend $300 a month on parking alone,” Mikulec says. Car-share users tend to be under 40, and generally have no children or one child. “The whole industry is trying to figure out how to do better on dealing with the child gap in car-sharing,” Mikulec says. “There are people who like the service, but they find there are a lot of barriers, especially if they have a child who still uses a car seat or booster seat.” Car-sharing doesn’t just help reduce household budgets by lessening the financial burden of car ownership. It also helps reduce carbon footprints. Car-share vehicles tend to be newer, more efficient and better maintained. Mikulec says industry data show that for every car-share vehicle put on the road, 10 to 15 vehicles are shed. Mikulec believes Winnipeg has the potential to support 100 to 200 shared cars. Even avid drivers are coming around on the idea of car-sharing. “We’re still speaking the same language — it’s about cars,” Mikulec says. “Many people who are avid car owners have positive attitudes toward what we’re doing. There isn’t a sense of getting their back up over what we’re doing.” And then there are people such as Tim Brandt, who hasn’t driven in 18 years. He’s a year-round cyclist, and happier for it. His wife still drives, but the couple no longer owns a car. He’s a vocal advocate for car-free living; he also appears in Winnipeggers Janine Tschuncky and Kenneth George Godwin’s documentary on this subject called Carfree: Stories from the Non-Driving Life. Brandt, who’s in his 60s, used to drive — and professionally at that. “I owned cars, I drove a taxi in the ’80s, I drove a courier car. It was through reading and more and more interest in environmental issues that I weaned myself off cars.” Brandt biked to school with his son throughout elementary school; when he got older, they took bike trips together. He got involved in local cycling culture, participating in Critical Mass rides. “I was older than a lot of the riders, but I made a lot of friends.” He started organizing car-free events, and found it empowering. He says he hasn’t experienced a lot of animosity between himself and motorists. As he fell in love with biking, he fell out of love with driving. Katie Alvord’s 2000 book Divorce your Car! Ending the Love Affair with the Automobile was “a real eye opener” for him. Brandt’s main motivation for living car-free is the environment. He’s concerned about society’s reliance on cars and car culture’s environmental impact. Making space for other modes of transportation in our car-forward city requires a shift in thinking and priorities by individuals as well as those who make decisions for our city. “I have really mixed feelings about actually building infrastructure for cycling, lanes and stuff,” Brandt says. “My No. 1 wish would be to lower speed limits for cars just to make it safer for everyone — not just cyclists but pedestrians and motorists, too. I feel lowering speed limits would do a world of good and make it easier for cars and bikes to get along. But I know that’s a tough hill. I also think that change has to happen to help wean people off their cars, to show them they can’t just speed around all the time.” “My wish would be that for every infrastructure project the city does, they place priority on the health, safety and comfort of people who are walking, biking or using Transit ahead of personal vehicles,” Marginet says. “Right now, we place the convenience of personal vehicles first and everything else is just an afterthought.” jen.zoratti(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @JenZoratti

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WFP: Preliminary budget avoids huge property tax hike through road repair funding cuts (Mar2'19)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Mar '19

02 Mar '19

*Road repair funding cut to make up difference* * Preliminary budget avoids huge property tax hike * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/budget--506560481.html THE sky isn’t falling after all. Despite repeated threats from Mayor Brian Bowman warning of massive tax increases or infrastructure cuts or both to cope with a reported $40-million funding dispute with the Pallister government, the mayor and members of his executive policy committee tabled a preliminary 2019 budget Friday that proposes a property tax increase of 2.33 per cent — the same percentage increase for the fifth consecutive year. Instead of the 9.4 per cent property tax increase Bowman had previously said was possible, the budget proposes to more than make up the shortfall from the province with a cut to its roads and sidewalk budget. While council in September approved spending $128.4 million for 2019 on roads and sidewalks, the budget lowers that amount to $86.4 million. The City of Winnipeg said the effect of the property tax bump on the average home will be about $40 (a tax bill of $1,774 for a home assessed at $296,560). “Preparing this year’s budget was complicated by ongoing uncertainty regarding provincial government funding support to the city,” Bowman told reporters. “I fully support the provincial government’s efforts to eliminate its budget deficit, but I don’t believe this should be achieved on the backs of Winnipeg property taxpayers.” Total spending by the city will climb 3.9 per cent, to $1.22 billion — more than double the 1.2 per cent increase between 2017 and 2018. Aside from the reduction in the planned amount of infrastructure spending, the 2019 preliminary budget shows little effect from city hall’s public feuding with the Manitoba government: • No staff layoffs; • Police spending increases 3.4 per cent, to $301.4 million; • Fire paramedic service spending increases 4.2 per cent, to $201.5 million; • The business tax rate will be reduced for the fifth year in a row; • Freezes on water and sewer rates, transit fares, frontage levies and parking rates; • And no new fees. Bowman told reporters the “responsible” way to address the $40-million shortfall was to reduce the number of road projects rather than recover the entire amount through an additional 7.1 per cent property tax increase. Council will be asked to make up half of the $40 million from the 2019 local street renewal reserve fund. The remaining $20 million will be referred to the 2020 capital budget process. Bowman said reduced spending on roads in future years will become “the city’s new reality.” Rolling back infrastructure spending means fewer roads will be repaired, but $86.4 million remains a significant amount compared to the spending during the 10 years of the Sam Katz administration (2004-14), and is slightly more than the $84 million council approved in 2014. *Also affected by the infrastructure rollback will be sidewalks, bike trails and pedestrian pathways — $2.7 million less than was projected in the 2018 budget, and a total of $17.5 million over six years.* Finance chairman Coun. Scott Gillingham said the preliminary budget was produced by the EPC, but it also reflects concerns from other members of council and the public. “We are dealing with a new fiscal reality with the province of Manitoba,” he said. Gillingham said revenue collected from the impact fee (the charge on new residential development on the suburban areas) will continue to be held in a reserve account and not used for spending this year. Total capital projects spending for 2019, including utilities and special operating agencies, is set at $367.5 million, a reduction of $12.5 million from 2018. There is $2.1 million set aside for continued planning on the Kenaston Boulevard/Route 90 widening but no funds for construction. The Arlington Street bridge replacement was not identified as a project. *Those hoping to see an introduction of a low-income bus pass this year will be disappointed. However, that’s planned to be introduced in April 2020, with a 30 per cent discount on the full adult fare, rising to 50 per cent in 2022.* *Winnipeg Transit will benefit with the purchase of 34 new buses, $1 million for heated bus shelters and $500,000 for improving bus-stop accessibility.* The budget will also see a reduction in dividends taken from water and sewer rates — to 11 per cent from 12 per cent. (The dividend is the amount of revenues from the water and waste department that is skimmed off to offset property taxes. The Katz administration imposed an eight per cent dividend in 2011; Bowman increased it to 12 per cent in his first budget in 2015.) A surprise in the budget is the size of the funding increase to the Winnipeg Police Service. Despite assurances the WPS budget would be limited to the rate of inflation, police will get a 3.4 per cent increase in 2019, to $301.4 million from $291.5 million. Other highlights: • Spending on community centre renovation grants double, from $920,000 to $2 million; • $169 million over six years to reduce the incidence of combined sewer overflows; • $22.2 million for 34 Winnipeg Transit buses; • $1-million study on electrification of transit buses; • $18 million in savings from vacancy management; • And $12 million in savings from department efficiencies. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca The highlights ● How much money does the city need this year for its current operating budget? $1.124 billion. ● What kind of a property tax increase is the city looking for? The proposed budget calls for a 2.33 per cent property tax increase, the same annual increase Mayor Brian Bowman campaigned for during the civic election. ● What does it mean to your wallet? If your home is worth $296,560 — the average cost of a house here — you’ll be paying an additional $40.38. That means your tax bill (not including what you’ll be paying to your local school division) will go from $1,733 to $1,774. ● What will that extra tax money go to? The city says the entire 2.33 per cent increase goes to infrastructure, not for salaries or to pay for new goodies. Two per cent would go to rebuilding and repairing regional and local roads, while the rest, 0.33 per cent, would go to complete the Southwest Rapid Transitway. ● I’ve heard the city is at loggerheads with the provincial government over funding — what does that mean for the city’s budget and my pocketbook? A lot, according to the proposed budget. There will be slashes throughout the budget, including: • Spending only $86.4 million on regional and local road renewals and repairs in 2019, down from the proposed $128.4 million. It would be the lowest annual expenditure since 2014. • Reducing the city’s overall road renewal plan from $976 million over the next six years to $801 million. • Cutting spending on sidewalks, bike corridors and recreational walkways from almost $5.7 million to $3 million, a near-50 per cent reduction. ● What new things is the city spending money on? • The city plans to strip away part of the corporate support services department for a new innovation, transformation and technology department. It will take the old department’s $20-million budget for innovation needs and add an additional $4.6 million to it. • Transit bus drivers will finally be protected by safety shields. The city will spend $3.15 million over the next year for their purchase and installation. • The purchase of 34 new buses at a cost of $22.2 million. • A plan to spend more than $1 million for more heated bus shelters. • Implementing a low-income bus pass, but it won’t start until April 2020. The pass would give a 30 per cent discount for adult monthly passes in 2020, 40 per cent in 2021 and 50 per cent starting in 2022. • Spending $1 million to study how to incorporate electric buses into the current transit system and create a budget estimate for buying between 12 and 20 battery-electric vehicles. • No new fees are proposed. No water and sewer rate increases. No frontage levy rate increase. Parking rates will not go up. ● Who are the winners in this budget? • Bus riders. For the first time since 2007, transit fares will not go up. • Cyclists. The city is looking at earmarking $432,000 of the $35-million snow-removal budget to keep bicycle corridors free of snow and ice. • Police officers. The Winnipeg Police Service is one of the few departments, along with Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, that will get an increase higher than the cost of living. The budget proposes giving it an extra $9.9 million, up from $291.5 million to $301.4 million. • Firefighters. The department will get a budget increase of 4.2 per cent. As well, they will get more than $16 million in capital support to pay for a new computer-aided dispatch system, new air compressors, cardiac monitors, defibrillators and power stretchers and $3.4 million to maintain and repair fire-paramedic stations. • Community centres. The city-owned centres needing repairs will have more money to draw from. The city is looking at doubling the funding to the Community Centre Renovation Grant Program from just under $1 million to $2 million and increasing eligible grants from $50,000 to $100,000. • Winnipeg’s rivers. The city is looking at spending $31 million this year, part of a $169-million plan over six years, to reduce the amount of sewage getting out of the city’s combined sewer overflow into rivers during major rain events. The city is hoping to reduce sewage overflows into the rivers by at least 85 per cent by 2045. • Athletes and culture lovers. Museums, community centres and other organizations will get $42.9 million in grant support this year. ● How much do we pay for our police and fire protection? A lot. Between the two of them, the Winnipeg Police Service and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service account for $503 million, or 45 per cent, of the city’s entire tax-supported budget. ● Property taxpayers have to pay more in this budget — how about small businesses? The city proposes to reduce the business tax from 5.14 per cent to 4.97 per cent while also increasing the business tax threshold from $33,300 to $33,900. This is about a 13 per cent decrease from 2014, as the city moves toward the tax’s eventual elimination. ● Will our water and sewer bills subsidize our tax dollars? Yes, but not as much as before. For the first time since it was put into place in 2011, the city will reduce the water and sewer dividend rate from 12 to 11 per cent. This is the amount taken from water and sewer and put into general revenue. The city says this will help the city fund the waste-water treatment infrastructure, which the province has ordered it to do. ● What about the capital budget, which pays for major construction projects in the city including roads, bridges, underpasses, police stations and park upgrades? The city is proposing spending $367.5 million this year, a bit less than the $380.1 million it spent last year. The city is also budgeting to spend $2.3 billion in capital investment in the next six years. ● What will this budget pay for over the next six years? More than $800 million on renewing existing local and regional roads, more than $169 million to reduce combined sewer overflow incidents, more than $11.8 million to build a new recreation facility in Waverley West and more than $23 million for the urban forest enhancement program. The city is also proposing sliding up to $3 million now into the 2020 capital budget for renovating and renewing Rainbow Stage. This project is subject to Rainbow Stage’s board successfully securing matching funds from other levels of government and private donors. ● What happens now? City committees — infrastructure renewal and public works; water and waste, riverbank management and the environment; protection, community services and parks — and the Winnipeg Police Board now get a chance to look through the budget and allow the public to give feedback before it goes back to executive policy committee and onto city council. — Kevin Rollason

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AT Webinar: Viewing Low-Stress Networks through an Equity Lens - Tues, March 5th, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 27 Feb '19

27 Feb '19

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of the recorded February APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom. This will be followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth *AT Webinar: Tues, March 5th, 2-3pm* Viewing Low-Stress Networks through an Equity Lens Our state of practice has improved the tools for assessing the quality of bicycle and pedestrian networks through the lens of comfort and safety, but – in planning these networks – are we including all potential users? This webinar will examine inclusive strategies for developing plans and metrics that are meaningful across social and cultural demographics. Presenters: - Dr. Adonia Lugo - urban anthropologist and mobility justice strategist - Tamika Butler - Toole Design - Carrie Modi - Fehr & Peers -- Beth McKechnie* | *Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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BC moving forward on provincial active transportation strategy
by Anders Swanson 26 Feb '19

26 Feb '19

BC's Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure wants "to make active transportation safer, easier, more affordable and attractive." and is hosting a series of regional forums to gather stakeholder feedback. From: Transportation, Active TRAN:EX <ActiveTransportation(a)gov.bc.ca> Date: Tue, Feb 26, 2019 at 1:41 PM Subject: B.C. Active Transportation Strategy – Regional Forums Our government is committed to protecting nature and making life better for people. Recently we introduced a CleanBC plan that puts our province on the path to a better future, and in the coming months British Columbians will have an opportunity to shape CleanBC initiatives. In partnership with communities across the province, we’re working to make active transportation safer, easier, more affordable and attractive. To help shape the future of active transportation in our province, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure would like to invite you to participate in an interactive regional forum. Eight regional forums are being held across the province to collect input and ideas from stakeholders like you. You are welcome to attend whichever one of the forums is more convenient for you. All forums will provide the same input opportunities. City Centre Library, Surrey (Room 418 – 10350 University Drive, Surrey, B.C. V3T 4C3) March 1 from 9:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. SFU Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Vancouver (Room 320 – 580 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5K3) March 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, Penticton (Meeting Room 6 & 7 – 273 Power Street, Penticton, B.C. V2A 7K9) March 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Florence Filberg Centre, Courtenay (Rotary Hall – 411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 6C6) March 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Prestige Lakeside Resort & Convention Centre, Nelson (Selkirk Salon – 701 Lakeside Drive, B.C. V1L 6G3) March 11 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Best Western, Terrace (Kokanee Room – 4553 Greig Avenue, Terrace, B.C. V8G 1M7) March 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, Prince George (Room 208 – 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, B.C. V2L 5T6) March 14 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Royal BC Museum, Victoria (Newcombe Conference Hall – 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, B.C. V8W 9W2) March 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the listed start time to allow for registration and familiarizing yourself with the project and workshop structure. To register for a forum, please email ActiveTransportation(a)gov.bc.ca with subject line “[community name] forum” and with your name and organization in the body of the email. If you are unable to attend, or would like to designate a representative, please forward this invitation internally to an alternate. We want to make sure we hear from your group or organization. Please email us with any questions you may have. In addition, there will be an opportunity to provide input online through the EngageBC website in the coming weeks. Working together, we can make communities more livable with investments in cleaner transportation options that are healthy, convenient and affordable. To learn more about the CleanBC plan, please visit https://engage.gov.bc.ca/cleanbc

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Disturbing trends in road injuries & fatalities
by Charles Feaver 25 Feb '19

25 Feb '19

A good article on the difference in road safety trends for pedestrians and cyclists v. automobile occupants, especially in urban areas: https://www.fastcompany.com/90310016/the-urban-design-problem-thats-killing- pedestrians-and-cyclists As cities strive to improve the quality of life for their residents, many are working to promote walking and biking. Such policies make sense, since they can, in the long run, lead to less traffic, cleaner air and healthier people. But the results aren't all positive, especially in the short to medium term. In Washington, D.C., for example, traffic fatalities as a whole declined in 2018 compared to the year before, but the number of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths <https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/pedestrians-contin ue-to-be-at-high-risk-on-washington-regions-roads-data-show/2019/02/09/e6a4e 7a8-1f52-11e9-8b59-0a28f2191131_story.html?utm_term=.bf31bf0e0b04> increased by 20%. Pedestrian deaths also have <https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/01/nyregion/traffic-deaths-decrease-nyc.htm l> risen in New York, and pedestrian and cycling fatalities have <https://www.outsideonline.com/2313301/would-you-ride-bike-los-angeles> increased in Los Angeles in the past several years. Across the nation (USA), cyclist fatalities have increased by 25% since 2010 and pedestrian deaths have risen by <https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/facts_stats/> a staggering 45%. More people are being killed because cities are encouraging residents to walk and bike, but their roads are still dominated by fast-moving vehicular traffic. . Charles Feaver <mailto:charles@bikewinnipeg.ca> charles(a)bikewinnipeg.ca

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FW: [WestCentralConnect] Focus Groups on Bicycling in Winnipeg
by Kristine Hayward 08 Feb '19

08 Feb '19

Hi AT folks – see information below regarding focus groups on cycling in Winnipeg. Kristine Kristine Hayward Physical Activity Promotion Coordinator Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 2nd floor - 490 Hargrave Street Winnipeg, MB R3A 0X7 Cell 204 232-7546 Fax 204 940-2690 Email khayward(a)wrha.mb.ca Bike racks are available in front of the building at the corner of Hargrave and McDermot. Plan your Winnipeg Transit trip: http://winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo Metred street parking and pay lots in the area – please note designated loading zones and spots requiring a disability permit. Follow Winnipeg in motion on Twitter - @wpginmotion Check out our videos on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/Winnipeginmotion Hey friends, Participants are needed next week for two focus group sessions on bicycling in Winnipeg. The objective of the focus group is to better understand public opinions about bicycling. The first session, Tuesday February 12, is for people who ride their bikes often. The second session, Wednesday February 13, is for people who do not ride a bicycle or people who do not ride a bicycle often. Both sessions are 6 PM to 8 PM; refreshment will be served and participants will receive $25 as compensation upon completion of the session. This study is being conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), a non-profit charitable organization in Ottawa, Ontario and the Spatial Pattern Analysis and Research Lab at the University of Victoria (SPARlab), with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Please see attached posters for more information, including contact information if you are interested. Please share widely and generously, Joseph Joseph Stothers, Community Liaison & Communications Coordinator Pronouns: He/Him/His Spence Neighbourhood Association 430 Langside Street | Winnipeg, MB | R3B 2T5 Treaty 1 Territory, traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples and Homeland of the Metis Nation 204-783-5000 ext. 109 www.spenceneighbourhood.org<http://www.spenceneighbourhood.org> Donate<https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/spence-neighbourhood-association-i…> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/SpenceNeighbourhoodAssociation> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/SNAcommunity> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/SNAcommunity/> <https://www.instagram.com/SNAcommunity/>The Spence Neighbourhood Association works with the people of Spence to revitalize and renew their community in the areas of Holistic Housing, Community Connecting, Community Economic Development, Environment and Open Spaces, and Youth & Families. CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this message is intended solely for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any use, dissemination, distribution, copying or disclosure of this message and attachments, in whole or in part, by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and permanently delete the complete message and any attachments. Thank you. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "West Central Connect" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to west-central-connect+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com<mailto:west-central-connect+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com>. To post to this group, send email to west-central-connect(a)googlegroups.com<mailto:west-central-connect@googlegroups.com>. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. 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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Calgary winter cycling numbers stay strong, city says
by Beth McKechnie 05 Feb '19

05 Feb '19

*Calgary winter cycling numbers stay strong, city says* https://livewirecalgary.com/2019/02/05/calgary-winter-cycling-numbers-stay-… More than 280 cycling advocates, engineers, academics and planners from around the world will be in Calgary over the next couple days as the city hosts the 2019 Winter Cycling Congress. It’s the seventh annual international event, which discusses opportunities and best practices for cycling in cold climate cities, and Tom Thivener, active transportation projects coordinator with the City of Calgary, said it’s the perfect time for the event to be held in Calgary. “It’s a privilege to host it – the first time in Western Canada,” said Thivener. Thivener said the city has come a long way in providing alternative modes of transportation over the past few decades. Starting with the CTrain in the 80s, the extensive pathway system through the early part of the new millennium and now the extension of that system to the on-street cycling network. “Low and behold we have 90 kilometres that have been created or modified since the cycling strategy took hold,” he said. “If you look at where we’ve come from and where we’re headed, it definitely a good time to bring the Congress to Calgary.” The city’s fickle winter climate does pose challenges other cities don’t face – Chinooks melting snow, creating ice patches that can be tough for city crews to track down – but it also provides the benefit of being able to ride year round, often in milder temperatures. Thivener said when you compare it to a place like Finland, where they often ride on packed snow, avoiding frequent icy conditions, Calgary is a unique place to cycle in winter. Other cities deal with icy rains and freezing temperatures which make winter riding uncomfortable and wet at the best of times. When diving into Calgary’s winter cycling data, Thivener said the one thing that stands out to him is the fact that there are more cyclists using the on-street network in the winter now than there were cycling on Calgary streets during the summer prior to the cycle track. “It’s a really a credit to the infrastructure, but also the determination of riders to want these transportation options and want them to be available year-round.” He did note that winter trips are 30 per cent of those on a typical summer day but attributed that to the likelihood that the same riders were still out there, just limiting their trips by bundling outings together. “In the winter it’s a fair number of the same people. Only a certain number are fair weather cyclists out there,” he said. Still, Thivener acknowledges ongoing challenges with maintenance, especially in areas where they can’t respond immediately, or where there are gaps in snow clearing. One area in particular they’re addressing is in clearing bike boulevard connectors on some of the city’s dead-end streets where larger equipment can’t turn around. He said a recent boost to the operations budget for pathways and the cycling network should help them address some of the shortcomings – hopefully in time for next winter. “The river pathway system stays busy year round and the on-street stuff is no different. We’re trying to level the playing field by getting similar quality maintenance protocols on each so people can predict them,” he said. While some may question the need for cycling infrastructure given Calgary’s northern climate, Thivener said the city’s made major strides in providing more transportation options. We have to step back and see how far we’ve come. We can debate about how fast we’re moving, and that’s healthy debate, but in the end, we’ve made a lot of progress in the last couple decades around sustainable transportation.” The Winter Cycling Congress runs from Feb. 6 to 8 at the new Central Library.

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WFP Editorial: Tap the brakes on electric scooters (Feb4'19)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Feb '19

04 Feb '19

*Tap the brakes on electric scooters * MAYBE it’s a movement — a forward-surging trend that seeks to embrace a more carbon-friendly style of commuting. Or perhaps it’s just a fad — a kooky cyber-age craze that’s destined to disappear as quickly and mysteriously as it materialized. Whatever the case, the suggestion last week by Coun. Matt Allard that Winnipeg should ready itself to become part of the electric-scooter wave that has swept through many cities in the United States and Canada is sure to generate as much controversy as it does conversation. “We want to be ready for electric scooters because this is happening across North America,” the chairman of the city’s public works committee said Wednesday. “They’re coming, so let’s get it right.” While Mr. Allard is to be commended for imploring a proactive approach to what might become an issue of public concern, one surely hopes he is mistaken in suggesting that Winnipeg will have no say whatsoever in deciding whether thousands of pay-per-ride motorized scooters suddenly roll into its streets. A clutch of California-based companies, including Lime, Bird, Skip and Spin, last year put tens of thousands of electric scooters into service in major urban centres around the world. The concept is simple: riders download a smartphone app, input credit card information and then use the app to unlock a scooter for pay-as-you-ride use. The cost is typically around $1 to start, and then about 30 cents for each minute of ride time. In other cities in which they’ve been introduced — suddenly, and in great numbers — the scooters have proven quite popular. But within the first year, the electric-scooter concept has also experienced significant backlash from municipal leaders who view them as some combination of a nuisance and a menace. San Francisco issued cease-and-desist letters to the scooter companies, resulting in the two-wheelers being temporarily removed from that city’s streets (their reintroduction carried numerous conditions). One California community instructed its police department to enforce traffic laws to the letter, requiring scooter operators to wear helmets and carry valid driver’s licences. Other cities have banned them from certain areas. The mayor of Boston declared they would be immediately impounded if they showed up there. At issue for many civic lawmakers is the manner in which the scooter craze has been unleashed — seemingly overnight, and without any permission sought from the communities in question. Also of concern, of course, is the safety issue — the scooters are capable of speeds approaching 25 km/h, which means novice riders thinking they’re jumping aboard a children’s toy often find themselves careening toward a catastrophic injury. Electric scooters are motor vehicles, and should be regulated as such. And that means the scooter trend’s arrival in Winnipeg should not be treated as a foregone conclusion. City council and civic administrators — and, for that matter, the province, which oversees the Highway Traffic Act — should treat very seriously the suggestion that any company can turn up unannounced with a few truckloads of motorized scooters and declare they’re ready to ride on Winnipeg’s streets. Of course, hereabouts there are also the issues of five months of frozen streets, a woefully inadequate and often pothole-impeded cycling infrastructure and an alarming rate of theft of two-wheeled conveyances to be considered. In Winnipeg, that’s how we roll. In other words, while it’s always best to be ready, there’s a whole lot that needs to be made right before anyone declares, “They’re coming.”

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Wolseley to Downtown Walk Bike Project - Phase 1 Public Engagement Report
by Beth McKechnie 31 Jan '19

31 Jan '19

The City is currently undertaking the Wolseley to Downtown Corridor Project <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/walkbikeprojects/wolsele…> to identify options to improve travel choices, accessibility and connectivity. When completed, the corridor will provide improved connections to the Omand’s Creek pathway, the protected bicycle lane on Assiniboine Avenue and Sherbrook Street, the bike lane on Maryland Street, and the planned neighbourhood greenway on Ruby Street <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/walkbikeprojects/wolsele…> . Input from the community is an essential component of the study process. The first round of public engagement for the Wolseley to Downtown Walk Bike Project took place in November, 2018 involving a variety of in-person events, school travel planning and opportunities to participate online. The input received has been summarized in the Phase 1 Public Engagement Report and will be used to inform the development of concepts, alongside technical information. Phase 1 reports are available at the links provided below: - Phase 1 Public Engagement Report <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/pdf/wolseleytodowntown/2…> - Phase 1 Public Engagement Summary Report <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/pdf/wolseleytodowntown/P…> Phase 2 of public engagement is expected to begin in late winter 2019. This phase will provide members of the public and area stakeholders the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the preliminary design options and alternatives. Phase 3 of the public engagement is planned for late spring 2019 and will focus on sharing the final design recommendation and highlighting where public input influenced the design of the project. More information For more information visit winnipeg.ca/walkbikeprojects <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestriansCycling/walkBikeProjects/default…> .

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WFP: City aims to ride e-scooter wave (Jan31'19)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Jan '19

31 Jan '19

*Councillor wants to amend bylaws so Winnipeg is prepared when craze hits* * City aims to ride e-scooter wave * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/allard-wants-city-to-prepare-gettin… THE latest craze to hit urban streets across North America is poised to roll into Winnipeg, and Coun. Matt Allard wants to be prepared. “We want to be ready for electric scooters because this is happening across North America,” Allard said. “They’re coming, so let’s get it right.” The scooter craze that swept up young people almost 20 years ago has gone high-tech. Several companies, including Lime, Bird, Skip and Spin, have put thousands of electric scooters on the streets in major cities around the world. Even ride-hailing pioneers Uber and Lyft have e-scooter operations. “There have been problems in other cities and I see this as an opportunity to put the rules in place before the industry gets here,” Allard told the Free Press. Allard, chairman of council’s public works committee, has authored a motion for Tuesday’s committee meeting. It directs city administration to prepare a report in 180 days about bylaw changes to facilitate dockless electric scooter and electric bike-sharing. While billions of dollars are being invested in e-scooter and e-bike ventures across the globe, the headlines are dominated by the nuisance the scooter industry is creating for many municipalities. They’ve become so common in many downtown neighbourhoods that they’re considered litter. People who dislike them have thrown them into garbage bins, rivers and lakes and collected them in piles and set them on fire. “We don’t want to see that happening in Winnipeg, so we need to get the rules in place,” Allard said, adding a representative from Lime has approached him. The introduction of dockless electric bikes and scooters into Winnipeg is inevitable, said Anders Swanson, CEO of the Winnipeg Trails Association, adding that developing policies to regulate them should be a simple process for city hall. “Any new technology comes with questions, but the era of electric bicycles is here already,” Swanson said. “Electric bicycles have become extremely popular around the world and I’ve seen electric scooters in Austin and hundreds of people using them. Anything that gets people out and active is a really good idea.” Dockless electric bikes and electric scooters are rented via a smartphone app, which allows the renter to locate the nearest bike or scooter, unlock the device, then lock it when the ride has ended. The first authorized use of dockless electric scooters in Canada began in October at the University of Waterloo. It’s a pilot program between Lime, the City of Waterloo and the university. The scooters are restricted to a 6½-kilometre set of trails linking the Waterloo campus with its nearby technology park. News reports indicated the pilot, which was suspended for the winter but will resume in spring and end in August, will be used by the city to determine if and where it can be expanded. Chris Schafer, Lime’s representative in Canada, said the company wants to work with municipalities to put rules in place that deal with the number of scooters and bikes that can be deployed, and where they can be parked. “This is a phenomenon that is happening globally and in Canada. It’s a good time for Winnipeg to take a look at it,” Schafer said. “This is another option for active transportation.” In October, Calgary gave Lime the go-ahead to operate a fleet of 375 rental electric bikes for a two-year trial period. A second operator will put its fleet into operation this spring. Schafer said administrations in Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria and Windsor, Ont., are studying how dockless electric scooters can be put in place. This month, Edmonton instructed its administration to have dockless electric bikes and electric scooters operating on city parkland by June. Council is asking the Alberta government to allow electric scooters on its active transportation network. Schafer said electric scooters are designed for short trips, as an alternative to a private car or taxi. Lime charges $1 to “unlock” the electric bikes and scooters and 30 cents per minute. “They’re designed to be the first-kilometre, last-kilometre mode of transportation, to get you in and around the city,” Schafer said. “You’re not taking a scooter from Winnipeg to Brandon.” The bikes are powered by swappable batteries, which are replaced as needed by independent contractors, known as “juicers,” or local Lime staff, Schafer said. The electric scooters are charged overnight, he said, collected either by local Lime teams or juicers, who are responsible for placing them back onto the street the following morning. Ideally, Schafer said, electric scooters would be allowed on all shared active transportation networks: roadway bike lanes and dedicated AT path networks. “Electric bikes and scooters tick all the sustainable boxes for cities. It’s not a car, it’s shared and people can access it when and where they need it,” Schafer said. Allard believes minimal change is required to accommodate electric bike-sharing since e-bikes are permitted on city streets. But scooters — whether manually driven or the electric variety — are not permitted on Manitoba roadways and will require changes to the Highway Traffic Act and city bylaws. Allard said he wants the administration to consider how the e-scooter and e-bike businesses can be regulated and where scooters and bikes can be parked while waiting for customers to use them. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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