- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP: Pedal in the Peg starts with 22 cycles at five locations (May17'18)
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '18

17 May '18

* Pedal in the Peg starts with 22 cycles at five locations * * City hopes bike-share program gains traction * THE training wheels have come off bike sharing in Winnipeg. Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, with funding from the City of Winnipeg, officially launched the city’s first bikesharing program on Wednesday. Pedal in the Peg features 22 bicycles that can be rented from five downtown locations. “We’re trying to catch up to other major cities with our active transportation strategy. This is just one more option for visitors, but also for residents, to jump on one of these free bikes and give it a spin,” Mayor Brian Bowman said. Bowman, alongside Downtown Winnipeg BIZ CEO Stefano Grande, were the program’s first official participants Wednesday morning, buckling on helmets and taking a quick spin around city hall. The program has been languishing as a little-known pilot project for at least a year. During that time, approximately 200 people have set out on cycling adventures, the BIZ said. The city will provide $1,750 in annual funding. The rental locations are at city hall, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ (426 Portage Ave.), the Alt Hotel, the Delta Hotel and the Holiday Inn. Bike rentals are free at city hall and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, while rental fees apply at the hotel locations. Bikes go for about $14 for a half-day and $25 for a full day at the hotels, Grande said. That makes Winnipeg’s program significantly pricier than most other bikeshare programs in the country, such as those in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, which range from $5 to $10 per day. Renters are given everything they need for a downtown cycling adventure, including a bicycle, helmet, bike lock and a cycling map, Grande said. “It’s about giving people that other option to grab a bike and go to a meeting, go visit a restaurant, go to a museum. Again, just really buying into where the market is going — 100,000 people a day come downtown for work, as well as our students. Not everyone can afford a bike,” Grande said. The BIZ hopes to expand the program to other areas downtown in the summer, including the University of Winnipeg and the convention centre. That expansion is just the start, however, as Grande said there are a number of ways the BIZ will try to improve the program. Improvements include more bikes, more rental locations and expanding beyond downtown. Grande said he hopes Pedal in the Peg will serve as a template for a citywide bike-sharing program, and hasn’t ruled out the possibility of getting bikes equipped with winter tires so people can use them year-round. Bowman said programs such as Pedal in the Peg are an important part of the city’s active transportation strategy. He hopes it is a springboard for more initiatives. “We want to see more options like this for people. When you travel to other cities, you see the ride — the cyclingsharing companies like these options available in a more robust way,” Bowman said. “This is a step in the right direction. I want to see more of this in Winnipeg. It’s a great way to get around and get some exercise.” A recurring problem with many bikesharing programs in major cities is theft and vandalism, but Grande said so far that hasn’t been an issue in Winnipeg. “We didn’t know exactly how this was going to unfold, but we didn’t have that issue (theft and vandalism). During the day, downtown is busy. Our sidewalks are full and we haven’t had any thefts.” ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Cycling Delivers on the Global Goals: Shifting toward a better economy, society, and planet for all
by Beth McKechnie 10 May '18

10 May '18

From: Sarah Prowse <sprowse(a)wrha.mb.ca> Date: Thu, 10 May 2018 20:38:35 +0000 Here is a great article <https://ecf.com/sites/ecf.com/files/The%20Global%20Goals_internet.pdf> on how cycling is and can deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. You may have seen it already (released to UN in 2015) but I thought it worth sharing. Sarah Prowse Healthy Public Policy Specialist 2nd floor - 490 Hargrave Street Winnipeg, MB R3A 0X7 Telephone 204 801 3255 Fax 204 940-2690 Email sprowse(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

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WFP: Bike valet coming to whiteout party (May1'18)
by Beth McKechnie 01 May '18

01 May '18

* Bike valet coming to whiteout party * * Cops confident Jets fans won’t drink and cycle* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bike-valet-planned-for-whiteout-str… THE whiteout street party is adding a bicycle valet, giving Jets fans the option of active transportation. But while the bike valet promotes a greener way to get to the game and street party, it also raises the risk of a different kind of impaired driver: cyclists. “Whether you’re driving a car, or riding a bike, or any other mode of transportation, we have always tried to make sure that we are sending the safe message... ‘to celebrate, but celebrate responsibly,’” Economic Development Winnipeg spokesman Matt Schaubroeck said in an interview on Monday. “That being said, we trust Winnipeggers — they’ve been great so far, keeping everything at a good, solid energetic level without going over that line, in terms of drunk driving, drunk cycling.” According to the Winnipeg Police Service, drinking and driving only applies to motorized vehicles. Yet, bicycles are vehicles on the road and cyclists must abide by the rules of the road. Cyclists under the influence pose a safety risk to themselves, pedestrians and other drivers. While it doesn’t happen often, cyclists can be charged with driving under the influence. Bicycle Valet Winnipeg will be, as the name suggests, running the whiteout party valet. Project manager Stephanie Chow said on Monday they usually don’t see many drunk cyclists, but it does happen. Chow used Canada Day and Nuit Blanche, an all-night art exhibition, as two examples. “The people that really know and plan to use the valet and know that it’s there, are people that really just want to commute to make it easy on themselves,” Chow said, adding they deal mostly with families. The valet, which will be located in the lot behind Cityplace on the corner of Donald Street and St. Mary’s Ave., works similarly to a coat check. The valet accepts any non-motorized vehicles and its accessories, but doesn’t provide locks. By using the valet, cyclists agree to the terms of service, which includes picking up your bike within 30 minutes after the party finishes. Bikes left longer are subject to a late fee of $50. Chow said the fee is meant to act as a deterrent for people to not leave their bikes. “I would really encourage people not to drink and cycle, and I am kind of prepared to have some bikes with me at the end of the night, if that’s required,” Chow said. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have had a bike valet of their own since they were still playing in Canad Inns Stadium on Maroons Road in Polo Park. Blue Bombers director of security Kelly Keith said it’s not unusual to see at least two or three bicycles left in their valet because their respective owners were intoxicated. That said, according to the Blue Bombers website, the average attendance at Bombers home games in 2017 was about 27,400 and, of course, you need a ticket to get in. The Jets whiteout party alone was expanded to allow about 35,000 people past the gates for free. And that doesn’t include the 15,000 inside Bell MTS Place who can also take advantage of the valet. Chow said the volunteers at her valet are usually able to tell who’s impaired by talking to the cyclist, or if they see the cyclist is having trouble with their motor skills. Outside of that, there’s no way to truly tell who’s impaired. Chow said she’ll have a better sense of the issue today, but may inquire about partnering with police. Cycling under the influence of alcohol is not an offence under the Criminal Code, but police said it does violate a section of the Highway Traffic Act. If someone was found guilty of violating that section, they could face a fine ranging from $672 to $2,000 and/or imprisonment for one year maximum. nicholas.frew(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Media coverage: Extra $1M suggested for snow clearing AT routes (Apr.26'18)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Apr '18

26 Apr '18

*Strategy would re-prioritize active transportation routes * * Extra $1M suggested for snow clearing * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/report-recommends- spending-1-million-to-clear-snow-on-citys-active-transportation-network- 480842443.html Additional coverage: http://winnipegsun.com/news/local-news/winnipeg-could-add- 1m-to-snow-clearing-for-active-transportation-routes http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-snow- clearing-sidewalks-1.4634766 A LONG-DELAYED report identifying new priorities for snow clearing and ice control within the city’s active transportation network will recommend spending nearly $1 million on changes when it finally sees the light of day in May. The winter maintenance strategy report is now up on the City of Winnipeg’s website and will be discussed May 1 at the next standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works. Coun. Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) originally requested the report in March 2016 when she was chairwoman of public works. After seven extensions, the public service came back with its findings. Cheryl Anderson, the city’s acting manager of street maintenance, is the report’s main author. Her department recommends spending about $933,000 next winter on re-prioritizing roadways, sidewalks and active transportation pathways to provide a connected pedestrian and cycling winter maintenance network. Subsequent annual spending on the re-prioritized network would be about $835,000 plus inflation, according to the report. “Efforts have been put into place that, when new infrastructure is being planned, to recognize these future design requirements and connectivity,” Anderson wrote about what the city has been doing since it approved its transportation master plan in 2011 and adopted pedestrian and cycling strategies in 2015. “Winter season has been an entirely different challenge, as citizens find many of these new active transportation routes disconnected or not maintained,” she said. Many Winnipeggers were frustrated after a large snow dump in March left some people stranded in their homes due to poorly cleared sidewalks. Some people who use wheelchairs were forced to travel on city streets in order to get around. But the public works report is about much more than fallout from a single snowstorm, said Anders Swanson, executive director of Winnipeg Trails Association. “After a long wait, this is a small step in the right direction. (The report) needs to pass so we can get going, but this report does not yet address the most crucial aspect: reliability,” Swanson said. “Walking, cycling, no matter what your ability, can be the most reliable and resilient forms of transport year round, but they have different design needs than cars. The report mentions that but then doesn’t fully address it.” Swanson thinks the city’s snow removal timing should be sped up, another move not directly mentioned in the report. The current clearing policy is to have all top-priority roadways and adjacent sidewalks and paths cleared within 36 hours of a snowfall ending. “For people pushing strollers, riding bikes or using wheelchairs, that’s just not practical. Think about this: if I am in a wheelchair and I can’t get to work on Monday or even get to the bus — which happens way too often— who is going to call my boss to tell them, ‘Sorry, but maybe he’ll be in by Wednesday?’” he said. Identifying the streets that aren’t priority one for cars but may be top priority for pedestrians or cyclists is an important distinction laid out in the review, said Mark Cohoe, director of Bike Winnipeg, who was pleased with the first iteration of the report and its related ward maps. “It’s a step forward for sure. I think there’s a few tweaks that we’ll probably recommend and a few clarifications, too.” Cohoe pointed to the North Assiniboine Parkway and foot bridges around Omand’s Creek as areas that could use more attention. If the public service’s report recommendations are approved by the public works committee on Tuesday, the changes will still need to get the green light from the executive policy committee and city council. jessica.botelho(a)freepress.mb.ca -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 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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*LAST CHANCE* Don't miss From A to B next week!
by Beth McKechnie 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

Don’t miss From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment <http://greenactioncentre.ca/module/workplace-commuter-options/from-a-to-b/> on Wednesday, May 2nd! *Green Action Centre and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ present* *FROM A TO B: EMPLOYEE WELLNESS AND OUR ENVIRONMENT* *Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Larry Frank* *Wednesday, May 2nd | The Alt Hotel* REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> Join employers like yourself for a keynote speech by Dr. Larry Frank, followed by breakout sessions. Participate in discussions, network with your colleagues, and receive feedback on your current and future plans. Find out about initiatives you can take to support employee wellness in your workplace, beginning with the commute to and from work. *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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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UMCycle kiosk open for first full summer
by Beth McKechnie 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

Keeping the cycle going UMCycle kiosk open for first full summer season https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/Keeping-the-cyc… The crew at the University of Manitoba’s new bike kiosk is gearing up to get cyclists on the road this spring. The UMCycle kiosk, located behind the Active Living Centre in the Migizii Agamik Plaza on the Fort Garry campus, officially opened on April 23 for its first full summer season since the grand opening in September 2017. [image: Anna Weier, manager of UM Cycle, is pictured in the bike kiosk located on the Fort Garry campus. The community bike shop officially opened for the season on April 23.] <https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/dds-bikekiosk-april25.jpg> DANIELLE DA SILVA - SOU'WESTER Anna Weier, manager of UM Cycle, is pictured in the bike kiosk located on the Fort Garry campus. The community bike shop officially opened for the season on April 23. The nearly $294,000 kiosk and courtyard space provides community and campus members free access to resources related to bike repair and maintenance. During opening hours, tools are available for cyclists to do their own repairs, staff and volunteer mechanics are on hand Thursday afternoons to walk cyclists through more complex jobs, and new and used parts are also available to purchase from the kiosk. The bike shop is operated by the University of Manitoba Students’ Union and received funding from the City of Winnipeg, federal government, and the university. Anna Weier, manager of UMCycle, said the initial reception to the shop — which operates out of retrofitted shipping container — has been positive and she’s looking forward to a busy cycling season in Fort Garry. "We definitely have a lot of people who come from outside of the U of M campus," Weier said. "Last year, we were just feeling things out, so our hours were probably not very helpful to people who live off campus because we were open only in the middle of the day, when most people were at work. "But even still we had kids coming by to get their bikes fixed and other people who live in the community who are not at work during the day, and this year we’re hoping accommodate that even more because our hours are extending into the evening and the weekend." The kiosk is currently staffed with two full time and two casual employees, based on need, and also has a large volunteer complement. When the UMCycle folks aren’t helping out stranded riders, they also run bike repair workshops for community groups and refurbish abandoned or salvaged bikes. Bikes that are left on campus will be headed to the kiosk, along with frames rescued from the dump, where they will be repaired by UMCycle staff and sold at the U of M for $50 to $250 to support the program. "We’re operating as a social enterprise so we’re trying to make enough money to cover our costs. Whatever money we make goes back into our operations," Weier said. Community members also have an opportunity to build their own bike through UMCycle. For a suggested donation of $50 (or pay-what-you can), people can draw on the experience of UMCycle staff and volunteers and build a bike with used (and some new) parts. "So people can have a good bike that’s not super expensive and also to help us cover our costs so we can continue operating," she said. A few additional grants have also allowed the bike repair shop to increase its footprint this summer. The U of M, UMSU, and the faculty of architecture along with others have supported a $35,000 expansion that will see new storage, work, rest, and display areas constructed by fourth year environmental design students. A signage and wayfinding component will also be part of the project. Lancelot Coar, an associate professor of architecture at the U of M, is leading students through the design-build project, which sees them actually take up hammer and nail to bring their visions to reality. "Because we’re in Migizii Agamik Plaza, we worked very closely with the elders at Migizii Agamik to develop signage that incorporates both traditional land use, traditional names of landforms, locations and sites, with contemporary maps of the city and city and campus resources," Coar explained. "So it’s trying to link the idea of Indigenous community interest and perspectives with the idea of active transportation, and also helping to enhance the students’ perspective of what matters when they’re designing." The expansion is expected to be finished by the end of summer. The kiosk is open Mondays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information about UMCycle and a full schedule of programs, go to http://umsu.ca/businesses/umcycle [image: UM Cycle’s bike kiosk located on the Fort Garry campus officially opened for the season on April 23.] <https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/dds-bikekiosk3-april25.jpg>

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Webinar Reminder: Got Counts? Now What? | Wed, Apr 25, 3-4pm
by Beth McKechnie 24 Apr '18

24 Apr '18

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow afternoon's webinar *** Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wed, April 25th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth -- *Next webinar: April 25, 2018, 3-4pm* *Got Counts? Now what?* * The April webinar features emerging applications for count data and real-life case studies. You'll hear about North Carolina's cyclist data program and how to move from a sporadic count to a more intentional programmatic system. You'll also learn about a project from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and Fehr & Peers to place counters and develop approaches for utilizing the multi-modal count data for planning, funding, and evaluation. They'll discuss the approach for forecasting activity on specific facilities and how multi-modal counts can inform changes in mode share. * *Presenters:* - *Shannon Warchol, Institute for Transportation Research and Education* - *Nathan Schmidt, Fehr & Peers* - *Joshua Clark, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)* -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 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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city launches online bike registry
by Jeremy Hull 24 Apr '18

24 Apr '18

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-launches-online-bike-registry-… The City of Winnipeg has launched a new online registry that should increase the likelihood of lost bicycles being returned to their owners. Bike owners in the city could already register their bicycles by mail, but now the city has added an online option. All bike registrations made using the mail service have been transferred to the online database, according to a press release. "(The online bike registry) is something I've been looking forward to for a long time," Marcia Fifer, Winnipeg's business licensing co-ordinator, said at Monday's launch. There is a one-time fee of $6.60 (GST included) when someone first registers. Users can upload photos of their bikes and several can be registered to one household. No payment is required for the return of a bike. Fifer told reporters that the registry cost the city a couple of thousand dollars to create. The registry went online at 9 a.m. Monday. The city recovers an estimated 1,000 bikes each year, but less than 10 per cent are returned to their owners, according to the city. More than 2,800 bikes were reported stolen in 2017, but Winnipeg police — partners in the new online initiative — suspect that number to be low because of thefts that aren't reported, said Insp. Chody Sutherland, who noted police often find bikes before they're reported stolen. "We may recover the bike overnight, while it's being used in another offence, or it's been abandoned after it's been stolen before homeowners may notice the bike is actually even missing," she said. Officers all have access to an app in their cruiser cars that grants them access to the online registry anytime. "If you're listed on the registry in advance, we can return the bike almost immediately," Sutherland said, adding if police can't find the owner, the bike will be put in storage. Bicycles in storage that go unclaimed are auctioned off by the city. The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub (WRENCH), a non-profit organization that builds, repairs and makes bikes accessible to youth, is partnering with the city to ensure the bikes are ready to ride. This year's auction is Saturday and Sunday morning at the Terry Sawchuk Arena on Kimberly Avenue. There will be about 700 bikes available for the public to bid on. Police hope the online registry will mean fewer bikes are auctioned in the future, Sutherland said. People should continue reporting thefts since being on the registry isn't enough and reporting thefts helps the police see patterns and come up with strategies, Sutherland said. Bikes can be registered online at winnipeg.ca/bikeregistry. Lost or stolen bikes can be reported to the police through its non emergency line or online through the citizen online reporting system. nicholas.frew(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Central Park goes car free
by Beth McKechnie 23 Apr '18

23 Apr '18

Hmmm, perhaps we could do the same in Kildonan Park? https://ny.curbed.com/2018/4/20/17261134/central-park-new-york-car-free-de-… “Our parks are for people, not cars,” De Blasio said in a statement. “For more than a century, cars have turned parts of the world’s most iconic park into a highway. Today we take it back. We are prioritizing the safety and the health of the millions of parents, children and visitors who flock to Central Park.”

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WFP: Barricades at Portage and Main should come down: Sadik-Khan (Apr.17'18)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Apr '18

17 Apr '18

* Former NYC official touts pedestrian-friendly changes * * Remove downtown barricades: planner * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/barricades-at-portage-and-main-shou… TRAFFIC-snarled New York City took cars off the road at Times Square without causing carmageddon, so there’s no reason pedestrians shouldn’t be able to cross Portage and Main in Winnipeg, says New York’s former transportation commissioner. “Moving people off of streets is really 1950s thinking,” Janette Sadik-Khan said Monday. “And to put them underground? We’re not rats. We’re wanting to get people on the streets. Cars don’t shop, people shop.” Critics of the idea of reopening the intersection at Portage Avenue and Main Street and allowing pedestrians to walk across instead of using underground tunnels have said it will create traffic gridlock on one of the busiest intersections in the Manitoba capital. Sadik-Khan said the same fears were heard in New York when officials decided to transform about four kilometres of Broadway, including closing it completely to traffic at Times Square, to make it more pedestrian-friendly. In its place are pedestrian plazas and spaces, as well as more bike lanes. The changes have also resulted in improving motorist travel times on other streets while reducing motorist and pedestrian injuries and increasing pedestrian volumes, Sadik-Khan said. “The strategy isn’t to get cars as fast as possible from A to B, it’s to get everyone around... cities have learned when you add more lanes you don’t increase traffic flow. After 50 years, we know this strategy doesn’t work. Nobody says we will solve obesity by increasing your belt size,” she said. Sadik-Khan was commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation from 2007 to 2013 under then mayor Michael Bloomberg. These days she works at Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy agency established by the former mayor. Her role is to travel the world helping mayors and city planners make citizen-friendly improvements to street redesigns. Winnipeggers should embrace pedestrians crossing their city’s iconic intersection instead of fearing it, she said, while praising Mayor Brian Bowman and city council for making moves to open Portage and Main to pedestrians. City council approved a plan last October for more studies, cost estimates and another vote on removing the barricades that were erected in the late 1970s as part of an agreement with six adjacent property owners to move people underground. “I think it’s wonderful you’re looking at opening Portage and Main to pedestrians. It’s where everybody goes to celebrate — especially a Stanley Cup,” she said. Sadik-Khan and other transportation experts are in Winnipeg to participate in the inaugural Mode Shift festival of human-scale cities, which aims to explore transportation, culture and health. Anders Swanson, Mode Shift’s program director and executive director of Winnipeg Trails, said transportation issues should be about more than just cars and trucks. “The way we move, especially how we want to move, is changing fast,” Swanson said. “This event is about how to make that transition a good one, a quick one, one where we end up with more patios, more bike lanes, more jobs, more money and, well, all-round happier people. This is about fixing our roads for good. “Our streetscape should be our landscape, but it isn’t when we put machines there... freeways don’t make a city. No one has ever come back from France with a postcard of a freeway.” Herbert Tiemens, a Dutch road design expert and bicycle policy adviser to the Kingdom of Netherlands, said whenever he comes to North America, he hears something he doesn’t hear in his country. “I’m always amazed about the noise of the traffic and how hard it is to cross streets,” Tiemens said. “In the Netherlands, we abandoned jaywalking and allowed people to cross everywhere on the street. People were doing it already. We’ve made other changes for pedestrians and it has worked very well. “People don’t want to go back to what it was before.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca

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More states pushing for free-range parenting laws
by Beth McKechnie 13 Apr '18

13 Apr '18

Very interesting article in light of the recent case in Vancouver ( https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/01/canada-father-bus-children-ad… ) * * * * * * New Utah legislation says giving well-cared for, mature kids freedom isn’t neglectful * * More states pushing for free-range parenting laws * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/free-range-parenting-l… SALT LAKE CITY— After Utah passed the United States’ first law legalizing so-called free-range parenting, groups in states from New York to Texas are pushing for similar steps to bolster the idea supporters say is an antidote for anxiety-plagued parents and overscheduled kids. Free-range parenting is the concept that giving kids the freedom to do things alone — like explore a playground or ride a bike to school — makes them healthier, happier and more resilient. It surfaced nearly a decade ago, when Lenore Skenazy touched off a firestorm with a column about letting her then-nine-year-old son ride the New York City subway alone. Since then, she’s become a vocal advocate for free-range parenting. Critics say letting kids strike out on their own can expose them to serious dangers, from criminals to cars. Parents have been investigated by child-welfare authorities in several high-profile cases, including a Maryland couple who allowed their six- and 10-year-old children to walk home alone from a park in 2015. But lawmakers and policy groups in several states say the protective pendulum has swung too far, and it’s time to send a message that parents who raise their children in a healthy environment can grant them more freedom. Utah’s new law specifies that it isn’t neglectful to let well-cared-for children travel to school, explore a playground or stay in the car alone if they’re mature enough to handle it. Free-range parenting differs from the concept of latchkey kids, or those who take care of themselves after school, in that it generally emphasizes getting kids outside in the neighbourhood as a way to develop independence, Boston-based clinical psychologist Bobbi Wegner said. Fears about letting kids make their own way date, at least in part, to cases like Etan Patz, who was among the first missing children pictured on milk cartons after disappearing while he walked to his New York City bus stop alone in 1979. Meanwhile, as education has become more essential in the workforce, parents are increasingly eager to give their kids a leg up with lessons in everything from coding to cello. “We sign our kids up for all these activities — tutoring, different things — to create this perfect resumé from a very young age, but it’s really at a detriment to the kid’s mental health,” Wegner said. While giving kids independence with parent oversight helps, it’s hard for adults to escape pressure to hover, she said. “Parents need permission to do this,” Wegner said. A self-avowed free-range parent, she said a police officer once knocked on her door and threatened to call child services after seeing her then-3½-old son standing at the end of the driveway talking to neighbourhood kids. She’d like to see Massachusetts follow Utah’s lead. In New York, Democratic state assemblyman Phil Steck said he’s gearing up to introduce a similar proposal. “When I was a child, you let your dogs and your children out after breakfast and... they had to be home for dinner,” he said. “I felt I gained a lot more from just playing on the street than my children did from being in organized sports activities.” It’s an idea that cuts across the ideological spectrum. Brandon Logan with the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation is working with lawmakers for a bill next year. “We expect adults to be independent, and we expect parents to raise their children to be independent, and you can’t do that whenever children are being micromanaged,” Logan said. A conservative group is also pushing for a bill in Idaho, and an Arkansas lawmaker whose effort failed plans to bring it back again. They’re all taking a close look at Utah’s law, which sailed through the legislature andwas signed by the governor of the majority-Mormon state known for big families andwide-open spaces. It doesn’t specify how old kids should be to do things alone, which lawmakers say will allow authorities to weigh each case separately. Discretion like that is important, said Stephen Hinshaw, a University of California, Berkeley psychology professor. Not every child is ready to ride their bike alongside busy roads, and participating in things like music lessons can teach them important skills. “Parents have to be smart about what is helping foster self-reliance and what is putting kids in a dangerous spot,” he said. Amy Coulter, a stay-at-home Utah mom of four girls and a boy, said she doesn’t call herself a free-range parent. But she does avoid intervening with teachers on her older kids’ grades and encourages her kids use their own money to buy things at the grocery store. “I want them to know that they’re capable,” she said of her children, who range in age from five to 14. In her Lehi neighbourhood, kids often roam the block “snack-hopping” at different homes. Recent Utah transplant Krista Whipple said she’s liked the concept of free-range parenting for years, but it was tough to practise it in her old Los Angeles neighbourhood, when most kids stayed behind fences. “I didn’t want to raise my kids all cooped up, but it always made me think twice,” said Whipple, a program manager at a St. George youth homeless shelter who has two boys and a girl who are three, four and six. “Kids are not in constant danger, and it’s OK to let them outside, and it’s OK... to let them get lost,” she said. “They’ll find their way home.” — The Associated Press

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AT Webinar: Got Counts? Now What? | Wed, Apr 25, 3-4pm
by Beth McKechnie 12 Apr '18

12 Apr '18

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wed, April 25th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. Note this is a week later than usual due to ModeShift 2018 <https://modeshift.ca/> happening next week. cheers, Beth -- *Next webinar: April 25, 2018, 3-4pm* *Got Counts? Now what?* * The April webinar features emerging applications for count data and real-life case studies. You'll hear about North Carolina's cyclist data program and how to move from a sporadic count to a more intentional programmatic system. You'll also learn about a project from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and Fehr & Peers to place counters and develop approaches for utilizing the multi-modal count data for planning, funding, and evaluation. They'll discuss the approach for forecasting activity on specific facilities and how multi-modal counts can inform changes in mode share. * -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 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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GoManitoba: A Better Commute is Possible (video)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Apr '18

11 Apr '18

Hi everyone, Please check out (and share!) our new video for GoManitoba, the online ridematching tool for carpoolers, bike and transit mentors: http://greenactioncentre.ca/healthy-travel/go-manitoba-video/ Sign up as a bike or bus mentor, and be entered to win an MEC gift certficate and Manitoba parks pass! thanks, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 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: New transportation manager takes helm - greater emphasis on AT (Apr.9'18)
by Beth McKechnie 09 Apr '18

09 Apr '18

* New transportation manager takes helm * * Aims to restore trust following south Wilkes corridor controversy * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/new-transportation-manager-takes-he… CITY hall’s new manager of transportation realizes he’s got his work cut out for him. David Patman is heading up the public works division that took a public beating in the fall over the controversial south Wilkes corridor project. “There was a lot of talk in themedia about how projects were being managed, about how transportation was interacting with other departments and stakeholders,” said Patman, 39. “I think we’re in the process of rebuilding trust and making sure everyone has a comfort level with the department.” Patman was in charge of Winnipeg Transit’s eastern transit corridor study for the past year before moving to the public works department two weeks ago. He was introduced to councillors on the public works committee Friday, where he juggled double duties: briefing the committee on the eastern transit corridor study, and then hearing their beefs about the backlog of studies his transportation division has yet to do. Patman’s predecessor, Luis Escobar, had been with the city for 18 years when he unexpectedly gave notice at the end of August and left in October, just as trouble was about to tear through the division. Staff was openly criticized by city hall’s chief administrative officer, Doug Mc Neil, and the public works chairman, Coun. Marty Morantz, for developing what was derisively described as the “rogue” corridor route through Charleswood. While there were suggestions Mc-Neil and Morantz had ignored reports, it was the staff who were thrown under the bus and two senior planners subsequently left. Patman faces multiple tasks: restoring public trust and rebuilding staff confidence and the department. “People in my department do very good work. They take their work seriously. They’re very professional,” Patman said. “I just want to make sure everyone is aware of this.” Patman, married, is originally from southern Ontario. He moved to Canada with his family at the age of three from Liverpool, and still retains a trace of the English accent. Patman’s background includes working for a private engineering consulting firm and the City of Calgary’s transportation department. He’d been with Transit, in various roles, since September 2013. He’s also a hobby farmer, who for the past six years has been raising five alpacas on a small acreage in Anola. Patman oversees about 70 planners in the transportation division. They are responsible for street design; collecting data on vehicular, pedestrian and cycling traffic; dealing with improvements to intersections; designing bike paths; and overseeing traffic signals. He stresses collaboration as the key to success, within his department and others, with politicians and the public. “You want to make sure when you have a concept, we want to get people excited about it and try something dynamic and different, that everyone is on the same page and moving in the same direction, that it’s not going to hit a roadblock internally before it can get implemented.” Escobar hadareputation of approaching traffic and transportation issues in a very conservative manner. Patman, on the other hand, singles out the innovate approaches of his former employer, the City of Calgary, with the hint Winnipeggers might see some of the same. Patman said Calgary and other cities in North America sometimes deploy a “pop-up” approach to projects. He thinks a similar approach might work here. “They say ‘let’s try it and see if it works. If it doesn’t work, we can take it out.’” Patman said. “I think there’s a lot to be said about those ideas that are quick wins. It gets people paying attention to what we’re doing and giving us feedback.” Patman said Winnipeg has duplicated that process with reverse-angled parking in the Exchange District. A pilot project involving one street last summer became permanent and is being considered for other streets. Patman also wants to put a greater emphasis on active transportation modes: walking and cycling. “I know some people believe there is a war on the car, but the question is if it’s the right (transportation) tool for the right type of trip,” he said. “I’m not going to say I’m anti-car, but we need to look at what we can do to make sure all these different modes work together... and that we’re thinking about the more sustainable modes, which are the active transportation — walking, cycling and transit. They all have a role to play in the transportation mix.” aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: AT strategy delayed eight times (Apr.5'18)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

* Active-transportation strategy delayed eight times* * Two years and counting… for report * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/two-years-and-counting-for-report-4… PRESENTATION of a long-overdue report to the public works committee is being delayed for an eighth time, leaving active transportation advocates wondering if they aren’t a priority for the City of Winnipeg. Coun. Janice Lukes, who represents South Winnipeg-St. Norbert and is the former chairwoman of the infrastructure renewal and public works committee, requested a review of the winter maintenance strategy for the city’s active transportation network (including walking, cycling, wheelchair, in-line skating, skateboarding and more) in March 2016. More than two years later, Lukes believes the review is ready, but Mayor Brian Bowman’s office is delaying its release. “I am 99 per cent confident the report is done. There’s no way it would take longer than two years. There’s absolutely no way,” she said. “We just said, ‘Review the current processes, make recommendations and what would it cost.’ We didn’t ask them to implement it, so there’s no reason to hold it back. “Ultimately, the mayor sets every single standing policy committee agenda. He determines what goes on that agenda... I was chair of public works. He always looked to see what was on that agenda.” The public works committee will receive a report Friday detailing alternatives for snow clearing, such as adjusting sidewalk-clearing equipment to cut grass in summer months. Lukes said she thinks the active transportation report will be presented next month. Asked about the review’s delay Wednesday, Bowman said his office isn’t holding it back. “There’s no truth to that. I’m glad it’s coming forward,” the mayor said. “The committee has done their work. “I’m hoping they can look for improvements in quality of service to our residents. That’s, I think, a good discussion for the community to have and I’m looking forward to hearing what they have to say on it. And I would expect that at the coming (executive policy committee meeting), we can weigh in at that point.” The public works department would not accommodate an interview request Wednesday, but a spokesperson confirmed it will ask Friday for a 30-day extension on the report. It appears at least one community group that was to be consulted while the report was being compiled has yet to speak on the matter. Anders Swanson, executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association, said the group has not had anything approaching “meaningful consultation” with the city. Swanson helped organize a public event last week, Urban Brew —Sidewalks First, where some 90 people showed up to discuss the seriousness of Winnipeg’s winter- accessibility problems. Lukes’ initial motion asked the department work with stakeholders during consultations, including the Winnipeg Trails Association, Bike Winnipeg, Manitoban League of Persons with Disabilities, and the City of Winnipeg active transportation advisory. “We heard from somebody who can’t even make it to work, just because the side street in front of their door was not navigable in a wheelchair. We’re hearing about people being scared for their life having to cross the Osborne Bridge in a wheelchair. That’s messed up,” Swanson said Wednesday. “Mobility is a basic human right, especially if you happen to be in a wheelchair or needing to push a baby in a stroller. It should be one of the top priorities of our municipal government in general, honestly.” Mark Cohoe, director of Bike Winnipeg, said his group was consulted about a year ago, but hasn’t heard anything back about its input. “I think it does make it hard for us to go out to the public and say, ‘The city’s looking for your input. Please help us,’ if people know that it’s potentially meaningless — which is what it feels like when it takes a year to move from that stage,” Cohoe said. “It’s disappointing that we’re not moving forward on this (review). We’re a winter city. There’s no getting around the fact of providing people with options to walk, to bike, to bus or to drive. We need to make sure that they’re going to have an accessible route to get to their destinations... (the delay) tells me that we’re not really a priority.” — with files from Aldo Santin jessica.botelho(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Seattle passes parking reforms to tackle carbon free, ped and bike friendly vision for city
by Beth McKechnie 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

Citywide Parking Requirement Reform Passes in Seattle The U.S. city with the best recent history of convincing commuters to ditch the auto commute is taking further steps to make the city a little less car-centric. www.planetizen.com/news/2018/04/98053-citywide-parking-requirement-reform-p… "Seattle council members on Monday approved changes to the parking code <https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2018/3/30/how-seattle-s-new-law-would-c…> that they hope will ultimately tackle their carbon-free, pedestrian-and-bike-friendly, affordable vision for the city," reports Hayat Norimine. Specifically, the city's new parking ordinance, "expands areas that fall under the definition of 'frequent transit service,' reduces the parking minimum for affordable housing projects, increases requirements for bicycle parking, allows underused private parking lots to be open to the public, and separates parking fees from rental leases." Support for the new parking ordinance focused on the potential benefit to housing costs, not the potential environmental benefits of less driving. A previous article by Norimine provides more explanation and background <https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2018/3/30/how-seattle-s-new-law-would-c…> on the changes to Seattle's parking requirements. FULL STORY: Seattle City Council Approves Changes to Reduce Parking <https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2018/4/2/seattle-city-council-approves-…>

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*NEW DATE* From A to B is now May 2nd
by Mel Marginet 04 Apr '18

04 Apr '18

Greetings, We've had to reschedule our event, *From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment*. The event will now take place on May 2nd! Green Action Centre and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ present *FROM A TO B: EMPLOYEE WELLNESS AND OUR ENVIRONMENT* *Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Larry Frank* Wednesday, May 2nd | The Alt Hotel REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> Dr. Frank is a Professor in Sustainable Transportation and Public Health at the University of British Columbia and President of Urban Design 4 health, Inc. which builds software tools and documents health impacts of transportation and land development actions. He specializes in the interaction between land use, travel behavior, air quality; and health; and in the energy use, and climate change impacts of urban form policies. He coined the term “walkability” in the early – mid ’90s; his work led to WalkScore and has been cited over 24,000 times making him one of the 2 most cited planning academics. Thompson and Reuters lists him in the top 1% globally as a highly cited researcher. Dr. Frank has published over 150 peer reviewed articles and reports and co-authored two of the leading books – *Heath and Community Design* and *Urban Sprawl and Public Health* on which helped to map out the field emerging at the nexus between built, natural, and social environments and health. Dr. Frank works directly with local, regional, provincial or state, and federal agencies and developers to help translate results from leading edge research into practice based tools. *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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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Fwd: Reminder-2nd National Bike Summit- Abstracts due March 30th
by Anders Swanson 26 Mar '18

26 Mar '18

FYI. In case you are in the Ottawa area. If not, you can: - also follow parts of the conference via livestream. - consider emailing your MP about this event, and urging them to attend Anders Swanson Chair, Canada Bikes <http://canadabikes.org/> CanadaBikes.org <http://canadabikes.org/> Join us on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/CanadaBikes>. Follow us on Twitter <https://twitter.com/Canada_Bikes>. Become a member. <http://www.canadabikes.org/members/become-a-member/> Mail: c/o 303 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B4 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: CanadaBikes Events <events(a)canadabikes.org> Date: Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 1:16 PM Subject: Reminder-2nd National Bike Summit- Abstracts due March 30th To: events(a)canadabikes.org Dear Colleagues, The *Call for Abstracts for the 2nd National Bike Summit closes March 30th*. We hope you will *submit an abstract <http://www.canadabikes.org/activities/national-bike-summit-2018/call-for-ab…>.* * Vélo Canada Bikes is hosting the 2nd National Bike Summit <http://www.canadabikes.org/activities/national-bike-summit-2018/> **in Ottawa on May 28th and 29th, 2018* in conjunction with the 7th annual Bike Day on the Hill celebration. *Summit registration is open* <http://www.canadabikes.org/activities/national-bike-summit-2018/registratio…>* and early bird and student discounts are available.* Those who register by April 15th will be included in a cycling education morning with Parliamentarians. Vélo Canada Bikes is a non-profit organization that advocates for increased federal support for everyday cycling in Canada. Canada Bikes has a vision of a Canada where all people of all ages and abilities can safely use a bicycle for daily transportation. We look forward to seeing you at the Summit! Sincerely, The Summit organizing team

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Friday smile: Toddlers take to the streets
by Beth McKechnie 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

*Toddlers Take to the Streets* What happens when toddlers explore urban environments on their own terms? For the past year, Jacob Krupnick has been setting one- and two-year-olds loose on city streets, filming the answer to this question. The delightful film series, entitled Young Explorers Club, shows what happens when parents allow their kids to engage with urban spaces without any prompts, directions or guidance. Warning: cuteness ensues. Allissa Walker explores why this experiment is more important than just the smile it brings to our faces. Full story: https://www.curbed.com/2018/2/8/16981456/kids-cities- walking-film-jacob-krupnick-young-explorers-club Direct link to videos - https://www.youngexplorers.club/home -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 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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Urban Brew: Sidewalks First! Winter City Accessibility March 28
by Beth McKechnie 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

A timely discussion next Wed after work at the Good Will (poster attached)... *From:* Urban Brew <urbanbrewwpg(a)gmail.com> *Subject:* Urban Brew: Sidewalks First! Winter City Accessibility March 28 Hello! There’s been a lot of talk lately about sidewalk accessibility – not just during Winnipeg’s winters, but all year round. And not just for people with disabilities, but for older folks, parents with strollers and pedestrians of all kinds. We’re tackling this topic at our next Urban Brew event, March 28 at the Good Will Social Club. If you don’t know, Urban Brew is a group of Winnipeggers who meet quarterly over beers to talk about better urban design. At this event, we’ll hear from experts and then break out into smaller discussion groups to explore ways other winter cities deal with sidewalk maintenance that might work in Winnipeg. All the details are on the enclosed poster! Please consider attending, and sharing the event with your network. We would love to see you there! Sincerely, The Urban Brew team www.facebook.com/pg/UrbanBrewWPG @UrbanBrewWPG

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ModeShift in Winnipeg: Janette Sadik-Khan, Herbert Tiemens, Kay Teschke, Robin Mazumder and YOU
by Anders Swanson 22 Mar '18

22 Mar '18

Hello AT network... I wanted to make sure to extend a warm early invitation to ModeShift <http://Modeshift.ca>- an exciting new event coming up next month, starting on the 15th April. I doubt any of you will want to miss it. Tickets for Janette Sadik-Khan at the WAG on April 16 <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/street-fight-an-evening-with-janette-sadik-khan…>are on sale now and likely to sell out, so get yours soon. Choosing the early bird ModeShift registration option gets you into the WAG event and a whole lot more, including a full conference on April 18-19. What's happening that week? We have high profile guests coming to speak from the US, the Netherlands, Canada, and equally exciting folks from here at home. Besides a tight-knit conference, there will be public events in the evening that week, outdoor tours, dinner dates, action taking place on the street and more. Engineers, urbanists, planners who love cycling take note: Herbert Tiemens and engineer/planner responsible for bicycle policy for the region of Utrecht is a go-to voice both nationally and internationally on all things Dutch design. He will be giving an intensive pre-conference workshop. Be there. Details coming soon, but save April 16-17 if you can. And academics, culture makers, public health experts: don't miss Kay Teschke talk. She wants to talk about helmets (yes, she's going there...) and other things she has not been shy to research in her time heading up some of the most well-known transportation research coming out of the UBC. Robin is a veery smart and interesting guy. I can't wait to tell you what Mr.Mazumder is cooking up. If any of you would be willing to use your professional expertise to work with youth to help make their city-building dreams come alive, you will want to join us for that too. A full slate will be released by the start of April but I think you will find this all pretty darn exciting already. I do. Watch the website for regular updates as we put on the final touches. Check out this video teaser on Twitter <https://twitter.com/WinnipegTrails/status/974325127973400576> and Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/WinnipegTrails/videos/1617833251633548/> and share widely if you like it! If you want to get more directly involved or here details, give me a call. Would love to chat and tell you more. Kindly, Anders ED, Winnipeg Trails Conference Director for ModeShift

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Last Chance to Register! | From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment
by Mel Marginet 21 Mar '18

21 Mar '18

Greetings, We hope you can join us next week for *From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment* <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>, featuring a keynote from *Dr. Larry Frank* <https://scarp.ubc.ca/people/lawrence-frank> and break-out sessions on *Healthy, Sustainable Workplaces*, *Workplace Transportation 101* and *Connecting Workplace Health to Our Environment*. The event will include a 24 page resource guide for you to take back to your workplace, a delicious lunch and a post-event mixer with a complimentary beverage and snacks where you can network with other attendees in a relaxed environment. To assist us in planning for the event, please register <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> by *noon on Friday, March 23rd*! *REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>* *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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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Montreal considering separate traffic laws for cyclists
by Beth McKechnie 17 Mar '18

17 Mar '18

Many cyclists (including this one) complain that rules designed for cars don't make sense for bikes. Some even occasionally just slow down for stop signs. In the City of Montreal they are finally having a look at this, and developing new rules for cyclists. Full story: https://www.treehugger.com/bikes/montreal-considering-separate-traffic-laws…

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WFP: Mayor mulls snow-clearing changes after complaints (Mar.15'18)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Mar '18

15 Mar '18

* Mayor mulls snow-clearing changes after complaints* COMPLAINTS about the poor job of sidewalk clearing following last week’s snowstorm have prompted Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman to speculate about changing how the work is done. Bowman told reporters Wednesday he is willing to change the sidewalk snow-clearing policy, if the city can afford it. “I’m open to making changes, if we can improve the quality of service for thosewho rely on our sidewalks to get around our city,” Bowman said. “I think reviewing the policy is a good idea. I think we should be open to changes that can work within our financial means to improve the quality of service for those that have accessibility needs.” Advocates for the disabled, cyclists and transit have long complained the policy favours vehicles over other forms of transportation, and last week’s storm only added to the controversy. While most Winnipeg streets are clear of snow, sidewalks in many areas remain impassible. Many people complained city hall wasn’t following its own rules for clearing sidewalks downtown and on busy streets within 36 hours of the end of a storm. “It doesn’t matter if you’re walking, biking or taking transit, the system we have is just not working for everyone,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. “A week delay between a snowstorm and a clean street that is accessible for you is just not workable.” Allen Mankewich, a wheelchair user who lives and works downtown, said there’s no question the city is not complying with council’s direction to clear sidewalks on busy streets at the same time as the roads. “I live on a P1 (regional) street and I wasn’t even able to get down my street until earlier this week. A week after the storm, I had to go a different way each day just to get to work,” he said. Mankewich said when he tried to manoeuvre a downtown sidewalk three days after the storm, he ended up flipping his wheelchair. “The job that they’ve done wasn’t adequate,” he said. “As far as I can tell, the snow-clearing policy that is on the books, they weren’t even following that.” Mankewich said clearing sidewalks to compacted snow conditions is acceptable when the temperature falls below -20 C. When the temperature hovers around freezing, as they have since the March 5 storm, the snow is too soft and creates conditions that are impossible to traverse for people who have mobility issues and for those who use a wheelchair. He said some of those people have been forced to use roads, despite concern over safety. Councillors have been waiting two years for a report on how to improve sidewalk snow-clearing. In March 2016, the public works committee directed the public works department to work with various stakeholders— Winnipeg Trails Association, Bike Winnipeg, Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities and the city’s own active-transportation advisory committee — to establish terms of reference for a review of the policy, with the aim of developing a strategy that refocuses the priority to include sidewalks, as well as pedestrian and cycling paths. It also asked for cost estimates. After repeated delays, the administration is expected to deliver a report to the public works committee at its April 6 meeting. While Bowman said he’s looking forward to hearing what the administration has to say, Cohoe pointed out it’s taken the public works department two years just to return with a request to initiate a study that will include cost estimates and options. Cohoe said he suspects public works department staff is reluctant to initiate a study requiring council to find additional funds, if making sidewalks accessible across the city in winter is a priority. In the meantime, Bowman said he wants to know if the department complied with the sidewalk policy this past week. “The question that I’ve raised with the public service (is) whether or not the policy as directed has been followed and to what extent, over the last week,” he said. “The direction previous councils have established is that P1 (regional) sidewalks are cleared in the same priority as P1 roads. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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study of health benefits of cycling
by Jeremy Hull 14 Mar '18

14 Mar '18

Report in today's Sun: http://winnipegsun.com/life/living/cycling-slows-down-aging-study-says/wcm/… The key to the fountain of youth may rest on the back of a bicycle. A new study found that cycling can hold back the effects of aging and help boost the immune system. Researchers studied a group of 125 amateur cyclists aged 55 to 79 and compared them to a group of 75 healthy adults aged 57 to 80 who did not exercise regularly and 55 young adults between the ages of 20 and 36. It found cyclists preserved muscle mass and strength as they aged, while maintaining stable levels of body fat and cholesterol. According to the research, an organ called the thymus, which makes immune cells called T-cells, typically starts to shrink at 20-years-old. However, the thymuses of older cyclists were generating as many T-cells as those of young people. “Hippocrates in 400 BC said that exercise is man’s best medicine, but his message has been lost over time and we are an increasingly sedentary society,” said professor Janet Lord, director of the Institute of Inflammation and Aging at the University of Birmingham to the U.K. Guardian <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/08/cycling-keeps-your-imm…> . “However, importantly, our findings debunk the assumption that ageing automatically makes us more frail. Our research means we now have strong evidence that encouraging people to commit to regular exercise throughout their lives is a viable solution to the problem that we are living longer but not healthier.” The study’s findings were outlined in two papers for the journal Aging Cell <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1474-9726>.

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