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WFP: Fielding's rapid transit stance on wrong track (Apr.4'14)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Apr '14

04 Apr '14

Fielding's rapid-transit stance on wrong track By: Bartley Kives http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/fieldings-rapid-transit-stance-on-wr… In a mayoral race in which six out of eight potential candidates can be safely described as right of centre, it makes sense for Scott Fielding to try to stand out from the field. The two-term councillor for St. James-Brooklands is positioning himself to be the populist fiscal conservative among a crew of fellow conservatives that either have more elitist trappings or lean closer to the centre. Fielding is no lunch-bucket-carrying everyman. He's a former pharmaceutical sales rep who has interests in a pair of businesses and lives in upper-middle-class Linden Woods. But Scott Fielding's voting record and political philosophy can safely be described as neo-libertarian, even if that's a word he'd never use to describe someone who's in small government and would prefer to see the market provide solutions to public-policy problems. Last week, Fielding was doing his best to prove his populist cred by campaigning against the extension of the Southwest Transitway, the city's first dedicated bus corridor. The 3.6-kilometre first phase of the transitway was completed in 2012 at a cost of $138 million. A seven-kilometre extension to the University of Manitoba comes with a $600-million price tag because it's packaged with two other Fort Garry projects -- a new Jubilee underpass and the Cockburn-Calrossie drain replacement. Fielding, who has never supported rapid transit, launched an online petition that attempts to mine the same anti-elitist sentiment directed against megaprojects such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Investors Group Field. Fielding wants prospective rapid-transit funding to be spent on road repairs instead and urged Winnipeggers to tell "the politicians, insiders at city hall that we need to address infrastructure, make that our No. 1 priority." As far as campaign strategy goes, it's not a bad gambit to gain attention. Mayor Sam Katz, who may or may not be running again, oversaw the construction of the transitway's first phase despite his well-documented ambivalence to rapid transit. Lawyers Gord Steeves and Brian Bowman, who most likely will run, can be painted as members of the political elite by the mere nature of their profession. Only Charleswood-Tuxedo Coun. Paula Havixbeck is also playing the populist card, though she's also courting union support for her potential mayoral run. Fielding's anti-rapid-transit position, however, runs the risk of driving away potential supporters across the political spectrum who may have seen him as a safe place to park their votes. Although he only garnered support of six per cent of Winnipeggers in the two mayoral-race polls to date, Fielding has room to grow because he has been strong on ethical reform at city hall and chose to break ranks with Katz. His rapid-transit hate-on, however, is a bad move in the long run, as the roads-not-transit argument fails to stand up to logical scrutiny. Winnipeg suffers from inadequate infrastructure because it's too spread out. The lack of density in this city requires too much money to be shovelled into road, sewer and water-main maintenance. And as any student of Winnipeg's recent history can tell you, one of the main contributors to this lack of density is the absence of a rapid-transit network. Winnipeg began pondering rapid transit in the 1950s and '60s, around the same time Toronto and Montreal started building subways. Decades of dithering allowed Winnipeg to be lapped by Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa, which pursued various permutations of light rail, subways and dedicated bus corridors. Development along transit lines and transit-station nodes has improved density in all of these cities. But Winnipeg kept on building roads and focusing on single-family-home development, with disastrous results. This city has started to improve density through modest means, such as insisting on smaller lot sizes for single-family homes and demanding more multi-family housing in new suburbs. But we are desperate for more rapid transit to promote real density. Without mass transit, you cannot build up instead of out. And if you build out instead of up, you cannot afford your roads. What Fielding is promoting spells disaster for Winnipeg. He's selling the promise of better roads when in fact the best way to do so would be to invest in transit. Fielding's ethics are unimpeachable. He is polite and appears popular with the constituents in his ward. But Winnipeg has waited too long for not just the Southwest Transitway, but a full network of transit corridors to endure another rapid-transit debate. Six decades is long enough. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 4, 2014 B1

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The Uniter: Breaking down barricades
by Beth McKechnie 03 Apr '14

03 Apr '14

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Terry Zdan <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2014 10:18:07 -0500 Subject: The U of W Uniter - Breaking Down Barricades http://uniter.ca/view/breaking-down-barricades "I replaced driving with a ten-minute walking commute. The psychological differences between driving through an environment and physically interacting with it on the ground cannot be understated. I now walk downtown with the familiarity everyone else has with their own cul-de-sacs. The normalization of this type of interaction with the city on a daily basis gives you a different appreciation of not only its buildings and its people, but also what it sorely lacks: people living there...." "And herein lies the toxic heart of how urban Winnipeg is approached: for serving the suburban population. And for the suburban population there must be suburban entities. Maybe we knew that already, but in exiling myself from suburban life, it took on a new level of understanding. It sunk in...." -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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Doctors prescribing bike-share memberships to combat obesity
by Beth McKechnie 03 Apr '14

03 Apr '14

Doctors prescribing bike-share memberships to combat obesity *by *Lauren O'Neil<http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/author/lauren-oneil/> Posted: April 2, 2014 5:57 PM Last Updated: April 2, 2014 5:31 PM http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/doctors-prescribing-bike-… Doctors in Boston will soon have a new tool in their arsenal when it comes to improving the health of obese patients: the humble, yet powerful bicycle. In an effort to get sedentary Bostonians moving more, as well as provide affordable transportation for low-income residents, The City of Boston and the Boston Medical Center (BMC) have partnered together in creation of program they're calling "Prescribe-a-Bike." The program, launched today, allows all BMC medical professionals to write prescriptions for memberships to a local bike-sharing program called Hubway<https://www.thehubway.com/>, which currently boasts 1,100 bikes at 130 locations around the city. Much like Canada's own Bixi system<http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bye-bye-bixi-retooled-bike-sharing-se…>, Hubway users can borrow a bike from any location and then drop it off at another, providing themselves a convenient and healthy way to get around. Qualified low-income patients will pay only $5 for an annual membership to the program, which entitles them to an unlimited number of trips on Hubway bikes for up to 30 minutes at a time. They'll also receive a free helmet, according to the Boston mayor's office. "Obesity is a significant and growing health concern for our city, particularly among low-income Boston residents," said Kate Walsh, chief executive of Boston Medical Center, in a statement published by the Boston Globe<http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/03/27/new-program-will-allow-boston-m…>. "Regular exercise is key to combating this trend, and Prescribe-a-Bike is one important way our caregivers can help patients get the exercise they need to be healthy." To qualify for a prescription, patients must be 16 years or older either have a household income of no more than 4 times the poverty level or be enrolled in some form of public assistance according to the statement. The program's creators hope to enroll at least 1,000 low-income residents in Prescribe-a-Bike this year, and potentially expand to include more hospitals. "We have already received some calls from other hospitals and health clinics who are interested," said Nicole Freedman, director of bicycle programs for the City of Boston, to Boston Magazine<http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2014/03/26/prescribe-bike-bmc-bos…>. "It's a new way to reach out and promote health."

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Job posting - Peg City Car Co-op
by Beth McKechnie 27 Mar '14

27 Mar '14

[please share widely -- thanks!] * Peg City Car Co-op Seeks Fleet Operations Assistant* Are you a reliable self-starter who cares about sustainable transportation? Are you excited to see carsharing grow in Winnipeg? Peg City Car Co-op is busy expanding into more neighbourhoods in central Winnipeg. To help with our growing network of carshare vehicles, we need a dependable person who gets carsharing and how it works. Someone who understands the individual, environmental and community benefits of "Bike. Walk. Bus. And Sometimes, Drive." Check out all of the details here<http://pegcitycarcoop.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Peg-City-Car-Co-op-Flee…> . Deadline to apply: 7pm, Friday, April 11th

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If only the Osborne Underpass could look like this..
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 27 Mar '14

27 Mar '14

http://www.ledevoir.com/opinion/blogues/le-blogue-urbain/403612/ca-roule-po… -- *Jackie Avent* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773 *|* Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>

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12 ways to make cities more child-friendly
by Beth McKechnie 26 Mar '14

26 Mar '14

12 ways to make cities more child-friendly MARCH 3, 2014<http://spacing.ca/national/2014/03/03/twelve-ways-can-make-cities-child-fri…> | BY CHRIS BRUNTLETT <http://spacing.ca/national/author/chrisbruntlett/> For far too long, many people have considered family life and urban life as being mutually exclusive. That trend is slowly reversing, as more and more parents choose to raise their kids in urban areas. However, city builders often fail to consider their smallest, most vulnerable users. As Enrique Peñalosa famously said: ""Children are a kind of indicator species. If we can build a successful city for children, we will have a successful city for all people." The following slideshow describes twelve ways we can make our cities more amenable to kids. These are by no means a comprehensive list, but are designed as a conversation starter. http://spacing.ca/national/2014/03/03/twelve-ways-can-make-cities-child-fri…

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Winnipeg's first parking protected bike lane
by Beth McKechnie 24 Mar '14

24 Mar '14

Very exciting! See below that the City will be building our first ever parking protected bicycle lane on Sherbrook between Wolseley and Broadway... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: The West Broadway BIZ <director(a)westbroadwaybiz.com> Date: Mon, Mar 24, 2014 at 1:06 PM Subject: BIZ Buzz - March 2014 Trouble viewing this email? Read it online<http://secure.campaigner.com/Campaigner/Public/t.show?6ga52--3i85e-p50j5e3&…> THE BIZ BUZZ E-NEWSLETTER MARCH 2014 * HAPPY SPRING!* Although it has not quite sprung yet, it is hopefully just around the corner! As the snow melts, please let us know if you see any damage to bike racks, planters or benches in front of your business or in the area. Village Landscaping has been contracted once again to do our flower planters and hanging baskets, it will be so nice to see some colour and greenery again! Watch for the new community directory coming out next month. They will be delivered to every business and household in West Broadway and Wolseley. Thank you to all those supporting members who have placed an ad in the magazine! Please contact us <director(a)westbroadwaybiz.com?subject=directory>to request a stack and counter top holder for your business. <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjgz-p50j5e5&_v=2> City's 1st Parking Protected Bike Lane! <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjh0-p50j5e2&_v=2> We are very pleased to announce the City will be completing the Maryland - Sherbrook cycling corridor this summer, the much anticipated dedicated bike lane for Sherbrook Street will be completed this year. Public Works has decided to construct the City's first Parking Protected Bike Lane between Wolseley and Broadway! This street work will be tied into the road resurfacing of Sherbrook Street this summer. For more details, or to review the conceptual design go to: Walkbike.winnipeg.ca<http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjh1-p50j5e3&_v=2> We are taking requests for new bike rack installation for this summer, so please let us know if you are in need of one. <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjh2-p50j5e4&_v=2> *Fefu and Her Friends * by Maria Irene Fornes Directed by Hope McIntyre Featuring: Elena Anciro, Julia Arkos, Nan Fewchuk, Megan McArton, Brenda McLean, Tracey Nepinak, Tracy Penner and Kelci Stephenson May 22nd- June 1st, 2014 Ralph Connor House - 54 West Gate Tickets: $15 / $20 Group rates are available for community groups! For more information and to purchase tickets please visit our website at www.sarasvati.ca <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjh3-p50j5e5&_v=2>or call (204) 586-2236. <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjh4-p50j5e6&_v=2> We are pleased to report streetscaping initiatives from the masterplan document are well underway. Up next, new banners, community kiosks, tree infill and gateway enhancements. It's an exciting time in West Broadway! Any questions or concerns, please send us an email<director(a)westbroadwaybiz.com>or give us a call at 204-779-4100. www.westbroadwaybiz.com<http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjh5-p50j5e7&_v=2> *CHECK OUT OUR NEW GRANT * If you are considering making some improvements to your business exterior, there has never been a better time! We are now offering our members two tiers of funding plus we have added a design component! Download the brochure! <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjh6-p50j5e8&_v=2> * MHC FOUNDATION UPCOMING SPRING EVENTS: <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjh7-p50j5e9&_v=2> * *"Jubilation! Hope Lives! Jubilation! L'Espoir Vie!* Afternoon Concert & Desserts *Sunday, April 27, 2014* Join us for an inspiring afternoon in the beautiful St. Boniface Cathedral, as we celebrate spring with the joyful music of worldwide Christian singer *Christine D.M. Wollmann* Proceeds from the event will support Misericordia Health Centre Foundation. Mingle afterwards with desserts and light refreshments sponsored by local French restaurant Resto Gare Call (204) 788-8469 for tickets * Black Tie Bingo Gala *Presented by Medigas Mb Ltd. Saturday, May 3, 2014 RBC Convention Centre Please email vmirosh(a)misericordia.mb.ca<vmirosh(a)misericordia.mb.ca?subject=black%20tie%20bingo> or call (204) 788-8469 for details * WOULD YOUR BUSINESS LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN A SHORT VIDEO PRODUCTION?* <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjh8-p50j5e0&_v=2><http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjh9-p50j5e1&_v=2> The Marketing Committee is interested in partnering to create more short videos promoting West Broadway businesses, programs and events. Digital Marketing is an innovative and affordable way to deliver meaningful engagement, and market your business. Sharing these videos on websites and social media are great ways to find new customers and promote your brand. Contact us <director(a)westbroadwaybiz.com?subject=digital%20marketing> if you would like to participate! * <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6ga52-cgjha-p50j5e1&_v=2> * West Broadway BIZ PO Box 26003 676 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 3R3 p 204-779-4100 e director(a)westbroadwaybiz.com You are subscribed to this mailing list as beth(a)pegcitycarcoop.ca. Please click here <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.fo?6ga52--cbw5-p50j5e6&sl=3b&t=5&_v=2>to modify your message preferences or to unsubscribe from any future mailings. We will respect all unsubscribe requests. ------------------------------ <http://www.campaigner.com/?utm_source=campaigner&utm_medium=email&utm_campa…>

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Reminder: Travel Behaviour Change workshop, Wed. March 26, 1:00-4:30pm
by Beth McKechnie 24 Mar '14

24 Mar '14

Friendly reminder about a Green Action Centre workshop happening this Wednesday afternoon at the EcoCentre. RSVP is required, all are welcome! Two spots still open. cheers, Beth * * * * * III: TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR CHANGE *Wednesday, March 26, 1:00-4:30pm* Human behaviour can seem inexplicable. Sometimes it's a head-scratcher as to why people don't switch to healthier and greener ways to get to work when it is clearly to their benefit. In this half-day workshop, we will explore the many facets of behaviour change from a social marketing, transition and systems perspective. Walk away with strategies you can apply to support your colleagues and create a more commuter friendly and active workplace. *Register today:* Email Beth McKechnie <beth(a)greenactioncentre.ca> or call (204) 925-3772.

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MB Capital Region Transportation Master Plan to be released this spring
by Beth McKechnie 21 Mar '14

21 Mar '14

Capital Region Transportation Master Plan release planned for this spring Posted: March 20, 2014 http://leadingmanitoba.ca/notices_detail.asp?notice_ID=207 Later this spring PMCR will release the Capital Region Transportation Master Plan, a guide to key transportation infrastructure, plans and systems to enable economic opportunity, sustainable growth, and improved mobility of all users throughout the Capital Region now, and in the future. The culmination of a year of study, technical review and community and stakeholder engagement, the plan charts the changing transportation needs of a growing Capital Region over the next 25 years. It builds on the City of Winnipeg Transportation Master Plan (2011) and will include a series of recommendations for integrated land use and transportation planning; highway infrastructure, access and technology; transit; active transportation; and the movement of goods by rail, air and road. Find out more about our commitment to Transportation in the Capital Region: http://build.leadingmanitoba.ca/downloads/report.pdf

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A better way to think about businesses and bike lane battles
by Beth McKechnie 21 Mar '14

21 Mar '14

Hi everyone, I'm forwarding this newsletter (again), as I consistently find Green Lane Project's articles useful. Their focus on cycle tracks / protected bike lanes and a recent emphasis on working with businesses to gain acceptance is particularly relevant for Winnipeg. cheers, Beth View this email in your browser<http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=64bd122c67bd28d620978f4a5&id=44c6dc42cc…> <http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d62…> This week's Green Lane Project news The case for protected bike lanes in one story<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d6…> Mar 19, 2014 01:13 pm *The Rio Grande Street protected bike lane in Austin, Tex.* One of the most interesting transformations in the media world right now is the fact that instead of making a name for themselves by buying TV and newspaper ads that pay other people to do great reporting and writing, companies are increasingly doing the great reporting and writing themselves, in their own name. I've never seen a better example of this phoenomenon than this longform piece by the Traffic Safety Store<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d6…>, an online retailer of construction signs, traffic cones and safety vests, about the American movement to build protected bike lanes. Here's one characteristically thoughtful passage: In order to maintain population growth, cities will need to diffuse... Read More<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d6…> >From DC, a better way to think about businesses and bike lane battles<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d6…> Mar 17, 2014 06:35 am *John Stokes, director of risk management for The Jefferson hotel, on M Street before bike improvements.* Eventually, everyone redesigning city streets runs into the same problem: small businesses rarely support changes to the roads that bring them customers. This isn't because the people who speak for businesses are callous or irrational (despite strong evidence that patrons arriving by bike are often more profitable than those arriving by car<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d62…>). Most businesses tend to resist neighborhood changes for a very simple reason: *their businesses are profitable*. For a business, every change to your surroundings introduces risk. And when you're already turning a profit, what's the point of risk? Face disagreements, don't deny them So... Read More<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d62…> follow on Twitter<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d62…>| friend on Facebook<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d62…>| forward to a friend<http://us5.forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=64bd122c67bd28d620978f4a5&id=44c…> You are receiving this email because you either signed up to receive it on GreenLaneProject.org or you attended a Green Lane Project event in the past. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, click the unsubscribe link below. The Green Lane Project<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d62…>is a program of PeopleForBikes<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=64bd122c67bd28d6…>helping U.S. cities build better bike lanes to create low-stress streets. We focus on protected bike lanes, which are on-street lanes separated from traffic by curbs, planters, parked cars or posts. unsubscribe from this list<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=64bd122c67bd28d62…>| update subscription preferences<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage1.com/profile?u=64bd122c67bd28d62097…> This email was sent to beth(a)greenactioncentre.ca *why did I get this?*<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage1.com/about?u=64bd122c67bd28d620978f…> unsubscribe from this list<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=64bd122c67bd28d62…> update subscription preferences<http://greenlaneproject.us5.list-manage1.com/profile?u=64bd122c67bd28d62097…> Green Lane Project · 207 Canyon Blvd Suite 202 · Boulder, CO 80302 · USA [image: Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp]<http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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