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Call for Abstracts: Bicycle Urbanism
by Beth McKechnie 13 Nov '12

13 Nov '12

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS *The International Bicycle Urbanism Symposium will take place at the College of Built Environments, University of Washington, Seattle from June 19-22, 2013.* You are invited to submit abstracts for papers dealings with: Ways that cities can best encourage and accommodate bicycle use 20-30 years in the future Leading research that addresses bicycle use and effects of innovation in infrastructure and programs Best practices and how these can inform long-term planning for bicycle use. Intended participants include planning and design professionals, researchers, bicycle advocates, and public officials. Selected papers will be edited for one or more referred books. A fuller description of the Symposium and its program can be found at www.be.washington.edu/bicycleurbanism. Questions can be addressed at bikeurb(a)uw.edu.

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Transport Canada to look at bike safety benefits of truck side skirts
by Dave Elmore 13 Nov '12

13 Nov '12

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/transport-canada-to-look-at-bik e-safety-benefits-of-truck-side-skirts/article5040530/ Transport Canada to look at bike safety benefits of truck side skirts Renata D'Aliesio The Globe and Mail Published Wednesday, Nov. 07 2012, 1:14 PM EST Canada's transport regulator is assessing whether aerodynamic side skirts attached to trucks to boost fuel efficiency could also save lives in road crashes by preventing pedestrians and cyclists from falling beneath the bone-crushing big rigs. The question is a key one and adds a new twist to the long-standing debate about whether the country should follow the example of Europe and Japan and require truckers to install side guards, which are heavier than skirts and often a drain on fuel but are specifically designed to protect people. Ontario Chief Coroner Andrew McCallum made the case for these guards this summer and again in September after analyzing the circumstances of 224 cyclist and pedestrian deaths. The coroner pointed to a National Research Council (NRC) report, completed for Transport Canada, that noted cyclist deaths and serious injuries involving the side of trucks dropped substantially in the United Kingdom - deaths by 61 per cent and serious injuries by 13 per cent - after side guards were introduced. Transport Canada, for its part, has continually rejected calls for a side-guard regulation, saying there isn't adequate evidence to suggest the guards would significantly improve safety in Canada. Not long ago, though, the regulator had planned to study side guards as rigorously as it is now examining side skirts, show government documents obtained through access-to-information legislation. Those plans and several draft recommendations were shelved. According to Transport Canada spokeswoman Kelly James, the NRC study "did not provide sufficient justification to warrant further testing." Ontario deputy chief coroner Dan Cass finds the regulator's position on side guards disappointing. Still, Dr. Cass, who led the probe of cycling fatalities, is encouraged that Transport Canada is looking at the possible safety benefits of side skirts. Working with the NRC, Transport Canada plans to start a cold-weather analysis of skirts this fall, a test that is expected to span two winters. "This is an issue that obviously has grabbed a lot of people's attention," Dr. Cass said, adding he would support skirts if they prove as effective as guards. "Anything that's done to try and improve public safety and lessen the likelihood of more cyclists being caught under the rear wheels of trucks . is a positive step in my mind." The contentious side-guard debate flared up last Nov. 7 with the death of Toronto cyclist Jenna Morrison. Ms. Morrison, who was five months pregnant, was on her way to pick up her five-year-old son from school when her bike collided with a truck turning right. Falling beneath the gap between the truck's front and rear wheels, Ms. Morrison was crushed to death. Her family and friends believe a side guard could have made the difference between life and death. They're not alone. Between 2006 and 2010, 18 of the province's 129 cyclist fatalities involved heavy trucks, with half of the victims dragged, pinned or run over by rear wheels after striking a truck's side, the Ontario coroner review revealed in June. Side guards might have prevented these deaths, the coroner concluded. For now, however, Transport Canada has no plans to resurrect its shelved side-guard study. After completing a look at countries that regulate guards, the NRC, a government agency, was planning to do a second phase of study that involved testing the effectiveness of different types of guards, but Transport Canada nixed that review. The NRC had also proposed a series of "next steps" in its phase-one draft. Those recommendations, however, were dropped from the final March, 2010 report after a review by Transport Canada. According to the draft, also obtained through access-to-information legislation, NRC's recommendations included performing crash tests with dummies to determine whether side guards can prevent serious injuries to pedestrians and cyclists and evaluating how the guards perform in heavy snow and ice. Another recommendation proposed the creation of a green trailer program to offset the added weight of the guards. NRC declined to speak about its side-guard research, directing questions to Transport Canada. Ms. James of Transport Canada said the draft recommendations were not included in the final NRC report because "the draft report made it clear to Transport Canada that side guards were not demonstrated to be substantially effective or beneficial." There are other factors at play, too. The regulator is conducting a cost-benefit analysis of requiring side barriers on trucks. It has also raised the side-guard issue with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. With thousands of trucks streaming across the border daily, the two countries have pledged to harmonize their truck regulations. The United States does not require side guards and is not pursuing research or proposing a regulation on this front, Ms. James noted. The Canadian Trucking Alliance, which is opposed to making side guards mandatory, won't comment on Transport Canada's study of side skirts until it is complete. The organization believes other safety measures, such as adding bike lanes and enhancing share-the-road education campaigns, would be more effective than regulating side guards. But for Ron Freeman, a cyclist whose pelvis was crushed by the rear wheels of a furniture-delivery truck, installing side guards is part of the solution. A dozen years after his accident in Toronto, he still wonders whether a guard would have reduced the severity of his injury. He has undergone 10 surgeries and expects he'll need another hip replacement soon. "Had there been a side guard in place on the trailer, I would not have been crushed," Mr. Freeman said. "My life would be different." Bicyclist and pedestrian casualties involving a heavy truck in Canada, 2004-2008 Cyclist fatalities Total: 53 Known side: 6 Possible side: 4 Cyclist injuries Total: 689 Known side: 114 Possible side: 166 Pedestrian fatalities Total: 145 Known side: 7 Possible side: 6 Pedestrian injuries Total: 1,080 Known side: 81 Possible side: 121 Source: Transport Canada

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Manitoba Capital Region Transportation Master Plan Open Houses
by Mark Cohoe 11 Nov '12

11 Nov '12

Hi, Just passing on information on the three scheduled open houses for the Manitoba Capital Region <http://www.manitobacapitalregion.ca/default.asp> Transportation Master Plan. You can view the newsletter for the Transportation Master Plan here <http://www.manitobacapitalregion.ca/downloads/Newsletter-November2012.pdf>. It does seem odd that no open houses have been scheduled in Winnipeg. To me, that indicates that the planners are focusing far more on how to move people living outside of Winnipeg into and out of the city, neglecting the impact that any additional traffic will have on residents of Winnipeg or the potential desire of anyone in Winnipeg without access to a care to visit a destination outside of the city. Location: Selkirk, Manitoba Date: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 Venue: Selkirk Recreational Complex Banquet Hall, 180 Easton Drive Time: 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Location: Lorette, Manitoba Date: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 Venue: Club Les Bles D'or 1254 Dawson Rd. Time: 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Location: Headingley, Manitoba Date: Thursday, November 22, 2012 Venue: Headingley Community Centre Auditorium, 5353 Portage Ave. Time: 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Note . All three events include the same content Mark

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Roundabout and Traffic Calming Circle Video
by Erik Dickson 09 Nov '12

09 Nov '12

Scatliff+Miller+Murray is very pleased to present a new educational video produced for the City of Winnipeg. The 3D animation video provides tips for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists for walking, cycling, and driving at intersections with roundabouts or traffic calming circles. The video is posted on the City's website here: http://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/InformationAndResources/TrafficControl/Rounda bout.asp Please share this video widely with your networks. Feel free to send me any questions, comments or ideas; I'd love to discuss what we can do in future videos for you or your organizations. Have a nice weekend! Kind regards, Erik Dickson Suite 1120 - 201 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3B 3K6 ph: (204) 927-3444 ext. 242 fax: (204) 927-3443 web: www.scatliff.ca blog: http://scatliff.tumblr.com Please consider our environment before printing this message.

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Australian Planning Checklist for Cycling
by Mark Cohoe 09 Nov '12

09 Nov '12

Hi, I just came across this and thought it might be of interest. One of the things about it that I find most interesting is that "the checklist is based on the requirements of the Victorian Planning Provisions and associated engineering design guidelines." I'll have to look that up :) Planning Checklist for Cycling <http://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/bike-futures/94793/> Mark

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Fall 2012 Pedestrian Forum Newsletter
by Zdan, Terry (MIT) 08 Nov '12

08 Nov '12

The most recent edition of the Pedestrian Forum Newsletter<http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/pedforum/2012/fall/> is now posted. In this edition you will find information on: Update on Efforts in Pedestrian Safety Focus Cities and States Spotlight on Proven Countermeasures: Road Diet<http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/pedforum/2012/fall/#s1> Road Diet Case Study: Valencia Street, San Francisco<http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/pedforum/2012/fall/#s2> MAP-21 Provisions for Pedestrians<http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/pedforum/2012/fall/#s3> Walk Friendly Communities<http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/pedforum/2012/fall/#s4> Bicycle Road Safety Audits<http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/pedforum/2012/fall/#s5> Recent NHTSA Publications<http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/pedforum/2012/fall/#s6> New Tools and Resources from USDOT<http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/pedforum/2012/fall/#s7> Tamara Redmon Pedestrian Safety Program Manager Federal Highway Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Room E71-303 Washington, DC 20590 Phone: 202-366-4077 fax: 202-366-3222 http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/ To receive updates on our latest program information, please use our e-subscription service. Click on the above weblink, then click on "e-subscribe" in the upper right hand corner. From there, subscribe to the areas you are interested in.

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AT webinar: Maps that Guide, Encourage and Inform - Wed, Nov 14, 2-3 pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 08 Nov '12

08 Nov '12

Green Action Centre and Bike to the Future invite you to join us for a local viewing of the upcoming APBP and PBIC webinars at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) followed by group discussion.* *Detailed description provided below.* * *Maps That Guide, Encourage and Inform* Wednesday, November 14th | 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth 925-3772 * * * * * * * The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) presents: Maps that Guide, Educate and Inform How are maps evolving to meet community needs? This webinar presents two case studies of maps developed for urban trip planning for cyclists. Arlington County, Virginia, recently published an updated paper map; learn how planners resolved decisions about the map's purpose and audience, edited map data to create a network and focus on connectivity, and coordinated with an adjacent jurisdiction. The second case study, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), is an online map that consolidates data from 101 cities and towns in the Greater Boston area to provide both route planning and an internal resource for planners to prioritize improvements and create a regional network. The presenter will discuss how MAPC collected and merged data from a variety of sources, issues of data storage and format, and the tools available to publish maps online. *View the Arlington County map here*: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/maps-rides/ *View MAPC's map here*: http://trailmap.mapc.org/ *Presenters*: David Goodman, Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Manager, Arlington County, Virginia, manages the WALKArlington and BIKEArlington programs. In this role he oversees the built environment that directly affects walkers and cyclists. David designs and implements pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects such as sidewalks, accessible curb ramps, crosswalks, trails and bike lanes. His work also involves establishing design standards and specifications as well as reviewing new development proposals and transportation projects. He is a Certified Planner as well as a Licensed Architect. Christian Spanring is a GIS Developer with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). His focus is introducing innovative Open Source mapping and public engagement solutions to support MAPC's mission and projects. MAPC projects range from mapping tools (the MAPC Trailmap for pedestrian and bicycle facilities), engagement tools (the MBTA Budget Calculator) to a recreational park discovery application and data exploration tools like the MetroBoston DataCommon. Prior to MAPC, Christian worked as GIS Specialist for the Austrian Institute for Spatial Studies and Regional Planning and the Austrian Road Safety Board.

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Nov 14 webinar: Maps that Guide, Encourage and Inform
by Zdan, Terry (MIT) 08 Nov '12

08 Nov '12

All APBP members are receiving this message. Sign in to www.apbp.org with your username (shelyon) and private, case-sensitive, password. If you don't know your password, click here<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=Sheila.A.LYONS@odot.state.or.us&job=752295&y…> to generate a reminder. Register now for APBP's November webinar: Maps that Guide, Encourage and Inform Wednesday, November 14 | 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time $50 per site for APBP members; $75 per site for non-members Register here: http://www.apbp.org/event/Nov-14_webinar<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=Sheila.A.LYONS@odot.state.or.us&job=752295&y…> [http://www.apbp.org/resource/resmgr/images/nov-12_boston_map_sample.jpg]How are maps evolving to meet community needs? This webinar presents two case studies of maps developed for urban trip planning for cyclists. Arlington County, Viriginia, recently published an updated paper map; learn how planners resolved decisions about the map's purpose and audience, edited map data to create a network and focus on connectivity, and coordinated with an adjacent jurisdiction. The second case study, from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), is an online map that consolidates data from 101 cities and towns in the Greater Boston area to provide both route planning and an internal resource for planners to prioritize improvements and create a regional network. The presenter will discuss how MAPC collected and merged data from a variety of sources, issues of data storage and format, and the tools available to publish maps online. View the Arlington County map here: http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/maps-rides/<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=Sheila.A.LYONS@odot.state.or.us&job=752295&y…> View MAPC's map here: http://trailmap.mapc.org/<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=Sheila.A.LYONS@odot.state.or.us&job=752295&y…> Presenters: David Goodman, Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Manager, Arlington County, Virginia, manages the WALKArlington and BIKEArlington programs. In this role he oversees the built environment that directly affects walkers and cyclists. David designs and implements pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects such as sidewalks, accessible curb ramps, crosswalks, trails and bike lanes. His work also involves establishing design standards and specifications as well as reviewing new development proposals and transportation projects. He is a Certified Planner as well as a Licensed Architect. Christian Spanring is a GIS Developer with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). His focus is introducing innovative Open Source mapping and public engagement solutions to support MAPC's mission and projects. MAPC projects range from mapping tools (the MAPC Trailmap for pedestrian and bicycle facilities), engagement tools (the MBTA Budget Calculator) to a recreational park discovery application and data exploration tools like the MetroBoston DataCommon. Prior to MAPC, Christian worked as GIS Specialist for the Austrian Institute for Spatial Studies and Regional Planning and the Austrian Road Safety Board. This webinar will be recorded; a link to the recording will be e-mailed to participants within 48 hours after the live session. APBP has applied to the AICP for one Certification Maintenance credit for this session. APBP will provide an attendance certificate to APBP members who document their professional development hours. Each site license includes one phone connection (toll charges apply, or use VoIP), one Internet connection, one set of handouts for unlimited attendees in the same location, and access to the recording. (You may be required to download free software from Citrix GoToMeeting in order to participate in the webinar.) For more information, contact Debra Goeks (262-228-7025 or info(a)apbp.org). Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals PO Box 93 * Cedarburg, WI * 53012 262.228.7025 * info(a)apbp.org<mailto:info@apbp.org> www.apbp.org<http://www.apbp.org/link.asp?e=Sheila.A.LYONS@odot.state.or.us&job=752295&y…>

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Cardboard bike: YouTube
by Zdan, Terry (MIT) 08 Nov '12

08 Nov '12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txSboSNQINs he wears a helmet...could be cardboard too From: at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca [mailto:at-network-bounces@lists.umanitoba.ca] On Behalf Of Dave Elmore Sent: November-08-12 9:44 AM To: at-network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca Subject: [At-network] Cardboard bike http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2012/11/cardboard-bicycles Cardboard bicycles Re-cycling Nov 7th 2012, 17:47 by The Economist online [cid:image001.jpg@01CDBD95.8A07B4B0] THE first bicycles were made of wood. After that, manufacturers used steel tubes. These days, for high-end bikes where weight is at a premium, they turn to aluminium alloys or even to carbon fibre. But Izhar Gafni, an amateur cyclist who owns a number of such high-end bikes, wonders whether the original inventors had a point. He proposes to go back to using wood-or, rather, a derivative of wood, namely cardboard. Mr Gafni, who is based in Ahituv, Israel, spent years trying to work out how to make a cardboard bicycle able to support the weight of a human being. The trick is twofold. First, he folds the cardboard-commercial-grade material, made from recycled paper-to increase its strength. (He worked out the exact pattern of folding for each of the machine's components using the principles of origami.) Then, once it is folded, he treats the result with a proprietary resin that holds it in shape and stiffens it, before cutting it into the form of the component required. A second application of resin renders the component waterproof, and a lick of lacquer makes it look good. The result, Mr Gafni claims, is stronger than carbon fibre. The bike's frame, wheels, handlebars and saddle are all made of cardboard in this way, and then fitted together. The tyres-again harking back to the early days of cycling-are composed of solid rubber, recycled from old car tyres. That makes the ride a little harder than if they were pneumatic, but means they cannot be punctured. The chain, whose design is based on the timing belt of a car, is also made from car-tyre rubber. The pedals are plastic recycled from bottles. And the brakes are also recycled materials, though Mr Gafni is not yet ready to disclose exactly what. The finished product weighs 9kg and can carry a rider weighing 220kg. Mr Gafni's target market is the poorer countries of the world. Since manufacturing the cardboard bike will, he reckons, cost $9-12 a unit, his velocipedes should find demand which metal bikes cannot. But people in rich countries may be interested too. In Tel Aviv, the commercial capital of Mr Gafni's native land, 2,000 stolen bikes were recently put on display by police, for their owners to claim. If bicycles cost less than the locks that chained them to lampposts, it might cease to be worthwhile stealing them.

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Cardboard bike
by Dave Elmore 08 Nov '12

08 Nov '12

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2012/11/cardboard-bicycles Cardboard bicycles Re-cycling Nov 7th 2012, 17:47 by The Economist online http://media.economist.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/full-width/images/ 2012/11/blogs/babbage/20121110_stp504.jpg THE first bicycles were made of wood. After that, manufacturers used steel tubes. These days, for high-end bikes where weight is at a premium, they turn to aluminium alloys or even to carbon fibre. But Izhar Gafni, an amateur cyclist who owns a number of such high-end bikes, wonders whether the original inventors had a point. He proposes to go back to using wood-or, rather, a derivative of wood, namely cardboard. Mr Gafni, who is based in Ahituv, Israel, spent years trying to work out how to make a cardboard bicycle able to support the weight of a human being. The trick is twofold. First, he folds the cardboard-commercial-grade material, made from recycled paper-to increase its strength. (He worked out the exact pattern of folding for each of the machine's components using the principles of origami.) Then, once it is folded, he treats the result with a proprietary resin that holds it in shape and stiffens it, before cutting it into the form of the component required. A second application of resin renders the component waterproof, and a lick of lacquer makes it look good. The result, Mr Gafni claims, is stronger than carbon fibre. The bike's frame, wheels, handlebars and saddle are all made of cardboard in this way, and then fitted together. The tyres-again harking back to the early days of cycling-are composed of solid rubber, recycled from old car tyres. That makes the ride a little harder than if they were pneumatic, but means they cannot be punctured. The chain, whose design is based on the timing belt of a car, is also made from car-tyre rubber. The pedals are plastic recycled from bottles. And the brakes are also recycled materials, though Mr Gafni is not yet ready to disclose exactly what. The finished product weighs 9kg and can carry a rider weighing 220kg. Mr Gafni's target market is the poorer countries of the world. Since manufacturing the cardboard bike will, he reckons, cost $9-12 a unit, his velocipedes should find demand which metal bikes cannot. But people in rich countries may be interested too. In Tel Aviv, the commercial capital of Mr Gafni's native land, 2,000 stolen bikes were recently put on display by police, for their owners to claim. If bicycles cost less than the locks that chained them to lampposts, it might cease to be worthwhile stealing them.

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