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Sorry, Boys. The First Profitable Micromobility Company Was Veo, Not Lime
by Beth McKechnie 08 Jan '21

08 Jan '21

*Great quote from CEO and founder of Veo micromobility service provider: * I guess you can say, we are the anti-Tech bro company in the Tech Broiest of industries. And that was always intentional because our roots are in the Midwest, not Silicon Valley. I co-founded Veo because I truly believe shared micromobility can provide a vital sustainable transportation service to communities. Learn more: https://veo-mobility.medium.com/sorry-boys-the-first-profitable-micromobili… -- Beth McKechnie (she/her) *| *Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> *We are located on Treaty 1 Territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation. The water we drink comes from Shoal Lake First Nation. * 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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Mobility Justice and Open/Slow Streets
by Beth McKechnie 08 Jan '21

08 Jan '21

Compelling article given criticisms and concerns that Winnipeg's Open Streets program does not extend to inner city and low income neighbourhoods: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-06/the-swift-disruptive-ris… cheers, Beth -- Beth McKechnie (she/her) *| *Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> *We are located on Treaty 1 Territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation. The water we drink comes from Shoal Lake First Nation. * 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 Analysis: Health restrictions redefine city spaces (Jan6'21)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jan '21

06 Jan '21

Health restrictions redefine city spaces https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/health-restrictions-rede… WILL the COVID-19 pandemic prompt a shift to healthier cities that focus on wellness rather than functional and economic concerns? This is a hypothesis that seems to be supported by several researchers around the world. In many ways, containment and physical distancing measures have contributed to an increased recognition of the importance of public space as a gathering place and key tools for meeting people’s basic needs. Urban residents are more aware of the important role of this space as a living environment essential to their physical and psychological well-being. Forced isolation and social distancing during the pandemic have exacerbated solitude and anxiety for part of our population. Numerous studies show that loneliness is linked to major health issues, including depression, heart problems and reduced life expectancy. In recent decades, individualism, neo-liberal public policies and new technologies had already contributed to this isolation. Online shopping has gone so far as to deprive us of the micro-interactions that sometimes represented our only daily social contacts. Many Montrealers in forced isolation were able to appreciate the qualities of the city’s urban space by using their balconies, front yards and alleyways, which enabled them to maintain certain close contacts and exchanges with neighbours while respecting physical distancing. From conversations from one balcony to the other to picnics at a distance between neighbours in the alley, the domestic environment has been able to broaden, thanks to increased human contact. Public spaces, especially parks, have also proven to be essential for socialization, especially for young people. Access to nature, wide-open spaces and sports and leisure facilities has emerged as a vital need, with both individual and collective benefits. Walking, one of the only forms of exercise accessible to many people, has made it possible to escape from confinement with exposure to fresh air and sunshine. The pandemic has shown the advantages of converting some major streets into pedestrian walkways, even temporarily, and the need for wider sidewalks. It has also demonstrated the importance of large linear parks, such as the very popular Promenade Champlain in Quebec City and the banks of the Lachine Canal in Montreal. Cities around the world have realized the importance of maximizing access to public space. Throughout containment, there have been a variety of creative and low-cost initiatives to make urban spaces safe and suitable. In this, the pandemic may have caused an unintended casualty: the motorist’s view of the city. The new health context has provoked a collective awareness of the excessive space devoted to the automobile and the interest in putting this space at the service of people. There has been a significant increase in pedestrian and shared-use streets and more bicycle lanes. In Rotterdam, cars are banned from some major arteries after 4 p.m. so that pedestrians can use them. In Oakland, Calif., streets are being transformed into “slow streets” — mixed-use areas where cars are tolerated but no longer have priority. A paved access in Montreal’s Lafontaine Park is now devoted to bicycles. The transformation of on street parking into temporary café patios — a common phenomenon in Montreal over the past decade — has multiplied around the world. The commercial success of pedestrianized streets throughout Montreal has ensured the survival of small businesses, bars and restaurants. Artistic practices have multiplied, whether they be music, theatre, dance or multimedia projections, allowing artists to showcase themselves and earn a few cents. Other aspects of urban design could be affected by the pandemic, due to the risks of transmission. The slower rate of contagion in outdoor spaces means that it is safer to shop on a commercial street and in a public market than in a hermetically sealed shopping mall or large air-conditioned area. Buildings will also have to be redesigned to offer more natural ventilation and outdoor spaces, be they individual or communal. These could take the form of rooftop terraces, courtyards and balconies. In the city, common spaces and facilities such as bus shelters, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and rest areas will have to be redesigned in a sustainable way. Some temporary reallocations of car space may well become permanent after the end of the pandemic. There is already increased use of active transportation, which can have a positive long-term effect on urban congestion and public health. Many cities are rethinking their entire urban mobility system. Paris is already planning to remove 72 per cent of on street parking spaces to make more space for bicycles. The pandemic will thus have accelerated already emerging trends toward a healthier, more humane and active city, creating new habits that may outlive it. Paradoxically, COVID-19 may also have long-term public-health benefits, promoting a more active, self-reliant and supportive population. *Anne-Marie Broudehoux is director of graduate programs at the Université du Québec à Montréal’s school of design. * *This article has been edited for length; the full version can be seen at winnipegfreepress.com or theconversation.com/ca.*

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

06 Jan '21

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

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

05 Jan '21

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

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

05 Jan '21

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

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

05 Jan '21

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

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

31 Dec '20

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

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

25 Dec '20

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

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

18 Dec '20

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

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