- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Continental bicycle tire made of dandelion rubber…
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 09 Dec '20

09 Dec '20

https://www.greencarcongress.com/2020/12/20201207-taraxagum.html Happy Trails Terry Zdan

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Free download - Safety Performance of Bicycle Infrastructure in Canada (TAC Nov 2020)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

In case you weren't able to download this report from an earlier post, here are links to both the report and technical appendices: <goog_1441524465> https://www.tac-atc.ca/en/publications/ptm-spbi-e (Thanks to Terry Zdan for the link.)

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Portland e-scooter report (phase 2)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

[From the APBP listserv] The Portland Bureau of Transportation has published a report <https://www.portland.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/pbot_escooter_report_f…> about their phase 2 e-scooter pilot program, evaluating it against the goals they established for it. I found a lot in the report that would be of interest to active transportation professionals, including what types of facilities are used, how usage changes when new facilities are installed, how to reduce sidewalk riding and ped-unfriendly parking, what reduces pedestrian conflict, what percentage of scooter trips replace walk/bike trips, and more. *JESSICA ROBERTS* *Pronouns: she/her* Principal | *Alta Planning + Design, Inc.* *Working remotely: c**:* 503.752.4144 Portland, OR | altago.com

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Webinar: City Efforts to Realize Low-Carbon, Equitable Transportation
by Beth McKechnie 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser <https://www2.aceee.org/webmail/310911/722316487/7e7e0f2608add2f597fa5711bd2…> . [image: ACEEE LOGO] Webinar Announcement * City Efforts to Realize Low-Carbon, Equitable Transportation* *Date and time: Thursday, December 10, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET* Transportation has replaced the power sector as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the United States. Local governments and metropolitan regions play a critical role in maximizing this sector’s energy efficiency, reducing its GHG emissions, and working to ensure that all residents benefit from an accessible, efficient transportation system. Those efforts face new challenges as COVID-19 has had a severe impact on shared transportation, hampering transportation modes that are key to reducing GHG emissions. Research from ACEEE’s 2020 City Clean Energy Scorecard shows that some cities have taken key steps over the past 18 months to reduce transportation-related emissions, with several municipalities releasing sustainable transportation plans and four cities (of 100) taking new steps to create compact, transit-oriented communities welcoming increased density to reduce vehicle travel distances. However, our research also suggests that all cities can do much more, including adopting vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) reduction targets and tracking progress toward meeting them. Join us to discuss ACEEE’s research findings and learn from two leading cities. Officials from Minneapolis and Washington, DC will discuss their strategies to reduce transportation-related emissions and inequities. <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/D0F89995A13921A5E69974DB755239/23cfwms/7223…> *Speakers:* *David Ribeiro, Moderator* Director of Local Policy American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy *Shruti Vaidyanathan* Transportation Program Director American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy *Matthew Gaskin* Air Quality Coordinator Washington, D.C.'s District Department of Transportation *Kim Havey* Sustainability Director City of Minneapolis Share/forward this email: [image: Forward This] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/-us-pubid-aceee-news-gmail-com/23cfwmv/7223…> [image: blank] [image: Tweet This] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/-en-pubid-aceee-news-gmail-com/23cfwmx/7223…> [image: blank] [image: Send to Linkedin] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/-en-pubid-aceee-news-gmail-com/23cfwmz/7223…> [image: blank] [image: Send to Facebook] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/-en-pubid-aceee-news-gmail-com/23cfwn2/7223…> [image: blank] [image: blank] [image: blank] [image: View more services] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/que-pubid-aceee-news-gmail-com/23cfwn4/7223…> *About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit aceee.org <http://aceee.org>* ### Connect with us on social media: [image: Follow us on Twitter] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/ACEEEdc/23cfwn6/722316487?h=vb_CSmlS8eqNtoJ…> [image: Like us on Facebook] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/myACEEE--fref-ts/23cfwn8/722316487?h=vb_CSm…> [image: View our profile on LinkedIn] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/company-962421-/23cfwnj/722316487?h=vb_CSml…> [image: View on Instagram] <https://www2.aceee.org/e/310911/aceeedc/23cfwnd/722316487?h=vb_CSmlS8eqNtoJ…> ACEEE, 529 14th Street., N.W., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20045 Sent by aceeenews(a)aceee.org . <https://www2.aceee.org/emailPreference/e/epc/310911/hZB0-mx4t2AIr6BpeRISGhL…>

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CBC: Snow clearing on sidewalks, pathways more crucial than ever during pandemic, advocates say (Dec6'20)
by Beth McKechnie 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

Public health orders mean outdoor activity is one of few options left, but clearing must keep up: advocates https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-winter-covid-19-1.5827678 Manitobans are being encouraged to stay active and get outdoors this pandemic winter — but advocates say that means sidewalk and active transportation route clearing has to keep up. "If people felt trapped before, they're really going to feel trapped now," said Anders Swanson, executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association. The organization is working with multiple city councillors and community groups to try to make more opportunities for skiing, snowshoeing, biking and walking this winter. On top of those efforts, the city should be doubling down on sidewalk clearing, with extra attention to areas around schools, grocery stores and seniors' homes, Swanson said. "Right now, trails and getting outside is really the only recreational opportunity that is available. I think it's taken on an importance that even we couldn't have conjured before this," he said. "People are going to need to get outside. More than ever, we need to look at … the ways we maintain our existing pathway networks to make sure that everybody has access." David Kron, executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba and a spokesperson for Barrier-Free Manitoba, said poorly maintained sidewalks affect everybody. "It's not just for folks who are in the disability community. It's for all Winnipeggers and all Manitobans," he said. "It's a safety issue. It's an access issue. It's [an] equality issue." Everyone can appreciate getting outdoors and getting some exercise, especially during the pandemic, Kron said. "It's great to get out and get some fresh air, and it's something you can do safely together, but separately," he said. "It's just what everybody needs." 'Fear of falling' Aida Champagne, board member and consultant for the Filipino Seniors Group of Winnipeg, said the people she works with are lonely right now and facing limited options for how to get out of the house. Sidewalks can be treacherous even with very little snow, and popular options for indoor activities, like mall walking, are closed. "It's too lonely to be cooped inside a house, especially for some seniors without any relatives, or living alone in their apartments or a nursing home," she said. Connie Newman, executive director of the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres, said the seniors she works with — and she herself — are also apprehensive about getting outdoors in the winter. "For many of us and many of our centres, the ability to get outside and enjoy relatively OK fresh air right now is very, very important for own mental health and our physical health," she said. "I love to walk in my neighbourhood, and yet with our icy conditions, it makes it almost impossible because of fear of falling." 'A bleak winter if we don't' No matter your reason for getting outside, Swanson said it can have a major impact on mental health. The Winnipeg Trails Association has some projects in the works that he hopes to share more information on soon, but everyone can play a role in helping make the outdoors accessible, he said. "What we're looking at doing is bringing enhanced winter trail activities to every area of the city, because, quite frankly … it's going to be a bleak winter if we don't," he said. "I think that there's a role for everybody to play, to be honest." Champagne and Newman echoed that sentiment. If you're a business owner or a homeowner, ensuring the sidewalks in front of your property are cleared can be a huge help, they said. "The more the individual person can do on our side streets, on our cul-de-sacs, to make sure the front sidewalks are cleared — that would be a great support," Newman said. "From a city point of view, our main sidewalks should be cleared. And if they can't be cleared, there should be sand on them so that we can all walk." Kron added that one perk of the pandemic has been the increased ease of working from home, which has helped some in the disability community who had faced challenges in their commutes. He hopes to see that change last longer than COVID-19. Municipal planning Michael Cantor, manager of maintenance for Winnipeg's public works department, said the city isn't planning on doing anything differently regarding sidewalk or active transportation clearing this year, but will continue an effort launched last year to enhance clearing of those areas. The city worked with community groups like Bike Winnipeg to determine which active transportation routes are the highest priority, he said. He expects to see more people using those routes this season, as usual winter recreation options remain closed due to public health orders. The city launched *new features on its website for snow clearing this year* <https://www.winnipeg.ca/PublicWorks/snow/default.stm>, so residents can check an interactive status map to see crews' progress during major plowing operations. Spending time outdoors in the Manitoba winter still might not be everyone's idea of fun, but Swanson said this is the year to change that attitude. He's focused on highlighting the benefits of winter in Winnipeg. There's magic out there waiting to be found, he said. "We take … this embracing of winter pretty seriously," he said. "We think this winter is going to be the winter that sort of defines us as a city, because it can sink us in a lot of ways."

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Fwd: City of Toronto's Automated Sidewalk Winter Maintenance Challenge
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 07 Dec '20

07 Dec '20

Happy Trails Terry Zdan Begin forwarded message: From: Barrie Kirk <bkirk(a)cavcoe.com> Date: December 3, 2020 at 6:08:05 PM CST To: "Zdan, Terry (MI)" <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> Subject: City of Toronto's Automated Sidewalk Winter Maintenance Challenge

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WFP: Tired of falling, councillor wants to give icy sidewalks the slip (Dec4'20)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Dec '20

04 Dec '20

Tired of falling, councillor wants to give icy sidewalks the slip https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/tired-of-falling-councillor-wants-t… HE has fallen multiple times on pavement so slick that even thick winter boots couldn’t keep him upright. “I can remember two total wipeouts. Just falling onto the ground and ending up horizontal,” said St. Boniface Coun. Matt Allard. Now Allard, chairman of city council’s public works committee, is searching for ways to make sidewalks and active transportation routes less slippery. The councillor, who has tried to rely on Winnipeg Transit and active transportation as much as possible since January 2018, said he’s fallen a few times over the past two years, including one incident that damaged his computer. In November, he said he slipped twice in one walk while turning right onto Main Street near city hall, at one point grabbing a building to avoid hitting the ground. “The sidewalk was icy and slippery and the road was pristine, bare pavement,” said Allard. After he raised the issue on social media, Allard said he heard from hundreds of Winnipeggers who also want the city to find a way to make sidewalks and paths less treacherous. The councillor said he’ll raise a motion at a council committee in January, which would require city staff to study how to improve the condition of sidewalks and active transportation paths. The motion will call on the public service to study the health costs linked to slips and falls on sidewalks and how changes to snow clearing and ice treatments could make the surfaces safer. “I think there are always ways to make things better, so I’m asking the questions,” he said. Allard said he wants the city to consider factors such as increasing sand and salt treatments to add traction, new snow and ice control equipment, and an altered snow clearing schedule. Southdale resident Mary McWilliams said she agrees there’s room for improvement, especially on the Vermillion Road sidewalk she avoids walking on each winter. “There’s just a sheet of ice,” said Mc-Williams. “I’m a senior, and I had a hip replacement a couple of years ago, so I would not even try to walk on it for fear of falling.” Last winter, the city implemented some sidewalk and active transportation snow-clearing improvements, which cost about $800,000 annually. Michael Cantor, Winnipeg’s manager of streets maintenance, said those changes ensure that snow is cleared from entire active transportation routes to avoid gaps and that top-priority sidewalks (typically the most used ones) are cleared each time at least five centimetres of snow accumulates on them. “Before, some of those paths weren’t cleared on a priority basis and they were more cleared based on whether resources are available. Now… it’s defined based on usage,” said Cantor. Cantor said that’s triggered a “dramatic improvement” in snow clearing, while ice control is still performed on an as-needed basis, following sidewalk inspections and 311 complaints. Cantor said the city could explore additional work to remove ice, though changes would largely depend on how much council is willing to pay for the service. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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The WRENCH launches fundraiser for new building
by Beth McKechnie 02 Dec '20

02 Dec '20

The WRENCH is on the move Non-profit bike shop launches fundraiser for new building https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/times/The-WRENCH-is-on-th… The WRENCH is launching a fundraising campaign in tandem with its annual Cycle of Giving event in hopes of finding another home. The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub, a bike shop that offers programs aimed at educating youth and empowering volunteers, is located in the basement of the Animal Services building on Logan Avenue. Overwhelmed by hundreds of bikes, tools and parts, the WRENCH wants to add some square-footage to its cycling hub and is searching for an additional space. “We’re busting at the seams and we’re constantly having to dance around piles of bikes that are kind of edging into walkways,” Kate Sjoberg, executive director, said. “The WRENCH has been a part of creating a culture of cycling in Winnipeg for a long time, and creating physical infrastructure that can help cyclists like community bike shops … So, we really see this move towards establishing an above-ground space as a part of that story of Winnipeg embracing cycling, and Winnipeg creating the spaces needed to support cyclists in the city, whether they are new to cycling, or have been cycling for a long time.” The Moving On Up campaign will begin Sat., Dec. 5, the same day the WRENCH is celebrating the 10th annual Cycle of Giving. Every year, volunteers come together to build as many bikes as possible within 24 hours using bicycles and parts saved from local landfill and recycling sites. The WRENCH partners with local organizations, schools and families to subsequently distribute the bikes to kids. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers have been building bikes in their home-based or private shops since the beginning of November. “This decentralised build will culminate on Dec. 5, a day of simultaneous bike building at shops throughout the city,” a news release said. “We’ve got more than two dozen people, individuals, and also bike shops, building bikes as we speak,” Sjoberg said. “On the day of Dec. 5, we’re treating it as a celebratory kind of day where everyone’s building at the same time. And so, we’re going to encourage people to be connecting over social media and sharing what they’re doing in their homes. And then we’ll distribute the bikes after Dec. 5.” Leading up to that Saturday, the WRENCH will be posting on its social media pages stories and histories of Winnipeg bike culture and activism. Also different this year, the WRENCH is gifting individuals items for their donations. If someone donates $30 or more, they will receive a screen-printed WRENCH t-shirt with artwork by Sarah Thiessen, the organization’s volunteer co-ordinator. Someone who donates $60 or more will receive a WRENCH t-shirt and raffle ticket for one of three hand-painted helmets by Graffiti Gallery-affiliated artist Marco Muller. A donation of $100 or more will earn the donor a WRENCH t-shirt and raffle ticket for a hand-painted bike by Art City-affiliated artist Kiana Fontaine. More information can be found online at thewrench.ca

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The Dangers of Elite Projection
by Beth McKechnie 02 Dec '20

02 Dec '20

Worthwhile read (or refresher): *Elite projection* is the belief, among relatively fortunate and influential people, that what those people find convenient or attractive is good for the society as a whole. Once you learn to recognize this simple mistake, you see it everywhere. It is perhaps the single most comprehensive barrier to prosperous, just, and liberating cities. https://humantransit.org/2017/07/the-dangers-of-elite-projection.html

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New PSU study: 20 MPH speed signage
by Beth McKechnie 02 Dec '20

02 Dec '20

[shared from the TDM listserv] Hi all, a really interesting study just came out of Portland State University. They looked at vehicle speed before and after the city re-signed certain designated streets to 20 MPH (from 25 MPH). They found that average speed did not change *but *the highest speeds were reduced. And those highest-speed vehicles are disproportionately responsible for injuries and fatalities, so this change is meaningful in the Vision Zero landscape. I think it's really interesting to see that signage changes alone do, in fact, appear to change driver behavior. And this gives me the chance to plug one of my favorite (paywall free!) academic articles <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140517307302>, which explores possible theories of change - aka mechanisms by which a 20 MPH speed limit may affect safety outcomes. Study here <https://bikeportland.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/pbot-20-mph-speed-study…>, and overview article on Bikeportland here <https://bikeportland.org/2020/12/01/report-citys-new-20-mph-signs-have-redu…> . -Jessica *JESSICA ROBERTS* *Pronouns: she/her* Principal | *Alta Planning + Design, Inc.* *Working remotely: c**:* 503.752.4144 Portland, OR | altago.com

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