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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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January 21, 2021 Winter Cities Webinar Registration Link Fixed
by Beth McKechnie 17 Dec '20

17 Dec '20

If you haven't registered yet, do it before it's sold out! <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> Wintermission Webinar Winter-Friendly Cities: Addressing Social Isolation in Winter If you were having trouble registering for our January Wintermission Webinar the registration link <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…>has now been fixed! Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for the quick feedback! See you in 2021. [image: Facebook] <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> [image: Twitter] <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> [image: Link] <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> [image: Website] <http://www.880cities.org> * <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> Copyright © 2020. 8 80 Cities. All rights reserved.* *Our mailing address is:* 364 - 401 Richmond Street West Toronto, M5V 3A8 Canada Questions? Contact Us: info(a)880cities.org <info(a)880cities.org> Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/profile?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124fb7&…> or unsubscribe from this list <https://880cities.us10.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=49b51d71f0a96500f24124…> .

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WFP: School paves way to safety for pedestrians, cyclists (Dec17'20)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Dec '20

17 Dec '20

School paves way to safety for pedestrians, cyclists https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/school-paves-way-to-safety-for-pede… ISAAC Brock School’s early success with an active transportation pilot project could pave the way for other communities seeking to promote walking, biking and rolling to class in Winnipeg. On the first day of the new school year, the Green Action Centre, Winnipeg School Division, and City of Winnipeg launched a first-of-its-kind “school street” project in Manitoba, at 1265 Barratt Ave. In the months since, Barratt Avenue, the street on which the main doors to the K-9 school are located, has been closed off to the public between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays, to protect pedestrians, limit idling near the school entrance, and encourage alternatives to car commuting. The oldest students at Isaac Brock are tasked daily with setting up barricades to block off the stretch during the morning and afternoon rush hours, when pupils are coming and leaving the grounds. “It’s really opened our eyes to the fact that we do need to encourage students to walk to school more,” said Marla Tran, vice-principal at Isaac Brock. Tran admits the pilot has made her more conscious of how she commutes. She’s started to walk to and from work whenever she can this year, while the roster of students and staff doing the same has also increased. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 52 per cent of the student population walked, rolled or biked to school, per a new report authored by the Green Action Centre. The rest of the families either drove children to school or sent them on a school bus, both with 24 per cent of the total share of commuters. Mid-pilot this fall, GAC surveyed families to gauge experiences. Of the 71 guardian respondents, 15 per cent indicated a shift in their children’s travel mode to walking, biking or rolling, citing Barratt Avenue being closed. (Total enrolment is approximately 348, although many families have more than one child at the school.) There have been challenges with congestion on surrounding streets, access for residents who live on Barratt Avenue, and accommodations for students with mobility needs, but Denae Penner, GAC lead on the project, said changes will be made in the coming months to improve the pilot for all community members. Overall, focus groups and surveys yielded positive results about security, with the majority of students and area residents saying the pilot makes them feel safer, she said. “It can be difficult to move away from using your car every day, so we’re hoping we can do things like this that create a safe opportunity to start in a small way, incorporating walking into daily routines,” Penner added. “By offering one safe block where that can happen, I’m hoping we can help people see the benefits it can have in the long term for their family and their neighbourhood.” The school street was originally slated to last 60 days. The city extended it into December, and more recently, until the last day of school in June. Ken Allen, city spokesman, said in a statement Wednesday the public works department will consider whether school streets are feasible elsewhere throughout the rest of the 2020-21 Isaac Brock pilot. maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie

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Canada's public transit looks to rebound from COVID-19 (Dec16'20)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Dec '20

17 Dec '20

MONTREAL - The COVID-19 pandemic has led to massive declines in public transit ridership across Canada, yet many cities decided to maintain service levels this year, while others even chose to expand. Not long after the global health crisis reached Canada, rates of public transit use across the country dropped by about 85 per cent, according to prof. Matti Siemiatycki of University of Toronto's geography and planning department. The transportation policy expert said there were fears transit agencies in Canada would have to make drastic service cuts. “Public transit networks have been among the most impacted sectors in the economy from the pandemic,” he said in a recent interview. Instead, provincial and federal funding rescued the country's transit systems from the verge of collapse, he said. In the United States, however, public transit systems are facing the "dreaded transit death spiral,” Siemiatycki said, where cuts lead to further declines in ridership, which lead to further cuts and declines. Washington, D.C., and Boston have announced major service cuts. In New York City, the local transit authority said in mid-November it may be forced to cut bus and subway service by 40 per cent and lay off more than 9,000 workers. In contrast, Toronto and Montreal are expanding their transit systems. Luc Tremblay, CEO of the Montreal Transit Corp. said in a recent interview Montreal chose to maintain service levels in 2020 at 2019 levels — despite the fact ridership is about 35 per cent of what it was before COVID-19 hit. Montreal, Tremblay said, made that choice so service is available when riders decide to return. “It’s the key,” he explained. “Build it and they will come.” On Dec. 15, as Quebec imposed more COVID-19-related restrictions to stop a surge in infections across the province, the government announced a major expansion to the city's light rail system. Twenty-three new stations will be added to the commuter rail network, with construction set to begin in 2023. In the country's largest city, the Toronto Transit Commission said service during the week of Dec. 4 was at 95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. The transit agency said it will maintain the same level of service in 2021. The Ontario government is also moving forward with a $28-billion plan to expand transit in the Toronto area. In British Columbia, transit agencies will receive more than $1 billion in federal and provincial funding to maintain service levels. Federal money also helped Winnipeg's public transit agency fill a gap in its budget after ridership — and fare revenue — declined. Marco D'Angelo, president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, a trade association that represents the country's public transit agencies, said service across the country is currently about 87 per cent of pre-COVID levels. "Systems are not planning to reduce service, but that will likely change unless governments extend financial support," he said in an email. Siemiatycki said that while ridership is down, the health crisis has shown the importance of public transit. “Even through the pandemic, transit played a critical role in our economies," he said. "Transit was a lifeline service for people to reach their front-line place of employment." Daniel Bergeron with Montreal's public transit authority said he expects the pandemic-induced decline in ridership to have an almost $1-billon impact on the agency's budget between 2020 and 2022. He said government subsidies will help cover most of the shortfall, but added that expenses will need to be cut and improvements put off in order to continue to offer service at 2019 levels. When the pandemic is over, people will move around differently, he said, adding that he expects service to increase outside traditional peak periods. People working from home will be more likely to take trips during the day instead of at rush hour, he said. “In the short term, there’s uncertainty," he said. "But in 10, 20 years, it will be a new normal but still normal. We may have a bit more working from home, but it’s not open to everybody.” People will still have to go to work in shops, restaurants and manufacturing facilities, and he thinks people will still want to go out to restaurants and go shopping downtown. “Good quality of life is not living near a highway,” Bergeron said. “Nice neighbourhoods usually come with good public transport services.” *This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2020.*

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Winter-Friendly Cities: Addressing Social Isolation in Winter (webinar)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Dec '20

17 Dec '20

Join 8 80 Cities on January 21, 2021 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm CST to celebrate our Wintermission program Teams from Buffalo, NY, Eau Claire, WI and Leadville, CO will share their experiences in engaging communities in creating more inclusive winter-friendly public spaces that support social connection and reduce social isolation. Register here <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/winter-friendly-cities-addressing-social-isolat…>

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After the Pandemic: Canada Releases Climate Change Plan to Build Back Sustainably and Exceed its 2030 Target - Lexology
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 17 Dec '20

17 Dec '20

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=c7b730a0-dcc0-4040-8dfa-c790… See the AT item in the transportation sector Happy Trails Terry Zdan

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The impact of e-cycling on travel behaviour: A scoping review
by Beth McKechnie 16 Dec '20

16 Dec '20

Highlights • E-bikes increase the frequency and duration of cycling compared to conventional bikes. • Uptake of e-cycling largely substitutes for conventional cycling or private car journeys. • E-bikes are primarily used for utilitarian purposes, with older adults also using e-bikes for recreation. • E-cycling promotion campaigns should be guided by evidence on the purpose of e-cycling and factors associated with e-bike use. Conclusions This review suggests that the personal use of e-bikes is associated with a reduction in motorized vehicle use, which has potential positive impacts on the environment and health. The impacts of e-bike share schemes and workplace initiatives are less well understood. Evidence describing the purposes for which e-bikes are used, and the factors associated with usage, are useful to inform e-cycling promotion policy. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140520301146

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WFP: Case of officer who pepper-sprayed cyclist raises questions over limits of oversight (Dec15'20)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Dec '20

15 Dec '20

Case of officer who pepper-sprayed man raises questions over limits of oversight Manitoba police watchdog muzzled by ‘reasonable doubt’ https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/manitoba-police-watchdog-muzzled-by… MANITOBA’S system of civilian oversight of police makes it a “pointless exercise” for the independent watchdog to criminally charge officers against prosecutors’ advice, a justice source says. In a case that has raised questions about the limits of oversight in the province, the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba announced last week it would not lay charges against a Winnipeg Police Service officer who pepper-sprayed a cyclist. Prosecutors recommended against proceeding with the case, even though the IIU has the power to lay charges if it sees fit. A justice source familiar with the process said IIU files involving WPS officers are forwarded to a rural senior Crown attorney to decide if the case has a reasonable likelihood of conviction and if prosecuting it is in the public interest. While the IIU has the ability to lay a charge regardless of the Crown opinion, the case will only end up back in the hands of the same Crown, the source said. “It’s sort of a pointless exercise because even if (the IIU) says no, we don’t agree with you, we are laying a charge; it’s just going to go back to that Crown to prosecute it and it will just go away,” the source said. “So that’s where they are stuck. “They have that power legally, but that power means nothing if the Crown’s office isn’t backing them up.” The Crown would have to provide the IIU reasons why charges were not recommended, but those reasons do not have to be made public, the source said. “If there is not a reasonable likelihood of conviction, we would have to weigh it: can we prove this beyond a reasonable doubt? If the answer is no, we don’t proceed,” the source said. WPS Patrol Sgt. Jeffrey Norman was investigated for alleged assault, after an April 12, 2019, incident in which he pepper-sprayed a 29-year-old man who was biking home from work. Norman was investigating car break-ins in the area, and said the cyclist fit the description of a suspect. In his report, Norman claimed he felt threatened, and said he had to use pepper spray to detain a man who was trying to get away. The cyclist, Thomas Krause, said the officer got angry when asked to turn off his car’s high beams, and pepper-sprayed him when Krause told him he didn’t think Norman had the right to search his backpack. On Dec. 10, the IIU announced Norman won’t face any charges, following a Crown office review of the case. A former law professor and federal prosecutor says Manitoba prosecutors followed proper legal standards. “It would be a little bizarre to get a Crown opinion that there’s no reasonable likelihood of conviction and then lay a charge anyway, in the face of that opinion, knowing that it’s going to go to the Crown and they’ll stay it,” said Bruce MacFarlane, who has taught at University of Manitoba’s law school, worked as a prosecutor, and served in the federal and provincial justice departments. “It was dealt with the way it should have been dealt with, in my view.” Police can lay a criminal charge if they have reasonable grounds, meaning enough evidence. The test for Crown prosecutors is a step above: they have to decide there’s a reasonable likelihood of conviction, based on the evidence and the public interest in bringing the case to court. Unlike in B.C., Quebec and New Brunswick, Manitoba prosecutors don’t screen every case before criminal charges are laid. Police can ask for a Crown review when they choose, and often do so in cases that involve complex legal questions or suspects who are public figures, MacFarlane said. “This is not special treatment, because there’s many different types of cases, tough cases, where a Crown opinion is sought first. Many, many — so to leave any impression that police are being given special treatment, it would be false,” he said. The public typically doesn’t get a glimpse of a Crown review — a portion of the Crown’s opinion was released as part of the IIU’s final report in this case. MacFarlane said the Crown has to consider possible defences when it determines whether there’s a reasonable likelihood of conviction. In this case, the Crown consulted a use-of-force expert from out of province (whose report hasn’t been publicly released) before prosecutors decided there was “reasonable doubt” Norman’s actions constituted excessive force. That language raised a red flag for Ian Scott, former head of Ontario’s police watchdog Special Investigations Unit. “My personal view is that whether or not there’s going to be a doubt or not, it’s kind of irrelevant. That’s really for the judge to decide, not the prosecution service,” Scott said. It’s up to the prosecution to decide if there’s a reasonable likelihood of conviction, but reasonable doubt about whether a crime occurred needs to be decided by the courts, he said. “If that’s the standard... the chances that there’s ever going to be a trial of a police officer in circumstances like this is next to nil... When you’re reading a file in an office, there’s always a reasonable doubt,” Scott said. “The prosecution service is usurping the role of the courts.” The Free Press requested copies of the Crown’s full opinion on the case, and the use-of-force expert’s report prosecutors consulted, but a spokesperson for Manitoba Justice said the materials are privileged and won’t be released. katie.may(a)freepress.mb.ca <katie.may(a)freepress.mb.ca> dean.pritchard(a)freepress.mb.ca

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OECD report finds measures needed to curb PM emit…
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 15 Dec '20

15 Dec '20

https://www.greencarcongress.com/2020/12/20201214-oecd.html Happy Trails Terry Zdan

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U.S. DOT Publishes Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 10 Dec '20

10 Dec '20

From: FHWA Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty (HEP) <FHWA.HEP(a)info.dot.gov> Sent: December-10-20 11:02 AM To: Zdan, Terry (MI) <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> Subject: Human Environment Digest 12/10/20 [header] Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVy…>. December 10, 2020 Human Environment Digest Welcome to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Human Environment biweekly email digest. This digest shares the latest information from a range of Federal and non-Federal sources, addressing transportation and its relationship to the human environment. Through this information exchange, FHWA hopes to foster dialogue at all levels and continue to further the state of the practice on these important topics in support of safety; infrastructure, including accelerated project delivery, access to jobs, and community revitalization; technology and design innovation; and accountability, including, data-driven decisions and performance-based planning. For more information on any of these topics, see the FHWA Related Links on the sidebar. Click here<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVy…> to manage your subscriptions. *The information provided in this mailing does not necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Highway Administration or the U.S. Department of Transportation. EVENTS Please check with event organizers on if/how events are being adjusted to accommodate remote participation. December 8-10, 2020<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVy…>: FHWA's Every Day Counts-6. Virtual Summit. February 28-March 3, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVy…>: League of American Bicyclists' 2021 National Bike Summit. Virtual Event. (There is a fee) January 5-8 and 11-15, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVy…>: TRB's 100th Annual Meeting: Committee Meetings. Virtual Event. (There is a fee for some) January 16, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVy…>: Transportation for America's TransportationCamp DC. Virtual Event. (There is a fee) January 21-22 and 25-29, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVy…>: TRB's 100th Annual Meeting: Sessions and Exhibits. Virtual Event. (There is a fee for some) January 27-29, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVy…>: Micromobility World Conference. Virtual Event. (There is a fee for some) March 17-19, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVy…>: National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program, Washington, D.C. (There is a fee for some) March 17-19, 2021<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVy…>: Urbanism Next Center Forum. Virtual Event. WEBINARS December 10, 12:00-1:15 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVy…>: Rail~Volution's Micromobility: Scooter Technology and Accessibility in Cities. December 10, 1:00-2:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVy…>: Next City's Solutions of the Year: How Cities Can Promote Environmental Justice in Underserved Neighborhoods. (There is a fee for some) December 10, 1:00-3:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTMsInVy…>: TRB's Cross-Cutting Issues in Urban Congestion Pricing. (There is a fee) December 10, 2:00-2:45 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTQsInVy…>: Eno Center for Transportation's Environmental (In)Justice During COVID-19. December 10, 2:00-3:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTUsInVy…>: Alta Planning + Design's Delivering Quick-Build Projects: Four Cities Share their Stories of Doing More with Less. December 10, 3:00-4:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTYsInVy…>: PeopleForBikes' Leveraging Policy to Support the Bike Boom in 2021. December 11, 1:30-3:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTcsInVy…>: ITE's Smart Columbus Program: Event Parking Management. December 14-15, 6:00-8:00PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTgsInVy…>: Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation's Compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act in the Public Right-of-Way. (Session 1 of 2. This session is offered twice and there is a fee) December 15, 1:00-2:30 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTksInVy…>: AASHTO Council on Active Transportation and FHWA's Speed Management. December 15, 1:00-2:30 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjAsInVy…>: American Planning Association Oregon Chapter's Equity by Design. (There is a fee for some) December 15, 2:00-3:00PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjEsInVy…>: Association for Commuter Transportation's New Year... New Transportation Possibilities! (There is a fee for some) December 16-17, 10:00AM-12:00PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjIsInVy…>: Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation's Compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act in the Public Right-of-Way. (Session 2 of 2. This session is offered twice and there is a fee.) December 16, 3:00-4:00 PM ET:<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjMsInVy…> Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals' Are We There Yet? Best Practices in Speed Management. (There is a fee) December 18, 1:00-2:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjQsInVy…>: Center for Advanced Transportation Mobility, North Carolina A&T State University's Collaborative Multimodal Decision Making with Advanced Transportation Technologies and Computing. December 17, 1:00-3:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjUsInVy…>: FHWA's Moving FoRRRwD with Safety Action Plans: Statewide, Regional, and Local. December 21-23, 10:00AM-12:00PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjYsInVy…>: Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation's Design of Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramps and Pedestrian Access Routes. (There is a fee) January 6, 1:00-2:30 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjcsInVy…>: PBIC's Improving Safety with Bicyclist and Pedestrian Road Safety Audits. January 19, 1:00-2:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjgsInVy…>: Transportation Research and Education Center's Transportation Benefits of Polycentric Urban Form. January 21, 1:00-2:00PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjksInVy…>: American Trails' Making Meaningful Spaces: A Brief Survey of Integrative Active Transportation. February 9, 1:00-2:00 PM ET<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzAsInVy…>: Transportation Research and Education Center's Land Use and Transportation Policies for a Sustainable Future. FHWA RELATED LINKS Environment Homepage<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzEsInVy…> Bicycle/Pedestrian<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzIsInVy…> Environmental Justice<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzMsInVy…> Transportation Alternatives<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzQsInVy…> Recreational Trails Program<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzUsInVy…> To submit comments or information for inclusion in the next HE Digest, click here<mailto:livable.communities@dot.gov>. Submissions must be made before 12 PM ET Wednesday. [safety] U.S. DOT Publishes Pedestrian Safety Action Plan The U.S. Department of Transportation released a pedestrian safety action plan<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzYsInVy…> to address pedestrian fatalities and injuries through the expanded use of countermeasures, technology, and data-driven practices. The plan explains the Department's comprehensive approach that encompasses improvements to the roadway and surrounding environment, increased education on the shared responsibility of both pedestrians and motorists, along with enforcement and adjudication of pedestrian safety laws. It identifies actions the Department intends to accomplish in the next two years, focusing on the development or update of resources, tools, and plans; new and revised campaigns, programs, and initiatives; the creation or revision of curriculum; and new research to improve pedestrian safety. U.S. DOT Releases Summary Report on Pedestrian Safety Summit The U.S. Department of Transportation published a summary report<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzcsInVy…> of the Pedestrian Safety Summit held in July 2020. The three-part webinar series covered the current state of pedestrian safety, risk factors that impact pedestrian safety, and the Department's planned efforts to improve pedestrian safety. Additional videos, presentations, and materials<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzgsInVy…> from the event are also available. IIHS Studies Find Most E-scooter Rider Injuries Occur on Sidewalks The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety developed two research<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMzksInVy…> papers using interviews of electric scooter (e-scooter) riders whose injuries brought them to an emergency room in Washington, DC. One study examined how the severity of their injuries varied according to where and how they were injured. The second compared the rider demographics, usage patterns, and injuries to those of bicyclists who were interviewed as part of an earlier study. The studies found that e-scooter riders suffered more injuries per mile traveled than bicyclists, but bicyclists were more likely to have conflicts with motor vehicles. Research Assesses Safety of E-bikes Relative to Conventional Bicycles The Journal of Transport & Health published a study<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDAsInVy…> examining the role of bicyclists' health condition on safety of electric bicycles (e-bikes) compared to conventional bicycles. Researchers surveyed bicyclists treated at emergency rooms for crash injuries and a control group without known crash experience. The findings indicate that e-bike users were not more likely to be involved in a crash or to sustain more severe injuries; however, older female bicyclists had an elevated risk on e-bikes and sustained more severe injuries. The study suggests that older females are more likely to fall while mounting or dismounting their e-bikes, and recommends lower saddle height to mitigate risk. ________________________________ [infrastructure] White Paper Discusses Framework to Balance Utility, Safety, and User Experience on Shared-Use Paths Alta Planning + Design published a white paper<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDEsInVy…> exploring how shared-use paths should be designed, operated, and managed to accommodate micromobility transportation options, including powered micromobility. The paper discusses policy and design considerations for multi-use paths, provides implementation advice for trail managers, and shares examples of how trails across the U.S. are adapting to emerging mobility trends. It suggests several principles to guide decision making regarding powered micromobility devices on trails: advance mobility justice, design for safety, complement the natural environment, prioritize the human experience, expand user amenities, and design for the future trail. Research Analyzes Parking Supply and Demand at Transit-Oriented Developments The Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board published a study<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDIsInVy…> examining parking at seven transit-oriented developments (TODs) in the U.S. to determine how much less parking is required at TODs than the new Institute of Transportation Engineers Parking Generation manual would suggest. Researchers conducted a literature review and measured parking generation at the TODs through field observation and intercept surveys. The findings indicate that, at the peak parking demand hour, only 51 to 84 percent of spaces are filled. The study suggests TODs could improve use of shared parking and change policies around bundled residential parking. ________________________________ [innovation] Transportation Research Board to Host 2021 Annual Meeting The Transportation Research Board 100th Annual Meeting<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDMsInVy…> will be conducted as a virtual event throughout January 2021. The meeting program will cover all transportation modes, addressing topics such as micromobility, ridehailing, emerging mobility technologies<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDQsInVy…>, transportation equity<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDUsInVy…>, safety and public health<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDYsInVy…>, resiliency and security<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDcsInVy…>, and more. The sessions and workshops will focus on the spotlight theme for the 2021 meeting: Launching a New Century of Mobility and Quality of Life. This year's meeting will feature dozens of sessions on how the national health emergency<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDgsInVy…> has impacted transportation and how transportation professionals and researchers are responding. Committee meetings will be held January 5-8 and 11-15. Sessions and exhibits will occur January 21-22 and 25-29. Report Examines Availability and Use of Pedestrian Infrastructure Data to Support Active Transportation Planning The National Cooperative Highway Research Program published a report<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDksInVy…> describing how State departments of transportation (DOTs) are collecting, managing, sharing, and analyzing pedestrian infrastructure data. The report documents and summarize current State DOT practices for defining, storing, collecting, and sharing pedestrian infrastructure data. Agencies can use the report's findings to tailor the data collection process to build data infrastructure that supports various uses, leading to more consistent and efficient planning and management of pedestrian infrastructure. ________________________________ [account] Involving Underserved Populations in Rural Community Transportation Planning The Federal Highway Administration published a case study<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTAsInVy…> discussing community engagement approaches with traditionally underserved populations, including Hispanic and Tribal communities, in Cortez, Colorado during an update to the town's Access Control Plan. The plan is intended to improve traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and preserve traffic flow capacity of two highways in the city. The outreach process gave residents the opportunity to express concerns about street design and high-speed vehicles in the central business district, and as a result, the city incorporated traffic calming measures into the design. Cortez's holistic public engagement efforts enhanced project delivery and established long-term strategy for ongoing engagement. Presentations Discuss Environmental Justice Resources and Methods for Collaboration The National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program released presentation recordings<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTEsInVy…> from the October 2020 virtual event. The presentations share ideas and approaches to environmental justice, including the impacts of the national health emergency on low-income communities, energy solutions, as well as active transportation and transit considerations. They explain the nexus of environmental justice with the National Environmental Policy Act. Podcast Examines Use of Digital Tools for Participatory Transportation Planning The Public Transport Research Group at Monash University in Australia released a podcast<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTIsInVy…> discussing how virtual tools can facilitate more collaborative transportation planning. Researchers explain how data and digital tools can assist the public and decision makers during the transportation planning process. The discussion also explores the synergies between transportation and health. The podcast details how an interactive walkability planning support map tool helped planners understand infrastructure needs and healthcare costs of developing in a new neighborhood with limited walkability, compared to redeveloping an existing site. Survey Requests Inputs on Complete Streets Education and Outreach Efforts The Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, in partnership with a national transportation advocacy group, is leading an effort to collect information about effective and notable complete streets outreach, along with educational and engagement activities across the country. The researchers encourage representatives of State departments of transportations, regional planning authorities, county and local governments, advocacy groups, community organizations, and all others to respond to the survey<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTMsInVy…> by December 15. [footer] ________________________________ Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTQsInVy…>. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTUsInVy…>. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTYsInVy…>. ________________________________ This email was sent to terry.zdan(a)gov.mb.ca<mailto:terry.zdan@gov.mb.ca> using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration * 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE * Washington, DC 20590 * 202-366-4000 [GovDelivery logo]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTcsInVy…>

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Upcoming Webinar on Conducting Pedestrian and Bicyclist Road Safety Audits
by Beth McKechnie 09 Dec '20

09 Dec '20

*Webinar Announcement* Upcoming Webinar on Conducting Pedestrian and Bicyclist Road Safety Audits *Improving Safety with Bicyclist and Pedestrian Road Safety Audits Wednesday, January 6, 2021* 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern Time Register Here <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> Pedestrian and bicyclist road safety audits (RSAs) are valuable tools that can be used by transportation agencies to formally evaluate roadway conditions and better understand factors influencing road user safety and comfort. Performing audits of field conditions can provide real-world perspectives and valuable contextual information to those charged with developing and implementing safety countermeasures for vulnerable road users. RSAs can be used in any phase of project development from planning and preliminary engineering, design and construction. During this webinar, panelists from VHB and the UNC Highway Safety Research Center will share new guidance from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Road Safety Audit Guide and Prompt List <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…>, demonstrating how this new resource can be used to plan and conduct RSAs. Representatives from Caltrans and the City of Albuquerque will share their experiences using RSAs to investigate sites and develop safety improvements. This webinar will be delivered by VHB and the UNC Highway Safety Research Center through a contract to provide training and technical assistance to the FHWA-designated Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Focus States and Cities. ------------------------------ PBIC offers free, public webinars approximately every month. To register for upcoming webinars and to access archived presentations, please visit www.pedbikeinfo.org/webinars <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> . Follow the PBIC on Twitter <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> and Facebook <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> and join the discussion [image: https://twitter.com/pedbikeinfo?lang=en] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> [image: https://www.facebook.com/pedbikeinfo] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> [image: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/index.cfm] <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> ------------------------------ Since its inception in 1999, PBIC's mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ------------------------------ Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center 730 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Suite 300 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Add us to your address book <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/vcard?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e453ab5d&…> Phone: 1.888.823.3977 Fax: 919.962.8710 www.pedbikeinfo.org <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…> View this email in your browser <https://pedbikeinfo.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ae385fc8506278c2e45…>

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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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Shared Micromobility Replacing Car Trips
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 30 Nov '20

30 Nov '20

From: DOE Vehicle Technologies Office <eere(a)service.govdelivery.com> Sent: November-30-20 12:31 PM To: Zdan, Terry (MI) <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> Subject: Fact of the Week #1162 [Bookmark and Share]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVy…> View in browser<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVy…> [Energy dot gov Office of Energy Efficiency and renewable energy]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVy…> Vehicle Technologies Office <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVy…> Transportation Analysis Fact of the Week #1162<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVy…> [Divider] November 30, 2020 Shared Micromobility Replacing Car Trips In a 2019 survey of seven cities, 45% of those using shared micromobility (bikes and scooters) said that they would have completed their trips using a personal vehicle or rideshare vehicle if the bike/scooter was not available.* Another 9% would have used transit for their trips. Bikes/scooters replaced walking trips for 28% of respondents and 18% would have used other modes or not taken the trips if shared micromobility were not available. [Mode Used if Shared Micromobility Not Available, 2019] * Survey data includes respondents in Santa Monica, CA, Alexandria, VA, Bloomington, IN, Brookline, MA, Hoboken, NJ, Oakland, CA, and San Francisco, CA. Note: Shared micromobility refers to small fleets of fully or partially human-powered vehicles including bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters. Source: National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), Shared Micromobility in the U.S.: 2019<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVy…>, Summer 2020. View the supporting data<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVy…> for this Fact of the Week DOE Facebook [Facebook] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVy…> EERE Facebook [Facebook] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVy…> Energy Saver Facebook [Facebook] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVy…> DOE Twitter [Twitter] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVy…> EERE Twitter [Twitter] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVy…> Daniel R Simmons' Twitter [Twitter] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTIsInVy…> DOE YouTube[Youtube]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTMsInVy…> DOE LinkedIn[LinkedIn]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTQsInVy…> EERE LinkedIn[LinkedIn]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTUsInVy…> Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTYsInVy…>. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support(a)govdelivery.com<mailto:support@govdelivery.com>. This service is provided to you at no charge by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE). Visit the website at energy.gov/eere<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTcsInVy…>. ________________________________ This email was sent to terry.zdan(a)gov.mb.ca<mailto:terry.zdan@gov.mb.ca> on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy * 1000 Independence Ave., SW * Washington DC 20585

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Norway's EV subsidies; ... no country needs more cars...
by Charles Feaver 28 Nov '20

28 Nov '20

An column by Eric Reguly in the Globe: Norway's electric cars subsidies: a lot of money, not a lot of gain https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-norways-electric -car-subsidies-a-lot-of-money-for-not-a-lot-of-gain/ Like many countries in the West, Norway, an oil exporter, wanted to clean up its act. The centrepiece of that effort was the mass rollout of electric vehicles and the results have been spectacular - some 60 per cent of new car sales are EVs. That's the good news. The bad is that the sales of those EVs has come at great cost to the taxpayer, and will continue to do so as Norway pursues an all-EV fleet. Those billions of dollars of subsidies might have been put to far more effective use elsewhere in Norway's carbon-reduction effort.. Norway's lavish EV freebies have actually intensified the car culture, not diluted it. The less glam options, such as public transportation, got buried in the green plan.. Norway decided in the 1990s that EVs were the way to go as "global warming" entered the everyday lexicon and the country became acutely aware that its massive North Sea oil industry was part of the climate problem. Norway was rich - still is - and a cynic (not me, of course) would say that EVs became a luxury form of greenwashing for Europe's premier petro-state.. To make them affordable, the national and local governments in Norway rolled out incentive after incentive. Here are a few of them: exemption from the 25-per-cent value-added (VAT) tax on new car purchases; exemption from import duties; exemption from emission fees; no fuel taxes; cut-rate insurance; and ultra-cheap or free parking, road tolls and car ferry tickets. Many cities also gave EVs unfettered access to bus lanes.. As a climate change effort, Norway's embrace of EVs has worked, but only a bit. Road traffic emissions fell by about 10 per cent between 2014 and 2018, though the continued improvement in the efficiency of regular cars no doubt helped. But what if those billions in EV subsidies over the years had been devoted to other climate efforts, such as home insulation, the expansion of public transport or tighter emission controls on office buildings and factories? The drop in emissions might have been significant. As it is, Norway's EV subsidies look like a giveaway to the auto industry, an effort that is putting more cars on the road. Indeed, the total number of cars has climbed in recent years, partly because it appears that most buyers (such as my Norwegian friend) are not swapping their regular car for an EV; the EV is an addition to the regular car. No country, no city, needs more cars. What they need is fewer cars and credible reductions in carbon emissions. The Norway plan, so far, has done neither - at great expense.

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A Review of Canadian Transport Plans
by Anders Swanson 27 Nov '20

27 Nov '20

A timely review out of McgIll for us as we develop our new transport master plan and pedestrian/cycling strategies. The pursuit of cycling equity: A review of Canadian transport plans https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692320310048

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FW: Safety Performance of Bicycle Infrastructure in Canada | New TAC Report
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 26 Nov '20

26 Nov '20

FYI From: TAC-ATC Communications <secretariat(a)tac-atc.ca> Sent: November-26-20 9:35 AM To: Zdan, Terry (MI) <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> Subject: Safety Performance of Bicycle Infrastructure in Canada | New TAC Report [Image] Safety Performance of Bicycle Infrastructure in Canada The continued growth of cycling in Canada is leading to the development of infrastructure that better serves the safety and mobility needs of cyclists. A new report from the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) will help practitioners evaluate the potential safety performance of new facilities for cycling. Safety Performance of Bicycle Infrastructure in Canada<https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBQDPDzUpg…> is a resource document that characterizes the safety performance of different types of linear bicycle facilities and intersection treatments. [Alternate text] The report and its technical appendices can be downloaded free from TAC’s website<https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBQDPDzUpg…>, thanks to support from the project’s funding partners. The report was developed by MORR Transportation Consulting, and is currently available in English with a French version coming soon. Browse this and other titles in TAC’s online Catalogue<https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBQDPDzUpg…>. [Rounded Rectangle: Read the Full Article] [Facebook]<https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBQDPDzUpg…> [Twitter]<https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBQDPDzUpg…> [LinkedIn]<https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBQDPDzUpg…> TAC © 2020 www.tac-atc.ca<https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBQDPDzUpg…> UNSUBSCRIBE<https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBQDPDzUpg…> Transportation Association of Canada 401-1111 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON K2C 3T2 613-736-1350 | secretariat(a)tac-atc.ca<https://u2306505.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=M3V7pKe308SQRDM8wYnXBQDPDzUpg…>

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Availability and Use of Pedestrian Infrastructure Data to Support Active Transportation Planning | The National Academies Press
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 24 Nov '20

24 Nov '20

https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25995/availability-and-use-of-pedestrian-infras… FYI Happy Trails Terry Zdan

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UK city launches ‘smart junctions’ that prioritize cyclists and pedestrians
by Beth McKechnie 23 Nov '20

23 Nov '20

Transport for Greater Manchester <https://tfgm.com/> (TfGM) has announced the rollout of 20 ‘smart junctions’ across the city. They use sensors to detect the type of road user at junctions and allow different modes of transport to be given priority. Developed in collaboration with AI firm Vivacity Labs <https://vivacitylabs.com/>, the scheme aims to accommodate and promote the use of active travel modes such as cycling and walking, which have become an increased priority for UK cities in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The project first went live earlier this year, but is now being scaled up to cover 20 junctions in Manchester by the end of 2021. Speaking after its launch, the UK’s Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said: “Smart traffic technology is just one of the many ground-breaking areas the government is funding to pioneer new ways for artificial intelligence and 5G to transform our lives for the better. We’re backing this initiative in (Greater) Manchester to improve the city’s transport, reduce journey times, and cut pollution.” Full article: https://thenextweb.com/shift/2020/11/18/uk-city-launches-smart-junctions-th…

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Forget electric vehicles. Post-pandemic cities don't need them - they are still cars
by Charles Feaver 21 Nov '20

21 Nov '20

Eric Reguly opinion piece in the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-forget-electric- vehicles-post-pandemic-cities-dont-need-them-they/ . The hype around EVs and their offspring, self-driving e-cars, is dazzling and relentless, and anyone who thinks they should not be part of the new urban mix is treated as a Luddite. Some mayors are swayed by these arguments, especially the clean-air one. The few enlightened ones, such as Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, are not. Ms. Hidalgo and her like see an EV for what it is - a car. Cars take up public space. They need to be parked. They are a menace to pedestrians and bikers. They require roads and taxpayer funds to build and maintain those roads. The ideal city is not filled with sleek, silent, non-polluting e-cars; it is a city devoid of cars. Yet the tech lobby, the Wall Street machine behind it and Elon Musk, boss of Tesla, the world's most successful EV company, would have you think that buying an e-car is the morally correct and patriotic consumer choice. . Local and regional governments who push EVs might not realize that doing so commits themselves to a spending program they cannot afford. Making cities EV friendly would require digging up streets to create a vast network of unsightly charging stations. In a 2019 report, the International Council on Clean Transportation estimated that installing a single direct-current, 150-kilowatt fast-charging station, with two chargers each site, would cost more than US$38,000 in labour, materials, permits and taxes (the greater the power level, the higher the cost). . A 2018 report by Wood Mackenzie determined that charging 60,000 EVs simultaneously in Texas (which has 24-million registered vehicles) could bring down the electrical grid, assuming they were plugged into 100-kilowatt fast chargers. To accommodate hundreds of thousands of EV, Texas would have to build new peak-demand generating plants, probably coal burners. Cost aside, that would be a rather pointless exercise, since EVs are supposed to make the air cleaner. . Cities are run by politicians and the smartest politicians stick with what they know and what they can control. They know and can control public transportation. Most big cities around the world have a century or more of experience in this field. They have zero experience in building and managing vast networks of charging stations and all the supporting infrastructure. Public transportation will make a comeback once the COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out. The best way to reclaim cities from cars is to invest in subways, buses, rail and bike paths. .

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How to get rid of parking minimums: Edmonton's experience
by Beth McKechnie 18 Nov '20

18 Nov '20

*If you missed yesterday's webinar on how Edmonton eliminated parking minimums, check out the recording and resources below. Highly recommended!* Thank you for joining the Strong Towns Team for "How to Get Rid of Parking Minimums." *You can watch (or re-watch) the webinar recording, or share it with others, here! <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_8f218988-0cc5-42…>* Find tons of information about the process of eliminating parking minimums in Edmonton here. <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_8f218988-0cc5-42…> And for Strong Towns coverage of Edmonton's success to read and share, check out "Will Edmonton Be the First Major Canadian City to Eliminate Parking Minimums?" <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_8f218988-0cc5-42…> (Spoiler: It was!) and "Parking minimums are costing your city. For a way forward, look to Edmonton." <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_8f218988-0cc5-42…> Thanks again for your hard work! —Lauren at Strong Towns

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UMCycle winter cycling workshop
by Beth McKechnie 18 Nov '20

18 Nov '20

Winter cycling workshop UMCycle is hosting an online winter cycling workshop on Nov. 20. The free workshop is aimed at both those with experience and those new to winter biking. It will cover what to wear, what to keep in mind, and how to get the most out of your bike mechanically. Registration is required on EventBrite by noon on Nov. 19, and the event will take place on Zoom at 2 p.m. For more, see www.eventbrite.ca/e/winter- cycling-workshop-tickets-127498249697

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Webinar — Make Biking Better in Your City
by Beth McKechnie 16 Nov '20

16 Nov '20

[image: The Advocacy Academy provides city leaders, local advocates and retailers with a better understanding of our PlacesForBikes City Rating program.] <https://u8232924.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=-2FQ23vsRKP4fdjLiX7FqTpgjHEFB…> The Advocacy Academy provides city leaders, local advocates and retailers with a better understanding of our PlacesForBikes City Ratings program. Learn how to make local improvements that boost your score and discover the secrets of success from the world’s best bicycling cities. Join us on *November 17* at *2 pm MT* for a 30-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A. <https://u8232924.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=-2FQ23vsRKP4fdjLiX7FqTpgjHEFB…> Can't make the webinar? *Register now <https://u8232924.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=-2FQ23vsRKP4fdjLiX7FqTpgjHEFB…>*, and we'll send you a recording later. <https://u8232924.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=-2FQ23vsRKP4fdjLiX7FqTphxVtOE…> [image: Facebook] <https://u8232924.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=-2FQ23vsRKP4fdjLiX7FqTpqJQESe…> [image: Twitter] <https://u8232924.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=-2FQ23vsRKP4fdjLiX7FqTpkfMZIE…> [image: Instagram] <https://u8232924.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=-2FQ23vsRKP4fdjLiX7FqTphuqGaA…> [image: YouTube] <https://u8232924.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=-2FQ23vsRKP4fdjLiX7FqTpifo-2F…> How many people in your company know about our campaign to help new riders *Keep Riding* <https://u8232924.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=-2FQ23vsRKP4fdjLiX7FqTprculua…> into 2021? © 2020 PeopleForBikes Coalition Business Network 501(c)6. All rights reserved.

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The 15 minute city
by Charles Feaver 14 Nov '20

14 Nov '20

Good article in the weekend Globe about European cities becoming bike-friendly In Europe, cycling caught on in a big way this year as COVID-19 discouraged cars and crowded public transit. Some cities' leaders hope to make the habit permanent and make congestion a thing of the past Biking went mainstream virtually overnight, and cities such as Paris and Milan pushed the notion of the 15-minute city, where all of lifes necessities are within a 15-minute reach by foot or bike. Pontevedra is a Galician city of about 83,000 on the Atlantic, just north of the Portuguese border. When Mr. Fernández Lores, now 66, was elected mayor in 1999, he inherited a pretty but ailing little metropolis. The historic centre was plugged with cars, and its narrow streets were filled with fumes and drug dealers. The street in front of his office saw 14,000 cars pass by a day. In a 2018 interview with The Guardian, he said he found the centre dead." Within a month, he and his team swung into action. The entire historic centre was made a car-free pedestrian area. Surface parking spots were eliminated, opening up almost 1,700 spots for public use, and underground ones were built on the periphery. In the outer zones, they replaced traffic lights with roundabouts to ease traffic flow and end the gunning of engines at green lights, and brought speed limits down to 30 kilometres an hour. Footpaths, bike lanes and green space were added. It wasnt supposed to work, but it did. He got some pushback from motorists, who thought they had the right to park two tonnes of metal and rubber next to medieval buildings, but only some. Years before the pandemic persuaded other mayors to follow a similar route, Pontevedra was lauded as an urban renewal model and has won several international awards, including the UN-Habitat award in 2014. Most children now walk to school alone, and the streets have become alive and filled with people, the UN said. The city claims zero traffic deaths since 2008, a 70-per-cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, 12,000 new inhabitants (no small achievement in a country whose towns are depopulating fast), a drop in crime and a 30-per-cent increase in business revenues. Ms Hidalgo, 61, is a member of Frances Socialist Party and was first elected Paris mayor in 2014. She came in with a vision a clever one. Instead of launching a war against cars and climate change per se, she went after air pollution, a quality-of-life issue that ensured broad buy-in. Who could be against breathable air? By 2016, she had introduced Paris Respire days that eliminated cars from most areas of the centre on the first Sunday of each month and made public transportation free on those days. Later, she turned the busy highway that runs along the north side of the River Seine into a riverside park. European cities, like Paris, were smart to focus on air pollution rather than climate change, says Mr. Toderian. Air pollution is real for people. You can see it, smell it. People liked what she did. Before the pandemic hit, Ms. Hidalgo ramped up her effort to reduce pollution, which meant getting Parisians out of cars and onto bikes and pedestrian walkways. She is creating 1,400 kilometres of bike lanes throughout Paris almost every street will have a lane and has removed thousands of surface parking spots. Her plan is to get rid of 60,000 of them, or about 70 per cent of the total. The major east-west artery, Rue de Rivoli, went car-free when Paris emerged from lockdown in May. From 2024, diesel cars will be banned More than a few European cities are emulating, or hope to emulate, the Paris model. One is Milan, Italys commercial capital, which is also discouraging car use by handing over streets to cyclists and pedestrians. The Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, where a former mayor once used an armoured military vehicle to crush a car parked in a bike lane, is doing the same. But it wont work everywhere. Athens botched its Great Walk project, conceived only last year, to turn car-clogged streets in the centre into gracious, tree-lined pedestrian boulevards. The project was poorly designed, executed and marketed to the public. Edinburgh, one of northern Europes best-preserved old cities, is struggling to add bike lines and pedestrian-only streets. Anthony Robson, an Edinburgh solicitor and bike-lane lobbyist, says Conservative factions and motorists are resisting the idea of adopting a strategy similar to Pariss. The Conservative councillors equated more cars with more shopping, he says. They said, No cars, no commerce.' Weve been trying to debunk this notion. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-bikes-pedestrians-and-the-15- minute-city-how-the-pandemic-is/

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The bike path factor: active transport of growing importance for homebuyers
by Beth McKechnie 14 Nov '20

14 Nov '20

Zolo (national online real estate brokerage) report: Top Canadian cities for alternative transportation <https://www.zolo.ca/blog/best-centres-alternative-transportation> Spoiler alert: Winnipeg ranks 22nd * * * * *Calgary Herald: The bike path factor: active transport of growing importance for homebuyers Author of the article: Joel Schlesinger • for the Calgary Herald Publishing date: Nov 13, 2020 https://calgaryherald.com/life/homes/new-homes/the-bike-path-factor-active-… Living in communities with plenty of opportunity for active transport — bike trails, transit and walking paths — are viewed as increasingly desirable, a new study shows. Yet the report on the top Canadian cities for alternative transportation painted Calgary in a rather unfavourable light, ranking it near the bottom of the 100 urban centres surveyed. “We were examining how communities may be more desirable because they offer transport accessibility outside of using your car,” says Romana King, director of content with Zolo, a national online real estate brokerage, which published the study late last month. In this respect Calgary ranked 79th with a negative score for alternative transport. The score is compiled using a variety of metrics, such as elevation change, precipitation, along with the quality of bicycle and walking paths, and mass transit. Montreal and Ottawa ranked No. 1 and 2 in the study, with Edmonton in 36th place. King says Calgary’s ranking — while interesting — is not a damning indictment of its active transport opportunities. “Larger urban areas are always going to outshine smaller ones because they have larger public purses to build more infrastructure,” she says, adding Calgary has the fourth largest population among Canadian cities. Zolo included several other factors to balance large cities, which typically have rail transit and extensive bike lanes and paths, with smaller centres like Okotoks and Cochrane, which ranked 33rd and 34th respectively. The elevation change metric no doubt hampers Calgary’s score, she adds, given it is hilly making riding a bike to work more challenging, for example. King further notes the study examined alternative transport because of its growing importance to buyers. On that point, realtor Tim Jones agrees. “Being active is important to Calgarians in general,” says the broker/owner of Re/Max Prime in Calgary. “Proximity to bike paths, walking paths, parks and green space all have a positive effect on the value and saleability of homes in the Calgary region.” He further notes in the last few months, because of COVID-19, that properties located near pathways and parks are especially seeing higher demand from buyers. But being near public transportation is less of a concern among buyers. Jones says this demand trend could also be a result of the pandemic with more people working from home. “Both large and small organizations have been forced to have staff work from home this year, resulting in many cost saving benefits” for people, such as lower gasoline and parking costs. Consequently the focus for buyers is more on communities with active transport options that are recreational as opposed to those offering alternatives to commuting to work by car. Still, King suggests the study reflects that when people are looking for a home, considerations like proximity to these amenities can be just as important as what’s inside the home. “When people are looking for a home, quite often what they want is something that is going to satisfy their budget, but they also look for things like being close to a school, close to work or easy access to grocery stores,” King says. * * * * * Edmonton Journal: Alternative transport study ranks Edmonton ahead of most big Canadian cities [image: Joel Schlesinger, for the Edmonton Journal]Joel Schlesinger, for the Edmonton Journal Published on: November 13, 2020 https://www.norfolkandtillsonburgnews.com/life/homes/alternative-transport-… Edmonton ranks well among major Canadian cities for alternatives to the automobile for getting around, a recent study reveals. The capital city placed 36th among 100 municipalities in Canada, according to a new study by Zolo, a national online real estate brokerage. “It’s not just about the transit score,” says Romana King, Zolo’s director of content. “It’s also about the ability to bike and walk.” The survey ranked communities according to a number of metrics from walking and biking paths to transit access, and even other variables like elevation change and precipitation. King says the purpose behind measuring several factors was to balance out the advantage big cities have — with extensive transit systems — over smaller ones, which may feature better walkability but less robust public transportation. An Edmonton bedroom community, for example, “might not be the best for public transportation, but it likely ranks better for walkability,” she says. “So while you can’t walk from your home to downtown Edmonton in a lot of cases, you can get around with walking and biking in these smaller communities so that would allow them to rank higher in some respects.” The only community near Edmonton to appear in the study was Spruce Grove, ranked 38th. (Other surrounding communities such as St. Albert and Sherwood Park were not ranked.) Nationally, Montreal and Ottawa ranked first and second, while Calgary sat in 79th place. The highest ranking Alberta city was Fort McMurray at 32nd place. For Edmonton realtor Kathy Schmidt, active transport amenities are becoming more and more important to buyers. “Every buyer has individual priorities … whether it’s being close to the airport for frequent business travel, close to their work especially if they’re someone who may be on-call, or close to family for help with child care or caring for aging parents,” says the broker/owner of Schmidt Realty Group Inc. Increasingly, many buyers are seeking to live closer to downtown, which has more options for transit as well as access to the river valley trail network, she adds. Additionally, homes with good access to alternative transport and amenities tend to appreciate better than average in the city. Schmidt cites neighbourhoods like Ritchie, adjacent to Mill Creek and close to Whyte Avenue, along with Greenfield and Sweet Grass, both a little farther south. All have good access to transit and paths for walking and biking to shops and restaurants — though Ritchie offers more in that respect, as well as being closer to downtown. “Looking back 10 years, you can see that single-family homes in these neighbourhoods have held their value or increased in value over time,” she says. The average single-family detached home in Edmonton increased by 10.5 per cent in value while the average home in Ritchie grew by 20.7 per cent. A home in Sweet Grass slightly also outpaced the city average with a gain of 12.8 per cent. Yet Schmidt further notes LRT and bike paths — particularly those on major thoroughfares — can be “controversial.” While homeowners appreciate these amenities, many prefer to be 10 minutes’ walk from an LRT station as opposed to adjacent to these amenities. With respect to bicycle options, some buyers driving to work find their commute negatively affected by lanes on key arteries, she notes. Still, King and Schmidt argue alternative transport is increasingly a positive for home values. “It’s more than likely homes offering better active transport accessibility hold value better in downturns and accelerate better in upswings,” King says.

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School Streets Feedback - community survey
by Denae Penner 12 Nov '20

12 Nov '20

Hello all, We've launched an online survey to get feedback and input on the school streets pilot project <https://greenactioncentre.ca/at-school/school-streets-pilot/>. *Please share what you think about School Streets for Winnipeg to help us figure out next steps. Do we keep it? * Fill out the survey >> <https://ca.surveygizmo.com/s3/50087587/School-Street> Survey closes Monday, November 16 at midnight. The survey is for Isaac Brock students & parents, as well as Winnipegers more broadly. We're looking for input from others, including parents of students at other schools, interested citizens, business owners, etc. Thanks, *Denae Penner *(she/her/hers) Sustainable Transportation Program Coordinator, Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 204-925-3777 ext. 114 | 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB *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/>. Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/GreenActionCentre/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/greenactionctr> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/greenactioncentre/> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-action-centre/>

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Open Streets full report
by Beth McKechnie 12 Nov '20

12 Nov '20

Hi everyone, If you want to check out the full Open Streets report presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works, see attached. Or you can find it online (Report #6): http://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=20520&SectionId=&InitUrl= 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/> *Green Action Centre is located in Winnipeg on Treaty No. 1 territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis Nation. * *The water we drink comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation on Treaty Three territory.* 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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Free webinar: How Edmonton abolished parking minimums
by Beth McKechnie 12 Nov '20

12 Nov '20

Look to Edmonton for a way forward.‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Parking minimums—the requirement to provide a minimum number of parking spaces for a given structure—destroy opportunity and diminish quality of life in our places. *In June of 2020, the city council in Edmonton, Alberta voted to do away with minimum parking requirements.* To give you an idea of what this means for the people who live there, consider these images: [image: Alternate text] <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_f4162bdd-1385-43…> Edmonton, Alberta, from above. All parking spaces are highlighted in red. With this decision, Edmonton has created countless opportunities by unlocking literal miles of land for its residents to live, eat, and build wealth on. *Read about the future Edmonton looks forward to, and the lessons we can take from their journey, in today's story. <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_f4162bdd-1385-43…>* *Want to learn more about how to eliminate parking minimums in your place? Join us for this free webcast during Member Week!* [image: Alternate text] <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_f4162bdd-1385-43…> *Tuesday, Nov. 17, Noon Central* Parking minimums are costing your town or city productivity, prosperity and financial resilience. Will your community be the next to end this wasteful practice? In this webcast, you'll hear directly from a team of advocates and local leaders who successfully accomplished this feat in Edmonton. Register Now! <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_f4162bdd-1385-43…> Learn More <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_f4162bdd-1385-43…> Strong Towns www.strongtowns.org [image: Alternate text] <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_f4162bdd-1385-43…> [image: Facebook] <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_f4162bdd-1385-43…> [image: Twitter] <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_f4162bdd-1385-43…> [image: LinkedIn] <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_f4162bdd-1385-43…> [image: Instagram] <https://strongtowns.apms5.com/anywhere/m?s=strongtowns&m=s_f4162bdd-1385-43…>

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Fwd: SnowFall Global Winter Cycling Webinar THIS Thursday
by Anders Swanson 11 Nov '20

11 Nov '20

Hi folks, Join us for the first ever winter congress online event, a warm up to the real thing happening later in february. The inperson version is of course cancelled, but I think this is going to be quite good anyway . Details below. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Winter Cycling Federation <office(a)wintercycling.org> Date: Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 10:07 AM Subject: Join us for SnowFall Winter Cycling Webinar THIS Thursday To: Anders <andersswanson(a)gmail.com> Free online event featuring expert guests and Discussion. <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Join us this Thursday for.. <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> *SnowFall, a pre-season winter cycling conference warmup event. * This event features two panels filled with very special guests followed by moderated Q&A. Come. Learn. Bring your questions and ideas. *Session 1 - Is YOUR city ready?* Winter plans, policies, and procedures from Finland, Canada and the US featuring a discussion with city staff from Minneapolis, Turku, Oulu and Montreal. Followed by Q&A. *Live from Finland - Video Tour Break* *Session 2 - **Are YOUR people ready?* How to nudge culture and lay the foundation for new ways of moving. Share best practices in motivating others and discuss what it takes to get millions of people - or maybe just your uncle - to ride in winter every day. Register for SnowFall <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> *Panelists and Moderators* <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Stella Aaltonen Panelist, Project Manager, City of Turku, Finland <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Harri Varaala Panelist Traffic Engineer, City of Oulu, Finland <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Becca Wolfson Moderator, Boston Cyclists' Union, Boston, USA <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Leigh Anne Parry Panelist, Plain Bicycle Project Winnipeg, Canada <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Bartek Komorowski Panelist, City of Montreal, Canada <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Anders Swanson Moderator, Chair, Vélo Canada Bikes <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Marjo Harju Senior Lecturer Well-being and Health Technology Tampere University of Applied Sciences <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Pekka Takhola Urban Planner and Well Being Engineer Live Video Tour (Oulu, Finland) <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Glenn Kubish Well-being and Health Technology <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Learn More and Register <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> Let the world know that cycling year round is the way of the future. *Share this event on social media... :)* <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> [image: Facebook] <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> [image: Twitter] <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> [image: Link] <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> [image: Website] <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…> *Copyright © 2020 Winter Cycling Federation, All rights reserved.* You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. *Our mailing address is:* Winter Cycling Federation Nummikatu 34 Oulu 90100 Finland Add us to your address book <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/vcard?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7379f51…> Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/profile?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7379f…> or unsubscribe from this list <https://wintercycling.us2.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=2168f328496bff4b1f7…>. [image: Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp] <http://www.mailchimp.com/email-referral/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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We're hiring
by Anders Swanson 09 Nov '20

09 Nov '20

Know any talented UX designers or software developers who are into cycling, graduated university, and wanna do something special? Check it out: https://www.winnipegtrails.ca/job-postings/ Anders

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in the USA Shared Micromobility Trips Grew by 62% in 2019
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 09 Nov '20

09 Nov '20

fyi From: DOE Vehicle Technologies Office <eere(a)service.govdelivery.com> Sent: November-09-20 12:32 PM To: Zdan, Terry (MI) <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> Subject: Fact of the Week #1159 [Bookmark and Share]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVy…> View in browser<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVy…> [Energy dot gov Office of Energy Efficiency and renewable energy]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVy…> Vehicle Technologies Office <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVy…> Transportation Analysis Fact of the Week #1159<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVy…> [Divider] November 9, 2020 Shared Micromobility Trips Grew by 62% in 2019 The number of micromobility trips grew 62% from 2018 to 2019 due to the large increase in scooter trips. Shared micromobility refers to small fleets of fully or partially human-powered vehicles including bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters. Trips on scooters more than doubled from 2018 to 2019 while bike trips increased by 3% and e-bike trips increased 54%. Data collection by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) began in 2010 and included only bike trips until 2018. [Number of Shared Micromobility Trips, 2010-2019] Note: Data includes systems with over 150 bikes or scooters and includes only data reported by large cities. Data does not include private or closed campus systems like those operating on university campuses. For more detail, see the source report. Source: National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), Shared Micromobility in the U.S.: 2019<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVy…>, Summer 2020. View the supporting data<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVy…> for this Fact of the Week DOE Facebook [Facebook] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVy…> EERE Facebook [Facebook] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVy…> Energy Saver Facebook [Facebook] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVy…> DOE Twitter [Twitter] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVy…> EERE Twitter [Twitter] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVy…> Daniel R Simmons' Twitter [Twitter] <https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTIsInVy…> DOE YouTube[Youtube]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTMsInVy…> DOE LinkedIn[LinkedIn]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTQsInVy…> EERE LinkedIn[LinkedIn]<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTUsInVy…> Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTYsInVy…>. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support(a)govdelivery.com<mailto:support@govdelivery.com>. This service is provided to you at no charge by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE). Visit the website at energy.gov/eere<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTcsInVy…>. ________________________________ This email was sent to terry.zdan(a)gov.mb.ca<mailto:terry.zdan@gov.mb.ca> on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy * 1000 Independence Ave., SW * Washington DC 20585

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Good to Go? Assessing the Environmental Performance of New Mobility
by Beth McKechnie 06 Nov '20

06 Nov '20

This report examines the climate impact of personal and shared electric kick-scooters, bicycles, e-bikes, electric mopeds, as well as car-based ride-sharing services. Users in cities across the globe are rapidly adopting new mobility forms, helped by digital connectivity and electrification technologies. New urban mobility services are often sold as “green” solutions. But what is their real impact on energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions? This study analyses the life-cycle performance of a range of new vehicles and services based on their technical characteristics, operation and maintenance, and compares it with that of privately owned cars and public transport. Finally, the report identifies solutions to make new mobility a useful part of the urban transport mix while helping to reduce energy use and limit climate change. https://www.itf-oecd.org/good-to-go-environmental-performance-new-mobility

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AARP: The 50+ Cycling Survey Results
by Beth McKechnie 06 Nov '20

06 Nov '20

Older cyclists reflect on their bicycling preferences and experiences in a nationwide [US] survey. Many consider cycling to be a staple of their lives and can't envision ever not being able to ride a bike https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/getting-around/info-2020/50-plus-c…

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How to Bike With Disabilities, Discrimination, and Difference
by Beth McKechnie 06 Nov '20

06 Nov '20

Some of the most intimidating barriers to enjoying cycling have less to do with non-existent bike lanes and hulking SUVs, and more to do with the *kinds* of bodies our cycling culture is built to suit — and in a new online speaker series, 13 riders shared stories of how disability, discrimination, and differences have shaped the way they ride. https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/10/29/how-to-bike-with-and-not-always-desp… <https://usa.streetsblog.org/2020/10/29/how-to-bike-with-and-not-always-desp…>

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WFP: ‘Open streets’ experiment draws positive reviews (Nov5'20)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Nov '20

05 Nov '20

‘Open streets’ experiment draws positive reviews https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/open-streets-experiment-draws-posit… WINNIPEGGERS appear to have welcomed “open streets” offering more room for active transportation, though the routes aren’t slated to become permanent fixtures just yet. Nearly a dozen open streets were tested this year, where vehicle traffic was limited to just one block from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The routes were created to provide extra space for pedestrians and cyclists to stay active while also keeping at least two metres apart during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new city report notes 65 per cent of 5,436 people surveyed about the routes rated their experience as “very positive,” while another 14 per cent rated it as “positive.” However, the document also warns more work is required to determine where to place the routes going forward. That includes additional monitoring once post-pandemic traffic volumes resume. “Generally, the response to the open streets pilot was positive and suggests further pilot programs be implemented along with further technical analysis prior to recommending a permanent program,” the report notes. Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg, said he was pleased with the overall positive assessment. “Those streets have been very popular and there’s strong demand,” he said Wednesday. The report follows a lobby from council’s public works chairman, Coun. Matt Allard, to permanently add seasonal active transportation routes on 15 streets, which would run seven days a week between the May long and Thanksgiving weekends. The St. Boniface councillor said those routes should include 10 sections of “open streets” the city tested out this year, plus sections of five new ones. Instead, the public service suggests specific route recommendations be made in a separate report in February. Cohoe said allowing for a little more time to plan and additional pilot projects should help determine the best and safest possible routes. In an email, Allard’s office said he expects to support the plan: “The consultation demonstrated widespread public support and provides a process for how to continue and improve this great program.” Mayor Brian Bowman said he’s still reviewing the report but also sees a need to explore more permanent active transportation links, whether or not the pandemic ends by next spring. “I’m absolutely open to active transportation changes that could be made that are more permanent,” said Bowman. The city report does note not everyone who actually lives on an open street welcomes the concept, with approval ratings within that group varying widely. About 97 per cent of Egerton Avenue residents rated their experience with the routes as “very positive” or “positive,” while 52 per cent of Vialoux Drive residents rated their experience as either “negative” or “very negative.” Overall, about 18 per cent of residents with homes along the routes reported a “negative” or “very negative” experience. While there was some conflict between vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists along the routes, the public service is aware of just one minor collision, the report notes. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: Winter pedallers now a common sight on city roads (Nov2'20)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Nov '20

02 Nov '20

SUB-ZERO cycling spikes Winter pedallers now a common sight on city roads https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/arts/sub-zero… MIA Douchant calls her chariot Red Lightning. By her admission, it’s a “very old” Raleigh bike that she bought second-hand. The brakes, she says, are “a little questionable.” But this winter, whenever the library assistant commutes from downtown Winnipeg to the University of Manitoba, Red Lightning will carry her there. She normally carpools, but her co-pooler, a librarian, is still working from home. “So it was either I drive myself, which I didn’t want to do, take the bus, which I didn’t want to do, or bicycle,” she says. With the pandemic raging, and public transit a bit overwhelming, Douchant chose the latter option — pedalling forward into several months of powder and slush in hopes of staying in shape and getting to work on time. After getting wider tires, a studded front wheel, and converting her two-wheeler into a single-speed drivetrain, Douchant started riding to and from work — a 10-kilometre trek each way — in the snow. “It’s tough so far, but online, everyone says it gets better,” she says. There might have been a time when Red Lightning stood out on the city’s roadways, but winter cycling has gone from obscurity to commonality in recent years. Much of that has to do with upgrades to the biking grid and the proliferation of “fat” bikes, rides with wider, stable tires, local enthusiasts say, but just as much has to do with the fact those riding during the winter no longer feel quite as alone out there. “I don’t recall getting any sideways looks,” says Karin McSherry, who’s been riding in the winter since 1997. “But I don’t recall too many others out there.” Now, watch a snow-covered street for a few minutes, and you’ll likely see a bike roll on by. This winter, the number of winter cyclists has no doubt been increased by the pandemic: many people, like Douchant, have had to rethink their means of conveyance, and others, like Eric Timperman, were inspired to make the change when co-workers weren’t calling it quits when the snow fell. Timperman, a double bassist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, said he also wanted to drive less, saving money on parking and gas while also reducing his ecological footprint. (He doesn’t plan on carrying his instrument while biking, sparing himself a hernia). “It just seemed to be a good time to dip my toes in the water,” he said. “I’m a total beginner.” Last week, Timperman went with a colleague to Bikes and Beyond on Henderson Highway to take stock of the stock. They settled on a Norco Indie4 with studded tires and mechanical brakes, which work better in the cold. It’s ordered, and Timperman is both excited and apprehensive to take it for a spin. Emily Payne, a salesperson at the store, says there has been a lot of interest in winter cycling, something she took up in 2017. “I used to think you had to be a Nordic god to do it,” she says. But after winterizing your bike, she said, you have to winterize yourself, preparing for the conditions and conditioning yourself to handle the change in terrain. It turns out even mortals can conquer the task. And many mere mortals are trying it out this year, says Alter Ego Sports’ Rick Yaschyshyn, who’s been a winter cyclist for decades. Yaschyshyn said this year’s sales have been busier than ever, and he attributes the bump to COVID- 19. During the summer, many rediscovered the joy of cycling, and when winter came, didn’t want to stop feeling it. In particular, fat bikes have been a quick mover. When Yaschyshyn started riding, people thought he was crazy. (In 2018, city councillor Jeff Browaty famously called winter cyclists “extreme cyclists,” an honorific some now wear with pride). “Now they realize it’s just what I do,” he said. “That’s Rick, and he rides his bike year-round.” Currie Gillespie leads a winter ride for Woodcock Cycle called Fat Fridays, when riders of the fat-tired bicycles — which are considerably more expensive than a converted bike but offer more stability — get together to explore the city. “I don’t think the question is, ‘Why should I ride in the winter,’” he says. “The question is ‘Why not?’” Some reasons might be timidity about the terrain, ultracold temperatures, and fear of sharing the road with drivers, but Payne, Gillespie and Yaschyshyn all say experience helps allay those concerns. Douchant has some concerns of her own: bike lanes are often not cleared or salted, and the conditions are proving to be a little more difficult than she anticipated, she says. But even though she really feels each of the 10 kilometres, she’s satisfied with her decision so far. “And I haven’t wiped out yet,” she says with some pride. ben.waldman(a)freepress.mb.ca

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