- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP: Requests for speed humps almost always denied (Jun20'20)
by Beth McKechnie 20 Jun '19

20 Jun '19

*Report shows test requirements rarely met* * Requests hit speed hump * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/requests-for-speed-humps-almost-alw… MOST requests for speed humps on Winnipeg streets don’t result in the traffic-calming measures being implemented, said a report that will be presented to a city committee next week. “This finding does not mean that the current technical standard is ineffective,” wrote the report’s author, transportation division manager David Patman. “But it does substantiate the need to evaluate the standard to ensure it is appropriately structured for the City of Winnipeg context and reflective of national best practices.” The report, which will be reviewed Tuesday by the public works committee, found only about one-fifth of applicants met the initial requirement to garner 70 per cent neighbourhood support for their request in a petition. Of the 156 calls to 311 requesting speed humps on public streets from 2015 to 2018, only 32 people reached that threshold. None of these requests resulted in speed humps being installed because they didn’t pass a speed test conducted by the city. The committee’s report said a street must meet one of three requirements to pass the test: the street’s average speed must exceed the speed limit, at least 15 per cent of vehicles must exceed the speed limit by 5 km/h or at least 10 per cent of vehicles must exceed the limit by 10 km/h. Of 14 calls made to 311 that requested the traffic-calming measures on public lanes during the same three-year period, four people satisfied the petition requirement. Of these, two requests satisfied the rest of the requirements and the speed humps were installed. Steve Rosdobutko, who has lived on Grove Street in North Point Douglas for 15 years, said he and a group of his neighbours tried to get speed humps installed on their street about five years ago. “It’s been like a race track up here for a long time,” Rosdobutko said. “It shouldn’t have to wait for somebody to be hurt (or) killed… When is enough enough?” Rosdobutko estimated the group collected about 50 to 60 signatures from people living on their street who were worried about the roads being unsafe for kids playing in the area — but they didn’t meet the minimum petition threshold, so nothing happened. “Nobody seemed to care,” Rosdobutko said. Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), who was on the Riel community committee that recommended the public works committee review its speed hump approval process last year, said he wants to see if there’s a way to change the process so it’s more aligned with what people expect. “There (were) many streets where there was a desire for traffic control devices, but once the evaluation was done, it wasn’t warranted by the (public works) department,” Allard said. The city declined a request for an interview Wednesday, and instead provided a written statement outlining a pilot program for speed tables that will be completed later this year. Speed tables are flat-topped speed humps that are typically long enough for the entire wheelbase of a passenger car to rest on top. Their length, as well as ramps that are more gently sloped than speed humps, may be more appropriate for streets with higher speeds. caitlyn.gowriluk(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: Free transit rides for kids would cost $1M a year: city (Jun20'20)
by Beth McKechnie 20 Jun '19

20 Jun '19

[Unfortunately no mention of Victoria's recent decision to fund free transit for youth through parking revenue <https://globalnews.ca/news/5384599/victoria-approves-free-public-transit/>] *Free transit rides for kids would cost $1M a year: city * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/transit-pegs-cost-of-free-rides-for… COUN. Matt Allard’s campaign promise to offer free bus rides to kids has a price tag even he admits could squelch the initiative. A report from Winnipeg Transit says it could cost taxpayers more than $1 million annually to provide free transportation for children age six to 11. The report, to be considered at the June 25 public works committee meeting, breaks down the cost of Allard’s idea. It includes an estimated $834,000 in lost fare and $200,000 in additional operating expenses, presumably related to additional salaries for two new buses needed for the project. (The cost of two buses is a further $1.34 million.) Allard, who proposed the idea during the 2018 civic election, said he believes the amounts are exaggerated, but admits it may be a tough sell. “I have to say I’m a bit skeptical on the numbers presented by Transit,” the public works committee chairman said, adding he thought the report exaggerates the number of children who use transit and what it would mean in terms of lost revenue. “I ride transit quite a bit, and I just don’t see that age group riding the buses now,” Allard said. “I ran for re-election with the promise that this is something I would bring to council — and I think it’s a good idea. My challenge now is having that conversation with members of the committee and other council members to see if eventually this is something we would fund.” Allard had hoped the initiative would get kids to use the bus, and they would become paying customers after turning 12. He said offering free fare to children age six to 11 might also encourage parents to use Transit more. Currently, children five and under ride transit for free; children between the ages of six and 16 (and other high school-aged youth) receive a 30 per cent discount on the full fare. Transit says it collected $8.34 million in children and youth fare revenue in 2018, but it has no way of knowing how many of those children are between the ages of six and 11. It estimates the number at 10 per cent, and placed the potential lost revenue at $834,000. The report noted Edmonton has been offering free transit to children since 2018, where it’s estimated the annual revenue loss will be about $2 million with an additional $880,000 in operating costs, along with the need to purchase 17 additional buses. Toronto had a marked jump in the number of children riders (to 28 million from 22 million), when it began offering free transportation. It estimates it has lost $8 million in revenue. Winnipeg Transit says it didn’t expect to see the same experience as Toronto and Edmonton, and projected lower operating costs and revenue loss. As an alternative, Transit suggests free fares for children could be incorporated into the proposed low-income discount initiative, which has yet to be fully costed. The report doesn’t make a recommendation to the committee about adopting the plan. It says if councillors want to proceed, children should be required to get a Peggo card so they have to provide their age. The free-fare period would expire on their 12th birthday. “One of the key challenges with offering free transit for children under the age of 12 is determining who is eligible at the time of use,” the report states. “Bus operators would have a difficult time determining the age of a child if no additional identification was required. “Some controls would need to be in place to ensure the program was not abused.” aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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BC promotes active transportation, Vision Zero, $850 incentive for e-bikes
by Beth McKechnie 20 Jun '19

20 Jun '19

[British Columbia] has just introduced a new "active transportation strategy" <https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/active> that is designed to get people out of cars and on to alternatives... The goal of the plan is to double the percentage of trips taken with active transportation, which is already pretty high in cities like Vancouver. They are adopting Vision Zero (the real thing, with the first point being "working with communities to build and improve safe active transportation infrastructure"). https://www.treehugger.com/alternative/british-columbia-promotes-active-tra… -- Beth McKechnie (she/her/hers) *| *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 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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Rules of the Road: Compliance and Defiance among the Different Types of Cyclists
by Beth McKechnie 19 Jun '19

19 Jun '19

From: "Zdan, Terry (MI)" <Terry.Zdan(a)gov.mb.ca> A recent Canadian study in Montreal found only 0.6% of surveyed cyclist follow traffic laws…”.. reflects a disconnect between the safety goals of traffic laws and the reality on the streets…” is it any different here? https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0361198119844965 *Rules of the Road: Compliance and Defiance among the Different Types of Cyclists* Nick Chaloux <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0361198119844965> https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198119844965 Article information <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0361198119844965> [image: Full Access] *Article Information* Article first published online: May 3, 2019 Nick Chaloux <https://journals.sagepub.com/author/Chaloux%2C+Nick>1, Ahmed El-Geneidy <https://journals.sagepub.com/author/El-Geneidy%2C+Ahmed>1 1School of Urban Planning, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada Corresponding Author: Address correspondence to Ahmed El-Geneidy: ahmed.elgeneidy(a)mcgill.ca Abstract Although cycling has become a more attractive option to commuters in many North American cities recently, significant apprehension remains around its safety. Though risks experienced by cyclists are diverse, the idea that they are because of scofflaw cyclists—cyclists who regularly ignore the rules of the road—remains prevalent. Improving cycling safety requires countering this idea, and therefore an understanding of how different cyclists act under the existing rules. Using a survey of 1,329 cyclists in Montreal, Canada, this study generated a typology of cyclists based on cycling motivations and behaviors and conducted comparisons based on their responses to four cycling rule-breaking scenarios. Our study shows that all cyclist types contravene traffic laws in similar ways, and 0.6% of respondents consistently follow the traffic laws. Breaking the law was often considered the safest option by respondents, which reflects a disconnect between the safety goals of traffic laws and the reality on the streets based on the perspectives of different cyclist types. Although cyclist types may act similarly in response to existing laws, they still respond uniquely to policies aimed at increasing rule adherence. Targeted interventions aimed at educating young cyclists, improving dedicated infrastructure, and prioritizing cycling traffic could increase rule compliance across all types. Through our study, planners, policy makers, and law enforcement could improve cycling safety by better understanding the behavior and rationale taken by cyclists.

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Crestview man rescues baby crow & takes on daily bike rides
by Beth McKechnie 19 Jun '19

19 Jun '19

Even crows are getting in on Bike Week! https://globalnews.ca/news/5392870/crescentview-man-rescues-baby-crow-takes…

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WFP: MPI criticized for recommending protective equipment for cyclers (Jun19'19)
by Beth McKechnie 19 Jun '19

19 Jun '19

*MPI criticized for recommending protective equipment for cyclers * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/mpi-criticized-for-advising-excessi… SOME Winnipeg cycling enthusiasts took to social media this weekend to criticize a list of recommended safety equipment for cyclists published by Manitoba’s public insurer, saying it amounted to suggesting people wear battle gear to ride their bikes. Erin Riediger said she first posted a picture from Manitoba Public Insurance’s cycling safety guide — which features a man wearing orangetinted safety glasses, a yellow safety vest and reflective bands on his wrists and ankles — on Twitter Sunday because she thinks the guide makes cycling seem like a dangerous activity. “When I first saw the photo, I thought it was a little bit comical because of the amount of gear that the cyclist was wearing,” Riediger said. “If anybody wanted to cycle in Winnipeg and they opened up this safety guide, it would turn them off immediately.” She said the amount of equipment the province’s public insurer recommends cyclists wear is ridiculous, and puts the onus for road safety solely on people riding bikes. “We don’t put the same sort of responsibility on drivers who could actually cause a lot more damage on the road,” she said. “Really, the issue isn’t what you’re wearing. It’s how the roads are designed and how you interact with traffic.” Brian Smiley, a spokesman for Manitoba Public Insurance, said the public insurer is in constant communication with Winnipeg’s cycling community for feedback to implement in its safety tips. Smiley said MPI creates its handbooks keeping in mind bikes and cars are using the same roads — but one is protected by a lot more metal. “A cyclist does not have a ton of steel protecting them (like) a motorist does,” he said. “Both groups are expected to share the road responsibly and safely, but in some situations that does not happen.” Smiley said MPI recommends cyclists take extra steps — like wearing brightly coloured, reflective clothing — to keep themselves safer. The safety guide Riediger posted suggests cyclists wear safety glasses or sunglasses, gloves and reflective ankle and wrist straps. It also recommends using mirrors, a bell and a bike panier attached over the rear wheel to increase safety. “For the cyclists, it’s a suggestion,” he said. “It’s nothing mandatory.” Smiley said main issues that have come up in MPI’s consultations with the cycling community are people driving their vehicles too close to cyclists when passing them on the road, and forgetting that each bike has a person on it. “We often lose sight of what a cyclist really is,” Smiley said. “It’s a person, it’s a mom, a dad, it’s an uncle, it’s a colleague.” Riediger said cycling safety gear is important, but the focus on cyclists armouring up to hit the streets could create a false sense of security for people on their bikes. “The most effective thing would be to be separated from the cars and eliminate the hazard of the cars,” she said. “The evidence is if you actually get hit by a car and you’re wearing a helmet, you’re likely to still be injured quite severely.” Riediger said she hopes to see more local politicians push for investments in cycling infrastructure projects like protected bike lanes across the city. caitlyn.gowriluk(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Victoria uses parking revenue to pay for free transit (under 18)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Jun '19

18 Jun '19

Victoria approves free public transit for young residents starting in fall https://globalnews.ca/news/5384599/victoria-approves-free-public-transit/ A plan to provide free public transit to all Victoria resident under the age of 18 is becoming a reality. Starting in September, the City of Victoria will take on the cost of the $45 monthly youth transit passes. “The [Victoria Regional] Transit Commission made its decision yesterday to allow Victoria to purchase the fare product, so the U-Pass, the Universal Pass,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. City council approved sending the plan to the transit commission in April. At that time, the province had said no money would come from them, leaving Victoria to figure out how to pay for it. The plan will not see any tax increases, despite a recommendation from council to do just that. Instead, the money will come from parking revenue, which currently brings in about $8 million a year. As of May 1, the city started charging for parking on Sundays, which is expected to add between $600,000 to $1 million to the pot. With 6,350 youth in the city, and passes at a cost of $135 per year, that should be enough to cover it. At the same time, Helps said families will also save. “It’s money back in parents’ pockets that can be spent on food, or rent or maybe ballet or soccer.” The idea is to create lifelong transit riders by starting them young. It’s also being called a promising step in combating climate change. Now, students from around the Capital Regional District (CRD) are hoping the commission will consider expanding the program to include other municipalities in the region, including Saanich and Oak Bay. “We really want it to be a CRD-wide thing,” Our Earth Our Future co-organizer Emma-Jane Burian said. “We really hope that the transit commission, after looking into it more, decides to do if for the whole region, but we’re still waiting to hear more.” Naturally, that has transit users are asking whether free transit for all is an option. Roughly one-third of transit revenues come from ridership. The city is hoping to look at what the total cost might be, and put it to the public to decide whether to shift the burden to taxpayers. “What I’d love to see in 2022 is a referendum across the region that says, ‘Here’s the price tag, do you want to pay?'” Helps said.

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Petition/Opposition against proposed one-ways in West Broadway (for Wolseley-Downtown connection)
by Sean Carlson 17 Jun '19

17 Jun '19

Say "NO" to Winnipeg's West Broadway One-Way Streets: https://www.change.org/p/the-city-of-winnipeg-say-no-to-winnipeg-s-west-bro… While it seems not to be a huge number of people yet, there are fears in certain members of the community need to be addressed, and that pro-cycling residents may need to be vigilant so they aren't drowned out. The comments on the petition might provide some insight into where oppoonents are coming from. The petition seems to be led by Houston Properties, or at the very least they distributed the following letter to some residents of Balmoral direction people to it (also attached as an image, which the Listserv may not support). Interesting how they create a false divide between "cyclists" and "residents"/ "people who work and live in the area". Residents of West Broadway, The City of Winnipeg is exploring options pertaining to the roadways in our neighborhood to accommodate cyclists and we want you to be aware of how these changes will affect your daily route. While Houston Properties fully supports cyclists, we feel the proposed option of turning the roads into a one-way will have a negative impact on our community. The city has proposed three options and they have considerable support for the first option which will be the worst for our residents. This proposition will change the following routes: - Balmoral will change into an eastbound one-way off Sherbrook and northbound to Broadway, meaning you will no longer have access off Broadway - Granite Way will become a westbound one-way off Osborne, resulting in NO access to Osborne, funneling Great West Life's 3000 car count into our neighbourhood and onto Broadway (which already has too much traffic) - Langside will be a southbound one-way from Balmoral to Westminster and home of a new bus route. All of these changes will greatly impact the daily lives of everyone in our neighbourhood by creating more vehicle congestion and it will significantly inconvenience the people who work and live in the area by making the route longer. If you're coming from the North or East you will now have to make a large loop around. Please take a minute and use your finger to trace your daily routes to understand how it personally impacts you. To date, much of the support has come from cyclists because residents in the surrounding area were not informed of the impending changes. With this information, we encourage you to take action and fight for the neighbourhood. The deadline is June 21 and here are ways in which you can take a stance: 1) Take the City of winnipeg's online survey. - Visit www.winnipeg.ca/walkbikeprojects -> Wolseley to Downtown Walk Bike Projects -> Engage -> Online survey 2) Voice your opinions to Councillor Sherri Rollins - E-mail address: srollins(a)winnipeg.ca - Phone number: (204) 986-5878 3) Sign the Petition - Visit http://chng.it/HrhHZKrJ -> Sign this Petition If you have any questions please contact the office at (204)772-07777. Thank you for your support, Houston Properties. *Sean Carlson* (he/him/his) Active and Safe Routes to School Program, Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 204-925-3777 ext. 109 | 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/> ᐧ

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UK advocates critical of substandard cycling / walking infrastructure
by Charles Feaver 17 Jun '19

17 Jun '19

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/17/painted-bike-lanes-waste-mo ney-cycling-commissioners?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0d1YXJkaWFuVG9kYXlVS19XZWVrZ GF5cy0xOTA2MTc%3D <https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/17/painted-bike-lanes-waste-m oney-cycling-commissioners?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0d1YXJkaWFuVG9kYXlVS19XZWVr ZGF5cy0xOTA2MTc%3D&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GuardianToda yUK&CMP=GTUK_email> &utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUK&CMP=GTUK_email UK AT advocate report critical of transportation investment. Some snippets: Painted bike lanes are waste of money, say cycling commissioners In a letter to the transport secretary, Chris Grayling, the commissioners - including the Olympic champions Chris Boardman (Greater Manchester), Dame Sarah Storey (Sheffield City region) and Will Norman (London) - say painted cycle lanes are a "gesture" and do nothing to make people feel safer on a bike. Recent studies have shown they can actually make people less safe, they argue. "As there are currently no national minimum safety standards for walking and cycling infrastructure, these practices can and will continue wasting public money and failing to persuade people to change their travel habits," the letter says. The commissioners also call for an end to car-centric transport planning and a move towards investment decisions that "account for the true cost of car use to society". They argue that current economic appraisal models used by the Treasury to decide whether to fund a new motorway or a segregated cycle lane "do not take full account of the negative consequences of making private car use easier, nor do they take full account of the benefits of walking and cycling on our health, wellbeing and environment". Charles Feaver <mailto:charles@bikewinnipeg.ca> charles(a)bikewinnipeg.ca 204.293.6332

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WFP: Cyclists say faded bike lanes unsafe (Jun13'19)
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jun '19

13 Jun '19

*Cyclists say faded bike lanes unsafe * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/disappearing-bike-lanes-need-new-pa… JULIE Penner rides her bike to work every day. But lately, she said, she feels less safe on her commute from Wolseley to the Exchange District because the painted bike lane she uses on Sherbrook Street has faded and chipped away . “It’s like this every year. I’m surprised (it) isn’t given more of a priority,” Penner said. The City of Winnipeg did not respond to a request for comment. The city’s website page on lane-marking says the process begins in mid-April, when it’s warm enough for paint to adhere to the road. The page says crews work clockwise around Winnipeg, starting north of the Assiniboine River. Penner said she’s confused about why the city schedules the repainting based on geography instead of how often certain bike lanes are used. Mark Cohoe, executive director of cycling advocacy group Bike Winnipeg, said he would like to see the city make more of an effort to keep cyclists in mind when making the schedules. “The bike lanes should be one of the city’s priorities. If you’re on a bike, you’re one of the most vulnerable people out there,” he said. Cohoe is encouraged by steps the city has taken lately to create roads with expanded bike lanes and bicycle-specific traffic signals that have cyclists in mind, but he would like to see a more proactive approach to maintaining infrastructure that will help keep riders safe on the road. “It definitely does make a difference in terms of safety to have the bike lane there, but it’s only there if it’s painted and visible. If it isn’t there, the drivers are less likely to respect it,” he said. While painted bike lanes don’t give cyclists the same protection from vehicles as lanes that have barriers, they let drivers know to be aware that cyclists could be nearby, Penner said, adding that with the lane on Sherbrook Street disappearing, she has noticed cars inching closer to her on the road. “Cars are used to responding to paint on the road. I’m a driver, too. You respond to that. (If) there’s a solid line, then you don’t cross it,” she said. “They’re either unaware of the bike lane, or they don’t respect it as much because there’s just nothing on the ground.” Recent city actions that support cycling infrastructure are positive moves, but there are still gaps to fill, Penner said. “Right now, there’s bits and pieces where you can get downtown relatively safely in some areas, but not in others. It’s definitely requiring patience from the cycling community, but I do feel hopeful about it,” she said. Because the lanes will get repainted eventually, Penner said it might not seem like a big deal, but in the meantime, she said she’ll feel less safe when riding her bike. “It’s the lowest form of cycling protection, just paint on the ground, but even that is better than having nothing,” she said. “And I do feel like cars notice when it’s there.” caitlyn.gowriluk(a)freepress.mb.ca

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AT Webinar: Finding Common Ground with First Responders (Wed Jun 19, 2-3pm)
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jun '19

13 Jun '19

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of the June APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom. This will be followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. *Particularly timely topic given concerns around emergency vehicles access and proposed changes to the Wolseley / Westminster cycling route.* cheers, Beth * * * * * *AT Webinar: Wed, June 19th, 2-3pm* Finding Common Ground with First Responders First responders provide the 1st line of defense against emergencies. The notion that “every second counts” has left its mark on our communities, creating wide and fast streets. Though intended to provide efficient access for first responders, this type of street design creates unintended consequences for other roadway users. How can agencies find common ground to address the needs of emergency response while maintaining low speed networks that support safe and convenient active transportation. -- Beth McKechnie (she/her/hers) *| *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 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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When not to push for bike lanes
by Beth McKechnie 12 Jun '19

12 Jun '19

Very interesting (short) article: https://bikesiliconvalley.org/2019/05/action-alert-when-not-to-push-for-bik…

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WFP: Going Dutch - Plain Bicycle Project aims to fuel bicycling explosion (Jun12'19)
by Beth McKechnie 12 Jun '19

12 Jun '19

*Plain Bicycle Project aims to fuel bicycling explosion with two-wheelers from the Netherlands* * GOING DUTCH* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/going-dutch-511149792.html ANYONE want a used bike from the Netherlands? They’re going fast. The Plain Bicycle Project unloaded a shipping container crammed with discarded Dutch bicycles Tuesday at a secret location in downtown Winnipeg. Over the next month or so, the local enthusiasts will repair and get the bikes ready for the 221 people who signed up for the so-called omafiets (“grandma bikes”), leaving 19 available for $350 each online at the Plain Bicycle Project. (The price covers the costs of shipping and repairs.) “The whole idea is to create a bicycle culture explosion,” said Plain Bicycle co-founder Anders Swanson, who also heads up the Winnipeg Trails Association and is one of six people who organized the shipment to the Prairie city. “What better way to welcome the bicycle infrastructure being built in Winnipeg and all across North America than by being an early adopter of a plain bike... (which) will probably become the preferred ride,” Plain Bicycle Project’s website says. Safety for cyclists is a perennial issue in Winnipeg, with enthusiasts pressing for more paths to safeguard cyclists navigating busy traffic corridors. On average, two cyclists are killed in the province each year, according to Manitoba Public Insurance. Durable, comfortable and easy to ride, the Dutch bikes come with fenders, upright handlebars, a rack, integrated lock, kickstand and sturdy steel frame with a sloping tube (so you can wear whatever and still get around). Like Winnipeg, the Netherlands is flat, so most of the bikes come with internal gears, which the Plain Bicycle founders claim makes them last longer and stand up to more abuse. “The point is to get people thinking anybody can ride a bike, that it’s a lifelong thing to bike. You can be a kid or a grandma, it doesn’t matter. These bikes grow old with you. They’re the Honda Civics of bicycles,” Swanson said. None of the plain bikes have disc brakes, shocks, knobby tires, carbon fibre, etc. In other words, less bling to draw thieves. Of the 100 bicycles Plain Bicycle organizers shipped over from the Netherlands last year — the first year for the project — two were stolen, organizers said. Earlier this year, three co-founders made the trip to the Netherlands to collect more bikes and stick handle paperwork to export the cargo to Winnipeg. A container weighing more than 8,200 kilograms was loaded onto a cargo ship in mid-April and arrived via the Panama Canal in Vancouver, then was shipped by freight train to Winnipeg. The container was locked with a Dutch bike lock and, without the key, opening the doors proved a problem. “They had to beat the hell out of it,” said trucker Grant Houlden, who hung around after unloading the cargo. The Plain Bicycle people used his hammer to pound the lock apart; it took about five minutes and a lot of exertion for Swanson to finally snap it open. “I’ve never seen a lock like it before. My bolt cutters couldn’t cut it,” Houlden said. The appeal of a Dutch bike, apart from the lock, is its simplicity and its supply, theatre director and former bike courier Leigh Anne Parry said. “The Netherlands have over two bikes per person and a lot of them end up on the side of the streets. There are more bikes than people, so there are a lot of bikes not being used,” the project co-founder said. “It’s an easy, relaxing ride. There’s no pressure on your arms and you can carry all your groceries with these bikes,” she added, before heading into the shipping container to start hauling them out. alexandra.paul(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: Wolseley considers cutting shortcuts (Jun11'19)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Jun '19

11 Jun '19

*Bike plan aims to keep rush-hour traffic on main roads* * Wolseley considers cutting shortcuts * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/cutting-off-shortcuts-wolseley-bike… TAKING a rush-hour shortcut through Wolseley could get more difficult for drivers, thanks to proposed changes to the neighbourhood’s bike infrastructure. Speed humps, vehicle access restrictions and new crosswalks identified in the Wolseley to Downtown Walk Bike Project are all designed to let bikes ride and push cars to thoroughfares, said Mark Doucet, City of Winnipeg transportation facilities planning engineer. “The Wolseley area has got a lot of active community,” Doucet said Monday. “There’s a lot of short-cutting traffic through the Wolseley neighbourhood, so (this is) an attempt to look at that concern and try to just make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists through the area.” For example, during the afternoon rush hour, vehicles cut through the residential neighbourhood, avoiding busy Portage Avenue by taking Arlington Street to Wolseley Avenue. Residents will get to have their say this week about several options for change, including making Langside and Balmoral streets one-ways and eliminating some parking spaces in West Broadway. Westminster Avenue is set to get either a protected bike lane or become a neighbourhood greenway. Protected bike lanes from Langside to Osborne streets are on the table as well, even raised lanes — like the ones the city has installed on Silver Avenue and Chevrier Boulevard in recent years. Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe supports the proposed changes to cut back on the number of cars searching for a shortcut. He said he’d like to see protected bike lanes continuing through Maryland and Sherbrook avenues to West Broadway, as well as intersection improvements to help cyclists make safe left turns at major intersections. “We’re not sure what they’re planning between Langside and Maryland, that seems a little open-ended in some of the plans,” Cohoe said. “It just doesn’t seem to have anything. Just through that stretch, which we think is a critical part of the connection, so we want to make sure that’s a strong point and not a weak point in any improvements going forward.” Doucet said he’s heard such concerns and hopes to do something about them for the final version of the plan, which is expected to be released in the fall. Another possible sticking point is vehicle blockades, which Doucet said are modelled on diversions from Lethbridge, Alta. “That’s a tricky one, because we want to discourage short-cutting traffic and encourage cycling and pedestrians, but the fire paramedic group has concerns with a diversion,” he said, noting it could keep ambulances and fire trucks out, as well as passenger vehicles. “It’s a big hurdle for us right now, we’re trying to find ways to balance everyone’s needs.” West End resident Caroline Thiessen was cycling through Wolseley on Monday, and said she spent the ride thinking about how nice it is — not like the West End, where she recently got honked at in a construction zone. “It almost doesn’t feel safe anywhere other than Wolseley,” she said. Her sentiments were echoed by neighbourhood resident and cyclist Tamara Lewis-Jones: “Wolseley’s the safest (place to bike) in the city but it still needs more... I guess the whole city needs to be better.” Other area residents said Monday they notice some people cutting through, but aren’t worried about motorists. “During the week, people should be able to go up Wolseley, people should be able to go up Westminster, if they want to,” Morgan Davis said. “It’s not that difficult to bike there.” Riley Durocher, who cycles and drives through his neighbourhood, said the shortcut problem seems to be worst near Mulvey School. “I have no issues other than Sundays,” Durocher said, noting it can be a tangle to get his car home if he forgets Wolseley is closed to cars. Doucet notes the city plans aren’t set in stone, and hopes to hear more from residents at community consultations being held today through Thursday. tvanderhart(a)freepress.mb.ca @tessavanderhart

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WFP: Cyclist dies after collision with truck (Jun5'19)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jun '19

06 Jun '19

*Traffic safety audit needed, bike advocate and councillor say* * Cyclist dies after collision with truck * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/cyclists-death-sparks-inquiry-call-… THE death of a bicyclist on Higgins Avenue at King Street — the second such incident in seven years — has sparked calls for a traffic safety audit of the area. The bicyclist died Tuesday at the scene, after colliding with the cab of a transport truck at around 1:45 p.m. A single red bicycle with a mangled wheel was still on the sidewalk hours after the collision. Winnipeg police blocked traffic on Higgins Avenue between Main and Princess streets for a few hours while officers gathered evidence. While no details were released about the age or gender of the deceased — or how the collision occurred — a bike advocate and a city councillor who is a longtime bike path booster said the City of Winnipeg has to look at the intersection and other nearby streets to see how safe they are for bicyclists and pedestrians. Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg, said he’s upset because it’s not the first bicyclist killed in the area. Violet Nelson, 35, chairwoman of the Native Women’s Transition Centre, was cycling to the grand opening of the Kihiw Iskewock Lodge in May 2012, when she collided with a vehicle and fell in front of a semi-trailer on Higgins Avenue just west of Main Street. Cohoe said there was another fatality a block south, when a pedestrian on her way to work at Siloam Mission was struck and killed by a truck at Logan Avenue and King Street in July 2015. “It is kind of a confusing intersection and you can maintain high speeds there,” he said. “It is a high-flow kind of route, and it is really set up to move people through as quickly as possible, but at the same time, you have people walking and cycling. “It’s high time a safety study is done there. It’s clear we have a major safety issue in these few blocks.” Cohoe said a safety audit would look at all areas of traffic flow, including whether there should be a stop sign (instead of a yield) for northbound vehicles on King Street turning right onto eastbound Higgins Avenue, and whether the speed limit should be slower. “We need to make sure if someone makes a mistake in future it doesn’t end in tragedy. We don’t want it to happen again — it has already happened too much.” Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said Tuesday she’ll be speaking with Cohoe with the idea of putting forward a motion calling for a safety audit of the area. Lukes sat on the city’s active transportation advisory committee and was appointed the first chair of the province’s active transportation advisory group prior to becoming a city councillor. “I’m just dreading this season, because we’ve done a pathetic job in education,” she said. “We’re good now at putting in more (bike) infrastructure, but with more bikes and more people, we need more education for cyclists and drivers.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Fwd: Employment Opportunity / Bike Bazaar / Wheels of Courage
by Dave Elmore 04 Jun '19

04 Jun '19

Please pass this around Cheers Dave o _ ( \ _ (X)\ /(X) ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Sarah Thiessen <wrenchvolunteer(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, Jun 4, 2019 at 7:21 PM Subject: Employment Opportunity / Bike Bazaar / Wheels of Courage To: Hey WRENCH Volunteers! A few exciting announcements to share with you: *1. Employment Opportunity: Summer Programming Assistant * Term Position: 8-week term with flexible starting date 32 hrs/week @ $15.00/hr Must be 18-29 years old to apply. Application deadline: 10 pm, Sunday June 16th, 2019 Please read Job Description (attached) for all the details on this position and how to apply. *2. West Broadway Bike Bazaar <https://www.facebook.com/events/1245477358948421/> is this Sunday!* *When*: Sunday, June 9th 12-3pm *Where:* In outdoor rink behind Broadway Neighbourhood Centre (185 Young St) If you are able to come volunteer, we can always use another set of hands! *We could especially use some more folks helping with:* -Sales (11:30-3) -Bike Repairs (11:45-3) -Tear Down (3-6pm) Please let me know if you are available to help! & Help spread the word by sharing the event on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/events/1245477358948421/>. *3. Today is the last day to apply for our Wheels of Courage Mentorship Program! <http://thewrench.ca/woc/>* If you are between 14-29 and want to use bikes as a tool for personal growth and social change, Wheels of Courage is for you! *Learn more & Apply now!* <http://thewrench.ca/woc/> Alrighty that is all for now, hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather. Kindly, Sarah Thiessen *Volunteer Coordinator & Wheels of Courage Lead Mentor* The *W*innipeg *R*epair* E*ducation '*N*' *C*ycling *H*ub 1057 Logan Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 Treaty 1 Territory & Homeland of the Metis Nation 204.296.3389 www.thewrench.ca <volunteer(a)thewrench.ca>

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Cycling lanes reduce fatalities for all road users, study shows
by Charles Feaver 03 Jun '19

03 Jun '19

Roads are safer for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in cities with robust bike facilities Date: May 29, 2019 Source: University of Colorado Denver Summary: The most comprehensive study of bicycle and road safety to date finds that building safe facilities for cyclists is one of the biggest factors in road safety for everyone. Bicycling infrastructure -- specifically, separated and protected bike lanes -- leads to fewer fatalities and better road-safety outcomes for all road users. https://www.cudenvertoday.org/cycling-lanes-not-cyclists-lower-road-fataliti es/ In the most comprehensive look at bicycle and road safety to date, researchers at the University of Colorado Denver and the University of New Mexico discovered that it's not the cyclists, but the infrastructure built for them, that is making roads safer for everyone. "Bicycling seems inherently dangerous on its own," said study co-author Wesley Marshall, PhD, PE, assistant professor in the College of Engineering, Design and Computing at CU Denver. "So it would seem that a city with a lot of bicycling is more dangerous, but the opposite is true. Building safe facilities for cyclists turned out to be one of the biggest factors in road safety for everyone." The study published in the Journal of Transport & Health found that bike facilities act as "calming" mechanisms on traffic, slowing cars and reducing fatalities. The effect is similar to the effect of grid blocks found in cities with higher intersection density Researchers looked through 13 years of data from 12 large U.S. cities with high-bicycling mode shares, including Denver, Dallas, Portland, Ore., and Kansas City, Mo. During those years, the United States saw a 51% increase in bicycling to work and the number of protected bike lanes double each year starting in 2009. In a longitudinal study, the researchers investigated over 17,000 fatalities and 77,000 severe injuries. Originally, researchers believed that more bike lanes and the increase in cyclists would lead to a "safety-in-numbers" effect: the more cyclists on the road, the more likely drivers would slow down and be aware of their surroundings. Instead, they found that safer cities aren't due to the increase in cyclists, but the infrastructure built for them -- specifically, separated and protected bike lanes. They found that bicycling infrastructure is significantly associated with fewer fatalities and better road-safety outcomes. Portland, Ore., saw the biggest increase. Between 1990 and 2010, city's bicycle mode share increased from 1.2% to 6%; over the same period, the road fatality rate dropped by 75%. With added bike lanes, fatal crash rates dropped in Seattle (-60.6%), San Francisco (-49.3%), Denver (-40.3%) and Chicago (-38.2%), among others. "The U.S. is killing 40,000 people a year on roads, and we treat it as the cost of doing business," Marshall said. "A lot of the existing research focuses on bicycle safety; with this study, we're interested in everyone's safety." Eliminating fatalities is the goal of Vision Zero cities like Denver. To reduce deaths, cities need more evidence-based research to help them make better policy decisions. "Focusing on fatalities -- not crashes -- is important," said Marshall. "Over the years, my research has found that safer cities have fewer fatalities but more fender benders." The study co-author is Nicholas Ferenchak, PhD, assistant professor in the department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Mexico. Ferenchak studied under Marshall and received his doctoral degree from CU Denver. Overall, Ferenchak hopes this study simplifies the ways in which cities move forward. "When we believed it was the old safety-in-numbers concept, that meant we had to figure out how to get more people on bicycles to make a city safer," Ferenchak said. "That's not easy. But this research has boiled it down for city planners: create cycling facilities, and you'll see the impact." The 12 cities included in this research are Oklahoma City, Memphis, Kansas City, Mo., Dallas, Houston, Austin, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Portland. As this study focuses on larger cities, the results are not generalizable to smaller cities. _____ Story Source: <https://www.cudenvertoday.org/cycling-lanes-not-cyclists-lower-road-fatalit ies/> Materials provided by <http://www.ucdenver.edu/> University of Colorado Denver. Original written by Rachel Sturtz. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. _____ Journal Reference: 1. Wesley E. Marshall, Nicholas N. Ferenchak. Why cities with high bicycling rates are safer for all road users. Journal of Transport & Health, 2019 Charles Feaver 11 Harvard Ave Winnipeg R3M 0J6 204.293.6332

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FYI Rules of the Road: Compliance and Defiance among the Different Types of Cyclists
by Zdan, Terry (MI) 03 Jun '19

03 Jun '19

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0361198119844965 Rules of the Road: Compliance and Defiance among the Different Types of Cyclists Nick Chaloux<https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0361198119844965> https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198119844965<https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0361198119844965> Article information <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0361198119844965> [Full Access] Article Information Article first published online: May 3, 2019 Nick Chaloux<https://journals.sagepub.com/author/Chaloux%2C+Nick>1, Ahmed El-Geneidy<https://journals.sagepub.com/author/El-Geneidy%2C+Ahmed>1 1School of Urban Planning, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada Corresponding Author: Address correspondence to Ahmed El-Geneidy: ahmed.elgeneidy(a)mcgill.ca<mailto:ahmed.elgeneidy@mcgill.ca> Abstract Although cycling has become a more attractive option to commuters in many North American cities recently, significant apprehension remains around its safety. Though risks experienced by cyclists are diverse, the idea that they are because of scofflaw cyclists—cyclists who regularly ignore the rules of the road—remains prevalent. Improving cycling safety requires countering this idea, and therefore an understanding of how different cyclists act under the existing rules. Using a survey of 1,329 cyclists in Montreal, Canada, this study generated a typology of cyclists based on cycling motivations and behaviors and conducted comparisons based on their responses to four cycling rule-breaking scenarios. Our study shows that all cyclist types contravene traffic laws in similar ways, and 0.6% of respondents consistently follow the traffic laws. Breaking the law was often considered the safest option by respondents, which reflects a disconnect between the safety goals of traffic laws and the reality on the streets based on the perspectives of different cyclist types. Although cyclist types may act similarly in response to existing laws, they still respond uniquely to policies aimed at increasing rule adherence. Targeted interventions aimed at educating young cyclists, improving dedicated infrastructure, and prioritizing cycling traffic could increase rule compliance across all types. Through our study, planners, policy makers, and law enforcement could improve cycling safety by better understanding the behavior and rationale taken by cyclists. HAPPY TRAILS Terry Zdan BA MEDes þ Think green, read on screen | Soyez écolo, lisez à l'écran From: at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca <at-network-bounces(a)lists.umanitoba.ca> On Behalf Of Beth McKechnie Sent: June-02-19 10:09 AM To: AT network <at-network(a)lists.umanitoba.ca> Subject: [At-network] WFP: Healing prescription - nature trails (Jun2'19) HEALING PRESCRIPTION City life got you down? A cure for what ails you is as close as the nearest nature trail https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/healing-prescription-510724862.html THE urban grind can grind one down. Being stuck in rush-hour gridlock and inhaling exhaust, hearing the unwelcome roar of a neighbour’s lawn mower too early on a Saturday morning, or fighting crowds in grocery stores and malls can give one the itch to escape. But cutting and running from city life is not always in the cards for those who take umbrage with urban annoyances. The kids have soccer, there’s that dentist appointment, the plumber’s coming to fix the leaky faucet… Luckily, one doesn’t have to cross the Perimeter to access green spaces and nature trails. Opportunities to enjoy the outdoors abound in every neighbourhood. “Our mental health is really at risk when we don’t get outside,” Anders Swanson, active living enthusiast and executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association, says. “Accessing nature and moving your body is very, very good for you,” especially in the modern world where people are “increasingly stressed out.” “If you think about it, it’s completely obvious,” he adds. “As human beings, we are part of the natural world; we grew up in it. When you take that away or we don’t get out there, you very quickly find yourself lost.” Winnipeg Trails works to make sure Winnipeggers don’t get lost. They’re a coalition focused on accelerating the development and connectivity of Winnipeg’s greenways and cycling paths — “the transportation system underlying Winnipeg that’s built for human beings,” as Swanson puts it. Winnipeg Trails has “done everything,” from helping to fund and build trails to adding amenities to existing ones. They’re also involved in events such as next week’s Commuter Challenge and have scheduled a Plog-a-Thon — where people jog and pick up trash — for June 8. One of Winnipeg Trails’ most popular projects has been its exhaustive list of detailed trail maps, which can be found on their website, winnipegtrails.ca. The maps —more than 30 of them — outline the length of each trail, how they connect with the citywide network, and highlight points of interest along the way. It’s a tremendous resource for those looking to get out and explore new paths. “Those were a pretty important project for us,” Swanson says. “It’s one of the biggest ways that people know about Winnipeg Trails is for those detailed trail maps.” “Our job basically is to make it easy,” he continues. “We just want the easiest choice to be the most active one. That’s how we’re going to make a big difference for society.” Charleswood’s Harte Trail, for example — a 6.5-kilometre path through a tunnel of trees that stretches from Sterling Lyon Parkway and Shaftesbury Boulevard to the west Perimeter Highway — has a crushed limestone surface and connects to five other trails, including the Assiniboine Forest trail network. The key to finding time to spend outdoors, Swanson says, is to integrate it into one’s daily routine. “Recreation is great — it’s great to have a chance to unwind — but you have to find energy, money, basically to do that,” Swanson says, hence Winnipeg Trails’ focus on active commuting. “We only have a certain amount of time that we’re willing to move every day,” Swanson says. “Otherwise, we need to get some work done or go to that class… we have a time budget. “If you live a 45-minute drive away from a city and that’s your commute, people tend to report feeling more unhappy than people who had a half-hour walk, and it’s because the people who had a 45-minute commute still want to get human connection and recreation… but they end up not having enough time to do that and then they feel more stressed out. “People who bike or walk to school or work or out to dinner, or whatever — they integrate it into ways they get around — they tend to report being a lot happier because they managed basically to kill two birds with one stone.” Winnipegger Jen Doerksen has been doing that for years. Doerksen grew up in St. James near Sturgeon Creek and Saskatchewan Avenue. Doerksen cycled the Yellow Ribbon Greenway Trail — which begins at Sturgeon Creek and Hamilton Avenue, terminates at Silver Avenue and Ferry Road, and is named in honour of the Canadian Armed Forces — hundreds of times over six years as part of a commute to the University of Winnipeg and later, Red River College’s Exchange District campus. Winnipeg Trails calls the 5.5-kilometre path a “crucial east-west link,” and it’s been just that to the now-24-year-old Doerksen. “Green space and time in nature is super… important to me for a number of reasons,” Doerksen says. “Primarily, it feels better to be outside, generally, than inside… It feels better on the body and mind and suits our hardware in a way. Our bodies are still getting accustomed to this whole ‘civilization’ thing, evolutionarily I’d say, and the western lifestyle of indoor work and play is somewhat contrary to how we’re built, I think. “If I’m feeling the air, smelling the rain, grass, (and) fart smells of downtown Winnipeg, I’m more actively engaged in what I’m doing and my mind is working better in this way,” Doerksen says. The freelance photographer, videographer and editor now lives in the Corydon area and doesn’t traverse the Yellow Ribbon Trail much these days, but still cycles for transportation and leisure. Swanson, a year-round cyclist, prefers biking over driving to Winnipeg Trails’ Exchange District headquarters. He tries to walk anywhere within a kilometre, cycle anywhere between one and eight kilometres, and takes the bus for longer distances. He owns a vehicle, but uses it “basically to get out into the bush” or to transport things too heavy to haul on two wheels. Just as important as the physical benefits are the social ones. “Try and shake hands with the person next to you in a traffic jam, you know?” Swanson says. “Our meaningful contact with human beings is face-to-face. There’s nothing that human beings like more than watching and seeing other people. “We can’t survive without it. It makes us happy. It makes us stumble into an old friend… share a moment with a stranger… that kind of thing is so instrumental to us. The more time we spend doing it, the happier we are,” he continues, noting people in countries with the highest happiness index tend to spend more time socializing outdoors. Using the trail network helped Doerksen develop social connections. “Basically, my movement from living in the suburbs to developing friends, finding community, and spending time downtown came through travelling the Yellow Ribbon Trail,” Doerksen says. Doerksen found getting to downtown, Osborne Village and Wolseley to visit friends took an hour or more by bus, but “biking that path took 45 minutes every time.” Swanson is careful not to judge anyone who doesn’t make use of green space, acknowledging their life situation, location or physical limitations might make an active commute an impossibility. However, he’d love Winnipeg to reach a broader consensus that walking, bicycle commuting, and active living benefits all. “We want to make that as pleasant and fun and beautiful as possible,” he says of Winnipeg Trails. “Whether that’s biking down a protected bike lane with all kinds of shops you can stop at on your way home from work, or if you’re super lucky and you get to walk or bike to a park or along a riverbank in order to make it there, it’s the kind of quality of life thing that benefits everybody in ways we don’t even think about. “I want everyone to be able to access nature because it’s something you want to share. For me, sharing Winnipeg in that way is really important.” Outdoor cure “THERE’S a reason they say exercise is the best medicine,” Anders Swanson says, and science backs up the claim. If you want to thrive, get outside. Spending time outdoors can reduce one’s risk for a variety of common physical and mental health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stressrelated disorders, and even premature death. That’s according to a 2018 study conducted by researchers from the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School. The England-based research team gathered evidence from nearly 150 studies involving close to 300 million people from 20 different countries to come to their conclusions. “People living closer to nature… had reduced diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and stress,” lead researcher Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett said in a press release outlining the study’s findings last summer. “In fact, one of the really interesting things we found is that exposure to greenspace significantly reduces people’s levels of salivary cortisol — a physiological marker of stress.” “We often reach for medication when we’re unwell,” Professor of Public Health and study co-author Andy Jones added, “but exposure to health-promoting environments is increasingly recognized as both preventing and helping treat disease.” The evidence is so unequivocal that some doctors in the UK are giving patients “nature prescriptions,” eschewing pills for bird watching and beach walking. It doesn’t take long to reap rewards, either. A modest 20 minutes in a park is enough to boost a person’s well-being, a February study by the International Journal of Environmental Health Research found. “It would be lot easier to talk about the kind of medical ailments that aren’t helped by getting outside and using trails,” Swanson says. “Almost everyone stands to benefit making it part of their life.”

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WFP: Healing prescription - nature trails (Jun2'19)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Jun '19

02 Jun '19

*HEALING PRESCRIPTION * * City life got you down? A cure for what ails you is as close as the nearest nature trail* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/healing-prescription-510724862.html THE urban grind can grind one down. Being stuck in rush-hour gridlock and inhaling exhaust, hearing the unwelcome roar of a neighbour’s lawn mower too early on a Saturday morning, or fighting crowds in grocery stores and malls can give one the itch to escape. But cutting and running from city life is not always in the cards for those who take umbrage with urban annoyances. The kids have soccer, there’s that dentist appointment, the plumber’s coming to fix the leaky faucet… Luckily, one doesn’t have to cross the Perimeter to access green spaces and nature trails. Opportunities to enjoy the outdoors abound in every neighbourhood. “Our mental health is really at risk when we don’t get outside,” Anders Swanson, active living enthusiast and executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association, says. “Accessing nature and moving your body is very, very good for you,” especially in the modern world where people are “increasingly stressed out.” “If you think about it, it’s completely obvious,” he adds. “As human beings, we are part of the natural world; we grew up in it. When you take that away or we don’t get out there, you very quickly find yourself lost.” Winnipeg Trails works to make sure Winnipeggers don’t get lost. They’re a coalition focused on accelerating the development and connectivity of Winnipeg’s greenways and cycling paths — “the transportation system underlying Winnipeg that’s built for human beings,” as Swanson puts it. Winnipeg Trails has “done everything,” from helping to fund and build trails to adding amenities to existing ones. They’re also involved in events such as next week’s Commuter Challenge and have scheduled a Plog-a-Thon — where people jog and pick up trash — for June 8. One of Winnipeg Trails’ most popular projects has been its exhaustive list of detailed trail maps, which can be found on their website, winnipegtrails.ca. The maps —more than 30 of them — outline the length of each trail, how they connect with the citywide network, and highlight points of interest along the way. It’s a tremendous resource for those looking to get out and explore new paths. “Those were a pretty important project for us,” Swanson says. “It’s one of the biggest ways that people know about Winnipeg Trails is for those detailed trail maps.” “Our job basically is to make it easy,” he continues. “We just want the easiest choice to be the most active one. That’s how we’re going to make a big difference for society.” Charleswood’s Harte Trail, for example — a 6.5-kilometre path through a tunnel of trees that stretches from Sterling Lyon Parkway and Shaftesbury Boulevard to the west Perimeter Highway — has a crushed limestone surface and connects to five other trails, including the Assiniboine Forest trail network. The key to finding time to spend outdoors, Swanson says, is to integrate it into one’s daily routine. “Recreation is great — it’s great to have a chance to unwind — but you have to find energy, money, basically to do that,” Swanson says, hence Winnipeg Trails’ focus on active commuting. “We only have a certain amount of time that we’re willing to move every day,” Swanson says. “Otherwise, we need to get some work done or go to that class… we have a time budget. “If you live a 45-minute drive away from a city and that’s your commute, people tend to report feeling more unhappy than people who had a half-hour walk, and it’s because the people who had a 45-minute commute still want to get human connection and recreation… but they end up not having enough time to do that and then they feel more stressed out. “People who bike or walk to school or work or out to dinner, or whatever — they integrate it into ways they get around — they tend to report being a lot happier because they managed basically to kill two birds with one stone.” Winnipegger Jen Doerksen has been doing that for years. Doerksen grew up in St. James near Sturgeon Creek and Saskatchewan Avenue. Doerksen cycled the Yellow Ribbon Greenway Trail — which begins at Sturgeon Creek and Hamilton Avenue, terminates at Silver Avenue and Ferry Road, and is named in honour of the Canadian Armed Forces — hundreds of times over six years as part of a commute to the University of Winnipeg and later, Red River College’s Exchange District campus. Winnipeg Trails calls the 5.5-kilometre path a “crucial east-west link,” and it’s been just that to the now-24-year-old Doerksen. “Green space and time in nature is super… important to me for a number of reasons,” Doerksen says. “Primarily, it feels better to be outside, generally, than inside… It feels better on the body and mind and suits our hardware in a way. Our bodies are still getting accustomed to this whole ‘civilization’ thing, evolutionarily I’d say, and the western lifestyle of indoor work and play is somewhat contrary to how we’re built, I think. “If I’m feeling the air, smelling the rain, grass, (and) fart smells of downtown Winnipeg, I’m more actively engaged in what I’m doing and my mind is working better in this way,” Doerksen says. The freelance photographer, videographer and editor now lives in the Corydon area and doesn’t traverse the Yellow Ribbon Trail much these days, but still cycles for transportation and leisure. Swanson, a year-round cyclist, prefers biking over driving to Winnipeg Trails’ Exchange District headquarters. He tries to walk anywhere within a kilometre, cycle anywhere between one and eight kilometres, and takes the bus for longer distances. He owns a vehicle, but uses it “basically to get out into the bush” or to transport things too heavy to haul on two wheels. Just as important as the physical benefits are the social ones. “Try and shake hands with the person next to you in a traffic jam, you know?” Swanson says. “Our meaningful contact with human beings is face-to-face. There’s nothing that human beings like more than watching and seeing other people. “We can’t survive without it. It makes us happy. It makes us stumble into an old friend… share a moment with a stranger… that kind of thing is so instrumental to us. The more time we spend doing it, the happier we are,” he continues, noting people in countries with the highest happiness index tend to spend more time socializing outdoors. Using the trail network helped Doerksen develop social connections. “Basically, my movement from living in the suburbs to developing friends, finding community, and spending time downtown came through travelling the Yellow Ribbon Trail,” Doerksen says. Doerksen found getting to downtown, Osborne Village and Wolseley to visit friends took an hour or more by bus, but “biking that path took 45 minutes every time.” Swanson is careful not to judge anyone who doesn’t make use of green space, acknowledging their life situation, location or physical limitations might make an active commute an impossibility. However, he’d love Winnipeg to reach a broader consensus that walking, bicycle commuting, and active living benefits all. “We want to make that as pleasant and fun and beautiful as possible,” he says of Winnipeg Trails. “Whether that’s biking down a protected bike lane with all kinds of shops you can stop at on your way home from work, or if you’re super lucky and you get to walk or bike to a park or along a riverbank in order to make it there, it’s the kind of quality of life thing that benefits everybody in ways we don’t even think about. “I want everyone to be able to access nature because it’s something you want to share. For me, sharing Winnipeg in that way is really important.” Outdoor cure “THERE’S a reason they say exercise is the best medicine,” Anders Swanson says, and science backs up the claim. If you want to thrive, get outside. Spending time outdoors can reduce one’s risk for a variety of common physical and mental health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stressrelated disorders, and even premature death. That’s according to a 2018 study conducted by researchers from the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School. The England-based research team gathered evidence from nearly 150 studies involving close to 300 million people from 20 different countries to come to their conclusions. “People living closer to nature… had reduced diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and stress,” lead researcher Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett said in a press release outlining the study’s findings last summer. “In fact, one of the really interesting things we found is that exposure to greenspace significantly reduces people’s levels of salivary cortisol — a physiological marker of stress.” “We often reach for medication when we’re unwell,” Professor of Public Health and study co-author Andy Jones added, “but exposure to health-promoting environments is increasingly recognized as both preventing and helping treat disease.” The evidence is so unequivocal that some doctors in the UK are giving patients “nature prescriptions,” eschewing pills for bird watching and beach walking. It doesn’t take long to reap rewards, either. A modest 20 minutes in a park is enough to boost a person’s well-being, a February study by the International Journal of Environmental Health Research found. “It would be lot easier to talk about the kind of medical ailments that aren’t helped by getting outside and using trails,” Swanson says. “Almost everyone stands to benefit making it part of their life.”

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Come out Fri noon to kick off the Commuter Challenge!
by Beth McKechnie 30 May '19

30 May '19

Join Green Action Centre tomorrow (Friday, May 31st) at 12:00 pm at True North Square Plaza to celebrate the kick-off of the sixteenth annual Commuter Challenge <https://greenactioncentre.ca/home/commuterchallenge/>! We will be accompanied by Ace Burpee, Minister Squires, and Councillor Allard to discuss sustainable transportation and the environment. Ride your bike to the venue to enjoy our bike valet service, bring a reusable mug for coffee, and help yourself to our array of snacks from Tall Grass Prairie. The event is free and open to the public. We hope you and your colleagues join us at True North Square Plaza for your lunch hours! Event Page here <https://greenactioncentre.ca/event/commuter-challenge-media-launch-2019/>. Facebook Event Page here <https://www.facebook.com/events/310429343187451/> . Register for Commuter Challenge here <https://greenactioncentre.ca/register/>. More information here <https://greenactioncentre.ca/home/commuterchallenge2019/>. *Please share widely! Thanks* -- Beth McKechnie* | *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 your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP: Report suggests city lagging in bicycle commuter numbers (May30'19)
by Beth McKechnie 30 May '19

30 May '19

*Report suggests city lagging in bicycle commuter numbers * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/number-of-locals-commuting-by-bike-… WINNIPEG leads the country in the number of commuters putting a key in the ignition instead of a shoe on a bike pedal when their trip is five kilometres or less to the downtown, according to new data from Statistics Canada. The Manitoba capital also has the lowest proportion of commuters living and working in the city’s core walking or cycling to work, with only about one in five doing so. The report compiled by Statistics Canada released Wednesday is based on information gathered during the 2016 census and in comparing much of it to information received during the 1996 census. The report, entitled Commuting Within Canada’s Largest Cities, took a look at the commuting patterns of people in the country’s eight largest metropolitan areas, including Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Almost 72 per cent of Winnipeggers who live within five kilometres of the downtown use a car, truck or van to get to work each day, compared to 25 per cent in Toronto, 63 per cent in Calgary and 57 per cent in Ottawa. The report found every major city across the country has more people who live and work in the core area walking or bicycling to work each day. However, Winnipeg lags behind in its increase. Toronto reported a jump to 47.4 per cent of commuters in 2016 from 19.3 per cent in 1996, while Montreal went to 38 per cent from 16 per cent and Calgary to 38 per cent from 15 per cent. Winnipeg’s totals rose only slightly: to 19.9 per cent, from 13.2 per cent. In a trend seen in several cities across the country, the number of people walking and cycling in a traditional commute from outside to inside the core, and commuting from one area of the suburbs to another, has dropped. In Winnipeg, it slid to 1.6 per cent in 2016 from 1.9 per cent in 1996 for the former, and to 12.1 per cent from 16 per cent for the latter. Despite this, Mark Cohoe of Bike Winnipeg sees good news in the report: in 2016, there were more commuters cycling and walking from the downtown to jobs elsewhere (3.7 per cent) than commuting the other way (1.6 per cent). “If you’re living downtown, you might have already made the decision to go to areas by bike,” Cohoe said. “You might be more willing to ride (a) bike.” Cohoe said the main difference between Winnipeg and several other cities is the others invested earlier in active transportation, including bicycle paths. Noting the report from Statistics Canada appears to come out every 20 years, Cohoe is hoping for better in 2036. “I’d definitely be hoping there is a substantial increase,” he said. “I’d like to get to 40 per cent cycling within the core and 12 per cent commuting to the downtown. “We’ve seen it in other centres. We need to build the infrastructure.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Statistics Canada Rpt - Commuting within Canada's Largest Cities
by Mark Cohoe 29 May '19

29 May '19

Interesting report on commuter modes in Winnipeg, comparing 1996 and 2016. Gives numbers on walking, biking, public transit, and driving, and breaks it down into core area commuters, suburban to core area commutes, core to suburban commutes. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/75-006-x/2019001/article/00008-eng.p… Jobs are moving avway from the city centre in all eight cities, but Winnipeg and Quebec City were the only cities of the eight which showed a drop in the actual number of core area jobs (we lost 14,000 jobs in our core area). Winnipeg also has the highest percentage of commuters living within 5km of their workplace. " Among those who work and live in the city core, the proportion of those who use active modes of transportation (such as walking and biking) increased—from 19% to 47% in Toronto, from 16% to 38% in Montréal, from 15% to 38% in Calgary, from 17% to 39% in Vancouver and from 22% to 42% in Ottawa–Gatineau." "In 2016, the two CMAs with the largest proportion of within-city core commuters using active transportation were Toronto (47%) and Ottawa–Gatineau (42%). In contrast, Winnipeg had the lowest proportion of within-city core commuters walking or cycling to work, with about 1 in 5 such commuters opting for this commuting type." Cheers, Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca

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Fwd: Wheels of Courage Mentorship Program (29 and under) - Apply today!
by Dave Elmore 28 May '19

28 May '19

Just in case you know someone who would like to apply. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Sarah Thiessen <wrenchvolunteer(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, May 28, 2019 at 7:14 PM Subject: Wheels of Courage Mentorship Program (29 and under) - Apply today! To: Hey volunteers! Just want to let everyone know that there is *only one week left* to apply for the Wheels of Courage Mentorship Program! In case you haven't heard about it via our Facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/theWRENCHwpg/posts/2270586106322775?__xts__[0]=68.…> already... *Wheels of Courage* is an exciting new mentorship program at the WRENCH for *young people (ages 14-29)* focused on skill-building and creating positive change through Community Projects. *If you love bikes* and want to use them as a tool for personal growth and social change – Wheels of Courage is for you! *Learn more @ Apply now at www.thewrench.ca/woc <http://www.thewrench.ca/woc>* *Application Deadline: June 4th, 2019* Let me know if you have any questions, or want to arrange for a phone call or face-to-face chat about the program! Sarah Thiessen *Volunteer Coordinator & Wheels of Courage Lead Mentor* The *W*innipeg *R*epair* E*ducation '*N*' *C*ycling *H*ub 1057 Logan Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 Treaty 1 Territory & Homeland of the Metis Nation 204.296.3389 www.thewrench.ca <volunteer(a)thewrench.ca>

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Job Posting: Green Action Centre
by Beth McKechnie 27 May '19

27 May '19

We're sad to say that our Living Green Living Well Coordinator, Bethany Daman, is moving on to new projects and a new province. Please help us spread the word for this job opportunity: PDF is attached or simply point to the link on our website: https://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/green-action-centre-seeks-projec… thanks! Beth -- Beth McKechnie* | *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 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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Job Posting: Sustainability Project Coordinator
by Beth McKechnie 24 May '19

24 May '19

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Christie Nairn <Christie.Nairn(a)umanitoba.ca> Date: Fri, May 24, 2019 at 3:59 PM Hi there, We are looking for a new Sustainability Project Coordinator to join the OOS team. If you know of anyone who would fit the bill, please pass this along. Sustainability Project Coordinator posting: https://viprecprod.ad.umanitoba.ca/default.aspx?REQ_ID=06755&Language=1 Thanks and have a great weekend! Christie Christie Nairn Director (Acting) | Office of Sustainability University of Manitoba |501 Fitzgerald Bldg | 204-318-2920 [image: facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/SustainableUofM> [image: insta] <https://www.instagram.com/sustainableuofm/> [image: twitter] <https://mobile.twitter.com/sustainableuofm> @SustainableUofM *Share your commute!* [image: GoManitoba Identity Horizontal BW sm] <http://umanitoba.gomanitoba.ca>

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WFP: Transit backs taxi use of diamond lanes (May24'19)
by Beth McKechnie 24 May '19

24 May '19

*City to decide if pilot project should be made permanent* * Transit backs taxi use of diamond lanes * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/transit-supports-taxis-use-of-diamo… WINNIPEG’S public works committee will vote on whether a pilot project that allows taxis to travel in diamond lanes should be made permanent. Taxis were granted permission to use diamond lanes on March 1, 2018, which is the same date the city paved the way for ride-hailing services to hit the streets of Winnipeg. Diamond lanes are reserved for use by authorized vehicles during peak periods — mostly during weekday morning and afternoon rush hour. Prior to the start of the pilot program, only city buses and bicycles were allowed to use them. Throughout the pilot project, which was scheduled to last a year, Winnipeg Transit monitored whether allowing taxis to operate in diamond lanes — but not stop in them — had a significant effect on bus service. “Based on data analysis, as long as taxis continue to respect the ‘no stopping in the diamond lanes’ provision, the Transit department is supportive with taxis sharing the diamond lanes,” city employee Alex Regiec wrote in a report submitted to the committee. The pilot project was implemented as a concession to the local taxi industry, which organized efforts to block ride-hailing services, such as TappCar and Cowboy Taxi, from coming to the city. The decision to allow taxis to travel in diamond lanes was intended to increase industry efficiency and provide greater incentives for taxi use, the report reads. However, the report notes there could be issues if ride-hailing services seek permission to use the diamond lanes. “There is a risk that other personal transportation providers and private high-occupancy vehicles might desire the same access to, and use of, the diamond lanes as taxis,” Regiec wrote. “Expanding access to diamond lanes diminishes the effectiveness of a reserved lane originally intended to maintain and improve the operation of mass public transit in congested traffic areas.” During the year-long pilot project, there were 74 incidents in which taxis were reported to have stopped in diamond lanes. Early in the pilot project, Winnipeg Parking Authority employees met with the taxi industry to raise awareness about the issue, which led to a significant drop in the number of reported incidents. “Overall, the taxi industry has expressed an appreciation to the city for allowing their taxis to operate in the diamond lanes. They indicate this action has saved time and money for the consumer and increased efficiency,” Regiec wrote. “The Transit department will continue to monitor and collect data related to incidents of taxis stopping in diamond lanes and the parking authority’s vehicles-for-hire office will continue to liaison between Transit and the taxi industry.” ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe

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WFP: Cycling advocates seek to plot safer city routes online (May23'19)
by Beth McKechnie 23 May '19

23 May '19

*Cycling advocates seek to plot safer city routes online* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/cycling-advocates-seek-to-plot-safe… AN online tool designed to make cyclists feel safer while navigating Winnipeg streets is encouraging them to record collisions and hazards; and BikeMaps.org will make the locations public to help others identify more secure routes. The Winnipeg Trails Association and Bike Winnipeg partnered with BikeMaps.org to crowdsource the data and record incidents that aren’t always reported to police or filed as insurance claims. “You just hit the button and it leads you to a series of questions... that don’t get asked typically if you were reporting an incident to the police or if you make a claim,” association executive director Anders Swanson said Wednesday. The hope is, by making the streets safer, more people will start cycling. “If you look at your life expectancy, someone who rides a bike is going to live longer,” Swanson said. “But you’re (also) exposed to trauma, unnecessarily… There is a big barrier to people who would like to ride, but don’t feel safe.” BikeMaps.org offers cyclists the chance to tell the story of their close calls, Swanson said. People can report collisions, falls, near-misses and thefts on the website or via their smartphones, and cyclists can see where others have reported problems and take precautions, if need be. Eric Reder of Winnipeg had a scare Tuesday that he posted about in detail on Twitter, but the website’s data probably wouldn’t have helped him, he said. “I got hit by a semi while on my bike in downtown Winnipeg yesterday. I’m not hurt. But the semi did it on purpose and the police didn’t much care. So I’m angry,” Reder tweeted. In an interview, Reder said he was on Portage Avenue at Smith Street just before 11:30 a.m. when a trucker honked at him to get out of the way. Reder didn’t; instead, he yelled at the trucker. Reder said the trucker popped his clutch and ran over Reder’s bike — while he was on it. “I jumped off my bike... It’s just lucky it didn’t happen to someone more vulnerable, like my 11-year-old son I’m trying to teach how to ride the roads,” Reder said. Changing to a safer route isn’t an option as the incident happened close to his office, the environmentalist said. Designed by University of Victoria geographers to fill in the gaps in reports on collisions and falls for commuters navigating urban traffic, BikeMaps.org has collected 7,800 reports worldwide since it went live in 2014. Winnipeg is the latest Canadian city to sign on. Trail associations and bike groups have brought the online tool to Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Whitehorse, Lethbridge, Alta., Guelph, Ont., St. John’s, N.L., and Ottawa. It also used in Reykjavik, Iceland. “The data’s had an impact in cities where it’s used,” said Karen Laberee, executive director of BikeMaps.org at the University of Victoria. “There are some easy wins to be had,” Laberee said. “What we do notice in cities that have been using it is (that) some of them are using the data to identify places where they can make some fixes. Sometimes, they’ve been able to make some easy fixes.” An average of two cyclists are killed in the province each year, figures from Manitoba Public Insurance show. Winnipeg Trails hopes to take the data recorded to the city’s public works active transportation advisory committee to address any concerns. alexandra.paul(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: Other cities have solutions to bike theft (May23'19)
by Beth McKechnie 23 May '19

23 May '19

*Winnipeg’s plan to improve public education falls flat* * Other cities have solutions to bike theft * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/while-bike-thefts-soar-city-spins-i… WHAT, you may ask, is the City of Winnipeg doing to combat bike theft? Interesting question. Unfortunately, to date we mostly know what the city is not doing. Last week, city administrators recommended against a mandatory bike registration program at the point of sale. The city already has an online bike registry, but it is optional. A city committee will still consider making it mandatory, but the thumbs-down from administrators does not bode well for this idea. Of greater concern is the fact the six-page report tabled last week contains virtually no ideas for combating bike theft other than “improving public education.” Given the size and nature of the problem, that is a weak response. Bikes are easy to steal, even easier now that cordless grinders and saws have given thieves the ability to carve through almost any lock, chain or fixture being used to secure a bike. More than 3,000 bikes are reported stolen every year; about 1,000 are recovered, but less than 10 per cent find their way back to rightful owners. The broader concern is bicycle theft is directly connected to the meth crisis. Addicts looking for cash steal and sell bikes because they are relatively easy to grab and unload. Some end up in scrap metal yards, while others are sold in face-to-face transactions or through online classified sites. Faced with these conditions, it’s no wonder hardcore cyclists are frustrated. “It’s a very tough issue to deal with,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. “There’s a convergence of things that have made it easier to steal and sell stolen bikes. We really need to do a bit more to deal with this problem, because it will create other problems down the road.” One of the most frequent concerns expressed by cyclists is the apparent indifference of the Winnipeg Police Service. Even when a bike has been registered, and when there is clear evidence suggesting it has been put up for sale in an online classified ad, police lack the resources to pursue the theft. A friend experienced this two years ago after his 18-year-old son’s $400 bicycle was stolen. The day after the bike went missing, my friend and his son found it for sale on Kijiji. It seemed like a slam-dunk opportunity to bust some crime. But after visiting the local community police office, my friend found out that in most instances, there are no resources to track down individual stolen bikes. In my friend’s case, it meant police declined his request to confront the person who had posted the stolen bike online. It should be noted the police service does undertake a number of measures to combat bike theft. It runs a sting program where bikes equipped with GPS trackers are left in high-risk areas. Once stolen, police track the bike’s location and make an arrest, which has happened several times. The police service is also heavily involved in public education, encouraging cyclists to register and lock their bikes and report thefts. However, when it comes to investigating an individual theft, resources run thin. A police spokesman noted that with dramatically increasing call volumes, many of them involving elevated risk to someone’s well-being or life, crimes such as this are constantly pushed down the list of policing priorities. “We can only help when resources allow for it,” the spokesman said. That is not a cop-out, if you’ll pardon the pun. In fact, when you look at all of the things police are asked to do, it’s easy to see how bike theft is given a lower priority. That does not mean there are no solutions. For example, most online classified sites do not require anyone selling a bike to post a registration number with the advertisement. All bikes have a unique, engraved number somewhere on their frames. Being required to include a registration number, or rejecting ads that do not have them, could make it tougher to fence a stolen bike. Rather than create its own online registry, Winnipeg could follow the example of other cities that employ free, third-party apps to create a community watch system for bicycles. Vancouver relies heavily on Garage 529, a free app developed by a private company in the U.S. that allows cyclists to register their bikes on a continent-wide database. For $13, the app sells you a “shield,” a decal that tells would-be thieves your bike is registered. If your bike is taken, you can notify the entire app community, and people can help provide information to aid in its recovery. Proponents believe the app not only allows more stolen bikes to be returned to their owners, but also acts as a deterrent to thieves. Law enforcement and other interested parties agree; hundreds of police services, schools and pro-bike groups across North America support Garage 529 by publicizing it and selling shields. The Brandon Police Service is the only participating agency in Manitoba. It appears to be working. In Vancouver, public education by police and Garage 529 has been credited with a 30 per cent drop in bike thefts. Another possible solution would be for the police service to occasionally track down and punish people who sell stolen bikes online. As is the case with the bike-bait program, a single, well-publicized arrest of an online fence would make for a powerful deterrent. Which brings us back to a single administration report produced for a single civic committee. The city cannot rely solely on the police, and needs to go beyond “public education” to address this problem. Fortunately, there are good ideas out there just waiting to be found. dan.lett(a)freepress.mb.ca

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New NACTO Guide - Don't Give Up at Intersections - Designing All Ages and Abilities Bike Crossings
by Mark Cohoe 22 May '19

22 May '19

Hi, NACTO has released a nice, slick guidebook on intersection design for bikeways. Goes into a lot of detail with detailed graphics and photos. https://nacto.org/publication/urban-bikeway-design-guide/dont-give-up-at-th… Mark Cohoe Executive Director Bike Winnipeg t: 204-894-6540 e: mark(a)bikewinnipeg.ca

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New Bike Cage to Help Curb Theft from Point Douglas School
by Beth McKechnie 22 May '19

22 May '19

New Bike Cage to Help Curb Theft from Point Douglas School https://www.chrisd.ca/2019/05/21/bike-cage-stanley-knowles-school/ Students and teachers who ride their bikes to Ecole Stanley Knowles School now have a new place to safely lock up their rides. A new enclosed bike rage in Stanley Knowles Park officially opened Tuesday in Point Douglas. The K-8 school has seen an increase in bicycle theft and vandalism, so officials are hoping the new cage alleviates some of the risk linked to bringing a bike to school. “With the recent construction of the active transportation routes directly connected to Ecole Stanley Knowles School, there has been an increased need for a safe locking facility for the students and teachers,” said Point Douglas Councillor Vivian Santos. The bike cage is located on city land at 2286 Inkster Boulevard just south of the school. The $15,000 project includes a 15’ x 30’ enclosed cage, a community bike repair stand and new granular path and pad.

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WFP: Portage gears up for Bike Week
by Beth McKechnie 22 May '19

22 May '19

*Portage gears up for Bike Week* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/News-briefs-510… Portage la Prairie cyclists are invited to join in the fifth annual Bike Week from May 25 to 31. Portage Active Transportation Committee member Maureen Owens said she hopes that many will join in at least one of the week’s activities. Bike Week kicks off with a scavenger hunt, used bike sale and barbecue on Sat., May 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greasy Chain, a bike repair workshop at the corner of 1st Street NW and Fisher Avenue. Yoga in the Park is featured near the bandstand at Island Park on Sun., May 26 at 11 a.m. Cyclists can ride out to Fort la Reine Museum (2652 Saskatchewan Ave. E) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to receive a homemade cinnamon bun and free admission to the museum. A public art tour is set for Mon., May 27 at 7 p.m. and the Junk Yard Dogs Bike Trails will meet at the dump hill at 7 p.m. Families can take part in a cookie ride on Tues., May 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. with cookies available at Portage elementary schools. The cycling grub crawl is being held on Thurs., May 30 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Splash Island parking lot. Tickets are $25 and are available at the Portage la Prairie Regional Library, 40 Royal Rd. N. Portage students are encouraged to bike to school on Fri., May 31. The full schedule of events is available at facebook.com/activetransportationplap <https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/facebook.com/ac…>

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WFP: Mandatory bike registration unwieldy: city (May17'19)
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '19

17 May '19

*Further coverage on the bike registry...* *Mandatory bike registration unwieldy: city * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/little-support-for-mandatory-bicycl… A CITY committee will vote next week on implementing a mandatory bicycle registration program at the point of purchase, a measure the city’s administration opposes. In January, the protection, community services and parks committee directed city staff to study the feasibility of operating a mandatory municipal bicycle registry. The city already operates a voluntary bike registry — which aims to help police return recovered stolen bicycles to rightful owners — but it isn’t widely used. In an average year, less than 10 per cent of the roughly 1,000 recovered stolen bicycles are registered. Following consultations with the Winnipeg Police Service, 21 retailers and three cycling organizations, administration staff determined it wouldn’t be feasible or beneficial to force people to register their bikes. “While the inherent value of a bike registry is widely recognized, our engagement with stakeholders pointed to significant challenges related to implementation and enforcement of a mandatory bike registry,” city bylaw officer Winston Yee wrote in a report that was submitted to the committee. “Therefore, the public service is recommending that mandatory bike registration at the time of purchase not be implemented.” The report notes mandatory registration and licensing programs have been scrapped in other cities because the cost outweighs the benefits. The majority of retailers that were consulted were concerned about collecting personal information from customers, adding to their workload and the logistics of passing the information on to the city. Meanwhile, police suggested mandatory registration would add barriers to cycling, in addition to placing extra burdens on retailers. Many of the bicycle retailers surveyed for the report said there was value in the voluntary registry and some said they provide information about the program. The police service said it has identified opportunities to enhance its efforts to curb bike theft, including improving available resources. The report will be voted on at Wednesday’s meeting.

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WFP: Councillor calls for speed reduction (May17'19)
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '19

17 May '19

*Nason wants to slow residential traffic as concerns mount over pedestrian deaths* * Councillor calls for speed reduction * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/councillor-moves-to-reduce-winnipeg… PEDESTRIAN safety took centre stage at city hall as councillors discussed lowering residential speed limits and expanding school-zone driving restrictions. Councillors clashed over whether Winnipeg is doing enough to develop a comprehensive road-safety plan. In the shadow of a deadly first half of 2019 — six pedestrians have been killed in the city thus far — Coun. Shawn Nason (Transcona) said he plans to table a motion on Monday, seeking to reduce residential speed limits throughout Winnipeg. The rookie councillor is also planning to call for an expansion of school-zone driving restrictions that would result in reduced speed limits year-round for 12 hours per day. “With regards to residential (neighbourhoods), I’m open to having dialogue on either reducing it to 40 or 30 (kilometres per hour),” Nason told reporters following Thursday’s monthly city council meeting. “I think that’s a good dialogue to have, and I think that would go towards reducing risks on residential streets and not having a major impact on people getting around the city.” Research shows dropping the speed limit to 30 km/h from 50 km/h would add an additional 48 seconds for every kilometre travelled during a commute, Nason said. That’s not an unreasonable delay, he said. Other Canadian municipalities are looking at similar measures. Vancouver is in the process of piloting 30-km/h speed limits in residential zones, while Edmonton city council is discussing the possibility of lowering its limits in such neighbourhoods. Nason said Winnipeg council has repeatedly looked at it over the years, yet no action has been taken. “I get tired when people use reports as a crutch. As a council, it sounds like we can say, ‘Let’s go this route.’ The reports have been done. I think it’s high time we take some action on this and show some leadership,” he said. So far this year, eight pedestrians have been killed in Manitoba. In an average year, there are 12 pedestrian deaths in Manitoba, officials said. On Wednesday night, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in an alleged hit-and-run on Portage Avenue near the Viscount Gort Hotel. The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition, but was subsequently upgraded to stable. The Winnipeg Police Service said a suspect turned himself in shortly after the collision. During Thursday’s meeting, Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) repeatedly questioned Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), chairman of the public works committee, about when the city will have its own “comprehensive road safety strategy.” Three attempts by Lukes to have the question answered — and to get a firm timeline nailed down — were sidestepped. Instead, Allard repeatedly pointed to the fact the city subscribes to the province’s “Towards Zero” strategy, while highlighting piecemeal initiatives the municipal government has been implementing in the past year. Efforts aimed at getting people to drive slower and safer weren’t limited to city hall. Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler held a news conference Thursday to warn motorists to slow down while passing construction sites and crews that are working outside. “A lot of pedestrians are becoming fatalities on our roads, and it is a really serious issue that we have to address. We just had two fatalities again on a road in just the last 48 hours,” Schuler said. A man and a woman were struck and killed while crossing Nairn Avenue at Panet Road on Tuesday. kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Wpg Sun: Mandatory bike registry unlikely for Winnipeg: report (May15'19)
by Beth McKechnie 16 May '19

16 May '19

Mandatory bike registry unlikely for Winnipeg: report https://winnipegsun.com/news/news-news/mandatory-bike-registry-unlikely-for… [For tips, check out / share: https://greenactioncentre.ca/healthy-travel/how-to-avoid-bike-theft/] The city’s public service is advising council not to add a mandatory bike registry. Back in January, council ordered a study of mandatory registration at the point of bike purchases, with the goal of returning more stolen bikes to their owners. But the public service now recommends that idea be scrapped, arguing it would be too expensive and too complicated to implement. “Our engagement with stakeholders pointed to significant challenges related to implementation and enforcement of a mandatory bike registry,” Marcia Fifer, the city’s licensing co-ordinator, writes in a report headed to council’s protection, community services and parks committee. In a follow-up interview, Fifer said smaller retailers were concerned that adding registration to each bike purchase would demand too much staff time. “We didn’t want to put a burden upon our retailers,” said Fifer. She said a scan of bike registries in other Canadian cities found all who had tried mandatory ones, which at one point included Winnipeg, have since abandoned them. Fifer said the cost to administer and enforce such programs was found to exceed the potential benefits. “The cost definitely outweighed any money the program was bringing in,” she said. The public service does plan to find new ways to better promote the city’s voluntary bike registration system, which has grown to list 12,000 bicycles, Fifer said. “That’s significant because we used to get only a few hundred new registrations a year, now in the last year we’ve gotten about 3,000,” she said. Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski), who lobbied for the mandatory registry, said he’s disappointed by the report. Eadie said reuniting owners with stolen bikes is especially important in his ward, where cycling is a key means of transportation. He fears maintaining the status quo means it will remain difficult for police to return stolen bikes to their rightful owners. “They’re not considering the burden on the officer on the street, who will also face the frustration of the people,” said Eadie. Coun. Sherri Rollins, who chairs the protection and community services committee, agreed bike theft is a pressing concern, noting her own three children’s bikes were all stolen last year. “Winnipeg has particular challenges with respect to bike theft, so I think there is an imperative to always see … if there is any innovations that we could be doing,” said Rollins. The chair said she was pleased by the report’s extensive consultation efforts and will wait to hear her colleagues’ responses to it before weighing in on its recommendations. The protection committee will consider the report on May 22. jpursaga(a)postmedia.com Twitter: @pursagawpgsun

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WFP Editorial: Manitoba needs better road-safety strategy
by Beth McKechnie 16 May '19

16 May '19

*Manitoba needs better road-safety strategy * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/manitoba-needs-better-… A NUMBER of high-profile pedestrian deaths resulting from collisions in Winnipeg this year has road safety on the minds of many. The question is, what to do about it? Manitoba’s Road Safety Plan 2017-2020 highlights a grim statistic: despite the fact some progress is being made — traffic-related deaths declined to 80 in 2015 from 120 in 2006 — motorvehicle collisions are the province’s fifth-leading cause of injury-related deaths. Clearly, action is required. Public awareness campaigns are one approach, to encourage safer driving practices and better awareness for motorists and pedestrians who use our streets and sidewalks. MPI’s “Save the 100” advertisements highlight individual responsibilities for making our roads safer, with emphasis on factors such as distracted driving, impaired driving and speeding. Actually making the most dangerous sections of road safer, however, is a stickier proposition. City Coun. Janice Lukes has pushed for a traffic safety initiative since 2016, aiming to get traffic fatalities down to zero. The initiative, Vision Zero, was developed in Sweden in 1997 and focuses on the design of infrastructure and how it is used, analyzing data to create safer spaces. And it’s working: Sweden has one of the lowest annual rates of road deaths in the world, at three per 100,000. Pedestrian fatalities there were reduced by half within five years. Other jurisdictions have adopted this outlook: in 2014, New York City launched a plan employing traffic data and improved engineering to get traffic deaths to zero within 10 years. Clearly, investing in our roads, walkways and other infrastructure with a view to safety is critical. Here’s another question: how do we pay for it? In this, the province has a role to play. The previous New Democratic government floated a proposal to devote funds from MPI to improve high-risk spots. That went nowhere, thanks to vocal opposition over the prospect of the insurer funding infrastructure upgrades rather than returning surplus funds to ratepayers. The fact that safer intersections reduce the risk of accidents and save lives must not have been enough justification for those opposed, but — if money is the issue — the additional knowledge that reducing the number of collisions also reduces the number of claims and thus lowers premiums should have been. It’s also worth noting that decreasing accident and injury numbers lessens the financial burden on the taxpayerfunded health-care system. Other jurisdictions have taken this approach. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia partners with local government to pay for safetyrelated road improvements. A 2015 evaluation found that the initiative led to an average 24 per cent decrease in severe collisions over a threeyear period. Manitoba has taken a lot of flak for not devoting more money to road and highway repair. Yet, the much-criticized increase to the provincial sales tax under the NDP was intended to fund infrastructure, something the opposition Progressive Conservatives attacked at the time. Even if the Pallister government were not philosophically opposed to spending PST income on roads, the revenue loss created by its promised-anddelivered one percentage point PST cut (effective July 1) would make such an investment difficult to achieve. We use our roads, highways, sidewalks and intersections every day, and pointing fingers doesn’t make any of those routes safer. It’s time to take a long-term approach, as Sweden did, and learn from what other jurisdictions, such as B.C., are doing. Because as the various safety campaigns make clear, the only number of traffic deaths we can all live with is zero.

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Washington, DC creates protected bike lane barriers from downed trees
by Beth McKechnie 15 May '19

15 May '19

Hmmm, perhaps a good use for Winnipeg's downed elm trees? *WASHINGTON, DC CREATES CYCLE TRACK BARRIERS FROM DOWNED TREES* -> The AASHTO Journal reported the District Department of Transportation in Washington, DC, is testing whether "re-purposed timber" gathered from trees removed due to damage can be used to build cycle track barriers. This timber is much less expensive than concrete barricades, and DDOT can create and fabricate these barricades in house. See the brief video: http://bit.ly/2LH1lwP <https://pps.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c803e70a8ad33c13a95a1ee6&id=…> -- Beth McKechnie* | *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 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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AT Webinar: Engaging Youth to Choose Car-free Mobility, May 22, 12-1pm
by Beth McKechnie 14 May '19

14 May '19

Please join Green Action Centre in the EcoCentre <https://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-…> boardroom for a group viewing of the following webinar (or register here <https://trec.pdx.edu/events/professional-development/webinar-05-19> to watch it at your desk). *Engaging Youth to Choose Car-free Mobility* *Wed, May 22nd, 12-1pm* Today’s youth are tomorrow’s riders, bikers, walkers, voters, and transportation planners. As more transit agencies begin to offer free fare passes to public middle and high school students, it is important to have good communication strategy in place to encourage transit usage so they don't miss out on the potential to affect behavior change. Thus, transit agencies need to develop age-appropriate messaging strategies and tactics that promote youth car-free mobility. This webinar will present results from a NITC research project that sought to create and evaluate communication messaging that fosters more positive attitudes, intentions, and behaviors related to transit and other car-free transportation options among Portland youth. While there is no "one size fits all" approach, the Portland-based findings may yield insights that could be adapted for application in other regions. KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES - Understand the car-free mobility-related attitudes, intentions, and behaviors of teens in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area; - Identify communication channels and settings that could be most effective with youth in regards to transportation system information and promotion; - Study the data to learn how strategic themes promoting car-free mobility were perceived by Oregon youth.

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Vancouver passes motion on 30km/h limit pilot project
by Beth McKechnie 14 May '19

14 May '19

A Vancouver City councillor’s motion for a pilot project on reducing the speed limit <https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-city-speed-limits-side-streets-bc…> on the city’s side streets and residential areas to 30 km/h passed unanimously on Tuesday. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-30km-h-speed-limit-side-streets-r… -- Beth McKechnie* | *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 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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How We Talk About Drivers Hitting Cyclists
by Beth McKechnie 14 May '19

14 May '19

*How We Talk About Drivers Hitting Cyclists * *What the media gets wrong, and why, says a lot about how our society views vulnerable road users* Hardly a week goes by without an article about a crash in which a driver hits and kills a rider... Almost as troubling as the rise in deaths is the media coverage of these crashes... News stories often play a key role in shaping public understanding of traffic safety. And when news stories victim-blame or fail to convey the larger context in which these crashes take place, they do deep injustice to the victims and the conversation about road safety in general. Two new studies on inaccuracy and subtle bias in mainstream-media reporting about driver-cyclist crashes highlight the extent of these issues. What they show make clear just how deeply rooted the problem is—and how difficult it will be to fix. Full article: https://www.outsideonline.com/2392955/lets-talk-about-drivers-hitting-cycli… -- Beth McKechnie* | *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 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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CanStar (The Lance): Exciting active transportation improvements (May13'19)
by Beth McKechnie 14 May '19

14 May '19

Exciting active transportation improvements https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/lance/correspondent/Excit… The new pedestrian and cyclist tunnel beneath Fermor Avenue, east of St. Anne’s Road, is now visible — and light can be seen from the other end. As well, several other exciting new pieces of active transportation infrastructure in Old St. Vital are complete or are about to be completed. The new tunnel will form the linchpin of an active transportation corridor reaching from Southdale, Royalwood and other southeast neighbourhoods up through Old St. Vital into St. Boniface and ultimately the core. "The tunnel creates a connection from the southeast across Niakwa footbridge to Des Meurons — it is a major improvement for cycling in St. Vital," says Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital). The tunnel will link the southern end of Des Meurons Street with the Niakwa Place and Alpine Place neighbourhoods. For walkers and cyclists, these communities, the most densely populated areas in St. Vital, are presently only connected to their northern neighbours via a detour to St Anne’s Road. The newly rehabilitated St. Anne’s and Fermor intersection features two high-quality bicycle lights and pathways through the signalized section. There are also new, elevated speed-table-style safe crossings over yield lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. A new, at-grade, bridge-level multi-use pathway across the Fermor bridge is also now operational. It provides an alternative route across the Seine River in the event —as is true at the time of writing — the trail to Niakwa Park is flooded. The City of Winnipeg’s active transportation strategy identifies several north-south routes through the Southdale area, as well as a north-south corridor along St. George Street, Worthington Avenue and then Grey Street to the Bishop Grandin Greenway. Passing, as it does, by St. George School, this project could represent a tremendous opportunity to calm traffic in front of the school. Speed tables, a narrowed road, and improved sidewalk would not only provide a safe north-south bike route for St. Vital but a safer and more pleasant experience for parents at that school. To the north, given that St. Anne’s and St. Mary’s roads are narrow and in great demand for both rush-hour vehicle traffic and day and evening parking, Des Meurons Street through Glenwood and then Norwood seems the logical place to continue a safe and pleasant bicycle pathway into St. Boniface and the core. These projects and future visions represent an amazing leap forward for St. Vital. *Ryan Palmquist is a community correspondent for St. Vital. *

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AT Webinar: Maintaining Green Infrastructure, May 15th, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 09 May '19

09 May '19

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of the May APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom. This will be followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth * * * * * *AT Webinar: Wed, May 15th, 2-3pm* Maintaining Green Infrastructure: Hints for Success Now that you've got your green bicycle, pedestrian, and transit infrastructure, what's your plan to maintain it? How can green infrastructure elements be planned for, designed, and operated to ensure quality maintenance of these community assets. *Presenters:* - Morvarid Ganjalizadeh, District Department of Transportation, Washington D.C. - Ken Sides, Sam Schwartz Engineering -- Beth McKechnie* | *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 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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New B.C. study links chronic disease, health care costs to where you live
by Beth McKechnie 07 May '19

07 May '19

*Direct health-care costs for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are lower for those in walkable neighbourhoods and close to parks. * https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/new-b-c-study-links-chronic-diseas…

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WFP: Victoria aims to eliminate public transit fares (Apr26'19)
by Beth McKechnie 29 Apr '19

29 Apr '19

*Victoria aims to eliminate public transit fares * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/greenpage/victoria-aim… VICTORIA wants to eliminate public transit fares for everyone in the region to encourage more ridership and reduce the effects of climate change. Mayor Lisa Helps will bring a motion to the regional transit commission today, asking it to embrace a policy of phasing out user fees and expanding bus service to meet an anticipated increase in demand. Coun. Ben Isitt, who introduced the motion that was passed Thursday by council, said it would begin with the elimination of fares for youth under 19 next year and the broader community would be phased in. Isitt said there’s almost no more space in the city for expanding roads or parking. “Driving is only going to get more challenging, so I think as we make transit more convenient and cheaper, that provides a further incentive for people to leave their cars at home.” The transit system currently depends on $40 million in annual revenue from fares but is primarily funded through taxation in the form of provincial subsidies, gas taxes and property taxes. Isitt said the proposal would see the fare revenue loss replaced with an expansion of the existing tax formula. Similar policies have been adopted in jurisdictions such as Luxembourg and Estonia’s capital city Tallinn. Other places offer free fare for certain demographics or in geographic areas, such as Madison, Wis., where fare is free in the city’s core. In Toronto, children under 12 ride for free, and in Kingston, Ont., high schoolers can too. The City of Kingston said the objective of the program launched in 2012 was to expose students to the transit system, building habits they may continue after graduation. Jeff Casello, a transportation professor at the University of Waterloo, said eliminating fares can encourage ridership, including for those who avoid public transit because they don’t know how the fee structure works. “The idea of free public transport has been talked about in many cities,” he said. “What many public transport systems are trying to do is increase people’s accessibility.” It can be an unpopular policy for municipalities that expect to recover operating costs. Aside from some exceptions in megacities in Asia, Casello said few public transit systems actually break even, so every dollar counts. In North America, user fares typically support between 40 and 60 per cent of the operating budget, he said. Fare incentives also aren’t enough to make many people change their habits. Those who already depend on transit will continue to use it and high-income earners who don’t use transit won’t be incentivized by a fare change from something like $2 to zero, he said. There is a larger group in the middle that has some price sensitivity and can shift habits depending on fare, but price isn’t typically the most important factor, Casello said in an interview on Friday. “It’s often the quality and the calibre of the public transport system. So in a city where I can drive and it will take me 10 minutes and I have hourly transit service that takes 30 minutes, reducing their fare is not going to change people’s habits, at least not those discretionary users,” Casello said. But if transit is competitive and people are considering the option, then making it free can shift behaviours where it will generate new riders, he said. In Victoria, Isitt said an important part of the proposal involves both electrifying the fleet and expanding bus routes and service to meet the anticipated demand. — The Canadian Press

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Build infrastructure and they will ride...
by Charles Feaver 28 Apr '19

28 Apr '19

Guardian article on results of biking infrastructure in the UK; https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2019/apr/26/if-you-build-… Cycle lanes are one of the most efficient and healthiest ways of moving people. A single bike lane can transport five times as many people as a motor traffic lane, without the air and noise pollution. This is good news for everyone, whether you drive, walk or cycle – or breathe. What’s clear from the data, though – despite occasional bizarre claims to the contrary, and attempts to have lanes removed – is that to reap cycling’s benefits you have to build proper infrastructure. But if you build it, they will come – and the cycle counters prove it. 2018 was a record year for cycle lane usage in the UK, thanks to the construction of new, high-quality cycle tracks, the growing popularity of existing routes and good networks that feed into those routes. ..... The country’s big hitter for cycling, problems with data collection have hampered publication of digital counts on its two major cycle superhighways, which opened in April 2016. In February 2018, digital counters were installed and soon started displaying prodigious numbers By August, 574,304 cycle trips had been logged on CS6, the north-south cycle superhighway, and by October 1,654,441 trips on CS3, the east-west route. After that, both counters failed and were switched off, but the CSH counters blog estimates they would have logged more than 3m cycle trips by Christmas. Using manual counts, Transport for London has recorded up to a 200% increase in cycling on the east-west route, and 124% on the north-south route, compared with numbers pre-construction. The city’s walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman, announced on Tuesday that the counters were fixed again. Closure of streets to through motor traffic – filtering – also boosts cycling. Goldsmiths Row in Hackney, where more people commute by bike than by car, was filtered in 2013. The cycle counter has logged 6.28m rides so far – an average of 3,917 on weekdays and 1,854 on weekends. It is estimated 1.4 million people used the route in 2018; in 2017 it was 1.1 million. ...

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Functional Transit: AGM & 101 Years of the Bus
by Beth McKechnie 26 Apr '19

26 Apr '19

Interested in helping to improve transit service in our city? *Functional Transit Winnipeg (FTW) is seeking applicants for board director positions. *See attached for details. Also, check out the upcoming FTW events: *1) Functional Transit Annual General Meeting* The AGM will take place on Monday, May 6th at 7:00 PM at St. Boniface Library. This is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about FTW and what's been accomplished and what is upcoming. See (and please share) attached poster. *2) 101 Years of the Bus ft. Glen Murray and Dr. Orly Linovski* This FREE event will take place on Wednesday, May 29th from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM at The Good Will Social Club. For more info, please visit FTW's event page and please share with anyone you feel would be interested. https://www.facebook.com/events/1989911237805011/

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Vancouver sees record low in trips made by private automobile: report
by Beth McKechnie 26 Apr '19

26 Apr '19

*Vancouver sees record low in trips made by private automobile: report* A new report released by the City of Vancouver illustrates the extent to which city residents have taken up to modes of active transportation, specifically walking, cycling, and public transit. In Fall 2018, the municipal government commissioned Mustel Group to conduct an extensive survey of the transportation patterns of residents living in Vancouver. It found that 52.8% of all trips were made by walking, cycling, and transit — up from 48.4% in 2017. Compared to the survey conducted in 2017, there was a 4% decrease in private vehicle trips in 2018, with the automobile mode share falling from 52% to 47% during this one-year period. The distance travelled using an automobile also fell by 2.9% compared to the previous year. But car sharing increased to 34% in 2018, an increase from 31% in 2017 and 29% in 2016, and access to private vehicles remained steady at 87%. Overall, city residents had an “all-time low” for automobile trips, while the share of those who walked increased from 25.1% to 28.5% year-over-year. The downtown peninsula had the highest walking mode share, with 30% in the Central Business District and West End getting around by foot and 31% in False Creek. The Central Broadway Corridor’s walking mode share is 14% in comparison. The area with the lowest walking mode share was the southeast quadrant of the city at just 2%. The mode share for cycling remained relatively constant compared to the previous three years, with the mode share in 2018 at 7.3% — up from 6.7% in 2015 and 4.4% in 2013. According to the data, interest in biking is two times higher during fair weather conditions than cold and wet conditions. Cycling in fair weather is highest in the Strathcona and Grandview-Woodlands areas (43%), followed by Kitsilano and Point Grey (38%), and Central Broadway and Mount Pleasant (32%). The cycling mode share for residents living in the downtown peninsula is roughly half those of Central Broadway and Mount Pleasant. Although regional transit ridership growth has been high in recent years <https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-ridership-october-2018>, the citywide transit mode share was relatively constant at 17% in 2018, with the prior five-year period seeing a high of 18% and a low of 15.9%. Kitsilano and Point Grey saw the highest level of transit use (41%) for people travelling to work, and in most areas of the city over 50% of students reported transit as their usual mode of travel. Interestingly, the proportion of those who used transit passes was highest amongst residents in the West End and the eastern half of Vancouver. The vast majority of Vancouver residents regularly travelled within the city; about 77% of trips originate and end within city boundaries. These findings are based on 2,600 randomly-selected respondents who completed trip diaries throughout the fall. But it identified some challenges with the under-sampling of the 15 to 35-year-old age group and the over-sampling of the 55+ age group, as the younger age group typically does not have a landline and smartphone lists do not provide the home location of cell owners. Look here for charts: https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-active-transportation-mode-share-…

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WFP: Ciclovia cycling event cancelled
by Patman, David 18 Apr '19

18 Apr '19

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/ciclovia-cycling-event-cancelled-50… Ciclovia cycling event cancelled By: Geralyn Wichers Posted: 04/17/2019 5:21 PM Ciclovia, the annual Winnipeg cycling event, is on an indefinite hiatus, Bike Week organizers announced Wednesday. Ciclovia began 10 years ago, when a section of Broadway was closed on a Sunday in September so cyclists could ride unimpeded by cars. The event was part of ManyFest and was run by the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. It was patterned after a weekly event in Bogota, Colombia, where, on Sundays, miles of road are closed to all but cyclists and pedestrians. The event "has never really been able to achieve what was originally envisioned," Bike Week chairman Dave Elmore said, adding it became more about the street festival than a celebration of cycling. Last year, Ciclovia was held during a cycling celebration event called Bike Week, which is held annually in June. "We had a vision of building it into a true Ciclovia event," Elmore said, but explained closing roadways would involve city permission and a lot of funding. Until they can do Ciclovia right, they won't do it at all, said Elmore. He wasn't able to give details on what a revamped event would look like. geralyn.wichers(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:geralyn.wichers@freepress.mb.ca>

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Fwd: [Vision Zero]: Re: Webinar - Parachute's Vision Zero Network - REGISTER TODAY
by Anders Swanson 16 Apr '19

16 Apr '19

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Julie Taylor <jtaylor(a)parachutecanada.org> Date: Tue, Apr 16, 2019 at 2:57 PM Subject: [Vision Zero]: Re: Webinar - Parachute's Vision Zero Network - REGISTER TODAY To: VisionZero(a)lists.parachutecanada.org < VisionZero(a)lists.parachutecanada.org> Hello Parachute Vision Zero network members, Some of you may be interested in registering for the below Vision Zero workshop taking place next Wednesday, April 24, 11am-12pm MST. Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals L'Association canadienne des professionnels de la sécurité routière *Webinar Series* *CARSP* and *City of Calgary - Roads* have joined to bring you a series of free webinars on a variety of topics focused on safety in transportation. This is part of CARSP's Knowledge Sharing Initiative. Stay tuned for more webinars on other important road safety topics. *Parachute’s Vision Zero Network* Free Webinar to CARSP Members *April 24, 2019, 11am-12pm MST* Vision Zero is a road safety initiative that was developed in Sweden and can be summarized in one sentence: No loss of life is acceptable. The road system that keeps us moving everyday should be designed to protect us when we make mistakes. Numerous cities across the world, including many in Canada have adopted Vision Zero or are in the process of developing their own strategic plans to create thriving, healthy, and safe communities. Join Parachute’s Interim CEO to hear about how Parachute Vision Zero is supporting Vision Zero and Safe Systems approaches in Canada. The first part of the webinar will look at concepts and basic tenets of Vision Zero. The second part of the webinar will focus on evidence based, knowledge translation tools and resources that Parachute produces with the support of Vision Zero champions across Canada and internationally. *SIGN UP EARLY - SPACE IS LIMITED!* *Presenter: *Pamela Fuselli, MSc is the Interim CEO at Parachute. Prior to this, she was the Vice President, Knowledge Transfer and Stakeholder Relations at Parachute. She was also Executive Director at Safe Kids Canada and one of the four leaders that led and co-founded the Injury Alliance that, through a process of national consultation and visioning, created a plan to move from collaboration to amalgamation of operations of the four NGOs, resulting in the formation of Parachute. Pamela received her BSC in Psychology from the University of Toronto in 1992, her BHA (2002) from Ryerson University and MSc (2010) in Creativity and Change Leadership from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. *Early registration for CARSP members only is until **Wednesday April 10th**, after which registration is also open to Roads Partners. Space is limited, so sign up soon to reserve your spot!* *Register Now!* <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> *Questions?* - *Webinar Content Questions:* *pfuselli(a)parachutecanada.org* <pfuselli(a)parachutecanada.org?subject=CARSP%20Webinar%20Question> - *Technical Difficulties **(either during registering or during the webinar): **ewan.macpherson(a)calgary.ca* <ewan.macpherson(a)calgary.ca?subject=Webinar%20Question> - *about CARSP** - **Brenda.Suggett(a)carsp.ca* <Brenda.Suggett(a)carsp.ca?subject=Questions%20about%20CARSP%20> [image: Image removed by sender.] <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> Twitter - #CARSP2019 <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> [image: Image removed by sender.] <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> CARSP - LinkedIn <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> *Copyright © 2019 CARSP-ACPSER, All rights reserved.* You are receiving this email because you are a current member of CARSP. *Our mailing address is:* CARSP-ACPSER 17 Meadowbrook Crescent St Catharines, ON L2M 7G8 Canada Add us to your address book <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/vcard?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&id=247b…> unsubscribe from this list <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&i…> update subscription preferences <https://carsp.us7.list-manage.com/profile?u=abd86bfa37a97091490314c26&id=24…> [image: Image removed by sender. Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp] <http://www.mailchimp.com/monkey-rewards/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…> [image: Image removed by sender.] ------------------------------ ================================= You received this email because you are a member of the Parachute Vision Zero network email list. To unsubscribe from this list, send an email to: visionzero-unsubscribe(a)lists.parachutecanada.org Note that unsubscribing from this list does not otherwise affect your membership in the network, or prevent you from receiving the regular Vision Zero newsletter and other related items – it only unsubscribes you from this members’ discussion list. The Parachute Vision Zero network email discussion list is hosted by: Parachute - Leaders in Injury Prevention 150 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 300 Toronto, ON M4P 1E8 www.parachutecanada.org Send all administrative and/or technical inquiries related to the list serve to the List Administrator: admin(a)parachutecanada.org

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WFP Analysis: Pedestrians needn’t die in city traffic (Apr12'19)
by Beth McKechnie 12 Apr '19

12 Apr '19

*Pedestrians needn’t die in city traffic * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/pedestrians-neednt-die-i… ON April 1, a 57-year-old woman died after she was hit by a half-ton truck in the parking lot of Garden City Shopping Centre. On March 26, a 41-year-old man died after he was hit by a vehicle on March 20 while he was crossing Osborne Street at Morley Avenue. On March 19, a four-year-old girl died a day after being hit by a vehicle while using the crosswalk with her mother at Isabel Street and Alexander Avenue. Those are examples of the many recent traffic deaths that cause grim concern when newsroom editors gather to discuss Winnipeg issues. Meanwhile, at city hall, councillors learned last week that the administration seems unable to develop a plan to make streets safer. The public works department was directed in January 2017 to produce a road-safety strategy. More than two years later, the department hasn’t started the plan. David Patman, the city’s transportation manager, blamed the procrastination on turnover in two senior positions. Coun. Janice Lukes expressed dismay, which was unsurprising because she’s pushed since 2016 for Winnipeg to implement Vision Zero, a traffic safety initiative created in Sweden that gets its name from its mandate of achieving zero fatalities on roads. It’s working wonders in Edmonton. To be fair, it should be noted that, even without a plan, Winnipeg has tried to improve traffic safety in recent years. Examples include pedestrian countdown signals at busy intersections, traffic signal poles with breakaway bases so hitting them will cause less damage, new bike lanes, traffic-calming devices such as traffic circles, and speed limits around schools reduced to 30 km/h during the school year. The problem is that such changes seem random, not part of a comprehensive strategy. The public has no way of evaluating how these isolated improvements fit together, which ones are working to improve safety and what’s ahead for the future. If Lukes had her way, the department would adopt the Vision Zero plan. There was confusion on this matter Tuesday when Mayor Brian Bowman said the city has already produced a plan, but the mayor was mistakenly thinking of the similarly named provincial road safety plan called The Road to Zero: Manitoba Road Safety Plan 2017-2020. If this city had a true Vision Zero plan, everyone, including the mayor, would remember it because the plan’s premise — no loss of life is acceptable — would require a revolutionary change in Winnipeg’s car culture. No longer would pedestrians, cyclists, school kids and senior citizens be only an afterthought. The safety of these vulnerable people would be the city’s top priority, ahead of the convenience of vehicles. Since it originated the strategy in 1997, Sweden has cut its number of traffic deaths in half. They did it with an all-in commitment to redesigning roads, mandating changes to vehicles and changing the behaviour of drivers. Jurisdictions around the world took notice. “The countries with the lowest levels of road violence have adopted a radically different paradigm of traffic safety, in which the state assumes full responsibility and the focus is on implementing fail-safe roads and vehicles,” reads a mission statement on the website of Vision Zero Canada. To understand real-life implications of a Vision Zero commitment, it’s instructive to scan the City of Edmonton’s 2018 annual traffic safety report. Since Edmonton adopted Vision Zero three years ago, traffic deaths have decreased by 40 per cent, collisions involving pedestrians have dropped 21 per cent and collisions involving cyclists have fallen 27 per cent. The report gives a comprehensive list of upgrades in 2018 alone: 20 new pedestrian signals; 65 new driver feedback signs that display a vehicle’s speed; 27 school zones got safety improvements; 21 intersections where turning safety was improved; and the introduction of five new pedestrian scrambles, which are intersections where traffic is stopped in all directions to let pedestrians cross laterally or diagonally. To get drivers to slow down, Edmonton uses a controversial blitz of cameras, laser and photo radar devices that move to different locations. In 2018, they gave out 379,000 tickets. They’re currently debating whether to implement a blanket speed limit of 30 km/h in residential areas. Would it work in Winnipeg? Vision Zero depends on results-based policies and practices, so it would likely flop in a city where the public works department is allowed to ignore for two years a directive to produce a road-safety strategy. Implementing Vision Zero here would require strong leadership to change the culture of Winnipeg drivers. We would need to drive as if every pedestrian and cyclist were one of our loved ones. It would also require a substantial investment of public money to change infrastructure in a city designed to be the domain of motor vehicles. Is it worth it? Ask the families of the people killed on Winnipeg streets. *Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board.* carl.degurse(a)freepress.mb.ca

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AT Webinar: Designing streets for the speeds you want (Wed, Apr 17th, 2-3pm)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Apr '19

10 Apr '19

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg for a group viewing of the recorded April APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom. This will be followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth * * * * * *AT Webinar: Wed, April 17th, 2-3pm* Designing streets for the speeds you want Should 85th-percentile speeds determine the design and operation of streets in your community? How can we lower speeds to improve safety if we don’t have the right tools and policies? This webinar will examine the relationship between posted, design and target speed in designing safer streets. -- Beth McKechnie* | *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 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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