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WFP: City unveils options for pedestrian bridge (May25'18)
by Beth McKechnie 25 May '18

25 May '18

------------------------------ *City unveils options for pedestrian bridge* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-unveils-three-options-for-pede… THREE designs for a pedestrian and bike bridge over the Assiniboine River — connecting Osborne Village to downtown— have been released by the City of Winnipeg for public input. The bridge will connect Mc Fadyen Park on the north side of the river to Fort Rouge Park on the south side. “This is a very important part of our active-transportation strategy,” said ward Coun. Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry). “This is part of AT route plan that will connect the Osborne Village transit station through the Village to the bridge and then into the downtown and The Forks.” The consulting team has developed three options for the proposed river crossing: a girder bridge, a doublecurved cable bridge, and a suspension bridge. “This particular project has been talked about for decades,” Gerbasi said. “It’s one of the most exciting AT things we’re talking about.” While Gerbasi is excited about the project, a suburban councillor is not. At Thursday’s council meeting, North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty questioned the need for another bridge over the Assiniboine River in that area. “If you look at the map, between The Forks and on to the Maryland Street bridge, there’s pretty good coverage for people to get across the river,” Browaty told reporters. “Spending another $15-, $20- or who-knows-howmany millions of dollars to build an additional pedestrian bridge in this location is not the next priority in my mind. “They are lovely looking bridges, but I just question it.” Browaty said themoney wouldbebetter spent building a movable downtown bike network and connecting it with the suburbs. “We’ve built a lot of good (cycling) networks to get to the downtown from different quadrants of the city,” he said. “One piece that is missing is that final mile to get from the AT paths to downtown destinations. That would be a better investment.” The proposed bridge is mid-way between the Midtown (Donald Street) and the Osborne Street bridges. Gerbasi dismissed Browaty’s criticisms as pre-election pandering, adding that the proposed bridge is integral to linking the downtown bike network to the suburbs. She said neither the Midtown nor the Osborne bridges are adequate cycling routes, and no cost has been determined yet for the proposed crossing. Gerbasi said the city is taking the same planning approach for the project as it’s done for the William R. Clement Parkway extension and the widening of Kenaston Boulevard. “We do the study now, so that we’re ready when the funding becomes available,” she said. The project website (//wfp.to/ KOI) says it is one of four pedestrian/ cycling crossings being considered by public works in the next two years, at a cost of $31 million. The others include: Bishop Grandin Greenway over Pembina Highway (2019); Maple Street through-pass of the Canadian Pacific Railway mainline (2020); and a crossing over the Seine River (2019). Consulting firm WSP Canada Group was awarded a contract at the end of October at a cost of $358,351 (following a public tendering process) to design the bridge with a network connection to the Osborne Village transit station. Now that WSP has developed three bridge designs, city hall wants public feedback on each. A public workshop is scheduled for June 5, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Augustine United Church (444 River Ave.). The format will include a presentation, followed by discussion groups. Throughout the summer, the project team will finalize the recommended functional design of cycling connections and preliminary design of the bridge and parks. The designs will be submitted for city council consideration once they are finished. A detailed design phase will be required ahead of project construction. Funding for detailed design and construction will be contingent on council approval. A final public engagement report will be available on the project site in the fall. Gerbasi said since she’s not running for re-election in October, she won’t be around to make a decision on a bridge design “but I’ve been here to see the project reach this point, and I hope that a future council has the foresight to invest in our long-term active transportation plans.” aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca randy.turner(a)freepress.mb.ca Three choices Option 1: Girder Bridge is a straight bridge that would cross the Assiniboine River at a skew angle. There are two areas of the bridge that gradually expand to seven-metres-wide overlook points. According to the city’s website, this bridge can be made more aesthetically beautiful with lighting and artistic features, and includes a unique shallow girder design, intended to present a slender modern look to the structure. This bridge is the cheapest option. Option 2: Cable-Stayed Bridge is a double-curved structure and would be the first curvilinear cable-stayed bridge in Canada. It would be “aesthetically unique, as it allows someone on the bridge to see the other side of the bridge while crossing it,” the website noted, while it “mimics the meandering rivers and streets along rivers in Winnipeg.” The centre of each of the two bridge curves gradually expands to a seven-metres-wide overlook point. A long bench would be built in to each of the inner curves. This option is more expensive than the proposed girder bridge. Option 3: Suspension Bridge is a straight crossing at a skew angle, and would be the only suspension bridge in Winnipeg, which could prove a tourist attraction. The centre of the bridge gradually expands to a seven-metres-wide overlook point, and has two piers at each end from which cables are suspended. The piers would be located on the riverbanks, and the suspension cables strung between them will resemble two separated spaces now connected and held together by the new structure. The bridge piers and cables allow for the inclusion of artistic lighting above the bridge. This option is more expensive than the girder bridge and is comparable in price to the cable-stayed bridge. *Details on the proposed Osborne pedestrian cycling river crossing can be found at //wfp.to/KOI <http://wfp.to/KOI>.*

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Scotland could become first on planet to make 20 mph default speed limit
by Beth McKechnie 22 May '18

22 May '18

Scotland is undertaking a remarkable initiative to become the first jurisdiction on the planet to make vehicular speeds a default of 20 miles per hour (32 kph) in any village, town or city. The Member’s Bill <http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/104723.aspx> going to Scottish parliament has bi-partisan support (across four different parties). Edinburgh, which has already implemented the 20 miles per hour speed in many areas of the city, has seen cyclist and pedestrian injury rates from vehicular crashes decrease by 25 per cent. Full story: https://pricetags.ca/2018/05/15/scotland-looks-at-slowing-speed-limits-savi…

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TAC Survey on the Integration of Health in Transportation
by Beth McKechnie 22 May '18

22 May '18

*Timely survey given our recent presentation by Dr. Frank on integrating land use and transportation planning with health outcomes. Please share widely!* * * * * * The Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) is leading a project to assess the current and potential future integration of health in transportation. The project is being completed by Urban Design 4 Health and Alta Planning + Design. As a part of this project, we are seeking input from individuals worldwide working in health and/or transportation fields, across diverse agencies, organizations and levels of government. Your feedback, gathered through an online survey, will help TAC to inventory, assess, identify gaps, and recommend improvements, in order to strengthen the integration of health in existing Canadian transportation policies, guidelines, and planning tools. Please *complete the survey by Thursday, May 31st, 2018*. It should take approximately 15-20 minutes of your time. Survey URL: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TAC_HealthTransportation Project URL: http://www.tac-atc.ca/en/projects/progress/strategic-op portunities-integrating-health-and-transportation TAC is also asking you to freely share this invitation to complete the survey with other relevant individuals working in health and/or transportation. This dissemination will help to ensure the inclusion of a wide-range of perspectives and experiences. If you have any questions, please contact: *Craig Stackpole, P.Eng., PMP* Program Manager *TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (TAC)* 401-1111 Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa, ON <https://maps.google.com/?q=401-1111+Prince+of+Wales+Dr,+Ottawa,+ON+K2C+3T2&…> K2C 3T2 <https://maps.google.com/?q=401-1111+Prince+of+Wales+Dr,+Ottawa,+ON+K2C+3T2&…> cstackpole(a)tac-atc.ca 613-736-1350 x232

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WFP: Bike sharing in Canada (May17'18)
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '18

17 May '18

Bike sharing in Canada MONTREAL Name: BIXI Montreal Launch year: 2009 Size: More than 6,000 bikes Cost: $5 per day TORONTO Name: Bike Share Toronto Launch year: 2011 Size: More than 2,500 bikes Cost: $7 per day VANCOUVER Name: Mobi Launch year: 2016 Size: More than 1,500 bikes Cost: $10 per day History of bike sharing LARGE-scale bike sharing begins in 1965 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, thanks to a group of activists who decide to leave a collection of bikes — all painted white— unlocked around the city for anyone to use. Issues soon arise, however, as most bikes are stolen and vandalized. Further attempts at large-scale bike-sharing programs aren’t tried again in Europe until the late 1990s. A series of technological advancements — from coin-operated stalls to user ID cards that track use— are implemented throughout the 2000s to cut down on theft and vandalism. As early as 2008, bike-sharing pilot programs start popping up in North America, with the continent’s first large-scale bike-sharing operation being Quebec’s BIXI Montreal in 2009.

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WFP: Pedal in the Peg starts with 22 cycles at five locations (May17'18)
by Beth McKechnie 17 May '18

17 May '18

* Pedal in the Peg starts with 22 cycles at five locations * * City hopes bike-share program gains traction * THE training wheels have come off bike sharing in Winnipeg. Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, with funding from the City of Winnipeg, officially launched the city’s first bikesharing program on Wednesday. Pedal in the Peg features 22 bicycles that can be rented from five downtown locations. “We’re trying to catch up to other major cities with our active transportation strategy. This is just one more option for visitors, but also for residents, to jump on one of these free bikes and give it a spin,” Mayor Brian Bowman said. Bowman, alongside Downtown Winnipeg BIZ CEO Stefano Grande, were the program’s first official participants Wednesday morning, buckling on helmets and taking a quick spin around city hall. The program has been languishing as a little-known pilot project for at least a year. During that time, approximately 200 people have set out on cycling adventures, the BIZ said. The city will provide $1,750 in annual funding. The rental locations are at city hall, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ (426 Portage Ave.), the Alt Hotel, the Delta Hotel and the Holiday Inn. Bike rentals are free at city hall and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, while rental fees apply at the hotel locations. Bikes go for about $14 for a half-day and $25 for a full day at the hotels, Grande said. That makes Winnipeg’s program significantly pricier than most other bikeshare programs in the country, such as those in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, which range from $5 to $10 per day. Renters are given everything they need for a downtown cycling adventure, including a bicycle, helmet, bike lock and a cycling map, Grande said. “It’s about giving people that other option to grab a bike and go to a meeting, go visit a restaurant, go to a museum. Again, just really buying into where the market is going — 100,000 people a day come downtown for work, as well as our students. Not everyone can afford a bike,” Grande said. The BIZ hopes to expand the program to other areas downtown in the summer, including the University of Winnipeg and the convention centre. That expansion is just the start, however, as Grande said there are a number of ways the BIZ will try to improve the program. Improvements include more bikes, more rental locations and expanding beyond downtown. Grande said he hopes Pedal in the Peg will serve as a template for a citywide bike-sharing program, and hasn’t ruled out the possibility of getting bikes equipped with winter tires so people can use them year-round. Bowman said programs such as Pedal in the Peg are an important part of the city’s active transportation strategy. He hopes it is a springboard for more initiatives. “We want to see more options like this for people. When you travel to other cities, you see the ride — the cyclingsharing companies like these options available in a more robust way,” Bowman said. “This is a step in the right direction. I want to see more of this in Winnipeg. It’s a great way to get around and get some exercise.” A recurring problem with many bikesharing programs in major cities is theft and vandalism, but Grande said so far that hasn’t been an issue in Winnipeg. “We didn’t know exactly how this was going to unfold, but we didn’t have that issue (theft and vandalism). During the day, downtown is busy. Our sidewalks are full and we haven’t had any thefts.” ryan.thorpe(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Cycling Delivers on the Global Goals: Shifting toward a better economy, society, and planet for all
by Beth McKechnie 10 May '18

10 May '18

From: Sarah Prowse <sprowse(a)wrha.mb.ca> Date: Thu, 10 May 2018 20:38:35 +0000 Here is a great article <https://ecf.com/sites/ecf.com/files/The%20Global%20Goals_internet.pdf> on how cycling is and can deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. You may have seen it already (released to UN in 2015) but I thought it worth sharing. Sarah Prowse Healthy Public Policy Specialist 2nd floor - 490 Hargrave Street Winnipeg, MB R3A 0X7 Telephone 204 801 3255 Fax 204 940-2690 Email sprowse(a)wrha.mb.ca Bike racks are available in front of the building at the corner of Hargrave and McDermot. Plan your Winnipeg Transit trip: http://winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo

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WFP: Bike valet coming to whiteout party (May1'18)
by Beth McKechnie 01 May '18

01 May '18

* Bike valet coming to whiteout party * * Cops confident Jets fans won’t drink and cycle* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/bike-valet-planned-for-whiteout-str… THE whiteout street party is adding a bicycle valet, giving Jets fans the option of active transportation. But while the bike valet promotes a greener way to get to the game and street party, it also raises the risk of a different kind of impaired driver: cyclists. “Whether you’re driving a car, or riding a bike, or any other mode of transportation, we have always tried to make sure that we are sending the safe message... ‘to celebrate, but celebrate responsibly,’” Economic Development Winnipeg spokesman Matt Schaubroeck said in an interview on Monday. “That being said, we trust Winnipeggers — they’ve been great so far, keeping everything at a good, solid energetic level without going over that line, in terms of drunk driving, drunk cycling.” According to the Winnipeg Police Service, drinking and driving only applies to motorized vehicles. Yet, bicycles are vehicles on the road and cyclists must abide by the rules of the road. Cyclists under the influence pose a safety risk to themselves, pedestrians and other drivers. While it doesn’t happen often, cyclists can be charged with driving under the influence. Bicycle Valet Winnipeg will be, as the name suggests, running the whiteout party valet. Project manager Stephanie Chow said on Monday they usually don’t see many drunk cyclists, but it does happen. Chow used Canada Day and Nuit Blanche, an all-night art exhibition, as two examples. “The people that really know and plan to use the valet and know that it’s there, are people that really just want to commute to make it easy on themselves,” Chow said, adding they deal mostly with families. The valet, which will be located in the lot behind Cityplace on the corner of Donald Street and St. Mary’s Ave., works similarly to a coat check. The valet accepts any non-motorized vehicles and its accessories, but doesn’t provide locks. By using the valet, cyclists agree to the terms of service, which includes picking up your bike within 30 minutes after the party finishes. Bikes left longer are subject to a late fee of $50. Chow said the fee is meant to act as a deterrent for people to not leave their bikes. “I would really encourage people not to drink and cycle, and I am kind of prepared to have some bikes with me at the end of the night, if that’s required,” Chow said. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have had a bike valet of their own since they were still playing in Canad Inns Stadium on Maroons Road in Polo Park. Blue Bombers director of security Kelly Keith said it’s not unusual to see at least two or three bicycles left in their valet because their respective owners were intoxicated. That said, according to the Blue Bombers website, the average attendance at Bombers home games in 2017 was about 27,400 and, of course, you need a ticket to get in. The Jets whiteout party alone was expanded to allow about 35,000 people past the gates for free. And that doesn’t include the 15,000 inside Bell MTS Place who can also take advantage of the valet. Chow said the volunteers at her valet are usually able to tell who’s impaired by talking to the cyclist, or if they see the cyclist is having trouble with their motor skills. Outside of that, there’s no way to truly tell who’s impaired. Chow said she’ll have a better sense of the issue today, but may inquire about partnering with police. Cycling under the influence of alcohol is not an offence under the Criminal Code, but police said it does violate a section of the Highway Traffic Act. If someone was found guilty of violating that section, they could face a fine ranging from $672 to $2,000 and/or imprisonment for one year maximum. nicholas.frew(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Media coverage: Extra $1M suggested for snow clearing AT routes (Apr.26'18)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Apr '18

26 Apr '18

*Strategy would re-prioritize active transportation routes * * Extra $1M suggested for snow clearing * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/report-recommends- spending-1-million-to-clear-snow-on-citys-active-transportation-network- 480842443.html Additional coverage: http://winnipegsun.com/news/local-news/winnipeg-could-add- 1m-to-snow-clearing-for-active-transportation-routes http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-snow- clearing-sidewalks-1.4634766 A LONG-DELAYED report identifying new priorities for snow clearing and ice control within the city’s active transportation network will recommend spending nearly $1 million on changes when it finally sees the light of day in May. The winter maintenance strategy report is now up on the City of Winnipeg’s website and will be discussed May 1 at the next standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works. Coun. Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) originally requested the report in March 2016 when she was chairwoman of public works. After seven extensions, the public service came back with its findings. Cheryl Anderson, the city’s acting manager of street maintenance, is the report’s main author. Her department recommends spending about $933,000 next winter on re-prioritizing roadways, sidewalks and active transportation pathways to provide a connected pedestrian and cycling winter maintenance network. Subsequent annual spending on the re-prioritized network would be about $835,000 plus inflation, according to the report. “Efforts have been put into place that, when new infrastructure is being planned, to recognize these future design requirements and connectivity,” Anderson wrote about what the city has been doing since it approved its transportation master plan in 2011 and adopted pedestrian and cycling strategies in 2015. “Winter season has been an entirely different challenge, as citizens find many of these new active transportation routes disconnected or not maintained,” she said. Many Winnipeggers were frustrated after a large snow dump in March left some people stranded in their homes due to poorly cleared sidewalks. Some people who use wheelchairs were forced to travel on city streets in order to get around. But the public works report is about much more than fallout from a single snowstorm, said Anders Swanson, executive director of Winnipeg Trails Association. “After a long wait, this is a small step in the right direction. (The report) needs to pass so we can get going, but this report does not yet address the most crucial aspect: reliability,” Swanson said. “Walking, cycling, no matter what your ability, can be the most reliable and resilient forms of transport year round, but they have different design needs than cars. The report mentions that but then doesn’t fully address it.” Swanson thinks the city’s snow removal timing should be sped up, another move not directly mentioned in the report. The current clearing policy is to have all top-priority roadways and adjacent sidewalks and paths cleared within 36 hours of a snowfall ending. “For people pushing strollers, riding bikes or using wheelchairs, that’s just not practical. Think about this: if I am in a wheelchair and I can’t get to work on Monday or even get to the bus — which happens way too often— who is going to call my boss to tell them, ‘Sorry, but maybe he’ll be in by Wednesday?’” he said. Identifying the streets that aren’t priority one for cars but may be top priority for pedestrians or cyclists is an important distinction laid out in the review, said Mark Cohoe, director of Bike Winnipeg, who was pleased with the first iteration of the report and its related ward maps. “It’s a step forward for sure. I think there’s a few tweaks that we’ll probably recommend and a few clarifications, too.” Cohoe pointed to the North Assiniboine Parkway and foot bridges around Omand’s Creek as areas that could use more attention. If the public service’s report recommendations are approved by the public works committee on Tuesday, the changes will still need to get the green light from the executive policy committee and city council. jessica.botelho(a)freepress.mb.ca -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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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*LAST CHANCE* Don't miss From A to B next week!
by Beth McKechnie 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

Don’t miss From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment <http://greenactioncentre.ca/module/workplace-commuter-options/from-a-to-b/> on Wednesday, May 2nd! *Green Action Centre and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ present* *FROM A TO B: EMPLOYEE WELLNESS AND OUR ENVIRONMENT* *Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Larry Frank* *Wednesday, May 2nd | The Alt Hotel* REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> Join employers like yourself for a keynote speech by Dr. Larry Frank, followed by breakout sessions. Participate in discussions, network with your colleagues, and receive feedback on your current and future plans. Find out about initiatives you can take to support employee wellness in your workplace, beginning with the commute to and from work. *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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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UMCycle kiosk open for first full summer
by Beth McKechnie 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

Keeping the cycle going UMCycle kiosk open for first full summer season https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/Keeping-the-cyc… The crew at the University of Manitoba’s new bike kiosk is gearing up to get cyclists on the road this spring. The UMCycle kiosk, located behind the Active Living Centre in the Migizii Agamik Plaza on the Fort Garry campus, officially opened on April 23 for its first full summer season since the grand opening in September 2017. [image: Anna Weier, manager of UM Cycle, is pictured in the bike kiosk located on the Fort Garry campus. The community bike shop officially opened for the season on April 23.] <https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/dds-bikekiosk-april25.jpg> DANIELLE DA SILVA - SOU'WESTER Anna Weier, manager of UM Cycle, is pictured in the bike kiosk located on the Fort Garry campus. The community bike shop officially opened for the season on April 23. The nearly $294,000 kiosk and courtyard space provides community and campus members free access to resources related to bike repair and maintenance. During opening hours, tools are available for cyclists to do their own repairs, staff and volunteer mechanics are on hand Thursday afternoons to walk cyclists through more complex jobs, and new and used parts are also available to purchase from the kiosk. The bike shop is operated by the University of Manitoba Students’ Union and received funding from the City of Winnipeg, federal government, and the university. Anna Weier, manager of UMCycle, said the initial reception to the shop — which operates out of retrofitted shipping container — has been positive and she’s looking forward to a busy cycling season in Fort Garry. "We definitely have a lot of people who come from outside of the U of M campus," Weier said. "Last year, we were just feeling things out, so our hours were probably not very helpful to people who live off campus because we were open only in the middle of the day, when most people were at work. "But even still we had kids coming by to get their bikes fixed and other people who live in the community who are not at work during the day, and this year we’re hoping accommodate that even more because our hours are extending into the evening and the weekend." The kiosk is currently staffed with two full time and two casual employees, based on need, and also has a large volunteer complement. When the UMCycle folks aren’t helping out stranded riders, they also run bike repair workshops for community groups and refurbish abandoned or salvaged bikes. Bikes that are left on campus will be headed to the kiosk, along with frames rescued from the dump, where they will be repaired by UMCycle staff and sold at the U of M for $50 to $250 to support the program. "We’re operating as a social enterprise so we’re trying to make enough money to cover our costs. Whatever money we make goes back into our operations," Weier said. Community members also have an opportunity to build their own bike through UMCycle. For a suggested donation of $50 (or pay-what-you can), people can draw on the experience of UMCycle staff and volunteers and build a bike with used (and some new) parts. "So people can have a good bike that’s not super expensive and also to help us cover our costs so we can continue operating," she said. A few additional grants have also allowed the bike repair shop to increase its footprint this summer. The U of M, UMSU, and the faculty of architecture along with others have supported a $35,000 expansion that will see new storage, work, rest, and display areas constructed by fourth year environmental design students. A signage and wayfinding component will also be part of the project. Lancelot Coar, an associate professor of architecture at the U of M, is leading students through the design-build project, which sees them actually take up hammer and nail to bring their visions to reality. "Because we’re in Migizii Agamik Plaza, we worked very closely with the elders at Migizii Agamik to develop signage that incorporates both traditional land use, traditional names of landforms, locations and sites, with contemporary maps of the city and city and campus resources," Coar explained. "So it’s trying to link the idea of Indigenous community interest and perspectives with the idea of active transportation, and also helping to enhance the students’ perspective of what matters when they’re designing." The expansion is expected to be finished by the end of summer. The kiosk is open Mondays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information about UMCycle and a full schedule of programs, go to http://umsu.ca/businesses/umcycle [image: UM Cycle’s bike kiosk located on the Fort Garry campus officially opened for the season on April 23.] <https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/dds-bikekiosk3-april25.jpg>

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Webinar Reminder: Got Counts? Now What? | Wed, Apr 25, 3-4pm
by Beth McKechnie 24 Apr '18

24 Apr '18

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow afternoon's webinar *** Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wed, April 25th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. cheers, Beth -- *Next webinar: April 25, 2018, 3-4pm* *Got Counts? Now what?* * The April webinar features emerging applications for count data and real-life case studies. You'll hear about North Carolina's cyclist data program and how to move from a sporadic count to a more intentional programmatic system. You'll also learn about a project from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and Fehr & Peers to place counters and develop approaches for utilizing the multi-modal count data for planning, funding, and evaluation. They'll discuss the approach for forecasting activity on specific facilities and how multi-modal counts can inform changes in mode share. * *Presenters:* - *Shannon Warchol, Institute for Transportation Research and Education* - *Nathan Schmidt, Fehr & Peers* - *Joshua Clark, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)* -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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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city launches online bike registry
by Jeremy Hull 24 Apr '18

24 Apr '18

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-launches-online-bike-registry-… The City of Winnipeg has launched a new online registry that should increase the likelihood of lost bicycles being returned to their owners. Bike owners in the city could already register their bicycles by mail, but now the city has added an online option. All bike registrations made using the mail service have been transferred to the online database, according to a press release. "(The online bike registry) is something I've been looking forward to for a long time," Marcia Fifer, Winnipeg's business licensing co-ordinator, said at Monday's launch. There is a one-time fee of $6.60 (GST included) when someone first registers. Users can upload photos of their bikes and several can be registered to one household. No payment is required for the return of a bike. Fifer told reporters that the registry cost the city a couple of thousand dollars to create. The registry went online at 9 a.m. Monday. The city recovers an estimated 1,000 bikes each year, but less than 10 per cent are returned to their owners, according to the city. More than 2,800 bikes were reported stolen in 2017, but Winnipeg police — partners in the new online initiative — suspect that number to be low because of thefts that aren't reported, said Insp. Chody Sutherland, who noted police often find bikes before they're reported stolen. "We may recover the bike overnight, while it's being used in another offence, or it's been abandoned after it's been stolen before homeowners may notice the bike is actually even missing," she said. Officers all have access to an app in their cruiser cars that grants them access to the online registry anytime. "If you're listed on the registry in advance, we can return the bike almost immediately," Sutherland said, adding if police can't find the owner, the bike will be put in storage. Bicycles in storage that go unclaimed are auctioned off by the city. The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub (WRENCH), a non-profit organization that builds, repairs and makes bikes accessible to youth, is partnering with the city to ensure the bikes are ready to ride. This year's auction is Saturday and Sunday morning at the Terry Sawchuk Arena on Kimberly Avenue. There will be about 700 bikes available for the public to bid on. Police hope the online registry will mean fewer bikes are auctioned in the future, Sutherland said. People should continue reporting thefts since being on the registry isn't enough and reporting thefts helps the police see patterns and come up with strategies, Sutherland said. Bikes can be registered online at winnipeg.ca/bikeregistry. Lost or stolen bikes can be reported to the police through its non emergency line or online through the citizen online reporting system. nicholas.frew(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Central Park goes car free
by Beth McKechnie 23 Apr '18

23 Apr '18

Hmmm, perhaps we could do the same in Kildonan Park? https://ny.curbed.com/2018/4/20/17261134/central-park-new-york-car-free-de-… “Our parks are for people, not cars,” De Blasio said in a statement. “For more than a century, cars have turned parts of the world’s most iconic park into a highway. Today we take it back. We are prioritizing the safety and the health of the millions of parents, children and visitors who flock to Central Park.”

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WFP: Barricades at Portage and Main should come down: Sadik-Khan (Apr.17'18)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Apr '18

17 Apr '18

* Former NYC official touts pedestrian-friendly changes * * Remove downtown barricades: planner * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/barricades-at-portage-and-main-shou… TRAFFIC-snarled New York City took cars off the road at Times Square without causing carmageddon, so there’s no reason pedestrians shouldn’t be able to cross Portage and Main in Winnipeg, says New York’s former transportation commissioner. “Moving people off of streets is really 1950s thinking,” Janette Sadik-Khan said Monday. “And to put them underground? We’re not rats. We’re wanting to get people on the streets. Cars don’t shop, people shop.” Critics of the idea of reopening the intersection at Portage Avenue and Main Street and allowing pedestrians to walk across instead of using underground tunnels have said it will create traffic gridlock on one of the busiest intersections in the Manitoba capital. Sadik-Khan said the same fears were heard in New York when officials decided to transform about four kilometres of Broadway, including closing it completely to traffic at Times Square, to make it more pedestrian-friendly. In its place are pedestrian plazas and spaces, as well as more bike lanes. The changes have also resulted in improving motorist travel times on other streets while reducing motorist and pedestrian injuries and increasing pedestrian volumes, Sadik-Khan said. “The strategy isn’t to get cars as fast as possible from A to B, it’s to get everyone around... cities have learned when you add more lanes you don’t increase traffic flow. After 50 years, we know this strategy doesn’t work. Nobody says we will solve obesity by increasing your belt size,” she said. Sadik-Khan was commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation from 2007 to 2013 under then mayor Michael Bloomberg. These days she works at Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy agency established by the former mayor. Her role is to travel the world helping mayors and city planners make citizen-friendly improvements to street redesigns. Winnipeggers should embrace pedestrians crossing their city’s iconic intersection instead of fearing it, she said, while praising Mayor Brian Bowman and city council for making moves to open Portage and Main to pedestrians. City council approved a plan last October for more studies, cost estimates and another vote on removing the barricades that were erected in the late 1970s as part of an agreement with six adjacent property owners to move people underground. “I think it’s wonderful you’re looking at opening Portage and Main to pedestrians. It’s where everybody goes to celebrate — especially a Stanley Cup,” she said. Sadik-Khan and other transportation experts are in Winnipeg to participate in the inaugural Mode Shift festival of human-scale cities, which aims to explore transportation, culture and health. Anders Swanson, Mode Shift’s program director and executive director of Winnipeg Trails, said transportation issues should be about more than just cars and trucks. “The way we move, especially how we want to move, is changing fast,” Swanson said. “This event is about how to make that transition a good one, a quick one, one where we end up with more patios, more bike lanes, more jobs, more money and, well, all-round happier people. This is about fixing our roads for good. “Our streetscape should be our landscape, but it isn’t when we put machines there... freeways don’t make a city. No one has ever come back from France with a postcard of a freeway.” Herbert Tiemens, a Dutch road design expert and bicycle policy adviser to the Kingdom of Netherlands, said whenever he comes to North America, he hears something he doesn’t hear in his country. “I’m always amazed about the noise of the traffic and how hard it is to cross streets,” Tiemens said. “In the Netherlands, we abandoned jaywalking and allowed people to cross everywhere on the street. People were doing it already. We’ve made other changes for pedestrians and it has worked very well. “People don’t want to go back to what it was before.” kevin.rollason(a)freepress.mb.ca

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More states pushing for free-range parenting laws
by Beth McKechnie 13 Apr '18

13 Apr '18

Very interesting article in light of the recent case in Vancouver ( https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/01/canada-father-bus-children-ad… ) * * * * * * New Utah legislation says giving well-cared for, mature kids freedom isn’t neglectful * * More states pushing for free-range parenting laws * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/free-range-parenting-l… SALT LAKE CITY— After Utah passed the United States’ first law legalizing so-called free-range parenting, groups in states from New York to Texas are pushing for similar steps to bolster the idea supporters say is an antidote for anxiety-plagued parents and overscheduled kids. Free-range parenting is the concept that giving kids the freedom to do things alone — like explore a playground or ride a bike to school — makes them healthier, happier and more resilient. It surfaced nearly a decade ago, when Lenore Skenazy touched off a firestorm with a column about letting her then-nine-year-old son ride the New York City subway alone. Since then, she’s become a vocal advocate for free-range parenting. Critics say letting kids strike out on their own can expose them to serious dangers, from criminals to cars. Parents have been investigated by child-welfare authorities in several high-profile cases, including a Maryland couple who allowed their six- and 10-year-old children to walk home alone from a park in 2015. But lawmakers and policy groups in several states say the protective pendulum has swung too far, and it’s time to send a message that parents who raise their children in a healthy environment can grant them more freedom. Utah’s new law specifies that it isn’t neglectful to let well-cared-for children travel to school, explore a playground or stay in the car alone if they’re mature enough to handle it. Free-range parenting differs from the concept of latchkey kids, or those who take care of themselves after school, in that it generally emphasizes getting kids outside in the neighbourhood as a way to develop independence, Boston-based clinical psychologist Bobbi Wegner said. Fears about letting kids make their own way date, at least in part, to cases like Etan Patz, who was among the first missing children pictured on milk cartons after disappearing while he walked to his New York City bus stop alone in 1979. Meanwhile, as education has become more essential in the workforce, parents are increasingly eager to give their kids a leg up with lessons in everything from coding to cello. “We sign our kids up for all these activities — tutoring, different things — to create this perfect resumé from a very young age, but it’s really at a detriment to the kid’s mental health,” Wegner said. While giving kids independence with parent oversight helps, it’s hard for adults to escape pressure to hover, she said. “Parents need permission to do this,” Wegner said. A self-avowed free-range parent, she said a police officer once knocked on her door and threatened to call child services after seeing her then-3½-old son standing at the end of the driveway talking to neighbourhood kids. She’d like to see Massachusetts follow Utah’s lead. In New York, Democratic state assemblyman Phil Steck said he’s gearing up to introduce a similar proposal. “When I was a child, you let your dogs and your children out after breakfast and... they had to be home for dinner,” he said. “I felt I gained a lot more from just playing on the street than my children did from being in organized sports activities.” It’s an idea that cuts across the ideological spectrum. Brandon Logan with the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation is working with lawmakers for a bill next year. “We expect adults to be independent, and we expect parents to raise their children to be independent, and you can’t do that whenever children are being micromanaged,” Logan said. A conservative group is also pushing for a bill in Idaho, and an Arkansas lawmaker whose effort failed plans to bring it back again. They’re all taking a close look at Utah’s law, which sailed through the legislature andwas signed by the governor of the majority-Mormon state known for big families andwide-open spaces. It doesn’t specify how old kids should be to do things alone, which lawmakers say will allow authorities to weigh each case separately. Discretion like that is important, said Stephen Hinshaw, a University of California, Berkeley psychology professor. Not every child is ready to ride their bike alongside busy roads, and participating in things like music lessons can teach them important skills. “Parents have to be smart about what is helping foster self-reliance and what is putting kids in a dangerous spot,” he said. Amy Coulter, a stay-at-home Utah mom of four girls and a boy, said she doesn’t call herself a free-range parent. But she does avoid intervening with teachers on her older kids’ grades and encourages her kids use their own money to buy things at the grocery store. “I want them to know that they’re capable,” she said of her children, who range in age from five to 14. In her Lehi neighbourhood, kids often roam the block “snack-hopping” at different homes. Recent Utah transplant Krista Whipple said she’s liked the concept of free-range parenting for years, but it was tough to practise it in her old Los Angeles neighbourhood, when most kids stayed behind fences. “I didn’t want to raise my kids all cooped up, but it always made me think twice,” said Whipple, a program manager at a St. George youth homeless shelter who has two boys and a girl who are three, four and six. “Kids are not in constant danger, and it’s OK to let them outside, and it’s OK... to let them get lost,” she said. “They’ll find their way home.” — The Associated Press

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AT Webinar: Got Counts? Now What? | Wed, Apr 25, 3-4pm
by Beth McKechnie 12 Apr '18

12 Apr '18

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wed, April 25th*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. Note this is a week later than usual due to ModeShift 2018 <https://modeshift.ca/> happening next week. cheers, Beth -- *Next webinar: April 25, 2018, 3-4pm* *Got Counts? Now what?* * The April webinar features emerging applications for count data and real-life case studies. You'll hear about North Carolina's cyclist data program and how to move from a sporadic count to a more intentional programmatic system. You'll also learn about a project from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and Fehr & Peers to place counters and develop approaches for utilizing the multi-modal count data for planning, funding, and evaluation. They'll discuss the approach for forecasting activity on specific facilities and how multi-modal counts can inform changes in mode share. * -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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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GoManitoba: A Better Commute is Possible (video)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Apr '18

11 Apr '18

Hi everyone, Please check out (and share!) our new video for GoManitoba, the online ridematching tool for carpoolers, bike and transit mentors: http://greenactioncentre.ca/healthy-travel/go-manitoba-video/ Sign up as a bike or bus mentor, and be entered to win an MEC gift certficate and Manitoba parks pass! thanks, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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: New transportation manager takes helm - greater emphasis on AT (Apr.9'18)
by Beth McKechnie 09 Apr '18

09 Apr '18

* New transportation manager takes helm * * Aims to restore trust following south Wilkes corridor controversy * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/new-transportation-manager-takes-he… CITY hall’s new manager of transportation realizes he’s got his work cut out for him. David Patman is heading up the public works division that took a public beating in the fall over the controversial south Wilkes corridor project. “There was a lot of talk in themedia about how projects were being managed, about how transportation was interacting with other departments and stakeholders,” said Patman, 39. “I think we’re in the process of rebuilding trust and making sure everyone has a comfort level with the department.” Patman was in charge of Winnipeg Transit’s eastern transit corridor study for the past year before moving to the public works department two weeks ago. He was introduced to councillors on the public works committee Friday, where he juggled double duties: briefing the committee on the eastern transit corridor study, and then hearing their beefs about the backlog of studies his transportation division has yet to do. Patman’s predecessor, Luis Escobar, had been with the city for 18 years when he unexpectedly gave notice at the end of August and left in October, just as trouble was about to tear through the division. Staff was openly criticized by city hall’s chief administrative officer, Doug Mc Neil, and the public works chairman, Coun. Marty Morantz, for developing what was derisively described as the “rogue” corridor route through Charleswood. While there were suggestions Mc-Neil and Morantz had ignored reports, it was the staff who were thrown under the bus and two senior planners subsequently left. Patman faces multiple tasks: restoring public trust and rebuilding staff confidence and the department. “People in my department do very good work. They take their work seriously. They’re very professional,” Patman said. “I just want to make sure everyone is aware of this.” Patman, married, is originally from southern Ontario. He moved to Canada with his family at the age of three from Liverpool, and still retains a trace of the English accent. Patman’s background includes working for a private engineering consulting firm and the City of Calgary’s transportation department. He’d been with Transit, in various roles, since September 2013. He’s also a hobby farmer, who for the past six years has been raising five alpacas on a small acreage in Anola. Patman oversees about 70 planners in the transportation division. They are responsible for street design; collecting data on vehicular, pedestrian and cycling traffic; dealing with improvements to intersections; designing bike paths; and overseeing traffic signals. He stresses collaboration as the key to success, within his department and others, with politicians and the public. “You want to make sure when you have a concept, we want to get people excited about it and try something dynamic and different, that everyone is on the same page and moving in the same direction, that it’s not going to hit a roadblock internally before it can get implemented.” Escobar hadareputation of approaching traffic and transportation issues in a very conservative manner. Patman, on the other hand, singles out the innovate approaches of his former employer, the City of Calgary, with the hint Winnipeggers might see some of the same. Patman said Calgary and other cities in North America sometimes deploy a “pop-up” approach to projects. He thinks a similar approach might work here. “They say ‘let’s try it and see if it works. If it doesn’t work, we can take it out.’” Patman said. “I think there’s a lot to be said about those ideas that are quick wins. It gets people paying attention to what we’re doing and giving us feedback.” Patman said Winnipeg has duplicated that process with reverse-angled parking in the Exchange District. A pilot project involving one street last summer became permanent and is being considered for other streets. Patman also wants to put a greater emphasis on active transportation modes: walking and cycling. “I know some people believe there is a war on the car, but the question is if it’s the right (transportation) tool for the right type of trip,” he said. “I’m not going to say I’m anti-car, but we need to look at what we can do to make sure all these different modes work together... and that we’re thinking about the more sustainable modes, which are the active transportation — walking, cycling and transit. They all have a role to play in the transportation mix.” aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: AT strategy delayed eight times (Apr.5'18)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

* Active-transportation strategy delayed eight times* * Two years and counting… for report * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/two-years-and-counting-for-report-4… PRESENTATION of a long-overdue report to the public works committee is being delayed for an eighth time, leaving active transportation advocates wondering if they aren’t a priority for the City of Winnipeg. Coun. Janice Lukes, who represents South Winnipeg-St. Norbert and is the former chairwoman of the infrastructure renewal and public works committee, requested a review of the winter maintenance strategy for the city’s active transportation network (including walking, cycling, wheelchair, in-line skating, skateboarding and more) in March 2016. More than two years later, Lukes believes the review is ready, but Mayor Brian Bowman’s office is delaying its release. “I am 99 per cent confident the report is done. There’s no way it would take longer than two years. There’s absolutely no way,” she said. “We just said, ‘Review the current processes, make recommendations and what would it cost.’ We didn’t ask them to implement it, so there’s no reason to hold it back. “Ultimately, the mayor sets every single standing policy committee agenda. He determines what goes on that agenda... I was chair of public works. He always looked to see what was on that agenda.” The public works committee will receive a report Friday detailing alternatives for snow clearing, such as adjusting sidewalk-clearing equipment to cut grass in summer months. Lukes said she thinks the active transportation report will be presented next month. Asked about the review’s delay Wednesday, Bowman said his office isn’t holding it back. “There’s no truth to that. I’m glad it’s coming forward,” the mayor said. “The committee has done their work. “I’m hoping they can look for improvements in quality of service to our residents. That’s, I think, a good discussion for the community to have and I’m looking forward to hearing what they have to say on it. And I would expect that at the coming (executive policy committee meeting), we can weigh in at that point.” The public works department would not accommodate an interview request Wednesday, but a spokesperson confirmed it will ask Friday for a 30-day extension on the report. It appears at least one community group that was to be consulted while the report was being compiled has yet to speak on the matter. Anders Swanson, executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association, said the group has not had anything approaching “meaningful consultation” with the city. Swanson helped organize a public event last week, Urban Brew —Sidewalks First, where some 90 people showed up to discuss the seriousness of Winnipeg’s winter- accessibility problems. Lukes’ initial motion asked the department work with stakeholders during consultations, including the Winnipeg Trails Association, Bike Winnipeg, Manitoban League of Persons with Disabilities, and the City of Winnipeg active transportation advisory. “We heard from somebody who can’t even make it to work, just because the side street in front of their door was not navigable in a wheelchair. We’re hearing about people being scared for their life having to cross the Osborne Bridge in a wheelchair. That’s messed up,” Swanson said Wednesday. “Mobility is a basic human right, especially if you happen to be in a wheelchair or needing to push a baby in a stroller. It should be one of the top priorities of our municipal government in general, honestly.” Mark Cohoe, director of Bike Winnipeg, said his group was consulted about a year ago, but hasn’t heard anything back about its input. “I think it does make it hard for us to go out to the public and say, ‘The city’s looking for your input. Please help us,’ if people know that it’s potentially meaningless — which is what it feels like when it takes a year to move from that stage,” Cohoe said. “It’s disappointing that we’re not moving forward on this (review). We’re a winter city. There’s no getting around the fact of providing people with options to walk, to bike, to bus or to drive. We need to make sure that they’re going to have an accessible route to get to their destinations... (the delay) tells me that we’re not really a priority.” — with files from Aldo Santin jessica.botelho(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Seattle passes parking reforms to tackle carbon free, ped and bike friendly vision for city
by Beth McKechnie 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

Citywide Parking Requirement Reform Passes in Seattle The U.S. city with the best recent history of convincing commuters to ditch the auto commute is taking further steps to make the city a little less car-centric. www.planetizen.com/news/2018/04/98053-citywide-parking-requirement-reform-p… "Seattle council members on Monday approved changes to the parking code <https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2018/3/30/how-seattle-s-new-law-would-c…> that they hope will ultimately tackle their carbon-free, pedestrian-and-bike-friendly, affordable vision for the city," reports Hayat Norimine. Specifically, the city's new parking ordinance, "expands areas that fall under the definition of 'frequent transit service,' reduces the parking minimum for affordable housing projects, increases requirements for bicycle parking, allows underused private parking lots to be open to the public, and separates parking fees from rental leases." Support for the new parking ordinance focused on the potential benefit to housing costs, not the potential environmental benefits of less driving. A previous article by Norimine provides more explanation and background <https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2018/3/30/how-seattle-s-new-law-would-c…> on the changes to Seattle's parking requirements. FULL STORY: Seattle City Council Approves Changes to Reduce Parking <https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2018/4/2/seattle-city-council-approves-…>

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*NEW DATE* From A to B is now May 2nd
by Mel Marginet 04 Apr '18

04 Apr '18

Greetings, We've had to reschedule our event, *From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment*. The event will now take place on May 2nd! Green Action Centre and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ present *FROM A TO B: EMPLOYEE WELLNESS AND OUR ENVIRONMENT* *Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Larry Frank* Wednesday, May 2nd | The Alt Hotel REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> Dr. Frank is a Professor in Sustainable Transportation and Public Health at the University of British Columbia and President of Urban Design 4 health, Inc. which builds software tools and documents health impacts of transportation and land development actions. He specializes in the interaction between land use, travel behavior, air quality; and health; and in the energy use, and climate change impacts of urban form policies. He coined the term “walkability” in the early – mid ’90s; his work led to WalkScore and has been cited over 24,000 times making him one of the 2 most cited planning academics. Thompson and Reuters lists him in the top 1% globally as a highly cited researcher. Dr. Frank has published over 150 peer reviewed articles and reports and co-authored two of the leading books – *Heath and Community Design* and *Urban Sprawl and Public Health* on which helped to map out the field emerging at the nexus between built, natural, and social environments and health. Dr. Frank works directly with local, regional, provincial or state, and federal agencies and developers to help translate results from leading edge research into practice based tools. *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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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Fwd: Reminder-2nd National Bike Summit- Abstracts due March 30th
by Anders Swanson 26 Mar '18

26 Mar '18

FYI. In case you are in the Ottawa area. If not, you can: - also follow parts of the conference via livestream. - consider emailing your MP about this event, and urging them to attend Anders Swanson Chair, Canada Bikes <http://canadabikes.org/> CanadaBikes.org <http://canadabikes.org/> Join us on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/CanadaBikes>. Follow us on Twitter <https://twitter.com/Canada_Bikes>. Become a member. <http://www.canadabikes.org/members/become-a-member/> Mail: c/o 303 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B4 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: CanadaBikes Events <events(a)canadabikes.org> Date: Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 1:16 PM Subject: Reminder-2nd National Bike Summit- Abstracts due March 30th To: events(a)canadabikes.org Dear Colleagues, The *Call for Abstracts for the 2nd National Bike Summit closes March 30th*. We hope you will *submit an abstract <http://www.canadabikes.org/activities/national-bike-summit-2018/call-for-ab…>.* * Vélo Canada Bikes is hosting the 2nd National Bike Summit <http://www.canadabikes.org/activities/national-bike-summit-2018/> **in Ottawa on May 28th and 29th, 2018* in conjunction with the 7th annual Bike Day on the Hill celebration. *Summit registration is open* <http://www.canadabikes.org/activities/national-bike-summit-2018/registratio…>* and early bird and student discounts are available.* Those who register by April 15th will be included in a cycling education morning with Parliamentarians. Vélo Canada Bikes is a non-profit organization that advocates for increased federal support for everyday cycling in Canada. Canada Bikes has a vision of a Canada where all people of all ages and abilities can safely use a bicycle for daily transportation. We look forward to seeing you at the Summit! Sincerely, The Summit organizing team

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Friday smile: Toddlers take to the streets
by Beth McKechnie 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

*Toddlers Take to the Streets* What happens when toddlers explore urban environments on their own terms? For the past year, Jacob Krupnick has been setting one- and two-year-olds loose on city streets, filming the answer to this question. The delightful film series, entitled Young Explorers Club, shows what happens when parents allow their kids to engage with urban spaces without any prompts, directions or guidance. Warning: cuteness ensues. Allissa Walker explores why this experiment is more important than just the smile it brings to our faces. Full story: https://www.curbed.com/2018/2/8/16981456/kids-cities- walking-film-jacob-krupnick-young-explorers-club Direct link to videos - https://www.youngexplorers.club/home -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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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Urban Brew: Sidewalks First! Winter City Accessibility March 28
by Beth McKechnie 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

A timely discussion next Wed after work at the Good Will (poster attached)... *From:* Urban Brew <urbanbrewwpg(a)gmail.com> *Subject:* Urban Brew: Sidewalks First! Winter City Accessibility March 28 Hello! There’s been a lot of talk lately about sidewalk accessibility – not just during Winnipeg’s winters, but all year round. And not just for people with disabilities, but for older folks, parents with strollers and pedestrians of all kinds. We’re tackling this topic at our next Urban Brew event, March 28 at the Good Will Social Club. If you don’t know, Urban Brew is a group of Winnipeggers who meet quarterly over beers to talk about better urban design. At this event, we’ll hear from experts and then break out into smaller discussion groups to explore ways other winter cities deal with sidewalk maintenance that might work in Winnipeg. All the details are on the enclosed poster! Please consider attending, and sharing the event with your network. We would love to see you there! Sincerely, The Urban Brew team www.facebook.com/pg/UrbanBrewWPG @UrbanBrewWPG

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ModeShift in Winnipeg: Janette Sadik-Khan, Herbert Tiemens, Kay Teschke, Robin Mazumder and YOU
by Anders Swanson 22 Mar '18

22 Mar '18

Hello AT network... I wanted to make sure to extend a warm early invitation to ModeShift <http://Modeshift.ca>- an exciting new event coming up next month, starting on the 15th April. I doubt any of you will want to miss it. Tickets for Janette Sadik-Khan at the WAG on April 16 <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/street-fight-an-evening-with-janette-sadik-khan…>are on sale now and likely to sell out, so get yours soon. Choosing the early bird ModeShift registration option gets you into the WAG event and a whole lot more, including a full conference on April 18-19. What's happening that week? We have high profile guests coming to speak from the US, the Netherlands, Canada, and equally exciting folks from here at home. Besides a tight-knit conference, there will be public events in the evening that week, outdoor tours, dinner dates, action taking place on the street and more. Engineers, urbanists, planners who love cycling take note: Herbert Tiemens and engineer/planner responsible for bicycle policy for the region of Utrecht is a go-to voice both nationally and internationally on all things Dutch design. He will be giving an intensive pre-conference workshop. Be there. Details coming soon, but save April 16-17 if you can. And academics, culture makers, public health experts: don't miss Kay Teschke talk. She wants to talk about helmets (yes, she's going there...) and other things she has not been shy to research in her time heading up some of the most well-known transportation research coming out of the UBC. Robin is a veery smart and interesting guy. I can't wait to tell you what Mr.Mazumder is cooking up. If any of you would be willing to use your professional expertise to work with youth to help make their city-building dreams come alive, you will want to join us for that too. A full slate will be released by the start of April but I think you will find this all pretty darn exciting already. I do. Watch the website for regular updates as we put on the final touches. Check out this video teaser on Twitter <https://twitter.com/WinnipegTrails/status/974325127973400576> and Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/WinnipegTrails/videos/1617833251633548/> and share widely if you like it! If you want to get more directly involved or here details, give me a call. Would love to chat and tell you more. Kindly, Anders ED, Winnipeg Trails Conference Director for ModeShift

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Last Chance to Register! | From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment
by Mel Marginet 21 Mar '18

21 Mar '18

Greetings, We hope you can join us next week for *From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment* <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>, featuring a keynote from *Dr. Larry Frank* <https://scarp.ubc.ca/people/lawrence-frank> and break-out sessions on *Healthy, Sustainable Workplaces*, *Workplace Transportation 101* and *Connecting Workplace Health to Our Environment*. The event will include a 24 page resource guide for you to take back to your workplace, a delicious lunch and a post-event mixer with a complimentary beverage and snacks where you can network with other attendees in a relaxed environment. To assist us in planning for the event, please register <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> by *noon on Friday, March 23rd*! *REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>* *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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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Montreal considering separate traffic laws for cyclists
by Beth McKechnie 17 Mar '18

17 Mar '18

Many cyclists (including this one) complain that rules designed for cars don't make sense for bikes. Some even occasionally just slow down for stop signs. In the City of Montreal they are finally having a look at this, and developing new rules for cyclists. Full story: https://www.treehugger.com/bikes/montreal-considering-separate-traffic-laws…

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WFP: Mayor mulls snow-clearing changes after complaints (Mar.15'18)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Mar '18

15 Mar '18

* Mayor mulls snow-clearing changes after complaints* COMPLAINTS about the poor job of sidewalk clearing following last week’s snowstorm have prompted Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman to speculate about changing how the work is done. Bowman told reporters Wednesday he is willing to change the sidewalk snow-clearing policy, if the city can afford it. “I’m open to making changes, if we can improve the quality of service for thosewho rely on our sidewalks to get around our city,” Bowman said. “I think reviewing the policy is a good idea. I think we should be open to changes that can work within our financial means to improve the quality of service for those that have accessibility needs.” Advocates for the disabled, cyclists and transit have long complained the policy favours vehicles over other forms of transportation, and last week’s storm only added to the controversy. While most Winnipeg streets are clear of snow, sidewalks in many areas remain impassible. Many people complained city hall wasn’t following its own rules for clearing sidewalks downtown and on busy streets within 36 hours of the end of a storm. “It doesn’t matter if you’re walking, biking or taking transit, the system we have is just not working for everyone,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. “A week delay between a snowstorm and a clean street that is accessible for you is just not workable.” Allen Mankewich, a wheelchair user who lives and works downtown, said there’s no question the city is not complying with council’s direction to clear sidewalks on busy streets at the same time as the roads. “I live on a P1 (regional) street and I wasn’t even able to get down my street until earlier this week. A week after the storm, I had to go a different way each day just to get to work,” he said. Mankewich said when he tried to manoeuvre a downtown sidewalk three days after the storm, he ended up flipping his wheelchair. “The job that they’ve done wasn’t adequate,” he said. “As far as I can tell, the snow-clearing policy that is on the books, they weren’t even following that.” Mankewich said clearing sidewalks to compacted snow conditions is acceptable when the temperature falls below -20 C. When the temperature hovers around freezing, as they have since the March 5 storm, the snow is too soft and creates conditions that are impossible to traverse for people who have mobility issues and for those who use a wheelchair. He said some of those people have been forced to use roads, despite concern over safety. Councillors have been waiting two years for a report on how to improve sidewalk snow-clearing. In March 2016, the public works committee directed the public works department to work with various stakeholders— Winnipeg Trails Association, Bike Winnipeg, Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities and the city’s own active-transportation advisory committee — to establish terms of reference for a review of the policy, with the aim of developing a strategy that refocuses the priority to include sidewalks, as well as pedestrian and cycling paths. It also asked for cost estimates. After repeated delays, the administration is expected to deliver a report to the public works committee at its April 6 meeting. While Bowman said he’s looking forward to hearing what the administration has to say, Cohoe pointed out it’s taken the public works department two years just to return with a request to initiate a study that will include cost estimates and options. Cohoe said he suspects public works department staff is reluctant to initiate a study requiring council to find additional funds, if making sidewalks accessible across the city in winter is a priority. In the meantime, Bowman said he wants to know if the department complied with the sidewalk policy this past week. “The question that I’ve raised with the public service (is) whether or not the policy as directed has been followed and to what extent, over the last week,” he said. “The direction previous councils have established is that P1 (regional) sidewalks are cleared in the same priority as P1 roads. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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study of health benefits of cycling
by Jeremy Hull 14 Mar '18

14 Mar '18

Report in today's Sun: http://winnipegsun.com/life/living/cycling-slows-down-aging-study-says/wcm/… The key to the fountain of youth may rest on the back of a bicycle. A new study found that cycling can hold back the effects of aging and help boost the immune system. Researchers studied a group of 125 amateur cyclists aged 55 to 79 and compared them to a group of 75 healthy adults aged 57 to 80 who did not exercise regularly and 55 young adults between the ages of 20 and 36. It found cyclists preserved muscle mass and strength as they aged, while maintaining stable levels of body fat and cholesterol. According to the research, an organ called the thymus, which makes immune cells called T-cells, typically starts to shrink at 20-years-old. However, the thymuses of older cyclists were generating as many T-cells as those of young people. “Hippocrates in 400 BC said that exercise is man’s best medicine, but his message has been lost over time and we are an increasingly sedentary society,” said professor Janet Lord, director of the Institute of Inflammation and Aging at the University of Birmingham to the U.K. Guardian <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/08/cycling-keeps-your-imm…> . “However, importantly, our findings debunk the assumption that ageing automatically makes us more frail. Our research means we now have strong evidence that encouraging people to commit to regular exercise throughout their lives is a viable solution to the problem that we are living longer but not healthier.” The study’s findings were outlined in two papers for the journal Aging Cell <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1474-9726>.

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WFP: City homes in on option two for greenway extension (Mar.14'18)
by Beth McKechnie 14 Mar '18

14 Mar '18

City homes in on option two for greenway extension *Addition will connect pedestrians from St. James to Dan Mac * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/sports/City-homes-in-on-o… *l* The City of Winnipeg is prioritizing a fasttracked option for the Yellow Ribbon Greenway extension. On March 6, the CoW hosted a public info session on the YRG at the Bord-Aire Community Centre (417 Hampton St.), which saw a small but engaged turnout. The drop-in event was aimed at providing area residents with probable plans for a pedestrian (cycling and walking) corridor to be added between the existing YRG and St. Matthews Avenue. Option one is a connected pathway which would take pedestrians northeast off of the existing greenway, just as it dips south to meet Silver Avenue. Option two is a much shorter pathway and would take cyclists and walkers north from the greenway, just before it meets Silver Avenue, to where it would join St. Matthews Avenue. The budget for option two is $750,000, while the budget for option one, including the construction of a bridge, is $1.3 million. The City’s active transportation co-ordinator Stephanie Whitehouse said most people want to see this connective trail put into place as soon as possible, and the difference for cyclists is only 60 seconds extra time with option two, making it favourable with the community as well. Whitehouse said while stakeholders and engineers explored a number of options internally, cost and timeline are big factors in why the City is tentatively moving ahead with option two. “It proved the preferred option because we can roll it out relatively quickly within this year,” Whitehouse said. “Option one wasn’t really within our current budget, so it meant construction would have to happen over a few years.” The plan looked promising to some residents. “It’s encouraging,” Westwood resident Paul Gittel said at the event. “If you have more people cycling, you’ll have a healthier population. I don’t cycle in the winter, I cross-country ski, but that adds an option for people who do (cycle).” Whitehouse said the project will connect two areas of the city that already see a lot of cycling. “What it’s supporting is, of course, local access to this amazing YRG, but as well, we want to support the commuter movement towards the downtown, where we’ve got the University of Winnipeg, the downtown core, Polo Park.” St. Matthews Avenue should also see the completion of buffered bicycle lanes this summer, which Whitehouse says is a “key corridor” towards the downtown. Coun. Scott Gillingham (St. James-Weston-Brooklands) said the extension was a campaign promise that he’s very excited to see through. “I’m hearing more and more from people that want to cycle, not just for recreation but as a means of commuting to and from work or school, and by providing this pathway, it increases the confidence that cyclists have because a lot of it will separate cyclists from vehicles,” Gillingham said. “This will connect St. James to the River Heights area and downtown, and it’s a very important project.” More info and maps can be found at winnipeg. ca/publicworks/pedestrians Cycling/ walkbikeprojects/yellowribbongreenwayextension. stm#tab-documents

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From A to B | Post event mixer confirmed!
by Mel Marginet 08 Mar '18

08 Mar '18

Greetings AT community, March 27th is *From A to B: Employee Wellness and Our Environment <http://greenactioncentre.ca/featured/2018-speaker-event-from-a-to-b-employe…>.* *When the program wraps at 4:30, we move into the ALT's Banquet Hall for a post event mixer, featuring snacks, a complimentary beverage and cash bar. This is an excellent opportunity to debrief and network in a relaxed environment. * *REGISTER TODAY! <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>* *Don't miss this event linking Workplace Wellness and sustainability. * Dr. Frank is a Professor in Sustainable Transportation and Public Health at the University of British Columbia and President of Urban Design 4 health, Inc. which builds software tools and documents health impacts of transportation and land development actions. He specializes in the interaction between land use, travel behavior, air quality; and health; and in the energy use, and climate change impacts of urban form policies. He coined the term “walkability” in the early – mid 90’s; his work led to WalkScore and has been cited over 24,000 times making him one of the 2 most cited planning academics. Thompson and Reuters lists him in the top 1% globally as a highly cited researcher. Dr. Frank has published over 150 peer reviewed articles and reports and co-authored two of the leading books – *Heath and Community Design *and *Urban Sprawl and Public Health *on which helped to map out the field emerging at the nexus between built, natural, and social environments and health. Dr. Frank works directly with local, regional, provincial or state, and federal agencies and developers to help translate results from leading edge research into practice based tools. *Mel Marginet* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x112 | 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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Inspiration from Calgary
by Beth McKechnie 07 Mar '18

07 Mar '18

DON’T LET ANYONE TELL YOU WE DON’T KNOW HOW TO INCREASE BIKING IN A CITY The latest bike counts <http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation/TP/Pages/Cycling/Bike-Data.aspx?redire…> from Calgary, Alberta — the site of a 2015 pilot project that cheaply installed a five-street downtown protected bike lane network <https://peopleforbikes.org/blog/calgary-rolls-out-a-downtown-protected-bike…> in one swoop — show that the Canadian city continues to be the continent’s clearest example of an auto-oriented city that got immediate results by quickly building a simple low-stress biking network in an area where many people want to go. ...in purely technical terms, Calgary’s recent experience is a message for any city that wants to change its transportation habits: Yes, it can be done. And we already know how. *Full story *(with maps!) - https://peopleforbikes.org/blog/dont-let-anyone-tell-you-that-we-dont-know-…

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We Need to Get More Kids on Bikes
by Dave Elmore 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

https://www.outsideonline.com/2283231/wasted-years Schools used to teach auto shop. Maybe it’s time to start teaching bike shop. Recently, as part of a series of lessons about “community helpers,” in which parents talk about their vocations, my son’s preschool teacher asked me to come in and tell the kids what I do. “What do you do, anyway?” she asked, looking me up and down. “I write about bicycles,” I replied. No doubt relieved that my job was far less sordid than my slovenly appearance might suggest, she penciled me in for an appearance between the doctors and librarians and other upstanding members of society. On the appointed day, I arrived with my props. Writing is a fairly abstract concept for three year-olds to grasp, so my presentation was heavy on the bikes. I had pictures of people racing, commuting, and just plain having fun on two wheels. I also let everyone take a spin on my son’s balance bike, and I even showed them how a Brompton works, because kids love things that make loud noises and can sever a digit. All in all, it went pretty well. Nobody wound up stuck in the Brompton like a thief in the stocks, and nobody soiled themselves. As for lessons learned, I can’t speak for the kids, but for me the balance bike test ride in particular was nothing short of a revelation. Very young children have boundless energy and relentless curiosity. While these qualities may make sitting near them in restaurants or on airplanes a living hell, when harnessed and directed, it’s a wonder to behold. Such was the case when the kids in the class finally got the green light to get out of their seats and hop on the balance bike. As a middle-aged cyclist psychically scarred from decades of anti-bike acrimony, the guileless enthusiasm and delight with which each child took to that little bike filled me with a dopey kind of joy. I felt like that bear pressing the clean shirt to his face in the fabric-softener commercial. Of course nothing pure remains untainted forever, and sooner or later that childlike joy of discovery succumbs to cynicism, apathy, or any number of the contaminants that are a by-product of age. Reading becomes onerous, math becomes a source of anxiety. Then there’s the bicycle, which most of us simply forget. When I asked the kids, “Who has a bicycle?” everyone raised a hand. Alas, I can pretty much guarantee it will be a much different story in ten years. A bike may still be de rigeur for the toddler set, but the relationship is fraught from the very start. “Not without your helmet!” screams the parent in the playground as the child attempts to straddle the Lightning McQueen bike from Toys ‘R Us, so instead the kid walks away from it in favor of the monkey bars. (For some reason, we’re comfortable with the possibility of kids falling from a great height without safety gear, but not with them puttering around helmet-less on a 10-inch bike with training wheels.) Then the bike goes home in the trunk. Since there’s no compelling reason to ride beyond recreation (we’ve pretty much killed the idea of riding to school and to visit friends), and since we’ve effectively stigmatized that recreation with our safety gear fixation, by adolescence the only kids still on bikes are the ones who were born with the burning desire to ride coursing through their veins and who have a high-risk tolerance. The rest just ride in the Hyundai until they pass their driving tests. Fortunately, more and more people are finding their way back to bikes as grown-ups. Maybe they’re looking for a new form of recreation or maybe a new bike lane in their city inspires them to try riding to work. Unfortunately, many of these people have a gaping hole in their riding experience due to those lost cycling years between early childhood and adulthood. This is one reason why American cycling can look a bit, well, silly. After all, if you didn’t come of age riding a bike, how are you supposed to know what you’re doing? The result of this experience gap is unsteady riders going against traffic, or else over-kitted dilettantes with more equipment than sense. Years ago when I was young and arrogant, my impulse was to mock them, but now I just want to hug them. “It’s not your fault,” I want to say to them as they rest their ill-fitting helmets on my shoulder. “Your best cycling years were taken from you!” The delight kids feel when presented with a bicycle is near-universal and knows no gender. What if we fostered that delight by making bikes an ongoing part of their education? In Washington, D.C., second graders are learning to ride in school <https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/all-dc-public-schools-studen…> : *“This a lifelong skill,” said Miriam Kenyon, director of health and physical education for D.C. Public Schools. “It’s a way students can get to school and it’s also a way they can exercise with their family. It promotes independence, and it’s a good way to get around.”* Why not do this everywhere? Furthermore, the desire to ride is always there, and it’s going to manifest itself one way or another. For example, all over the country, kids are participating in “ride outs <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRD47TgfYqA>.” The media likes to portray them <https://www.transalt.org/bike-forecast/2017/20/september-21st-2017-safety-n…> as the end of civilization as we know it, but an alternate view is that civilization ended when we surrendered our streets to cars and the next generation reclaiming them is merely the natural order of things. Wheelies aside, the bicycle can play a role in nearly every phase of your life. Casting it aside is like thinking you’ll never use math. Sooner or later you’re going to regret it.

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One Month Away! From A to B: Employee Wellness & Our Environment
by Heather Mitchell 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

On *March 27th, 2018* The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ & Green Action Centre present: *FROM A TO B: EMPLOYEE WELLNESS & OUR ENVIRONMENT <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>* featuring keynote speaker *DR. LARRY FRANK* Author of *Health and Community Design* and *Urban Sprawl and Public Health,* and Professor and Bombardier Chair in Sustainable Transportation and Health (University of British Columbia). Join us <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…> for an informative afternoon at the Alt Hotel in Downtown Winnipeg. You'll hear from various guest speakers and organizations who are working to create healthier workplaces and communities. Following the keynote, attendees will attend three break-out sessions for a short presentation followed by group discussion. Break-out topics will be: Healthy and Sustainable Workplaces, Workplace Transportation 101, and Connecting Workplace Health to Our Environment. *$50 tickets ON SALE NOW <https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/from-a-to-b-employee-wellness-and-our-environme…>! Lunch is included in price.* Contact gohappy(a)greenactioncentre.ca with any questions. Dr. Frank is a Professor in Sustainable Transportation and Public Health at the University of British Columbia and President of Urban Design 4 health, Inc. which builds software tools and documents health impacts of transportation and land development actions. He specializes in the interaction between land use, travel behavior, air quality; and health; and in the energy use, and climate change impacts of urban form policies. He coined the term “walkability” in the early – mid ’90s; his work led to WalkScore and has been cited over 24,000 times making him one of the 2 most cited planning academics. Thompson and Reuters lists him in the top 1% globally as a highly cited researcher. Dr. Frank has published over 150 peer reviewed articles and reports and co-authored two of the leading books – *Heath and Community Design* and *Urban Sprawl and Public Health* on which helped to map out the field emerging at the nexus between built, natural, and social environments and health. Dr. Frank works directly with local, regional, provincial or state, and federal agencies and developers to help translate results from leading edge research into practice based tools. -- *Heather Mitchell * Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> | 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue (204) 925-3777 ext:107 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 <https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/green-action-centre/>. <http://canadahelps.org/> <https://www.gomanitoba.ca/Public/Home.aspx>

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WFP: Angle parking in Exchange to be permanent, expanded (Feb.22'18)
by Beth McKechnie 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

*Angle parking in Exchange to be permanent, expanded * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/report-recommends- adding-angle-parking-to-more-streets-474723113.html ANGLED parking, once the domain of towns with one street light, is making a comeback in Winnipeg. An administrative report to next week’s public works committee meeting recommends backed-in, angle parking on one side of Bannatyne Avenue in the Exchange District be made permanent, and that angle parking be expanded to nearby streets. “The new back-in, angled parking on Bannatyne is a better fit for residents, businesses, and visitors alike, and we would like to thank the businesses and residents of the Exchange District for their patience, participation and feedback as this recent pilot helped us to improve parking in the area,” Coun. Mike Pagtakhan said. Pagtakhan (Point Douglas) said the return to angled parking creates more onstreet parking spaces, which is important as the popularity of the Exchange District as a shopping, dining and entertainment destination continues to grow. City hall has been testing back-in, angled parking on the south side of Bannatyne Avenue from Rorie Street to Waterfront Drive since July 2017. Changing the parallel parking stalls to back-in, angled parking, meant 10 additional cars could park in that section of Bannatyne. To facilitate the change, that stretch of Bannatyne was converted into a oneway street. An administrative report to the Feb. 27 meeting states public reaction to the new/old-style parking has been generally positive, with little effect on street traffic. The public works department is recommending Mc Dermot Avenue from Waterfront Drive to Rorie Street be converted into a one-way eastbound street with back-in, angled parking this year. The report states this would add nine parking spaces. The department is considering expanding the back-in, angled parking to other Exchange District streets, the report states, to compensate for the loss of on-street parking that resulted from the construction of protected bicycle lanes along Mc Dermot and Bannatyne avenues during 2017. With the construction of protected bike lanes along Mc Dermot and Bannatyne avenues this summer as part of the West Alexander to East Exchange Corridor project, and other bike lane projects in the vicinity, the public service is also looking at adding back-in, angled parking in a number of other locations throughout the Exchange to offset some loss of parking spots due to these projects. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Reminder: Winnipeg Climate Action Plan - Feb 27 Public Priorities Workshop
by Beth McKechnie 20 Feb '18

20 Feb '18

Recognizing that climate change is a serious global environmental problem, the City of Winnipeg is moving forward to formulate a community climate action plan, an initiative called the Winnipeg Climate Action Plan: Planning for Climate Change. Acting for People. In November 2017, stakeholders were invited to provide input into the development of the Plan. The intent of the initial phase was to create a climate vision for the City, introduce target-setting, and begin talking about climate actions. We are now inviting the public to an evening workshop where we will discuss and provide input on the draft climate actions that we have developed to date. Your participation will help to prioritize actions the City and the community partners to help reduce GHG emissions. Please see the official news release below and the attached event postcard for more detail. We look forward to seeing you there! Lindsay Mierau Office of Sustainability * * * * * For Immediate Release Tuesday, February 13, 2018 *Public invited to help shape Winnipeg's Climate Action Plan* Winnipeg, MB - The City of Winnipeg is inviting residents to a public workshop to help provide input on actions being proposed as part of Winnipeg's Climate Action Plan: Planning for Climate Change. Acting for People. The purpose of this process is to develop strategies that will lead to a community-wide climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In November 2017, the City launched the project with a public kick-off event at The University of Winnipeg. Over 70 residents attended, and provided ideas and input into Winnipeg's climate vision and targets. A follow up Facebook Live event aimed to gather more specific input about climate actions related to buildings, land use, transportation and waste in Winnipeg. "The feedback we have received from the public and our Climate Action Advisory Committee has been used to draft climate targets and actions. We have undertaken additional analysis to help prioritize these actions. Now it's time for the public to tell us if we have got it right," said Lindsay Mierau, Environmental Coordinator with the City's Office of Sustainability. Residents are invited to a public engagement session on February 27, 2018 at 6 p.m. which will allow citizens to review and provide feedback about the draft Action Plan. This will be the final opportunity for residents to participate in the process before it goes to Council for consideration in the spring. * Public Engagement Session:* * Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2018 * Time: Doors open at 5:45 p.m.; session runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. * Location: North Centennial Community Centre, 90 Sinclair Street Please RSVP by February 23, 2018 at climateactionreview.eventbrite.ca< http://www.climateactionreview.eventbrite.ca> or call 204-986-6978 to register. The Plan is funded by a Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund grant totalling $94,875. For more information on the project, please visit winnipeg.ca/climateaction<http://www.winnipeg.ca/ climateaction>. -30- Media inquiries should be directed to the City of Winnipeg Media Inquiry Line at 204-986-6000 or via email at City-MediaInquiry(a)winnipeg.ca Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/cityofwinnipeg Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/cityofwinnipeg

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APBP Webinar: Be Creative! Art, Placemaking and Funding | Feb. 21st
by Beth McKechnie 20 Feb '18

20 Feb '18

*** Friendly reminder re tomorrow's webinar on creative placemaking *** Greetings, Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wednesday, February 21st*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. -- *Next webinar: February 21, 2018, 2-3pm* *Be Creative! Art, Placemaking and Funding* Creative placemaking projects that help to transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core. Panelists will speak about grant funding opportunities for placemaking projects such as through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town grant program. The Our Town program is investing in projects that bring diverse partners together to integrate the arts into community revitalization work. Panelists will also discuss case studies and solutions highlighted in Smart Growth America's recent field scan: Arts, Culture and Transportation: A Creative Placemaking Field Scan <http://t4america.org/maps-tools/creative-placemaking-field-scan>. *Presenters:* Katherine Bray-Simons, Design Specialist, National Endowment for the Arts Ben Stone, Director of Arts & Culture, Smart Growth America -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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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Montreal wants to make full stops optional for cyclists
by Beth McKechnie 15 Feb '18

15 Feb '18

Montreal wants to make full stops optional for cyclists Other proposed Highway Safety Code updates include stiffer penalties for dooring http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-wants-to-make-full-stop… You might have heard this before: Montreal wants stiffer penalties for dooring, and it wants cyclists to be permitted to merely slow down at stop signs. Those were among the recommendations the city unveiled as part of its brief to Quebec’s transportation ministry as it goes through the process of reforming the province’s Highway Safety Code. Marianne Giguère, who is charged with the active transportation file (biking, walking, skateboarding) for Mayor Valérie Plante’s administration, said it is time for the code to reflect the reality that already exists on the city’s streets. She said cyclists now rarely make full stops at intersections, and doing so can be considered dangerous at certain times. While she said cyclists will still have to yield for pedestrians, she wants to remove the obligation to stop and she wants the province to allow cyclists to also turn right on red lights. “This is already recognized in many cities around the world for drivers,” Giguère said. “In Montreal, we have chosen not to do this, for good reasons. But for cyclists, we should also give them the rights that are more appropriate for their way of getting around, while still making sure they respect the most vulnerable (which are pedestrians).” Giguère said the law must be amended to protect the most vulnerable, but it must also recognize that cars are a much greater risk than bicycles on the road. Giguère said the city also wants cyclists injured by an opening car door to be eligible to apply for compensation from the province’s licence bureau. To do that, the law has to be changed to classify dooring incidents as accidents. Currently, only those injured by moving vehicles are eligible for compensation from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec. The Plante administration detailed other changes it would like to see in the code to make streets safer, including forcing all trucks in the province to be equipped with side skirts, which could prevent pedestrians or cyclists from falling under trucks if they are in a collision, a measure for which safety advocates have been advocating for many years. The measures announced Wednesday were similar to those announced by former mayor Denis Coderre’s administration in September of 2015. <http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/city-proposes-new-rules-for-cycl…> The province has been considering changes to its Highway Safety Code for nearly four years. Reacting to a rash of cyclists killed or injured in collisions with cars <http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/velo-quebec-concerned-after-thre…> in July of 2014, then transport minister Robert Poëti put in place a round table comprised of cycling- and road-safety advocates including former racer and cycling-safety advocate Louis Garneau. Poëti promised the changes would be in place by the end of 2015. Three transport ministers and four years later, the only change to the code has been to implement a rule that cars must give one metre of room when passing cyclists, or 1.5 metres when the speed limit is higher than 50 kilometres per hour. The province also increased the maximum fine for opening a door into a cyclist to $300 from $30. Late last year, the province introduced Bill 165 <http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/new-road-safety-bill-aims-to-cra…>, which imposes stiffer fines for distracted driving, and also puts in place more restrictions for new drivers and those with learner’s permits. The province has called for input about the law, and the city responded with a brief unveiled Wednesday <http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/prt_vdm_fr/media/documents…> . Among the other measures requested by the city are: • to allow children to ride their bikes on sidewalks. • to increase the fines for cyclists, with stiffer fines reserved for the most dangerous infractions. • redefine the types of vehicles that can use bike paths to include other types of active transportation, like skateboards. • make it illegal to cycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • revise the definition of a bicycle to allow front baskets and rear hitches. • revisit the rules to allow the SAAQ to cover collisions involving non-motorized vehicles. For drivers of motorized vehicles, the city is asking the province: • to review the rules surrounding dynamic signs on the sides of roads to limit distractions. • to add reading and eating to the list of tasks that are considered to be distracted driving. • to impose strict fines and clear conditions for people driving under the influence of marijuana. • to allow the city to deploy automated technology to manage traffic. The city also wishes for the province to allow for the adoption of pilot projects to test automated cars on the streets. Speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon, Plante said she’d like to see the province adopt rules that better reflect the reality of living in Montreal, and perhaps adopt different rules for both urban and rural settings. She said doing so will improve the lives of cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. “Montreal is a cycling city and we’re recognized around the world for that,” Plante said. “We are proposing accommodations to facilitate fluidity and security. We’ll see how that will be seen by Quebec.” jmagder(a)postmedia.com

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APBP Webinar: Be Creative! Art, Placemaking and Funding | Feb. 21st
by Heather Mitchell 14 Feb '18

14 Feb '18

Greetings, Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on *Wednesday, February 21st*, for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Best, Heather -- *Next webinar: February 21, 2018, 2-3pm* *Be Creative! Art, Placemaking and Funding* Creative placemaking projects that help to transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core. Panelists will speak about grant funding opportunities for placemaking projects such as through the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town grant program. The Our Town program is investing in projects that bring diverse partners together to integrate the arts into community revitalization work. Panelists will also discuss case studies and solutions highlighted in Smart Growth America's recent field scan: Arts, Culture and Transportation: A Creative Placemaking Field Scan <http://t4america.org/maps-tools/creative-placemaking-field-scan>. *Presenters:* Katherine Bray-Simons, Design Specialist, National Endowment for the Arts Ben Stone, Director of Arts & Culture, Smart Growth America -- *Heather Mitchell * Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> | 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue (204) 925-3777 ext:107 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 <https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/green-action-centre/>. <http://canadahelps.org/> <https://www.gomanitoba.ca/Public/Home.aspx>

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Portage Daily Graphic: AT path well used even in winter (Feb.7'18)
by Beth McKechnie 08 Feb '18

08 Feb '18

Active transportation path a winter walkway http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/2018/02/07/active-transportation-path-a-… Even during the winter, it’s a popular way to get across town. The Fisher Avenue active transportation pathway that was completed last summer continues to see strong usage even during the dead of winter. “It’s been a decent winter for us and pretty easy to maintain,” says Brian Taylor, City of Portage's manager of public works. “We use a skid-steer to do the clearing. We’ll use a bucket if it’s drifted in but if it’s just a mist or light dusting we can put a broom attachment on to clear it off.” Just one employee oversees the care of the walking path, which is cleared as required, along with the outdoor rinks the city is in charge of. Bikers and runners alike can be seen taking advantage of the path that runs parallel to the tracks across much of town. “I use little grippers under my runners but the path is in such awesome shape I probably don’t need them, you can even see asphalt in most spots,” says Glory Waldner, who makes use of the path almost daily. “I’ve actually been running and had the plow come up behind me to pass, so the city is out when they’re needed. I’m just so happy they’re keeping it clean for us that use it as often as we do.” The Fisher Avenue active transportation pathway is completely paved from 18th Street NW to 6th Street NE and was completed in July 2017.

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WFP: Attention to bike lane lacking, cyclists say (Feb.1'18)
by Beth McKechnie 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

*Lacklustre snow removal most common concern raised* * Attention to bike lane lacking, cyclists say * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/attention-to-bike-lane-lacking-cycl… IT’S been almost four years since the City of Winnipeg installed its first protected bike lane on Sherbrook Street, yet drivers continue to park in its midst, blocking theway for cyclists. Regular snow clearing of the lane has also been lacklustre, according to cyclists, even though the adjacent street is designated Priority 1 on the city’s list. Coun. Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) says she noticed four cars parked in the Sherbrook bike lane just this week. “There’s no clear barrier, like a cement barricade, to make sure that cars don’t park in the lane,” Gerbasi said Wednesday. “It’s harder to see in the winter visually, especially if the snow isn’t plowed very well.” The councillor said city staff saw her tweet about the incident Monday and are now looking into the matter. She suggested the city might consider installing a barrier to alert drivers they shouldn’t park directly next to the curb. Signage in the area is fairly clear. A graphic image of a car designates drivers can park for free for two hours between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday; a cyclist logo next to the car image indicates there’s a black diamond lane for bikes on the right. At least one driver was parked in the bike lane Wednesday morning, causing cyclist Grace Mac Ewan to swerve closer to traffic. Mac Ewan said she bikes the stretch daily and although vehicles are sometimes obstacles, the snowclearing — or lack thereof — is worse. The vehicle she avoided belonged to Lewis Rackham, a retired resident of Whyte Ridge who told the Free Press he parked there for a 10-minute errand because he didn’t know any better. “I didn’t see anything — oh, shoot,” he said, noticing one of the signs. “I was thinking, ‘Well, there’s nobody here.’” Mark Cohoe, director of advocacy group Bike Winnipeg, said most cyclists’ issue with the Sherbrook Street protected lane isn’t dodging parked cars, though delivery vans and taxis are usually the guilty culprits parking there from what he’s seen and heard. Poor and irregular snow clearing of the bike lane is more controversial, he said. “Ninety-five per cent of the time, I don’t have a problem with vehicles in there,” Cohoe said. “The snow clearing has definitely been an issue, moreso on the Maryland (Street bike lane) side than the Sherbrook side.” Driving by the aforementioned spots Tuesday and Wednesday, Cohoe’s assertion rang true. The Sherbrook bike lane was slushy in spots and Maryland’s lane was snow-covered and hard to spot at all. Cheryl Anderson, the city’s acting director of street maintenance, said the bike lanes were scheduled to be plowed Wednesday afternoon. Anderson called the snow-clearing process for active transportation trails “a bit confusing, because if the active transportation is right on the roadway, it would be (plowed) similar to a roadway.” But if the trail is removed from the road, such as a sidewalk or the Sherbrook protected lane is, it could take longer to plow since it would require different (namely smaller) equipment. If the city wants to encourage active transportation, including all-season cycling, Cohoe said clearing bike lanes and pathways needs to be a top priority. Otherwise, the mushy or slippery lanes can become a safety hazard. “It causes problems, obviously, to not have (the Sherbrook and Maryland bike lanes) available in winter. There’s a lot of use with people going to Health Sciences Centre and the University of Winnipeg, who do try to make use of that. It’s a pretty important connection,” he said. Gerbasi said driver awareness of bike lanes such as on Sherbrook Street “is kind of a cultural change that needs to happen.” “I think it is happening, but it’s happening a little bit slowly in some cases,” she said. “But the more we put in this kind of infrastructure, themore it will become the norm and people will get used to it.” jessica.botelho(a)freepress.mb.ca

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CBC: Beet juice and cheese brine to replace corrosive road salt
by Beth McKechnie 27 Jan '18

27 Jan '18

For winter maintenance nerds (and deep down, aren't we all in Winnipeg?), check out this CBC segment on the use of beet juice and cheese brine to replace corrosive road salt. The first half gets into why road salt is detrimental (eats concrete curbs, kills boulevard trees, rusts cars and bikes, drains into our waterways). To hear about alternatives, start at the 10 minute mark. http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/the-current/segment/15509655 cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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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Friday read: Has Vancouver become bike-friendly enough?
by Beth McKechnie 26 Jan '18

26 Jan '18

With our own civic election coming up this October, a little food for thought from Vancouver... Has Vancouver become bike-friendly enough?The Courier talks to Modacity’s Melissa Bruntlett about the state of cycling in the city and what she hopes the next election will bring http://www.vancourier.com/community/has-vancouver- become-bike-friendly-enough-1.23147444 -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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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History of car centric roads
by Charles Feaver 20 Jan '18

20 Jan '18

On the weekend, the Globe and Mail published a good opinion piece that tells the history of cars taking over the roads from pedestrians. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/walking-shouldnt-be-life-threatening -even-for-phonezombies/article37668637/

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Webinar reminder: Why Don't We do it in the Road - Implementing Open Streets
by Beth McKechnie 16 Jan '18

16 Jan '18

*Friendly reminder about tomorrow's webinar. Great to see a Canadian example included in the presentations.* * * * * * Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on Wednesday, January 17th for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Best, Heather -- *Next webinar: January 17, 2018, 2-3pm* *Why Don't We do it in the Road - Implementing Open Streets* Join us for the first APBP webinar of 2018 where they'll discus implementing Open Streets in the U.S. and Canada. 8 80 Cities representatives will introduce the Open Streets concept and give some context of the program in North America. Representatives from Toronto, Ontario and Macon, Georgia will discuss how they went from wanting to do Open Streets to implementing it, and how they built relationships to get the program off the ground. Join this webinar to hear tools & lessons from folks who have been successful in launching Open Streets. *Presenters:*David Simor, 8 80 Cities Rachel Hollar, Walk Bike Macon Jeff Chong, Open Streets Toronto -- *Heather Mitchell * Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> | 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue (204) 925-3777 ext:107 <(204)%20925-3777> 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 <https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/green-action-centre/>. <http://canadahelps.org/> <https://www.gomanitoba.ca/Public/Home.aspx>

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Fun at -30: ice yoga & fat tire bike stencil on river
by Beth McKechnie 15 Jan '18

15 Jan '18

No doubt these are already making the rounds on social media but in case you missed them, be sure to check them out – very cool (literally)! http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-fat-bike- picture-red-river-1.4486440 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ice-yoga-fort-whyte-alive-1.4487035 cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 <(204)%20925-3777> | 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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10 cities with the best transport in pictures
by Beth McKechnie 12 Jan '18

12 Jan '18

Something to drool over on a crisp Friday afternoon... https://www.theguardian.com/cities-in-motion-with-arcadis/gallery/2017/dec/… -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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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Webinar: Why Don't We do it in the Road - Implementing Open Streets
by Heather Mitchell 11 Jan '18

11 Jan '18

Please join Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg on Wednesday, January 17th for a group viewing of the monthly APBP webinar in the EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/uncategorized/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-o…> boardroom followed by discussion for those who wish to stay. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Best, Heather -- *Next webinar: January 17, 2018, 2-3pm* *Why Don't We do it in the Road - Implementing Open Streets* Join us for the first APBP webinar of 2018 where they'll discus implementing Open Streets in the U.S. and Canada. 8 80 Cities representatives will introduce the Open Streets concept and give some context of the program in North America. Representatives from Toronto, Ontario and Macon, Georgia will discuss how they went from wanting to do Open Streets to implementing it, and how they built relationships to get the program off the ground. Join this webinar to hear tools & lessons from folks who have been successful in launching Open Streets. *Presenters:*David Simor, 8 80 Cities Rachel Hollar, Walk Bike Macon Jeff Chong, Open Streets Toronto -- *Heather Mitchell * Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> | 3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue (204) 925-3777 ext:107 <(204)%20925-3777> 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 <https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/green-action-centre/>. <http://canadahelps.org/> <https://www.gomanitoba.ca/Public/Home.aspx>

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Dynamic parking rates introduced in SF
by Beth McKechnie 08 Jan '18

08 Jan '18

Hi everyone, An inspirational story for 2018 (at least for transportation nerds) with San Francisco introducing dynamic parking rates that rise and fall depending on demand and the time of day. While some people will automatically label this a cash grab, it actually helps to ensure drivers pay market rate, which may motivate them to choose to bus, carpool, bike or walk instead. Winnipeg has the same capability now with the new parking meters that were introduced a few years ago. http://www.govtech.com/fs/automation/San-Francisco-Rolls-Out-Dynamic-Parkin… On a sidenote, this is essentially the same approach that Uber and other ride hailing companies use (called 'surge' pricing) that increases the cost of a ride when demand increases. Curious about Uber in Winnipeg? Check out Uber in Peg City <http://greenactioncentre.ca/healthy-travel/uber-in-peg-city/>. cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 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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America's 10 best new bikeways of 2017
by Beth McKechnie 22 Dec '17

22 Dec '17

A little happy Friday reading. I love this line about protected bike lanes and key connections: "It’s a reminder that bike lanes should go where people are, instead of simply where cars aren’t." http://peopleforbikes.org/blog/americas-10-best-new-bikeways-of-2017/ Now if only we had an equivalent Canadian top 10 list. Happy Holidays, everyone!

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