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WFP Editorial: Not so fast, Mr. Katz (Sept.29'10)
by Beth McKechnie 29 Sep '10

29 Sep '10

Winnipeg Free Press Editorial Not so fast, Mr. Katz Mayor Sam Katz, clearly hearing a backlash from neighbourhoods where streets are being torn up and redesigned for cyclists, tried distancing himself Monday from the city's "active transportation" plan -- an ambitious venture that this year saw 36 projects undertaken around Winnipeg. Not so fast, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Katz said he was never a part of and did not see the plans for the street redesigns. Further, he has concluded not nearly enough consultation happened before shovels went in the ground on the bike lanes, traffic circles and curb bump-outs. Mr. Katz's conclusions on consultation are inescapable -- inviting affected residents to come to a public information session does not substitute for good warning of the street alterations that happened as, or after, local projects went to community committees, where hearings and decisions on ward issues are made. As Mr. Katz concedes, some of the details discussed at initial information sessions varied substantially from the blueprints that rolled out in the neighbourhoods. And postcards or flyers announcing change, but sent to some residents in affected areas, do not constitute sufficient notice to communities. Councillors agree that the process was rushed to qualify the projects for the federal government's stimulus spending program, which ends in March. But Mr. Katz's explanation of how this one got past him is disingenuous -- he is the mayor, he advocated for this active transportation plan, and he voted for the $20 million (and the city's one-third share of it) as part of the capital budget. The plans are available on the city's website, right under his nose. Mr. Katz can sense a rising tide of anger -- and this is election time. On Monday, he said he would have a talk with the chief administrative officer (who has quit and has been replaced with an interim CAO) on halting active transportation projects not yet underway. Within hours, a plan for McDermot Avenue was cancelled. Assiniboine Avenue, which raised the ire of residents and business owners dismayed about the implementation of a one-way control for a block there, is essentially complete and cannot be changed, Mr. Katz said. The 11th-hour turnabout is an ominous message to send on active transportation. The mayor wishes to deflect blame to local councillors, who saw the details, and the administration, which executed the plans. But, as he admitted, the buck stops at his office. That the process saw redesigns pass with little notice to residents is a sign of poor communication. Residents rely on city council -- a body led by the mayor, a man who brags that he gets things done with an often fractious council by consensus -- for information about changing traffic patterns in their neighbourhoods. Mr. Katz cannot claim on one hand to be a master of consensus, a maestro of a disparate group of politicians, and on the other plead ignorance of what has been the city's largest active transportation project ever. And how can a mayor who has claimed credit for the building of more miles of bike trails than any other now back away from accounting for the biggest piece of active transportation rolled out to date? The unfortunate cock-up of what should have been vigorous, early community engagement in a movement to share streets with bicycles has instead pitted motorists and residents -- who lose traffic lanes and parking spaces -- against cyclists trying to find their way to work while staying fit. Mr. Katz has vowed that the next time such construction is contemplated the city will go "beyond above and beyond" what has been considered adequate in consultation. That's admirable. But Mr. Katz on Monday sounded very much like a mayor pulling the rug out from underneath an administration (effectively two civil servants in charge of the $20-million project) that was left to implement a plan written hastily in 36 parts, under the nose of an apparently distracted mayor. Mr. Katz needs to find why the plan's consultation and execution got muddled, and ensure active transportation does not again get bogged down in acrimony. -- Beth McKechnie Workplace Commuter Options Green Action Centre 204.925.3772 www.greenactioncentre.ca Green Action Centre is a registered charity. Please consider making a donation. *Coming to the EcoCentre?* (3rd floor, 303 Portage at Donald, MEC bldg) Enter via the elevator just inside MEC's front doors Bike racks are located in front of MEC

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WFP: Bike-path work overkill: Bureaucrat concedes workload daunting for city, residents (Sept.29'10)
by Beth McKechnie 29 Sep '10

29 Sep '10

Winnipeg Free Press Bike-path work overkill: official Bureaucrat concedes workload daunting for city, residents By: Bartley Kives The official in charge of Winnipeg's $20.4-million active-transportation upgrade that has sparked criticism and controversy says he hopes the city won't attempt such an ambitious bike-and-pedestrian overhaul in a single year ever again. In an interview with the *Free Press*, public works project manager Bill Woroby suggested what Mayor Sam Katz and other senior officials have refused to concede over the past week -- that this year's 36-project upgrade was too ambitious to tackle over the course of one construction season. "Hopefully not," said Woroby when asked whether Winnipeg should ever repeat this year's attempt to add 102 kilometres of cycling routes to the city's existing 274-kilometre network. All three levels of government paid for the project, the largest commuter-cycling upgrade ever attempted in Winnipeg. "It's hard to deliver 30-odd projects in one year. Not only are there 30-odd projects, you're undertaking public consultation at the same time and introducing people to new facilities they're not used to," Woroby said. "This has certainly challenged the delivery. It has not given the public the opportunity to appreciate the facilities we have in place. Once people see the completed project, they will see it as a great addition to the city." Katz and other officials have repeatedly said the tight time frame for the ambitious slate of projects had nothing to do with a public-consultation process both he and mayoral challenger Judy Wasylycia-Leis have described as a failure. Federal infrastructure-funding rules require the projects to be finished before the end of March 2011, which effectively means all but three parts of the upgrade must be finished before the winter, when snowfall makes it impossible to lay concrete. One project, a $1-million bridge in Omand Park, was cancelled and replaced with $100,000 worth of path improvements. A second, the $250,000 Bannatyne-McDermot Bikeway, is in limbo to allow more dialogue with residents and businesses. A third, the Assiniboine Bikeway, is nearing completion despite a lawsuit six Broadway-Assiniboine businesses have launched. There's also opposition to projects along Berry Street, Grosvenor Avenue, Sherbrook Street and Harrow Street. As of Tuesday, 32 out of 34 green-lighted projects were either under construction or nearing completion, said Woroby. Construction on the final two will begin shortly. Woroby dismissed suggestions a round of cuts to the public service last year had any effect on the projects or their public consultation. "We did what was required, with the resources we had in hand," he said. The city employed seven consulting firms to engineer what were originally 36 projects, while two other firms were hired to co-ordinate the upgrade. The city asked private firms to conduct the public consultations last November, but cancelled the search four days before it closed. Former city communications manager Ed Shiller said he felt $125,000 was too much to spend on public relations consultants. He said the city did a good job engaging the public on its own early this year, beginning at Katz's state of the city address in January. "We produced fantastic literature, describing every single one of the projects then under consideration. Then we set up a whole series of public consultations," said Shiller, who left the city at the end of March. After his departure, private consulting firms took over the communications strategy as well as the public-consultation meetings. Woroby said the city responded to the advice it received at all of the meetings. But even active-transportation proponents say the public ignored these events. "I was at 99 per cent of those consultations and the turnout was minimal," said Janice Lukes, executive director of the Winnipeg Trails Association. "No one reads the notices, but when the bulldozers are on the street, then people perk up. It's too bad. I just hope someone has the balls to keep things moving forward." Others want more projects placed on hold. Ellice Cafe and Theatre manager Belinda Squance, for example, plans to meet with public works director Brad Sacher this week to convince the city to shelve the $228,000 Sherbrook/Maryland bike-lane project until parking issues in the West End are addressed. Squance said she supports cyclists but wishes the city actually studied where they go. Other cycling advocates complain the upgrade was a rush job. "A tight timeline for the project and the need to spend federal funds within this timeline no doubt was the issue in regards to actively engaging others," said Downtown BIZ director Stefano Grande. "Active transportation has to be part of the overall infrastructure strategy, not an afterthought (that involves) trying to fit a peg in a hole." Katz's campaign described the ongoing headaches as "growing pains." bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca Cash for cycling routes Spending on active-transportation in Winnipeg over the past five years: 2006: $200,000 2007: $1.75 million 2008: $2.65 million 2009: $4.4 million 2010: $20.4 million (allocated) The 2010 active-transportation plan On Sept. 11, 2009, all three levels of government pledged to spend a combined $20.4 million on 36 active-transportation projects in Winnipeg. The cash was supposed to add 102 kilometres of cycling and walking routes to an existing 274-kilometre network. Here's what the project was supposed to build: New pathways dedicated for cyclists: 28 kilometres, for 15 separate projects. New separated bike lanes on city streets (the Assiniboine Bikeway): Two kilometres. New bike lanes on streets with "sharrows" (the Bannatyne-McDermot Bikeway): Eight kilometres. Other new cycling routes on city streets (18 separate projects): 64 kilometres. New bike-and-pedestrian bridge (Omand Park Bridge): One. Here's where the projects stand right now: Projects completed or nearing completion: Eight. Projects under construction: 24. Projects awaiting construction, with tenders awarded: Two. Projects on hold: One. The city has put the brakes on the $250,000 Bannatyne-McDermot Bikeway. Cancelled projects: One. Wolseley residents rejected plans for the $1-million Omand Park Bridge. It's been replaced by $100,000 worth of path upgrades in the park. *-- Sources: City of Winnipeg* -- Beth McKechnie Workplace Commuter Options Green Action Centre 204.925.3772 www.greenactioncentre.ca Green Action Centre is a registered charity. Please consider making a donation. *Coming to the EcoCentre?* (3rd floor, 303 Portage at Donald, MEC bldg) Enter via the elevator just inside MEC's front doors Bike racks are located in front of MEC

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Downtown Mayoral Forum, Thurs, Oct 7, 5:30-7:30, Manitoba Hydro Place
by Beth McKechnie 28 Sep '10

28 Sep '10

Please find attached a poster for the upcoming Downtown Mayoral Forum taking place Thursday, October 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Manitoba Hydro Place atrium (360 Portage Ave). -- Beth McKechnie Workplace Commuter Options Green Action Centre 204.925.3772 www.greenactioncentre.ca Green Action Centre is a registered charity. Please consider making a donation. *Coming to the EcoCentre?* (3rd floor, 303 Portage at Donald, MEC bldg) Enter via the elevator just inside MEC's front doors Bike racks are located in front of MEC

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AT projects become political football
by Beth McKechnie 28 Sep '10

28 Sep '10

Unfortunately, it appears that the new AT infrastructure projects (which must be completed before the snow falls or the funding from the province and feds is lost) are being used as a political football with the upcoming election. An easy mark, perhaps. Please note that the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is hosting a Mayoral Forum next Thursday, October 7, 5:30-7:30 pm at Manitoba Hydro Place. Richard Cloutier (CJOB) and Dan Lett (Winnipeg Free Press) will lead the candidates in a dynamic discussion about downtown issues, including bike lanes, rapid transit, etc. This should be an excellent opportunity for input and discussion.I will circulate a notice for the forum shortly. cheers, Beth -- Beth McKechnie Workplace Commuter Options Green Action Centre 204.925.3772 www.greenactioncentre.ca Green Action Centre is a registered charity. Please consider making a donation. __________________________________________________________________________ Bike-pedestrian project stalls Katz, Wasylycia-Leis call upgrade a public-consultation failure By: Bartley Kives The City of Winnipeg has put the brakes on another bike-and-pedestrian project as both of Winnipeg's leading mayoral candidates described the city's $20.4-million active-transportation upgrade as a public-consultation failure. On Monday afternoon, incumbent Mayor Sam Katz told reporters he wants to halt construction on the $250,000 Bannatyne-McDermot bikeway, one of 36 active-transportation projects the city planned to conduct this year with the help of federal and provincial infrastructure money. Hours later, the city placed the project on hold, citing the need to conduct more talks with residents and businesses along the route, which runs from Waterfront Drive to Sherbrook Street. "During projects such as this, sometimes dialogue with the community results in improvements to the project through design change," city spokesman Steve West said in a statement. "With regard to the McDermot Bikeway, we have concluded that more dialogue will be beneficial." The move comes as another blow to an active-transportation project all three levels of government have hailed as a long overdue upgrade to the city's network of bike-and-pedestrian corridors. The $20.4 million in spending represents nearly an eight-fold increase over the $2.6 million the city typically spends every year to build recreational and commuter cycling routes as well as other pathways. Several of the projects have angered residents and businesses, who claim the city failed to consult with them properly about the changes. A $1-million bridge planned for Omand Park was struck from the project list this spring. At the end of the summer, six Broadway-Assiniboine businesses sued the city over the $125,000 Assiniboine Bikeway. Work on the Assiniboine Avenue project continues, but the Bannatyne-McDermot project has now been shelved, leading Katz to criticize city staff about the project for the fourth time in six days. "This city does not have to go the extra mile. It has to go the extra 10 miles in consultation," Katz told reporters after a mayoral-candidate forum at the Fort Garry Hotel. "When anything like this happens in the future, you will see consultation above and beyond." Katz told reporters he did not personally vote in favour of the projects, which he said were approved by community committees. In fact, the mayor and 12 out of 15 councillors approved the active-transportation upgrade on Dec. 15, 2009, when council approved the 2010 capital budget. And the project details merely came before community committees as information. Only the capital budget provides authority for the spending. In a scrum with reporters, Katz accepted responsibility. "I am the mayor. No matter where you draw the line, the buck ends up at my table," he said. Mayoral challenger Judy Wasylycia-Leis said Katz should also halt the Assiniboine Bikeway if he's serious about public consultation. "It's a little late in the game, in an election period, saying he's going to halt construction," she told reporters. "He's acknowledging he made a strategic error in planning and consulting." After a round of public-service cuts at the management level in 2009, the city has two senior staffers working on the active-transportation upgrade. Private consultants were also hired to engage in public consultation. Katz has dismissed suggestions meagre resources are not to blame for the city's performance. He also said tight timelines associated with the federal funding for the active-transportation upgrade are to blame. The projects must be finished before the end of March to qualify for federal infrastructure money. All but three must be completed before the snow falls because they involve laying concrete. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Winnipeg Trails Association FALL UPDATE
by Janice Lukes 24 Sep '10

24 Sep '10

Hi all, The Winnipeg Trails Association (WTA) is a coalition of volunteer trail builders and trail users. For the past 6+ years, the WTA's volunteer chair has been Paul Jordan, who is also COO of The Forks. Paul has been providing brilliant direction, guidance and advice in growing Winnipeg's trails network. For the past 4 years, the WTA has been able to secure funding through multiple organizations and levels of government to hire a coordinator for various trail related projects. This past spring the WTA received a verbal commitment from the Province of Manitoba that project based funding would be forthcoming. As of yet, this funding has not been secured but we are optimistic it will come through to enable the continued development of trailheads, KM marker installations, website, the sharing of information between groups, and broadening the awareness of the benefits of trails - through events and various initiatives. As the WTA coordinator, I have been volunteering my time since April and am focusing on the following initiatives: NORTHEAST PIONEERS GREENWAY - Pedestrian / cyclist's separated bridge or 'flyover' The city is spending $110 M to extend the Chief Peguis freeway from Henderson to Lagimodiere - which passes directly through one of the busiest multi use trails in the Province - the Northeast Pioneers Greenway. I am ecstatic to say, through the very very hard work of volunteers AND the support of Mayor Katz, the city will be building a separate pedestrian / cyclists bridge OVER the freeway. Think of the bridge over the William B. Clement Parkway (formerly known as the Charleswood Parkway). From a larger perspective, and in a short few years - this flyover will be part of a stellar route enabling people to travel safely from south Winnipeg to Birds Hill Provincial Park. THANK YOU to Sigrun Bailey, Louise Balaban, Anders Swanson AND Mayor Katz for helping to move this forward. You can catch a bit more info on this project on CJOB news and in today's Free Press. TRAILHEADS: The trailhead sign design for the trailheads for Harte, Bishop, Cordite and Northeast Pioneers Greenway trails are finalized. The city will include these in their Parkway trailhead sign tender for production this fall. Recall the structures design was finalized and structure installations have occurred on the above trails. This was a complex process to determine the details / requirements for the components of trailheads, but it lays the standards for all future trailheads. We expect Transcona, Bois des Esprit, Yellow Ribbon Pathway and more to be next on the list to complete. SECURING BALANCE of PROVINCIAL FUNDING COMMITMENT: During the 2007 Provincial election, the NDP made a funding commitment of $1.8M to the Winnipeg Trails Association to construct trails in Winnipeg. Of that amount ~ $1.3 has been used to construct the Bishop Grandin West, Harte, Transcona, and Seine River South trails. We are in the process of securing the remaining ~$500,000 of the WTA commitment to use along Pembina Hwy (between Plaza and Chevrier). CITY OF WINNIPEG - ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ATAC) As a member of ATAC, I have been attending various meetings and providing input regarding development of the City's AT network. I expect that during the winter, a broad outreach to trail groups and the public will occur to gather additional information for next construction season. Current visible trail and on road construction, news articles, issues, and pending deadlines have all combined to raise a broader public interest - which hopefully engage more people in when the next round of public input occurs. PROVINCIAL ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP (ATAG) Last September, the Province of Manitoba formed a Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Group with the focus aimed at providing active transportation recommendations to government. For the past year, the group has been consulting Manitobans, organizations, and reviewing best practices throughout the world. I sit on that group as chair. We have completed our recommendations which will be handed off for internal gov't review next week, and are finalizing report production details. We expect the report to be made public once the Legislature sits again in November. IN SUMMARY: There are many other projects that need attention, but from my volunteer capacity I am unable to attend to. The role of WTA coordinator in these current times is a very demanding but very very rewarding. IF anyone is interested in learning more about the WTA coordinator position and would like to volunteer on some super interesting projects, please feel free to contact me. THANK YOU Janice Lukes Winnipeg Trails Coordinator Winnipeg Trails Association 202 - One Forks Market Road Winnipeg, MB R3C 4L9 Cell (204) 952-4222 Fax (204) 943-7915 <mailto:jlukes@shaw.ca> jlukes(a)shaw.ca winnipegtrails.com Member of City of Winnipeg Active Transportation Advisory Committee Chair, Province of Manitoba Active Transportation Advisory Group

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WFP: Assiniboine bikeway to be built before ruling & Pedestrian bridge for Chief Pegus (Sept. 24)
by Beth McKechnie 24 Sep '10

24 Sep '10

*Winnipeg Free Press* Bikeway to be built before ruling Legal delay means project will be complete prior to court decision on it By: Bartley Kives An attempt to put the brakes on the Assiniboine Bikeway probably won't make it to court until construction on the contentious Assiniboine Avenue project is complete. Six businesses located near the Midtown Bridge have been trying to halt the $125,000 bikeway since construction began in late August, complaining that a recent tweak to the plan will cause traffic chaos in downtown's Broadway-Assiniboine neighbourhood. That amendment was made after a city council committee reviewed the plans for the bikeway, which changes the flow of traffic along Assiniboine Avenue to prevent motor vehicles from shortcutting through the neighbourhood. But when the case came before the Court of Queen's Bench on Thursday, the City of Winnipeg filed a motion to have the claim dismissed as baseless -- and also remove the plaintiff's lawyer, Joey Pollock, from the case. That effectively means it will take months before the case makes its way to court. "There will be snow on the ground before this matter will be heard," said Pollock, a partner in the law firm Campbell Marr. "It certainly could be December or later." The city wants to remove Pollock because his Campbell Marr partner Douglas Mackenzie swore an affidavit in the case, in his role as president of 10 Donald St., one of the six businesses suing the city. Campbell Marr is housed inside 10 Donald St. "The city contends no member of the Campbell Marr law firm can represent the businesses because Mr. Pollock's partner Doug Mackenzie has given evidence in this matter dealing with his role as counsel for the businesses about matters at issue in the litigation," city spokesman Steve West said in a statement. The city also wants to dismiss the claim itself because it contends the bikeway amendment did not have to come back before a council committee. The original report was "received as information," which means it did not progress to council itself. "The need to consult occurs when a street is closed, but the city is not closing a street. Assiniboine Avenue had motor-vehicle and bicycle traffic and it will continue to do so," West said. Pollock said he recognizes the city's right to raise procedural issues but considers the city's motion frivolous. Both he and the city's legal counsel are due in court today to set the time frame to hear the city's motion. Although originally planned for 2008, the Assiniboine Bikeway is part of a $20.4-million city-wide bike-and-pedestrian upgrade that includes 34 other projects this year. Several have been the subject of intense criticism from residents, leading politicians such as Mayor Sam Katz and River Heights Coun. John Orlikow to complain about the way the city notified the public. "What pains me the most is that something that you wanted to be embraced by all citizens -- I'm talking about active transportation -- unfortunately turns out to not be the case and I think part of it appears to be with the way the public consultation was done," Katz told reporters Thursday. "I've heard some stories that were extremely disconcerting to me, to be very frank with you." One of the plaintiffs on Assiniboine said he was notified by a notice taped to his door. City active-transportation co-ordinator Kevin Nixon has said the city has held more consultation on the active-transportation upgrade than private developers ever do. Resistance in Wolseley to a bike-and-pedestrian bridge over Omand's Creek led that project to be struck from the plan. But there is no going back on the Assiniboine Bikeway, Katz suggested. "If you were actually to take a walk, which I did this week, you'd see the majority of the work is done," he said. Katz has rejected the suggestion the headaches stem from tight timelines to complete the active-transportation project, which is funded by all three levels of government -- provided all the work is completed before April. -- With files from Mary Agnes Welch bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca *Pedestrian bridge for Chief Peguis Trail* A bike-and-pedestrian bridge has been added to the Chief Peguis Trail extension without increasing the council-approved $110-million project cost, North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty announced Thursday. In July, city council voted to increase the scope of the Chief Peguis public-private partnership to allow the construction of an underpass at Rothesay Avenue, as area residents feared an intersection at Rothesay might endanger pedestrians. At the same meeting, the Winnipeg Trails Association appeared before council to request a pedestrian bridge at the Northeast Pioneers Greenway, which runs parallel to Raleigh Street and Gateway Road. WTA director Janice Lukes said an intersection with the bicycle-commuter route would also be dangerous. DBF2, the construction consortium responsible for the project, came up with a way to add the bridge without increasing costs, Browaty said. "They were able to find a little more value with other aspects of the project," he said. "Everybody appreciated the Northeast Pioneers Greenway is a well-used amenity." Chief Peguis Trail is being extended east from Henderson Highway to Lagimodiere Boulevard. The city hopes to extend it west from Main Street to McPhillips Street in the coming decades as part of an effort to complete an inner ring road. -- Kives -- Beth McKechnie Workplace Commuter Options Green Action Centre 204.925.3772 www.greenactioncentre.ca Green Action Centre is a registered charity. Please consider making a donation. *Coming to the EcoCentre?* (3rd floor, 303 Portage at Donald, MEC bldg) Enter via the elevator just inside MEC's front doors Bike racks are located in front of MEC

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WFP: Inspired to have only good and great days on my bike (Sept.22'10)
by Beth McKechnie 24 Sep '10

24 Sep '10

*Winnipeg Free Press* Inspired to have only good and great days on my bike By: Margo Goodhand I've been inspired by a lot of people these days. Collectively, they are the reason I ride two wheels to work now instead of four. One of them, longtime *Free Press* colleague and cycling enthusiast Jon Thordarson, has been on my mind ever since I dragged the bike out of the basement. He took it up years ago before he started battling cancer, but I think cycling kept him strong through some extraordinarily dark days. When he finally succumbed this spring, his brother and cycling colleagues attended the wake in his honour in their bright yellow cycling jerseys. Jon is famous for scoffing at whiners with a "You're not made of sugar." And he toughed out that five-year fight with cancer like he toughed out a long-distance race with just one lung. He led by example, a life of courage and singular grace, fiercely optimistic, kind, generous. He never proselytized. He always said there were "only good days and great days." Other cyclists have inspired by example. My kids' beloved elementary schoolteacher Andrea Stuart, who has the shape and the vitality to be a rolling advertisement for 'active transport', commuted every day for years. When I marvelled at her commitment, she simply said she loved it. Many of my Wolseley neighbours cycle to work every day, and I always admired them as I clambered, frazzled, into my car. Then I started running into colleagues who were also leading by example: *Free Press* reporter Geoff Kirbyson; page designer Leesa Dahl; publisher Bob Cox; copy editor David Fuller, photographer Wayne Glowacki. The head of U of W's trendy new Global College, Marilou McPhedran, who doesn't even own a car. The smart and sassy U of W prof Shannon Sampert, who is also a pretty impressive "biker chick" on the weekends. My impoverished son (who points out that he "didn't exactly have a choice"), last June took up a 40-minute cycling commute to his new workplace and is now in the best shape of his life. None of them proselytized. None of them told me cycling to work would give me more energy, more strength, less stress, and make each day a little more fun. I'm not nearly so subtle. I tell anybody who laughs at my bike-helmeted head that this is a no-brainer. It takes an extra 15 minutes to get to work by bike -- in total, a 30-minute ride. But that extra 15 minutes on my morning commute works out to an hour of exercise and fresh air every day. An hour I didn't have to pay to go to a gym, or work out in my basement, or try to tack something on to an already long day. I can get even more sanctimonious. I am saving city roads, lessening traffic noise and pollution, not using up non-renewable resources such as oil or gas. Laugh at my helmet hair if you wish, but I am following in the panniered path of a lot of smart, interesting, healthy people. It might be catching on. Comment editor Gerald Flood was checking out my bike the other day. Some colleagues have asked about my route. Two very dear friends tried out the new Bishop Grandin 'active transportation' trail last weekend, and both said they were trying to map out safe and not-too-scary cycling routes to their jobs. I've vowed to stay on my bike as long as my other inspiration, buddy Diane Skogstad -- who last year commuted to the end of October, and was back in the saddle by April. I feel younger, stronger and more alive on a bike. I like to think that's how Jon felt, too. On windy days, I tell myself I'm just getting a better workout. On rainy days, I say I'm not made of sugar. And on bad days? There are no bad days. Only good days and great. margo.goodhand(a)freepress.mb.ca -- Beth McKechnie Workplace Commuter Options Green Action Centre 204.925.3772 www.greenactioncentre.ca Green Action Centre is a registered charity. Please consider making a donation. *Coming to the EcoCentre?* (3rd floor, 303 Portage at Donald, MEC bldg) Enter via the elevator just inside MEC's front doors Bike racks are located in front of MEC

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Car Free Day - Wednesday, 12-5
by Stephanie Fulford 21 Sep '10

21 Sep '10

Greetings, If you're downtown this Wednesday afternoon, come by Albert St in the Exchange District for some Car Free Day celebrations. Activities start at noon, and run until 5pm. Come play some street hockey, take part in the track stand competition and car free trivia contest or play a game of chess on the giant on-the-street chess board. Visitors will also be invited to check out our mini 'park' space, a parking spot converted to greenspace for the day by Urban Eatin Gardeners Coop. Car Free Day is rain or shine - and if it rains, we'll be giving away a limited supply of umbrellas! Hope to see you there! For full details and a schedule of events, check out www.greenactioncentre.ca -- *Stephanie Fulford* Green Action Centre 204.925.3774 www.greenactioncentre.ca Green Action Centre is a non-profit organization. Please consider making a donation.

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Commuter cycling skills class - Oct 3, St. John's Leisure Centre
by Beth McKechnie 21 Sep '10

21 Sep '10

Looking to increase your skills and comfort level commuter cycling in traffic? Sign up for the following class in the Leisure Guide: St. John’s Leisure Centre: 601 Aikins St. 382905 Sun Oct 3 Noon–4:00pm For more details, see page 20: http://www.winnipeg.ca/cms/Leisure/pdfs/active_living.pdf

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Health in Common AGM
by Mike Tutthill 16 Sep '10

16 Sep '10

Please circulate through your networks. <http://img2.ymlp187.com/mtutthill_HCrgbnoslogan_1.jpg> Annual General Meeting 3:30 to 5:00 Monday, October 4th United Way (580 Main Street) Please join us for a discussion on the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of communities. 3:30 Greetings from Minister of Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors 3:35 Opening Remarks from the Chair, Bruce Leslie 3:45 Armchair Discussion hosted by Richard Cloutier (CJOB) will include: Dr. Marcia Anderson DeCoteau Past President of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada Chuck Davidson Vice-President Policy, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Curt Hull Project Manager, Climate Change Connection Shauna MacKinnon Director of Manitoba Office, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Ralph Stern Dean, Faculty of Architecture, University of Manitoba 5:00 Enjoy your evening. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to contact(a)healthincommon.ca. _____ size=1 width="50%" noshade color=black align=center> <http://ymlp187.com/u.php?id=guhmyyqgsgeybjgubum> Change email address / Leave mailing list <http://ymlp187.com/m/> Powered by YMLP <http://t.ymlp187.com/leybjfdemmbaeyqz/footer.gif>

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FW: in motion @ the Library - Using urban poles and pedometers
by Kristine Hayward 13 Sep '10

13 Sep '10

________________________________ From: Winnipeg in motion [mailto:getactive@winnipeginmotion.ca] Sent: Friday, September 10, 2010 9:25 AM To: Kristine Hayward Subject: in motion @ the Library - Using urban poles and pedometers If the content or images below are not being displayed, please click here <http://newsletter.winnipeginmotion.ca/smallbox4/enews_url.php?link=aHR0 cDovL25ld3NsZXR0ZXIud2lubmlwZWdpbm1vdGlvbi5jYS9pbmRleC9pc3N1ZXM1MS5waHA% 3D&email=a2hheXdhcmRAd3JoYS5tYi5jYQ%3D%3D&email_id=mvIYAA%3D%3D&title=Y2 xpY2sgaGVyZQ%3D%3D&info=> <http://newsletter.winnipeginmotion.ca/database/images/display/sb4c8a3ae 567d54.jpg> Walk the talk: Using urban walking poles and pedometers Walking is Canada's #1 activity. Join Winnipeg in motion and certified urban poling instructor Sharon Couldwell to learn how to maximize your walking workout. Walking with Urban poles <http://newsletter.winnipeginmotion.ca/smallbox4/enews_url.php?link=aHR0 cDovL3VyYmFucG9saW5nLmNvbS8%3D&email=a2hheXdhcmRAd3JoYS5tYi5jYQ%3D%3D&em ail_id=mvIYAA%3D%3D&title=V2Fsa2luZyB3aXRoIFVyYmFuIHBvbGVz&info=> uses 90% of your body's muscles and increases your use of energy. Be sure to attend the session and enter to WIN a free set of urban poles ($100). Are you getting your 10,000 steps each day - find out how to track your steps using a simple inexpensive device - pedometer. A free pedometer will be given to the first 25 people attending the session. Date: Friday, September 17 Time: 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Location: Carol Shields Auditorium, 2nd floor Millennium Library (251 Donald St.) Admission is FREE and registration is NOT required. Contact Winnipeg in motion at 940-3648 for details. 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Save our Seine - Invitation to treen planting Sept 11
by Beth McKechnie 08 Sep '10

08 Sep '10

Save Our Seine (SOS) invites you to a tree planting on Saturday, Sept. 11 in Old St. Boniface across from the IKO site, at the end of Rue Deschambault. About 100 native trees will be planted to help restore a tree covered area that had to be removed for a major soil clean up project. More details can be found in the poster below. Bring your shovels, wheel barrows, family, friends and know how. Please spread the word!

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New study - rapid transit reduces body mass
by Beth McKechnie 08 Sep '10

08 Sep '10

The Effect of Light Rail Transit on Body Mass Index and Physical Activity Background: The built environment can constrain or facilitate physical activity. Most studies of the health consequences of the built environment face problems of selection bias associated with confounding effects of residential choice and transportation decisions. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that improving neighborhood environments and increasing the public's use of LRT systems could provide improvements in health outcomes for millions of individuals. http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/S0749-3797%2810%2900297-7/fulltext (Am J Prev Med 2010;39(2):105-112) © 2010 American Journal of Preventive Medicine

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Free Sept 9th webinar - Designing for Pedestrian safety (intersection geometry)
by Beth McKechnie 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

PBIC News Brief September 7, 2010 www.walkinginfo.org/training/pbic/dps_webinars.cfm Free Webinar on intersection geometry CHAPEL HILL, NC - The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) announces the next free Webinar in its Designing for Pedestrian Safety series: Intersection Geometry Thursday, September 9, 2010 2:00pm-3:30pm E.T. Presented by: John LaPlante, Director of Traffic Engineering, T.Y. Lin International, Inc and Keith Sinclair, Acting Assistant Division Administrator, FHWA Connecticut Division To register, please visit www2.gotomeeting.com/register/479167939 Most urban pedestrian crashes occur at intersections, many of which are signalized, and are associated with turning movements. This presentation will give an overview of issues related to intersection design and geometry, and provide guidance for building intersections that slow speeds, reduce pedestrian crossing distance and reduce conflicts. Related issues will be presented, such as driver visibility and curb radii, as well as treatments that can be used to improve intersection geometry, such as curb extensions and pedestrian islands. Participants will be able to use this information to better design new intersections and retrofit existing intersections to better accommodate the needs of pedestrians and other road users. This Webinar is the fourth part in the Designing for Pedestrian Safety series. To register for upcoming Webinars and to access archived presentations in this series, please visit www.walkinginfo.org/training/pbic/dps_webinars.cfm. Content from the PBIC Designing for Pedestrian Safety Webinar series is drawn from the PBIC's in-person training focused on engineering solutions for pedestrian safety. The training is meant for engineers, planners, traffic safety and enforcement professionals, public health and injury prevention professionals, and decision-makers who are seeking ideas and solutions for making changes to the physical environment that improve safety for pedestrians. Detailed information on this and other training opportunities offered by PBIC can be found at www.walkinginfo.org/training. ### Connect with PBIC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pedbike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Since its inception in 1999, PBIC's mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center 730 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Campus Box 3430 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3430 Toll Free 888-823-3997 www.walkinginfo.org www.bicyclinginfo.org

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Wed, Sept. 15 webinar - Connecting Transit & AT
by Beth McKechnie 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

Resource Conservation Manitoba will be hosting the following APBP (Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals) webinar on "Connecting Transit & AT" on Wed, Sept. 15. If you would like to join us, please let me know at beth(a)resourceconservation.mb.ca. See you then! -thanks, Beth (925-3772) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Webinar: Connecting Transit & Active Transportation (AT) Date: Wednesday, Sept. 15 . 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST Location: EcoCentre boardroom (303 Portage Ave, third floor - enter via elevator inside front doors of MEC) For communities that want to create real mobility choices for their citizens, bicycling and walking must mesh with transit. This webinar will explore the common ground between the transit and active transportation communities, and ways to overcome institutional challenges to cooperation. Topics to be covered in the presentation will include: * Reasons to create partnerships between transit agencies and bicycle/pedestrian programs; * Examples of effective collaboration; design guides and best practices; * Design, operational, and safety issues to consider when integrating bicycling and walking into stations, roadways and transit vehicles: o At stations-Wayfinding, forecasting demand for short and long-term bicycle parking, access for pedestrians and cyclists, integration with the local street network o On the road-Broad overview of issues around incorporating both bicycling and transit facilities in street design, as well as crosswalk policy and treatments at transit stops, pedestrian amenities at bus stops, and accessibility o On the transit vehicle-Bicycles on the vehicle; access for people with disabilities &; o Teaching cyclists and transit operators to share the road, including a new education program developed for Chicago that reaches both bicyclists and transit operators. Presenters: Webinar presenters are Cynthia Hoyle, Transportation Planning Consultant with the Champaign-Urbana (Ill.) Mass Transit District; Dustin White, ransportation Planner with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency; and Amanda Woodall, Training and Enforcement Coordinator, with the Active Transportation Alliance in Chicago.

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REMINDER: Ciclovia media event - today at noon (Broadway & Donald)
by Beth McKechnie 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

** REMINDER ** Bike, walk, inline skate or skate board over to Broadway and Donald at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 7th for the Ciclovia media event. There will be a couple of bands playing and info on all the stuff that will be happening that weekend. Where: Median on Broadway and Donald When: Noon, Tuesday, Sept 7th What to bring: Your bike (great visuals for TV) Hope to see you there!

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Ciclovia media event - Tues, Sept 7 at noon
by Beth McKechnie 02 Sep '10

02 Sep '10

Bike, walk, inline skate or skate board over to Broadway and Donald at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 7th for the Ciclovia media event. There will be a couple of bands playing and info on all the stuff that will be happening that weekend. Where: Median on Broadway and Donald When: Noon, Tuesday, Sept 7th What to bring: Your bike (great visuals for TV) Hope to see you there!

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Separated Bike Lanes - Video
by David Wieser 01 Sep '10

01 Sep '10

Check out this video on the Dunsmuir Separated Bike Lane in Vancouver http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling/separated/dunsmuir.htm They are doing a trial of three different forms of barriers. David Wieser

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Active Transportation - Canada: August 31, 2010
by Beth McKechnie 31 Aug '10

31 Aug '10

----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Haynes Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 11:05 AM Subject: Active Transportation - Canada: August 31, 2010 Twenty-five (25) new items were posted on the Active Transportation-Canada Website on August 20, and a further 26 today. A complete list of titles may be found in the "Blog Archive" box, located on the right margin of the Website. Some highlights of today's posts are: a.. Sudbury - Sustainable Mobility Plan b.. Green Communities Canada Launches Provincial iCANwalk Campaign c.. Webpage - Reducing or eliminating parking in support of TDM initiatives d.. Website - Share the Road e.. Documentary Video - Pedal Power Active Transportation Canada URL: http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.com A "Search" function is available on the site. You will find this at the bottom of the page. With more than 700 items posted on Active Transportation - Canada, there are links available to dozens of studies and hundreds of news items from communities across Canada and the world. If anyone has a problem reading this message, please let me know. I welcome suggestions for posts, so if you have news items featuring your community, please share them with the more than 500 subscribers to Active Transportation-Canada. Thank you. Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions 613.424.2803

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Does anyone really want people to drive 50 kph in front of their homes?
by David Wieser 31 Aug '10

31 Aug '10

Another great video from streetfilms. http://www.streetfilms.org/no-need-for-speed-20s-plenty-for-us/ Just need to get a good phrase for thirty. David Wieser

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WFP: Cycle projects get rolling (Aug.30'10)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Aug '10

30 Aug '10

Cycle projects get rolling City up against winter deadline By: Bartley Kives Almost two years after the city, province and Ottawa agreed to spend $20.4 million to improve Winnipeg's bike-and-pedestrian pathways, a majority of the 36 projects planned for 2010 are finally underway. The City of Winnipeg has finished three of the active-transportation projects, is in the midst of completing 19 others and has yet to start work on 13 more. All of the projects should be completed in October, city officials contend. "We're feeling pretty good about it," active-transportation co-ordinator Kevin Nixon said. The construction industry has been able to handle the amount of work the city has been throwing at it, he said. Costs remain within budget, he added. The upgrade involves eight times more construction on the bike-and-pedestrian infrastructure than the city conducts during a normal year, when infrastructure-stimulus funds are not available. The cash will run out if the projects aren't done before April, but work is impossible once the snow falls, the city said. Of the 13 projects that have yet to go ahead, tenders have already been awarded for six. The city is in the midst of advertising three other tenders and still needs to advertise four more. Only one project is not going ahead: the pedestrian bridge over Omand's Creek in Omand Park, which was cancelled due to community opposition. All three levels of government must figure out a way to divert the $1.2 million devoted to the bridge to another project, which may not be possible given the tight deadline. While some of the upgrades involve dedicated paths for cyclists and pedestrians, most of the projects involve street work. Grosvenor Avenue in River Heights, for example, is being converted into a route for both bikes and vehicles by bumping out curbs at several intersections. The bump-outs are intended to serve as traffic-calming measures, but vehicles will still be allowed to use the street. Many residents only became aware of the work after construction started, despite a series of mailouts sent out early this year, River Heights-Fort Garry Coun. John Orlikow said. "There was an enormous amount of attempts at public consultation by our office and the city, but I don't think people were engaged prior to it happening," he said. The city also put up information displays in malls and at some public events. But due to the tight construction deadlines, much of the consultation was conducted in the winter, when people aren't thinking about construction, Nixon said. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca Upgrades zip along The current status of 36 active-transportation projects planned for Winnipeg this year at a cost of $20.4 million: Completed projects: Three small paths along Wilkes Avenue, Waverley Street and across the Manitoba Hydro corridor between Sommerville and Seel Avenue. Projects under construction: 19, including the Dakota-Dunkirk pathway, the Grosvenor bikeway and the Transcona Trail. Projects awaiting construction, with tenders awarded: Six, including the Assiniboine Bikeway, a path along Bison Drive and the Pandora Avenue path originally slated for Kildare Avenue. Project tenders advertised: Three, including the Kildonan Golf Course path and the Bannatyne/McDermot Bikeway. Project tenders to be advertised: Four, including the Sherbrook/Maryland and St. Matthews Bikeways. Projects cancelled: One, the Omand's Creek Bridge in Omand Park. -- Source: City of Winnipeg

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School Travel Planning Webinars INVITE
by Beth McKechnie 25 Aug '10

25 Aug '10

Active Transportation Community - The National School Travel Planning group is hosting several interesting webinars in the next couple months. The webinars will be hosted live in the Eco-Centre boardroom (3rd Floor - 303 Portage Avenue), or individuals are welcome to participate from their personal computers. Please RSVP to: Shoni Litinsky - if you would like to attend the webinar at the Eco-Centre (303 Portage Ave, third floor): stp(a)resourceconservation.mb.ca Sandra Jones - if you would like to watch the webinar from your computer. Instructions and background documents will be sent to you. scjones(a)telus.net 1. Thursday September 9, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. EDT School Travel Planning and Sustainable Happiness - Links to Individual, Community and Global Well-being This presentation is by Dr Catherine O'Brien, with the School of Education, Health and Wellness Cape Breton University, and Subha Ramanathan, Research Fellow. 2. Tuesday September 28, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. EDT Student Engagement and Teacher Champions - for School Travel Planning in Elementary and Middle schools This presentation by Arthur Orsini of Urbanthinkers will provide ideas and inspiration for engaging elementary school teachers and students in activities that complement the STP process and the writing of the school travel plan. It will be archived for future viewing. 3. Wednesday October 20, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. EDT Overcoming the Barriers to Sustainability A presentation by D'Arcy Farlow, consultant, Organizational and Community Capacity Building.

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PACM: Job Posting - Contract Position
by Beth McKechnie 24 Aug '10

24 Aug '10

Forum Administration Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba (PACM) Position Description Project Name: “Recreation and Active Transportation, Essential for Healthy Manitoba Communities” Title: PACM Project Coordinator Accountable To: PACM Project Committee Supervised By: PACM Chair (Manitoba Fitness Council) Employment Status: Contract September 2010 to March 31, 2011 Effective Date: As soon as possible (September 2010) Application Deadline: September 3rd 2010 Complete job posting is available by visiting our website located at www.pacm.ca. Stephanie (Foy) Jeffrey PACM Chair sjeffrey(a)manitobafitnesscouncil.ca 204-235-1245

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Active Transportation - Canada: August 20, 2010
by Beth McKechnie 24 Aug '10

24 Aug '10

----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Haynes To: undisclosed recipients: Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 12:22 PM Subject: Active Transportation - Canada: August 20, 2010 Twenty-five (25) new items have been posted on the Active Transportation-Canada Website today. A complete list of titles may be found in the "Blog Archive" box, located on the right margin of the Website. some highlights include: a.. City of Cornwall Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan b.. US Federal Highway Administration National Biking and Walking Study c.. Thunder Bay makes progress in AT Active Transportation Canada URL: http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.com A "Search" function is available on the site. You will find this at the bottom of the page. With more than 600 items posted on Active Transportation - Canada, there are links available to dozens of studies and hundreds of news items from communities across Canada and the world. If anyone has a problem reading this message, please let me know. I welcome suggestions for posts, so if you have news items featuring your community, please share them with the more than 500 subscribers to Active Transportation-Canada. Thank you. Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions 613.424.2803

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Cinematheque - You Never Bike Alone
by Beth McKechnie 24 Aug '10

24 Aug '10

http://www.winnipegfilmgroup.com/cinematheque/bike_alone.aspx YOU NEVER BIKE ALONE Sat Aug 28, 2010 at 7:30 PM Sun Aug 29, 2010 at 7:30 PM Wed Sep 1, 2010 at 7:30 PM Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 7:30 PM Dir. Robert Alstead | 2008 | Canada | 80 MIN The cycling phenomenon known as Critical Mass is a reclamation of public space that started in San Francisco in the early 1990s and spread by the internet throughout the world. On a set day, at the end of every month, cyclists and other self-propelled people ride en masse through city streets. Vancouver has become renowned for its big Critical Mass bike rides, and particularly the party spirit that attracts all types of cyclists. You Never Bike Alone charts the development of these mass rides in Vancouver and asks whether cycle activists are succeeding in their goals. "Robert Alstead's documentary about Critical Mass rides in Vancouver is the best film about the intersection of bicycle culture and civic involvement since Ted White's landmark film Return of the Scorcher (which, incidentally, gave Critical Mass its name). If you're upset with social and cycling conditions in your town but don't know where to begin to change things, watch this with a friend and take notes." (Robert Zverina, Carbusters Magazine)

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Ciclovia coming Sept 12 - join the fun as a volunteer!
by Beth McKechnie 17 Aug '10

17 Aug '10

Ciclovia* is coming September 12, 2010! Now in its second year, Ciclovia is a FREE eco-friendly, healthy-lifestyles festival and active transportation event that will see the north side of Broadway closed from Osborne Street to Main Street, creating a network of car-free streets from Assiniboine Park all the way to The Forks. Cycle, walk, in-line skate, skateboard, scooter... whatever! Throughout the day, jump into a fitness class, explore the farmers' market, kids' zone, bike demos and craft market, or enjoy music, the RBC Blue Water Zone, and so much more. Hosted by the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, with assistance from a variety of community organizations, Ciclovia attracted upwards of 10,000 people in 2009... this year we hope for even more! Join in the fun! Want to be part of making Ciclovia a success? Sign up as a volunteer! The Ciclovia Volunteer Form can be accessed at: http://www.lightsonbroadway.ca/ Lots of volunteers are needed, so please sign up ASAP and encourage your colleagues, friends and family to do so as well. Volunteers who help out for a minimum of 4 hours will receive: - T-shirt - Event badge - Meal voucher - Volunteer appreciation event - Other TBD Be part of this action-packed day that emphasizes healthy ways of living and getting around! * Ciclovia, meaning "bike way", is an event that supports the use of non-motorized transportation. It combines healthy living with arts and culture, and engages citizens in active alternatives to motorized transportation, bringing life back to otherwise car-choked streets. And it allows a city to dream of different ways of living well, of other community aspirations in an urban environment.

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Bicycle Valet Winnipeg - Volunteer Bicycle Valet Attendent
by David Wieser 08 Aug '10

08 Aug '10

Bicycle Valet Winnipeg, a project of Bike to the Future, is seeking at least 20 volunteers to help operate several bicycle valet's during Manitoba Homecoming weekend, September 11th and 12th. We will be located at the Winnipeg Convention Centre on the 11th and 12th for the Winnipeg Green Lifestyle and Organic Living show. Also, on the 11th and 12th we will be having another bicycle valet in Memorial Provincial Park on Broadway for Ciclovia, Taste of Downtown, Lights on Broadway, Big Dance on Broadway and the 10 + 10 Road Race. On September 12th, we will also be operating a bicycle valet at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers game. Our previous events include Bike to Work Day 2010, Orioles Community Centre Family Days, MEC Bikefest and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers game on July 24, 2010. For more information or to volunteer, please e-mail *volunteer* at * bicyclevaletwinnipeg.ca* Please forward this message to other groups as you feel appropriate. Thank you, David Wieser Bicycle Valet Winnipeg Project Manager

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Sport Manitoba - Employment Opportunity
by Beth McKechnie 06 Aug '10

06 Aug '10

Sport Manitoba has a Full Time One Year Term Position open for a Marketing Coordinator. You can find the posting at: http://www.sportmanitoba.ca/employment For more information, please contact: Rick Lambert Director of Community Development, Sport Manitoba Inc. Room 504 - Sport for Life Centre - 145 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2Z6 Ph:(204) 925-5901 Cell: (204) 795-2354 Fax: (204) 925-5916 Email: Rick.Lambert(a)sportmanitoba.ca Website: www.sportmanitoba.ca Sport for All - Sport for Life

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Wed, Aug 18 webinar - Road Diets
by Beth McKechnie 05 Aug '10

05 Aug '10

Resource Conservation Manitoba will be hosting the following APBP (Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals) webinar on "Road Diets" on Wed, Aug 18th. If you would like to join us, please let me know at beth(a)resourceconservation.mb.ca. See you then! -thanks, Beth -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Webinar: Road Diets Date: Wednesday, August 18 . 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST Location: EcoCentre boardroom (303 Portage Ave, third floor - enter via elevator inside front doors of MEC) Learn how space on wide, busy streets can be reallocated, turning mundane sidewalks into inviting linear parks that promote active transportation. More cities are choosing road diets to reward shorter trips, deter aggressive speeders, make pedestrian crossings safer, increase levels of bicycling, and create downtown districts rich in social and economic exchange. Mark de la Vergne (Sam Schwartz Engineering), Brian Dougherty (City of Seattle) and Ian Lockwood (AECOM) join forces on Wednesday, August 18 at 3:00 p.m. EDT to explore the history, planning and design of road diets, offering tips to build stakeholder support through public process. Examples of road diets from around the U.S. and Canada include a closer look at two specific locations: Stone Way in Seattle (the city's 23rd road diet) and the 2nd Street Connector in Macon, Georgia, where a mayor's visionary planning process for a livable street will help knit a community together. Presenters: Mark de la Vergne is an Associate and Project Manager with Sam Schwartz Engineering, a transportation engineering and planning firm. He is currently working in a number of communities across the country to help improve their sustainable mobility options and develop realistic plans for implementation. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Systems Engineering, with a focus in Transportation, from University of Pennsylvania. Brian Doughtery is a transportation planner with the Seattle Department of Transportation's bicycle and pedestrian program. He has been the project manager for six completed road diets and is currently in the planning stage for another six road diets that are expected to be implemented in 2011. He also leads Seattle's Safe Routes to School program. As a citizen activist interested in neighborhood traffic calming and bicycle advocacy, he successfully lobbied the city to fully implement the Stone Way road diet in 2007. Ian Lockwood, Principal, AECOM, is nationally recognized for his work on Smart Growth, context-sensitive design and traffic calming. He has won awards from the ITE, APA, Renew America, and CNU and frequently speaks at professional conferences, seminars and universities. During the last five years, Mr. Lockwood has helped various public health organizations make the connection between the built form and community health. He has Bachelor and Masters degrees in civil engineering from Carleton University.

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Internship with Resource Conservation Manitoba - September 2010 - January 2011
by Beth McKechnie 03 Aug '10

03 Aug '10

**Please post widely!** **Apologies for cross-posting!** RESOURCE CONSERVATION MANITOBA / GREEN ACTION CENTRE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY July 29, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------- Event Coordinator - Active and Safe Routes to School ------------------------------------------------------------- Application deadline: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Start date: Tuesday, September 7, 2010 This position is being funded through the YMCA Youth Eco Internship Program (YEIP)*. Only those eligible for the High School Graduates YEIP can be considered for this position. Candidates may have some university education, but cannot have a degree. See below or www.yeip.ca for more information. Resource Conservation Manitoba / Green Action Centre is a non-profit community organization currently seeking an event coordinator for our Active and Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) program. The coordinator will actively encourage walking and cycling as healthy alternatives for getting kids to and from school by working closely with teachers, parents, school staff and students at selected Manitoba elementary schools, and will help to plan International Walk to School Month in October - a special event highlighting these activities. The coordinator will also help plan a regional meeting of Active and Safe Routes to School practitioners in Manitoba and Saskatchewan in November 2010. The Event Coordinator will work closely with the Active and Safe Routes to School Program Team on the planning and delivery of these events. RESPONSIBILITIES · Organizes and promotes elementary school participation in the annual International Walk to School Month in October · Follows up at schools to encourage environmentally friendly travel year-round through surveys, telephone conversations and site visits as well as ASRTS program components such as the Walking School Bus, Walking Wednesdays Club and Neighbourhood Walkabouts · Maintains a database and contact list of participating schools and community partners · Researches, prepares and distributes kit materials such as fact sheets, checklists, surveys, brochures, posters, and resources · Monitors project-related expenses · Writes reports and assists in preparing proposals and applications · Works co-operatively with other Green Commuting Initiatives staff on community-based active transportation events such as Car Free Day (September 22nd) · Responsible for website updates specific to the event · Provides event-related content for the quarterly newsletter "Off on the Right Foot" · Promotes the event through various media streams - press releases, public service announcements, interviews, Facebook, etc. · Assists with the coordination of a regional training event for Active and Safe Routes to School practitioners in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (involving invitations, managing registrations, preparing materials, taking minutes and assisting with follow-up reporting). QUALIFICATIONS Must be self-motivated, reliable and able to work collaboratively and individually. Key qualifications include: · Self-initiator with excellent interpersonal and time management skills · Professional writing, editing, research and communication skills · Commitment to work in a collaborative setting to achieve common goals · Experience in organizing events and workshops · Background in areas such as communications / social marketing / community development / environmental or health education / social change / non-profit project work · Familiar with Community Based Social Marketing concepts (see www.cbsm.com) · Ability to handle multiple tasks in a brisk work environment with a flexible schedule · Knowledge of internet-based communication and research tools · Experience in organizing promotional events, and creativity in developing advertising and media campaigns · Experience in proposal and report writing · Ease in giving public presentations and speaking with media · Demonstrated commitment to the goals of ecological sustainability and sustainable transportation · Understanding of urban transportation, planning and environmental issues · Experience working with teachers, parents, administration and staff in an elementary school setting an asset ABOUT THE POSITION This position is a 4-month work placement being funded through the Youth Eco Internship Program (YEIP)*. This program places unemployed people aged 15 to 30 from diverse backgrounds and with a high-school diploma (can have some university education) into paid internship opportunities within the non-profit and community services sector in Canada with a focus on the environment. These positions, offered in a wide range of organizations, will help young Canadians learn the skills required to gain and sustain future employment within the sector. This project is a collaboration between the YMCA and YWCA Canada, with funding provided by the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The YEIP encourages applicants from visible minority, Aboriginal, immigrant, refugee and traditionally marginalized communities to apply, and is committed to providing employment supports wherever possible. TO APPLY fill in an internship application at www.yeip.ca and indicate your interest in working with Resource Conservation Manitoba / Green Action Centre- Active and Safe Routes to School Program Direct applications by Tuesday, August 10th to: ASRTS Hiring Committee Resource Conservation Manitoba / Green Action Centre 303 Portage Avenue, 3rd Floor, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B4 E-mail: asrts(a)resourceconservation.mb.ca About RCM / Green Action Centre: Resource Conservation Manitoba / Green Action Centre is a non-profit, non-governmental organization directed by an elected community Board. RCM/Green Action's mission is to promote ecological sustainability through environmental education and the development of sustainable alternatives to unsustainable current practices. Further information about RCM/Green Action projects and activities is available on our web site at www.resourceconservation.mb.ca. RCM/Green Action's on-line guide to sustainable living in Manitoba - Living Green, Living Well - is at www.LivingGreenLivingWell.ca. *NB: We are currently undergoing a re-branding and name-change process. As of Fall 2010 we will be known solely as the Green Action Centre.

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Assiniboine Bikeway
by Erik Dickson 26 Jul '10

26 Jul '10

Hello everyone, My apologies for any cross posting. Please see the attached letter detailing the final design of the Assiniboine Bikeway including the associated changes to traffic flow and parking. This letter is currently being delivered to neighbourhood businesses and residents. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Regards, Erik Dickson B.Sc. (Hons) Marr Consulting Services 8th Floor - 136 Market Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0P4 Phone: (204) 927-3456 ext. 242 Fax: (204) 927-3443 Please consider our environment before printing this message.

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London Cycle Superhighways
by Erik Dickson 21 Jul '10

21 Jul '10

London, England is undergoing a 5 year £111 million cycling scheme (their word). Check out this very interesting video for more information: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/15831.aspx Regards, Erik Dickson B.Sc. (Hons) Marr Consulting Services 8th Floor - 136 Market Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0P4 Phone: (204) 927-3456 ext. 242 Fax: (204) 927-3443 Please consider our environment before printing this message.

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Cycling Copenhagen, Through North American Eyes
by David Wieser 18 Jul '10

18 Jul '10

Likely a future Top 10 streetfilm at over 8500 plays in the past three days. My favourite quotes... "Buckets O kids", "Drivers get tamed", "Green wave, 14 lights will be green for you", "There's alot of REALLY little bikes here, the kids ride better than most American adults" It's 10 minutes, 45 seconds. Enjoy. http://www.streetfilms.org/cycling-copenhagen-through-north-american-eyes/#… David Wieser

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Wed, July 21 webinar - Bicycle Boulevards and Neighbourhood Greenways
by Beth McKechnie 14 Jul '10

14 Jul '10

Resource Conservation Manitoba will be hosting the following APBP (Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals) webinar on Bicycle Boulevards next Wednesday, July 21st. If you would like to join us, please let me know at beth(a)resourceconservation.mb.ca. See you then! -thanks, Beth -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Webinar: Bicycle Boulevards and Neighborhood Greenways Date: Wednesday, July 21 . 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CST Location: EcoCentre boardroom (303 Portage Ave, third floor - enter via elevator inside front doors of MEC) Join APBP on July 21 to learn about the evolving best practices in the creation of bicycle boulevards. This webinar will be drawn from lessons learned in Portland, Ore., as well as across the nation. Presenters Mia Birk, CEO, Alta Planning + Design, and Greg Raisman, Traffic Safety Specialist, Portland Bureau of Transportation, will describe the current state of the practice and the next big thing-neighborhood greenways, which incorporate the idea of bicycle boulevards with green streets, neighborhood enhancements, and community building; this larger vision can appeal to more people and help with funding. The webinar will focus on helping practitioners fully optimize existing bicycle boulevards. Attendees will learn about: · route selection · levels of intervention · examples of challenges and solutions for a range of design issues · neighborhood greenway strategies, and · processes for getting project buy-in and approval. Presenters: Mia Birk is CEO and Principal at Alta Planning + Design, with 20 years experience in sustainable transportation focused on pedestrian, bicycle, trail and greenway planning, design and implementation. She is also Adjunct Professor at Portland State University, where she co-founded the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI) in the College of Urban Studies. She is the co-author of the PSU IBPI Bicycle Boulevard Planning and Design Guidebook. Mia was the City of Portland Bicycle Program Manager from 1993-99, where she led a period of rapid growth of Portland's bikeway network. She has led numerous groundbreaking studies in the field of non-motorized transportation and is a co-founder of the Cities for Cycling project of the National Association for City Transportation Officials. Greg Raisman is a Traffic Safety Specialist with the Portland Bureau of Transportation. He works in the Traffic Operations Division on the Community and School Traffic Safety Partnership team. Greg specializes in bicycle safety, school and residential traffic safety, drunk driving, red light cameras and crash data mapping and analysis. Greg's current projects include developing a citywide network of neighborhood greenways, utilizing "green streets" for traffic calming, and building programs to increase behavior change from multi-modal police enforcement.

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Thousands Play in Oakland’s Streets at the First-Ever ‘Oaklavia’
by David Wieser 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

On Sunday, June 27th, Downtown Oakland opened two miles of its streets to fun and activities—zumba dancing, circus arts, BMX bike competitions and performances from local musicians. See the video at http://www.streetfilms.org/thousands-play-in-oaklands-streets-at-the-first-… Also check out Velo-City 2010: Copenhagen Bike Parade, another great video. http://www.streetfilms.org/velo-city-2010-copenhagen-bike-parade/ David

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Bicycle rush hour in Utrect (Netherlands)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Jun '10

30 Jun '10

Perhaps we can imagine that one day Winnipeg will have this type of rush hour? (Thanks to Erik Dickson for sending along the link.) -Happy Canada Day, Beth -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-AbPav5E5M [Accompanying text with video...] Morning rush hour in the 4th largest city in the Netherlands. Streets look like this when 33% of ALL trips are made by bicycle! This is an ordinary Wednesday morning in April 2010 at around 8.30 am. Original time was 8 minutes that were compressed into 2 minutes, so everything is 4 times faster than in reality. The sound is original. This is one of the busiest junctions in Utrecht a city with a population of 300,000. No less than 18,000 bicycles and 2,500 buses pass here every day. And yet Google Street View missed it. Because private motorized traffic is restricted here. These cyclists cross a one way bus lane (also used by taxis and municipal vehicles), two light rail tracks and then a one way street that can be used by private vehicles. Behind the camera is a railway (you can hear the squeaking sounds of the trains passing) and the main railway station is very close too. A number of rental bikes from the station pass and many of the cyclists will have come by train for the first part of their commute. For those who frown upon the total absence of bike helmets in this video, consider these findings from a US study: "Cycling in the Netherlands is much safer than in the USA. The Netherlands has the lowest non-fatal injury rate as well as the lowest fatality rate, while the USA has the highest non-fatal injury rate as well as the highest fatality rate. Indeed, the non-fatal injury rate for the USA is about 30 times higher than for the Netherlands. Injury rate per million km cycled: USA 37.5; NL 1.4 Fatality rate per 100 million km cycled: USA 5.8; NL 1.1" From: Pucher, John and Buehler, Ralph (2008) 'Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany'. http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/puc...

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Globe & Mail: 2 wheels = sex appeal
by Beth McKechnie 28 Jun '10

28 Jun '10

[A little Monday morning humour under sunny bright skies. -Beth] 2 wheels = sex appeal A dude who cycles to where he needs to go is a hotter prospect than that guy in the Ferrari http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/family-and-relationships/2-wheels-sex-a… by Micah Toub A couple weeks ago, I was cycling down Queen Street in Toronto when I was serendipitously swept up in a mass ride celebrating Bike Month. It was fun to be taking over the street with this two-wheeled mob, but I have to admit I also felt a little dorky as chic shoppers gazed at us from the sidewalk, bewildered. I imagined approaching one of them at a bar. "So, do you come here often?" I'd ask, shuffling my hair, trying to remove the strange sculptures created by my helmet. "Maybe. What car do you drive?" I'd explain that I came on a bike, and then I'd get the blow-off. But then I looked around at all the spirited cyclists surrounding me, and my mind changed gears. It hit me that biking is, in fact, a far sexier way to get around than by car. Think about it: Dudes on bikes have advanced cardiovascular endurance, can expertly handle delicate moving parts, and have the ability to ride far more of the city's curves. Now, before all you suburbanite commuters and car enthusiasts toss the newspaper aside or punch your computer, let me say this: I am one of you, too. I grew up in the 'burbs and I loved my dad's 1977 Jeep Cherokee almost as much as my dog Sadie. I still love hitting the open road in a rental car for long trips. But on a day-to-day basis, if a guy can cycle to where he needs to go, he'll simply be a hotter prospect than that guy in the Ferrari. To get an, ahem, unbiased opinion from a woman, I talked to Amy Walker, one of the founders of Momentum, a Vancouver-based magazine for "self-propelled people." She agreed with me, though she began with a more relationship-oriented, poetic explanation. "When you go on a date with someone in a car, you're tied together and only one person is driving, so it's a dominant and passive relationship," she said. "When you're both on a bike, you're both in control. You're two people who have free will and are governing themselves but choosing to ride together. I really like that metaphor." Ms. Walker added that guys who bike have also found a way to kill three birds with one stone, and thus attractively maximize their time: "They ride to get to their job, they're being environmentally responsible and . they also end up having a beautiful ass," she informed me. This last point - the well-defined behind - was mentioned by each of the half-dozen women I spoke to. (Strangely, nobody mentioned the sex appeal of the amazingly well-shaped ankle muscle of a driver's clutch foot.) Tovi Heilbronn, a road racer and head of online sales for Toronto bike shop La Bicicletta, humbly admitted - only when directly questioned, of course - that he has more than once been complimented on his rock-solid seat cushion. "When girls see you in your whole racing get-up, your spandex team racing kit, well, I've had compliments that it's attractive," he said. (He admitted, however, that some women have been thrown off by his shaved legs.) Mr. Heilbronn also gave me his take on the comparison with drivers: "Think about it for a second. This guy has basically thrown tons of money into this object that is depreciating by the minute, it's terrible for the environment, and he doesn't have to be in shape to get around. What's so cool about that?" The last thing I want to do, though, is incite more divisiveness. There can be friendship between the two- and four-wheeled families. In fact, on occasion, people from across the car-bike divide fall in love and get married. Picture my friend Melissa, wearing her shades as she accelerates through the city, the top of her bright red Audi convertible down, her brunette hair flowing in the wind. She arrives to meet Pat for a first date. Lightly perspiring, Pat enters with bike helmet in hand, adjusting his beautiful mane of blond hair. "I found it a little nerdy," Melissa admitted. "I had been living in L.A. and it was a bit of a culture shock coming to Toronto and everyone is on their bike, even in their 30s and 40s." But Melissa says she came to love this aspect of Pat's personality. "He really genuinely cares about the city and he genuinely cares about doing good things about the environment," she said. "He's not just saying it - he really does mean it. Also, it helps him stay in shape and it helps his stress load a lot." But these star-crossed lovers haven't always had it easy over the years they've been dating. "Everyone in Pat's circle cycles, so sometimes I feel a bit shy that I have a nice car," Melissa told me. "We went to a party the other day and there were about 30 bikes locked up on the fence. We parked a block away." For Pat's part, he respects Melissa's choice to get around by car. "I'm a proud cyclist, but not a get-on-the-soapbox cyclist," he says. "Her car is a testament to 16 years of success with a company, a reward for services," Pat said, turning around the old stereotype of a woman getting turned on by a man's status symbol. The two will be married next year. (How they'll get to the wedding is still to be decided.) Let me backpedal a little bit more. Certainly there's a time and a place for getting behind the wheel - those with long commutes or lots of kids couldn't do without cars. I'm just saying, if you want to optimize your sexiness factor - mental, political, and physical - it might be time to acquire a two-wheeled steel beast. (You suburbanites have even more hotness to gain, given the great distances you have to cover on errands.) And the next time you're dissed by some girl at the bar, I can guarantee she'll regret it as she watches you walking away. Micah Toub's memoir, Growing Up Jung: Coming of Age as the Son of Two Shrinks, will be published in the fall of 2010.

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Bike To Work Day Morden 2010
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '10

23 Jun '10

Did you know that Winnipeg is not the only community in Manitoba celebrating Bike to Work Day this Friday? Morden is also putting on a cycling event (poster attached) that also includes walkers and rollerbladers, and a host of other activities. For more information, find Kelly Stock's contact info below. cheers, Beth 925-3772 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Kelly Stock [mailto:kellystockmstw@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 12:03 PM Subject: Bike To Work Day Morden 2010 Hello everyone, Please find attached a poster for the upcoming Bike To Work Day event in Morden on Friday, June 25th. Feel free to promote the event at your workplace throughout the week! Join other cyclists for a free breakfast, compliments of ARocha Prairie Canada, at the United Church parking lot from 7-8:30am, followed by a FREE film night with popcorn and drinks at 7pm at the Morden Library. Walkers and rollerbladers are welcome as well!! Hope to see you there! For those of you who weren't able to pick up a rain barrel last Thursday I will be selling barrels at the Morden Farmers Market again this week from 4 - 6:30pm. Take care, -- Kelly Stock Climate Change Coordinator MSTW Planning District 1-204-822-6223 Please consider the environment before printing this email. "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss, "The Lorax"

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8-80 Cities and ISCA offering amazing youth leadership scholarships
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '10

23 Jun '10

[apologies for duplicate postings] A Fantastic Opportunity for Youth this Fall! We are offering FOUR Youth Scholarships to the International Academy in Denmark Location: Ollerup, Denmark Start date: August 15, 2010 End date: December 19, 2010 Application deadline: July 13, 2010 by 9:00am 8-80 Cities in partnership with International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) is honoured to offer two Canadian and two Mexican youth the opportunity to receive an exciting four month international scholarship. Honourees will participate in the International Youth Leadership Education program with the International Academy, INTAC in Ollerup, Denmark from August 15th, 2010 to December 19th, 2010. The aim of this scholarship is to develop strong community leaders who understand the important role leadership and sport can play in developing more vibrant, equitable and sustainable communities. By taking part in this program, participants will learn and engage in an academic environment with Danish youth and approximately 30 other international students. This unique experience supports the development of leadership skills by combining organizational management, leadership theory and sports education and will develop skills applicable to volunteer organizations, sports associations and non-profit organizations. As part of the scholarship, honourees will receive: 1) Paid tuition for the 17 week program 2) Paid room and meals at the International Academy (2 youth per room) 3) Receive an International Youth Leader Education-diploma from the International Sport and Culture Association 4) Possibility for credit transfers as a part of a student's university education requirement 5) Europass Mobility Passport recognized by more than 31 European countries (the initiative is supported by EU, Council of Europe and UNESCO and is a part of the Bologna declaration) Honourees are required to pay for travel and personal expenses. Refer to application form for more details. We strongly encourage all that are eligible to apply. For those interested in applying, review the Scholarship information and complete the Application Form before July 13, 2010 9:00am. Honourees will be notified by July 16, 2010. For more scholarship information and to download the application form for Mexican Residents, visit http://www.8-80cities.org/isca.html To apply: To send in an application please include a) your completed scholarship application form, b) your resume, and c) three references and their contact information (only one reference can be a family member. Send your application and attachments via email to Sydney Luong, Communications Manager for 8-80 Cities at register(a)8-80cities.org For more information About Ollerup- International Academy, INTAC: www.ollerup.dk/?id=57 About course contents: http://ollerup.viggonet.dk/ollerup/hp/files/file/Internationale/INTAC%20fol… Details on living arrangements, code of conduct and access to school facilities, visit the FAQs: http://www.ollerup.dk/?id=54

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On-street bike parking comes to Winnipeg!
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jun '10

23 Jun '10

Hi everyone, In case you haven't seen them yet, or are wondering where the heck they came from, here are a few pics and a bit of background on the "on-street bicycle parking" downtown. The Winnipeg Parking Authority is piloting a total of 10 on-street bike racks this summer. These portable units - essentially a pad with a bike rack bolted on top - are placed in a parking spot on the street. It sure shows how many bikes (and therefore people) you can accommodate with one parking spot for a car. This also frees up sidewalk space for pedestrians, buskers, sidewalk cafes and street furniture (benches, planters, etc). Keep an eye out for the racks elsewhere around downtown this summer! cheers, Beth 925-3772

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Register for Bike to Work Day
by Erik Dickson 23 Jun '10

23 Jun '10

Hi Everyone, If you haven't registered yet for the 3rd Annual Bike to Work Day Winnipeg, then please register now! It's easy and FREE! Just go to www.biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org and click Register in the top right corner then fill in your information. You'll be entered to win great prizes like a new bike from Natural Cycle. Then THIS FRIDAY JUNE 25, ride your bike to work. Stop by the Forks from 7:00 - 9:00 AM for a free pancake breakfast. There are also 5 bike oasis scattered around the city where you can stop for some refreshments and encouragement then join a group ride to the Forks. Group rides leave each oasis at 7:15 AM. Click on "Where and When" on the Bike to Work Day webpage for more details. It is very important for everyone to register as we want to show how important cycling is in Winnipeg with a great turn-out. Please forward this on to all your friends, family and coworkers so that we can make this the most successful Bike to Work Day Winnipeg yet! There are also volunteer opportunities still available. Please contact stephen.winnemuller(a)biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org if you would like to help. Volunteers get Happy Hour all night at the Bike to Work Day After Party at Lo Pub. Regards, Erik Dickson B.Sc. (Hons) Marr Consulting Services 8th Floor - 136 Market Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0P4 Phone: (204) 927-3456 ext. 242 Fax: (204) 927-3443 Please consider our environment before printing this message.

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The costs of a stop sign
by David Wieser 19 Jun '10

19 Jun '10

An interesting look at the cost of stop sign, the benefits of rounadbouts and a new road sign "Take Turns", from Gary Lauder. http://www.ted.com/talks/gary_lauder_s_new_traffic_sign_take_turns.html David Wieser

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Winnipeg Bicycle Valet - Volunteer Opportunities
by David Wieser 13 Jun '10

13 Jun '10

Interested in promoting cycling as a form of active transportation in your city? Join an exciting new venture – Winnipeg Bicycle Valet! Winnipeg Bicycle Valet, a project of Bike to the Future, is currently accepting applications for the following four volunteer positions: Sponsorship Coordinator <http://bit.ly/bbqVAM> Volunteer Coordinator <http://bit.ly/crZUwk> Graphics and Website Coordinator <http://bit.ly/9HMwzz> Communication and Media Coordinator <http://bit.ly/9ZY52Z> *If your organization would be interested in offering a bicycle valet at your next event, please contact David Wieser at WinnipegBicycleValet(a)gmail.com*

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Tandem Tour at The Forks tonight
by Beth McKechnie 04 Jun '10

04 Jun '10

Looking for something to do tonight? The Tandem Tour (www.thetandemtour.com) has rolled in to Winnipeg and is hosting a fundraiser event tonight at The Forks. These four U of Vic students are riding 6,000 km across Canada in support of charities regarding: diabetes, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, and a conservation group called Friends of Redtail. Come out to support their efforts and check out their 4-person tandem bike (weighs 900 lbs!). 4 guys, 4 causes and 1 bike.

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INVITATION - Winnipeg Trails Association
by Janice Lukes 02 Jun '10

02 Jun '10

Winnipeg Trails Celebrations - Explore New Winnipeg Trails - all day long! Saturday, June 5th International Trails Day is celebrated throughout the world in recognition of the countless trail volunteers, trail supporters and people who use trails. This year seven events are occurring in Winnipeg! Come check them out! Complete event / location details can be found at www.WinnipegTrails.com CANSTAR papers will have multiple interesting stories online tomorrow, June 3rd: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/ Our friends in Headingley are also having an event http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/2010/05/11/headingley-grand-trunk-trail-bench-d edication/ Many elected official will be in attendance, Mayor Sam Katz will be at the Harte Trail Extension opening . . . and MOST IMPORTANTLY - THANK YOU to the many many volunteers who have put in countless hours organizing the festivities throughout Winnipeg. THANK YOU ! 8:00 am Birding hike and tree planting at 10:00 am Henteleff Park Trails, St. Vital 8:30 am Birdhouse building, bug dipping and more Bishop Grandin Greenway Trail, St. Vital 10:00 am Trailhead unveiling Northeast Pioneers Greenway Trail, North Kildonan 11:30 am Trail Opening celebrations Bois - des - Esprits Trail, South St. Vital 1:00 pm Trail Opening celebrations Cordite Trail, Transcona 1:00 pm Trail Opening celebrations Harte Trail, Charleswood 2:00 pm Prairie Pathfinders Summer Tours Launch McNally Robinsons Book Sellers / Grant Park Mall Janice Lukes Winnipeg Trails Coordinator Winnipeg Trails Association 202 - One Forks Market Road Winnipeg, MB R3C 4L9 Cell (204) 952-4222 Fax (204) 943-7915 <mailto:jlukes@shaw.ca> jlukes(a)shaw.ca winnipegtrails.com Member of City of Winnipeg Active Transportation Advisory Committee Chair, Province of Manitoba Active Transportation Advisory Group

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Prairie Pathfinder Hiking Adventures
by Beth McKechnie 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

Forwarded on behalf of the Prairie Pathfinders Walking Club <prairiepathfinders(a)shaw.ca> We are hosting an information evening on MANITOBA HIKING ADVENTURES & WALKING TOURS on June 3, 2010 at the Fort Public Garry Library, 1360 Pembina Hwy from 6:00-8:00pm. We have dozens of day hikes coming up including a full slate of 'bus supported' tours called 'BUS OFF & TAKE A HIKE'. This is a chance for interested walkers/hikers to meet us and have their questions about our new 'Bus Off & Take a Hike' tours answered in person. FYI - A club membership is NOT required for participation in these special events, so you could pass that along to friends and family who might like to join us. 5 Day Manitoba All-Inclusive Another is a dawn to dusk exploration of the scenic secret treasures of the Pembina Valley (June 27th). The Long Day Tour And one of the most fascinating tours is called 'Hike into History' (July 24th) which includes a tour of that fabulous Brandon landmark - 'The Mental'. Hike Into History The August Whiteshell Workout is for those of you who want to tackle the more challenging hikes. If weather and trail conditions allow we will take on the Hunt Lake Trail, the north end of the Mantario Trail and the wonderful Centennnial Trail. Rooms at the Pinewood Lodge will be held until July 19th. Whiteshell Workout Fall hiking in Riding Mountain National Park has become a much anticipated annual event. We haven't decided which trails we will hike. We feel they are all worth seeing once a year. We are hoping though, to find a route that will give us a new day hike into the SE corner of the park and the rugged gorges of the McFayden Valley. Riding Mtn Festival Rooms held at Clear Lake Lodge until Sept. 5th Please feel free to phone or email with any questions. Hope to see you out on the trails this summer, Leone for the Prairie Pathfinders 204.774-0190

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[At-network] Clean Air Day - free muffins, coffee, juice Wed, June 2, 7-8:30 a.m.
by Beth McKechnie 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

Celebrate Clean Air Day on the Bridge! Get a tasty reward for active commuting on Wed, June 2nd As you walk, bike, skate or roll to work, swing by the northeast side of the Osborne St. Bridge at Assiniboine Avenue for a free coffee, juice and cinnamon bun or muffin. Don't forget your travel mug! Resource Conservation Manitoba folks will be there from 7:00-8:30 a.m. to say thank you for choosing human power on Clean Air Day, as part of the week-long Commuter Challenge. For more info or to register your workplace participation for the Challenge, visit: www.resourceconservation.mb.ca/gci/CC/

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Join the Bike Ride to the Winnipeg Folk Festival
by Beth McKechnie 01 Jun '10

01 Jun '10

http://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca/wp/festival/join-the-bike-ride-to-the-wi… Join the Bike Ride to the Winnipeg Folk Festival Help reduce the festival's environmental impact! Get priority entrance to Festival Campground on Wednesday morning! The Winnipeg Folk Festival is working hard to reduce our environmental impact. This year for the first time, there will be organized bike rides out to the festival. Together, the approximately two-hour bike ride will be a great chance to enjoy the outdoors and get to the festival without driving numerous vehicles. Participants will meet at Elmwood High School, and a safe-ride van will accompany the riders, and help transport their camping gear to Bird's Hill Park. Departure Times: Bike Ride to Winnipeg Folk Festival - Birds Hill Park Wednesday, July 7, 7:00 AM and 5:30 PM Thursday, July 8, 5:30 PM Friday, July 9, 5:30 PM Return Ride to Winnipeg Sunday, July 12, 5:30 PM Monday, July 13, 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM All rides leave from Elmwood High School. The van will transport one duffel bag and one cooler per person. Riders will check in and meet half an hour prior to the ride for a stretch and general warm up. The ride will go rain or shine, and riders are encouraged to bring weather appropriate gear, a snack and plenty of water. Please have your bike checked by a bike mechanic prior to the ride. a.. 2010 Bike Ride Application b.. 2010 Bike Ride Waiver Please contact Katherine (kjohnson(a)winnipegfolkfestival.ca) for more information.

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OurWinnipeg - public info sessions
by Beth McKechnie 31 May '10

31 May '10

[Forwarded on behalf of Ian Hall, City of Winnipeg] Hello, On Wednesday, May 26, Mayor Sam Katz released OurWinnipeg - the City of Winnipegs draft 25-year plan, along with four supporting direction strategies. Newspaper advertisements the preceding weekend, as well as an e-mail blast, invited Winnipeggers to continue the conversation. In anticipation of a formal review and approval process that will occur later this year, citizens are encouraged to become more familiar with the documents by visiting SpeakUpWinnipeg.com or by attending one or more information sharing sessions. The OurWinnipeg package is extensive and citizens are encouraged to take advantage of one of these opportunities to learn about the draft documents and to ask questions of City staff. Complete event details available at www.SpeakUpWinnipeg.com. A reminder of this weeks sessions: Public Information Sessions: Come out and talk to City representatives about the OurWinnipeg document as well as the four direction strategies: Complete Communities, Sustainable Winnipeg, Sustainable Water and Waste and Sustainable Transportation. We will be on hand to discuss the content and answer any questions you might have. You will have the opportunity to look at the documents, maps and other information. * Monday, May 31, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Canad Inns Fort Gary, 1792 Pembina Hwy. * Tuesday, June 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m. River East Collegiate, 295 Sutton Ave. * Wednesday, June 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sturgeon Creek Community Centre, 210 Rita St. * Thursday, June 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. - Franco Manitoban Cultural Centre - 340 Provencher Blvd. (this will be a bilingual session) Roundtables: Primarily aimed at individuals/organizations who participated in earlier roundtable sessions, these sessions are our way of checking back with previous participants. This is an opportunity to introduce you to the Draft OurWinnipeg Package, look at sections in more detail, and to hear your comments and questions. It is an intense burst of information sharing, and we want to provide you a strong information base to start exploring the documents. If you are unable to make a session, please come out to one of the Public Information Sessions. We are happy to receive your comments and questions. Please RSVP to Becky Raddatz (braddatz(a)winnipeg.ca). Also, if you need translation or any material in alternative formats we are happy to assist. Note: for morning sessions, doors will open at 8:30, session will begin at 9:00 a.m. * Tuesday, June 1, 1:30-4:00 p.m. Millennium Library, Carol Shields Auditorium - Topic: Opportunity & Vitality * Wednesday, June 2, 8:30-11:00 a.m. Millennium Library, Buchwald Room Topic: Sustainability * Wednesday, June 2, 1:30-4:00 p.m. Millennium Library, Buchwald Room Topic: Housing/Recreation/Libraries * Thursday, June 3, 8:30-11:00 a.m. Millennium Library, Buchwald Room Topic: Creativity * Thursday, June 3, 1:30-4:00 p.m. Millennium Library, Buchwald Room Topic: City Building, including Transportation * Friday, June 4, 8:30-11:00 a.m. Millennium Library, Carol Shields Auditorium Topic: Opportunity & Vitality + Open session (all topics) * Friday, June 4, 1:30-4:00 p.m. Millennium Library, Carol Shields Auditorium Topic: Safety & Security + Open session (all topics)

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SpeakUpWinnipeg Information Sharing Sessions this Week
by Hall, Ian 31 May '10

31 May '10

Hello, On Wednesday, May 26, Mayor Sam Katz released OurWinnipeg - the City of Winnipeg's draft 25-year plan, along with four supporting direction strategies. Newspaper advertisements the preceding weekend, as well as an e-mail blast, invited Winnipeggers to continue the conversation. In anticipation of a formal review and approval process that will occur later this year, citizens are encouraged to become more familiar with the documents by visiting SpeakUpWinnipeg.com or by attending one or more information sharing sessions. The OurWinnipeg package is extensive and citizens are encouraged to take advantage of one of these opportunities to learn about the draft documents and to ask questions of City staff. Complete event details available at www.SpeakUpWinnipeg.com <http://www.speakupwinnipeg.com/> . A reminder of this week's sessions: Public Information Sessions: Come out and talk to City representatives about the OurWinnipeg document as well as the four direction strategies: Complete Communities, Sustainable Winnipeg, Sustainable Water and Waste and Sustainable Transportation. We will be on hand to discuss the content and answer any questions you might have. You will have the opportunity to look at the documents, maps and other information. * Monday, May 31, 5:30-8:30 p.m. - Canad Inns Fort Gary, 1792 Pembina Hwy. * Tuesday, June 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m. - River East Collegiate, 295 Sutton Ave. * Wednesday, June 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m. - Sturgeon Creek Community Centre, 210 Rita St. * Thursday, June 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. - Franco Manitoban Cultural Centre - 340 Provencher Blvd. (this will be a bilingual session) Roundtables: Primarily aimed at individuals/organizations who participated in earlier roundtable sessions, these sessions are our way of 'checking back' with previous participants. This is an opportunity to introduce you to the Draft OurWinnipeg Package, look at sections in more detail, and to hear your comments and questions. It is an intense burst of information sharing, and we want to provide you a strong information base to start exploring the documents. If you are unable to make a session, please come out to one of the Public Information Sessions. We are happy to receive your comments and questions. Please RSVP to Becky Raddatz (braddatz(a)winnipeg.ca <mailto:braddatz@winnipeg.ca> ). Also, if you need translation or any material in alternative formats we are happy to assist. Note: for morning sessions, doors will open at 8:30, session will begin at 9:00 a.m. * Tuesday, June 1, 1:30-4:00 p.m. - Millennium Library, Carol Shields Auditorium - Topic: Opportunity & Vitality * Wednesday, June 2, 8:30-11:00 a.m. - Millennium Library, Buchwald Room - Topic: Sustainability * Wednesday, June 2, 1:30-4:00 p.m. - Millennium Library, Buchwald Room - Topic: Housing/Recreation/Libraries * Thursday, June 3, 8:30-11:00 a.m. - Millennium Library, Buchwald Room - Topic: Creativity * Thursday, June 3, 1:30-4:00 p.m. - Millennium Library, Buchwald Room - Topic: City Building, including Transportation * Friday, June 4, 8:30-11:00 a.m. - Millennium Library, Carol Shields Auditorium - Topic: Opportunity & Vitality + Open session (all topics) * Friday, June 4, 1:30-4:00 p.m. - Millennium Library, Carol Shields Auditorium - Topic: Safety & Security + Open session (all topics) Please visit www.SpeakUpWinnipeg.com <http://www.speakupwinnipeg.com/> to review the draft document package. We hope to see you at one or more of the sessions!

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