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An interesting idea
by Stacy Matwick 20 Oct '08

20 Oct '08

http://www.insnet.org/ins_headlines.rxml?id=25519&photo= Smart Bikes for Denmark iNSNews Oct. 13, 2008 MIT researchers unveiled a major new project in Copenhagen on Oct. 10 called Smart Biking, aimed at transforming bicycle use in Denmark's largest city, promoting urban sustainability and building new connections between the city's cyclists. Cheers Stacy Matwick Information Centre International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Ave. E., 6th floor Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 0Y4 Voice: (204)958-7755 Fax: (204)958-7710 Email: smatwick(a)iisd.ca Website: http://www.iisd.org "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" Groucho Marx "Life is like a bicycle, to keep your balance your must keep on moving" Albert Einstein

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The Cost of Car Dependence in Winnipeg is 960 Million Dollars per year
by Anders Swanson 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Does this help?: I calculated the current cost of accidents, pollution, congestion, noise and greenhouse gases for the city at apporximately $*960 million / year. *I thought it might help to have costs associated with any argument for active transportation and against projects which cause more long term car dependence like Waverly West, an inner ring road for Winnipeg, etc... I won't post often, but thought this might be a useful stat that is unique. It might put some context in a world where we are always told of the challenges and the costs of bike lanes/ paths, etc.. , but have no local ammunition to express the gains that we will see or the costs of simply doing nothing. * *While writing an email to a committee I sit on, I realized I needed a dollar number to attach to the problems caused by cars in Winnipeg. A fair and realistic number is hard to come by, so I had to figure it out. It pains me to talk dollars about what what should be an obvious, intuitive and heartfelt argument, . . . nonetheless . . I was inspired by the recently released results of a very unique 1.4 million dollar study done by Transport Canada, showing that the cost of car dependence in Canada is *$40 Billion* */ year*. (easy to read reference<http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/09/01/mtl-socialcosttransportstudy090…>(CBC) - I have emailed Transport Canada for help finding the study itself.) I thought it would be more useful if it were applied specifically to Winnipeg. My simple methodology, which Jeremy or Mark at Bike to the Future may wish to critique, was as follows: - The current population of Canada is 33,403,049 people. (reference)<http://www.statcan.ca/english/edu/clock/population.htm>Eighty percent of them live in urban centres, the people most affected by the adverse effects of automobile dependence. (reference)<http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/demo62a.htm>= 26,722,439 people. - The current population of Winnipeg (100% urban) is 653,300 (reference)<http://www.winnipeg.ca/cao/pdfs/population.pdf> or 2.4% of the urban population of Canada. 2.4% of $40 billion (Winnipeg's share) = *$960 million. ** 960 million dollars does not include the loss of the disposable wealth people would have from not owning a car (approx 13-17% of their income minus the cost of bicycles and a trailer for each of their family members, bus tickets/handit transit / taxis for the winter or for the elderly, membership to a car co-op for trips to the lake and train tickets at Christmas). It also does not include intangible costs like lost tourism, lost tax base (people mmoving away or not moving here at all), lost wildlife and lost aesthetic value and a great deal other things that always get overlooked in any rational / linear study attempts to quantify this interesting and complex world. *Anders Swanson* One Green City *

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Disraeli ped/cyclist bridge follow-up
by Beth McKechnie 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

Hello everyone: I found the following article in the weekly newspapers a bit of a head shaker Councillor Lillian Thomas (Elmwood-East Kildonan) and Jim Maloway, NDP canadidate in the federal riding of Elmwood-Transcona, are trying to argue that peds and cyclists are not actually safer with a separate bridge. Here's the link plus I've pasted the text below: http://www.canstarnews.com/page/story/the_metro/3404 cheers, Beth * * * * * Maloway, Thomas opposed to bridge plan By Jolie Toews Oct. 2, 2008 Two local politicians say the citys recent decision to build a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists between the Disraeli and Louise bridges wont make it safer for users and isnt worth the expense. On Sept. 24, city council voted 11-4 in favour of the Disraeli Bridge rehabilitation project that calls for repairs to the existing single-span, four-lane roadway that connects Henderson Highway with Main Street. The $140-million plan includes replacement of the bridge deck, refurbishment of the concrete foundations and steel bridge girders and widened shared vehicle and cyclist curb lanes with one pedestrian sidewalk. The plan also includes a new $15-million bridge for cyclists and pedestrians to be located east of the Disraeli Bridge over the Red River. Coun. Lillian Thomas (Elmwood-East Kildonan) voted against the plan, saying it didnt make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists and didnt address the expected traffic disruptions during the bridges closure while it undergoes repairs. It makes no sense to spend $15 million there, said Thomas, adding that the plan should have included a sidewalk on each side of the Disraeli Bridge instead of a separate bridge solely for pedestrian and cyclist use. Thomas said having a single sidewalk on the east side of the Disraeli Bridge isnt safe for pedestrians who are leaving or going to the north side of the bridge on the west side of Henderson Highway because they have to walk under the bridge to get across. I think my area is pretty safe, but thats not a safe area, said Thomas, referring to the area just south of the Elmwood Cemetery. Jim Maloway, NDP candidate in the federal riding of Elmwood-Transcona, said the new bridge could create safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists because they would be removed from most people who would be willing to help them if they were in danger. Maloway said he doesnt think its worth spending $15 million on building the new bridge. Why would you build a bicycle bridge between two existing bridges when it probably wont be used much in the winter time and probably not very much at night because of the area it leads into? he said. Maloway said he is still fighting for a two-span, six-lane Disraeli Bridge. We need the second span, because the city, itself, says well need it in 20 years, said Maloway, a former NDP MLA. Maloway said he is still collecting signatures from people in the area who are opposed to the plan to close the bridge for up to 16 months for repairs and would prefer a second span. The city said the plan is the most functional and cost-effective way to preserve the Disraeli Bridge for at least the next 75 years. The city said it decided not to build a two-span, six-lane bridge because additional traffic lanes are not necessary for the traffic volumes in the near future. Approximately 40,000 vehicles currently cross the Disraeli Bridge every day. City officials have said daily traffic volumes upwards of 60,000 vehicles would merit consideration of expanding the bridge to six lanes. The estimated cost of building a six-lane structure is $300 million. Elmwood business owner Jan Stuyck, a member of the stakeholder advisory committee for the project, supports a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. It is safer, by far, she said. Stuyck said she is concerned about people walking and cycling alongside traffic on the Disraeli Bridge. If they fall, theyre right there under the traffic, she said. The city approved plans for a public-private partnership to repair the existing structure. One of the objectives is to complete construction in the shortest possible time and, if possible, only partially close the bridge. Construction is slated to begin in 2010. Thomas said she is unhappy that the community didnt have enough time to find out about the new plan. People in the area are feeling like theyre being picked on, Thomas said, pointing to the citys decision to tear down the Kelvin Community Centre and its decision not to build a second span for the Disraeli.

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Fw: Active Transportation - Canada: October 3, 2008
by Beth McKechnie 03 Oct '08

03 Oct '08

----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Haynes To: activetransportation(a)rogers.com Sent: Friday, October 03, 2008 11:44 AM Subject: Active Transportation - Canada: October 3, 2008 Active Transportation - Canada features a regular posting of news articles, studies, reports, and other items that have relevance in this field, with previous postings available in an archive. In addition, pictures of existing Active Transportation infrastructure from communities across Canada will be profiled each week. The following items have recently been posted to the Active Transportation - Canada Blog. To view in more detail, go to: http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.com **************************************************************************************************** 1.. Article - $50B transit plan would improve GO, TTC 2.. Upcoming Event - Vancouver: Guidelines for Child and Youth Friendly Land Use and Transportation Planning 3.. Article - Kelowna cycling cash 4.. Interesting Website - Worldometers: Bicycle Statistics 5.. Article - Obesity and high oil prices are good news for the world’s biggest bikemaker 6.. Upcoming Event - Toronto: Ontario's Inaugural Road Pricing Forum 7.. Article - Belleville: Kiwanis Skateboard Park is 'friggin' sick' 8.. Article - A small step for commuters, a giant leap for saving the planet 9.. Article - Montreal: Carefree on a car-free day 10.. Article - It's traffic as usual on Toronto's no-car day 11.. Car Free Day News - London UK **************************************************************************************************** A reminder e-mail of new postings will be sent no more often than once per week. To continue to receive these updates, you need take no action. Should you not wish to receive updates, please return this e-mail with "Unsubscribe" in the Subject area. For more information, please contact: Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions activetransportation(a)rogers.com 613.424.2803

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More cities trying out ciclovias
by Beth McKechnie 03 Oct '08

03 Oct '08

MORE CITIES TRYING OUT CICLOVIAS According to an article in the Sept. 28 "Parks, Greenways, Trails, Great Places to Walk & Bike" newsletter [by Gil Penalosa], "An increasing number of cities are temporarily opening streets to people and closing them to cars. Without any capital investments (some operational), they are getting people out to be physically active; from thousands in small communities to millions in large cities, it is working. "Thanks to StreetFilms and the leadership of Clarence Eckerson, now we can learn from many of these 'best practices.' Use the videos to get people on board, and then barrow the Nike slogan and 'just do it!' It takes political will, a can-do attitude from city staff, and community engagement. "See four examples of magnificent exercises of social integration where people of all ages, gender, levels of ability, economic and ethnic backgrounds come out and participate as equals. Although Bogota has enjoyed ciclovia for many years, NYC, San Francisco, and Portland began in 2008; you can too, by learning from them. This could be your first resolution for 2009!" Videos: Bogota (CO): http://tinyurl.com/4ynyeu New York City (NY): http://tinyurl.com/3mwe9p San Francisco (CA): http://tinyurl.com/4m3svh Portland (OR) http://tinyurl.com/3tqlh9

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WFP editorial: The right bridge (Sept.25'08)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Sep '08

25 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press a.. Winnipeg Free PressEditorialsThe right bridge bylineParse(' ') Updated: September 25, 2008 at 07:24 AM CDT CITY council, with some dissent, has approved the rational option for saving the Disraeli overpass and bridge, a span that is, by some professional assessment, heading to collapse. It is disconcerting when the public works department says the bridge is OK for now, largely on the premise it is inspected four times a year for further decay. The city administration needs to move this capital priority along as fast is prudently possible. The supports and surface of the 48-year-old bridge will be rehabilitated, and a separate cycling/pedestrian bridge will be built to the east of Disraeli. The project, which will involve a private partner to whom the city will pay rent on the bridge for 30 years, will cost $140 million. Four dissenting councillors wanted to see a double span constructed, for an additional $150 million. They were concerned the closure of the bridge for up to 16 months would make the commute from the city's northeast, down alternate routes, onerous. It is expected to add nine minutes to the trip, which almost doubles travel time for some. No one is predicting that there will be population growth along Henderson Highway to justify a double span bridge over the Red River. Further, if the general trends on bus riding hold, any increased pressure on the route ought to be partially offset by the more efficient mode of transportation. Councillors are expected to speak for their constituents interests but not so disproportionately against the interests of the broader community. The commuters from East Kildonan will feel the temporary inconvenience most acutely, but to double the cost of the Disraeli project would be inappropriate. The city was told that improving bus service with shuttles and park-and-rides is one way to reduce the increased strain on North Main Street, from the Chief Peguis Trail and the Redwood Bridge. The focus inevitably will be on rush-hour demand, but in isolation of the larger picture -- encouraging the development of more useful mass transit options to attract more riders -- would reduce the exercise to a stop-gap measure that likely would revert back to current ridership when Disraeli opens again. Winnipeg has been nursing an infrastructure-deficit hangover for decades. It will take a long time to dig out of the multi-million dollar hole. Bridges and freeways are big, expensive things to build and maintain and dangerous when their repair needs are ignored. Pushing drivers onto mass transit can help ease the long-term cost of road maintenance. That should become an integral piece of Winnipeg's the infrastructure maintenance plan. a.. a.. © 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. Powered by McClatchy Interactive

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WFP: Council OK's Disraeli refit (Sept.25'08)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Sep '08

25 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press a.. Winnipeg Free PressLocal NewsCouncil OK's Disraeli refit; area councillors ignored bylineParse('By Bartley Kives') Updated: September 25, 2008 at 02:50 AM CDT WINNIPEG will forge ahead with a plan to fix the aging Disraeli Freeway against the wishes of every councillor who represents the northeast quadrant of the city. City council voted 11-4 on Wednesday to approve a Disraeli Freeway repair plan that calls for new concrete decking and refurbished structural supports on the existing 1.1-kilometre roadway, which includes a single-span, four-lane bridge that connects Elmwood with downtown. The $140-million plan, which calls for a new pedestrian-and-bike bridge to rise over the Red River three blocks to the east, will result in a freeway closure that may last as long as 16 months. The city hopes to reduce that closure by writing incentives into a formal call for proposals to design, build and maintain the freeway, which was built in 1960 and then damaged by corrosion during the next 48 years. Winnipeg's chief administrative officer will ensure the city chooses a private construction consortium that either comes up with a plan to speed up the Disraeli repair job or finds a way to keep two lanes of freeway traffic open while some of the work takes place, Mayor Sam Katz said. But the mayor's assurances could not stop all four councillors who represent the areas most affected by the closure to vote against the plan. North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty, Elmwood Coun. Lillian Thomas and St. Boniface Coun. Dan Vandal opposed the plan because they believe a 16-month closure is intolerable to northeast Winnipeg motorists. Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt believes the plan is short-sighted because the city will soon need to refurbish the 97-year-old Louise Bridge and must also build a new bridge to carry buses from Point Douglas to a future Nairn Avenue rapid-transit corridor. "This is a city that sometimes thinks like a village," said Wyatt, decrying a lack of long-term planning in the city. The northeast Winnipeg politicians said they would prefer to see Winnipeg build a dual-span, six-lane Disraeli Freeway that could accommodate traffic on one span while the other is under construction. Rookie councillor Browaty called the single-span plan the biggest disappointment he's seen since he joined council, while Thomas suggested city engineers have overstated the cost of building a dual-span Disraeli Freeway. Those engineers have placed the projected cost in the $300-million range. Katz said the city cannot afford the tab and is not likely to get help for the project from the provincial government. "There's no pot of gold on Broadway," the mayor said. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca a.. a.. © 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. Powered by McClatchy Interactive

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Vote online re: ped/cyclist bridge at Disraeli
by Beth McKechnie 23 Sep '08

23 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press Web Poll VOTE ONLINE at winnipegfreepress.com "Do you like the idea of a separate bridge for pedestrians and cyclists on the Disraeli Freeway?" * * * * * * * * * * Beth McKechnie Green Commuting Initiatives Resource Conservation Manitoba www.resourceconservation.mb.ca

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WFP: City eyes pedestrian/bike span - Disraeli reconstruction (Sept.23'08)
by Beth McKechnie 23 Sep '08

23 Sep '08

Winnipeg Free Press Local News City eyes pedestrian/bike spanWould be part of Disraeli reconstruction bylineParse('By Bartley Kives') Updated: September 23, 2008 at 02:50 AM CDT Cyclists are ecstatic but northeast Winnipeg politicians are fuming over the latest Disraeli Freeway reconstruction plan, which calls for a new pedestrian-and-bike bridge but no guarantees motorists won't be stuck in construction traffic for as long as 16 months. After mulling over three Disraeli design options, city bridge engineers have chosen to forge ahead with a four-lane, single-span structure that will keep the price down to $140 million by reusing existing concrete foundations and steel girders. The design, which comes before city council's public works committee today, calls for a single sidewalk, wider curb lanes to allow vehicles and cyclists to share the road and a brand-new pedestrian/cyclist bridge that would connect Elmwood with North Point Douglas several blocks to the east. City engineers say the dedicated pedestrian/bike bridge will add $12.5 million to a design originally pegged at $125 million, but remains cheaper than a $160-million option that called for a wider motor-vehicle bridge to accommodate a separated bike lane. "No fumes, no fast cars zooming by you. This is exactly what we wanted," said Kevin Miller, a spokesman for Bike To The Future, a commuter-cyclist lobby group. "This is just a wonderful solution that fits in perfectly with the (bike trail) infrastructure that's been built in the last few years." Pending council approval, city engineers will search for a private construction consortium to design, build, finance and maintain the 1.1-kilometre roadway later this fall, with the hopes of seeing actual work start in 2010. Preference will be given to a consortium that comes up with a way to abbreviate the expected 16-month construction period or keep two lanes open to traffic while the work is underway, public works director Bill Larkin said. Those goals will be written into the formal request for proposals, but northeast Winnipeg politicians would still prefer to see the city adopt a design that would not require any closures on the Disraeli Freeway. North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty, Elmwood Coun. Lillian Thomas, Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt and former Elmwood MLA Jim Maloway -- who's now running for a federal seat in Transcona -- have been urging the city to build a six-lane, double-span Disraeli Freeway. Browaty said his constituents won't be happy with any closure on the motor-vehicle bridge. Maloway completely panned the new city design. "This sounds to me like a pretty goofy idea, because it doesn't change the fact people will be inconvenienced for a year and a half," he said. City engineers have pegged the price of a double-span Disraeli Freeway at around $300 million, a figure Larkin says the city cannot justify on the basis of meeting future traffic needs or alleviating construction-period congestion. Even at $140 million, the freeway reconstruction is the second-most-expensive roadway project on Winnipeg's horizon, after the $324-million southwest Winnipeg bus corridor announced by Mayor Sam Katz and Premier Gary Doer earlier this month. The special meeting of city council's public works committee has been called for this morning to allow Couns. Thomas, Browaty, Bill Clement and Harry Lazarenko to review the Disraeli design, while council as a whole votes on the plan on Wednesday. Maloway said that does not allow enough time for debate, claiming he's heard from 5,000 northeast Winnipeg residents who want to see a two-span bridge built at any cost. bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca * * © 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. Powered by McClatchy Interactive

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Anders may not toot his own horn ...
by Stacy Matwick 21 Sep '08

21 Sep '08

But I will ;-) "The Front Line: Five Local Eco Heroes" by Jordy Gold GreenLiving Fall 2008 p. 33-37 "For every Al Gore or Jane Goodall, there are a legion of relatively unknown individuals whose accomplishments are equally impressive. Meet five inspiring Canadians." http://www.greenlivingonline.com/EnviroHeroes/5-local-eco-heroes/ For the full article (with pictures) http://magazine.greenlivingonline.com/greenliving/2008fall Cheers Stacy Matwick Information Centre International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Ave. E., 6th floor Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 0Y4 Voice: (204)958-7755 Fax: (204)958-7710 Email: smatwick(a)iisd.ca Website: http://www.iisd.org "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" Groucho Marx "Life is like a bicycle, to keep your balance your must keep on moving" Albert Einstein

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