- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP Metro: Should we lower residential speed limits? - Scott Gillingham (Aug19'20)
by Beth McKechnie 19 Aug '20

19 Aug '20

Should we lower residential speed limits? I regularly hear from many residents of St. James concerned about the speeds that vehicles are travelling down their streets. My office receives multiple requests every year for speed humps, slow down signs, stop signs, pedestrian crosswalks, traffic studies and increased police enforcement, all in an effort to make the streets we live on feel safer. The people of St. James are not alone in their desire. My council colleagues receive similar requests from residents across Winnipeg who are calling for steps to be taken to improve the sense of safety on local streets. This is a trend that is growing across Canada. The cities of Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto are currently engaged in studies examining the reduction of speed limits on residential streets to something less than 50 km/h. The City of Winnipeg is also considering reducing the default speed limit on residential streets to either 30 km/h or 40 km/h. The speed limit is currently 50 km/h on residential streets. A recent report from the city’s administration says “(t)here is a strong interest from both Council and the public to investigate a city-wide speed limit reduction for Winnipeg’s residential streets, as reducing speeds is proven to make streets calmer, quieter, and safer for people walking, biking, driving, and enjoying their neighbourhood.” Council has asked city staff to conduct a jurisdictional scan, to examine the impacts of reducing speeds on residential streets to 30 km/h or 40 km/h, to review the existing street classification system, to look at best practices and engineering data and to conduct public engagement in order to get feedback, ideas and involve the public in decision-making. This work will take place over the next year. The study will also include a trial speed limit reduction on one street in each ward (including the St. James ward) of either 30 km/h or 40 km/h. The pilot streets have not yet been selected. I support lowering the default speed limit from 50 km/h on Winnipeg’s residential streets. Research shows that there is a relationship between speed and the severity of injuries in a collision. Even though lower speeds are known to improve safety, I still hear from some residents (albeit fewer) who want the speed limit to remain at 50 km/h. Therefore, I believe 40 km/h on local streets has the best chance of getting public support as a reasonable middle ground between those residents opposed to any change and those calling for 30 km/h. I realize that speed limits are a contentious issue, so I want to hear from you. Are you in favour of seeing speed limits on residential streets lowered from 50 km/hr? Please call me at 204-986-5848 or email scottgillingham(a)winnipeg.ca Enjoy the rest of your summer.

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WFP - The Times: A healthier community — one bike at a time (Aug17'20)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Aug '20

18 Aug '20

A healthier community — one bike at a time https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/times/forum/A-healthier-c… Over the spring and summer months, I have been working very closely with an organization in the Notre Dame constituency that does really great work. The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub, also known as The WRENCH, builds, repairs, and helps to maintain bikes. They sell, rent, and donate their bikes, not just to individual people, but they even have entire fleets available for businesses. Bicycles are a fantastic way to participate in active transportation. We know that getting around by bike is healthy not only for ourselves but for the environment and our community, as well. In cities around the world where bike use is more common, traffic congestion lightens up and air pollution is reduced. The WRENCH is a permanent fixture of Hugh John Macdonald School, where staff and volunteers provide skills and training to students. They also do community outreach events such as cycling safety workshops and bike giveaway/tune-up events which they have held at IRCOM and Rossbrook House. I was thrilled to work with The WRENCH on some of these outreach events where I got to witness firsthand how hard they work for our community. Not only is The WRENCH promoting a healthier community by getting people on bikes, they are also saving bike parts that are still useable from landfills. Sustainably is a core value of the organization. Most recently, I was happy to be in attendance when The Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) donated four laptops to The WRENCH that will be used by staff to keep the organization running, growing, and thriving. *Because The WRENCH has been so successful at making a good impact in our community, it is expanding. It is currently in a basement on Logan Avenue which it has outgrown. So, The WRENCH is looking to purchase a larger building to meet the demands of the growing organization. In order to achieve this, The WRENCH is planning a capital campaign to raise $250,000 to put towards the purchase of a bigger space.* To learn more about this fantastic organization and to see its event schedule, you can visit thewrench.ca/ <https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/times/forum/thewrench.ca/> As always, feel free to get in touch with my office at Malaya.marcelino(a)yourmanitoba.ca or call 204-788-0800.

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WFP: City seeks input on enhanced AT routes (Aug17'20)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Aug '20

18 Aug '20

** please share widely ** City seeks input on enhanced AT routes The City of Winnipeg wants your views on opening local streets to offer greater active transportation access. As part of its COVID-19 response, Winnipeg now offers 10 enhanced temporary active transportation routes, which prioritize bicycles and pedestrians by limiting motor vehicles to one block of travel between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. The move was meant to help Winnipeggers safely enjoy the outdoors with enough room to socially distance themselves from others. The current routes are slated to last until at least Sept. 7. *To help evaluate future options for these “open streets,” Winnipeggers are asked to complete a survey now posted at *winnipeg.ca/walkbike2020. Prior to 2020, four enhanced AT routes were offered each year on Sundays and holidays only, between Victoria Day and Thanksgiving weekend. Complete the survey by September 7th.

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10th anniversary of Bicycle Valet Winnipeg
by Beth McKechnie 14 Aug '20

14 Aug '20

Great article on the Bike Winnipeg website for the 10th anniversary of Bicycle Valet Winnipeg. Hard to believe it's already been 10 years! https://bikewinnipeg.ca/2020/08/12/winnipeg-bicycle-valet-from-idea-to-real… Congrats to founder, David Weiser, and to all the hard working staff and volunteers since 2009. cheers, Beth -- Beth McKechnie (she/her) *| *Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3777 x102 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://www.gomanitoba.ca>

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The shape and size of personal trucks
by Charles Feaver 14 Aug '20

14 Aug '20

An article about the growing size and shape of personal trucks, and the danger they pose to other road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists: https://theweek.com/articles/929196/case-against-american-truck-bloat FYI Bike Winnipeg argued this issue at the latest PUB review of MPI road safety programs, and the PUB has ordered MPI to analyze the extent to which personal trucks do more harm to other road users than sedan type vehicles. MPI is in a unique position to do this, what with having 100% of the data from crashes in the province and a methodology for assigning costs to injury (v. other jurisdictions which have highly variable injury cost settlements arising from court proceedings). It will be interesting to see what this study finds. Charles Feaver 11 Harvard Ave Winnipeg R3M 0J6 204.293.6332

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CTV: City reopens new and improved Empress Street after three years (Aug13'20)
by Beth McKechnie 13 Aug '20

13 Aug '20

WINNIPEG -- After three years of road construction, the new Empress Street overpass, which included rehabilitation and the creation of a new cycling and pedestrian route, is now open. On Thursday morning the City of Winnipeg, along with the federal and provincial government, got together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially reopen the stretch of road between Portage Avenue and St. Matthews Avenue. "I can't tell you how great it is to have protected cycling facilities that are separate from the road," said Coun. Matt Allard, chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works said. "Infrastructure investments like these are so essential to encouraging mode shift." Despite the pouring rain, Allard said he did cycle to the announcement to give the new cycling route a try. The project cost about $23 million, with $921,000 coming from the province and nearly $4.5 million coming from the federal government. The rest of the project was covered in the City's capital budget. "As a (former) city councillor, I understand that the city can't do it alone – we need the federal government and the provincial government to step up and that is exactly what we've been doing," said Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, representing the federal government. The project included new accessible pedestrian ramps on the north and south side of Portage Avenue, as well as new bi-directional bicycle paths in a protected lane along Empress from the Assiniboine River path. "As an avid cyclist, I am very thrilled to be partnering with my civic and federal counterparts to build more active transportation, because we know in Winnipeg we get all kinds of weather," said Rochelle Squires, Manitoba Minister of Municipal Relations. "I know this pathway will be used well into the future for all the people who do choose the active transportation." Coun. Scott Gillingham, who represents St. James, said this was a project he's had in his sights since he was elected. "When I was fundraising in 2014, the residents told me many times that roads were the number one issue, specifically around the Polo Park area, so I'm glad to see this project completed," he said. The City of Winnipeg has more information about the project online <https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/construction/projects/empress.stm>. https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/city-reopens-new-and-improved-empress-street-af…

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Why Walking to Work May Be Better for You Than a Casual Stroll
by Beth McKechnie 12 Aug '20

12 Aug '20

Study finds people walk faster, report being healthier, when they walk with a purpose https://news.osu.edu/why-walking-to-work-may-be-better-for-you-than-a-casua…

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WFP: First Fridays talk puts post-pandemic Winnipeg in focus
by Beth McKechnie 06 Aug '20

06 Aug '20

First Fridays talk puts post-pandemic Winnipeg in focus https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/arts/first-fr… THERE are few aspects of daily life in Winnipeg and beyond that haven’t been changed, in some way, over the past few months by the pandemic — among them how we interact and communicate, get places and buy things. Urban designer and visual artist Lawrence Bird doesn’t have all the answers, but he does have plenty of ideas that he’ll be discussing Friday with Alison Gillmor, moderator of Building a Post-Pandemic Future, this month’s First Fridays in the Exchange Art Talk. >From bike lanes to open-plan offices, Bird and Gillmor will discuss how prior pandemics have transformed the world and what kind of changes the current one might inspire. The big question is if Winnipeg — a city that “doesn’t change super-quickly,” says Bird — will do the unexpected and embrace the changes that may be coming, or remain entrenched in its old ways. “It’s been 10 years or so since there has been a gradual movement downtown,” says Bird. “Will that stop? Will they turn around? I don’t think so.” Changes to urban design and architecture have been the response, in some cases, to pandemics of the past, such as the creation of Central Park in New York City to improve public health, or the construction of the avenues of Paris; improvements that benefited the wealthy while displacing other communities, he says. Adding to the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic was the need to lock down personal care homes to outside visitors which, in some cases, eliminated any communication between residents and family. Recognizing the need for family contact, the province put out a call for “visitation shelter” designs that would allow in-person connections while ensuring other residents and staff remain safe. Bird is an urban designer at Sputnik Architecture Inc., which recently submitted a design. He believes the pandemic — and learning from past mistakes — may help people better understand the need for new urban designs that are sustainable, inclusive and equitable. One example is shared road spaces — called “woonerfs” in Holland. “A couple decades ago, this idea came up that rather than separating cars and pedestrians, they can walk in the same space,” he says. “And the result is less accidents. Instead of zooming through, focused on the road, the (drivers) are looking out for pedestrians and the pedestrians are looking out for cars. It’s a mutual recognition.” Could an idea like that actually work in a car-centric city such as Winnipeg? It already has, he says. “Winnipeg has actually experimented with this in John Hirsch Place, the alleyway by the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre,” he says. “People can walk through there and drive through there. There haven’t been accidents, as far as I know.” “You could do that along many other streets in Winnipeg.” Building a Post-Pandemic Future, with Lawrence Bird, will be streamed online at firstfridayswinnipeg.org Friday at 7 p.m. The event is free to watch. frances.koncan(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @franceskoncan

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WFP: Ottawa aims to spur quick builds (Aug6'20)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Aug '20

06 Aug '20

Program tweaked so Manitoba can get $117M Ottawa aims to spur quick builds https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/coronavirus/ottawa-makes-push-for… OTTAWA — The federal government is rejigging its massive infrastructure plan to allow provinces to divert 10 per cent of their federal funding into shovel-ready projects aimed at helping people keep physically distant. *That could mean Manitoba will get up to $117 million, which has been gummed up in red tape, to build bike lanes and hospital extensions and retrofit classrooms.* “Once we get on the other side of COVID… infrastructure’s going to be a way to rebuild our cities, our rural areas and the North,” said Dan Vandal, Manitoba’s federal cabinet minister. The Manitoba government said it will study the proposal and see if it can help clear obstacles to getting infrastructure funds out the door. The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) has been plagued with problems since Manitoba signed onto its quota in 2018. The decade-long plan is aimed at repairing Canada’s crumbling roads and outdated buildings, such as recreation centres. *ICIP splits projects into four areas, such as green, rural and public transit *— and largely requires provinces to match the cost. Numerous provinces have said the criteria make it hard to get projects through the federal approval process. The Liberals have partially acknowledged that problem, while insisting provinces aren’t putting up enough cash to qualify. Winnipeg’s city council has shelved projects it nominated for the plan, after the belt-tightening provincial Progressive Conservatives put up less funding than the city wanted. On Wednesday, the federal Liberals announced provinces can divert 10 per cent of their federal ICIP cash into shovel-ready projects, targeted at making life easier during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna told reporters even cell phone and broadband projects could qualify for funding. “We’re using existing money to make sure that we’re getting better outcomes,” she said. “This is for projects that can be built quickly.” The reappropriated funding is intended for projects for which construction would start by fall 2021 and be completed by the end of that year. The federal government could also form more direct partnerships with cities, which municipalities have sought for years. *Instead of the usual formula of Ottawa and the province each covering 40 per cent of costs and leaving the city to pay the remaining 20 per cent, these COVID-19 projects could have Ottawa pay four-fifths of the cost without provinces contributing a dime.* *However, those projects would still require the provincial government to sign off on them.* Manitoba Central Services Minister Reg Helwer seemed open to green-lighting such projects, saying the PCs want job-stimulating projects in cities and First Nations, while allowing the province to afford essential services. “We’re going to make it work best for Manitoba and we are in very active negotiations with the federal government,” Helwer said in an interview. He did not provide examples of specific projects the PCs would make a priority. Vandal said the money can be used for anything from cycling routes in Winnipeg to medical research facilities. As an example, he cited the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, which is in his riding. “Many of our hospitals need some investment, so I’m hoping we can use some of these funds to do some important work in our hospitals, as well as our schools,” Vandal said. Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman was not aware of the arrangement before its announcement; his office said it would seek clarity. Helwer said he’d still prefer the Liberals do away with the criteria for projects, but hoped Wednesday’s new program will clear the logjam by making more projects eligible for funding. “Anything would help,” he said. “All provinces are struggling with finding a way to fit their projects into the (federal) streams.” dylan.robertson(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Today's Federal Announcement
by Beth McKechnie 05 Aug '20

05 Aug '20

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Brian Pincott <ed(a)canadabikes.org> Date: Wed, Aug 5, 2020 at 1:38 PM This morning the federal government made a significant announcement for active transportation. They have created a $3.3 billion “Resiliency” stream within the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. This has a significant AT component to it. Please see the attached memo for full details on what they have announced. We have a great chance to make a difference for cycling coast to coast to coast with this announcement. I’m looking forward to a busy 18 months!! Brian Brian Pincott Executive Director Directeur Executif he/him Vélo Canada Bikes ed(a)canadabikes.org 403-701-6335 @bpincott www.canadabikes.org

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