The minutes from the March Monthly Meeting have been posted.

On October 14, 2009, the City of Winnipeg's Standing Policy Committee on Protection and Community Services asked the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) to make a recommendation about the Idaho Stop Law (STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists).

The report, released today, recommends against pursuing an Idaho Stop Law for Winnipeg. However, it does ask the City's Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) to "provide the Public Works Department with a prioritized list of streets identified on the City’s Active Transportation network for review with respect to whether existing Stop signs along these streets meet the City’s Stop sign warrant criteria".

Bike to the Future is disappointed with this recommendation, but we appreciate the research and thought the WPS put into the report, and we will continue to work with the cIty to make cycling in Winnipeg a safe, enjoyable, accessible and convenient transportation choice year-round.

BttF's STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists page.

Bike to the Future is looking to contract with a Grant Writer ASAP.

We've developed a contract that describes all aspects of the position: BttF Grant Writer Contract (PDF)

Please contact us if you are interested.

For years, cyclists have identified Pembina Hwy as a very important route that is "difficult" (inconvenient, unsafe, no fun), but there is no reasonable alternative to it between Chevrier Blvd and Plaza Dr.

The City of Winnipeg will soon be doing "mill and fill" road maintenance work on Pembina Hwy between Chevrier and Bishop Grandin.

Anders Swanson has a solution for cycling that he's discussing with the City.

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February 4th update:

On January 18th at the Riel Community Committee, Councillor Justin Swandel tabled an Active Transportation improvements on Pembina Highway motion (PDF) that passed. It will come forward at the City's Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works meeting at City Hall on February 9th at 9:00 AM (the Feb 9th Agenda won't appear until Fri Feb 5th at 9:00 AM).

Janice Lukes of the Winnipeg Trails Association has registered to appear in delegation at that meeting (click "Contact us") to support the motion. The City is mandated to look at incorporating AT into all major projects. Janice has contacted other organizations to see if they will also support the motion at that meeting:

• UofManitoba
• Bike to the Future
• Manitoba Cycling Association
• Resource Conservation Manitoba
• One Green City

Other who should get involved:

• accessibilty groups (improved sidewalk maintenance and snow clearing)
• residents who live along the strip
• anyone else

Please join Bike to the Future in supporting this initiative, and also contact your City Councilor.

You can also

• write your feedback about the possible cycling infrastructure on Pembina Hwy, and
• send it to Janice Lukes.
  She'll include it with the feedback forms she receives from the UofM Display on Monday, and present it at the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works meeting on Tuesday morning.

Incorporating an AT solution on Pembina Hwy has been the #1 recommendation of the City's Active Transportation Advisory Committee, and while this proposed solution may only be a few blocks, it is the this edge of the wedge.

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February 9th update:

Today was another very positive day at City Hall at the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works meeting!

Councillor Justin Swandel appeared in front of the committee and did an absolutely outstanding presentation on why active transportation (AT) should be incorporated on Pembina -- in addition to whatever comes out of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor (Bus Rapid Transit -- BRT) Phase 2. He pitched a strong case to the "need and opportunity" with the proposed Pembina Hwy "mill & fill" work. He specifically noted the letter from the University of Manitoba supporting his motion. He was brilliant. Huge kudos for him for doing what is right and safe for anyone on a bike and in a car on Pembina Hwy!

Janice Lukes (Winnipeg Trails Association), Karin Kliewer (Bike to the Future), Beth McKechnie (Resource Conservation Manitoba), Anders Swanson (One Green City), and Anders Annell (UofManitoba Bike Dungeon) each gave a presentation. There were many questions and bantering back and forth on interpretation of the policy City Council adopted in 2008 (stating AT must be incorporated into any rehabs or upgrades of roads on the AT network). Councillor Dan Vandal asked excellent questions related to why the funding wasn't included in the budgeting of the "mill & fill", and yet again the excuse was "BRT Phase 2) -- the elephant that everyone except Swandel hides behind. Fortunately, Swandel had made a strong case that we all knew BRT would cost $200+ million, and would be a long time coming, but the city needed to act on this "mill & fill" opportunity.

Anders Swanson and Janice sat through the subsequent debate about recycling/composting/garbage in order to hear the decision on what Council would do with Pembina Hwy. Councillor Bill Clement (Committee Chair) asked Brad Sacher (Director of Public Works) to look into finding money in the existing capital budget to incorporate AT into Pembina with the "mill & fill" tender. Mr Sacher said he could come back "formally" to the Public Works Committee with a reply in a month's time (probably delaying the "mill & fill" project) or he could try to find the money and proceed forward without returning to the Public Works Committee. Sacher was given the go ahead to see if he could find the money and the right design without having to come back to the Public Works Committee. (In other words, they told Brad to "make it happen".)

In Janice Lukes' presentation (PDF), she reminded them how creative they had been in finding up to $90+ million for the Chief Peguis Extension in less than 4 years, and also how well they crafted the partnerships for the $50+ million Waverly West / Kenaston intersection, and said she felt confident they could be creative to find funding to incorporate AT on Pembina Hwy. Anders Swanson spoke afterwards with Kevin Nixon (City AT Coordinator) and Mr Sacher about cycle tracks on both sides vs a multi use trail on one side (etc), designs that would/could work and what wouldn't, etc.

Winnipeg Free Press story (and CJOB on-air story)

Overall, we are very optimistic there will be some forward movement to incorporate AT into Pembina Hwy in this gap, and that it will occur this year.

Thanks so much for all your support. If you are so inclined, fire off an email to Councillor Swandel for all his effort and support in moving this forward. He is the only councillor to tackle AT on Pembina and not hide behind the BRT Phase 2 elephant!

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February 11th update:

Minutes of the meeting

Walking & Cycling Success: Perspectives from communities who are 'building it right' was a huge success. Thanks to all the sponsors, and especially to Paul Jordan of The Forks.

Considering the date was switched from Monday to Tuesday at Monday at noon because of the blizzard, the attendance of 150 (AT advocates, politicians, administrators) was great. The room's energy was super -- before, during, and after the event.

Winnipeg Trails Association Executive Director Janice Lukes was able to get Jay Walljasper on CJOB for an hour on Tuesday morning.

Peg Magazine review of event

The Winter 2010 issue of Resource Conservation Manitoba's Active & Green newsletter has been posted on their website.

by Janice Lukes, Winnipeg Trails Association

For the next few months, much will be happening related to the $20M in Active Transportation (AT) projects. I aim to provide regular updates on important information as it develops.

This 'stimulus' funding is stimulating a lot of fast action & fast decisions. Things are fluid and will be constantly evolving. I'll attempt to keep you informed of key initiatives. You can really help to improve the final results by being involved -- see how below.

This past week, I attended 4 significant meetings which I will attempt to share information on. In the below points, please note my end-of-each-meeting Summary Comments.

1. Vélo Québec Workshop Meeting

• This meeting refined details around the upcoming Vélo Québec workshops.
• The City of Winnipeg is holding two Technical Training one-day workshops (the same workshop each day) -- 20 people per workshop on January 26th & 27th.
• The workshop will be for City & Provincial planners, engineers, and representatives from the ~9 consulting firms the city has hired to build the $20M of AT infrastructure.
• The workshop's format (Planning Active Transportation Infrastructure for Pedestrians & Cyclists) will be somewhat similar to this: http://www.velo.qc.ca/english/bikewaysdesign.php?page=training.
• The City is funding all expenses related to the workshops (instructors costs, technical manuals, etc).
• The workshops will be delivered by Marc Jolicoeur, PEng and Research Director of Vélo Québec. Marc arrives on the Monday, and is toured around Winnipeg to look at the streets / city, etc. One of our goals in the workshop is to have him speak to effectively dealing with major arteries (Pembina Hwy, Portage Ave, Main Street, etc).
• Marc has delivered workshops throughout Canada and Quebec for 7+ years.
• Each participant will receive a technical handbook of Bikeway Designs: http://www.velo.qc.ca/english/index.php?page=publications. Note: This is the 3rd edition of the manual, and a 4th edition will be published in Spring 2010 = extensive expertise / best practices in designing on road cycling infrastructure.
• Note: Winnipeg does not have any technical standards / best practices related to bikeways because none have ever been built on Winnipeg streets.

Summary Comments:

This workshop is occurring because of 'dynamic' discussions between the City, the Winnipeg Trails Association, Bike to the Future, One Green City and the Active Transportation Advisory Committee ... and the City's funding. While only so much information can be delivered in a one day workshop, we know Vélo Québec's insight and technical manuals will be a definite help to attaining a higher level / better quality of what is going to be built.

2 & 3. Communication Advisory Committee Meeting and follow-up Sub Committee Meeting

Basically, the meeting was a Status Update on the ISP activities and a request for a sub-committee to form to focus on more specific communication details (development of communication materials, brochures, messaging, etc.)

The City's new Public Relations expert (Ed Shiller -- http://www.edshiller.com/ed.asp and his team will be handling all PR related to the $20M Infrastructure Stimulus Project (i.e. promotion of AT, Open Houses, the new AT Blog on the City's website, etc). While we are not yet clear on how many people are on the City's PR team, Ed and 3 other PR staff attended this meeting. It appears there are more resources they can call on.

The Communication Advisory Committee meeting consisted of

• Mr. Shiller's team (him and 3 PR people),
• some of the City's Active Transportation Advisory Committee members (7 non city people),
• the City's Infrastructure Stimulus Project (ISP) team (5 people): Kevin Nixon (AT Coordinator) and Bill Woroby (City Public Works Project Manager who has extensive PM experience on large projects). Kevin and Bill oversee and work with: Ruth Marr (Marr Consulting), Lisa Holowchuck (Scatliff Millar Murray), and Bob Kurylko, (PEng and Project Manager at Stantect). Ruth, Lisa, and Bob oversee and work with 7 consulting firms who each have ~5 of the 37 projects. Ruth, Lisa, and Bob are working to ensure consistency, etc, with the 7 consulting firms.

This was the first Status Update many of us have had since the funding was announced, and I will highlight the key points.

All of the consulting firms are now hired and have been allocated a 'bundle' of projects - based on geography, type of project, etc. They have been provided a list of 'Evaluation Criteria' (5+ pages) to base their designs on, and a guideline of the general steps that will be followed:

Project Guideline

Stage 1 - Background Information and Conceptual Design
A. Route Familiarization & Community Profiles
B. Develop Options: What / Why
c. Traffic Analysis (if appropriate)
D. Public Consultation
E. Evaluation
F. Conceptual Design
G. Final Analysis and Costing
H. Recommendations

Stage 2 - Preliminary Design
A. Preliminary Design - cost

Stage 3 - Detailed Design and Construction
A. Final Detailed Design
B. Tendering, Contracting & Construction

Complexity by Design

The projects have also been categorized due to complexity by design - which also relates to the 'Tender Ready Timing' and 'Consultation Intensity' (i.e. complex ones will take longer to figure out and be tendered later in the summer, and infrastructure that will really change the way vehicles move will require more intense consultations). The categories are:

• Complex with many options (e.g. Sherbrook / Maryland Bikeway, York / St Mary's Bikeways, etc).
• Moderate with more than one option (e.g. Seine River Pathway, Transcona Pathway, Grosvenor Ave Bikeway, etc).
• Easy with no or few options (e.g. Omand's Creek Bridge, Bison Dr. Pathway, etc).

Permits / Approvals Matrix

All of the projects are being reviewed to see which ones require permits / warrants / Federal approvals / traffic studies, etc. (i.e. pedestrian crosswalk studies, removal of street parking / lanes, navigational waterway approvals, Fisheries & Oceans approvals, etc.) The requirements are being bundled project-by-project to expedite the process.

Tendering Deadlines

The goal is to tender projects as they become truly 'shovel ready' starting in February and going through to June.

Community Consultation

At the meeting there was extensive discussion that, prior to public consultations, key stakeholder groups meet with the consultants to provide input into developing options (part B of Project Guideline) -- consult with Transcona Trails, Save Our Seine, Bike to the Future, etc, prior to going to the public consultation process. This hopefully will occur; the intent seems to be there. It was confirmed that public consultations would be held in various shopping malls and other yet-to-be-determined locations throughout the city. There are no dates yet, but they will start soon, and will also be bundled -- a community consultation on say, 5 to 6 projects.

Public Launch

On Tuesday January 26th, at the Mayor's annual State of the City Address, Ed Shiller's team will launch promotional materials and a display on the City's $20M AT projects. This display and supporting promotional material will be the 'travelling roadshow' that will be used in future community consultations at malls, etc.

• The 2+ hour meeting concluded with a PR / Communications sub-committee forming to assist Ed's team in developing these materials. This team met on Friday, and is providing information for the City's rapid turnaround for the January 26th launch.

Summary Comments:

• The update part of the meeting reiterated the complexity of building $20M worth of infrastructure that the City has never before been built, and building it in one construction season -- mind-boggling!
• For any of you who have worked with the City on any type of project, you have a clear understanding of how City 'process' and 'timelines' work.
• But, without a doubt, the $20 million will be spend on building something. (It is a use-it-or-lose-it funding scheme.)
• The real question is how it will be spent.
• In light of setting expectations, I think we all need to be very realistic and know that not all of it will be built perfectly, and that there will be a need for 'improvements' over the years to come.
• And recognize that it is critical to attend as many of the Public Community Consultation process as possible when the dates are announced.
• The Public Relations / Communications part of the meeting (and Friday's follow up meeting) was almost surreal. Here we have 4+ people from the City's PR team working with us to develop PR materials on trails, bikeways, etc. I think I've waited 8 years for these discussions to occur! :-)

4. Mark your calendars

Monday January 25th at 7:00 PM at The Forks (more details next week. This is short notice, but opportunities abound!

We will be hosting an informative evening open to your membership, the public, and organizations interested on perspectives where walking and cycling infrastructure was built and embraced with a fervour!

Quebec is Canada's leading province in Active Transportation and Cycling Tourism. Marc Jolicoeur will share his perspectives on the hows / whys of Quebec's great walking and cycling successes.

Minneapolis is second only to Portland in the United States as a city whose people and governments are embracing walking and cycling. Jay Walljasper will share his perspectives on Minneapolis's success. Minneapolis just recently received buckets of stimulus funding also!

We are thrilled that both these speakers come from climates and terrain similar to Winnipeg and will share their time / insight / expertise with us on the eve of spending $20M in our city!

We will also be treated to a 'visual visionary' presentation from one of Winnipeg's local artists and cycling advocates, Anders Swanson.

Summary Comments:

Please make a point to attend this session to learn more about what other successful communities are doing to develop walking and cycling routes. It will help you provide educated input to the upcoming public consultations on what Winnipeg will be building. There are multiple partners participating in this event, and we will announce shortly -- but huge thanks to Paul Jordan (WTA Chair), the Province of Manitoba, and Anders Swanson for helping initiate this evening!!

The projects

BttF's response to the $20million funding announcement for Winnipeg AT

2009 year-end update from the Winnipeg Trails Association

The old Molson property (beside the Redwood Bridge) is important for cycling in the area because it is a barrier (missing link) along the North Winnipeg Parkway.

The Friends of the North Winnipeg Parkway are currently organizing a response/position to an application to rezone the site.

Bike to the Future's support letter (PDF)

Winnipeg Free Press story (Tuesday January 5, 2010)

by Janice Lukes, Winnipeg Trails Coordinator, Winnipeg Trails Association

Time for an end of year and much overdue update!

Many of you have been in the 'business' of promoting trails, commuting, and active transportation for decades in hopes of securing increased funding to build more -- decades educating elected officials and the public on the benefits -- healthier lifestyles, environment and improved sustainability, etc, years of advocacy! I've only been involved for a brief 8 years, but can't begin to tell you how unbelievably refreshing it is to see the focus of our efforts now shifting, so I can't imagine how you too must feel about this progress! Cheers to a brilliant 2009 -- to everyone's efforts -- and to a historic year for trail development in Winnipeg with all levels of government providing unprecedented support.

2010 and a broader focus is about to begin! A brief overview of initiatives I'm involved in on behalf of WTA follows:

2010 Captial Budget, City of Winnipeg

In the weeks of Dec 1st to 15th, I appeared in delegation to the Property & Development Committee, Public Works Committee, Executive Policy Committee, and finally to City Council, commenting on the 2010 budget. Presentations can be viewed at http://winnipeg.ca/CLKDMIS/. In summary - presentations focused on thank yous for funding support, listening, and ongoing dialogue, concerns for infrastructure quality, and a communications strategy. While presenting to various committees can be a gruelling process, it is very important. We've had dynamic dialogue with the City over the past few years, with stellar results. Thank yous, recognition of support, and ongoing dialogue will ensure continued success.

Spending $20 million on active transportation infrastructure -- your involvement

This funding must be spent by Spring 2011, so the City has one construction season to build -- the 2010 construction season. The City of Winnipeg has no design guidelines / standards for on-road cycling infrastructure. Other than painted lines on roadways, the City has never built on-road cycling infrastructure. They do have design guidelines / standards for multi-use trails. Since multi-use trails cannot be built everywhere, we need the connectivity on-road infrastructure offers. It is critical the on-road infrastructure is built to the highest standards possible and that it be built for everyone to access.

To date, the City has grouped the 37 trails and on-road projects into bundles based on commonality and locations. They've allocated these bundles of projects to multiple consulting groups (7 or 8+). These consulting groups will interact with the City (Active Transportation Coodinator Kevin Nixon, a City Project Manager, and two other consulting groups) to ensure consistency in what is built. We are told public consultations will be held in late January to February. Lots of consulting groups, lots of consulting, lots of dialogue going on.

It is vital that the City receives as much public input as possible -- the end users more often than not have the best input. We are being assured the input will be 'heard'. When the public consultation sessions are confirmed, I will be emailing all of you and encouraging you to bring get your members out to participate.
Please note: The City has stated the on-road infrastructure will be designed only for for 'basic / less confident' cyclists, and not children and families. Personally I am challenged by this in many ways, but will wait to hear more details over the next month and will keep you informed.

Velo Quebec

Anders Swanson (One Green City), myself, and Bike to the Future have successfully advocated to have the City bring in technical expertise from Velo Quebec to share with the consortium of consultants & City staff working on the projects. Velo Quebec has been designing on-road cycling infrastructure in the province of Quebec (with a similar climate to Winnipeg) for 40 years -- complete with manuals, workshops, trained experts, etc. Velo Quebec will hold two workshops for 40 consultants and City/Provincial staff at the end of January. We are also hoping to hold an evening open to the public (you) and whoever is interested to learn more about Velo Quebec's success in 'La belle province'.

Education - Communication - Public Relations

$20 million worth of new Active Transportation infrastructure holds immense education, communication, and PR opportunities. As one who believes the world revolves around marketing and PR :-), I focused much of the 2010 Capital Budget discussions around the vast PR opportunities $20 million holds for the City. Just before Christmas, we are informed the City's new PR specialist, Mr Ed Shiller, and his team have been tasked to work on the AT file and have formed a 'Communication Advisory Committee'. Our first meeting is set for next week. The City also just recently set up an AT blog to capture public input: http://winnipegatrans.wordpress.com.

While the City has been challenged with communication abilities in the past, I'm very optimistic that Mr Shiller will be able to deliver. He has lived and cycled in Copenhagen and Toronto, and had to buy a car when he moved to Winnipeg this past fall -- AT is not new to him. This, combined with the willingness to receive advice from those of us on the Active Transportation Advisory Committee and general public are all very positive signs.

Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Group

In May of 2009, Minister Jim Rondeau announced the Province would be forming an Active Transportation Advisory Group. He joked at the announcement that the Province saw the success the City was having with their advisory group, and felt they too could benefit from a similar structure. The Province convened the group this fall (11 people); I am the Chair, and we have had 3 meetings to date. We are in the process of gathering information to base recommendations on. The formation of this group is sound step forward for everyone in the Province, and we expect some initial recommendations to come forward in the next few months. We are in the process of setting up an outreach / communication system to dialogue with all who are interested. For myself, working with the City and its process has been an ideal learning opportunity. The process in the Province is yet another level to learn and experience :-)

New Positions

New positions - with some familiar faces! Congratulations to

• Howard Skrypnyk, Provincial Recreational Trails Coordinator, Province of Manitoba - who replaces the now-retired Jackie Crone. http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving
• Jim Chapryk, Executive Director, Manitoba Recreational Trails Association

Both Howard and Jim have been long time volunteer cycling and trail advocates in various organizations and have new roles with the Province's focus on recreational and the Trans Canada Trail. I am thrilled to see them both in these positions, and know with their support we will all continue to make great progress going forward!

Trailheads

The good news doesn't stop. New trailhead structures have been just recently erected on the Harte / Preston Trail and Cordite Trail, and on the Northeast Pioneers Greenway and Bishop Grandin Greenways. The trailhead project was initiated by the Winnipeg Trails Association just over 3 years ago, and due to an interesting City process, is now a reality. Signs on the trailhead structures will be installed over the winter months. They are also putting benches under some to act as shade structures!

We are fortunate to have secured the talents of Kirk Warren to design the trailhead signage. Kirk designed the international award winning trail signage markers located on bollards throughout the city. The mapping is being done in partnership with the City of Winnipeg and Wendy Wilson of the Prairie Pathfinders. You are here will never look so good! The City, Red River Co-op, the Winnipeg Foundation, and the Province are funding this project,and will enable additional structures for 2010 & 2011.

Trail Signage -- kilometre markers

The City has a few trail signage markers remaining to install, completing a total of 26 signed trails. It is an arduous process as each trail sign requires an on-site visit and "call before you dig" regime. The City installation team has been super to work with throughout the entire process! You may recall our partnership with Winnipeg in Motion funded kilometre markers on 6 trails, and is now working with us to develop a kilometre scavenger hunt program and install kilometre markers on additional trails. A super partnership!

International Trails Day -- Saturday, June 5th

Again, the City and Province have committed funding to support International Trails Day. This day brings brilliant recognition to trails, communities, volunteers, and supporters. So far, we have these events occurring on June 5th. If you are interested in also holding an event, please contact me:

• Save our Seine: 20th Anniversary celebrations
• Bishop Grandin Greenway: 10th Anniversary celebrations
• Friends of the Harte Trail: Trail extension / opening celebrations (and their 10th year also!)
• Transcona Trails: Cordite Trail opening celebrations
• Prairie Pathfinders: Free guided hikes from The Forks
• Northeast Pioneers Greenway: Celebrating many new developments

Bike to Work Day --- Friday, June 18th

Winnipeg Trails Association is organizing the Pancake Breakfast at The Forks. If you are interested in volunteering and helping with this event, please contact me.

Events

January & February
Check out these winter trail events. The Prairie Pathfinders are holding frozen river walks on the Seine and LaSalle, and Winnipeg in Motion is holding Snow Trek -- a skiing, snowshoeing, and celebrate winter event. Details can be found at http://www.winnipegtrails.ca.

March
There are two conference being planned in early spring with a strong focus on Active Transportation. One is being hosted by the Physical Active Coalition of Manitoba, and the other is being hosted by Health in Common. I am participating on behalf of WTA to some degree in both, and when more details are available will pass them on.

WTA website

We have now secured a student to help us with the WTA website! He is in the process of learning a few more of its technicalities and we should be up and current 99% of the time very soon!

River Trail

And last but not by least of any importance, our great WTA Chair, Paul Jordan, is yet again working hard to provide us with an unbelievable winter river trail on the Assiniboine River! It will be wide for walking, skating, and skiing if all goes to plan. Make sure you check it out!

Bike to the Future is an inclusive group of concerned citizens. As such, we will work with and accept assistance from groups or individuals who share the objectives in our Vision and Mission, and with whom we feel we can work cooperatively and constructively.

However,

• acceptance of this support will not be interpreted or promoted as an endorsement of other activities of the supporting group or for any product or service, and
• Bike to the Future will not enter into any exclusive agreements with any group or individual.

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This Position Statement was endorsed at BttF's January 2010 Monthly Meeting.

Our Provincial Committee has formed a task force whose mission is to do a systematic review of the provincial Highway Traffic Act (HTA). Their goal is to make cycling a more attractive transportation alternative.

Process

Develop a list of issues

• Consult with BttF's membership.
• Review and expand upon the initial review of the HTA that has been done by BttF member and lawyer Todd Andres.

Assemble solid background information

• Gather best practices in other jurisdictions.
• Survey cyclists, drivers, pedestrians.
• Consult with police.
• Prioritize the list and identify contentious issues.
• Include our research in the Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Committee's research project.

Present recommendations to the provincial government's department of Infrastructure & Transportation for an annual review of the HTA

• Work with provincial officials to include our issues in an annual review.
• Promote politically attractive recommendations.
• Repeat each year.

Present recommendations through advisory committees

• Promote top priorities at every opportunity.
• Continue building background information.

Some Issues

• Clarity of the rules of the road
• STOP signs as YIELD signs for cyclists
• Sharing the road
• Bike's passing cars on the right
• Side-by-side riding
• Passing distance when cars pass bikes
• Proper riding distance from the curb
• Car/bike behaviour at intersections
• Bike Boxes
• Riding on (sharing) sidewalks
• Riding on the roadway shoulder
• Rules for bike lanes
• Intersection light, paint, signage
• Dismount requirements when a multi-use trail crosses streets
• Required equipment: lights, helmet, bell

BttF's HTA Review task force

• Charles Feaver
• Todd Anders
• Jeremy Hull
• Janice Lukes
• Mark Cohoe
• Cory Bellhouse
• Bill Newman
• Matt Gemmel
• Dave Elmore

If you'd like contribute to this issue, please contact Provincial Committee Director Charles Feaver.

Speak Up Winnipeg is the City's public forum for Winnipeggers to express their opinions about the future of our City, and how we can ensure it is sustainable, making Winnipeg a leader among cities.

The Call to Action for OurWinnipeg report will be presented at 8 Open Houses from Tuesday November 17th to Thursday November 26th, or you can read the 55 page report online.

• Open Houses
• The report

Streetfilms is a website that contains ~200 videos and numerous news items about liveable streets. Cycling infrastructure is a big part of this. Our Cyclists' Resources -> Videos page has a link to the videos.

Winnipeg Cycling Map 2009 is available from many retailers in Winnipeg.

Bike to the Future T-Shirts are available for $20. Sizing is S to XXXL, and there are five color choices. The stylish Bike to the Future logo is on front, with a Share the Road message on the back. Even the Mayor has one!

To order:

• Contact Ben Goldstein (solidgoldstein@yahoo.ca) with your quantity, size, and color request. He'll contact you to discuss delivery or pick-up options.
• Or you can purchase a T-shirt at our next Monthly Meeting.

Cash or cheque payment please.

Bike to the Future's 2nd annual presentation of the Bike Shorts Film Festival on October 20th at Cinemathique was a huge success. It was a sell-out of all 118 seats. All proceeds went towards Bike to the Future's advocacy efforts.

Thank you to BttF member Don English for again expending dozens of hours of effort organizing the event. Thanks to Shona Kusyk who worked with Don prior to unexpectantly leaving Winnipeg a month ago; Bike Art was her idea. Also thanks to the volunteers who contributed to the success of the event in a number of different ways.

The winners of the Fan Favourites voting:

• Bike Shorts Film Festival: White Vans - Aren Hansen
• Winnipeg Bike Shorts: Bring the Kid Outta Ya - Brent Miller
• Bike Art: Robert Burton

Bike Shorts' Artistic Director Dustin Anderson is looking for new films for 2010. See Film Submissions -- November 7, 2009 at http://bikeshorts.ca.

Bike to the Future has an advocacy brochure: Cycling Advocacy for Winnipeg Citizens. Please use it to help advocate for improved cycling. Also, please distribute it to your friends and other cyclists.

Brochure (PDF)
Brochure insert (PDF)

On September 25th, Bike to the Future sent a set of questions to each of the NDP leadership candidates. By October 7th, their responses were received.

Questions & Responses (PDF)

Bike to the Future has written a letter about the $20M AT funding announcement on September 11th.

The letter

Winnipeg Free Press story about the announcement

The projects

Mark Cohoe, Bike to the Future's City Committee Director, led a Design & Strategy Meeting about the Osborne Bridge on Wednesday June 15th in Osborne Village. Mark and Anders Swanson of One Green City have produced a document entitled The Osborne Bridge -- Community Vision and Cycling Design Discussion (PDF).

The Bike to Work Day 2009 Final Report (16 pages, the shortened version, minus 50 pages of appendices) is now available.

The Downtown Winnipeg Biz is looking for volunteers to help out with Ciclovia, taking place Sunday September 13th.

Ciclovia, meaning “bike way,” is an event whereby a significant city street – the entire north side of Broadway from Osborne to Main – is temporarily closed to automobiles to allow dominance by non-motorized traffic. This closure will be part of the day’s active transportation-friendly route connecting all the way from Assiniboine park right down to the Forks! Ciclovia combines healthy living with arts and culture and engages citizens in active alternatives to motorized transportation, bringing life and community bonding back to otherwise car choked streets. Attendees will enjoy one of the city’s most beautiful districts, taking in live entertainment, food, unique visual displays, family activities, and more.

Volunteers are needed to fill the following roles: Block Captain, Marshalling, Site Decoration, Signage, Info Tent, Environment, Stage, Hospitality, Donations.

To volunteer, fill out and submit the Volunteer Application Form to Stephanie Voyce of the Downtown Winnipeg Biz.

On the City's website in the Active Transportation section, there is now a set of pages for Building The Network.

These four bikeways were first presented to the public at an Open House on June 24th at RRC's Princess Street campus.

(updated on Tuesday July 28th at 10:15 PM)

We are saddened to learn that Tim Hunt passed away suddenly on Saturday July 25th.

Tim was one of the handful of cyclists who met in Old Market Square in July and August 2006 to discuss bicycling advocacy in Winnipeg and organize a forum entitled Bike to the Future, which was held at the UofWinnipeg on September 20th, and which lead to a larger group of cyclists meeting monthly and then incorporating as Bike to the Future in February 2007.

Tim has been an active volunteer for BttF, representing us on the Pembina Winsmart project, and serving on a variety of committees.

Tim was an key member of the Manitoba Cycling Association's Recreation & Transportation Committee from 2000 until it ceased meeting in October 2005.

Our condolences go out to Tim's family.

Tim's obituary that was published in the Winnipeg Free Press on Thursday July 30th

Jeremy Hull, Bike to the Future's research and statistics guru (and Provincial Policy Committee Director), has produced his 3rd annual spring bicycle counts report from bicycle count data that 34 of his volunteers have accumulated. The statistics and insight contained in this report are interesting, informative, and professional.

The report (PDF)

Congratulations to Anders Swanson for being named as the recipient of this year’s Individual award at the Manitoba Eco-Network Environmental Awards.

Manitoba Eco-Network media release:
Anders Swanson was nominated by Bike to the Future Co-Chair, Kevin Miller. Anders has been a tireless advocate for cycling and bicycles in Winnipeg, leading the way to a comprehensive network of cycling routes and infrastructure designed to make cycling safer, easier, and more accessible. He has paid particular attention to the needs of inner city children, teaching them to repair and build their own bikes. In fact, on the evening of the awards presentation, he will be leaving his volunteer work at Orioles Bike Cage a bit early in order to attend. His creative website, OneGreenCity.com is used by Active Transportation promoters of all stripes, and he has gained the respect of politicians, city administrators and community groups with his hard work, non-confrontational style and absolute commitment to making Winnipeg a greener place. Anders either founded or belongs to at least 6 community groups, including the BIZ Transportation committee, North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists, the Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba and the River East Neighbourhood Network. He is also a member of the Mayor’s Environmental Advisory Committee.

Anders' nomination (PDF) was supported by the Winnipeg Trails Association, Manitoba Cycling Association, and the City of Winnipeg’s Active Transportation Coordinator.

The $20 million rehabilitation of the twin Fort Garry Bridges is now in its second year. They're working on the south span this year.

Since Fall 2007, tens of thousands of dollars have been spent constructing temporary detours for motor vehicle traffic. The detours constructed for active transportation traffic has been significantly less expensive:
photo #1
photo #2

(This item was originally posted on March 6th.)

May 26th update:
Disraeli Bridges Rehabilitation, Public Consultation -- May 2009 newsletter (PDF) "Option 2" was "strongly preferred".

The Disraeli Rehabilitation project's Collaborative Planning Working Group (CPWG) held a day-long meeting on February 18th to discuss options for the cyclist/pedestrian crossing. This was their 2nd meeting. Representatives from Bike to the Future (Brion Dolenko), One Green City (Anders Swanson), the Winnipeg Trails Association (Janice Lukes) and other organizations attended the meeting, and many resource materials were produced from the meeting (all documents are PDFs):

• Meeting #1 Minutes
• Meeting #2 Minutes
• Project Goals
• Summary of Design Criteria
• Issues and Opportunities Map (1.6MB)
• Option 1: Attached Crossing -- map (600KB)
• Option 1: Attached Crossing -- artist's oblique view (270KB)
• Option 2: Separate Crossing -- map (600KB)
• Option 2: Separate Crossing -- artist's oblique view (270KB)

These resource materials were presented and discussed at a meeting organized by Bike to the Future, One Green City, and the Winnipeg Trails Association.

Bike to the Future, the Winnipeg Trails Association, and the Winnipeg Rapid Transit Coalition have concerns about the bikeway plan for the new Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor) that will be built between The Forks and the Pembina-Jubilee underpass. Construction starts later this year.

Summary of our concerns:

• Bus Rapid Transit is receiving major new tunnels and bridges, but AT is only being incorporated where it's easy to do so. The current project scope and budget do not provide the budget or political will to find solutions to major AT obstacles, such as the South Osborne underpass.

• Connectivity from one side to the other side of the CN railway line is completely lacking. This creates a major gap in the middle of the proposed AT route, which forces cyclists and other AT users to use the South Osborne Underpass.
  The Gap (PDF)

• General connectivity issues that must be resolved to make this project a true success include:
  — Connecting to the south of Jubilee to allow access to Pembina Hwy, Riverside Drive, Elm Park (BDI) pedestrian bridge, and Churchill Drive.
  — Connecting to the west of the CN railway line to allow access to River Heights and Corydon Village.
  — Connecting across the South Osborne underpass to allow access to Osborne Village and Downtown.
  — Connecting from Stradbrook & Main to Assiniboine Avenue, which is slated to become an important AT access route to Downtown.

• Current plans propose a single multi-use pathway to be shared by all AT users. This leads to cyclist/pedestrian conflicts due to the fundamentally different characteristics of each AT user. The AT route should instead consist of clearly demarcated and separate cycling and pedestrian components.

• Current plans propose an AT route that is not direct in some sections, and consists of sub-standard multi-use pathway widths in certain other sections.

Your input:

• Open House #1

• Open House #2

• If you can’t attend an Open House, input can also be e-mailed to Bill Menzies, or you can contact your elected officials.

Our past actions:

• In January we wrote a letter to the City about our concerns, and the City replied.

• On March 11th we wrote another letter, this time to the City's Executive Policy Committee.

• On March 19th we detailed many of our concerns and began to distribute this list to decision makers and the media.

All three of these documents are on our BttF Publications page under 2009 City of Winnipeg

Note: Check out this BRT line!

The Province of Manitoba redrafted the Provincial Land Use Policies, and requested feedback on them from interested stakeholders and individuals.

(There were workshops for this purpose taking place in various parts of Manitoba, including one in Winnipeg on Monday April 27th at the Norwood Hotel, 112 Marion from 7:00 to 9:30 PM.)

To learn more about the Provincial Land Use Policy review, and to read Bike to the Future's analysis of it written presentation to the Province, please see our document on our Advocacy Resources -> Publications page.

BttF's written submission

As a result of lobbying from Bike to the Future's Provincial Committee (Director Jeremy Hull), Provincial Energy Minister Jim Rondeau has created a provincial Active Transportation Advisory Group and appointed 11 people to it. Four of those people are Bike to the Future members: Mark Cohoe (BttF City Committee Director), Janice Lukes (Winnipeg Trails Association), Anders Swanson (One Green City), and Terry Zdan (The Centre for Sustainable Transportation). Janice was appointed Chair of the provincial Active Transportation Advisory Group.

Province of Manitoba media release

Winnipeg cyclists can enjoy the convenience of biking and bussing with the return of Winnipeg Transit’s Bike and Bus Program. Effective May 1, 2009, most Route 60 buses will be equipped with bike racks, although you may see them on other routes too. Bike Racks are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There’s no cost to use the rack, just your usual bus fare.

The Bike and Bus Program runs until October 31, 2009, and complements Winnipeg Transit’s Bike Locker pilot project. The lockers are at two locations; St. Vital Shopping Centre (in the Transit bus bay) and at Osborne Junction (on the centre island). Visit winnipegtransit.com for more information.

Sharing the Road with Buses Buses and bikes are considered equal under The Highway Traffic Act, but a ten-ton bus is harder to stop than a 15-kilogram bike. Here are some tips from Winnipeg Transit to help make your cycling trip more enjoyable:

• Avoid riding in the blind spots at the sides and rear of the bus where the operator cannot see you.
• Stay well back and on the left side of the bus and remember that buses stop often.
• Always pass a bus on the left side – don’t get trapped between the bus and the curb.
• Allow plenty of room when passing a bus.

http://www.winnipeg.ca/cao/media/news/nr2009/nr20090430.stm#1

SpeakUpWinnipeg.com is the interactive web site supporting the 12-month process of creating a new citywide plan for Winnipeg.

What do you want Winnipeg to look like in 20 to 25 years from now? The City has taken the initiative to seek public involvement, so this is our opportunity to express our views about active transportation and other isssues. Join in the discussion on many diverse topics and questions. For example: The City Building dialogue

The Speak Up Winnipeg approach holds that Winnipeggers have the vision and creative energy to plan for the future, and that an open, involving and empowering process can capture this collective wisdom and turn it into action. From April 2009 to April 2010, Speak Up Winnipeg is open to anyone, at any time.

Input is accepted in a number of ways: pictures, videos, words, and points of view and ideas can be shared through this web site. As well, there will be face-to-face opportunities to share ideas as roundtables, open houses, and other public events.

Speak Up Winnipeg will be the most interactive, participatory and transparent planning exercise ever attempted in this city.

Agenda:

1. Launch: April 25, 2009
   Winnipeggers embark on the biggest and most collaborative planning process ever undertaken in the City. Mayor Sam Katz launches *Speak Up Winnipeg* at the Mayor’s Symposium – A Sustainable Winnipeg. During the launch, SpeakUpWinnipeg.com goes live.

2. Speak Up Winnipeg #1: April to October 2009
   Get involved in the planning process by sharing your thoughts, ideas, and points of view in six key areas: Sustainability, Safety and Security, City Competitiveness, Communities, City of the Arts, and City Building. SpeakUpWinnipeg.com will gather input on all six areas throughout this phase, and a bi-weekly web feature will focus discussion on one particular area. As well, focus groups and roundtables will be held in May and June, and Speak Up Winnipeg will be at community events during the summer.

3. A Call to Action for OurWinnipeg: November 2009
   The vision and priorities of Winnipeggers will be captured in a short report that highlights conclusions from the Speak Up Winnipeg #1 phase. The report will identify directions and actions needed to help move us towards achieving the vision. A draft of this report will be released for public feedback before becoming final.

4. Consultation Papers for OurWinnipeg: December 2009 to January 2010
   During the winter, the vision and directions from the Call to Action will be translated into policy options for open discussion. Consultation papers are proposed to be created for four areas: Sustainable Winnipeg, Communities Where we Live, Work and Play, Sustainable Transportation, and Sustainable Infrastructure. These titles and groupings may change as a result of public input during earlier phases of the process.

5. Speak Up Winnipeg #2: January 2010
   This will be another opportunity for the public to Speak Up on policies and strategies through the interactive web site and roundtables.

6. Draft version of OurWinnipeg: February 2010
   The first draft of OurWinnipeg will be based on public input from all previous phases. The plan will also connect to a number of background strategies.

7. Speak Up Winnipeg #3: February to March 2010
   A third cycle of public involvement (the draft plan and background strategies) will be shared for discussion and final input. Speak Up about OurWinnipeg.

8. OurWinnipeg: April 2010
   The final phases of the process will be the formal adoption of a new 25-year city-wide plan. The Province of Manitoba will be asked to approve the plan and the City will hold a public hearing for OurWinnipeg.

9. The Future of OurWinnipeg: after April 2010
   Speak Up Winnipeg and OurWinnipeg don’t end with adoption of the plan -– this is just the beginning. Ongoing progress measurement and continued opportunities for public planning involvement will be designed during the creation of the plan, and can be implemented immediately after the plan is adopted. This part of the process is critical to achieving the vision we have created together.

The Centre for Sustainable Transportation and the City of Winnipeg are undertaking a GPS cycling study called OttoCycle: Building Better Biking in Winnipeg. More than 900 cyclists will be able to take a GPS device along on their regular cycling trips for two weeks between May and October, 2009.

Media release

Details and sign-up

UofManitoba Masters' of City Planning student Karin Kliewer has proposed a thesis entitled Power and the Vélorution: Cycling advocacy, social networking and grassroots change in Winnipeg, MB. The thesis "explores planning implications of power in urban environments, and the power dynamics associated with bicycle culture. A case study will explore how a Winnipeg advocacy group, Bike to the Future, has found a voice and claimed decision-making power by networking, organizing, and working together towards a common goal."

Karin is also a Senior Research Assistant with the UofWinnipeg's Institute of Urban Studies, and Bike to the Future's Board Secretary.

At our February Monthly Meeting, Karin asked BttF directors and members for permission to do the research required for her thesis. We granted that permission, and in fact we are thrilled to be a part of this project and looking forward to being involved with it. If any BttF member has concerns about this, please contact us.

Karin's thesis proposal (PDF)

On Tuesday March 10th, the City's Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works passed the City administration's proposed 2009 Active Transportation Action Plan. It will now go to the Executive Policy Committee and then to City Council for final approval.

To view the 2009 Active Transportation Action Plan, go to http://winnipeg.ca/CLKDMIS/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=9082&SectionId=&InitUrl=, and in the top left window, scroll down to "Reports" and then down further to "13. 2009 Active Transportation Action Plan".

These recommendations are the result of input from the Active Transportation Advisory Committee, Kevin Nixon (City of Winnipeg Active Transportation Coordinator), and city councillors.

The fact this is being voted on in March means there's a greater chance of them actually being built this year. (11 projects from 2008 year were not started due to late approvals, etc.)

Considering the funding allocated in the 2009 Capital Budget for Active Transportation, the projects and allocation are good.

Combine the 2009 projects, remaining 2008 projects, and a few others occurring in conjunction with street expansions and upgrades, and 2009 is shaping up to see the addition of some good active transportation infrastructure.

A week ago, Bike to the Future contacted all four candidates in the March 22nd provincal by-election in Elmwood to ask if they'd be willing to answer a written questionaire about active transportation issues that we'd post on our website. All four candidates' answers to the questionaire have been received.

• Details (introduction, the questions, the answers) (PDF)

• Our summary of the candidates answers (PDF)

IKEA has made a request to the City for a zoning variance that would allow it to build less bicycle parking than current zoning laws require. Bike to the Future and the Winnipeg Trails Association have both written letters to the City's Executive Policy Comittee (EPC) opposing IKEA's request.

On March 3rd and 4th, Bike to the Future and the Winnipeg Trails Association arranged for their members and residents of the River Heights - Fort Garry ward to meet with each of the candidates nominated for the upcoming by-election. The meetings allowed the candidates to engage members of the community in a discussion about Active Transportation in River Heights - Fort Garry, and learn about opportunities for improvements to active transportation infrastructure and programming within the ward and throughout Winnipeg as a whole.

River Heights - Fort Garry AT Primer newsletter (PDF, 4 pages)

Active Transportation issues in River Heights - Fort Garry (PDF, 23 pages, 1.2MB)

Candidates Responses (PDF, 4 pages)

This item was originally written on January 21st. It has been updated with two more sample letters written by Bike to the Future members.

The federal government is about to announce billions of dollars of stimulus spending on infrastructure projects. The City of Winnipeg's Active Transportation Advisory Committee has millions of dollars worth of unfunded projects that would greatly improve the safety and convenience of cycling in Winnipeg.

• Winnipeg At Facilities in 2008 (PDF, 4MB)
• Winnipeg AT Facilties Implementation Plan for 2009 - 2014 (PDF, 3MB)

All of us need to tell our federal MPs, provincial MLAs, and City Councillors why those federal dollars should be spent on cycling infrastucture. Here's why:

• Most of the cycling and walking projects are ready to be implemented, so they will also be ready for ribbon-cutting and use long before all of the highway projects even make it through the design phase.
• Active transportation projects are green. They are good for people's health and wellness, good for the environment, and good for our city.

Here is a letter that was written by Anders Swanson of One Green City.

Here is a letter that was written by Janice Briggs based on Anders' letter.

Here is a letter that was written by Charles Feaver.

Please contact your federal MP, provincial MLA, and City Councillor.

• Federal Members of Parliament.
• Provincial Members of the Legislative Assembly
• City Councillors
• Contact info for City Councillors and MLAs (PDF)

Thank you.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/bike-valets-for-inauguration-day/?emc=eta1

A few months ago, Anders Swanson started a Request of your input for cycling spot improvements campaign via the Neighbourhood Cycling Groups and Bike to the Future. He's been collecting and compiling these ideas of specific locations where relatively simple changes in infrastructure design will make a big difference for cyclists.

The current city-wide list is posted here (PDF).

The list is being used by the City of Winnipeg's Active Transportation Advisory Committee to help identify, prioritize, and implement on-the-ground changes.

Thanks to you, it is an excellent source of ideas and solutions. It is already usable as a guide, showing dangerous/tricky areas that a cyclist might wish to avoid.

New additions are encouraged. Please post your new ideas to the appropriate Neighbourhood Cycling Group, and they will be added. If you've already suggested something and it is missing from the list, please contact info@onegreencity.com.

Note:
For maintenance items like a pothole, unswept curb lane, or anything you feel should be addressed immediately, please use Report-a-Problem, phone 986-ROAD, or contact your City Councillor, whichever is most appropriate.

A global campaign is underway to persuade the planet's favourite search engine to be more bicycling friendly. For more info and to sign the petition: www.petitiononline.com/bikether/petition.html.

Reports from the Bike to the Future Why Not Winnipeg? 2008 fall forum on October 15th at the UofWinnipeg were distributed on December 3rd.

Why Not Winnipeg? Fall Forum report (PDF -- 24 pages, color)
Event report produced for SDIF (PDF -- 15 pages)

Please spread this far and wide to anyone you know who would like to see safer and more accessible cycling routes in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg has never been as close as we are today in seeing a significant increase in funding for Active Transportation (AT) to go towards complete routes throughout the city.

You may have read in the Free Press about efforts by Bike to the Future and partners like the Winnipeg Trails Association, Resource Conservation Manitoba, One Green City, and other local AT supporters advocating for an increase in AT funding in the City's 2009 Capital Budget.

In an unprecedented move, two of the mayor's Executive Policy Committee members voted against the proposed 2009 Capital Budget because of limited funding for cyclists and other AT users.

We need to show the councilors that cycling is not a fringe issue, but that safe, enjoyable, accessible, and convenient cycling infrastructure is in everyone's best interest.

Tuesday December 16th at 1:00 PM at City Hall

We are asking all cyclists to come out -– bring your bike bells -- and support Mark Cohoe from Bike to the Future and Janice Lukes from the Winnipeg Trails Association who will be doing a joint presentation to City Council opposing the 2009 Capital Budget and advocating for equality for cyclists.

Your attendance will help make a difference.

What else can you do to help?

1. Pass this message on to all the people you know who are interested in having better facilities for cycling in Winnipeg.

2. Contact your city councillor (http://winnipeg.ca/council/) and ask him/her to increase the funding for active transportation. Share your reasons why you want to see more and safer infrastructure; if it existed, you would use it.

3. There may be an opportunity to speak on Tuesday at City Council if you feel strongly about increasing funding. Currently only two presentations opposing the budget are allowed, but by-laws can be waived if there are enough people wanting to be heard. Call your city councillor and tell him/her you want to speak to this issue.

Presentations to City committees on December 2nd and December 9th

One week after six Bike to the Future members, each representing their respective active transportation or green organizations, appeared before the City of Winnipeg's Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works Committee and successfully advocated for increased funding for active transportation in the City's 2009 budget, they were back at it again yesterday. This time it was the Executive Policy Committee (EPC) reviewing the budget, and Anders Swanson (One Green City, BttF) and Kathleen Leathers (Prairie Pathfinders) joined them.

Their presentations:
Anders Swanson (PowerPoint -- very informative)

Last week's news story -- six presentations

Six Bike to the Future members, each representing their respective active transportation or green organizations, appeared before the City of Winnipeg's Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works Committee yesterday morning to advocate for increased funding for active transportation in the City's 2009 budget. They were successful.

Please read the following Local Media stories:
$4.7 million targeted for active transportation
Pedestrians and cyclists win small victory
Better links to North End sought

Here are their presentations (most are PDF):
Janice Lukes -- Winnipeg Trails Association
Jessie Klassen -- Resource Conservation Manitoba
Beth McKechnie -- Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba
Sigrun Bailey -- River East Neighbourhood Network - Trail Committee
Nona Pelletier -- North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists
Mark Cohoe -- Bike to the Future
-- Infrastructure examples

This was only the first step. The City's 2009 budget goes before City Council's Executive Policy Committee (EPC) on Tuesday December 9th. The final decision on the 2009 budget will be made by City Council on December 16th. Please contact your city councillor.

The EPC news story -- Anders Swanson's very informative presentation

Bike to the Future's 2008 Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday November 18th.

The new Board of Directors

AGM minutes

Time magazine's 50 Best Inventions of 2008

#19. Montreal's Public Bike System

When lots of people use a communal resource — like, say, a cheap public bicycle-rental program — they tend to abuse it. So when the city of Montreal built its Public Bike System, nicknamed Bixi, the designers packed in all the technology they could find, in a desperate attempt to out-engineer human iniquity. The modular bike-rack stations are Web-enabled and solar-powered. The bicycles are designed with tons of sealed components to resist the savage beatings they will undoubtedly receive, and they're equipped with RFID tags so they're easily trackable. Too bad they can't redesign the riders too.

Time story

Is your workplace doing something new and exciting to support cycling and walking to work? Has your employer been a long-time supporter of transit use, carpooling, or teleworking? Recognize their efforts with the first ever Commuter Friendly Workplace Awards! New projects are also eligible to apply.

• Info and Application (PDF)

Bike to the Future's presentation of the inaugural Bike Shorts Film Festival on October 21st at Cinemathique was very successful; 91 people attended it. All proceeds went towards Bike to the Future's advocacy efforts.

Bike Shorts is looking for Canadian stories about bikes and the people the ride them in Canada for future projects. You could receive a $200 grant if your idea for a film is selected.

• Bike Shorts 2009 -- Grant Application

Also, Bike Shorts director Dustin Anderson is making a Canadian winter cycling collage. Please help out with this fun cross-Canada collaboration.

• Bike Shorts 2009 -- Winter Cycling Collage

UofWinnipeg community radio station CKUW 95.9 FM is interested in producing a bike culture radio show. They are a volunteer-run station, so they are looking for someone to take on this project -- someone interested in sharing their opinions and knowledge on bike culture. They will provide training, help develop a format for the show, and provide on-going support where necessary.

Please contact the Program Director if you are interested.

During the past few weeks the City has finally started many of the bicycling infrastructure items that they put in the 2008 budget and announced last April. One of these is the creation of a bicycle lane on Hargrave Street.

Fall Forum photos

About 200 enthusiastic commuter cyclists crowded into the University of Winnipeg's Bulman Centre on October 15th to celebrate our favourite two-wheeled mode of transportation. For three hours, we debated and discussed how to make cycling infrastructure better, safer and more common in our city.

The evening started with an unprecedented event: Greetings from our mayor, Sam Katz. He expressed his admiration for the great turnout and told us not to be discouraged by the slow rate of growth in Winnipeg. Cycling is a priority, he assured us, and the best way to keep it on City Hall's agenda is to continue fighting for it.

Katz stuck around for the next item on the agenda: The latest "Bike to the Future" sketch written by Cory Bellhouse. As performed by a trio of actors, it told the fictional story of the first mayor of Winnipeg's introduction to commuter cycling. Those sitting near our current mayor say he laughed louder than anyone.

The evening's agenda continued with a look at four "visionary videos" about how the need for better cycling infrastructure is revolutionizing other cities. Topics included a valet parking service for bikes at Giants games in San Francisco, and a so-called "bike box" at traffic lights that allows cyclists to get a head start on cars.

After the videos, local reporter Bartley Kives arrived to moderate a panel discussion with four city decision-makers: MPI boss Marilyn McLaren; Minister of Healthy Living Kerri Irvin-Ross; City Councillor and EPC member Justin Swandel; and police rep Staff Sgt. Mark Hodgson.

Thanks to some poking and prodding from Kives, and some great questions supplied by Bike to the Future members and supporters, the panellists explained their positions on everything from traffic laws to bike-only lanes. At the end of the panel, Councillor Swandel summed it up by saying it was a great opportunity to learn how much Winnipeggers care about the issue of commuter cycling. The panel discussion was broadcast on CKUW 95.9 FM.

Finally, after a quick break that included free food and coffee, a chance to look at various information tables, and the opportunity to buy a snazzy new Bike to the Future T-shirt, participants broke out into small groups to debate specific cycling issues and share new ideas. Up for discussion: Everything from transit/bike relations to protecting bikes against theft.

At the end of the night, some lucky people left with a great door prize. It looked like everyone left with new knowledge of cycling issues in Winnipeg, and a sense that we have to keep working together to make better cycling infrastructure a reality in our city.

Thanks to all the volunteers who made the night happen, the Province of Manitoba's Sustainable Innovation Fund, and all the participants who came out to share their views!

A project partnership between Bike to the Future (BttF), the Manitoba Cycling Association (MCA), the City of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Trails Association (WTA), Climate Change Connection, One Green City,and Resource Conservation Manitoba (RCM)was initiated in September to create a new Winnipeg cycling map for 2009. The target release date is on Earth Day in late April.

The project team consists of

• Curt Hull (BttF Treasurer, Project Manager)
• Ron Brown (MCA Executive Director)
• Kevin Nixon (City of Winnipeg's Active Transportation Co-ordinator)
• Janice Lukes (Winnipeg Trails Association)
• Beth McKechnie (Resource Conservation Manitoba, creator of the 1999 Cyclists' Map of Winnipeg)
• Anders Swanson (One Green City)
• Gord McGonigal (VP of MCA Recreation & Transportation in 1999)
• Ted Mann (route checking)

All eight of these team members are Bike to the Future members.

The new Winnipeg cycling map will be based on the City of Winnipeg's Active Transportation Network (1.5MB PDF) map. It'll be a pocket-sized Z-style map.

Route information needs to be verified before winter, so Ted is asking all BttF members and supporters to assist him with this task.

Beth will be at our Fall Forum with a list of routes that still need to be checked, and she will assign routes to anybody who is interested in helping with this task. Any routes left over will then be posted here. If you'd like to help, but can't attend the Fall Forum, please contact us.

Route checking criteria (what to look for):

• Existing infrastructure (cycling route signs, sharrows, diamond lane, multi-use pathway or sidewalk, etc)
• General sense of curb lane width (narrow, ample)
• Vehicle parking allowed (neither, one or both sides of street)
• Surface type (paved, gravel, cement)
• Obvious hazards, choke points, anomalies
• Gaps in continuity
• Difficult or dangerous crossings
• Whether a trail/path has lighting
• Suggestions for infrastructure improvement on that route
• Attributes/features (such as gas stations with an air hose, bike shops, public washrooms, public drinking water source, ice cream shops, or other sites of interest to commuting and recreational cyclists)

Also, if you use a route that you think is very good for cycling, but it's not on the City of Winnipeg's Active Transportation Network (PDF) map, please contact us.

The Downtown BIZ wants to install bike racks downtown to make frequenting buildings and amenities easier for visitors, workers, and residents. They will subsidize 50 per cent of the cost, and also handle the installation. They are limited in the number of bike racks they can subsidize, so this is a first-come first-serve opportunity.

Info and Order Form (PDF)

A story about Anders Swanson (5 Local Eco Heroes: Biking for a better city) appears on page 35 of the Fall 2008 issue of Green Living magazine.

The story about Anders (PDF).

To read the entire Fall 2008 issue of Green Living magazine, click here.

The City of Winnipeg's Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) has begun the input process for recommending projects to be undertaken in 2009. We already have an official map (that isn't perfect) and a long list of big projects to complete. However, we want to make sure we aren't overlooking simple fixes, leaving out an obvious priority, or focusing on long routes for way-finding, but then forgetting specific problem areas that are dangerous and could fixed right away.

We want your help.

We are looking for specific design issues that pose a danger to cyclists, or little things that, if designed well, would simply make life easier. The more accurately you describe the situation and your solution, the more likely it will become reality.

So, if you have an idea, please go to www.onegreencity.com, click on the area of the map that your idea pertains to, join the Google Group for that area of the city, and post your idea. Alternatively, you can send your idea to contact@biketothefuture.org, and we'll post it, but then you won't be able to see discussion about your idea (which hopefully generates other ideas).

The Globe and Mail -- Biking in the City

Want to make a difference for cyclists? Start a war

John Barber -- jbarber@globeandmail.com

September 9, 2008

One week last year, Janet Sadik-Khan, New York's new transportation commissioner, visited Copenhagen to study bikeways. Impressed by a system that gives cyclists their own lanes protected by wide buffers - lanes taken away from cars - she returned home determined to emulate it.

"Thirty days later they had it," activist Gil Penalosa told Toronto council's works committee yesterday. The city removed two lanes of parked and moving cars from Ninth Avenue in the Chelsea district, replacing them with one bicycle lane and a generous no-go buffer zone between it and the remaining motorized lanes. Just like that.

Last month, Ms. Sadik-Khan earned raves for another quick-and-dirty initiative that closed Park Avenue to motorized traffic, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, for three consecutive Sundays. At the same time, city crews are tearing up the entire length of Broadway, removing driving lanes and parking in favour of generous bike lanes protected by broad landscaped buffers.

Over the same period, Paris flooded its famous boulevards with a fleet of 24,000 bicycles for the use of any citizen with a euro in their pocket. Simply creating the stations to accommodate the fleet required the elimination of 7,000 parking spaces, according to Mr. Penalosa, director of the group Walk and Bike for Life.

Over the same period in Toronto, however, local bureaucrats struggled to persuade suburban councillors to accept bicycle lanes on a handful of obscure routes. While great cities around the world compete with bold strokes to reclaim their streets for pedestrians and cyclists - as parks commissioner of Bogota in the 1990s, Mr. Penalosa helped create 320 kilometres of separate bikeways - Toronto quails at the challenge of painting new stripes on Annette Street.

Yesterday's debate, dominated by doubters to whom the so-called bicycle advocates happily deferred, was enough to dash recent hope that Toronto's torpor was over. Under the fresh leadership of Councillor Adrian Heaps, and with the help of new fast-track rules, council's cycling committee had promised big changes. But yesterday, Mr. Heaps's only role was to encourage the indefinite deferral of long-planned bike lanes for Horner Avenue in southern Etobicoke.

What we need is a big gesture, a thorough makeover of a major street with unapologetic impacts on drivers. The current strategy, which aims to remake the city without risking actual change, is an absurdity.

Consider the bureaucrats' assurance that none of the proposals before committee yesterday would have "significant impact" on existing traffic. But if Toronto's ambitious bike plan is to succeed, noted Ron Fletcher of the Toronto Bicycle Network, by definition it must have significant impact on traffic. Otherwise, what's the point?

What we need more than anything, of course, is the kind of leadership that such figures as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë have displayed in their forthright campaigns to de-motorize their cities.

"We need doers," Mr. Penalosa emphasized repeatedly. "We need people doing things." Consensus is impossible, he added, and compromise often worse than doing nothing. "We don't have time to think," he insisted. "We have to do."

Suburban councillors decry what they call city hall's "war against the car." If only! In truth, this is a phony war, with hesitating bureaucrats filling in for absent generals while a fearful mayor shirks in the rear.

What we need is a real war to make it clear where we all stand.

All of these workshops are free (or by donation), and held at the Bike Dump.

They are all drop-in (no registration required), except for the workshop on September 17th. To register for that one, please contact us.

• Wednesday September 17th at 6:30 PM
  Wheel truing & wheel building
• Wednesday October 15th at 7:00 PM
  Gears & derailleurs
• Wednesday October 22nd at 7:00 PM
  Winter cycling: Bike, clothes, and skillz
• Wednesday November 19th at 7:00 PM
  Coaster hubs

Montreal Bike Trade Show popularity tied to sales activity

Canada's bike industry is booming. In the first half of 2008, bike (unit) sales were up 6%, and dollar sales rose 8.5% over 2007 figures. One category - the lower priced rigid mountain bikes - skyrocketed by 600%, while the commuter oriented road bikes are up nearly 10%.

These numbers indicate that Canada is heading in a more bike-friendly direction. Janet O'Connell, Executive Director of the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC), attributes the rising tide to a range of factors - an increasingly eco-conscious public, more bike routes and trails, rising fuel prices, and a provincial tax holiday on bike and bike safety related equipment in Ontario.

"It is exciting to see so many people embracing both their bikes and a healthy lifestyle. Whether you buy a bike to commute or use it for recreation, cycling is inexpensive, healthy and energy efficient." Janet O'Connell made these observations in Montreal where she is assisting with setup for ExpoCycle 2008, BTAC's annual trade show.

ExpoCycle 2008 features 90,000 square feet of trade show display space and attracts 2,500 manufacturers, retailers and suppliers from around the world. O'Connell notes that "the Canadian consumers' love affair with bicycles is also motivating the cycling industry. Pre-registration for ExpoCycle 2008 has already broken records, exceeding last years numbers by 20%.

*The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada's mission is to change Canadian culture by positioning cycling as the pre-eminent form of transportation and recreation in Canada. A not-for-profit trade association whose members come from the retail and supplier sectors of Canada's bicycle industry BTAC is the national voice for cycling BTAC actively advocates on critical issues with government at all levels and builds partnerships throughout the cycling community in Canada. BTAC programs include Market Research, Cycling Advocacy, ExpoCycle (Canada's Bike Trade Show) and many cost saving benefits to members.*

Bike to the Future has been contacted by a number of people since July 18th about cyclists being ticketed for riding on the sidewalk.

A few have been along Portage Avenue and other streets, but the majority are from the Osborne Street Bridge, which is a longstanding favorite place for the police to target because of the large number of pedestrians who walk over the bridge between Osborne Village and the Downtown.

In one incident, a Village resident/cyclist who works downtown was accompanying a non-cyclist friend who had never ridden to work before. The friend was slowly riding his daughter's bike (24" wheels), so they took the sidewalk and were each nabbed for $107. The cyclist appeared in Small Claims Court on August 14th. Here's the story:

I managed to get off the ticket pleading guilty with an explanation:

• I commute to work everyday and ride on the road nearly all the time, respecting the rules of the road.

• The only time I ride on the sidewalk is when the roads are unfit to ride on safely.

• When I do ride on the sidewalk, I am respectful of pedestrians as I understand they have priority and ride at a safe speed. Although in this particular incident there were no pedestrians present, if there would have been, I would have given them warning and given them ample space by moving over to the grass when passing them.

• Even though I am well-aware that the law forbids cycling on the sidewalk, cyclists are often caught in a catch 22 situation. We are put in a position where we have to use our judgment with regards to our personal safety versus the law.

• I judged that given the personal risk of having to swerve around pot-hole ridden roads during rush-hour traffic I was justified in riding on the sidewalk for my personal safety and I feel that the average responsible and prudent citizen would have come to the same conclusion.

On a side note, as the magistrate was reading out my fine, she looked confused and surprised (I'm assuming because she has never come across such an infraction). She told me to take a seat because she had to "review my plea", and I then saw her walk back to get the Highway Traffic Act binder to look up the section that applies to cycling on sidewalks.

At our August Monthly Meeting we discussed this issue of the police targeting sidewalk-riding cyclists.

It is illegal to ride on the sidewalk in Winnipeg, and it's also dangerous for both cyclists and pedestrians unless the cyclist is travelling at a very slow running speed or slower. Given the lack of bicycling infrastructure in this city, we understand why some cyclists are uneasy about riding on certain stretches of roadway. Unfortunately, the only safe and legal alternatives are to go somewhat out of your way to find a route that you're comfortable with, or walk your bike past the worst stretches of roadway.

To send a message to the City's Public Works Department (about this or any other "problem"), go to http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/ReportAProblem/default.asp.

A core group of Bike to the Future volunteers have worked tirelessly during the past two years to achieve our mission and vision. Some progress has been made, but much more needs to be done. We've got twice as many opportunities and potential initiatives as volunteers, so another alternative to riding on unsafe streets is to work towards getting them made safer by getting involved.

Bike to Work Day 2008 -- Final Report -- 3MB PDF file, 97 pages

If you are looking for secure bike parking downtown, a new bike corral is now open in the Civic Parkade across from Red River College's Princess Street campus. The corral uses a card reader for access (fun to use!), and currently has space for 50 bikes. The cost is $50 per year. Contact the Exchange District BIZ at 942-6716.

The bike corral is the result of a partnership between the Winnipeg Parking Authority, Red River College, Exchange District BIZ, and City Councilor Mike Pagtakhan. Spread the word! Let's show that safe bike parking is needed and will be well used.

Here is the Exchange District BIZ' media release:

Winnipeg, July 24, 2008 – The Exchange District BIZ, along with partners Red River College, the Red River College Students’ Association, the Winnipeg Parking Authority, and the City of Winnipeg will unveil a brand new Bike Corral in the Civic Parkade at 10:00 am on Monday, July 28.

Bike Corral launch itinerary

The Civic Parkade Bike Corral will feature space for fifty bicycles, 24-hour security and 24- hour access with a personal electronic passcard.

“This is the Fort Knox of Bike Corrals,” jokes Brian Timmerman, Director of Operations with the Exchange District BIZ, “At $50 for a yearly pass, you get to store your bicycle in a safe, weather-protected corral with 24-hour security monitoring. It’s great to see more and more people seeking out alternate modes of transportation, and projects like this one really help to support those healthy, and environmentally-friendly decisions”

“Choosing to use your bike for work, or as an alternate mode of transportation offers riders many health, financial, and environmental benefits, and having a safe, secure and accessible location to park your bike is a definite consideration when choosing to bike to work for many,” says Councillor Mike Pagtakhan. “The Civic Parkade Bike Corral was a great project to support, as it will provide dozens of bike riders with the peace of mind that their bike is in a safe place with 24/7 monitoring.”

For information about the Civic Parkade Bike Corral, please contact:
Jarrett Storey
Communications Coordinator
Exchange District BIZ
(204) 942-6716
jarrett.storey@exchangedistrict.org
www.exchangedistrict.org

Spring Bicycle Traffic Counts, 2008 -- 14 page PDF report

Bicycling groups in Copenhagen hosted David Suzuki and a film crew from the CBC. www.copenhagenize.com/2008/07/david-suzuki-got-copenhagenized.html

Thanks to all cyclists who participated in the 1st Annual Bike to Work Day Winnipeg on June 20th. Some highlights:

• 2177 cyclists registered prior to, or on the day of, the event
• 2543 cyclists were counted participating in the event
  
  • Bicycle traffic counts were done in 12 locations throughout the city, and showed a bicycle traffic increase of 64% on the day of the event over previous 2008 counts (increases ranged from 13% to 145% depending on the location)
  • 11,241 estimated total cyclists on Bike to Work Day (based on 2006 Census of cyclist commuters (5.760) x the increase in 2008 over 2007 (1.19) x the increased traffic on Bike to Work Day Winnipeg (1.64)
• 400 participant and 70 volunteer “Bike to Work Day” t-shirts were given away
• 280 cyclists received a free pancake breakfast at the Forks
• All of the waste from the pancake breakfast was composted
• 8 groups were involved in organizing the event, including:
  
  • Bike to the Future
  • City of Winnipeg
  • Climate Change Connection
  • Downtown Winnipeg BIZ
  • Manitoba Cycling Association
  • Marr Consulting Services
  • Resource Conservation Manitoba
  • Winnipeg Trails Association
• The event was organized in a little over two months
• 52 companies, groups, and organizations supported the event with financial or in-kind contributions
• Financial contributions exceeded $27,600
• 70 volunteers helped at The Forks and at 15 Energy Stations all over the city

Special kudos to the 20% of you who were first-time riders to work –- awesome!

The registration survey found that cycling infrastructure was the number one thing that would get more people out cycling. Bike to the Future is a voluntary, inclusive group of concerned citizens working to make cycling in Winnipeg a safe, enjoyable, accessible and convenient transportation choice year-round. Please visit our website for more information or to get involved.

Bike to Work Day Winnipeg 2009 will be held on Friday, June 19th, 2009. We hope you'll participate.

Event photos will be posted on the Bike to Work Day website in the near future. If you have any great event photos, please send them to melanie@marrcc.com .

Thank you once again for your participation in Bike to Work Day Winnipeg 2008. See you next year!

You may have noticed that the City of Winnipeg has introduced new cycling pavement markings known as “sharrows” to promote cycling on routes that have wider curb lanes and are part of the City’s commuter cycling network. Streets that currently have sharrows include Dakota/Dunkirk, Higgins, Regent West, and Plessis.

Bike to the Future has produced an information sheet (PDF) with facts and FAQs about the City's Sharrows program.

The City's Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) released its 2008 action plan on Friday April 25th.

http://www.winnipeg.ca/clkdmis/ViewPdf.asp?SectionId=197117 (huge PDF file)

The City will spend more than $3 million this year to create 70 kilometres of new bike-and-pedestrian paths and bike lanes. (See the Free Press story about it.)

Many Bike to the Future members contributed to this 2008 action plan by expending countless hours compiling ideas, doing research, and/or attending numerous ATAC meetings. These members, many of whom represent our partner organizations, include Gareth Simons (Bike to the Future), Philip Roadley (Manitoba Cycling Association), Anders Swanson (One Green City, Mayor's Environmental Advisory Committee), Janice Lukes (Winnipeg Trails Association), Beth McKechnie (Resource Conservation Manitoba), Kevin Nixon (City of Winnipeg's AT Coordinator) and many of our City Committee members. Their efforts are paying dividends.

For for info about City of Winnipeg Active Transportation, please see our Advocacy Resources pages.

The City of Winnipeg is holding three Open Houses to discuss the rehabilitation project for the Disraeli Bridge & Overpass. This is a chance to express your views about the three proposed options; they have varying benefits for cyclists and pedestrians.

Page B7 of the Thursday April 24th Free Press contains a full page ad that has info and diagrams of the proposed designs. You can see the same information on the City's Disraeli rehab website page. That page lists the dates and locations of the Open Houses. It also contains an April 2008 newsletter -- PDF that contains lots of info and diagrams, and has contact info on the last page for expressing your opinions (if you are unable to attend one of the Open Houses).

The City's website page for the Chief Peguis Trail project has extensive information, including proposed amenities for cyclists and a Survey and Comments form.

The Bike Shorts Film Festival is an event/fundraising opportunity. It originates from Dustin Anderson, the Purple Pirate. You would have met him if you were at our Fall Forum last October.

Bike to the Future's Events & Fundraising Committee Director position is currently vacant, so we're looking for a group of volunteers to take ownership of this event/fundraising opportunity, and organize a Winnipeg screening.

Dustin writes: "I want to invite you to use The Bike Shorts format and content to generate funds for your local cycle advocacy groups. The structure is pretty simple: Get films (done - you can have ours), find a venue, promote, enjoy. I will be happy to share with you my process to help you make it happen."

If you're interested in being a part of this, or if you need more info, please contact us at contact@biketothefuture.org.

For the second year, Bike to the Future is conducting spring counts of cyclists at selected locations in Winnipeg. Last year we focused on the downtown area. This year we will continue to look at the downtown, but we are also focusing on the University of Manitoba and the soon-to-be rebuilt Fort Garry Bridges. We also started earlier this year, so that our first counts took place in winter conditions.

So far we have had 6 volunteers who have 8 counts at 4 locations, with each count taking place during morning or afternoon rush hour. The counts took place at University Crescent, the Fort Garry Bridges, the Maryland Bridges, and the Louise Bridge at the beginning of March and again at the end of March / beginning of April. We plan to continue with counts at the beginning of May and again at the beginning of June. We would welcome additional volunteers who can spare a couple of hours on a weekday morning or afternoon at a suitable location of their choice.

The results will be summarized in a report, as they were last year. (See the report our Publications page.) These counts are valuable in documenting the current levels of cycling, and in establishing baseline information that can be compared to future years. Last year's counts showed that up to 5,000 cyclists were traveling in and out of the downtown area in good weather. With the increased advocacy and interest in cycling, we anticipate that these numbers will increase.

Anyone who wants to help out or would like more information can contact Jeremy Hull at prolog@mts.net.

One item in the 2008 Provincial Budget:
"This year, Manitoba will receive $17.9 million through the federal transit trust. We will work with Winnipeg to develop projects that will increase ridership, provide alternative active transportation options, including bicycle paths, and make progress towards its Rapid Transit Implementation Plan."

Bike to the Future has been working with a student from the University of Winnipeg to develop a Cycling Safety Course Survey.

The purpose of this survey is to collect information that will assist Bike to the Future in designing cycling safety courses. The survey will ask for information on demographics, cycling habits, opinions on cycling, and on potential participation in cycling safety educational courses. Completing this survey will take approximately 5 – 10 minutes. Please do not complete this survey more than once.

Any questions can be directed to contact(at)biketothefuture.org.

Bike to the Future, recently prepared a budget submission, "Cycling and the Future of Manitoba", and delivered it to Finance Minister Greg Selinger. Copies were also delivered to the leaders of the three parties and to other ministers and government MLA's. These documents can also be obtained from our web site.

The submission has two parts, a short statement of our recommendations and a longer document with detailed appendices in support of these recommendations. We believe that investments by the provincial government in the development of cycling will result in economic, health and environmental benefits to the people of Manitoba, such that these investments will more than pay for themselves.

Any questions or comments about these documents can be directed to province(at)biketothefuture.org.

Bike the the Future with Ray Yuen from the University of Winnipeg are conducting a survey regarding cycling in the city. All are welcome to respond to the survey and contribute to our research regarding cycling choices and behaviours. Feel free to extend this invitation beyond Bike to the Future as the more responses we receive the better data we can collect. Please complete the survey at http://www.biketothefuture.org/external/cycling_survey.htm

The report from the Bike to the Future fall forum From Imagination to Creation: The Future of Cycling in Winnipeg was delivered on Wednesday November 21st at City Hall. Councillor Jenny Gerbasi was there to receive the report on behalf of City Council and the Mayor's Environmental Advisory Committee.

Here is the media release.

Download the report: From Imagination to Creation: The Future of Cycling in Winnipeg

Our Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday November 13th at 5:30 PM at the Eco-Centre, 3rd floor MEC building, 303 Portage Avenue. It will last approximately 30 minutes, and it will be immediately followed by our November Monthly Meeting.

The AGM agenda:

• Welcome and introductions.
• Approval of the minutes from our inaugural AGM on May 10th.
• Presentation of yearly financial statements. This is not applicable because our first year-end won't occur until March 31, 2008.
• Presentation of directors' annual reports.
• Election of a new Board of Directors. (See below.)

Anybody can attend, but only Bike to the Future members can participate in the election of a new Board of Directors because the Board represents all members.

Click here to see our organizational bylaws.

Board of Directors

Our Founding General Meeting was on May 10th, but we had decided that all AGMs will be in the fall because of the date of our fiscal year-end and other provisions in our organizational bylaws. All directors elected on May 10th retain their positions, but two of them have resigned, which means there are two vacancies on the Board. Also, three directors have changed positions:

• Molly McCracken -- from Events & Fundraising Director to Director at Large.
• Karin Kliewer -- from Director At Large to Membership Co-Director.
• Cory Bellhouse -- from Director At Large to Membership Co-Director.

Therefore, the Board vacancies are Secretary and Events & Fundraising Director. Our bylaws state that we must have a Secretary, but Events & Fundraising Director could go unfilled in favour of another Director At Large or another position that the Board approves.

We are seeking nominations for these two positions. All nominations must have a seconder, and both the nominator and seconder must be Bike to the Future members. You should nominate yourself if you are interested in serving on our Board of Directors.

Please submit nominations (or any questions) to biketothefuture@gmail.com . Receipt of the nomination will be confirmed. We have already received a nomination for Secretary.

Our fall forum on Thursday October 11th from 7:00 to 9:30 PM at the UofW Bulman Centre, From Imagination to Creation: The Future of Cycling in Winnipeg, was attended by 150 cyclists and a few politicians and media people. The speakers, video, maps, info tables, and discussion groups were a huge success. The ideas from the discussion groups will be compiled into a report and delivered by bike to The City of Winnipeg's Active Transportation Coordinator, the Mayor and City Councilors, and the Government of Manitoba. The date, time, and location of the delivery will be announced on our e-mail list and posted here before the end of October.

In order to increase our lobbying voice and our ability to achieve the goals of the many cycling advocacy needs in Winnipeg, Bike to the Future is introducing our 2007 Membership Drive! As an advocacy-based organization, our voice is only as strong as our membership.

Running from now until the Bike to the Future Forum and AGM on Thursday October 11 at the U of Winnipeg Bulman Centre, any new member will be entered to win a $165 prize package donated by Mountain Equipment Coop. Any member who recruits a new member will also be entered to win* (put your name on the membership form you give your friend).

The MEC prize package includes: World Tour panniers, Fitzer multi-tool, Planet Bike combo light set, Air Zond horn, Pro Patch kit, MEC rear rack, MEC Bio-Cycle cleaner, MEC chain cleaner tool, and MEC wet lube.

MEC Urban Sustainability Grant

Bike to the Future is the current recipient of the MEC Urban Sustainability Grant (for every bag not used, 5 cents is donated to Bike to the Future). We are also being supported through their Community Partnership Program.

Ride your bike to City Hall on July 24 to show support for cycling infrastructure in Winnipeg!

Why: The Manitoba Medical Association will be holding a press conference at which the Mayor has committed to attend.

What: The Manitoba Medical Association will identify active transportation as a medical issue, thank the Mayor for recent progress on AT, present him with a bicycle helmet, and advise that they will be monitoring the City's progress on the Active Transportation Study implementation plan. The MMA may also present results of an Omnibus Survey they are conducting to see if Manitobans support more money being spent on projects that encourage individuals to use active transportation.

Purpose: To keep the Mayor and Council on their toes, knowing that Winnipeggers support cycling infrastructure and will be watching/expecting progress.

When: Tuesday, July 24, 1:00 p.m.

Where: City Hall (lobby or steps - weather dependent)

RSVP: Let us know if you're able to be there on your bike so we can ensure a good showing of cyclists - send a quick reply to jackie@resourceconservation.mb.ca

Thanks & hope to see you there!

What can make your cycling safer in Winnipeg?

Bike to the Future - Safety Jam this Saturday, June 2 at the Forks

Come with questions + Ride away with answers

Where will it be?: North Atrium of the Forks Market. (This is one of the glassed rooms off the east corridor overlooking the plaza.)

When will it happen?: 1:00 pm Saturday, June 2

What's happening?: Every rider makes their own decisions as to what they feel is safe in any given situation. Howard Skrypnyk, a CAN-Bike instructor, will give a 1/2 hour presentation of the 5 Key Principles that will help you make those decisions on the road. After the presentation, Howard and the audience will discuss some real-world situations and come up with some ideas for handling them safely.

After that what?: At about 2:00 pm, Gord's Cycle and Ski will lead a ride from the Oodena Circle (near the Children's Museum), followed by musical entertainment:

• 3:00 pm - Irish Ceili Band
• 3:20 pm - International folk dancers
• 3:40 pm - Irish set dancers
• 4:00 pm - Audience participation dancing