The International Bicycle Fund is an independent, non-profit organization. Its primary purpose is to promote bicycle transportation. Most IBF projects and activities fall into one of four categories: planning and engineering, safety education, economic development assistance and promoting international understanding. IBF's objective is to create a sustainable, people-friendly environment by creating opportunities of the highest practicable quality for bicycle transportation.
Link: www.ibike.org/encouragement/benefits.htm
Monday, April 14, 2008
Toronto - Metrolinx: Green Paper # 3 - Active Transportation
Active Transportation at the Heart of our Transportation System
As part of its Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), Metrolinx is committed to developing an active transportation component that will result in a fundamental shift in the way walking and cycling are viewed by the public and accommodated within our transportation system.
This Green Paper presents the benefits, challenges, and opportunities for greatly increasing the role of active transportation in meeting daily needs, and as part of a solution to current and future urban transportation challenges.
Link: http://metrolinx-consult.limehouse.com/portal/reviewgreenpaper3?pointId=96790
As part of its Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), Metrolinx is committed to developing an active transportation component that will result in a fundamental shift in the way walking and cycling are viewed by the public and accommodated within our transportation system.
This Green Paper presents the benefits, challenges, and opportunities for greatly increasing the role of active transportation in meeting daily needs, and as part of a solution to current and future urban transportation challenges.
Link: http://metrolinx-consult.limehouse.com/portal/reviewgreenpaper3?pointId=96790
Les aménagements cyclables et le stationnement pour vélo
Vélo Québec présente la programmation 2008 des formations techniques Les aménagements cyclables et Le stationnement pour vélos. Avec une expertise de plus de trente ans et l’apport de nombreux experts, Vélo Québec partage les informations essentielles à une planification réussie et à des aménagements qui fonctionnent.
Les aménagements cyclables: Référence en aménagement de voies cyclables, cette formation permet au participant de bien comprendre les grandes étapes d'élaboration d'un projet d'aménagement des voies cyclables, d'acquérir les connaissances de base sur la stratégie de planification, la conception, le choix du bon aménagement et la sécurité. Le cours d'une journée inclut un volet théorique et une visite sur le terrain.
Cette formation s'adresse à toutes les personnes impliquées dans le développement des voies cyclables : professionnels des transports et de la voirie, de l'aménagement, des parcs et des loisirs, politiciens, membres d’organisations cyclistes, etc.
Dates et lieux : Jeudi 22 mai à Montréal £ü Jeudi 5 juin à Québec £ü Jeudi 25 septembre à Montréal
Pour plus de renseignements: www.velo.qc.ca/velo_quebec/amenagements.php?page=formation
Les aménagements cyclables: Référence en aménagement de voies cyclables, cette formation permet au participant de bien comprendre les grandes étapes d'élaboration d'un projet d'aménagement des voies cyclables, d'acquérir les connaissances de base sur la stratégie de planification, la conception, le choix du bon aménagement et la sécurité. Le cours d'une journée inclut un volet théorique et une visite sur le terrain.
Cette formation s'adresse à toutes les personnes impliquées dans le développement des voies cyclables : professionnels des transports et de la voirie, de l'aménagement, des parcs et des loisirs, politiciens, membres d’organisations cyclistes, etc.
Dates et lieux : Jeudi 22 mai à Montréal £ü Jeudi 5 juin à Québec £ü Jeudi 25 septembre à Montréal
Pour plus de renseignements: www.velo.qc.ca/velo_quebec/amenagements.php?page=formation
Book Review - Transport Revolutions
CBC
In Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil, Gilbert and co-author Anthony Perl, an urban studies professor at Simon Fraser University, make a persuasive argument that global oil depletion is more imminent, and for that reason more important, than climate change.
Gilbert and Perl see expensive oil turning life in the developed world cold, dark and bitter. They write that in a worst-case scenario, "car-dependent suburban residents … will have to abandon their homes or live at a subsistence level on what they can produce from their land."
Link: www.cbc.ca/news/background/oil/peak-oil.html
In Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil, Gilbert and co-author Anthony Perl, an urban studies professor at Simon Fraser University, make a persuasive argument that global oil depletion is more imminent, and for that reason more important, than climate change.
Gilbert and Perl see expensive oil turning life in the developed world cold, dark and bitter. They write that in a worst-case scenario, "car-dependent suburban residents … will have to abandon their homes or live at a subsistence level on what they can produce from their land."
Link: www.cbc.ca/news/background/oil/peak-oil.html
Article - Rising gas prices drove spending on transportation in 2007: StatsCan
For every $100 spent by Canadians at the retail level last year, $31 — almost a third — went to pay for their vehicles, parts and fuel, according to a new report. Proportionally, Canadians spend $21 out every $100 on motor vehicles, parts and services, and another $10 on automotive fuels, oils and additives.
Link: www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/04/09/retailreport.html
Link: www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/04/09/retailreport.html
Article - The Vancouver Model
Author: Trevor Brody
This link takes you to an 8-page evaluation of "The Vancouver Model" that was published in "The New Urbanism" magazine.
Link: http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2152&context=ced/places
This link takes you to an 8-page evaluation of "The Vancouver Model" that was published in "The New Urbanism" magazine.
Link: http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2152&context=ced/places
Article - Embrace Greener Commuting
Enteprenuer.com, April 11
Author: Rich Minzer
High gas prices and the ongoing concern for the environment have prompted an increasing number of environmentally sensitive businesses to focus attention outside of the workplace and on those carpool lanes, bike lanes and even sidewalks.
Many businesses are now encouraging and rewarding employees who use alternate forms of transportation to get to and from work. For some companies, it means paying the daily fares and footing the bill for mass transit for their employees. Other companies are rewarding carpoolers with prizes such as gift cards to local businesses.
Link: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24066930/
Author: Rich Minzer
High gas prices and the ongoing concern for the environment have prompted an increasing number of environmentally sensitive businesses to focus attention outside of the workplace and on those carpool lanes, bike lanes and even sidewalks.
Many businesses are now encouraging and rewarding employees who use alternate forms of transportation to get to and from work. For some companies, it means paying the daily fares and footing the bill for mass transit for their employees. Other companies are rewarding carpoolers with prizes such as gift cards to local businesses.
Link: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24066930/
Article - The Art of Walking
The Dominion, March 25
Author: Sue Johnson
As rapid transit and urban infrastructure around the world increasingly displace moderate or long-distance walking, the subject is becoming more relevant to artists and other cultural thinkers.
Link:www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/1787
Author: Sue Johnson
As rapid transit and urban infrastructure around the world increasingly displace moderate or long-distance walking, the subject is becoming more relevant to artists and other cultural thinkers.
Link:www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/1787
Article - Abu Dhabi unveils zero-waste city
Financial Post, January 22
Author: Araminta Wordsworth
Pedestrians will never be more than 200 metres away from a public transport option, including a light railway that will move people to and from Masdar to Abu Dhabi, while "personalized rapid transport pods" running on tracks will be used inside the city.
Link: www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=253829
Author: Araminta Wordsworth
Pedestrians will never be more than 200 metres away from a public transport option, including a light railway that will move people to and from Masdar to Abu Dhabi, while "personalized rapid transport pods" running on tracks will be used inside the city.
Link: www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=253829
Article - The man who built Vancouver has a grand plan for Abu Dhabi
The Province, April 13
Author: David George-Cosh, Canwest News Service
Larry Beasley's name kept popping up to the Emirati staffers, who were hearing about "the Vancouver Model," a world-renowned planning concept that tightly packs in high-density buildings while discouraging car traffic as much as possible.
"I found out that they wanted me to develop a plan for [Abu Dhabi], that they wanted it to be one of the best cities in the world"
Link: www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=27f21b9d-49d4-44ac-a468-eb03cb0598e3&k=54710
Author: David George-Cosh, Canwest News Service
Larry Beasley's name kept popping up to the Emirati staffers, who were hearing about "the Vancouver Model," a world-renowned planning concept that tightly packs in high-density buildings while discouraging car traffic as much as possible.
"I found out that they wanted me to develop a plan for [Abu Dhabi], that they wanted it to be one of the best cities in the world"
Link: www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=27f21b9d-49d4-44ac-a468-eb03cb0598e3&k=54710
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Notice - Open House for AT Plan
On April 17, an important public meeting will be held in Wasaga Beach, Ontario.This meeting will solicit public input for an upcoming bicycle and pedestrian plan.
For more information, contact: John McMullen, Meridian Planning Consultants Inc., john@meridianplan.ca.
Article - Isreal: Cabinet earmarks NIS 100 million for cross-country bike routes, camp sites
isreal.jpost.com, March 31
Author: Ehud Zion Waldoks
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has launched two programs to encourage Israel's citizens to get out and enjoy nature. During a special cabinet session held inside a cave at the Beit Shearim national park in the lower Galilee on Sunday morning, Olmert announced one plan to crisscross the country from North to South with bike trails and another program to upgrade dozens of camping sites.
Link: www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1206632374595&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Author: Ehud Zion Waldoks
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has launched two programs to encourage Israel's citizens to get out and enjoy nature. During a special cabinet session held inside a cave at the Beit Shearim national park in the lower Galilee on Sunday morning, Olmert announced one plan to crisscross the country from North to South with bike trails and another program to upgrade dozens of camping sites.
Link: www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1206632374595&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Article - Region's bicycle-friendly initiative could cost Township more than $1 million
newsdurhamregion.com, April 1
Author: Jeff Hayward
Richard Vandezande, manager of development services for Uxbridge, sent a report to council recently regarding a draft Regional Cycling Plan Study outlining "an important initiative to improve the capacity for cycling in the Region of Durham." The bike paths within Uxbridge proposed in the study involve on and off-road links, including paved shoulder routes. "This initiative supports the healthy communities' initiative by developing cycling as an alternate form of transportation by facilitating integration and ease of movement for non-motorized modes of transportation and linking these routes with important Regional features such as communities, attractions and destinations."
Link: http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/durham/article/96207
Author: Jeff Hayward
Richard Vandezande, manager of development services for Uxbridge, sent a report to council recently regarding a draft Regional Cycling Plan Study outlining "an important initiative to improve the capacity for cycling in the Region of Durham." The bike paths within Uxbridge proposed in the study involve on and off-road links, including paved shoulder routes. "This initiative supports the healthy communities' initiative by developing cycling as an alternate form of transportation by facilitating integration and ease of movement for non-motorized modes of transportation and linking these routes with important Regional features such as communities, attractions and destinations."
Link: http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/durham/article/96207
Article - Funding boost will speed creation of Markham cycling trail
yorkregion.com news, April 1
Author: Caroline Grech
Markham has received a much needed injection of provincial funding to build a cycling path.
The town received $4.5 million from the Ontario Infrastructure Investment grant, allowing it to speed up construction of the 18.5-kilometre circular cycling and walking trail.
Link: www.georginaadvocate.com/News/Markham/article/72355
Author: Caroline Grech
Markham has received a much needed injection of provincial funding to build a cycling path.
The town received $4.5 million from the Ontario Infrastructure Investment grant, allowing it to speed up construction of the 18.5-kilometre circular cycling and walking trail.
Link: www.georginaadvocate.com/News/Markham/article/72355
Article - UK: Vote Cycling on May 1st
The New Statesman, March 31
Author: Tom Bogdanowicz
The London mayoral and assembly polls give voters a chance to influence policy in the UK capital. The question for voters is which candidate will genuinely make a London a more liveable city and a city that truly welcomes cycle users. All the leading candidates told the LCC’s magazine London Cyclist that they are pro-cycling. And indeed they need to be behind cycling, because without a 400% increase in cycling from 2000 to 2025, the anticipated increase in population of one million will mean that London’s transport system will grind to a halt. Under Ken Livingstone cycling has soared by more than 83% in the capital, while it’s barely changed in the rest of the UK, but there is still along way to go to the 400% target.
Link: www.newstatesman.com/200803310004
Author: Tom Bogdanowicz
The London mayoral and assembly polls give voters a chance to influence policy in the UK capital. The question for voters is which candidate will genuinely make a London a more liveable city and a city that truly welcomes cycle users. All the leading candidates told the LCC’s magazine London Cyclist that they are pro-cycling. And indeed they need to be behind cycling, because without a 400% increase in cycling from 2000 to 2025, the anticipated increase in population of one million will mean that London’s transport system will grind to a halt. Under Ken Livingstone cycling has soared by more than 83% in the capital, while it’s barely changed in the rest of the UK, but there is still along way to go to the 400% target.
Link: www.newstatesman.com/200803310004
Article - Planning board wants residences in industrial center
The Patriot Ledger (Boston), April 1
Author: Fred Hanson
The chance to live close enough to your job to be able to walk to work is the idea behind a proposed zoning change.
The planning board held a public hearing Monday night on a proposal that would allow residential development in the Great Pond Commerce Center, the former industrial park on Pacella Park Drive.
Link: www.patriotledger.com/news/x907423285
Author: Fred Hanson
The chance to live close enough to your job to be able to walk to work is the idea behind a proposed zoning change.
The planning board held a public hearing Monday night on a proposal that would allow residential development in the Great Pond Commerce Center, the former industrial park on Pacella Park Drive.
Link: www.patriotledger.com/news/x907423285
Website - The Walking Englishman
This Website has little to do with utilitarian walking, but you might find his walking trip time calculator to be interesting and helpful for beginners.
Link: www.walkingenglishman.com/walktime.aspx
Link: www.walkingenglishman.com/walktime.aspx
Article - Would you bike more if you had a separated lane?
This video from StreetFilms takes a good even-handed look at what could be done in NYC, but the debate seems to be going on all over the country.
Link: www.greendaily.com/2008/03/26/would-you-bike-more-if-you-had-a-separated-lane/
Link: www.greendaily.com/2008/03/26/would-you-bike-more-if-you-had-a-separated-lane/
Article - Bike, transit use rising along with gas prices
Vancouver Sun, March 28
Author: Gordon Hamilton
A majority of British Columbians say rising gasoline prices are causing financial hardship in their households, according to an Angus Reid Strategies survey released Thursday. British Columbians lead Canada in turning to bicycles, public transit or selling their cars as an alternative to paying more on gas.
Link: www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=72c2bf3b-c535-43c5-8df4-e5bc9abe8ebb&k=29310
Author: Gordon Hamilton
A majority of British Columbians say rising gasoline prices are causing financial hardship in their households, according to an Angus Reid Strategies survey released Thursday. British Columbians lead Canada in turning to bicycles, public transit or selling their cars as an alternative to paying more on gas.
Link: www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=72c2bf3b-c535-43c5-8df4-e5bc9abe8ebb&k=29310
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