Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Chatham-Kent - Official plan to boost active lifestyles

Council approved an official plan amendment report on Monday, which will provide guidance to the municipality on issues such as land use and resources. The amendment ties together several master plans conducted over the years, including transportation, parks and recreation, and trails.

Giant Bicycles strikes back at stupid GM ad

GM's ad about how embarrassing it is to ride a bike? Dumb. Giant Bicycles' parody response? Classy! Also pretty amusing

Victoria - City asked to allow 49 parking spaces instead of the required 230

In a move being supported by city staff, Gold's Gym has applied to the city for a variance to reduce required parking spaces to 49 from 230. The 41,000-square-foot building at 2269 Douglas St. has 30 underground parking spaces and no bicycle parking. Gold's plans to increase the number of parking spaces to 49 and add 54 bicycle parking spaces.

Calgary - Bike lanes added to northwest commuter route

New bikes lanes have been painted onto 10th Street in northwest Calgary. In some sections, four lanes have been reduced to three to make way for cyclists.

Plans to overhaul UK road signs announced

The plans also included allowing councils to use innovative measures such as pedestrian crossing "countdown" timers without needing Government approval. Other changes include measures to improve cycle journeys by allowing journey times as well as distances to be added to signs on cycle routes.
Announcing the plans, transport minister Norman Baker said: "This is the most far-reaching review of traffic signs in 40 years.

Student coasts toward policy change

Nicholas Franda, freshman criminal justice major, has started the process to have Texas Wesleyan policies changed concerning skateboards and rollerblades on campus. Currently, according to the student handbook, the use of skateboards or rollerblades on campus is prohibited.

The resolution Mendez proposed calls for students to be allowed to skateboard and rollerblade on campus to get to class, but still prohibits the use of skateboards and rollerblades inside residence halls.

Sustainable Mobility Summit 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia

The Sustainable Mobility Summit 2011 in Vancouver will provide an opportunity for international
delegates to network and share best practices on sustainable mobility as a key to human and ecosystem
health, economic growth, transportation efficiency and quality of life in our communities.

Critics question pedestrian access to MUHC superhospital

Montrealers who live near the Glen Yards are demanding the MUHC amend its plan for access to the superhospital. "For people walking, taking their bike or taking the bus there's no acces the full length of St. Jacques. There's no access until you hit the new Decarie Blvd.," said Derek Robertson.

CBRM waiting for province’s share of active transportation program

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has had to curb its spending on active transportation projects this year because the province hasn’t come through with its one-third share of program costs.

Transport Futures “Mobility Pricing Stakeholder Forum” in Toronto on November 22nd

Healthy Transport Consulting and our partners are proud to announce that the Transport Futures “Mobility Pricing Stakeholder Forum” – our sixth since 2008 -- will take place in Toronto on November 22nd. The Forum will build on the success of our previous educational events by focussing on gas taxes, parking fees and road pricing, especially as these measures relate to public acceptance.

As detailed in our exciting agenda, the packed day of learning and interactive discussion will commence with keynote presentations by a top transport economist and a mobility pricing psychologist. With their assistance, a panel of diverse stakeholders will then spend the rest of the day responding to cutting-edge case studies and providing delegates with their viewpoints on five main barriers to mobility pricing implementation: technology, equity, investment, governance and leadership.

A Different Spin on the Dangers of Urban Cycling

Two recent studies appear to expose cyclists as a potent urban menace. Bicycle riders pose a danger to themselves and to pedestrians, according to the studies.

Strategies for Health-Oriented Transportation Projects and Policies

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

Many Americans view walking and bicycling within their communities as unsafe due to heavy traffic and a scarcity of sidewalks, crosswalks, and bicycle facilities. Improving these elements could encourage active transportation such as children biking to school or employees walking to work. Safe and convenient opportunities for physically active travel also expand access to transportation networks for people without cars, while also spurring investment in infrastructure to increase the comfort of the on-road experience to improve the appeal of active modes to all people.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Walking For 20 Minutes A Day Could Save 10,000 Lives A Year

A regular stroll or brisk walk in the park could rapidly slash the death rate of heart disease, cancer and other chronic diseases, according to new research by The World Cancer Research Fund.

The study, supported by The Department for Transport's National Travel Survey (United Kingdom), reveals that the number of people choosing to walk instead of driving or taking public transport is at the lowest level since 1988.

More people should use active ways as a means of transportation

Most people in Cape Breton drive to work or school each day. But there are a growing number of people who use active and fun ways of getting around. I ride my bike or walk most days. Some people are more creative in their choice of active transportation. I spoke with Katie Boutilier about the fun and exciting methods that she and her partner, Thomas Allen, use to get to work each day.

Ontario coroner to probe cycling deaths

Ontario's chief coroner will investigate an increase in cycling deaths across Ontario during a five-year period, it was announced Monday. The investigation was initiated because of a concern surrounding cycling safety. The coroner estimates between 15 and 20 cyclists die on Ontario roads every year from accidental collisions.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Have your say with active transportation survey

The Have Your Say online survey, available until Oct. 20 at www.lambtonhealth.on.ca, is collecting information about barriers to walking, biking and other forms of human-powered travel in Lambton. Survey participants have a chance to win a gift card to a local sporting goods store.

Bike-helmet law challenge an uphill climb

Cyclist Ron van der Eerden has been called a moron and idiot after challenging B.C.’s mandatory helmet law in court. The fuss started last week when he entered a Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge against the province’s 15-year-old mandatory helmet law.

City Plans a Pedestrian-Friendly Jakarta

Long-suffering pedestrians and bicyclists may soon enjoy car-free days on key thoroughfares and see sidewalks cleared of illegal food vendors, if the latest plan to make Jakarta more user-friendly goes ahead, the capital’s chief city planner said on Sunday.

Looking for a fitness buddy? Get a dog

Experts say studies show dog owners walk more, walk faster, and are more likely to enjoy an active lifestyle because of their companion animal.

Fort Frances ON - Public to offer input on budget

During council’s strategic planning process this past summer, the Axtive Transportation Committee requested council integrate active transportation in the town’s budget and infrastructure process, and that council renew its commitment to follow up on the recommendations of the ATC and implement its recommended actions and programs.

Steering clear of cars in big cities

The problem is that, even as population grows and grows, rapid public transit does not. Madrid is a city of comparable size to Toronto and it knows how to get subways built. Madrid has 293 kilometres of subway lines serving 272 stations. Toronto has 70 kilometres serving 69 stations. By Madrid’s standard – a good one – Toronto should have four times the amount of underground rapid transit as it has now. It doesn’t even have a rapid rail line to the airport. No wonder the roads are jammed.

Vancouver’s schools must address student health issues

Our kids will be the first generation to see a decrease in their overall physical health. Childhood obesity is on the rise as are a number of environmental challenges other generations have not experienced. It’s critical that our schools address these health issues and the design challenges behind them; we must support our kids in being active while ensuring they are safe traveling to and learning in our schools.

UK - Great walking ideas

There's more to the National Trust than stiff old stately homes. The charity manages some of Britain's wildest and most beautiful landscapes and is encouraging people to explore them with the launch of its first nationwide Walking Festival (22-30 October).

Toronto skateboarding community connects the dots

Skateboarders are a different breed. And I'm talking specifically about the grown-up ones who take it really seriously and who are making a living of it. How is it that full-grown men are putting everything they have - their time, their bodies, their money, their energy - into an activity that doesn't really have any kind of professional sporting association and appears to be completely devoid of structure?

Armstrong BC - Light shed on Smith Drive

Smith Drive in Armstrong will be lit up and fixed up in 2012. Council voted unanimously to install new lights on the back of the sidewalk from McDonald’s to Pleasant Valley Road, and also voted to make safety and visibility upgrades in conjunction with the city’s active transportation plan

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Study - Bicyclists Bring Business

Since 2005, Parks & Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation also have been presenting “Bicyclists Bring Business” roundtables in communities across the state to help local businesspeople seize the economic opportunity presented by rising interest in bicycle tourism. In turn, we have learned even more from the many business owners and community leaders attending these workshops. We are pleased now to share our knowledge with interested businesspeople and other community leaders through this guide.

Calgary - Mayor not aware of cycle scheme

Someone gives the high sign to take 10 St. N.W. down from four to three lanes, set up bike lanes, don’t tell anybody, including the mayor, and when the doo-doo hits the fan ... surprise, surprise ... we have an angry population and a “pilot project” where commuters on short fuses are the guinea pigs.

Lace up those walking shoes and hit the road

Ever see pedestrians flipping off one another?

World’s first foldable skateboard now available

The SNAP Skateboard is a curious item and will undoubtedly take its place among a long line of unique skateboarding inventions.

The skateboard is 32 inches long by 7.87 inches wide, is made from aircraft grade aluminum, weighs 6.5 pounds and sports a 15 inch wheel base when fully extended. It also comes standard with 56mm wheels, ABEC 7 bearings and a 7.75 inch axle. Once folded for storage the skateboard allegedly reduces in length to 14.3 inches long and requires five inches in height clearance due, in part, to the re-positioning of the wheels.

Aspotogan Peninsula Active Transportation Strategy

A rural Active Transportation Strategy from Nova Scotia.

Voting now open in effort to land funding for Amherstburg-Essex trail

The general public is being asked to help click the Amherstburg-Essex trail into reality.

The Essex Region Conservation Foundation (ERCF) has entered into the Aviva Community Fund online competition to seek funding to develop the Essex-Amherstburg Greenway, a 22-kilometre multi-use recreational trail, similar to the Chrysler Canada Greenway.

Perth County Trails and Active Transportation Facebook

MovingON would like to you (or an alternate representative) to attend our next meeting to join a conversation about creating a Perth County Trails and Active Transportation Council and the creation of a county-wide master plan. Attached is a flyer describing this conversational session. A representative from the Oxford Country Trails Council will share also their experiences.

Korea - New bicycle roads to become green transport infrastructure

The government said refurbishing the four main river systems — the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan — will not only secure water resources and improve water quality, but also build “green” transport infrastructures by encouraging more people to enjoy bike riding as a leisure activity.

Active Transportation in Canada Guide

Last week the Active Transportation in Canada: a resource and planning guide was released by Transport Canada. This will be an important tool for planners and engineers that focuses bes approaches to active transportation in Canadian cities.

The Journal of Public Transportation

The Journal of Public Transportation is published quarterly by the National Center for Transit Research Center for Urban Transportation Research:

University of South Florida • College of Engineering 4202 East Fowler Avenue, CUT100
Tampa, Florida 33620-5375
Phone: (813) 974-3120
Fax: (813) 974-5168
Email: jpt@cutr.usf.edu
Website: www.nctr.usf.edu/jpt/journal.htm

Banff - Skateboard ban lifted

Council voted 5-2 to lift the ban on skateboarding between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Only Coun. Paul Baxter and Coun. Leslie Taylor were opposed to scrapping the restriction. "We as a council, by lifting this bylaw, are introducing a new activity into the night in the town," she said, noting it was a council responsibility to address the consequences of that.

Transportation targeted

An international transportation expert is coming to London next week to answer that question at a community forum that will look at the good and bad of the city's transportation network. "The main issue I see with London's active transportation is we aren't all together on the same page. This is the first hurdle we need to surpass. The idea is to create a community flag that we can all stand behind," said Ryan Craven, of the Urban League of London's Our Street.