Essex - County council to look at spending $1.5 million for improvements to transportation system in 2015

On Wednesday county council will consider the approval of $1.5 million in further improvements to the network of non-motorized travel routes knows at the County Wide Active Transportation System. Read more.

Portage la Prairie - Active transportation plan stalled

City of Portage la Prairie councillors recently defeated a motion to implement an active transportation plan for the city. Administrators had recommended the city award the development of an active transportation plan to MMM Group Ltd. for $51,840. Councillors defeated the motion during their regular council meeting on Feb. 9 as most felt it was costing the city too much money. Read more.

Montréal - New urban walkway to link the mountain and the river

The City of Montreal has announced an ambitious urban walkway project linking the St. Lawrence River to Mount Royal, which mayor Denis Coderre hopes will be completed in time for the city's 375th birthday celebrations in 2017. Coderre told reporters he'd like to see the walkway become a legacy project which will be enjoyed by Montrealers for years to come. Read more.

Montreal plans five new ‘pedestrian’ streets for 2015

The City of Montreal has announced it will transform five city streets into “pedestrian-friendly” hubs in time for the city’s 375th anniversary. Read more.

Toronto - Mapping the City’s Bike Network Gaps

The gaps in the existing bikeway network show the shortcomings in cycling infrastructure to support a minimum grid of safe bike routes in the suburbs, which would be mostly built on city streets, not in ravines or hydro corridors. For his part, during the 2014 campaign John Tory said that he would support bike lanes where it was “sensible.” But he did not define what that meant or provide a timeline for specific goals. Read more.

Kingston - City pedals plan to install bike lanes on Princess Street

For the first time in its history, Kingston’s Princess Street will be getting dedicated bicycle lanes. The conversion to a bike-friendly street has not been without controversy. Some area businesses initially complained that removing parking from Kingston’s main street could drive away their customers who’ve grown accustomed to parking near storefronts. Read more.

Toronto’s suburbs need more traffic lights to improve safety: report

A study conducted by Ryerson students on behalf of Toronto Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) in late 2013 found that the numbers of pedestrians in North York is comparable to those in downtown. Yet the number of traffic lights found in North York is lower, which becomes an equity issue, says Nancy Smith Lea, director of TCAT. Read more.

Guelph - Multi-use path along Woodlawn Road needs to stay in budget

Guelph has done a reasonably good job of looking out for cyclists, constructing new bike lanes as part of road construction projects and putting others on "diets" to create bike lanes within the existing road allowance. But the primary reason the Woodlawn Road path must be bumped back to the front burner is safety. In November 2012, late city engineer Rick Henry told council in his professional opinion it was "not safe" for pedestrians or cyclists to use Woodlawn Road West; a suggestion with which any user of the road will easily concur. Read more.

Bike commuters at UBC Okanagan seek answers to dangerous dilemma

A safe, legal cycling route to UBCO has been a problem with no solution since UBC took over the campus in 2006. Until recently, nearly 200 cyclists accessed the campus daily via Curtis Road around Robert Lake. This route has always been a point of contention between property owners and UBCO, but commuters continued to use the route because there are no safe alternatives. Now the UBCO cycling community, made up of students, faculty and staff, are asking the City of Kelowna and the University to find an immediate solution to this years-old issue. Read more.

Pedestrian advocates say evidence supports adding additional scrambles in downtown Toronto

Yesterday, Toronto’s public works committee voted to scrap the pedestrian priority crossing at Bay and Bloor. However, walking advocates insist there’s a case for adding similar crossings to at least two other intersections downtown. Commonly known as “scrambles,” the intersections allow pedestrians to cross in all directions once per traffic cycle. Read more.

Cycling in Vancouver

In our draft capital plan for 2015-2018, we propose adding to, completing, and upgrading parts of Vancouver's cycling infrastructure. It's part of our proposed $150-million investment in transportation. We hope these improvements will help make cycling your preferred way to get around. Read more.

Sudbury - Funds for cycling trails, watershed studies added to budget deliberations

City councillors will be considering a growing list of budget options as they work toward passing a 2015 budget with no tax increase and no layoffs. The two biggest items were for $250,000 in funding for watershed studies, and $800,000 to improve the city's cycling infrastructure. Read more.

Guelph - Delegates want sidewalk on Woodlawn Road put back into capital budget

Removal from the capital budget of a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists on Woodlawn Road was top of mind for many of the delegations who spoke to council Wednesday night after staff presented the capital budget. Almost two-third of the delegations spoke about it. Yvette Tendick, of the Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation, called the current path a "goat path" that forces pedestrians onto the busy road at times because the snow makes it impossible for walking. Read more.

Winnipeg - Have your say on active transportation

The City of Winnipeg has initiated a neighbourhood-based engagement project on Active Transportation in the communities of Wildwood, Point Road, and Crescent Park. The City has contracted the Green Action Centre (GAC) to gather input from community members on the conditions for walking, cycling, and other modes of active transportation in the area. Read more.

Mayor wants Kitchener to revisit sidewalk shovelling policy

Angry complaints about Kitchener's sidewalk snow-clearing policy have prompted Mayor Berry Vrbanovic to ask city staff to take another look at it and how it's enforced. Read more.

Sault Ste. Marie - City finalizes transportation master plan

Council was also told that the city needs to ensure they optimize how existing assets are used and roads are comparable with other modes of transportation, especially factoring in the city's aging population, which creates different needs. Read more.

Cyclist route choice, traffic-related air pollution, and lung function: a scripted exposure study

These results suggest that by selecting low-traffic Bicycle Boulevards instead of heavily trafficked roads, cyclists can reduce their exposure to vehicle-related air pollution. The lung function results indicate that elevated pollutant exposure may not have acute negative effects on healthy cyclists, but further research is necessary to determine long-term effects on a more diverse population. This study and broader field of research have the potential to encourage policy-makers and city planners to expand infrastructure to promote safe and healthy bicycle commuting. Read more.

Ontario Bike Summit - Updated Agenda & Early Bird Registration

Spring is coming early to Ontario this year with the 7th Annual Ontario Bike Summit scheduled for Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1, 2015 (Toronto, ON). This year's summit -- From Paper to Pavement: Moving Forward with #CycleON -- is a can't miss event with something for everyone. Read more.

Spinning the wheels and rolling the dice: life-cycle risks and benefits of bicycle commuting in the U.S.

The lifetime health benefits of bicycle commuting appear to outweigh the risks in the U.S., but individuals who sufficiently discount or disbelieve the health benefits may delay or avoid bicycling. Bicycling in middle age avoids much fatality risk while capturing health benefits. Read more.

As More Cities Adopt 'Vision Zero,' a Grand Experiment Emerges on U.S. Streets

In 2013, 23 people died in Seattle crashes, and more than 150 suffered “life-changing” injuries. Crashes involving people on bikes, people on motorcycles, and people on foot make up only 5 percent of the total collisions, but account for almost 50 percent of the fatalities. Read more.

Amsterdam Has Officially Run Out of Spaces to Park Its Bicycles

Amsterdam is currently tackling a problem most cities can only dream of having: It has way too many bikes. So massively popular is cycling in the Netherlands' largest city that the city center has run out of places to put them all. Read more.

Bikeable City Snakes and Ladders Game

Download here.

Guelph - Council discusses trails, taxes and the long-form census

Ward 2 Coun. Andy Van Hellemond's motion reopens the possibility of having a trail underpass installed under the new Speedvale Avenue bridge and to add sections of trail around Hanlon Creek to align with trails being developed by the Grand River Conservation Authority. Yvette Tendick, president of the Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation, said a trail underpass would connect Riverside Park to the north with an existing trail south of Speedvale and would allow cyclists and walkers a safe route along the river all way to downtown. Read more.

Kingston - Program hits the ground running

"(Walking School Bus programs) actually make getting to school much safer," Kate Johnson, a program volunteer, said. "I think that on top of all of the health and social and community benefits that we experience, the traffic issues in front of almost every school in the city tell us that we need fewer cars in front of the schools." Read more.

Bike lanes: safe cycling haven or 'door zone of death'?

Ride inside the lane, and you risk being "doored" if a car occupant flings open a door without due care, injuring you or even killing you by knocking you under the wheels of a following vehicle. But if you ride on the edge of the lane, or outside it, you risk incurring the wrath of drivers who don't understand why you simply won't "get in the bike lane!" Read more.

Call to curb cycling speedsters racing each other on shared trails

Cyclists are racing at speeds of more than 60 kilometres an hour on Melbourne's shared walking and riding trails, putting other trail users at risk of injury for the sake of bragging rights on a popular app. The informal time trial competition, among a small subculture of reckless riders using an app called Strava, has been condemned by cycling and walking advocates as a threat to public safety and enjoyment of the outdoors. Read more.

Car-less in the 905: One family’s quest for automotive freedom

Living without a car — or two — would be unthinkable to most 905-area residents, particularly a family with three young children. But for Kevin and Emily Montgomery, who made the decision to go car-free about three years ago, it just made sense. It has allowed Emily to stay home with their children, giving her the time and energy to be a more engaged parent. It has improved Kevin’s physical fitness and has put breathing room in their family budget. Read more.

Comment: The case for having fewer cyclists in Victoria

Cycling debate in Canada is often an “us versus them” narrative in which new biking infrastructure represents appeasement of a small group of biking enthusiasts to the detriment of the majority of motorists. By contrast, leading cities around the world are abandoning this outdated view, giving cyclists a legitimate place in the transportation hierarchy. This makes urban trips safer and faster for everyone. Read more.

The technology we need drivers to buy so cycling isn't so dangerous

The history of car safety poses an intriguing question: If vehicle technology has made it safer to ride in cars, should automakers now take more responsibility for making it safer for people who don't even use cars to travel around them? Read more.

ing Prince Edward Island, Canada: How an ill-fated railway makes for an unforgettable biking adventure

A dusty red dirt track is all that remains of the railway line. Now known as The Confederation Trail, it was abandoned in 1989 and has since become a Mecca for biking enthusiasts and the country's first completed section of the Trans Canada Trail. Read more.

Active Transportation removed from draft 2015 budget

Do you remember how pleased we were a short while ago when $300,000 was added to the City of Guelph 2014 budget for Active Transportation? It was supposed to be $300,000 a year for 10 years.  Well, it has been removed from the 2015 draft budget. Read more.

Cobourg - Free Cobourg parking passes okayed and denied

Cobourg council last week accepted the recommendations of the active-transportation committee in granting free parking passes to one group and denying them to another. Read more.

Saskatoon - 5 things to watch for at city council

City administration recommends that $209,988 be awarded to consulting firm Urban Systems Ltd. to create an active transportation plan. The plan would examine what needs to happen in Saskatoon for vehicles, buses, bikes and pedestrians to safely and efficiently get around the city. Read more.

Underground parking for 7,000 bikes opening at Amsterdam Centraal

Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan and the city’s aldermen want to build a large, underground bicycle parking garage for 7,000 bikes on the south side of Amsterdam Centraal Station. The storage is planned for an area between Prins Hendrikkade and the pathway to the station, just west of the entrance to Damraak, in an area called the “Open Havenfront,” the city announced on Wednesday. Read more.

Brampton - Citizen’s group makes pitch for free transit for students

A local citizen's group is calling on the city to offer free transit rides for high school students. But not all councillors who heard the pitch on Wednesday are convinced such a program is the way to go. Read more.

Toronto - Traffic signal will open Black Creek farm to pedestrians

After two years of advocacy work, North York residents will gain easier access to the Black Creek Community Farm. City council voted to approve a traffic control signal at the intersection of Jane Street and Hullmar Drive that will open up the farm to pedestrians, cyclists and transit users. Read more.

A cyclist's tale: My first winter riding a bike for transportation

This is my first winter riding a bike for transportation. I sold my car three years ago to pay for school, spent some time in cities with excellent transit and bike-sharing systems, and since I’ve returned to an ever-more-bike-friendly Minneapolis, I’ve been content to continue my same mobile ways. Read more.

March Webinar: Trail Wayfinding Systems: A Practical Guide to Principles, Best Practices and Deployment

This webinar will provide trail and greenway planners, designers, and managers with a practical understanding of trail/ped/bike wayfinding and informational systems with an emphasis on in-the-field structures and media. Read more.

U.K. - Cyclescheme: purchase a bike through your employer

Cyclescheme allows cyclists to purchase them on a monthly payment plan, with their employer paying up front. The monthly repayments to the employers comes off the gross before-tax salary, so effectively the government is sponsoring your purchase by the amount of income tax you pay. It favours those who pay more income tax … but also favours cycling! Read more.

Kitchener's cycling projects fail to materialize

A vocal cycling advocate is fuming after the City of Kitchener failed to complete any priority projects identified by an advisory committee and endorsed by councillors. Read more.

Sydney - Health authority finds out what health means to community

Physical Activity – Claire MacLean, chair of the Active Transportation Coalition, challenged us to move more and referred to sitting as the new smoking. She says we need to “kick our car habit” of driving everywhere and walk more. Being active makes for a fitter, healthier population and a better quality of life. Read more.

Calgary councillor wants to crack down on distracted pedestrians involved in crashes

Pull your head out of your app, or pay the price. Only in Calgary would this seem a novel concept: rather than laying all the blame for pedestrian collisions on the foolish behaviour of car drivers, actually look at both sides of the bumper to fine the person at fault — or better yet, a solution. Read more.

Multi-milllion dollar Port Elgin beach revitalization concept ready

The four-phase concept approved by the committee of the whole focuses on four distinct areas of the waterfront -active transportation, parking, family-oriented locations, and the built environment and prevailing winds. Read more.

A Plan to Limit Cars in Paris Collides With French Politics

Though Paris, famed for its beauty, may seem quite different from pollution-choked Mumbai or Beijing, it shares their concerns about the health risks posed by particles released by burning diesel fuel, which have been linked to a range of health disorders, including lung disease and heart attacks. Read more.

After losing two consecutive civic elections, Vancouver’s Non-Partisan Association needs a new business plan

The NPA has lost the last two civic elections. It’s time for a new approach. It has to embrace – not just begrudgingly accept – that lifestyles are changing when it comes to how we get around. Those annoying bike lanes are a manifestation of something that’s neither trivial nor temporary. The NPA failure to get it was articulated by LaPointe in two words: counterflow lanes. Read more.

Vancouver - John Weston: Why I voted against Bill C-603 even though I support bike safety

I voted against Bill C-603 last Wednesday (December 10) in the House of Commons, a measure that would have required new or imported large trucks to have sideguards. Did that mean I opposed the motive of the bill? No, I support the motive, to cut down on cycling and pedestrian fatalities caused when truckers unwittingly crush cyclists. Read more.

Montréal - Opinion: Ste-Catherine St. should become car-free

Successful cities have learned to balance the tensions created by the growth of their economic centres, and Montreal would do well to assimilate those lessons. Chiefly, Montreal must prioritize public transport, cycling and walking if it hopes to attract businesses, and the skilled workers they rely on, to its downtown. Thus, re-developing Ste-Catherine St. as a car-free city hub is essential to the economic growth of the city centre. Read more.

Edmonton planning more pedestrian friendly 104th Avenue

“It’s to create a built form around the people that are using the street, to have a higher level of pedestrian comfort through the area,” he said. That could include wider sidewalks and more businesses built to the street, while eliminating many of the surface parking lots. Pawlyk said they believe this is what the community is looking for. Read more.

$9M revitalization plan for downtown Chatham

During discussions that were held with stakeholders over the spring and summer, accessibility issues related to the streets and sidewalks were identified as key challenges. “The lack of bicycle parking, the prevalence of sidewalk cycling, trees outgrowing the existing infrastructure, and prevalence of uneven and broken pavement throughout the downtown core,” said Jacques, summing up the main concerns. Read more.

Debert residents offer thumbs down to pricey Plains Road sidewalk

A proposed sidewalk for Plains Road in Debert will not proceed after residents expressed overwhelming concern about the proposed cost to their tax rate. Read more.

Mississauga Receives Awards for Active and Sustainable Transportation

Mississauga (recently) celebrated three awards for active and sustainable transportation.

• Mississauga’s Silver WALK Friendly Community Designation from the WALK Friendly Ontario Program of Green Communities Canada
• 2014 Smart Commute Peel Region Employer of the Year
• 2014 Smart Commute Regional Employer of the Year.

Details.

Book Review: Frostbike (The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling)

In The Bike, Babin tracks the history of winter cycling, stretching back to the days of the Gold Rush, where bicycles could be more effective than horses and dog teams. Before the advent of the automobile age, cycling had mass popularity as a method of travel and recreation. He runs through the evolution of inventions that allowed cyclists to ride on ice and snow up to the ‘fat bikes’ of today. Read more.

Thompson - Map shows how walker- and biker-friendly the city really is

“People outside realize it was well-planned for cycling,” Krentz says of Thompson, pointing out that active transportation advocate Anders Swanson of Winnipeg, who’s biked around the city on visits here before, was one of the driving forces behind the map’s development. “He did the computer graphics part of it,” says Krentz, and then reviewed it with people from Thompson to ensure that it was accurate. Read more.

Thunder Bay bike lanes won't be plowed this winter

The city of Thunder Bay will continue to leave bike lanes unplowed over the winter months. “As the roads division brought to council earlier this year, there was a reduction in service for plowing.  By plowing bike lanes, a lot more effort and money has to go into doing that,” he said. Read more.

Port Hawkesbury looking to further develop active transportation trail system

A newly formed group looking to further develop recreation trails in Port Hawkesbury can now proceed with plans following its registration with the province. Read more.

Calgary - Questions, concerns linger over cycle track plans

As the city’s transportation committee Wednesday received an update on the controversial cycle track pilot to launch next year, renewed concerns over two-wheeled impact on Stephen Ave. Mall and a lack of pass/fail criteria sparked renewed debate. Read more.

‘A Philosophy of Walking,’ by Frédéric Gros

The act the French philosopher Frédéric Gros describes in his athletic new book, “A Philosophy of Walking,” has more in common with what Americans call hiking and the French call la randonnée than with what they are likely to think of as simply “walking.” Read more.

St. John's - Pedestrian safety: Art Puddister to push for pedway over Topsail Road

The issue of pedestrian safety is again at the forefront of public discussion in St. John's, following the tragic death of a young student on Topsail Road a week ago. Read more.

Five new ideas about keeping people riding bikes in winter cities

Cycling had long been considered a summer activity and it had been studied to within an inch of its life in cities all around the world. What hadn’t been studied, however, were the big questions about riding a bike in the winter: Who rides? Why do they ride? Why don’t they ride? What would make it easier? How many people will ever ride? Read more.

Heart disease survival rates soar, but so do unhealthy lifestyles

Junk food, screen time and lack of exercise are still putting too many people at risk, warns a report called "Getting to the Heart of the Matter" from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "An aging population combined with poor diets, high obesity and diabetes rates and physical inactivity will stall, if not reverse, the progress we have made against heart disease and stroke." Read more.

Calgary - Five events to get you out and enjoying the winter

Are we finally starting to embrace winter? That might be a stretch, but there are signs that our typical antipathy toward the season may finally be thawing. There’s a number of events coming up that will give all of us a chance to get out there and enjoy the season: Read more.

As popularity of golf wanes, fund managers bet on cycling

As cycling becomes the hobby of choice among wealthy professionals, portfolio managers from firms such as Wasatch , Vanguard and Franklin Templeton have been moving into the shares of companies behind bicycle and bike-component brands such as Cannondale, Specialized, and Trek. Read more.

BC - Cycling funding supports active, healthy communities

Twenty communities throughout British Columbia will receive more than $3.69 million in BikeBC funding this year to expand and build cycling lanes, trails and paths for B.C. families. BikeBC is the Province’s cost-sharing program that helps local governments build cycling projects that attract and support commuter, recreational and tourism cyclists and pedestrians. This year’s investment will generate more than $7.38 million in cycling infrastructure. Read more.

Mississippi Mills wants input on active transportation plan

The Town of Mississippi Mills is working on an Active Transportation Plan – and the public is invited to take part. This session is part of a comprehensive transportation plan, which will guide the Town’s investments in transportation infrastructure in the coming years. The goal of the Plan is to make sure that the transportation system can accommodate growth and meet the needs of automobiles, cyclists, pedestrians and others. Read more.

Guelph should be able to decide own speed limits, says mayor

Guelph will have the chance to discuss speed limits as part of consultations the province will be holding with cities and towns this spring, to explore options that include lowering the default to 40 km/h, allowing municipalities to set a default speed limit either of 50 km/h or 40 km/h, and permitting municipalities to set different default speed limits inside their boundaries. As it stands now, according to the Highway Traffic Act, the default speed limit for unmarked streets in cities and towns is 50 km/h. Read more.

Video - Why Don't Kids Walk to School Anymore?

 In this short film produced by City Walk, experts discuss the decline of a once-common activity—and why it would still benefit children today. Watch.

Huntsville - TransCanada link could extend Hunters Bay Trail

Rebecca Francis, sustainability co-ordinator for the Town of Huntsville, and Colleen MacDonald, manager of parks and cemeteries for the town, presented a report to town councillors during a general committee meeting on Jan. 28 about the possible extension of the Hunters Bay Trail. Francis said the long-standing project would add 2.4 kilometres, including 750 metres of waterfront, to the west end of the 3.8-kilometre multipurpose trail that winds along the Muskoka River. Read more.

Vancouver installs heart-shaped bike racks to show love for cycling

Designed by local firm Dobra Design, the romantic red racks are being installed in popular public spaces including the English Bay seawall and beside the Vancouver Art Gallery to “add delight to the streetscape through street furniture,” city communications coordinator Amanda McCuaig wrote in an email. Read more.

Barrie council OKs sidewalk criteria, including one for Highland Avenue

Despite opposition from residents there, city councillors have decided a sidewalk will be included on Highland, from Rodney to Cook streets, when its above and below-ground infrastructure is renewed – the road surface and pipes under it. Also approved by councillors this week was updated infill sidewalk criteria, to establish priorities for new sidewalks and the most cost-effective way to provide them, throughout Barrie. Read more.

Laurier Avenue Segregated Bike Lane Project

The 1.5-kilometre stretch along Laurier falls under a larger plan to create a 12-kilometre East-West Bikeway and increase Ottawa's cycling mode share from approximately two-and-a-half per cent to five per cent. The bike lanes along this busy street are separated from vehicle traffic by concrete curbs, plastic poles and decorative planter boxes. The project includes several elements that are new to Ontario, including durable green thermoplastic road paint to support a two-stage left-turn system and special yield signs for right-turning motor vehicles. Read more.

Don't Say 'Cyclists,' Say 'People on Bikes'

A recent post by PeopleForBikes blogger Michael Andersen notes that starting in 2011, a new group called Seattle Neighborhood Greenways has made a conscious effort to change the way they talked about biking, walking, and pretty much everything else to do with the way their city’s streets are used by human beings. Read more.

As evidence mounts, drumbeat for walkable streets grows

The evidence keeps piling up to support reform in street design and traffic engineering. Recent research adds to volumes of studies that say walkable streets will make us safer, healthier, and improve the economy and communities. Read more.

THE STATE OF THE WALKING MOVEMENT IN CANADA: A NATIONAL SURVEY OF WALKING ORGANIZATIONS

Canada Walks is working with Ryerson University to conduct a survey to learn more about the state of the walking movement in Canada. The survey is aimed at national, provincial and local organizations and groups that:

• promote and support walking and walkability
• have walking/walkability in their mandate
• have staff or volunteers who work directly on walking related initiatives

Completing the survey will take about 15 minutes of your time. Take survey.

British Columbia Ranks Among Top International Peers on Health

B.C. scores top grades and along with Ontario ranks higher than most peer countries in the first report card to look at the health performance of the provinces and territories in an international context. Read more.

Nova Scotia gets a 'D' grade in terms of health outcomes

How did your province do? Read more.

Mandatory helmets for all cyclists? Not anytime soon, says (Alberta)

Alberta transportation officials are saying a province-wide bike helmet law won’t be coming forward anytime soon while bike advocates fight for more separated bike infrastructure. The news comes after Saskatchewan’s Urban Municipalities Association has decided to lobby their provincial government to make it mandatory for people to wear a helmet when riding a bike. Read more.

It’s the middle of winter and -18C outside … perfect weather for riding a bike

Although cyclists make up a very small minority of commuters, cities across the country are trying to beef up their infrastructure to be more friendly to the two-wheeled. Often, this leads to conflict with car and bus-bound travellers who believe transportation money should be better-spent on more practical means — particularly in the frigid expanse of Canada, where winter cycling is seen to be unrealistic. Read more.

Taking Cyclists Off Roads Is No Way to Improve Transit

Lately, London finds itself enamored with all sorts of magpie infrastructure. That's the term that for a certain kind of architecture or planning that's more glitter than gold. Ferris wheels, streetcars, and plenty of high-profile, high-design building plans fall under this rubric: Shiny things that catch the eye but can't be taken seriously. Several recent London cycling initiatives fit the bill. Read more.

Longueuil pedestrian overpass: Who will foot the bill to replace it?

The trucking company involved in an accident that brought down a pedestrian overpass on Highway 132 on Montreal's South Shore will likely be asked to pay for a new bridge, says Quebec Transport Minister Robert Poëti. Read more.

Bike Regina’s stance on compulsary helmet laws

Following the recent SUMA (Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association) vote to push the province for a law regarding compulsory all ages helmet usage. Our President and Board members wrote this letter. We hope that it will appear in the Leader Post on either Saturday the 7 or Monday the 10th of February 2015. Read more.

Active transportation lane on Sydney River bridge opens Saturday

The active transportation lane across the newly constructed Sydney River bridge will open to pedestrians and cyclists for the first time Saturday. Read more.

Ottawa - Coventry Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge opening connects communities

“The opening of this bridge demonstrates how the City continues to build on its reputation as a cycling and pedestrian-friendly city by improving its network of cycling infrastructure and multi-use pathways,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “This bridge is another piece of the City’s overall vision for how transportation and infrastructure will help us move towards a more livable city for all residents.” Read more.

Second annual Winterpalooza celebrates year-round cycling in Calgary

Winter cyclists will unite across the city, starting Wednesday, for a week of events aimed at celebrating and encouraging year-round bike riding. Winterpalooza, now in its second year, sees a series of independently organized events brought together under a single banner. Read more.

Nova Scotia - Active Transportation e-Newsletter

Read here.

Vancouver - Health Officials: Yes vote on transit tax will save lives

Dr. Victoria Lee, interim head at Fraser Health, revealed the medical benefits of improved transportation while speaking Thursday in support of the proposed 0.5 per cent increase in the provincial sales tax to raise $250 million annually to improve public transit. “A preliminary analysis of that study showed that those in the Lower Mainland that are using active transportation — such as walking, biking or using transit — actually have 36 per cent lower odds of being obsese than those using cars,” said Lee, noting that obesity can lead to a variety of disorders like diabetes and heart disease. Read more.

Check out this crazy plan to turn London's abandoned tunnels into cycle paths

The London Underline, proposed by the San Francisco-based design agency Gensler, would turn London's disused underground spaces into a network of pedestrian and cycle paths. The system would even convert the friction created by footsteps and bike tyres into electricity. So it's sustainable, too. Read more.

CYCLING AND URBAN AIR QUALITY - A study of European Experiences

To understand the potential role of cycling measures as part of an approach to air quality management a selection of five European cities were studied as case study examples. The selected cities were Antwerp, London, Nantes, Seville and Thessaloniki, all of which are recognised for positively implementing cycling as a feasible alternative to private motorisation, albeit to different extents. Read more.

Auckland - Cycling commuters offered free breakfasts

In Auckland tomorrow, Go by Bike Day pit stops will be held between 7am and 9am at seven locations across the city. Those turning up on a bike will be rewarded with a free breakfast on the go while bicycle mechanics conduct free bicycle maintenance and safety checks. Read more.

Halifax - Why build a protected bike lane on University Avenue? Because we have to start somewhere

Why build a 400-metre-long protected bike lane along the quietest stretch of University Avenue in Halifax? The answer is simple: because we have to start somewhere. You may have heard a collective forehead slap resonate last week as people realized that Halifax regional council had secretly reneged on a decision to let Dalhousie University build protected bike lanes on University Avenue. Read more.

Rolling all Winter with Vélo Sous Zéro

Montreal winters can turn the city into an obstacle course, from never ending snowstorms to deep freezes where it hurts to even leave the house. To a cyclist in the winter, these obstacles becomes challenges to accept, even pure enjoyment. The popularity of winter cycling keeps increasing each year, and many will be braving the cold at Park LaFontaine on Feb. 15 for the second edition of Vélo sous zéro organized by Vélo Québec. Read more.

Funding uncertainty might push back completion of CBRM multi-use path beyond three years

An uncertain active transportation budget and logistics of provincial road construction may lead to delays in completing the Grand Lake Road multi-use path currently being built between Reserve Mines and Sydney. Read more.

Cornwall ON - No bike lanes for 2015

The city might not see any bike lanes created in 2015 but there’s a hint at possibly adding one to another main artery. “We’ve had some success with some projects and some controversy with some others,” said Infrastructure Planning Division Manager Steve Wintle when speaking about Cornwall’s Active Transportation plan. Read more.

London Taxi Chief Compares Cyclists To Islamic State Militants

The head of London's taxi drivers' association has compared cyclists to members of the self-described Islamic State. "The loonies out there in the cycling world, they're almost the sort of ISIS of London," McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, told LBC Radio. "Their views and their politics — if you are not with them — and we are with the majority of it — then nothing is too bad for you. These people are unreal." Read more.

Active transportation and bullying in Canadian schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study

Engagement in childhood bullying often occurs in settings that are away from adult supervision, such as en route to and from school. Bullying episodes may also have a negative impact on school children's decisions to engage in active transportation. Read more.

Winnipeggers, international delegates explore winter biking

While some Winnipeggers stayed inside to avoid the snow Friday night, others embraced the winter weather by taking part in a winter cycling and dining tour. The tour provided a unique view of the city for 50 Winnipeggers and international delegates attending an urban planning conference. Read more.

Pictou County - Getting around on your own

Making it safe for cyclists to get to the centre is just one part of the overall plan needed in Pictou County’s urban core to allow bicycles as an alternative. Along with that, always part of the mix, we need continual education for motorists and cyclists about how to safely share the road. Read more.

Kelowna Gets $460,000 for Better Biking Lanes and Trails

The provincial government has announced that two Kelowna projects are getting a total of $460,000 in BikeBC funding, which funds local projects and trails to support cyclists and pedestrians. Read more.

The best cycling infrastructure in cities around the world

Many cyclists feel as if decent, safe infrastructure for cycling is lacking, but which cities are doing it right? What creations of pro-cycling design around the world could other cities learn from? We asked you to share your favourite examples, and have gathered together some of the best – from a railway tunnel converted for cycling in San Sebastián to riverside cycle paths in Brisbane. Read more.

Ad to convert rail bridge over Ottawa River posted early, city says

An online ad seeking qualified engineers to convert a 135-year-old rail bridge linking Ottawa and Gatineau into a pedestrian crossing was posted prematurely and will be removed, the City of Ottawa said Monday. Read more.

Walking 10,000 steps per day is good for you. Does it matter how you get there?

The point isn’t to get your steps by doing a tediously long workout on the treadmill. In fact, it is almost the opposite. The goal is to weave small amounts of movement into your daily life so that moving becomes a habit. Read more.

Why cycling is great for everyone – not just cyclists

At some point during most discussions about promoting cycling the question crops up: “Yeah, but some people don’t want to cycle or can’t cycle – how are bike lanes any use for them?” The answers are many and overwhelming. Read more.

New study shows safety benefits of separating bicyclists and pedestrians

The Canadian study, published in the new issue of the BMJ Open medical journal and covered by the urban not-for-profit Next City, is one of the first to analyze the relationship between route infrastructure and the severity of injuries resulting from crashes. Read more.

Where Torontonians Bike and Run

Developers map out the world's most popular spots for walking, jogging, and cycling—and reveal where in this city Torontonians like, and don't like, to get outside and get active. Read more.

Edmonton - Cyclist data from High Level Bridge not yet ready to be made public: city officials

With an EcoCounter installed on the High Level Bridge last summer to count cyclists, local city officials have been looking at managing and verifying the accuracy of the data before they unleash it to the public in the form of an updated daily website, much like Calgary’s site. Edmonton’s cycling data website isn’t expected to come online until later this year. Read more.

Montreal's land use and development plan puts the city on the right track

Reducing our dependency on the automobile by increasing the use of public transit and active transportation (such as bicycling and walking) to 55 per cent of all trips during morning rush hour, up from 47 per cent in 2008. The West Island train project, the extension of the métro’s Blue line, a light rail system on the Champlain Bridge and more reserved bus lanes and bike paths are among our priorities. Read more.

Calgary - City hopes future carpool lane network will improve transit and daily commutes

City administration released a long-term vision for Shaganappi Trail in January which included ample room for sidewalks, bike lanes and carpool (or HOV) lanes. It’s the first of many corridor studies along major routes expected to be released in the coming years, many of which will include plans for HOV lanes, says the city’s director of transportation planning, Don Mulligan. Read more.

Supporting Calgary pedestrian initiatives with dollars: It just makes sense

Everyone at some point in their day is a pedestrian, whether walking to the bus, school, work, or even from their parked car to a store. Yet, pedestrian projects and pedestrian planning has long been underfunded. Read more.

Mayor Of London Supports Plans For Europe’s Longest Segregated Cycle Lane

London’s aspiration to become “a great cycling city” has taken one step closer to reality. The office of the Mayor of London has approved plans to develop Europe’s longest segregated bicycle lane through the centre of the city. Read more.

Heart health advances threatened by lifestyle changes, obesity

There are concerns that lifestyle changes could be threatening those gains. "Our major threat at the moment is the increased risk of obesity and hence, diabetes," said Dr. Todd Anderson, director of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta at the University of Calgary. "That number has almost doubled in the last 20 years or so." Read more.