Thursday, March 31, 2016

Hopes high for skating, year-round cycling along Lachine Canal

Montreal officials are expressing confidence there could be skating on the Lachine Canal and year-long cycling along its bike paths as soon as next winter due to a newly supportive federal government. Read more.

Ottawa to receive $325,000 for cycling infrastructure

“Several different kinds of cycling infrastructure will be installed or improved, including on-road cycling lanes, off-road cycling and walking paths, cycling specific signals and signs, active transportation bridges and bike racks,” said Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi at a public announcement Tuesday. Read more.

Trending: Should texting while walking be banned?

Gridlock is happening on our sidewalks, and in Toronto, Bay and Yonge Streets are full of offenders. We’re talking about text-walkers – people who insist on keeping their eyes glued to their phones as they blindly navigate through busy city sidewalks. Read more.

Vancouver Island trail and rail plans running on parallel tracks


The sentiment has not been uncommon in the long absence of any significant rail activity on the E&N line: “Just rip up the tracks and turn it into the best trail on Vancouver Island.” The thing is, according to Island Corridor Foundation executive director Graham Bruce one does not have to happen without the other. Read more.

ATV use in West Perth Woodlands ruining trails for hikers

In former West Perth deputy mayor Gerry Kehl's mind, ATV use on the West Perth Woodlands trails has gotten to the point where it's not only ruining the experiences of hikers and joggers who wish to use the trails, but it's also threatening the very trees that make up the woodlands. Read more.

Ontario - Bill 100 interpretation sees closure of two main snowmobile trails ahead of next season

The snowmobile season on Manitoulin has ended on a low note with the news that three major sections of trail across Manitoulin—Honora Bay, Sandfield and Billings (Fraser Road)—have closed for the foreseeable future. Read more.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

First came transit-oriented communities, now it’s ‘trail-oriented’ development

Real estate developers are building more “trail-oriented” communities to meet a growing demand for bike-friendly and walkable places to live and work, according to a report released Tuesday. Read more.

Provincial cash unveiled for local trails in Orillia, Collingwood, and Midland

Getting to Lakehead University, Rotary Place and the future Costco development in Orillia's west end, by bike or foot, will soon be a lot easier and safer. Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca was in Orillia Tuesday to announce $450,000 in funding for three area municipalities, including $325,000 for a bicycle and pedestrian trail over Highway 11, connecting Highway 12 and Old Barrie Road, in Orillia. Read more.

A Fairly Obvious Study Confirms Active Transportation Reduces Body Fat

While the study results are unsurprising to say the least, it is interesting to note that the lower levels of fat linked to active commuting were independent of other social factors such as socioeconomic status, alcohol consumption, smoking, or whether the person lives in a rural or urban area. Read more.

Australian driver 'deliberately swerved' to mow down cycling dad

Police in Australia are searching for a hit and run driver who appears to have deliberately swerved in order to mow down a father of two - just for being on a bike. Read more.

UK plan to boost cycling and walking 'worthless without more funding'

The government’s cycling and walking investment strategy “won’t be worth the paper it’s written on” unless backed by sustained funding, cycling campaigners claim. The British Cycling policy adviser and 1992 individual pursuit Olympic champion Chris Boardman believes far more ambition is needed if Britain is to create a cycling and walking culture to rival countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands. Read more.

Bike, pedestrian-friendly cities are worth the fight says former NYC transport planner

Bicycle lanes and plazas that take up space previously used by cars are controversial at first, but once people see that "carmageddon" doesn't result — and there are actual benefits for people and businesses — they get on board with the change. Read more.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

The way media and police report Edmonton's pedestrian collisions a problem, says advocate

“The fact is, according to our data, every two days at least three people — that includes people walking or on bikes — are getting hit by vehicles,” said Conrad Nobert, co-founder of Paths for People. “But the carnage that’s going on in our streets is largely ignored and forgotten. The police and media in large only report when there’s a fatality, but there are injuries of all kinds happening.” Read more.

Experiencing bike culture shock in Groningen: "The World's Cycling City"

Coming from Vancouver, that bike culture shock was particularly striking, as Prey wasn’t accustomed to seeing people of all shapes and sizes, pedalling around on beater bikes, at slower speeds, dressed for the destination, without the requisite headgear. “We were warned that only the German tourists wear helmets,” he says quite seriously. Read more.

Monday, March 28, 2016

Report - The value of cycling: rapid evidence review of the economic benefits of cycling

Independent evidence review of national and international studies showing the economic value of investing in cycling infrastructure. The review found that existing methods of appraisal do not incorporate the full extent of economic benefits associated with cycling. Read more.

Toronto - Anti-cycling screed missed the mark

I was very disappointed to read yet another rant against politicians who express some – albeit prudent – support for cycling infrastructure. Jim Kenzie’s commentary reflects an extraordinary lack of knowledge about urban planning. Read more.

Couple bicycle their way to Ramsey dream house

While many potential buyers scout out their new house on the Internet, Bianca and Mark Diccianni relied more on what they could learn from a favorite hobby — bicycle riding. Read more.

California's Hiking Trails Just Got Safer Thanks to a Crowdsourced App

The web app* Caliparks has had one central goal since it launched in early 2015: Attract younger, more diverse Californians to their beleaguered yet magnificent public parks system. Read more.

How easy is it to be active in your neighbourhood? Walk and Bike Scores keep track

The key to incorporating more exercise into your daily life is to ditch the car in favour of more time spent commuting on foot or by bike. To do that you need to live in a neighbourhood that makes it easy to walk or cycle to shops, friends, work, school and play. Read more.

‘Cycling is our best hope against obesity’

Recreational cycling is low-impact and requires a high rate of energy expenditure over a relatively long duration. A Metabolic Equivalent or ‘MET’ is a measure of the amount of oxygen, and by association energy, consumed per minute during an activity, relative to rest. Read more.

Cyclists and their powerful backers are destroying London for the rest of us

The cycle lobby is extremely powerful, but it’s about time other citizens started to stand up for their rights. The London Cycling Campaign claims that “thousands of Londoners would like to cycle”, but I wonder on what evidence it bases its claim. Read more.

'Cool cop' skates through community police work

One police officer in Washington proves he is one 'cool cop' by skateboarding on the job, highlighting a model for community policing that is showing results. Read more.

New Jersey's Proposed Ban On Texting While Walking Is Pretty Useless

It won't be obeyed. It won't be enforced. And police should be targeting drivers to make the roads safer anyway. Read more.

Cycling: it is never too late to start

With cycling becoming the top choice for commuting for many, the number of adults learning how to cycle has increased. Figuring out where to start can be daunting for those who have never even sat on a bike, but also for those who want to improve their skills riding on the streets. Read more.

The utterly amazing growth of cycling in London

According to TfL, motorists entering central London during the morning peak in 2000 outnumbered cyclists by more than 11 to 1. By 2014, the ratio was 1.7 to 1. "If these trends continue, the number of people commuting to central London by bike will overtake the number commuting by car in three years," believes TfL. Read more.

Attitude is everything: Why cycling succeeds in Europe

It's fascinating, comparing the differences in attitudes toward cycling in Europe and North America. Because as Ken Avidor notes in his cartoon, the first question should be about the infrastructure, not the reflective vest. Read more.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Montreal's F1 circuit opens for cycling, jogging

It was built for Formula One race cars, but the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Notre Dame Island is used much more by slower-moving traffic: cyclists, in-line skaters, joggers and walkers. Read more.

Does L.A. Need to Spend $425 Million on a River Bike Path?

In November, L.A. County denizens will enjoy the privilege of voting on a new half-cent sales tax to fund $120 billion worth of public transit, doubling L.A.'s existing rail network. Read more.

Ottawa - Urban councillors want federal cash for cycling, pedestrian infrastructure

A group of downtown councillors wants the city to speed up its multi-million dollar plans to build more bike lanes and sidewalks by tapping into new federal infrastructure dollars announced in Tuesday’s budget. Read more.

Friday, March 25, 2016

Separated bike lanes and pedestrian paths planned for South False Creek seawall

The oldest section of Vancouver’s seawall will undergo a multi-million dollar improvement project that will widen the pathways and designate separated spaces between cyclists and pedestrians. The City of Vancouver is exploring options to upgrade and reconfigure the long span of 1975-built seawall on the south shore of False Creek, stretching from the Burrard Street Bridge all the way to the Cambie Street Bridge. Read more.

Old Montreal Metro cars could be used to build pedestrian bridge to Mile End

A group from Montreal's Mile End neighbourhood has come up with a proposal for the city's soon-to-be retired metro cars: use them to build a pedestrian bridge connecting the neighbourhood to the nearby Rosemont metro station. Read more.

Halifax police release February vehicle-pedestrian collisions statistics

There were 17 reported vehicle-pedestrian collisions in the Halifax area last month according to the latest statistics from police. That number is a decrease from 23 incidents in January, but an increase over the 14 incidents in February 2015. Read more.

Podcast: What Twitter has done for women’s cycling

With the lack of TV coverage of women’s cycling, Twitter has allowed us to follow women’s racing in intimate and unique way. Twitter has been filling the gap of coverage with live Twitter commentary and race updates, a direct line to engage with the riders and a way to connect with the community of women’s cycling fans. Read more.

Halifax cyclists disappointed city staff reject 'life-saving' equipment

The Halifax Cycling Coalition is disappointed Halifax municipal staff have rejected a proposal to phase in side guards on city owned and contracted trucks. Read more.

Cycling blogger can't imagine ever using Saskatoon bike lane

A Calgary Herald cycling blogger has published a scathing critique of Saskatoon's attempt to test the viability of protected bike lanes in the city. Tom Babin spent some time in Saskatoon recently and declared the protected lane "so bad [he] can't imagine ever using it." In fact, he said the test lane "sucks." Read more.

Edmonton not taking pedestrian deaths seriously, doctor says

A critical care doctor in Edmonton say he sees little evidence the city is taking pedestrian fatalities seriously. "There's not enough information and data out there to prove to me anything is being done," said.Dr. Darren Markland, a critical care doctor at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Read more.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Edmonton couple says city streets no safer for pedestrians 2 years after son's death

Markland is particularly frustrated by the lack of progress a year after the city adopted Vision Zero, a long-term strategy aimed at eliminating fatalities and major injuries on city roads. After hearing his interview on CBC's Radio Active Tuesday, the couple said they also haven't seen much change since their son's death. Read more.

Manitoba - NDP unveils $10B infrastructure plan

Among the priorities of a $10-billion NDP commitment would be the full twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway east to the Ontario boundary and a $100-million investment in active transportation. Read more.

VIDEO: Skateboarding the hills above Penticton

Flying high above Penticton on winding roads, this latest video by Old Child showcases the skill and speed of skateboarding. Pressure is a video of Manu Duhamel’s skateboard runs down the paved roads above Penticton. See video.

What Canada can learn from Copenhagen: The best city for cycling

This climate didn’t emerge by itself. Copenhagen has made a sustained policy effort to encourage cycling as a routine mode of transport, including a network of safe, separated bike routes that span the city and now extend beyond it. The Danish capital has an important lesson for cities looking at cycling: It is entirely possible to get ordinary citizens – and their kids – on two wheels. Read more.

Toronto's cycling revolution is here

But we've also come to realize what European urban planners already know: the importance of cycling to any city's transportation system. It can be transformative. Cities that cycle are not only richer for it - studies show streets with bike lanes are good for business - they're happier. Read more.

Caledon has secured cycling funding

Caledon has secured $100,000 of $10 million in provincial money to improve cycling infrastructure in the province over the next two years. Through the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure program, the province is dedicating $10 million to help municipalities build new and improved cycling infrastructure. Read more.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Arup completes meandering bridge across Perth's Swan River

Architects and engineers from Arup Associates teamed up to design this curvaceous pedestrian and cycling bridge, which has been built over the inlet of the Swan River in Perth, Australia. Read more.

The best big cities for pedestrians

Walking is not only the best mode of transport for responsible travelers; it is also the best way to truly soak in the sights and ambiance of a city. So which big cities offer the best pedestrian infrastructures? Here's our list. Read more.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Rightsizing Streets

The needs of our communities evolve over time, and our street design should, too. That’s the idea behind ‘rightsizing streets’ – reconfiguring the layout of our streets to better serve the people who use them, whether they’re commuters driving, shoppers walking, or children bicycling. Read more.

New Jersey bill could criminalize texting while walking

Using your cellphone while crossing a street could become illegal in New Jersey, US, with violators facing either a $50 fine or a 15 days incarceration, thanks to one enthusiastic lawmaker. Read more.

Walk, bike or take transit to work to prevent obesity

The study found that bicycle commuting offered the greatest benefits compared to using a car. For example, a 53-year-old man who cycled to work weighed 11 pounds less, the study showed. Cycling to work also resulted in a 1.7 drop in body mass index (BMI — an estimate of body fat based on weight and height) compared to someone who drove to work. Read more.

Victoria - Skateboarding, rollerblading allowed on streets (but not sidewalks)

On Thursday, the City of Victoria announced that bylaw changes allowing skateboards in the downtown area are now official. In addition to installing the new signs, the city has made educational material and videos available online at victoria.ca. Read more.

Map shows walking times between each Montreal metro station

Pavlo Kalyta, professor in accounting and sustainability at Queen’s University, created this handy version of the STM’s métro by adding walking times between each stations (including between parallel stations on the green and orange lines). Read more.

Vancouver - HUB Cycling highlights danger of ‘dooring’

With cyclists crashing into open car doors accounting for a large portion of bike crashes in Vancouver, HUB Cycling has launched an initiative aimed at educating drivers on the dangers of “dooring.” Read more.

Bellevile - More than a kilometre of cycling paths planned

Belleville’s cycling network is pedaling ahead this year with upwards of 1.5 kilometres in new and upgraded multi-use paths coming on track. Following years of planning, city hall will start turning the wheels on the first phase of a $2.8 million path winding from Yeomans Street to Loyalist College. Read more.

Proper Mountain Biking Trail Etiquette

You have your new bike and are ready to roll. Before you go blasting off, it’s worth brushing up on some basic points of etiquette. The International Mountain Bike Association has a pretty simple list for good mountain bike decorum. Read more.

Province putting $400,000 into North Bay, Callander cycling infrastructure

Ontario is providing $325,000 to the City of North Bay and $71,741 to the Municipality of Callander over the next two years to help build new, or improve existing, cycling infrastructure through the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program. Read more.

Brockville - Big cash for 'active' route

With plans for an east-west cycling link on Laurier Boulevard locked in sometimes contentious discussion, approval of the multi-purpose paved walkway was greeted with delight for proponents in the community. Read more.

Losing Weight Comes With Any Commute Not Done by Car

According to a major new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, researchers have linked public transport usage with key health outcomes. Specifically, investigators examined the relationship between body fat percentage and BMI values as they relate to individuals who:  (1) Just use public transportation; (2) Actively commute by walking or cycling; (3) Use a mixed-approach, combining public transport and an active mode; (4). Commute exclusively by car. Read more.

5 Strategies for Equitable Active Transportation Planning and Advocacy

Co-facilitated by Dr. Mike Smart, Assistant Professor at Rutgers University, and featuring insight from several equity leaders, the webinar was a timely and candid conversation that provided Alliance members an opportunity to hear diverse perspectives from and ask questions of advocates working within academia and advocacy — and future planners in Dr. Smart’s class. Read more.

Brockville - Bicycle lanes challenged

Bob Valley is willing to bend a little to accommodate a municipal bike route on Laurier Boulevard. But he continues to question the fuss and potential expense of establishing a separated lane cordoned-off by bollards on a street wide enough to accommodate existing bicycle activity, which he classifies as minimal. Read more.

This New Cycle and Pedestrian Tunnel in Amsterdam Features an 80,000 Tile Mural Inspired by Cornelis Boumeester

Recently constructed by Benthem Crouwel, this expansive new pedestrian and cycling tunnel in Amsterdam features a fantastic tile mural depicting a fleet of ships in rough seas. The 361-foot path called the Cuyperspassage connects the city center to the IJ waterfront and sees some 15,000 commuters daily. Read more.

Ottawa - Sparks Street cancels VIP parking program over concerns for pedestrian safety

In response to safety concerns expressed over the presence of vehicles, the Sparks Street Mall Authority has abruptly cancelled a seasonal program that lets shoppers park on the pedestrian street. Read more.

Friday, March 18, 2016

L'entretien de la Route verte revient en piste

Les cyclistes et élus municipaux inquiets pour la santé de ce vaste réseau de 5300 km ont en effet de quoi se réjouir dans le budget présenté jeudi. Le gouvernement Couillard prévoit 10,5 millions$ pour cinq ans pour l'entretien de la Route verte. Un demi-million sera investi cette année et 2,5 millions$ par an par la suite. Read more.

Video - Central London Streets Transformed: A Walking Tour with Iain Simmons

 What was originally supposed to be a few short clips for that piece turned into an unexpectedly generous two-hour walking tour of central London! What I found most refreshing was hearing a public official speak so candidly about how we need to accommodate people first and not cars. Mr. Simmons emphasizes the lesson cities have learned over and over: While skeptics always predict "everything will start to fall apart" when new bike lanes, sidewalk extensions, and traffic calming street redesigns are proposed, "the reality is it never, ever, ever does." Read more.

Innovation Districts, Texas-Style

Throughout the past few decades, Texas cities have topped many lists for economic growth and population gain, but that hasn’t necessarily put them on top of any urbanists’ lists for smart development. Instead, there has long been a (largely accurate) perception that places like Houston are city-builders’ nightmares, stuck in a pattern of 20th century sprawl, and fueled by economic exuberance. Read more.

New Urbanism: Best Practices Guide, 4th Ed.

The Fourth edition of New Urbanism: Best Practices Guide is the most comprehensive sourcebook on the ideas and techniques of New Urbanism ever published. Packed with more than 800 informative photos, plans, tables, and other illustrations, this book covers the full spectrum of community-building. Read more.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

'If you want cycling improvements, you have to keep fighting for them'

What is it about cycling that destroys some people’s sense of proportion? As London fractionally reduces space for cars, and fractionally increases space for cyclists and pedestrians, some influential figures have quite seriously compared it to world war two. Read more.

Province assists City of Kingston's cycling route

Kingston’s waterfront cycling trail received a boost on Wednesday as $268,500 was announced for new infrastructure. Read more.

How Copenhagen Became A Cycling Paradise By Considering The Full Cost Of Cars

When Copenhagen decides on a cycling project, it compares the cost to that of a road for cars, and it includes not only the upfront amount, but also things like the cost of road accidents to society, the impact of car pollution on health, and the cost of carbon emitted to the atmosphere. After including these factors, it comes to a rather startling calculation. Read more.

Walking into danger: pedestrian falls put 5000 a year in hospital

But falls from walking receive a fraction of the attention that road injuries to pedestrians do, in part because the scale of the problem is little understood - in Victoria, nobody has ever counted the number and type of injuries from falls before now. Read more.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

How Being a Renter Influences Your Commute

Renters experience shorter commutes than homeowners in 43 out of America’s 50 largest metros, according to the analysis. On average, renters in large metros had daily commutes that were one-and-a-half minutes shorter than those of homeowners. Altogether, that means renters save more than a full workday (8.7 hours) on commuting each year. Read more.

Video - Mexico City's Masked Defender of Pedestrians Takes On NYC

Peatónito, Mexico City’s caped defender of pedestrian rights, exists to put cars in their place—literally. When villainous drivers rudely nose their cars into crosswalks, the man in the black and white stripes and luchador headgear will shove them back where they belong. With arms outstretched like the world’s most confident traffic conductor, he’ll wait for all pedestrians to cross safely. And when drivers aren’t paying attention, Peatónito jumps up on their hoods and walks right over them. Now that’s the kind of hero cities need. Watch video.

Sudbury - Crossovers give pedestrians options — and drivers some warning

Pedestrians have always been told to use crosswalks at intersections and not to jaywalk — but now there's a new provincial law allowing people to cross between intersections. Read more.

Winnipeg's roads will suffer under 2016 budgets: Wyatt

Coun. Russ Wyatt thumbs through pages of Winnipeg's 2016 budgets, raising concerns monies supposed to be dedicated to road repairs are being rededicated to other projects, such as active transportation. Read more.

Charlottetown, UPEI collaborate on city cycling research

If you build it, will they come? The City of Charlottetown and the UPEI School of Business are teaming up to tackle the potential economic impact of cycling in Charlottetown with a series of new projects. Read more.

Province to spend $975,000 on cycling upgrades in Waterloo region

The province is giving Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge $975,000 to improve cycling infrastructure. "We want Ontario to be the leading place to be to cycle," Cambridge MPP and the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Transportation Kathryn McGarry told CBC News after Friday's announcement in Cambridge. Read more.

Monday, March 14, 2016

A Finnish City Is Giving Drivers Free Fares to Take the Bus

The Finnish city of Turku is offering drivers a pretty tempting deal: apply for a bus pass and you get a chunk of free travel. Read more.

Vancouver - Filling gaps in regional cycling network

HUB has mapped the gaps that make it difficult for people to use their bikes for longer distance trips along more direct routes, which will often be along main arterials, where cyclists can have the same advantage as drivers and enjoy fewer stops. If you Google “UnGaptheMap,” you can find the map on HUB’s website. Read more.

Just Ask Us: How do bike meters count bicycles and not pedestrians?

How does the meter know if you are a bicyclist vs. a runner or walker? Read more.

Squamish - District open house looks at active transportation

While the active transportation plan is relevant to the broader official community plan the district plan, as well as other initiatives such as Safer Schools, it really is its own document. The issue will be an important as the community continues to grow. Even the current OCP from 2009 cites the goal of a balanced travel system that encourages all modes. Read more.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

How clumsy are you? Humans are ‘surprisingly bad’ at walking - study

Researchers believe humans are ‘surprisingly bad’ at walking, despite having thousands of years of practice. Experts studied the walking habits of US college students and found that falling over wasn’t just associated with old age, suggesting that walking is ‘inherently difficult’ for humans. Read more.

How safe is your bicycle helmet?

What about bicycle helmets? It is commonly said that even if you drop your helmet onto your front step after a leisurely Sunday afternoon cycle, it will need replacing. But how much truth is there in this adage? Read more.

Winnipeg - Open house events showcase downtown bike lane plans, cycling corridor

Winnipeggers can view designs and provide feedback at upcoming open houses for the Downtown Bike Lane System and West Alexander Pedestrian Cycling Corridor projects. Those unable to attend can visit the city's website (www.winnipeg.ca/walkbikeprojects). Read more.

Ontario Helping Waterloo Region Expand Cycling and Improve Safety

Ontario is providing $975,000 to the Region of Waterloo over the next two years to help build new, or improve existing, cycling infrastructure through the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program. Read more.

What Cyclists Need to Know About Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Although winter riding has its challenges (staying warm on a ride and proper gear selection, notably), you rarely have to worry about damaging a trail when it’s frozen solid. But when the mercury finally reaches the low 30s or higher, some caution is in order. Read more.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Ottawa - Vehicles on the mall sparking pedestrian concerns

 For a pedestrian street, the Sparks Street Mall sure does have a lot of traffic on it. And at least one public servant who walks the mall to work says the cars, delivery vans and construction trucks that increasingly use Sparks Street are imperilling the safety of unwary pedestrians. Read more.

Cycling: how to conquer the commute

Commuting by bike is a great way to breathe in some fresh air, move your legs and get your heart pumping. Unfortunately, on busy roads it can also be very daunting – trying to dodge drivers, potholes, and pedestrians can seem terrifying. Read more.

The Bicycle Colouring Book for grown-ups - coming next month

Colouring books for adults have been “a thing” as they say for several years – and now one has been published that targets cyclists looking for an outlet for their creative urges. Read more.

Two bicycle hubs set to roll into Scarborough this summer

While bicycles have gotten more lanes downtown, councillors in Scarborough voted in 2011 to erase bike lanes on Pharmacy Avenue and Birchmount Road. Read more.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Victoria - Mayor aims to make cycling the norm

In some cities, it may seem unusual to see the mayor riding around on a bike — but for Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, it is the norm. Read more.

City of Lethbridge Holding Community Session on Cycling March 15th

Local residents are invited to attend an upcoming community engagement session that will help inform the City of Lethbridge’s new Cycling Master Plan. Everyone is welcome to learn more and provide feedback. It'll take place Tuesday, March 15th at 7:00 pm at CASA. Read more.

Northumberland County plans official launch of cycling routes

Plans are being made to encourage Northumberland County residents and tourists to make use of the county's cycling trails, says county tourism manager Eileen Lum. Over the course of the last five years, and through the development of the county's cycling master plan, five routes have been identified and properly signed. Read more.

North Bay - Cycling Advocates wants to show city at its best, worst

In a presentation to council Monday night, Bilz invited members of council to take a bicycle tour of the city with the Cycling Advocates of Nipissing to see “firsthand the challenges for cyclists and to celebrate the great infrastructure we do have in some locations.” Read more.

Is Walking Getting More Dangerous? New Report Says Yes

Factors thought to contribute to the jump include increased car travel due to improvements in the economy and lower gas prices and the trend for more people to walk for health, economic or environmental reasons, which underscores “the need to create safe, walkable pathways,” the report said. In addition, the report indicated that more people are driving and walking while distracted by cell phones. Read more.

Walking and texting blamed for spike in American pedestrian deaths

Between the mid-1970s and early 2000s, pedestrian deaths steadily declined. But since 2009 they have been rising again, with experts blaming mobile phones for some of the deaths. Distracted walkers take longer to cross the street and are more likely to ignore traffic lights or neglect to look both ways, researchers from Ohio University said. Read more.

From Corktown to Blair: Ottawa's most-travelled pedestrian crossings

It’s an Ottawa adage that Coun. David Chernushenko often hears from safe cycling advocates: if you build the pedestrian bridges, the bikers and walkers will come. But new statistics released to Metro show that may be more the case in some parts of the city than others. Read more.

Pedestrian signal goes female for International Women's Day in Australia

Melbourne will be the first Australian city to have a female on a street pedestrian signal, all in honour of International Women's Day. It'll replace the regular red and green man on a soon-to-be constructed set of signals on Bridge Road and Bosisto Street in the suburb of Richmond. Read more.

U.S. - Pedestrian deaths surged last year by an estimated 10 percent

 Pedestrian deaths surged by an estimated 10 percent last year as the economy improved, the price of gas plunged and motorists put more miles behind the wheel than ever before, according to an analysis of preliminary state traffic fatality data. Read more.

City of Vancouver seals $55-million deal with CP Rail for Arbutus Corridor

The deal was filed Monday and before it was even announced, city staff had a new purpose for what they’ve already dubbed the Arbutus Greenway. The city’s plan is to turn the nine-kilometre route from Kitsilano through the west side into a transportation corridor featuring walking and cycling paths, as well as light rail or streetcars. Read more.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Comprehensive $64 Million Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan For San Diego

Recently, Next City reported on San Diego, California’s $64 million plan to construct a bicycle and pedestrian transit system complete with “protected bike lanes, pedestrian greenways, curb bulb-outs, road diets and more.” The Downtown Mobility Plan, if adopted, will reinvent the way cyclists and pedestrians travel the downtown streets. Read more.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Winter cycling is all about balancing options

The winter ride's argument is that even in frozen Canada cycling is a year-round option for travel. It's true, no doubt. When bike paths are clear of snow and ice, cycling is just a matter of dealing with the cold, entirely manageable. Read more.

Thunder Bay - Health Unit protests budget cuts

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is speaking out against the city cutting $50,000 from active transportation and $165,000 for new sidewalks in this year's municipal budget.
The plea from the health unit was submitted in a letter by health promotion director Lynda Roberts to city council in February, but was put into Thursday night's council agenda. The health unit argues that cutting active transportation and not putting in new sidewalks will "diminish valuable investments in our community." Read more.

Stanley Park causeway bike and pedestrian upgrades complete

The $7-million safety improvement project for pedestrians and bike riders along the Stanley Park Causeway is a rousing, rolling, walking success, according to North Shore cyclist Heather Drugge. Read more.

Eco-Counter 2015 Worldwide Cycling Index: +3% between 2014 and 2015!

Over 218 million trips logged by 1,490 counters spread across 17 different countries: this is the data which has been qualified and validated for the Eco-Counter Worldwide Cycling Index 2015. Read more.

Commuters in These (American) Cities Bike and Walk to Work More Than Everyone Else

The Alliance for Biking & Walking’s 2016 benchmark report found that cities all over the country are adopting measures to make alternate modes of transportation more accessible and safe. The report looked at transportation trends in all 50 states and in the 50 most populous cities in the country. Read more.

How Cycling Is Becoming More Equitable in London

When one relatively privileged niche dominates the bike lanes, there’s a danger that cycling investment won’t achieve anything like its maximum potential impact on the environmental or public health. Extending cycling’s popularity to groups underrepresented in the current rider fleet is a key issue for any city that truly wants the mode to take off. Read more.

Why Tokyo Is Home to So Many Cyclists But So Few Bike Lanes

It’s estimated that about 14 percent of all trips in Tokyo are made by bicycle. Factor in that Tokyo has very little bike infrastructure—just about 10 kilometers of bike lanes and dedicated paths, and such a high bike travel share seems all the more impressive. Read more.

Just in time for the bicycle-season BMW is presenting its new types of BMW bikes

As with all its motorized vehicles BMW aims to provide a special driving experience with its bikes. With this generation, the experience is provided especially through the enlarged 28 inch wheels, new color schemes and clever design features, next to the typical BMW frame design. Read more.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Belleville - Bike lanes planned in industrial park

 Bicycle lanes and multi-use paths could be coming to the North East Industrial Park in an effort to expand the city’s network of cycling routes and promote active transportation. Read more.

Cycling triples, driving down 50% in London

Cleantechnica reports on figures from Transport for London that suggest the number of drivers has halved since the year 2000, while the number of cyclists has tripled. If true, this is a huge shift in how Londoners get around. It's all the more remarkable because London has not made the kinds of investments in infrastructure seen in true cycling cities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen. Read more.

Ford pedaling bicycle technology

U.S. carmaker Ford has taken a step in to the world of cycling with a new patent for an automatic kickstand, that would mean riders would never need to put their feet down. Read more.

Lachine claims responsibility for cleaning icy pedestrian walkway

Thick ice due to freezing rain and falling temperatures had built-up, making a short and easy walk, a slippery and dangerous one. Lachine initially denied it was its job to maintain the pathway, stating it was up to Canada Post instead. Read more.

Norway Will Spend Almost $1 Billion on New Bike Highways

As part of a plan announced last week, the country will spend a massive 8 billion Norwegian Kroner ($923 million) creating 10 broad, two-lane, cross-country bike tracks in and near Norway’s nine largest cities, allowing longer-distance cyclists to travel with a speed and safety hitherto impossible. Read more.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Two-wheeled winter: CBC Edmonton producer takes on winter cycling with kids

CBC Edmonton video producer Rick Bremness follows parents Sarah Cooper and Doug Wylie on their winter commute with their daughter, Scarlett, age 2. The couple says the weekday winter bike rides save them time and money. Check out the bike-level perspective as Scarlett cruises through Edmonton. Read more.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Vancouver one of the fastest growing cycling cities in the world

“No one uses the bike lanes.” It’s a statement we heard repeatedly in Vancouver during the rollout of our protected bike network, but one that quieted down in recent years. This has been, in part, due to the City’s publication of monthly bike counts on their website, and the addition of a large digital counter on the south end of the Burrard Bridge. Read more.

Norway to build "bicycle expressways" in major cities to cut emissions

Norway's transport authorities are proposing the development of new high-speed bike lanes in the nation's nine largest cities as part of its plan to cut emissions, local media reported on Monday. Read more.

Winnipeg - Talking transportation

The series of so-called “transportation conversations” began with its first meeting at the Forks Market in January. The meeting focused on the issues of snow removal and active transportation in Winnipeg. Read more.

B.C.-Capital Regional District looks for bigger role in transportation

The staff report says the new service could “take on functions such as co-ordinating prioritization of transportation projects, pursuing grant funding and partnerships, exploring new revenue streams, requisitioning and borrowing, planning, programming and promoting active transportation, managing transportation demand and delivering web-based and multi-media transportation platforms, and providing electoral area transportation assistance.” Read more.

Your Post-Ride Pint Might Actually Be Good for You

Downing a few cold ones as you’re heading out the door for a ride is obviously not the best idea, but beer—in moderation—can be a perfectly acceptable option for after a ride or on non-training days. Read more.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

A Webinar on Reducing GHG Emissions in Canada’s Road Transportation Sector: A Long, Hard Road to 2050

Join us for this webinar as Len Coad presents key findings from the recently released report A Long, Hard Road: Reducing GHG Emissions in Canada’s Road Transportation Sector by 2050. For this research, an analysis was completed examining options Canada might pursue to reduce road transportation greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent from their 1990 level by 2050. Len will provide expert analysis of the results, and detail two cases that examine the potential emissions reductions that could result from a broad range of trends and technologies, noting that even with aggressive assumptions, Canada would still need to make significant adjustments to achieve the target. More.