The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) offers below-market loans, in combination with grants, for sustainable transportation projects.
Any Canadian municipal government, corporation wholly owned by a municipal government, or a municipal partner may apply for funding under this call for applications.What projects are eligible?Projects that encourage modal integration and the development of comprehensive transportation networks and projects that aim to improve utilitarian transportation options (rather than primarily recreational options) are eligible under this call for applications.
Eligible applicants can request up to $4 million in loans and $400,000 in grants for each project.For municipal governments, GMF offers interest rates 1.5 per cent lower than the Government of Canada bond rate for the equivalent term.
Applications are considered as they are received. Each application is evaluated on its own merits. Not all proposals will be funded.Applications will be evaluated and considered for approval within four to five months from the date they are received.This call for applications will remain open until at least March 31, 2010.
Contact Name: Monique Delinelle, Application Coordinator Contact Phone:613-907-6357Contact Email:mdelinelle@fcm.ca
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure Investments
League of American Bicyclists: Darren Flusche, Policy Analyst, June 2009
This article highlights the impact the bicycle industry and bicycle tourism can have on
state and local economies, describes the need for bicycle facilities, discusses the cost
effectiveness of investments, points out the benefits of bike facilities for business
districts and neighborhoods, and identifies the cost savings associated with a mode shift
from car to bicycle. The evidence demonstrates that investments in bicycle
infrastructure make good economic sense as a cost effective way to enhance shopping
districts and communities, generate tourism and support business.
[Worth examing, and worthing replicating in Canada. - MH]
This article highlights the impact the bicycle industry and bicycle tourism can have on
state and local economies, describes the need for bicycle facilities, discusses the cost
effectiveness of investments, points out the benefits of bike facilities for business
districts and neighborhoods, and identifies the cost savings associated with a mode shift
from car to bicycle. The evidence demonstrates that investments in bicycle
infrastructure make good economic sense as a cost effective way to enhance shopping
districts and communities, generate tourism and support business.
[Worth examing, and worthing replicating in Canada. - MH]
October 2009 is International Walk to School Month!
Registration now open! Join hundreds of Manitoba schools and thousands of kids in over 42 countries in celebration of walking to school this October!
Registration is free – sign up online at www.resourceconservation.mb.ca and you will receive a confirmation e-mail and registration package filled with great ideas of how to plan day, week or month long events!
Great prizes to be won!
For more information, please contact the Active and Safe Routes to School Program
in Manitobaat (204) 925-3773 or asrts@resourceconservation.mb.ca.
[Walk to School Month is held across Canada. Contact the coordinating agency in your province/territory for more information. - MH]
Registration is free – sign up online at www.resourceconservation.mb.ca and you will receive a confirmation e-mail and registration package filled with great ideas of how to plan day, week or month long events!
Great prizes to be won!
For more information, please contact the Active and Safe Routes to School Program
in Manitobaat (204) 925-3773 or asrts@resourceconservation.mb.ca.
[Walk to School Month is held across Canada. Contact the coordinating agency in your province/territory for more information. - MH]
Cycling going mainstream in Vancouver
Vancouver Sun, August 13
Author: Douglas Todd
Although many people still associate cyclists with rude rebels pedalling on the edges of society, some of Canada's most established non-profits, hospitals, governments and universities are working to highlight the benefits of cycling over driving.
Author: Douglas Todd
Although many people still associate cyclists with rude rebels pedalling on the edges of society, some of Canada's most established non-profits, hospitals, governments and universities are working to highlight the benefits of cycling over driving.
BIXI, Montreal's Public Bike System, receives International Design Award
The Public Bike System Company has received a Bronze International Design Excellence Award (IDEA), transportation category, for the design of the BIXI bike.
The IDEA program has been honouring excellence in the design of products in categories such as transportation, ecodesign, entertainment, household goods, and research since 1980. For the Public Bike System Company and Michel Dallaire, the internationally renowned industrial designer who created the components of the BIXI bike, this was the second such honour. In December 2008, the BIXI prototype captured the Interieurs Ferdie eco-design award in the product design/sustainable development category.
The IDEA program has been honouring excellence in the design of products in categories such as transportation, ecodesign, entertainment, household goods, and research since 1980. For the Public Bike System Company and Michel Dallaire, the internationally renowned industrial designer who created the components of the BIXI bike, this was the second such honour. In December 2008, the BIXI prototype captured the Interieurs Ferdie eco-design award in the product design/sustainable development category.
KTM Takes Next Step in e-Bikes
The e-MTB uses the well-regarded BionX system from Canada, which consists of a motor, battery and command console. The system boasts high torque (32 Nm) and average power output of 250 kW with peaks up to 600 kW possible. This means the 20 kg mountain bike can be accelerated up to 25 km/h and maintain that speed with relative ease.
Vancouver's bike shorts in a knot for nothing
Globe and Mail, August 13
Author: Rod Mickleburgh
What is it with Vancouver? Mere days after the local media and citizenry worked themselves into a ludicrous lather over the closing of a single lane on the Burrard Bridge, oops, they did it again.
This time, hysteria levels were raised to a fever pitch about the Critical Mass bike ride destined to bring civilization as we know it to an end last Friday, with several thousand cyclists refusing to stop at red lights and being purposefully vague about where they were going. The horror, the horror.
Author: Rod Mickleburgh
What is it with Vancouver? Mere days after the local media and citizenry worked themselves into a ludicrous lather over the closing of a single lane on the Burrard Bridge, oops, they did it again.
This time, hysteria levels were raised to a fever pitch about the Critical Mass bike ride destined to bring civilization as we know it to an end last Friday, with several thousand cyclists refusing to stop at red lights and being purposefully vague about where they were going. The horror, the horror.
It Could Be Worse—You Could Be Biking in Detroit
Chicago Reader, August 6
Author: Julia Thiel
The law passed yesterday in Colorado making it illegal to throw things at cyclists inspired [a] gem of a talk radio segment on the Detroit morning show Deminski & Doyle [link to talk show in article].
Deminski and Doyle also find the idea of throwing things at cyclists hilarious when they're not fantasizing about trying it: "How many people have seen a bicyclist and you just want to lob something at their head?" The host then follows up by clarifying that he's not advocating it. Of course he's not. Nor is he actually advocating violence against cyclists when he says "Oh god, you just want to go Grand Theft Auto on them. But of course you can't."
Author: Julia Thiel
The law passed yesterday in Colorado making it illegal to throw things at cyclists inspired [a] gem of a talk radio segment on the Detroit morning show Deminski & Doyle [link to talk show in article].
Deminski and Doyle also find the idea of throwing things at cyclists hilarious when they're not fantasizing about trying it: "How many people have seen a bicyclist and you just want to lob something at their head?" The host then follows up by clarifying that he's not advocating it. Of course he's not. Nor is he actually advocating violence against cyclists when he says "Oh god, you just want to go Grand Theft Auto on them. But of course you can't."
Cities for Mobility Magazine
"Cities for Mobility" is a global network on all questions regarding urban mobility. The network is coordinated by the City of Stuttgart and promotes transnational cooperation between local governments, transportation companies, businesses, science and the civil society, with the aim of supporting the development of sustainable and efficient transport systems in the member cities.
Our mission is to link cities and other stakeholders globally which hold a shared understanding of the necessity of placing urban mobility systems on a social, economic and ecologically sustainable basis.
The main goal of the network is to provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge and best practices among its members as well as to facilitate the initiation and development of innovative joint projects. Today, around 500 members from more than 70 countries all over the world participate in "Cities for Mobility", many of them former members of the URB-AL network.
[It is worth noting that Calgary is the only Canadian city that is a member of CFM. - MH]
Our mission is to link cities and other stakeholders globally which hold a shared understanding of the necessity of placing urban mobility systems on a social, economic and ecologically sustainable basis.
The main goal of the network is to provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge and best practices among its members as well as to facilitate the initiation and development of innovative joint projects. Today, around 500 members from more than 70 countries all over the world participate in "Cities for Mobility", many of them former members of the URB-AL network.
[It is worth noting that Calgary is the only Canadian city that is a member of CFM. - MH]
Boston Tries to Shed Longtime Reputation as Cyclists’ Minefield
New York Times, August 8
Author: Katie Zezima
Boston, long known as a minefield for bicycle riders, is feverishly working to shed that reputation by creating bike lanes, installing bike racks, restoring bike paths and urging residents to switch from horsepower to pedal power. Plans to link the city’s existing bike paths and create a bike-share program are also in the works. One already exists for city employees.
[Does it not seem sometimes as if most Canadian cities are suddenly falling behind the US? - MH]
Author: Katie Zezima
Boston, long known as a minefield for bicycle riders, is feverishly working to shed that reputation by creating bike lanes, installing bike racks, restoring bike paths and urging residents to switch from horsepower to pedal power. Plans to link the city’s existing bike paths and create a bike-share program are also in the works. One already exists for city employees.
[Does it not seem sometimes as if most Canadian cities are suddenly falling behind the US? - MH]
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