Big bucks on big plans for bikes and pedestrians in West Kelowna

West Kelowa is pushing ahead to improve and upgrade its pedestrian and bike path network with an ambitious plan both to make cycling and walking easier and to find ways to help pay for it. West Kelowna council saw the first draft of the 20-year pedestrian and bicycle path plan this week, the first step in the wider introduction of the plan to local residents. Read more.

Why Can't Public Transit Be Free?

In January 2013, Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, announced that it was making public transit free to all of its citizens. A study released a year later revealed that the move only increased demand by 1.2 percent—though it did inspire Estonians that year to register as Tallinnian citizens at three times the normal rate. The authors of the Tallinn study reached the same conclusion as the NCTR: Free subway rides entice people who would otherwise walk, not people who would otherwise drive. Read more.

The Invention of America's 'Love Affair' With the Automobile

October 22, 1961: It was on this Sunday night when NBC aired a program called "Merrily We Roll Along"—promoted as "the story of America's love affair with the automobile." During the show, host Groucho Marx introduced the "love affair" metaphor to millions of viewers, casting cars as "the new girl in town." To make this love work, Marx explained, Americans were willing to overcome intrusive regulations, endure awful traffic jams, and if necessary, redesign entire cities. Read more.

I'm a reformed arrogant cyclist

I treat cars, buses and trucks like giant lumbering (or occasionally charging) elephants, ridden by slightly distracted people who certainly don't want to hurt me, but who have less control over their large, heavy steeds than we like to think. I treat them with a lot of respect. Read more.

U.K. - Survey reveals 100,000 increase in regular cyclists since 2012

The number of people cycling at least once a week has risen by more than 100,000 since October 2012, according to figures released by British Cycling. With 2,069,200 adults in England now cycling regularly, as revealed in Sport England’s Active People survey, BC remain on course to meet its participation targets. Read more.

Fort McMurray - Sidewalks are for walking, not slipping and sliding

It was unfortunate that the recent warm temperatures in the city forced the municipality to close most of its outdoor skating rinks. However, it appears to have compensated by allowing the rest of the city to turn into one. Read more.

The Not-So-Crazy Plan to Build an Ice-Skating Highway Through Edmonton

For his thesis, Gibbs focused on ways “to make winter cities more livable, in particular how can we diversify transportation options, focus on active transportation, as well as social activity.” Read more.

How Seville transformed itself into the cycling capital of southern Europe

Spain remains far from a paradise for bikes – yet cycling has increased 11-fold in Seville in the space of a few years. Is this proof that any city can get lots of people riding by building an ambitious network of connected, segregated bike lanes? Read more.

4 reasons to invest in active transportation: economy, health, environment and universal access

A report published by the National Recreation and Park Association, a U.S. organization, discusses the many benefits of investing in active transportation. Read more.

Bracebridge - Sustainability key for council as they adopt priorities for term

On Jan. 7, council adopted a number or priorities set out in a memorandum by Mayor Graydon Smith that will in turn be used in the development of the 2015 municipal budget. These priorities are broken into four strategic objectives, including a vibrant, prosperous and economically sustainable community; a green, mindful and environmentally sustainable community; an engaged, healthy and socially sustainable community; and a creative and culturally sustainable community. Read more.