INFRASTRUCTURE commitment for one area VERBAL Provincial commitment on camera September 28: At the Winnipeg Winnipeg Free Press Café, Janice Lukes asks Premier Selinger to commit to AT policy and staffing. See question and response 11:24 minutes into the interview with Greg Selinger: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/LIVE-Town-halls-with-Gerrard-and-Selinger-130663498.html September 21: Premier Selinger commits to a crossing over the Perimeter Highway at the Northeast Pioneers Greenway. See complete details on Erna Braun’s website. September 13: At CAA / Winnipeg Free Press Café infrastructure debate, Gord McIntosh VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board

The NDP commissioned a report asking for recommendations on expanding active transportation options for all Manitoban’s. In June 2010, the report Greater Strides; Taking Action on Active Transportation was released. Greater Strides; Taking Action on Active Transportation was created as a condition under the Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Act. Greater Strides contains 25 recommendations on expanding active transportation options for all Manitobans. The WTA has recommended the government take immediate action on the following recommendations:

1. Establish a Provincial Active Transportation Policy:
   • A written policy on active transportation clearly state’s Manitoba’s commitment to walking and cycling.
   • The policy provides direction, guidance and sets the foundation to integrate active transportation in strategic funding decisions throughout the province.
   • See recommendations #1 & #13
   • See a couple examples of what we are facing related to large investments of public funding because we have no policy:
     • CentrePort’s Impact on Active Transportation
     • Winnipeg to Birds Hill
2. Establish a Director of Transportation with staff responsible for improving active transportation:
   • There are over 3000 staff in government developing motorized vehicle transportation routes and infrastructure, but there is not one staff person solely responsible for improving walking and cycling.
     See recommendation #2
3. Maintain public input through a Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Board:
   • Bringing together representatives from community organizations and provincial departments to share learning opportunities and valuable information
   • An advisory board assists in ensuring the integration of transportation planning and programs throughout the Province.
   • The City of Winnipeg has made significant progress in the development of active transportation due in large part to the guidance of its Active Transportation Advisory Committee.
     See recommendation #24
4. Develop routes so CHILDREN can SAFELY walk and bike to school.
   • Virtually every school division in Manitoba has a transportation planner focused on bussing children to school and yet there is not one staff person dedicated to ensuring children can safely walk or bike to school
   • Is 31% of Manitoba children are overweight or obese, higher than the national average
     See recommendation #21
5. Educate ALL road users on how to safely share & use the roadway system.
   • Manitoba’s driver training programs do not cover educating motorists and cyclists on how to share the road, and there are no provincial bicycle training programs for children or adults.
     See recommendations #20 & #22
6. Fund the development of walking, trails and cycling routes
   • Manitoba is 4 years into an unprecedented $4 billion roadways investment commitment that includes absolutely no dedicated funding for active transportation infrastructure.
     See recommendations #12, #14, #15 & #16

We now have two clear active transportation (AT) commitments from both the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Progressive Conservative Party (PC).

Good news for Active Transportation in Election 2011 !
The NDP’s have made a clear promise to a piece of infrastructure and today (Sept. 28th) Premier Selinger verbally committed on camera to supporting development of AT ‘strategy’ and staffing.
The PC’s have put forward a clear PROVINCIAL AT commitment to paper / on the website and in their election platform.
Details can be found below.

ELECTION PROMISES & COMMITMENTS towards Active Transportation ‘if elected’

IN PRINT – IN ELECTION PLATFORM PLAN PROVINCIAL Commitment to Active Transportation: Cleary stated in the Progressive Conservative Heath Communities document found on the PC Manitoba website. See Page 11. Text states: A McFadyen government will adopt a provincial policy to support and encourage active transportation. A McFadyen government will establish a provincial director of active transportation. A McFadyen government will enact a policy that requires active transportation infrastructure to be considered in all future provincial road projects in Manitoba. A McFadyen government will establish an active transportation agency with a formal advisory board. September 14: At Provincial Environmental Forum, Heather Stefanson VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board September 13: At CAA / Winnipeg Free Press Café infrastructure debate, Kelvin Goertzen VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board

INFRASTRUCTURE commitment for one area VERBAL Provincial commitment on camera September 28: At the Winnipeg Winnipeg Free Press Café, Janice Lukes asks Premier Selinger to commit to AT policy and staffing. See question and response 11:24 minutes into the interview with Greg Selinger: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/LIVE-Town-halls-with-Gerrard-and-Selinger-130663498.html September 21: Premier Selinger commits to a crossing over the Perimeter Highway at the Northeast Pioneers Greenway. See complete details on Erna Braun’s website. September 13: At CAA / Winnipeg Free Press Café infrastructure debate, Gord McIntosh VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board

VERBAL Provincial commitments September 30th: Clearly stated in a Bike to the Future candidates survey, Paul Hesse committed in email to ALL of the key active transportation initiatives request by the Winnipeg Trails Association Establish a Provincial Active Transportation Policy: Establish a Director of Transportation with staff responsible for improving active transportation: Maintain public input through a Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Board: Develop routes so CHILDREN can SAFELY walk and bike to school. Educate ALL road users on how to safely share & use the roadway system. Fund the development of walking, trails and cycling routes September 14: At Provincial Environmental Forum, Paul Hesse VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board September 13: At CAA / Winnipeg Free Press Café infrastructure debate, Eric Stewart VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board

VERBAL Provincial commitment September 30th: Clearly stated in a Bike to the Future candidates survey, James Beddome committed in email to ALL of the key active transportation initiatives request by the Winnipeg Trails Association Establish a Provincial Active Transportation Policy: Establish a Director of Transportation with staff responsible for improving active transportation: Maintain public input through a Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Board: Develop routes so CHILDREN can SAFELY walk and bike to school. Educate ALL road users on how to safely share & use the roadway system. Fund the development of walking, trails and cycling routes September 14: At Provincial Environmental Forum, James Beddome VERBALLY commits to: developing a Provincial active transportation policy establishing a provincial director of active transportation establish an active transportation advisory board

Provincial Election 2011

Manitoban’s need
FOCUSED LEADERSHIP on Active Transportation
(Active transportation refers to any form of human powered transportation.)

Is Active Transportation a key issue in the upcoming election ? ABSOLUTELY!
Study after study after study show Manitoban’s need to become more active. Physical inactivity causes increased health care costs. In Manitoba, healthcare is the TOP budget expenditure with over $5.4 billion projected for 2011 / 2012. Properly planned and built active transportation infrastructure – walking and cycling routes – enable Manitoban safe transportation opportunities.

When candidates come knocking on your door, tell them walking and cycling is important to YOU! Tell candidates YOU need:

• better trail and cycling connectivity
• safer walking and cycling routes
• FOCUSED LEADERSHIP on active transportation!

The Winnipeg Trails Association, Bike to the Future, and hundred of Manitoban’s have provided input to the provincial government to produce a report, Greater Strides: Taking Action on Active Transportation.

This report provides detailed recommendations – a blueprint – that if acted on – will have a positive impact on the lives of all Manitoban’s.

When candidates come knocking on your door, tell them the most important active transportation actions the provincial government needs to commit to are:

1. Establish a Provincial Active Transportation Policy:
   • A written policy on active transportation clearly state’s Manitoba’s commitment to walking and cycling.
   • The policy provides direction, guidance and sets the foundation to integrate active transportation in strategic funding decisions throughout the province.
   • See recommendations #1 & #13
   • See a couple examples of what we are facing related to large investments of public funding because we have no policy:
     • CentrePort’s Impact on Active Transportation
     • Winnipeg to Birds Hill
2. Establish a Director of Transportation with staff responsible for improving active transportation:
   • There are over 3000 staff in government developing motorized vehicle transportation routes and infrastructure, but there is not one staff person solely responsible for improving walking and cycling.
     See recommendation #2
3. Maintain public input through a Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Board:
   • Bringing together representatives from community organizations and provincial departments to share learning opportunities and valuable information
   • An advisory board assists in ensuring the integration of transportation planning and programs throughout the Province.
   • The City of Winnipeg has made significant progress in the development of active transportation due in large part to the guidance of its Active Transportation Advisory Committee.
     See recommendation #24
4. Develop routes so CHILDREN can SAFELY walk and bike to school.
   • Virtually every school division in Manitoba has a transportation planner focused on bussing children to school and yet there is not one staff person dedicated to ensuring children can safely walk or bike to school
   • Is 31% of Manitoba children are overweight or obese, higher than the national average
     See recommendation #21
5. Educate ALL road users on how to safely share & use the roadway system.
   • Manitoba’s driver training programs do not cover educating motorists and cyclists on how to share the road, and there are no provincial bicycle training programs for children or adults.
     See recommendations #20 & #22
6. Fund the development of walking, trails and cycling routes
   • Manitoba is 4 years into an unprecedented $4 billion roadways investment commitment that includes absolutely no dedicated funding for active transportation infrastructure.
     See recommendations #12, #14, #15 & #16

• “Toews said that once complete, CentrePort will increase Canada’s opportunities on the world stage. CentrePort Canada is definitely a key component of Canada’s economic prosperity as we emerge from the recession,”
• “CentrePort …has the ability to do what nothing else can accomplish for our city (for) economic impact and creating phenomenal jobs,” Katz said. “This is the beginning of something very wonderful and very special.”
• Selinger said the road projects will link CentrePort with the port of Churchill and Hudson’s Bay, continental U.S. and Mexico and Canada’s east and west coasts

The Winnipeg Free Press is doing a brilliant job covering the development of CentrePort. We have provided links to various Winnipeg Free Press articles on CentrePort that provide further insight. We encourage you to read them for a broader understand of the CentrePort project, investments governments are making and the impact on our transportation system.

MEDIA REPORTS on CentrePort’s impact on active transportation

FAST FACTS on CentrePort:
CentrePort Canada is an inland port and Foreign Trade Zone focused on turning 20,000 acres of land around the Richardson International Airport into a hub for the manufacture, distribution and warehousing of goods in North America. Access will be by road, rail and air. CentrePort Canada was created by the province in 2008. Three levels of government are supporting the development of CentrePort Canada – currently over $300 million has been invested to launch the initial phase of CentrePort’s development.
For detailed information on the corporation, see the CentrePort website. Diane Gray is CEO and President. CentrePort Canada’s Board of Directors consists of representatives from organizations through the Province. CentrePort Canada was recently named as one of Canada’s top 100 infrastructure projects in Canada.

THE CHALLENGE:
There is NO PROCESS set up to assess the IMPACT on pedestrians and cyclists – as roadways THROUGHOUT Winnipeg and Manitoba are being developed into ‘expressways’, ‘ring roads’ and ‘primary access’ trucking routes.

• There is NO PROCESS to look at the impact on active transportation in conjunction with the development of CentrePort.
• No studies, no transportation impact analysis, no provincial active transportation policy that considers pedestrians and cyclists in the development of the roadways targeted to support CentrePort development.

When the Province set up the Manitoba Floodway Authority to oversee the $600+M floodway expansion, 13 community consultations and four in depth studies occurred looking at how to incorporate recreation into the project. As CEO Ernie Gilroy stated “The result is an improved project design that is sensitive to local concerns and protects the environment.”

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED:
The City of Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba and Government of Canada are investing significant funding to develop CentrePort Canada. Please tell any elected official from government that:

• we must have a process to consider active transportation when developing the roadways to support CentrePort Canada.
• we must have broader community consultations and studies which consider active transportation related to roadway development supporting CentrePort Canada.

The Province of Manitoba and Government of Canada did this during the Manitoba floodway expansion and needs to do this in the development of CentrePort Canada.

CLARITY:
Pedestrians and cyclists do NOT want to travel beside major trucking routes - BUT there needs must be considered for pedestrians and cyclists in any roadway development. Many of these routes are WITHIN Winnipeg. When millions in public funding is being spent on developing roadways, pedestrians and cyclist’s needs must be considered at intersections and along the routes.

PUBLIC MISCONCEPTION:
The CentrePort Canada project is NOT limited to development of roadways solely in west Winnipeg.
To develop Winnipeg as a global transportation hub/distribution centre – ACCESS must be developed for trucks coming from the north, south, east and west. This map on this page indicates the transportation routes accessing CentrePort. This public misconception that CentrePort is solely in west Winnipeg occurs for many reasons:

• The concept of the CentrePort project is new to Manitobans
• All maps / discussions primarily focus on the LAND being used in west Winnipeg to develop the distribution centre for companies
• There are no public maps showing specific roadways in Winnipeg or Manitoba that will be primary routes used to ACCESS CentrePort’s distribution centre in the west area of Winnipeg other than 2 slides shown in Winnipeg in the Winnipeg Master Transportation Plan

Roadways THROUGHOUT the City of Winnipeg and Province will be developed to support ACCESS to CentrePort’s distribution centre. See SOME roadway being improved and facing challenges related to the development of CentrePort:

• Transcona / Plessis Rd:
• North West Winnipeg; Inkster Rd
• St. James; Sturgeon Rd / Silver Ave.
• Various Provincial roadways, Trans Canada Hwy, bridges, etc.
• North Perimeter and Hwy 59; Interchange

MEDIA REPORTS on lack of consideration for active transportation in $80million interchange

The Winnipeg Trails Association, in partnership with the Prairie Pathfinders, One Green City and Bike to the Future launched a “Winnipeg to Birds Hill Provincial Park’ active transportation awareness campaign the morning of July 6th, 2011. As part of this awareness campaign, activities and events will continue throughout the upcoming months at various public locations. On July 6th, Winnipeg to Birds Hill information sheets were handed out to over 250 cyclists preparing to cycle to the Folk Festival via the Northeast Pioneers Greenway (Manitoba’s most heavily used trail) OVER the Perimeter Hwy (PTH101), onto the new Red River Floodway trail system and into Birds Hill Provincial Park. The information sheet highlighted:

• the need for a SAFE active transportation connection linking Winnipeg OVER the Perimeter Hwy – to the town of Birds Hill, Birds Hill Provincial Park and the Red River Floodway trails system
• the opportunity to make a SAFE active transportation connection in the $80 M – $100M PTH 59N and the PTH 101 interchange project occurring in the next two years
• the opportunity to link together – SAFELY – the significant millions invested in Winnipeg trails – to the millions in trail development in Birds Hill Provincial Park, the new Hwy 59 cycle ped overpass and the trail system within the Red River Floodway

OPPORTUNITY:

At a recent information session hosted by MMM Group on the $80 M – $100M PTH 59N and the PTH 101 interchange project, MMM Group presented a design that missed – but holds the opportunity to include a SAFE pedestrian and cyclist over the Perimeter just 300 meters west of the interchange. The current design of this interchange completely lacks any SAFE active transportation infrastructure. In this day and age – and with such an intense Provincial and Federal focus on healthy living, it is incomprehensible that $80 M – $100M of public funds will not include an active transportation component – when just 300 meters to the west – an active transportation ped / cycle bridge will enable people to SAFELY cross OVER the north Perimeter.

Our organizations are encouraging people to contact their Provincial leaders express the desire for a SAFE active transportation connection OVER the Perimeter Hwy specifically, a separated pedestrian / cycling bridge as part of the $80 M – $100M PTH 59N and the PTH 101 interchange project. PLEASE EMAIL or PHONE one or ALL of the Provincial Representatives before October 4th.

Ask them to:

“PLEASE SAFELY connect the Northeast Pioneers Greenway OVER the Perimeter Hwy with a separate pedestrian / cyclist bridge to access Birds Hill Provincial Park and the Red River Floodway Trails System, as part of the PTH 59N and the PTH 101 interchange project.”

Premier Greg Selinger          premier@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-3714

Minster Steve Ashton           minmit@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-3723

Minister Ron Lemieux        minlg@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-3788

Minister Bill Blaikie           mincon@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-3730

Minister Flor Marcelino    mincht@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-3729

Minister Jim Rondeau       minhliv@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-1373

Erna Braun
– MLA Rossmere               erna.braun@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-7349

Bonnie Mitchelson
– MLA River East              bonnie.mitchelson@leg.gov.mb.ca 945-0008

Now that summer is here – most trail events are ones you organize yourself !

Check out over 30 detailed trail maps on this page and create your own ‘special event’ !

Pick up one of the new Winnipeg Cycling Map at a bike shop near you – check out Travel Manitoba – or view PDF’s of the map here:

Cycling Map NORTH Wpg

Cycling Map SOUTH Wpg

Happy Trails this summer !

Check out the Greater Strides document for details on the 25 recommendations that flesh out the following five objectives for AT in Manitoba:

1.Develop a provincial policy and co-ordinated approach to active transportation

2.Create a benchmark and set measurable targets to guide the development of a safe, sustainable and cohesive active transportation network

3.Build safe and connected active transportation networks

4.Explore opportunities to raise awareness and provide training and incentives to motivate Manitobans to choose safe active transportation options more often

5.Establish a platform for building a sustainable future for active transportation

The Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Group was formed as a condition under the Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Act. This act supports Beyond Kyoto, Manitoba’s action plan on climate change. This is the first report of its kind for Manitoba. The report provides recommendations on expanding active transportation options for all Manitobans.

” It was a privilege to work with the members of this group and to have the opportunity to contribute to Manitoba’s long-term vision for active transportation. The recommendations in this report provide a blueprint to help Manitoba benefit from the economic, social and environmental opportunities related to active transportation.” said Janice Lukes, Chair of the Provincial Active Transportation Advisory Group. “With a focused leadership and a meaningful commitment from the provincial government, we can experience the tremendous benefits associated with active transportation.”

J. Lukes remarks in handing off report can be read here

Through an Order in Council, and consultations with Ministers, the following people were appointed to the group:

Janice Lukes, Chair

Anders Swanson

Mark Cohoe

Terry Zdan

Pat Locken

Tim Deacon

Russell Wychreschuk

The full report Greater Strides:

Taking Action on Active Transportation can be found at:

www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pdf/atag_report6.pdf.

Readers can enjoy a good balance of cycling related media report on Bike to the Future’s website – and multi use trail related media reports on the Winnipeg Trails Association website. And – since both organizations are run by volunteers and are not for profit – posting of specific media results in efficient use of web developers time!

And if you venture just north of the corner of Glenwood Crescent and Harbison Avenue West, you’ll discover perhaps the most picturesque spot of all of Winnipeg’s parkways, Elmwood Park, part of the Kildonan Parkway. “I can’t believe no one, either media or just a person, has asked about this,” said Janice Lukes, manager of special projects with the Winnipeg Trails Association and Rivers West, Red River co-ordinator. “But no one has.”

Many people may be travelling the parkways in bits and pieces but don’t realize they all join up. On a recent sunny day, cyclists were whizzing through Elmwood Park and south along the parkway, while a couple walked two enormous dogs and some would-be explorers checked out two mysterious staircases near the river. The Kildonan Parkway, where it wends through Elmwood, might be the most pleasant of the parkways, given to leisurely meandering, snaking along tree-shaded neighbourhoods and sun-dappled parks by the river.

Janice Lukes,manager of special projects for the Winnipeg Trails Association, strolls in Elmwood Park at the end of Glenwood Crescent. (BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

The parkways all end at The Forks — or start there, depending on how you look at it. The South Winnipeg Parkway runs south of The Forks, west of the Red, and the Boni-Vital Parkway, also running south, is east of the Red. There’s the North Assiniboine Parkway and South Assiniboine Parkway, their directions self-explanatory. The North Winnipeg Parkway runs north of The Forks on the west side of the river, and the Kildonan Parkway runs north on the Red’s east side.

The parkway system was started 20 years ago by a forward-thinking city with a vision to make the most of its rivers, Lukes says. There were 18 smaller trails then, a very confusing labyrinth of paths, but officials organized them into six parkways to keep things simple.

Until trailheads and route maps are placed on the parkways — planned for this fall, along with signs indicating points of interest, a very pleased Lukes reports — bikers, hikers and dog-walkers need to be a little creative to find the parkways in many spots. They are signed, but signs are small and placement is a bit sketchy.

It’s worth seeking the signs because, really, a whole other world within Winnipeg opens up once you set foot or wheel on a parkway.

By Julie Carl, julie.carl@freepress.mb.ca
Winnipeg Free Press, June 28 2011

On behalf of each of the 6 trail groups / organizations hosting events, a huge thank you to local community sponsors, supporters and Volunteers:

Bishop Grandin Greenway “Between 2 Rivers Trails Day
Boston Pizza, Starbucks, Chapter’s and St.Vital Mall,
St.Anne’s Sobey’s, Youville,
Winnipeg In Motion, Home Depot, Arbo Gardens
CBC Live Right Now, Lionel the Boston Pizza Mascot

Bois des Esprit -”Discover the Meandering Trails of the Seine River Greenway”
Save Our Seine, City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Trails Association,
Casera Credit Union, Les Gens de Bois carvers, Murray Watson,
Union Nationale MétisseSaint-Joseph du Manitoba, Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre,
World of Water

“Discover the Yellow Ribbon Greenway Trail”
Living Prairie Museum, City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, in motion

“Discover the Trails of Transcona”
Transcona Trails Inc., Transcona Historical Museum, Transcona Hi Neighbour Festival, City of Winnipeg

“Harte Trail’s Paw Trek and Dog Show”
City of Winnipeg Naturalists, P.A.W.S. Friends of Assiniboine Forest, Winnipeg in motion

“4 km Cycle Tour – FortWhyte Alive to Crampton’s Market”
Crampton’s Market, FortWhyte Alive, Pro Care Athletic Therapy, tons of local food producers