If done right, biking is good for the downtown and the business community


The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ supports the city’s active transportation blueprint. Now it’s time to proceed to the next step: consulting with the downtown community.


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Stefano Grande Downtown


any of us have travelled to other cities to see firsthand how downtowns are benefiting from increased bike lanes, which encourage cyclists to visit their downtowns and to frequent business- es. An increase in cycling is a trend that is taking over North America and the marketplace. We’re seeing more residents discovering their neigh- bourhoods by bicycle and hanging out at their local pubs and cafes, and of- fice workers commuting downtown from the inner city or even as far away as the suburbs; even tourists are renting bicycles, to ex- plore unique destinations. The need for more cycling amenities and infrastruc-


ture is being driven by the public and emerging trends. Many cities have done it wrong and have made ev-


ery imaginable mistake. Inadequate education for the public and stakeholders, or a rush to roll out cycling infrastructure without paying attention to the details and the needs of property and business owners – these foreseeable challenges can be mitigated if we put com- munity first. Some downtowns have eliminated on-street parking


hastily to facilitate the creation of bike lanes, little un- derstanding that on-street parking is the lifeblood of our storefront retailers, restaurants and shop owners. Realities like the need for loading zones, deliveries, accessibility for people in wheelchairs and with other mobility challenges – and a dozen more issues – are often not properly taken into consideration. In these cities, you will find staunch opposition to any expan- sion of cycling facilities, and rightfully so. The rush to roll out cycling lanes without proper process, thought, foresight and consultation, can lead to tensions in the community, extra costs to address the issues after the fact and, in some cases, negative economic impact. But some cities are doing it right. A city we can all relate to is Minneapolis. Its residents


have a love for cycling and biking lanes. One evening when I was there I saw thousands of cyclists strolling downtown, milling about and gobbling up every inch of space on the hundreds of bike racks installed by the city and businesses. The residents were there for restau-


Bikes at Portage and Notre Dame. Photo by AJ Batac.


rants, cafés, live art and theatre performances, and to just hang out. I have no doubt that the city of Minneapolis has fore-


sight. As the downtown has developed and evolved, they have wanted to accommodate the cycling com- munity, and by doing the job hand-in-hand with their stakeholders they’re developing a travel system that meets their needs.


Through proper planning, education, listening to the needs and concerns of the community, Minneapo- lis is seen as the world's best approach when adopting more cycling amenities and infrastructure. Winnipeg is perhaps where Minneapolis was 10 years ago – with increased development activity, from more classrooms, to more condos and apartments, a growing population of office workers and more visitors coming to the MTS Centre and the sports, hospitality and entertainment district (SHED) downtown. Do we want to have safer bike lanes, developed in a balanced and well-thought- out manner, for those working and living in, and also visiting, the downtown? The Downtown BIZ believes so.


It’s imperative that the cycling strategy be rolled out in an incremental, engaging, and planned process with the downtown community. Businesses can create reasons for people to jump on their bikes to hang out downtown, so it’s not just about adding bike lanes. It’s about taking into consideration how bike parking is


going to be accommodated at key locations. It’s about allowing advertising signage and banners, more out- door seating, or reduced on-site parking requirements on bike-lane streets to help businesses attract more cus- tomers. Some downtowns have integrated the roll-out of


cycling lanes with marketing and branding efforts so different streets become well-recognized destination corridors. In some cities, traffic flows are changed to better accommodate the new mix of vehicles. Other cit- ies have found limiting availability of cycling lanes to busy periods also works well. Our city has now presented its vision and recommen- dations for developing its pedestrian and cycling strate- gies. The next step will further involve the community and drill down on feasibility and designs of proposed approaches. We need to get this right. The public must trust the city to do so, even if the process takes longer than anticipated.


It’s easy as a city to focus on the failures of other


cities, and hold them up as excuses for not doing any- thing. It’s much harder to move forward collectively with the community, as our city is now doing, learning from best practices in other places, learning by listening to each other, minimizing the issues and maximizing the opportunities and creating a city for everyone. Stefano Grande is executive director of Downtown Winni- peg BIZ.


Spreading the word on elder abuse This special ‘day’ calls on the world to recognize a danger that the elderly forever face.


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ave you ever felt concerned about the safety of an older neighbour, friend or family member? Have you noticed changes in this person’s life or living arrangements that worry you? Are you unsure about how to in- troduce the subject and who to call for help? These are serious con-


Hon. Deanne Crothers Minister’s Message


cerns. As a result, we continue to work hard, year-round, to educate Manitobans on how to recognize the early signs of elder abuse, and what to do if it’s happening in their communities. This year, on June 15, Mani- toba will participate in the 10th annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to


help raise awareness of this important issue. In Manitoba, it is estimated that as many as 16,000


older adults are experiencing one or more types of abuse – physical, financial or psychological. Often, these Manitobans don’t talk about it because they are afraid, embarrassed or don’t know where to go for help. It is also estimated that 80 per cent of abuse or neglect of older adults goes undetected, with only one in five cases coming to the attention of community agencies or au- thorities. These statistics are unacceptable, and we are working hard to raise awareness and provide supports


June 2015


celebrate the 10th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I encourage all individuals, communities and organi- zations to get on board and get involved! You’ll find everything you need – ideas, resources, toolkits, infor- mation and more – on the World Elder Abuse Aware- ness Day Manitoba website at www.weaadmanitoba. ca. Past events have included walkathons, presentations, workshops, distribution of purple ribbons, events with local media, intergenerational activities and more. The website will also let you know what’s happening in your area.


The safety of older adults is a priority for our govern-


Check out www.weaadmanitoba.ca for valuable informa- tion and resources.


for those experiencing abuse and their families. We join World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in its


global efforts to provide older adults with the respect and safety they deserve. We know that abuse hurts at all ages. It’s never okay to take advantage of seniors, who enjoy the same rights and protections as all Manitobans. Promoting this respectful attitude can help older adults and those who care about them understand that help is available in their communities. I applaud the many committed individuals and com- munities in Manitoba that work tirelessly each year to prevent elder abuse and make this day a success. In the past, many amazing and informative events have been held in communities throughout the province. As we


ment. In 2002, Manitoba established a comprehensive provincial elder abuse strategy. It helps support: • A seniors abuse support line – a 24-hour line for information and counselling about elder abuse, • A safe suite program – provides emergency accom- modation to older adults who are experiencing abuse, • Prevent Elder Abuse Manitoba – a provincial net-


work that promotes information and awareness on how to prevent elder abuse, • A & O: support services for older adults – elder- abuse counselling services. If you have concerns about an older adult experienc-


ing abuse, please contact the seniors abuse support line at 1-888-896-7183. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remember, help is available. On June 15, please get involved, join in recognizing


World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and help make our province safer for Manitoba seniors.


Hon. Deanne Crothers is Minister of Healthy Living and Seniors.


www.lifestyles55.net 15


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