Edmonton Journal
Opinion: Lessons in how Memphis changed its tune
“On a scale of one to 10, I think the greenline turned out to be a 12. I’ve never been so wrong in my life,” Hedgepeth told the Memphis Daily News in 2011. “Two years ago, I didn’t own a bicycle. Nobody in my family owned a bicycle.”
The economic benefits, in only a few years, have been astounding. Street-level retail has gone up along with startup economic development in core “clusters” and other highly accessible areas that have bicycle and transit links. Why? People in cars, keen to stop on Memphis versions of Whyte Avenue and 124th Street, find somewhere else to park. That’s what they do, always.
And why do they go to these main streets? The harder it is to park, the better the neighbourhood. Main streets are nice places for walking. Humans like walking.
(Read the full story at edmontonjournal.com)
Edmonton Journal
Opinion: Quality infrastructure will pay dividends
(Read the full story at edmontonjournal.com)
Edmonton Journal
City council gains a “crazy” winter biker
“But I’ve been walking for the last six years in the middle of winter, and guess what, it was just fine. Why would biking be any different? Make sure I’m bundled up and make sure I have the right winter gear on the bike.
…
It takes him 40 minutes on mostly river valley trails in the summer. On Wednesday and Thursday this week, that stretched to 50 minutes, about the same amount of time it would take him on the bus.
On Friday, he need the car to meet up with his wife and realized again how painful traffic congestion could be. It took him 55 minutes from his door to city hall.
(Read the full story at edmontonjournal.com)
Metro News
University of Alberta graduate students create technology that stops special needs children’s bikes in emergencies
In their Make Something Edmonton post, the team of engineers say the technology will allow kids who have limited mobility in their fingers to pull the traditional bike lever or if “they are strong enough to propel themselves on the bike at great speeds but do not have the cognitive capacity to stop in an emergency” be able to ride with their families.
(Read the full story at metronews.ca)
Metro News
Edmonton Bike Coalition photo mosaic growing as city hall event nears
The group is advocating for city council to dedicate around $7 million each year, for the next four years to develop safe bike infrastructure. Their photo mosaic, set to be unveiled at city hall on Nov. 20, shows what coalition members think is a strong, but silent majority through photos of Edmontonians.
(Read the full story at metronews.ca)