Here Are Winter Driving Tips From Peterborough County OPP To Help Keep You Safe

WINTER DRIVING – TIPS TO REMEMBER

• SLOW DOWN "Speed too fast for conditions" is the No. 1 cause of winter crashes.

• LEAVE MORE SPACE BETWEEN VEHICLES Stopping distances are at least double on snowy roads, and even longer in icy conditions.
 
• Drive as if your life depends on it because it does.

• BE READY FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING CONDITIONS Blowing snow may suddenly reduce visibility, and gusting winds can cause ice to form quickly, especially on bridges and overpasses.
 
• GET YOUR VEHICLE READY Fit four winter tires. Have an ice scraper/snow-brush in your vehicle to keep your windows, signals, and lights clear before driving. Top up your windshield washer with winter-grade fluid. Keep your vehicle fuel tank at least ½ full, so you don’t run out if you get stranded and to prevent condensation in your gas tank.
 
• KNOW WHERE YOU ARE Keep track of intersections as you pass them in case you need to call for help in an emergency.
 
• MONITOR ROAD/WEATHER CONDITIONS Check local media and road authority websites for conditions/closures before you leave, and listen to local radio during your journey. Visit the Ministry of Transportation Website prior to setting out on any trip during the winter. Please do not call 911 or the OPP for "road reports".
 
• If road conditions are poor and you don’t need to travel, stay home.

-----------------

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Here's A Time-Lapse Video (With Funky Beats) Driving On Lansdowne Street At Night

 Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

All That's Missing From This Hill By The Court House Is Snow

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Winter Parking Restrictions Have Started in Peterborough

Today marks the beginning of Winter parking restrictions in Peterborough.

• From December 1- April 1, parking is prohibited on all City streets from 2:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. This allows better snow clearing of city streets and at a lower cost because equipment will not have to return to clear areas where vehicles were parked. The fine for a violation is $15.
• During a snowstorm, when snow-clearing operations are underway, no stopping of a vehicle is permitted on any city street. Snow-clearing operations typically take place between midnight and 8 a.m. The fine is $50 for this violation and your vehicle will be towed. All vehicles will be towed to Morrow Park and must be claimed the following day. After 24hrs all unclaimed vehicles will be towed to an impound yard at the owners expense.

Where does that leave you to park? Free overnight parking is allowed at all Municipal parking lots such as the King Street Parkade and Simcoe Parking Garage. Vehicles parked overnight at either parking garage can obtain a gate arm ticket upon entry to the garage to be used for a free transit trip home.

So remember the rule of thumb... no parking any time of the year on city streets for longer than 3 hours, except where a sign indicates otherwise. If you still have questions, call Parking at 705-742-7777 ext. 2802.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Here's The Shiny Findings From A New Report On The Economic Impact Of The Shining Waters Railway

This morning in Peterborough, the Shining Waters Railway group revealed the results of an economic impact study commissioned to explore the local economic feasibility of restoring Peterborough-Toronto commuter rail service and upgrading the existing track. The line would run 120 kilometres with a total of eight stations between the Peterpatch and Toronto's Union Station.

Among the projected conservative estimates, according to the report:

• Nearly 2000 jobs to be created and $531 million in economic output ($433 million in Ontario) due to capital investment in upgrading track, constructing bridges, and refurbishing rolling stock. Most of the difference would occur in New Brunswick where rail cars will be refurbished.

• An additional 110 jobs and $13 million per year in economic output due to operation of the commuter rail line.

• More than $12 million in tax collections for the province and $4 million for the federal government.

• Nearly $13 million a year in travel time savings and travel cost savings, $0.6 million a year in environmental savings from new and diverted riders of the service and $11 million in 2031 in accident related costs.

• If full Phase 1 & 2 operation begins by mid 2015, the economic impact between now and 2020 is approximately $700 million – combination of construction and operation related impacts and ongoing travel savings.

According to the report, these estimates "do not consider the likely impact of increased rail freight service, non-commuter related travel (tourism, for example), development around the stations, and possible attraction of new business to the region. These estimates do not consider economic activity from alternative ways in which public funds might have been used."

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Cool Captain Climate Appears At Queen Elizabeth For International Walk To School Day

Encouraging students—and parents—to move towards more sustainable modes of transportation isn’t easy, but this Wednesday (October 5th) at 8:30 a.m., many will be inspired to change their commuting habits as part of International Walk to School Day.

Students from Queen Elizabeth Public School will arrive at school using sustainable modes of transportation, such as by bus, walking, biking, rollerblading or skateboarding.

They will be greeted by Cool Captain Climate, who will be providing musical entertainment for those in attendance. Later, the students will take part in a celebratory march around the school.

"We hope that International Walk to School Day will inspire students to get to school in more eco-friendly means like biking or walking," says Johanna Hart, of Peterborough Green-Up in a release. "Not only will our environment benefit by having less pollution added to our air, but the students themselves benefit by moving around and being active on their daily commute to school."

[International Walk to School Day; Peterborough Green-Up]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

COIN Hosting "The Mangy Moggy" Bicycle Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser For United Way

On October 15th, Community Opportunity & Innovation Network (COIN) is hosting a United Way fundraiser in the form of a bicycle scavenger hunt.

The Mangy Moggy is for avid cyclists, commuters, Sunday-afternoon-cyclists, and families. Meet at Millenium Park at 2 p.m. that day, and the hunt starts at 3 p.m. 

Sign up in teams of 4 for their Poker Run, or as an individual for the faster paced Alley Cat Race.

[COIN]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

There Are Free Bike Tune-Ups As Part Of Shifting Gears Fest This Saturday

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Check Out This Awesome New Community Biking Poster

Jeffrey Macklin, a regular contributor to PtboCanada and talented artist, just released this new letterpress poster "Get To Know Your Community—Ride A Bike". Very cool. And so true. You can order it here.

[Etsy: Get To Know Your Community—Ride A Bike]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Watch The Fastest Bike Ride Ever Through Peterborough

Also, way to bring that funky music.

[YouTube]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.