A first kidical mass in Greater Avalon! (and not the last!)
By Geneviève Mollema
Environmental Committee, Greater Avalon Community Association
On October 25th, the environmental committee of the Greater Avalon Community Association, a subcommittee of the Greater Avalon Community Association, held its first Kidical Mass bike ride. Starting at the François-Dupuis Community Center, around sixty cyclists rode a 4 km loop through the neighborhood streets to promote active transportation and call for safe cycling infrastructure.
The environmental committee of the Greater Avalon Community Association was created in 2025. Several volunteers organized to set up our first Kidical Mass in the Greater Avalon area. Thanks to the expertise shared by board members Cassie Smith (the Kidical Mass Ottawa founder) and Rob Attrell, we were able to organize this event promoting active transportation in just a few weeks. In these difficult times for active transportation and the environment in general, it is encouraging to see that by establishing links between different communities, we can still organize events that bring people together. Bushtukah and Envirocentre were with us at the meeting point at François-Dupuis to help with minor bike adjustments and hand out promotional items.
There was a concern initially that October 25th may be too late in the year to organize a Kidical Mass ride on short notice, especially in the suburbs. However, cyclists of all ages turned out in force. Linking the event to Halloween certainly helped! We were also lucky with the weather, as it was a beautiful fall day. The young cyclists were invited to dress up for the event, and candy and hot chocolate awaited them when they returned. A lesson learned from the events: never underestimate the power of food, especially sweets!
Starting from the Francois-Dupuis Community Center, we headed north toward Portobello. The first step was to cross a roundabout with about 60 cyclists. Thanks to the help of Matthieu Gagnon from the Convent Glen Orléans Wood Community Association (who hosted their own Kidical Mass on September 27th), we were able to cross the intersection safely. Our route continued west on Capreol Street, then took a short stretch of bike path. We continued on Aquaview Drive, then Lakeridge Drive. The cyclists continued on Vistapark Drive, then Esprit Street, Stormwind Avenue, and completed the route by returning to Portobello. None of the streets on the route have safe infrastructure for bicycles. Aquaview Street is on the list of projects to have a marking line, but the proposed Ontario Bill 60 has blocked any progress we are ready to make in the neighborhood.
Big Future Plans in Orleans
Next spring and through the summer, there are big plans in Orleans to continue to amplify our voices and raise awareness about active transportation in our suburb and surrounding rural communities. Representatives from communities across eastern Ottawa are joining forces to run family friendly cycling events and make the case for safe infrastructure. The provincial government will not stop us from demanding better and safe transportation options in our communities and city. Change does not stop, even when the wind is blowing in our faces.
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