What do bike share and car parking have in common?
“If they could find me a way to get to the O-Train, I would [take public transit]”, says a Blackburn Hamlet resident in a recent CBC podcast on downtown parking.
Car parking downtown is a gong show, and it’s expensive ($300-400/month for downtown parking, according to people interviewed). Parking supply has decreased, yet many people drive to work downtown as trust in public transit has eroded.
While there are many facets to this situation, one thing is clear. People need more options so they can get to their destination easily and faster without breaking the bank.
People are willing to take public transit, but it’s not reliable and doesn’t connect directly with where people need or want to go. This is where bike share comes in.
What if you could walk to a bike share station close by, ride then take transit to your PWHL game? Get dropped off at a transit station, take the O-Train in and bike share to your destination? One easy connection, no need to wait for an elusive bus or spend time looking for parking. Better yet, you could bike share all the way. And you’d save money on parking and gas.
A proper, public bike share program with a dense network of stations that serve residents would fill the gaps in our transportation system. You wouldn’t need to own, store and maintain bikes for you and your family.
Bike Ottawa and Ecology Ottawa created a petition asking the City to implement without delay a public bike share program. Add your voice to strengthen our message to City council. To know more about our campaign, check Ottawa Bike Share.
The time to act is now!