We’re looking forward to seeing you all Wednesday November 18th for our AGM.
Be sure to have a look at our InfoPack before the meeting.
Sign up for a ticket here if you haven’t already and we’ll see you on Zoom!
Bike Ottawa
Embracing Winter on Two Wheels
Since the inception of the Ottawa Winter Cycling Network 5 years ago, the number of trips made by bike during winter has roughly doubled (based upon City bike counter data)!
With an increase in ridership comes a more extensive knowledge pool to be shared. Whether you are thinking about extending your trips by bike into our colder months or have been cycling year-round for a long time, there is a wealth of information in this Winter Cycling Guide from the perspective of one of Bike Ottawa’s members.
Give it a read, and we’ll see you out there!
Bike Ottawa: Annual General Meeting!
Join us virtually for our Annual General Meeting!
Date: Wednesday November 18th, 2020
Time: 6:30-9pm
Place: Join us on Zoom!
(Link will be sent via email closer to the date).
This year’s speakers include:
Armi De Francia from Transportation Equity TO & Ajax Active Transportation
&
Sam Hersh from Horizon Ottawa.
Our Annual General Meeting portion will also include voting on changes to internal bylaws, external policies, and voting for our open Board of Directors positions.
We will be electing for the following positions:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Members-at-Large
Those members intending to stand for a position must email info@bikeottawa.ca with their intent and send a 250 word biography to be included in the AGM Info Package by NOVEMBER 1st, 2020
Our recommendations for Montreal Rd LRT station
Bike Ottawa’s Advocacy Working Group has recently created a subgroup dedicated to safe cycling issues in the east end of the city. As one of their first projects, they have been looking at cycling connections to future Stage 2 LRT stations. Read on for the letter prepared by volunteer Daniel Domen providing our recommendations for the Montreal Rd station and the response from the Stage 2 Project Team at the city. AWG continues to work with city staff and Councillors Tierney, Dudas, and Luloff to improve cycling and pedestrian safety.
Our letter calling for temporary infrastructure in response to COVID-19
Cities across Canada and the world have been implementing temporary measures to enable safe cycling in order to take pressure off of transit systems trying to ensure physical distancing, and to encourage people to visit local businesses. Bike Ottawa wrote to city council to encourage Ottawa to do the same, however the city has decided not to pursue any city-wide measures to enhance active transportation. Read our letter and the response from city staff.
Our letter in support of safe streets for distancing
At a recent council meeting, Mayor Jim Watson introduced a motion which as passed requires 2/3 of businesses to approve temporarily converting street parking space into wider sidewalks. However, people are already walking in the street to avoid crowding. This is an unsafe situation, and Bike Ottawa has written to the mayor to ask that this policy be reversed and that priority be put on the safety of vulnerable road users.
Bike Ottawa delegation on urban expansion
The update to Ottawa’s official plan aims to reduce car dependency and promote active transportation, but increasing residential development at the edge of the city will make those goals more difficult to achieve. On May 12, Bike Ottawa board member Barbara Greenberg presented a delegation to a joint sitting of the Planning Committee and Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee to oppose expansion of the urban boundary.
Trillium crossrides: When is an intersection not an intersection?
Here’s a riddle for you: what place in Ottawa has vehicles travelling in criss-crossing directions, but isn’t an intersection? The answer: any places where paths cross roads!
Lives lost. Roads re-designed. Lessons learned?
While the number of people using bikes in Ottawa continues to increase at a healthy pace, there are still growing pains that have left a mark on the city. Four cyclists lost their lives on Ottawa’s roads since May 2019, a toll not seen since 2012.
City of Ottawa should adopt a strong Vision Zero policy
This is a critical moment for safe cycling in Ottawa. On May 16th, a person was killed in front of city hall while cycling along the Laurier Avenue bike lane.