Bike Ottawa – Bike Ottawa

Our letter calling for temporary infrastructure in response to COVID-19

2020-06-242020-06-23 by Bike Ottawa

Montreal temporary cycling infrastructure

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

2020-05-312020-05-23 by Bike Ottawa

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

2020-05-312020-05-19 by Bike Ottawa

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?

2020-02-252019-09-16 by Bike Ottawa

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?

2020-02-242019-09-16 by Bike Ottawa

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

2020-02-242019-06-03 by Bike Ottawa

This is a critical moment for safe cycling in Ottawa. On May 16^th, a person was killed in front of city hall while cycling along the Laurier Avenue bike lane.

529 Garage: End bike theft

2020-02-242019-05-11 by Bike Ottawa

“Impossible! You can’t end bike theft!”

That’s an antiquated way of thinking.

Montreal Road revitalization moves into construction phase

2020-02-242019-05-08 by Bike Ottawa

The City of Ottawa has mostly completed the design for the Montreal Road revitalization from Vanier Parkway to St Laurent Boulevard and will soon begin construction.

Carling Ave cycling safety update: A fistful of sharrows and walk your bike signs

2020-02-242019-01-31 by Bike Ottawa

Bike Ottawa’s Advocacy Working Group (AWG) sent a letter to Stantec this week. We are concerned about the lack of safe cycling infrastructure in the design for temporary modifications on Carling Ave, west of Bronson.

Guest post: Making space for positivity

2020-02-232019-01-29 by Bike Ottawa

Recently, Bike Ottawa was contacted by one of our members about the importance of a positive attitude. We’d like to invite you to read the comment below, and to think about what communication styles are most effective at getting people to understand your point of view, or to get agreement on a solution.