Category: cycling in Ottawa

bike path, bikewest, Booth St, Cdn War Museum, cycling in Ottawa, pedestrians, planning, road diet, roads, sidewalks, streetscaping, walkways6 Comments

Churchill Cycle Track takes shape

Westsideaction

  Churchill Avenue running north from Carling Avenue towards Westboro is being rebuilt today as a complete street. In addition to the regular car / truck traffic lanes on the street, there will be concrete walks and at the same level as the walkway, a cycle track. A cycle track differs from a bike lane, which is a painted zone on the street just off to the side of the car traffic. Road traffic can readily intrude into the bike lane (hello FedEx). The cycle track is separated from other vehicular traffic by a curb and buffer zone. The opening … Continue reading Churchill Cycle Track takes shape

Albert St, Bayview Station, bike path, Booth St, cycling in Ottawa, OTrain bike path6 Comments

No leaning on shovels at this city construction project

Westsideaction

A short while ago I mocked a City transit project on the west side that I described as “lollygagging along”.  * So it’s only fair we look at one that is moving with the (relative) speed of light. Yes, it’s back to the (in)famous Albert Street bus detour. Construction only began last week:  The city originally just wanted to remove the multi-use path on the north side of Albert, never to replace it. Community input caused it to be (temporarily **) saved, relocated. Then the same pressure got the City to replace it first with the new path, before digging … Continue reading No leaning on shovels at this city construction project

Bluesfest, Booth St, Cdn War Museum, Claridge, condos, cycling in Ottawa, design, LeBreton Flats, NCC2 Comments

Three temporary landscapes on the Flats

Westsideaction

Last night the NCC held an open house to unveil 3 concepts for landscaping the Beirut  Bagdad  Syrian war zone post-apocalyptic landscape in downtown Ottawa on the south side of the Parkway between Vimy Private (the War Museum entrance road) and Claridge’s condos on LeBreton Flats. It has long been a puzzle to WSA regulars as to why bureaucrats think people would rush to buy homes with such dismal surroundings. So the new NCC, with new Leadership, responding to criticism (not least of which came from their bosses up on the Hill) of the desolate lands, announced a few weeks ago … Continue reading Three temporary landscapes on the Flats

cycling in Ottawa, Ottawa, Toronto2 Comments

Novel bike rack

Westsideaction

  As seen at Ryerson University campus in Toronto. Eye catching shape. And it did attract a few cycles. I wonder if it really saved enough space to warrant the expense, and the deterrence to cyclists who wouldn’t want or were unable to lift up their bikes to park them. Wall mounted bike racks make regular appearances, and designers love to design new ones, but gravity remains their foe. That, and the length of chain required to attach the frame of the bike to one of the solid bars, neither of which was close to the frame. Continue reading Novel bike rack

cycling in Ottawa, pedestrians2 Comments

Towards Ghosts that Last

Westsideaction

I see in the media that Ottawan’s were treated to the dubious spectacle of both another ghost bike (out on Hunt Club Road) and its first ghost pedestrian, on Woodroffe near Knightsbridge. The ghost bike concept is a good one. The ghost bike, started as a guerilla action and now gone establishment, reminds subsequent passers-by of the fragility of life and to be careful for cyclists. On a road verge, the bike might remain for months (eg Bronson at the Canal) but is less welcome in front of an office building (eg Queen Street near Metcalfe) or doesn’t fit the … Continue reading Towards Ghosts that Last

cycling in Ottawa, OTrain bike path1 Comment

Stop lines, not stop lines

Westsideaction

  I notice with some puzzlement and curiosity that the white stop lines, or stop bars, so recently painted on the new OTrain pathway this spring, have now been changed to an intermittent pattern. I cannot recall if the “intersections” along the path used to have stop signs by the stop bars, but the signs certainly are “yield” signs today, accompanying the new semi-stop bars.   I wonder if this is a pathway-only feature, or if we can expect semi-stop bars where there are yield signs on motor vehicle roads. Are we overthinking and over-supplying signage that gets so complicated … Continue reading Stop lines, not stop lines

cycling in Ottawa, parking, Preston street7 Comments

The case of the missing bike posts

Westsideaction

  When Preston Street was rebuilt just a few short years ago, there were two bike posts installed on the brick pavers shown above. They were installed at the expense of the Preston BIA, since this predates the city program of installing parking-meter-post-conversions. One disappeared, then the other. I have brought this to the attention of our cycling advocates at city hall, suggesting the sturdier ring posts the city now uses would be very appropriate here. No dice. And I know others have made the same suggestion too, including Councillor’s staff and the (now defunct) RCAC. But those bike posts … Continue reading The case of the missing bike posts

bike path, cycling in Ottawa4 Comments

Counting cyclists — err, path users

Westsideaction

  Regular users of Ottawa’s pathway network soon notice the tell-tale under-asphalt loops that connect to counters. We saw pictures of the newest ones under the new OTrain path just a few weeks ago. For the first time there will be counts on a pathway from day one. But only for cyclists. The counters don’t count pedestrians, dog walkers, strollers, and other users. Our counters are also buried flush with the ground, in a miniature traffic man-hole. So the one above intrigued me when |I came across it in London, On. There’s the tell-tale cut in the asphalt sure, but … Continue reading Counting cyclists — err, path users

cycling in Ottawa, OTrain bike path10 Comments

City Hall employees should not read this

Westsideaction

This blog has a number of readers in the municipal bureaucracy. So I have to be careful with this story, because I don’t want someone rushing out to “undo” what some citizen has done. So, a Holiday Monday posting might help it slip through. And the exact location must remain a secret. We know that the bureaucrats want cycling and walking paths to “end” at a controlled intersection. Same thing when these paths are crossed by a street. So users of certain popular facilities get frustrated when a path ends at a curb that hasn’t had a curb cut, or … Continue reading City Hall employees should not read this

cycling in Ottawa, OTrain bike path6 Comments

Signs of cycling

Westsideaction

  The new OTrain public pathway is open for cycling, with the added challenge of dodging leftover construction vehicles. The path, even unfinished, is wonderful. And I am absolutely delighted to see the signage along the path. There are signs directing people towards the path, such as the one pictured above, on the Somerset Viaduct. There are signs giving directions, so you know which way you are going: I do have one quibble, and feel guilty for saying it, instead of just being thankful we got the path. These signs are made using street name sign blanks. But they are … Continue reading Signs of cycling

bike path, cycling in Ottawa, OTrain bike path2 Comments

One path opens, another closes

Westsideaction

The new OTrain multi-user path runs from the Ottawa River thru Bayview Station to Young Street at the Queensway, in the heart of Little Italy. South of Young it resumes as the circa 1964 path constructed by the NCC, which is now pretty much a cow path (pictures were in post a few days ago). As we get nearer to the Carling OTrain Station, we pass Pamilla Street which is opposite to Hickory Street, site of the new Hickory Street pedestrian overpass, which is supposed to be constructed while the OTrain is down for the summer. Perhaps it is in … Continue reading One path opens, another closes

bike path, cycling in Ottawa, OTrain bike path16 Comments

OTrain bike path nears completion

Westsideaction

OK, it is multi-user path, not just a bike path, but it still feels silly calling it a MUP. I was walking down the path on Saturday doing my best impression of a sidewalk  MUP superintendent  I had to walk since the path is still officially closed. The ribbon cutting is Tuesday 7 May at 2pm. It will be held on Young Street by the Queensway, since that is closest point limos can drive very important people to track. And if it rains, they can cut the ribbon under the Queensway overpass, err, graffiti art installation site. Presumably the path will be open … Continue reading OTrain bike path nears completion

cycling in Ottawa, Ottawa

Another bike variation

Westsideaction

The latest innovations in small electric motors has revolutionized e-bikes. I am particularly impressed by those e-bikes that offer pedal-assist (for hills, headwinds,  or worn-out riders). I am particularly unimpressed by e-bikes as just another way for lazy people to have a cheap motor-bike. Nonetheless, when state-side a while ago I tried out these CAT SCOOTERS at a street fair. CAT stands for Compact Adult Tricycle, and that is exactly what it looks like, a slightly bizarre child-size tricycle with a very long seat post and extended handlebars. Retailing for just over $2000 they are much cheaper than the Segway, which was … Continue reading Another bike variation

Confederation Line, cycling in Ottawa, NCC, O-Train, OTrain bike path, pedestrians, Preston street3 Comments

Preston “extension” bike path going, going … gone

Westsideaction

  The Preston Extension (shown above),  the leftover bit of pavement that runs north from the Preston-Albert intersection, that takes cyclists out to the Aqueduct bike path (now remediated into a pit) and eventually the  Sir John A Mcdonald (JAM?)  Path, is due to be closed this spring. It won’t reopen in a hurry. The surrounding brownfields will be remediated. For a clue as to what that will look like, examine the Damascas-like terrain out by the War Museum. Then the Confederation Line LRT track will replace the transitway. It will be bordered on both sides with six-foot chain link … Continue reading Preston “extension” bike path going, going … gone

cycling in Ottawa, OTrain bike path12 Comments

OTrain MUP’s muddy cousin

Westsideaction

The City deserves congratulations and praise for its construction of the OTrain MUP running from the Ottawa River to Bayview Station to Somerset Street to Gladstone to Young. The path is wide and straight and well-landscaped. Alas, it may be months more before it is opened. At its south end, Young Street, the new OTrain multi-user path joins the 1963 stone dust path that runs to Carling and then to the Prince of Wales. Here’s the joining point, looking from Young Street southwards:   Until a few years ago the stonedust pathway was very usable, and attractive in the summer: … Continue reading OTrain MUP’s muddy cousin

cycling in Ottawa5 Comments

Street beggars & city staff: separated at birth?

Westsideaction

OK, so the title of this story is rather extreme. But read on. I always say NO to beggars. My reasoning is as follows: if I give them money, I am increasing the demand for begging services. Soon, there will be more beggars because it is worth their effort to do so.  If I don’t give them money, I am signalling a lack of demand for their begging services, which should decrease the supply. And what do begging services do? Let someone who feels guilty “buy off” their guilt by giving money to someone else? I am sure there are better ways … Continue reading Street beggars & city staff: separated at birth?

Albert St, Bayview, Bayview Otrain, Bayview-Carling CDP, bikewest, Bluesfest, Booth St, Cdn War Museum, cycling in Ottawa10 Comments

Albert Street reconstruction – Back to the Future?

Westsideaction

  above: elderly gent attempts to give directions to city engineers who will shortly zoom off – but in what direction?   The section of Albert Street that runs through LeBreton Flats is up for reconstruction starting this year. Total reconstruction, as in deep sewers, new watermains, new pavement and curbs. But the wiring won’t be buried  that is a cost imposed on suburban areas not in central Ottawa. What will be the changes? Well, we don’t know for sure. The contract is being given to the Rideau Transit Group while the project is in the design stage, with more unknowns … Continue reading Albert Street reconstruction – Back to the Future?

cycling in Ottawa, hintonburg, streetscaping, walkways4 Comments

Smokin’ hot bike racks

Westsideaction

A reader kindly supplied this picture of the many innovative ways that bike racks can be used. This one is on West Wellington, just west of Holland. In this case the bike rack is still OK, abeit with a damaged ashtray box. I’ve noticed everywhere I walk in the city that bike posts are falling victim to plow damage. I do wonder how this conflicting use of a post will work out in the spring when more cyclists try to use it. Or maybe the adjacent restaurant wood prefer to cater to smokers rather than cyclists. Continue reading Smokin’ hot bike racks

cycling in Ottawa, LRT, OLRT, Ottawa, pedestrians2 Comments

Side effects of the LRT construction

Westsideaction

Assuming that the LRT project about to announced on Wednesday at City Hall won’t be saying “the bids were too high, and as your fiscally prudent mayor, I am therefore cancelling it” …I think we can assume it will be going ahead. To construct it, the City is applying to close part of Old Wellington Street. Finding Wellington is rather like searching for a moving target when it crosses the Flats. Recall that the current Wellington runs down from Parliament, past the Archives building, intersects with Portage Bridge, and swings through the Flats to cross Booth and Vimy and then … Continue reading Side effects of the LRT construction

Bayview Otrain, bike path, cycling in Ottawa, O-Train, OTrain bike path, pedestrians, Preston street1 Comment

Eric Darwin commemorative gate CLOSES soon

Westsideaction

Intrepid follows of this blog may recall the brou-ha-ha over the gate at the north end of Preston (aka the Preston Extension) where for decades residents have accessed the Ottawa River parklands. We even had a legal crossing of the Transitway ! Then one day — shock: Several times the NCC has tried to close the gate, but we beat them back. Some kind soul even put up a sign naming the gate after Qui- Moi? That sign is long gone, and today the NCC announced our gate and access to the Flats, the River, the bike paths … is … Continue reading Eric Darwin commemorative gate CLOSES soon

Bayview, Bayview Otrain, cycling in Ottawa, OTrain bike path

OTrain bike path paved

Westsideaction

Okay, I mislead you a bit with the title. It’s not a bike path, it’s a multi-user path, since cyclists, pedestrians, dog-walkers and their guardians are all welcome. And it’s not all paved, just the section from Somerset north to the Ottawa River. I suspect the section from Somerset to Young didn’t get paved due to the heavy equipment installing the staircase at Somerset. But I am hopeful we will get it paved before this winter. Herewith, the pic:   Continue reading OTrain bike path paved

Bayview Otrain, cycling in Ottawa8 Comments

Spreading the dirt

Westsideaction

Work continues on the OTrain bike and pedestrian pathway (the multi-user path, or MUP, in planning jargon). It looks awfully close to being ready to pave. Contractors are spreading topsoil along the edges of the path. On Monday I saw this gizmo spreading the topsoil over large areas: Here’s another picture of it, showing the source truck with the topsoil: A few days ago, both CTV and CFRA ran stories on the path. I can only imagine what CFRA found awful; but I did see the CTV report on their website. It was pretty pointless. They interviewed several cyclists along … Continue reading Spreading the dirt

bike path, Boston, cycling in Ottawa, Ottawa

Cycle tracks, beginning and end of

Westsideaction

In a previous post on cycle tracks (segregated cycling lanes set back from the general motor vehicular traffic, sometimes protected by parked vehicles)  –illustrated with pictures from the Cambridge MA cycle track installed a number of years ago — a reader inquired for more details on how the track segments begin and end. Ever mindful of faithful readers, here are two ends, alpha and omega: And just for completeness, the middle: Continue reading Cycle tracks, beginning and end of