A world without signs? We have one woonerf in Ottawa: part of Cambridge is designated as a woonerf. An ‘erf’ is a somewhat old fashioned Dutch word for the area around the farm house, where chickens roam, the dog guards and the cow explores. ‘Woon’ comes from the verb ‘wonen’, Dutch for ‘to live in … Continue reading »
Ottawa’s Sparks street tweeted a link to a survey earlier this week. “We’d like your help to improve your Sparks Street experience. Survey closes Jan 21st. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SparksStreet #ottnews #sparksstreet #ottawa” You will likely have noticed that the Sparks Street BIA has put executive director Les Gagné in charge of promoting the street, once the street … Continue reading »
Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18: Bicycle Facilities This is an item mentioned in the draft policy that I am really looking forward to. Book 18 is nearly ready; it will be the reference for engineers and planners and designers for bike infrastructure design. Many new ideas will be implemented is the expectation. The book, with … Continue reading »
After increased pressure from NDP Urban Transit critic Rosario Marchese and more recently Davenport NDP MPP and GTA issues critic Jonah Schein, Ontario Minister of Transportation Bob Chiarelli announced a draft bicycle strategy for Ontario and asks everyone for input. Finally, after earlier promises in August 2012 that he’d come with major announcements in weeks. … Continue reading »
I just received an email from Professor Buehler: “Thanks for the hospitality; I really enjoyed my stay and learned a lot”. – Ralph Buehler. It has been two weeks already since we waved goodbye to Professor Ralph Buehler, who spoke at the AGM of Citizens for Safe Cycling. We purposely planned the AGM in the … Continue reading »
Ottawa is a very safe place to cycle. But sometimes things go wrong. Terribly wrong. People die. Traffic deaths declining About 20 years ago, Canada counted 3963 fatal traffic accidents, in 2009 it dropped to 2209. That is still 6 people every day, or one every four hours. Day after day, week after week. In … Continue reading »
Ottawa is building bridges. That probably sounds like Stephen Harper is reaching out to Thomas Mulcair, but I am really talking about bridges. Currently a bridge is being built over the Airport Parkway. Design is under way to build a bridge over the canal and one over the Rideau river. Also, a bridge is planned … Continue reading »
Wider bike and pedestrian lanes for Gatineau-Ottawa commuters Update: Folks, this blog post is generating a lot of hits. Clearly, you appreciate the fact that Public Works is reaching out to us. I strongly recommend you also keep your councillor involved, as -although this bridge project is run by the Feds- eventually both ends end … Continue reading »
Last Friday, I received an email from the NCC in my email box, in which I was invited to join a session on how to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. The campaign appears to be organised by a company called “Outside the Cube – Innovative Strategists”. (June 26 update below) There is a questionnaire included, where we … Continue reading »
April is not a great month in Ottawa, so my wife and I had planned a trip to South Carolina and Georgia’s low country along the coast. The coast line resembles very much the Dutch coast line of about a thousand years ago before the Dutch closed the gaps between the sand banks. That in … Continue reading »
