I saw an article in http://eedition.ottawa.24hrs.ca/epaper/viewer.aspx

for a pilot project
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/public_cons...e/index_en.html

The City of Ottawa, in partnership with consultants McCormick Rankin, is conducting a planning study for a segregated bike lane pilot project in the downtown core. This Council-directed project represents a strategic initiative to improve the quality of life for Ottawa residents, benefit local businesses, improve safety for cyclists and attract a broader group of cyclists including women, children and the elderly.
The planning phase of this project is underway. The study area is from Preston Street to Elgin Street and Wellington Street to Catherine Street. The study will determine what east-west downtown streets are best suited for a pilot project and what type of facility is most appropriate.
Consultations with public stakeholder groups and a public open house will take place before results of the study are presented to the Transportation Committee.
If you have questions about this study, please contact:
Colin Simpson MCIP RPP
Senior Project Manager
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West, 4th Floor
Ottawa ON K1P 1J1
Tel: 613-580-2424, ext. 27881
Fax: 613-580-2578
E-mail: colin.simpson@ottawa.ca



Public Meeting Dates
Monday June 7, 2010
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Dalhousie Community Centre
755 Somerset Street West
(Room capacity 50 people)

Tuesday June 8, 2010
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
McNabb Community Centre
180 Percy Street
(Room capacity 50 people)

Thursday June 10, 2010
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Dominion-Chalmers United Church,
Woodside Hall
355 Cooper Street
(Room capacity 150 people)

Monday June 14, 2010
5 to 7 p.m.
City Hall – Rotunda
110 Laurier Avenue West
(Room capacity 300 people)

more: http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/public_cons...1/index_en.html



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some don't like the idea, especially "racer" types.
Me, I like the idea. Not everyone is comfortable out on the roads. And, the elderly on bikes may move more slowly than others. Those with families want security that the roads are safe and their kids are kept away from careless/ignorant/impatient moving metal objects...
I'm sure the intersections will still be the issue as always. But, hopefully these get resolved as time goes on.

And, segregated bike lanes may offer up more safety to cyclists in some regards, such as open doors, or people cutting right or left into a parking lot etc...
If you get hit out there, you are absolutely screwed... I'm still waiting for payment for the damages done by someone who turned left into me (see HTA 141.5). I heard it can take months to resolve insurance claims. And, injury claims are suppose to take years to resolve. I guess they hope that you die or something before claiming ? who the hell knows...

many other cities have them, so why can't we?
Sure, there will be grumpy bastards btching up a storm. But, maybe they otta try them!
get their lazy rear ends out there using pure muscle power to haul their butts around town.

And, I'm sure local business will hate it at the beginning, maybe only to find business actually increasing in the long run as people get out of their metal cage and actually get a chance to see a store front. Its a perfect opportunity for stores to advertise and to get personal with the community. Why not offer up "free-bees" to cyclists going by on their way to/from work as they go by. Try to do that with someone in their metal box... yah right... they'll run you down.

Should be interesting to see how this evolves. Will Ottawa embrace it or tear it down.
Lots of potential for new business and new ways of doing things.
We'll have to see... its a start.

. beep beep .

I like bike lanes too...
However, at arisk of sounding like you, I don't like their false sense of security...They SHOULD be a safe place to ride, but sometimes they aren't...I see it all the time in Kanata, people DRIVING in the bike lanes, thinking they are just a tiny lane on the right side...

But otherwise, having that bit of space on the road is nice.

I say we should all be tough mother fkrs and get out there on them roads!!!
Be a man damn it!
Take a couple of hard azz shots and grow up damn it. What are yah a wimp?
That's the way some people view it....


Anyhow,

depends really...

how they (bike lanes and such) are designed.

Bike lanes can prove fault in some regards. Its similar to the 3ft virtual circle that they are trying to push through at the provincial level.

I think segregated bike lanes means totally cut off from traffic as they have in Denmark and other "developed/advanced" nations. We kind of lag behind them in some regards.

Its not and end all and be all for many other things have to change.

If they create these lanes, meanwhile they increase the population density by 2 million people all of which drive everywhere because they can... well, sooner or later, yah have to integrate in there with the masses (be it at an intersection, a road outside the city limits, etc...)

I think the key to the above plan is to get more people active. Not just the "racer" types (I can't believe some of the thoughts out there... ridiculous!!!). Its to get more families biking, to get more aged people out biking and feeling safe while doing it, etc...

I think Denmark and areas have a more synergistic and wholistic approach to it all because they have to.
We don't... yet. Yah'd have to jack gas up to 5 bucks a liter, increase parking to 30 bucks a day, have tolls into the city at 8 bucks, etc.... everything is subsidized big time right now and we all pay the price for this thing we call "freedom". Until people realize the true costs, they won't change.

But, the above is a start. Will be interesting to see if ottawa embracess it or tears it apart.
Its kind of a litmus test really - how far gone are we...

I think it will probably be embraced...say what you will about the city and it's views on cyclists, but we do have several things here that are either shared use or just for us...bike lanes, those wierd ass rent-a-bike things, bike pathways...

have to see... its a litmus test of the city.
embraced - then we are willing to change.
tear it down - then you know we're in for some troubled times ahead.. (more tax increases for one as everyone wants on them roads)

The city has grown tremendously over the past 10 years. It "vision" has changed tremendously as well.
Its going from a quaint "small feel" sort of city to one of growth.
It was built to handle so many vehicles and such.
As we grow, the city will feel the effects of the belt getting tighter around the waste.

I'm all for the plan, for the less traffic during rush hour the better off we all are. Rush hour traffic is extremely extremely costly on the infrastructures and to our pocket books (taxes). Hopefully, these segragated bike lanes will bring the costs down as more and more people, hopefully, jump on their bikes during rush hour. Imagine the tax savings we could have... and the fuel saved... etc...

we'll have to see though... only time will tell.

I was thinking today on my ride into work...it'd be awesome if they plowed those lanes in the winter. A bike lane that is plowed and protected by a cement barrier? Awesome

yah, that would be pretty neat.
I wonder if a lot of people would use it in the winter though?
(I don't bike downtown all that often, my ride takes me south to east)

Ideally, it would be cool to have something like the Vancouver sky train, with a covered bike tunnel on one side and pedestrain/running tunnel sort of thing on the other side. The thing completely elevated over the 417 and other areas of the city. People could park their bikes at key locations in a secure facility with a rental fee. Then jump on the bike tunnel to get to/from work or where ever they had to go.
Major major initial costs though, but huge huge savings over the long run.
things don't operate in the long run though, so scrap that idea....

the segregated bike lanes are a start, hopefully it sparks more and more interest into people cycling.
With it, will come more demand for more facilities to help people get from A to B efficiently, effectively and safely (keeping in mind, not everyone likes to bike on the roads - like some of the elderly or families with young kids etc...).

They really have to do something for the people in Kanata, Orleans and Riverside south though. The infrastructure is pretty minimal to none in some parts. Hence, the sky train concept could work for all types of commuters...