Cycle Ottawa...On The Right Path Video
127 MB
Dialogue
Colin Simpson, Senior Project Engineer
Ottawa’s downtown area is an exciting part of the city. It is packed with business, entertainment, restaurants and history. It’s a busy area and travelling through the city’s core can be difficult at times. The answer for a safe and comfortable commute is to cycle on the new Laurier Avenue Segregated Bike Lanes.
Whether for business or pleasure, cycling is a healthy choice for both you and the environment. It’s also an affordable choice for people of all ages.
The City of Ottawa is building the first downtown segregated bike lanes in Ontario – another important step on the path to becoming a greener and more sustainable city.
Painted bike lanes are available throughout the city but busy streets with lots of traffic can be intimidating for some people. We have learned from other cities that bicycle lanes separated from motor vehicles provides comfort and safety for all road users.
Now, new segregated bike lanes have been installed on both sides of Laurier Avenue in opposite directions between Bronson Avenue and Elgin Street.
These new bike lanes are separated from motor vehicles through the use of concrete curbs, plastic poles, parked cars and planter boxes.
A new traffic sign will instruct motorists to remember to yield to cyclists and pedestrians when making right turns.
A straight arrow signal followed by a green ball will allow pedestrians and cyclists to move through intersections ahead of turning motorists.
The new left-turn bike box makes left turns simple and safe for cyclists. Proceed through the intersection on the arrow or green ball and enter the painted green box, turn your bike and wait for the signal to change before continuing on your way.
Right turns on red lights will no longer be permitted along this section of Laurier Avenue including all of the north-south cross-streets. This makes it safer for cyclists and prevents motor vehicles from blocking the new left turn bike boxes.
Cyclists – remember to watch for pedestrians at taxi and loading zones and at on-street parking locations east of Lyon Street. Pedestrians will be crossing the segregated bike lane at these locations.
New loading zones and on-street parking has also been added on Gloucester and Nepean streets to replace those spots removed from Laurier Avenue.
You’ll see some other changes on Laurier Avenue as well.
When travelling east on Laurier – the O’Connor intersection will see a shared through/right turn lane.
Left turns from Laurier Avenue onto Metcalfe Street will be restricted during weekday peak periods. These turns will not be permitted between 7 and 9 a.m. and 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
At Elgin Street, there will be one westbound through lane and a dedicated left turn lane that will be available throughout the day.
The Laurier Avenue bike lanes are an important step in connecting cycling paths across the city. East of Elgin Street, new painted bicycle lanes link you to the Rideau Canal pathways via the Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
Cyclists heading west can choose to bike through Chinatown and Little Italy via the new signed biked route west of Bronson along Cambridge, Primrose and Empress Streets.
Alternatively, westbound cyclists can also link up with the Ottawa River Parkway by choosing Bay Street and Wellington Street.
Mayor Jim Watson!
Since 2005, cycling is the fastest growing mode of transportation in the City of Ottawa. In fact, over the summer months cyclists make about 60,000 trips per day around the city. This bike lane is one of the initiatives we are focusing on this year. It will make the downtown more inviting and safer for everyone. This project supports business, the environment, tourism and your health. I invite you to take your bike out for a spin and join me on the new bike lane.
The New Laurier Avenue Segregated Bike Lanes Pilot Project is an important addition to Ottawa’s cycling network. Grab your bike and come on down – to shop, visit, work or play. Tell us what you think.