Month: June 2016

PedalEasy Opens Storefront in Ottawa’s Bell’s Corners

June 24, 2016 Hansonthebike 2

Reading Time: 6 minutesLast week, I finally dropped in at PedalEasy, our own homegrown pedal assist e-bike manufacturer. PedalEasy started five years ago when co-founder Ron Wensel wanted to do more cycling after he survived a heart attack. Ron, a modest man who lives in Deep River, is a mechanical engineer who knows a thing or two about speed and energy. He served as the lead investigator following the Challenger Space Shuttle accident & subsequently as the lead designer of sealing for the Advanced Solid Rocket motors. After his heart attack he decided to use his inquiring mind and technology background to apply [Read more…]

The New Halifax Central Library

June 21, 2016 Hansonthebike 1

Reading Time: 5 minutesOttawa is working towards a new main library. The Halifax library is a nice example of what Ottawa should strive for. Taking advantage of location and sight lines.

Working towards Ottawa's Cycling Ecosystem

June 17, 2016 Hansonthebike 1

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen advocating for cycling, I have always envisioned more than just safe bike infrastructure. I think Ottawa has the potential to grow into a leading North American city for cycling. But that requires more than a high bike modal share and a high number of kilometers of bike lanes. It requires an ecosystem of governments, companies, consumers and academics who are all cooperating to raise the level of cycling knowledge. Cycling part of a city image I  hope that Ottawa’s Economic Development agency and the city’s and NCC’s marketing and communication (“marcom’ I learned recently) people eventually understand that cycling [Read more…]