Upcoming Hans on the Bike Presentations in May 2019
As May approaches I am sharing two upcoming dates for cycling presentations: one for Jane’s Walk and one for the Ottawa Public Library. Hope to see you there.
Advocacy
Toronto’s international bicycle show
Some impressions from the Toronto international bike show last month, the “world’s largest consumer bicycle show”. Lots of road bikes, but also some other interesting nuggets. #ottbike
Report that pothole to 311 with Neappoli
Reporting potholes is now a breeze with the new Neappoli app. Send location and photos right from the location with your cell phone.
Elections 2018: Ward 9 Knoxdale – Merivale
Over the last two months, the Advocacy Working Group of Bike Ottawa put together a survey among all candidates for councillor and mayor for the 2018 elections to see where they are standing on traffic safety and particularly cycling. They were asked questions about connectivity, budgeting and if they actually cycle themselves. Good news There is a lot of good [Read more…]
The mystery of the Adàwe Crossing cycling numbers
Gone are the days that councillor Fleury walked through the Rideau river on his way to university following a self imposed desire line. Now there is the Adàwe crossing. And it is hugely popular. To get a better idea of its success, I took a belated look at the 2016 and 2017 data of the cycling and walking trips on [Read more…]
August 23: North of Nightfall: Proceeds to Nunavut Foodbanks
Tomorrow, August 23, a special screening takes place at the new offices of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society in Ottawa at 50 Sussex Drive (next to Terrace at the Falls). The Arctic Kingdom premiere of Red Bull Media House in association with Freeride Entertainment’s highly anticipated film, North of Nightfall! is tomorrow. Proceeds go to Nunavut foodbanks. Axel Heiberg Island, [Read more…]
How About a 2nd Billings Bridge in Old Ottawa South?
A hotly debated area for safe cycling in Ottawa is the intersection at Riverside and the Billings Bridge, built in 1916. According to BikeOttawa’s website, the intersection at the south side is the one that has the most reported collisions in Ottawa, including a deadly one, when Meg Dussault was waiting on her bicycle at a cramped sidewalk/MUP and a [Read more…]
Harmer Bridge Replacement: Lack of Clear Policy
For 55 years, the Harmer bridge over the Queensway served walking and cycling citizens on both sides of the Queensway, but this month it will be closed and removed in order to build a new bridge. The old bridge over the Queensway will be removed overnight and the new one eventually put in place overnight. The replacement will take two [Read more…]
I Cycled with an Astronaut through Downtown Ottawa
Wednesday June 27, I got a phone call from the office of the Governor General of Canada.: if I would like to join GG Julie Payette on a short bike ride on Canada Day. The Governor General is the official representative of Queen Elizabeth II in countries that recognize the Queen as Head of State. Which Canada does. The role [Read more…]
Cycling in Quebec: don’t get caught without reflectors!
In Quebec province a new law aims to make cycling safer. More reflectors on your bike, cycling with prudence on cross walks, no more demerit points for cyclists, no more signalling of an intention to stop for cyclists, hands on the bar override signalling when needed. Read more about the details here: some good and some questionable regulations. July 2, [Read more…]