Are Dutch Bikes Still Dutch?
Reading Time: 4 minutesOn August 4, 2024 the Bicycle Craft Brewery in Ottawa hosts a Bikes + Beer pop up in Ottawa featuring sales of used Dutch bikes. But what makes a Dutch bike Dutch nowadays?
living in ottawa
Achieving Vision Zero in Urban and Rural Environments: conference
Reading Time: 4 minutesNext week, Canadian road safety experts are getting together for their annual national conference with the theme: Safe Mobility: Achieving Vision Zero in Urban and Rural Environments.
Looking for some social, local cycling events this weekend?
Reading Time: 2 minutesIf you feel like going out and socialise on your bike this weekend without donning a jersey and spandex for a ride to Toronto and back, here are some local ideas for casual rides and events.
NCC mulls replacement for Rideau Canal Skateway. “QED likely”: spokesperson
Reading Time: 4 minutesThis morning’s local newspaper reports on the NCC mulling the Queen Elizabeth Drive as an alternative for the Rideau Canal Skateway after several disappointing skate seasons. Even the mayor might be on board. Here is the entire article.
The Food Map of Merivale Road in 2024
Reading Time: 4 minutesThis is the second year I am posting a Merivale Rd Food map. The 2024 Merivale Food map shows all food outlets on a stretch of Merivale Road, and the post describes who left and who started.
My Free Little Library in Ottawa
Reading Time: 6 minutesLast year I built my own little library. I was nervous it would be vandalised but now, a year later, I can confirm it is a big success. Ottawa’s Transportation Committee will soon discuss new (modest) rules for curb site little libraries.
“Alexa, Don’t Send Me That Bike Shopper Pannier”
Reading Time: 4 minutesMay 2021 UPDATE: I ordered the panniers and had them sent to my sister’s in the Netherlands with the aim to pick them up in spring 2020. But then COVID hit and they are still sitting at my sister’s. It looks like I will not be able to pick them up until spring 2022 (!), so I ended up buying one pannier from MEC for not too much (zipper, no roll top). Orange no less, matching my bike! I am looking for a pannier to use on my trips through Ottawa. I have been using the cheapies, but eventually the [Read more…]
I Cycled with an Astronaut through Downtown Ottawa
Reading Time: 5 minutesUpdate January 21, 2121: the GG resigned after allegations of creating a toxic work environment. 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 of the GG is ceremonial and they are appointed every four years; sometimes a fifth year is added. Astronaut Payette The current Governor General is [Read more…]
Ottawa’s inner greenbelt bike commute approaches 5%
Reading Time: 7 minutesOttawa is a large place. We have a photo of my wife’s father standing in front of a row of brand new houses. The trees behind him look about 5 years old at the most. He is four years old and the neighborhood is called Old Ottawa South. ‘Old’ was likely added later as there was no New Ottawa South. Ottawa stopped at Billings Brickyards, now Billings Bridge Mall; Altavista didn’t exist. We are talking about the mid 1920’s. The automobile was just 40 years old. Amalgamation Through amalgamation Ottawa is now ridiculously large. Several small European countries fit together [Read more…]
A Visit to Canadensis at the Experimental Farm
Reading Time: 4 minutesBetween Hartwell’s Locks, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden and Prince of Wales is a small corner of land that is being used for Canadensis, a small botanical exhibit with several art installations themed around nature. Karen and I have been cycling past it dozens of times and recently we finally decided to park our bikes to check it out. (It’s free after all). We had noticed the banner from the road, but we were always on our way to something or someone. It is a true gem. Access is from the Experimental Farm pathway that leads off Prince of Wales towards [Read more…]