NCC's bike friendly canal-side amenities

One of my complaints about Ottawa has always been the lack of waterside amenities. Where can you stop for a drink or a bite while you're out biking in this city? Well, the NCC has surprised me this summer. First, we had the NCC allowing ice cream vendors along the multi-use pathway. Today, I noticed a "pop-up" bar across from the Congress Center. Not elaborate by any stretch but a nice little spot to watch the world go by and have a drink at the same time.



Canal side pop-up bar



Even more exciting is a new seasonal restaurant/bar being built just north of the Corktown Footbridge on the Colonel By side of the canal (along the multi-use path.




Seasonal restaurant/bar

New E-bike rules for NCC pathways

The National Capital Commission has announced the new rules for electric bike use after public consultation. The new rules are as follows :

Capital Pathway

Electric-powered vehicles are prohibited on the pathways, with the exception of powerassisted bicycles that are physically similar to conventional bicycles. To further clarify,
scooter-type power-assisted bicycles (i.e. with a fairing) are prohibited.

Electric-powered bikes are the ones that look much like a moped. I'm glad they have banned these on the pathways. Why? My personal experience is they are always exceeding the 20k speed limit and I have never once heard a bell or signal from the rider/driver. This is quite important as they are almost completely silent. Even a well-maintained bicycle makes some noise as pedals are turned and gears shifted.

Bike lanes

Electric-powered vehicles are prohibited in bike lanes, with the exception of powerassisted bicycles (of any type). To further clarify, scooter-type power-assisted bicycles
(i.e. with a fairing) are permitted.

The N.C.C doesn't have many bike lanes but Island Park Drive would be under their jurisdiction. They are also constructing a bike lane along Wellington Street towards the Portage Bridge.

Sunday Bikedays and Saturday Short Loops programs

Electric-powered vehicles are prohibited on parkways closed to motor vehicles for the
Sunday Bikedays and Saturday Short Loops programs, with the exception of powerassisted bicycles that are physically similar to conventional bicycles. To further clarify,
scooter-type power-assisted bicycles (i.e. with a fairing) are prohibited.

Multi-use trails in Gatineau Park

Electric-powered vehicles are prohibited on natural surface trails intended for hiking and
mountain biking

Exceptions

These rules do not apply to motorized mobility aids (wheelchairs, three-wheel electric
scooters and four-wheel electric scooters).

There you go. I think this was a good decision but it will be interesting to see if the N.C.C actually enforces it. We shall see.

Let's share the path!

One of Ottawa’s most popular cycle routes is the multi-use pathway that runs along the Queen Elizabeth Driveway on the west bank of the Rideau Canal. It is used by runners, skateboarders, parents with strollers, those walking dogs and those just out for a stroll. It is NOT a bicycle path.





However, it is heavily used by cycling commuters and the pathway can get quite busy in the morning and afternoon rush hours.
The afternoon rush can be a rather difficult time to be anyone but a cyclist on the MUP. For some reason, human nature I imagine, people are in far more of a hurry to get home than they are to get to work. This is a problem. People in a hurry. Rather, cyclists in a hurry. A big hurry. I know how fast 20kph is and so many are speeding. It’s particularly dangerous at the wide curve across from Waverly Avenue.

I walk this pathway almost every day after work to meet my partner. It’s a lovely walk in the spring when the lilacs are in bloom and in the fall when the colors are changing. In fact, it’s one of the better places to walk in Ottawa. Who doesn’t like a stroll along a river (or a canal)?
Well, one fellow that passed us recently certainly did not appreciate the beauty of this pathway or respect that it’s a shared pathway. As we were walking home, another couple exercise walking, came up behind us. They passed us on our left just as anyone would while walking, running or cycling. However, they straddled the centre line as they passed us by. Our cyclist in a hurry found this to be an outrage. As he passed all four of us, so close he almost touched the other couple, he had to flash us the one fingered salute as he vanished at a high speed. Yet another cyclist giving us all a bad name.

This sense of entitlement to the pathway, this get out of my way I’m an important person in a hurry attitude just sends such a terrible message about cyclists. Many are coming too close to pedestrians. Here’s a suggestion. How about slowing down a little…maybe take in the scenery and enjoy your bike ride and let others enjoy what they are doing as well. Let’s share the path!