The Laurier SBL is clear but how do you get to it?

I was surprised by the number of cyclists I saw today in the snow and messy conditions. The Laurier Avenue segregated bike lanes SBL) were in good shape today as the city had their little machines keeping them clear and salted during the day. However, it was very annoying (to say the least) to see the shape of both the Lyon and Bay Street bike lanes. Just like last year they were completely covered in snow and unusable as bike lanes. The multi-use pathway along the canal was snow-covered as well. Bike lanes are the responsibility of the city and the multi-use pathways (MUP) are maintained by the National Capital Commission. Both bodies seem interested in encouraging cycling in Ottawa. The city is making an effort to keep the Laurier SBL clear, but if you can't get to it on a reasonably well-maintained route is the effort worth it in the end? The lanes on Lyon and Bay, and the MUP, are all well-used bike pathways and it would have been nice to see them maintained as part of a network along with the Laurier SBL.




The Laurier SBL looking east from Bay Street. Well salted and plowed but can you get to it?



Lyon Street bike lane...yes, it's there under the snow and slush.



Bay Street bike lane...what is the sign pointing at? A bike lane?



The snow-covered MUP along the Queen Elizabeth Driveway and a dedicated cyclist.

Ottawa's Bixi fleet rolls out!

Ottawa's Bixi cycles had their inaugural roll out this morning under less than promising skies. However, several journalists and CBC television were on hand to cover the launch and several keeners hung about eager to take the first ride. So, what do Ottawa's Bixis look like? Well, surprise, surprise, they are red and white. Capitale is the logo, not Ottawa. Quite striking and very Canadian!

There will be a total of 10 stations in the Ottawa and Gatineau areas. Downtown locations include the Elgin Street station beside the National Arts Centre as well as Queen and O'Connor and Queen and Lyon. Booth Street near the Canadian War Museum will have a Bixi station as will the market area with a station located at the Murray and Mckenzie intersection by Major's Hill Park. This location had only one loney Bixi but I imagine this is because the Elgin site had 20 bikes of which only 10 will be staying there.

The lone Bixi near the National Gallery of Canada.

Ottawa's attractive Capitale Bixi.


It didn't take long for the public to start using the Bixis. In fact, it looked like several people were milling about waiting for the media to get out of their way. Not everyone wants to be on television.

The first couple to ride off on the Bixis.

Another Bixi sampler.

I haven't actually riden a Bixi yet. It's the same design as the Montreal and Toronto Bixis. The only bike-share bike I have used is the Stockholm bike and it's a smaller, lighter design. The Paris bike is also a different style. Bike-share cycles tend to be somewhat heavy but this is because they need to be rugged to put up with the abuse they'll likely receive. I intend on hopping on one soon and I'll post a review.

Montreal Bixi

Great links on the NCC website!!

The National Capital Commission has some great information on their website about many of the issues I have been following lately. In November, the NCC in conjunction with Google Maps, added the cities cycling routes to Google Maps. Especially handy for those new to Ottawa or for those cyclists who may not know the best ways of getting around. You can type in your address and destination and then highlight the bike icon and Google Maps will lay out a route for you. Nice!

Cycling in Canada’s Capital Region - National Capital Commission ::

At the bottom of the page you can click on Jan Gehl's presentation at the Museum of Nature in October. Anyone curious about making communities more liveable and interested in cycling should give it a view. It is quite long but well worth it. For those who don't know, Jan Gehl is a Danish urban arcitect. He is an expert on making cities more people-friendly and is an interesting and humorous speaker. Jan Gehl Architects were brought to Ottawa to help work with the NCC and the cities of Gatineau and Ottawa on improving our cycling infrastructure. Check it out if you have the time.