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Bike advocates score '60-per-cent' win
Council transportation committee OK's compromise proposals, minus bike lanesOttawa Citizen, September 2, 2010, page C3
Kate Jaimet
An ambitious proposal to create a network of segregated bike lanes across downtown floundered at council's transportation committee on Wednesday. However, a last-minute compromise led councillors to approve some less-contentious measures to promote cycling in the city.
"I was headed for total defeat there for a stage and rescued about 60 per cent," said Rideau-Rockcliffe councillor Jacques Legendre, whose 10-point motion had been aimed at making Ottawa a more cycle-friendly city. "It has moved things forward, and I hope it will pass council."
The committee agreed to dedicate an additional $5 million each year to fill in gaps in existing bike paths, with the money for cycling infrastructure to come from the city's growth budget, not its "strategic initiatives" budget, which is chronically underfunded.
As well, if the committee's recommendations are approved by council, new rapid transit stations and trains will be designed to accommodate cyclists, bike routes will have better signage, biking shortcuts will be built into new subdivisions, and the city will truly implement its existing policy to favour cycling, walking and transit over cars.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/Bike+advocates+score+cent/3471545/story.html
Carling Ave. safety upgrades approved
Stretch between Moodie, Herzberg among the most dangerous for cyclists
CBC News, September 1, 2010
The City of Ottawa's transportation committee approved a motion to improve a stretch of Carling Avenue on Wednesday.
The roadway between Moodie Drive and Herzberg Road is considered dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. The unpaved shoulder is riddled with pot-holes, and cyclists and cars are forced to share one lane of traffic, with many vehicles speeding by at upwards of 80 km/h.
Cycling advocates have called that stretch of Carling Avenue one of the most treacherous in the west end.
Alex deVries, who maintains Ottawa Biking Problems, a blog devoted to trouble spots encountered by cyclists throughout the city, says this particular bit of roadway is a cause of much worry.
"I get a lot of complaints," he said. "This is the most complained about location in the city."
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/09/01/ottawa-carling-avenue-improvements.html
Ottawa council committee approves part of ambitious plan for more bike-friendly city
Ottawa Citizen, September 1, 2010
Kate Jaimet
An ambitious proposal to create a network of segregated bike lanes across downtown foundered at city council's transportation committee Wednesday. But a last minute compromise saw councillors approve some less-contentious measures for promoting cycling in the city.
"I was headed for total defeat there for a stage, and rescued about 60 per cent," said Councillor Jacques Legendre, whose 10-point motion was aimed at making Ottawa a more cycle-friendly city. "It has moved things forward, and I hope it will pass council."
The committee agreed to dedicate an additional $5 million each year to fill in gaps in existing bike paths, with the money for cycling infrastructure to come from the city's growth budget, not its "strategic initiatives" budget, which is chronically underfunded.
As well, if the committee's recommendations are approved by council, new rapid transit stations and trains will be designed to accommodate cyclists, bike routes will have better signage, biking shortcuts will be built into new subdivisions, and the city will truly implement its existing policy to favour cycling, walking and transit over cars.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Ottawa+council+committee+approves+part+ambitious+plan+more+bike/3470373/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
Committee OK's $5M boost for cycling
Ottawa Sun, September 1, 2010
Jon Willing
Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Jacques Legendre successfully fought for cycling enhancements during Tuesday's transportation committee meeting.
Legendre faced having all 10 of his recommendations referred to staff and, as a result, delayed until the next term of council.
The vocal cycling advocate convinced the committee to recommend to council a $5-million boost for cycling projects each year, subject to budget approval.
He also succeeded in getting cycling issues off the city's wish list and onto the growth plans.
Legendre, who's retiring from municipal politics, is pleased the ball is rolling on cycling issues.
http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2010/09/01/15213656.html
Editorial: New urban philosophy
Ottawa Citizen, September 1, 2010
There was a time when Ottawa was considered a haven for cyclists. The city, with the help of the National Capital Commission and vast tracts of green space, has an impressive -- if incomplete -- series of recreational pathways that offer a rambling tour of the region's prettiest sites.
Those pathways have been used and enjoyed by Ottawa residents and visitors for years, but they will never turn this into a city where cycling is central to transportation. In order for that to happen, the city and the NCC must invest in direct and safe commuter routes -- with lanes that are separated from traffic by barriers -- particularly through the downtown, and must include cycling in all infrastructure planning, from the ground up.
The role of cycling in the urban landscape is increasingly preoccupying planners across North America, and Ottawa has a long way to go to keep pace. This city's cycling infrastructure is largely built for aimless Saturday afternoon jaunts, not the kind of daily use that allows people to safely rely on bicycles, rather than cars, to get from A to B.
Happily, there are signs that things are beginning to change. The National Capital Commission's Marie Lemay has said a lot of promising things lately about turning Ottawa into the kind of bicycle-friendly city that would serve as a model for other Canadian cities. The NCC can't do this alone, obviously. The commission has to work with the city to make sure bicycle-first planning makes sense.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/urban+philosophy/3466918/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
Cyclists excited about new Alta Vista 'pathway'
Ottawa Sun, September 1, 2010
Tony Spears
Bell-less bikes have a way of sneaking up on people, but the same can't usually be said for construction equipment.
And yet Alta Vista residents were caught off guard when work began on a recreational pathway that will connect Smyth Rd. with Walkley and Conroy roads through a green corridor 2 km long.
"It was a bit of surprise," said Rick McLaren, who saw bulldozers appear in the green space behind his home about two weeks ago. "I would have liked to have known about it."
He learned of the plan through contractors working on his home who had spoken to city workers.
But he's not "overly fussed" by the plan, provided it doesn't lead to a roadway.
Janet Mark Wallace was downright enthusiastic.
"I'm totally, totally thrilled," the avid cyclist said. "I'm so happy that the government has enough foresight to go through with this."
http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2010/09/01/15213766.html
Emerald ash borer spreads far, fast
Beetle reaches Experimental Farm in just two years
Ottawa Citizen, September 1, 2010, page C1
Kristy Nease
The emerald ash borer has spread more quickly than expected across Ottawa.
It was believed that it would take five years for the destructive insect to reach the Central Experimental Farm, but it did it in only two, according to Pierre Huppé, the chief of grounds maintenance at the farm.
Huppé said a borer was found in a trap at the farm just two weeks ago.
"It was just a matter of time. I don't think we have much control over the spread of the insects for now," he said.
Huppé said staff at the farm had been expecting the borers and have already been planting oaks, maples and other trees in the area.
A borer was also found in the city's west end outside the existing area of infection, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed Tuesday.
The borer was found in an insect trap south of Fallowfield Road near Richmond Road.
The agency is putting restrictions on the movement of wood from this area, the agency said in a news release, and will consider further restrictions once this year's surveying is finished.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Emerald+borer+spreads+fast/3466940/story.html
