Complete Streets Supporters

In the evening of March 26th, we invited the public to an information session at the University of Ottawa to learn more and join us in calling on the City of Ottawa to implement a strong Complete Streets policy, and to apply that policy to the entire urban boundary area. We believe that all of Ottawa’s residents, whether they live downtown, in the suburbs, or in rural villages, should benefit from Complete Streets.

A diverse group of organizations are voicing support for the city’s plans to create a Complete Streets policy and those groups will be sending representatives to the event. They include:

The Council on Aging of Ottawa “The Council on Aging of Ottawa (COA) supports the Complete Streets movement that directs that streets need to be designed to be safe and convenient for travel by car, foot, bicycle and transit regardless of age or ability.”

Ottawa Public Health “We are pleased to be part of this important city-building conversation as we recognize the important connections that exist between the places we live and the streets we travel, and our overall health and well-being,” said Dr. Rosamund Lewis. “Complete streets designed to be safe, comfortable and convenient for everyone contribute to the improved health, vibrancy and liveability of our communities.”

Heart and Stroke Foundation “When communities opt for active, healthy design, they set the stage for community members to be more active, protect their heart health and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Supporting Complete Streets for the City of Ottawa is a great opportunity for residents and groups to work together to develop in ways that support active living,” says Micheline Turnau, of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Walk Ottawa “Our streets are important public spaces that need to be safe, comfortable and convenient for all of us, no matter how we get around. It’s time to complete our streets,” says Michelle Perry of Walk Ottawa.

Green Communities Canada “Complete streets are safer streets for everyone including our kids. I can’t think of a better way for us to start making our roads and neighbourhoods safer for children to walk and bike to school, the park or a friend’s house,” says Wallace Beaton, Coordinator of the Ottawa School Travel Planning Project, Green Communities Canada.

Citizens for Safe Cycling “Now the infrastructure to get into downtown by bike is improving, we really need to look to the neighbourhoods and ask ourselves: are these roads safe enough to send our kids to school without parents’ company? We have forgotten that we can cover many of our daily distances by foot. The corner store, Tim Hortons and the library are in walking and cycling distance for many of us. As a city, we have to make sure that we provide the facilities to get to these destinations. It is really a no brainer: cycling goes through a real big boom, simply because car ownership is declining among the next generation. We need to prepare our streets for this.”

C.U. Cycling “Complete streets mean everyone is included. C.U. Cycling supports the complete streets initiative to make roads safer for the entire community and for citizens of every age and ability. The Carleton University campus is home to many students, staff, faculty, alumni, and neighbours. We rely on public and active transit to get to campus and to get around the city. Therefore, we support the complete streets initiative.”

Student Federation of the University of Ottawa’s Bike Co-op “Students are a vital part of the city of Ottawa and we rely on economically and environmentally responsible transportation to get to school, work, and home,” says Seamus Wolfe of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa’s Bike Co-op. “Students have already invested substantial amounts of money in the OCTranspo U-Pass as well as cycling infrastructure on campus—we urge the city of Ottawa to hold up their side of the bargain and make Complete Streets a reality.”

Graduate Students’ Association, Carleton University “Complete Streets are the streets of the future. They build community, improve both the environment and the health of residents, and reduce the need for expensive infrastructure required for private automobiles. The Council of the Graduate Students’ Association voted unanimously to endorse the Complete Streets campaign and is actively organizing with staff, faculty and university administration to make the streets on-campus and in the surrounding community safer and more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists. The Carleton community is keen to support a City that ensures funding is available to make Complete Streets a reality.”

EnviroCentre “EnviroCentre supports the adoption of a Complete Streets policy in Ottawa as a way to ensure that our roadways are open and inviting to all residents, regardless of their chosen mode of transportation. A Complete Streets policy fits with municipal objectives to encourage sustainable transportation and provides clear guidelines for planners and engineers,” says Jamie Stuckless, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator at EnviroCentre.”

Vanier Community Association “The Vanier Community Association promotes planning and development that emphasizes the interests of pedestrians, cyclists and transit-users alongside drivers—interests such as safe and enjoyable cycling; an enhanced pedestrian environment on our main streets; and green elements in the renewal of our residential streets. A Complete Streets policy will help ensure that the streets in our neighbourhood—and in all neighbourhoods—are developed in this way,” says Mike Bulthuis, President, Vanier Community Association.