Walkability and active transportation
With a view to improving walking and cycling infrastructure in Lowertown, LCA has conducted three walkability audits. In June 2013, Lowertown cyclists, walkers and residents using wheelchairs were joined by representatives from Walk Ottawa, Ecology Ottawa, Citizens for Safe Cycling, the King Edward Ave Task Force, the BIA, and, Councillor Fleury and city staff to tour Lowertown and the ByWard Market for a two-hour active transportation audit looking at the safety, comfort and convenience of the streets. We published a report, launched at City Hall in September 2013.
The report calls for a complete-streets approach to Lowertown to ensure safe and comfortable streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and the mobility-impaired, not just cars. Longer-term recommendations include improvements to:
Some short-term audit recommendations include:
In January 2014, we conducted a second audit looking at walkability in the winter. We advocated for active transportation during the 2014 election, and joined with many other community partners to hold an all-candidates debate on transportation issues. In February 2015 we held another winter walkability audit. We continue to follow up with the Councillor’s office, City staff, the BIA and other stakeholders to implement the recommendations. If you want to work to improve walking and cycling in Lowertown, please join us: send an email to [email protected].
Learn more about walkability and active transportation:
The report calls for a complete-streets approach to Lowertown to ensure safe and comfortable streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and the mobility-impaired, not just cars. Longer-term recommendations include improvements to:
- Public spaces, with added benches, trees, water fountains and public art throughout the community;
- walking and biking, with expanded pedestrian zones and the creation of a William Street pedestrian area running from Rideau to Clarence Street; and,
- traffic and parking, with a ban on truck traffic on King Edward Avenue and Rideau and Waller Streets and reduced on-street parking.
Some short-term audit recommendations include:
- Bans on sandwich boards on sidewalks throughout the ByWard Market;
- a two-metre minimum clear walking width to allow simultaneous passage of a wheelchair and a pedestrian;
- enhanced bicycle access through improved bicycle parking and signage; and,
- enforcement of the 40-km speed limit on King Edward Avenue and Sussex Avenue.
In January 2014, we conducted a second audit looking at walkability in the winter. We advocated for active transportation during the 2014 election, and joined with many other community partners to hold an all-candidates debate on transportation issues. In February 2015 we held another winter walkability audit. We continue to follow up with the Councillor’s office, City staff, the BIA and other stakeholders to implement the recommendations. If you want to work to improve walking and cycling in Lowertown, please join us: send an email to [email protected].
Learn more about walkability and active transportation:
- Lowertown Active Transportation Audit Report (September 19, 2013)
- [Video] Lowertown Active Transportation Audit Report 2013
- City of Ottawa 2013 Pedestrian Plan | Plan de la circulation piétonnière d'Ottawa 2013
- Op-ed: Designing streets that work for everyone (Ottawa Citizen October 4, 2013)
- What is active transportation? | Qu’est-ce que le transport actif?