4 • January 23, 2014
kitchissippi.com
@Kitchissippi
kitchissippitimes
KT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A Sure Sign That Spring is Just Around the Corner
Kitchissippi, meaning “the Grand River,” is the former Algonquin name for the Ottawa River. The name now identifies the urban community to the west of downtown Ottawa. Newswest is a not-forprofit community-owned publication that is distributed 12 times per year inside the Kitchissippi Times.
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Saturday February 15 Family Day Holiday weekend: Feb. 15 / 2 for 1 Meal Offer Feb. 16 & 17 / Backyard Sugar Makers’ Workshop All 3 days we offer: horse drawn rides, face painting, taffy 10 am – 2 pm
Editor Andrea Tomkins editor@kitchissippi.com 613-238-1818 x275 @kitchissippi
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Dear Editor, Have winter cyclists lost their good sense? Don’t get me wrong… I applaud their dedication to staying fit, saving the environment, reaching training goals, getting to work or whatever other reason they climb on their bikes this time of year. But come on, I know I am not alone in questioning not only their sanity but their better judgment when I drive past them on Scott Street. Or up the bridge at Albert and Bayswater. Or along Parkdale during rush hour. Or Holland after a dump of snow. Or Welllington/Richmond any time of day or year. It’s not safe. Driving in winter is a challenge: the roads are slippery; snowbanks fill the shoulder and spill into the road; some motorists drive the narrow slushy streets like they are on the Queensway in July. It’s not a leisurely drive in the comfort of our cars; it’s more like a stress-a-palooza behind the wheel. And then there is that crazy cyclist who throws more danger into the mix. Here’s the part where they need to listen up: to avoid hitting them, they often force motorists into making unsafe maneuvers on busy, congested, slippery roads. We absolutely do not want to hit them. But the road conditions are not safe for cyclists either. Some of them wobble into the lane, swerve in front of cars to get around clumps of snow and ride in car lanes because the shoulder is a snowbank. In the case of Scott Street between Parkdale and Bayswater, there is no shoulder! I haven’t forgotten that some drivers
Proofreader Judith van Berkom
are jerks and do stupid things to avoid cyclists on the road. Their unsafe driving to that end subsequently endangers other drivers, too. I am sure cyclists get angry when drivers don’t share the road with them, especially in winter where everyone should exercise more caution. But come on! It’s winter! Riding your bike on the road in winter? Really??? You can’t tell me that is safe for anyone. Is riding a bike this time of year so important that they risk the safety of everyone on the road? I am not saying that cycling should be banned from the roads in winter, nor am I saying that motorists shouldn’t share the roads with cyclists. What I am saying is that we all learn that safety comes first. Always. No exception. And I’m not just talking about cyclists’ safety, but motorists’ too. Don’t forget that the road in winter can be unsafe for cyclists AND drivers. There are days and road conditions where cyclists should exercise better judgment. On those days, I ask them, get off yer bike and take the bus like everyone else. And we will all get home in one piece. Please sign me, - An exasperated winter motorist We love to hear from our readers, and we welcome letters to the editor. Send them by email to: editor@kitchissippi.com You can also send your letter by snail mail to: P.O. Box 3814, Station C, Ottawa ON, K1Y 4J8 Please include your full name and contact info.
KT TWEETS @NancyFromCanada Christmas Tree beauty pageant at Westboro Beach bonfire party! #Ottawa cc @Kitchissippi pic.twitter.com/j5Zd1xnOYJ @SuitshisStyle Behind the scenes of a photoshoot w/ @scott_pm & @tinfoilstiaras for a @Kitchissippi article about Suit his Style! pic. twitter.com/gEGIuAHkHT @bikelanes_ca @Kitchissippi Yeah, we had a great time at the winter carnival this year! The Dovertails were delicious! @FisherParkCRC Wow! Fisher Park Rink was voted favourite rink in the ward by @Kitchissippi Times! Thanks to our volunteers and all who voted! @OttawaRinks Follow @Kitchissippi on Twitter for the inside scoop about about local events, news, and the people who make our community awesome.
Advertising Sales Lori Sharpe 613-238-1818 x274 lori@kitchissippi.com Donna Roney 613-238-1818 x273 donnaroney@kitchissippi.com Publisher Mark Sutcliffe mark@kitchissippi.com Associate Publisher Donna Neil donna@kitchissippi.com Creative Director Tanya Connolly-Holmes creative@greatriver.ca Production Renée Depocas production@kitchissippi.com Regan Van Dusen (maternity leave) Advertising 613-238-1818 x268 advertising@kitchissippi.com All other enquiries 613-238-1818 x230 info@kitchissippi.com Distribution A minimum of 17,600 copies distributed from the Ottawa River to Carling Avenue between the O-Train tracks and Woodroffe Avenue. Most residents in this area will receive the Kitchissippi Times directly to their door through Ottawa Citizen or Flyer Force. If you did not receive your copy, or would like additional copies, please contact us and we’ll deliver to you. Bulk copies delivered to multi-unit dwellings and retail locations. Copies available at Dovercourt Recreation Centre and Hintonburg Community Centre. patti@greatriver.ca 613-238-1818 x248 Tips and ideas We want to hear from you about what’s happening in our community. Contact the Editor. The Kitchissippi Times is published by
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