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Boost bike network to hit cyclist target, advocates say Significant changes needed for city to hit ‘modal share’ goal for Lansdowne Park Laura Mueller
laura.mueller@metroland.com
EMC news - It’s nestled in the heart of the city, bounded by the Rideau Canal on one side and accessible by a limited selection of narrow neighbourhood streets. Lansdowne Park and its dense urban surroundings are no suburban Scotiabank Place, and that means people are going to have to change their thinking about how they plan to get there, the city says. After the site is redeveloped with a renovated stadium, new retail offerings, a cinema, offices and homes, the city is hoping that more people will see the wisdom in hopping on a bicycle to get to Lansdowne Park. When it comes to big events, the city expects up to three per cent of trips to Lansdowne Park to be made by bicycle. That’s the cycling “modal share” anticipated for the city as a whole by 2031, according to the transportation master plan. It’s also higher than any other North American stadium that one cycling activist researched – but he still thinks it’s do-able. Alex deVries, vice president of local cyclist advocacy
group, Citizens for Safe Cycling, found that Ottawa’s plans include an “unusual expectation” that more people will bike to the stadium at Lansdowne than the overall city average for cycling, which is about two per cent right now. DeVries applauded the city’s goal to get people on bikes. But he came to city hall on March 7 to tell councillors that telling people to cycle and even giving them a place to park their bikes when they get to Lansdowne is not enough. The city needs to look beyond Lansdowne Park itself and update the cycling plan for the Glebe to ensure that people have direct and convenient ways to get to the site on their bikes, deVries said. “The Ottawa cycling plan has been stale,” deVries said. “The problem is that the world has changed because Lansdowne is now going to be a major destination. “How do you get there from Hintonburg and Westboro? What about from north of the Queensway? What are the routes?” deVries asked. Creating cycling lanes, improving intersections with cyclist in mind and putting up wayfinding signs are helpful
Image courtesy the City of Ottawa
A report discussing transport demand issues related to the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park, a portion of which is shown in this artistic rendering, recommends the creation of parking for 450 bicycles at the site. ways to get non-cyclists out of their cars and onto bikes. “What we need to do is get new people to cycle – people who would otherwise normally drive to the stadium,” deVries said. The National Capital Commission’s multi-use pathway along the canal is a great way for nervous cyclists to make their way to Lansdowne, deVries said, but the NCC and the city need to work together
to create a crossing to make it safe for cyclists and pedestrians to cross from the path over Queen Elizabeth Drive to Lansdowne. DeVries’ other ideas include making improvements to O’Connor Street so that it can be used as a north-south route instead of Bank Street, which is a bit more intimidating for novice cyclists due to the high level of traffic and the amount of on-street parking
and pedestrian traffic. “Right now that access isn’t identified in the plans, but it should be,” deVries said. For an east-west cutthrough, the city should look at altering a pedestrian access at Fifth Avenue and Lyon Street to allow cyclists to use it, deVries said. DeVries wasn’t alone in his call for the city to back up its cycling numbers with improvements to make it happen.
Michael Powell, chairman of the city’s citizen advisory group on roads and cycling, echoed deVries’ comments that the city needs to look beyond the site itself. “The city has set a very aggressive target for modal share,” Powell said, adding that Ottawa will have to be diligent to ensure it can reach that three per cent target. Some creative thinking, like painting a “contra” westbound cycling lane on Holmwood Avenue (a one-way eastbound street) to enable cyclists to get through the Bank Street intersection to the Lyon Street bike lane without making a left turn. The committee was discussing a series of updated reports for transportation at Lansdowne, including a transportation demand management report. Dedicated bicycle parking for 450 bikes should be provided on site, the report states, including secure parking for all of the future residents and for a portion of the parking allotted for the offices and retail (mainly for employees. More bike parking would be added during special events. The “cattle castle,” or the Aberdeen Pavilion, could provide room for an indoor supervised bike corral. The report also recommends that space be set aside for a Bixi station at Lansdowne.
Pet Adoptions PET OF THE WEEK ZIPPER
ELVIS ID#A141019
Is a two-month-old unaltered male, gray and white Abyssinian swirl guinea pig. This little guy was surrendered to the shelter by his owner on March 3.m Guinea pigs make delightful companions for both adults and families. Once settled in their new home, guinea pigs are inquisitive, friendly and talkative. Elvis is still young so he’s looking for owners who will give him love and attention so he grows into a social and affectionate pet. To find out more about Dove, Drift or other cats available at the Ottawa Humane Society, visit the OHS website at www.ottawahumane.ca to see photos and descriptions of all of the animals available for adoption or stop by the Adoption Centre, weekdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you’re looking for a new pet, please contact the OHS Adoption Centre at 613-725-3166 ext 258, or visit our new shelter at 245 West Hunt Club Rd.
THE OTTAWA HUMANE SOCIETY: MORE THAN JUST AN ADOPTION CENTRE
R0011314859
The Rescue and Investigation Services (RIS) team at the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) has trained OSPCA agents and inspectors who investigate suspected cases of animal cruelty or neglect. Inthese cases, , the animals concerned may be removed from the owner’s premises if they are in immediate distress. Agents or inspectors adhere to regulations under the Ontario Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act. These agents may also lay charges where willful neglect or abuse can be proven. Charges are laid under the Crimi-
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nal Code of Canada, primarily sections 444 through 447, or the OSPCA Act. Distress as defined in the OSPCA Act: “Distress” means the state of being in need of proper care, water, food or shelter; or being injured, sick or in pain, or suffering; or being abused or subject to undue or unnecessary hardship, privation or neglect. In the OHS 2010-11 fiscal year, the RIS team logged 1,197 investigations and laid 33 charges of animal abuse and cruelty under the Criminal Code of Canada or the OSPCA Act. In the same time frame, the OHS re-
Please note: The Ottawa Humane Society has many other companion animals available for adoption. Featured animals are adopted quickly! To learn more about adopting an animal from the Ottawa Humane Society please contact us: Website: www.ottawahumane.ca Email: Adoptions@ottawahumane.ca Telephone: (613) 725-3166 x258 Ottawa West EMC - Thursday, March 15, 2012
ceived more than 1,500 emergency calls from members of the community. The Provincial Animal Welfare (PAW) Act changes occurred in March 2009 and toughened the Ontario SPCA Act, creating new provincial offenses and imposing stiffer penalties for those convicted of animal abuse. Although legally mandated to enforce the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada, the OHS does not receive any government funding, or funding from any animal welfare group, and relies on donations to perform this essential work.
Magoo This is our one year old Jack Russell, who my 5 year old introduces to everyone as “Magoo” from Prescott. Magoo is very happy residing with his four boys and loves nothing more than tearing apart toys that squeak! Do you think your pet is cute enough to be “THE PET OF THE WEEK”? Submit a picture and short biography of your pet to find out! Simply email to: cfoster@thenewsemc.ca attention “Pet of the Week”
12-5303 Canotek Rd.(613) 745-5808 WWW.TLC4DOGS.COM
0315
ID#A139976 Zipper (A139976) is a handsome two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix who is full of life and raring to go! This energetic fellow loves to stay busy and will need plenty of opportunity for exercise. He would make a great running partner or companion for an active owner who loves the outdoors. Zipper has participated in an obedience course during his stay at the shelter and has learned his basic commands. He is highly food-motivated and eager to please. With a bit of fine-tuning and guidance from his owner, this happy-go-lucky dog will make a wonderful pet. Zipper loves to use his voice; for this reason, a single-dwelling home is a must. If you are an experienced owner looking for an active, affectionate, and playful dog, Zipper may just be the one for you! To learn more, please contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 258 or come visit us at our new location, 245 West Hunt Club Road.