Posted by Les Faber in As a resident of the Nation’s Capital, I am very happy to be blessed with a large amount of cycling trails to ride on. The bulk of the trails are managed by the NCC (National Capital Commission).
Unfortunately the trails are only part of what should be a huge bike network in Ottawa. The City of Ottawa manages a hodge podge of bike paths and roadway “rights of way” throughout the city. The problem is that there is absolutely no consistency. In other words, you can be riding down a main road on a segregated lane which simply “ends” without any warning at all. You become part of motor vehicle traffic very quickly.
I find this to be ill-planned and plain dangerous.
The end-result is a system of bike paths and trails which often lead to finite points. There really is no point. What this has done is create a breed of cyclists who are conditioned to brave not only the elements, but motor vehicle traffic. Have you ever ridden a bike in rush hour traffic on a road with no right of way for bicycles? I have. It’s not enjoyable.
I will, however, say that commuting in Ottawa is better when you are going East – West versus North – South.
It is a shame as the Nation’s Capital should have and demonstrate leadership in this area. To the casual observer, it appears as if we talk the talk…… but… don’t …walk the walk.
