By Shawn Barber, Ottawa Citizen, June 24, 2019
We need to talk. We need a conversation about the real facts of cycling and pedestrian safety in this city. Where are the real problems? What are the realistic, evidence-based options to make our streets safer?
Centretown is unique among Ottawa neighbourhoods, with more than 50 per cent of residents walking or cycling to work each day. In contrast, the city average is barely 10 per cent. That’s a lot of people crossing busy intersections every day on bikes, on foot, in motorized wheelchairs, or while pushing strollers.
Like the cyclist who lost his life on May 16 on Laurier Avenue, all are vulnerable to being hit and killed or seriously injured by cars and trucks of every size. These dangers are only going to get worse as our urban core becomes home to ever more people and the interactions between people and vehicles multiplies.
https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/barber-how-do-we-make-ottawa-truly-safe-for-cyclists-and-others