By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, October 28, 2016
The owner of a construction company in the Gatineau Hills is planning a cross-country skating trail through the forest near Wolf Lake.
Dave Mayer already has permission from the municipality of La Pêche for the three-kilometre trail, which he says will be like the Rideau Canal Skateway, but without a canal.
By the Ottawa Citizen, October 28, 2016
Kinburn, just west of Ottawa, turns out to be a new hotspot for locally-produced wines. KIN Vineyards, is branding itself as “an Ottawa Valley experience that happens to include a vineyard.
”It starts with the soil. KIN Vineyards tends two vineyards tucked into the Carp Ridge, adjoined by the Carp River, and resting upon the grey limestone of the Ottawa Formation. Each vineyard supports a distinct terroir, a unique personality, and a potential for remarkable wine.
By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, October 27, 2016
Because the provincial government thinks citizens should have more of a say in how their neighbourhoods grow, it’s forcing cities to form new advisory groups to advise politicians on things like rezonings and long-term neighbourhood plans.
Because the City of Ottawa thinks it gets quite enough public input on these things as it is, it’s stacking its new “planning advisory committee” with the very people you’d think would get the advice, not give it.
By Susana Mas, Ottawa Citizen, October 27, 2016
Two new electronic road signs have gone up on O’Connor Street a day after a cyclist was hit by a driver making a left turn unto a recently opened segregated bike lane.
A 71-year-old woman was charged with failing to yield to traffic under the Highway Traffic Act, Ottawa police confirmed Wednesday.
The woman was making a left turn on Waverley Street at the corner of O’Connor when she struck a cyclist hours after the official opening of the new bikeway on Tuesday.
By Kelly Egan, Ottawa Citizen, October 27, 2016
The collision on Day One might be the best christening the O’Connor Street bicycle lane could ever hope for.
Bless the poor soul who was hurt, but the collision is a vivid reminder of the different dynamic in the new segregated lanes that take bikes north-south roughly from the Queensway to Laurier Avenue. It might be the giant, early alarm bell we all needed.
By Adam Kveton, Ottawa Metro News, October 26, 2016
Click here for a map of the 73 studies waiting to be done, and the seven studies the city is currently working on.
If you have concerns about traffic safety on your street, there is good news – the city has a program that can study and implement permanent changes.The bad news is it can take more than a decade for the study to start.
Data released to Metro show a backlog of 73 studies that the city has approved via its Area Traffic Management Program. These are studies waiting to be done – but for roads that have already been identified as having traffic issues, that could make them dangerous for pedestrians and/or cyclists.
By Kristy Cameron, CFRA News, October 26, 2016
City staff are already looking at tweaks to the segregated bike lane on O'Connor Street, after a cyclist was injured in the bikeway’s first collision on opening day.
Not long after the ribbon cutting, a cyclist was struck by a driver who was turning left on the one-way street, according to paramedics.
"With great smiles and ringing bells we went out ... and officially opened it," says Capital Coun. David Chernushenko. "Believe me, when I listened to the evening news and heard there had already been an accident, nothing more could have hurt more than that."
By CTV News Ottawa, October 26, 2016
On the official opening day of the segregated bike lane on O'Connor Street, a cyclist was struck by a driver.
On Tuesday, paramedics say the driver was turning left on the one-way street.The cyclist suffered shoulder injuries after being knocked to the ground at Waverley Street. The cyclist was in stable condition when he arrived at the hospital.
Police have charged a 71-year old driver with failing to yield to traffic.
By Julie Ireton, CBC News Ottawa, October 26, 2016
A fashion show on Wednesday evening featuring clothes produced from recycled fabrics will act as a showcase for local women learning how to turn their designs into thriving businesses.
The show, called Metamorphosis, is being put on by EcoEquitable, a charity that provides temporary employment and skills development training through small-scale textile recycling.
By Giacomo Panico, CBC News Ottawa, October 26, 2016
Reports of the first collision along the O'Connor Street bike lanes may be pushing cyclists to be more vigilant, but it doesn't appear to be discouraging them from riding on the new segregated lanes.
Bev Prokopowich heard reports about Tuesday's collision, which came just four hours after city politicians officially opened the bi-directional lanes.
"It hasn't scared me away from the lane. It's made me think a little bit more," said Prokopowich while stopped on her bike at a red light at O'Connor and Laurier Avenue.
By Ottawa Citizen, October 26, 2016
The new O’Connor Street segregated bike lanes opened about a month ahead of schedule. Shortly after the official ribbon cutting on Tuesday a cyclist was injured in a collision with a motor vehicle.
You might want to watch these safety videos if you ever plan on driving or cycling on any road with designated bike lanes.
By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, October 26, 2016
Ontario’s plants and animals are being pushed out by invasive species and the provincial government isn’t marshalling the fight against them, Environmental Commissioner Dianne Saxe warned Wednesday.
We’ve already failed to hold back emerald ash borers, tiny bugs that are in the middle of destroying about a quarter of all Ottawa’s trees, and Asian long-horned beetles could come for our maples next. Big wild boars are spreading to Eastern Ontario from the south, and a species of vine that wipes out food supplies for monarch butterflies has taken root throughout the Ottawa Valley.