Enhancing Safety and Accessibility for Cyclists and Joggers Through Active Street Design

1. ActiveThroughStreets Citizens for Safe Cycling - http://www.SafeCycling.ca

2. The Problem • Cyclists, joggers fear busy streets • feel unsafe, air is polluted • Paths • Don’t go to desired destinations • Isolated - scary at night, often unlit • Residential streets • too many stop signs - drivers & cyclists ignore • still has dangers at intersections • slow progress - many stops, starts • tiring for cyclists - accelerate, brake, accelerate, ...

3. Goals • Increased safety and comfort for cyclists and joggers • Reduced effort • More cyclists, cycling longer trips • Accommodate both fast commuters and slower families • More continuous jogging & cycling • Encourage active transportation

5. Methods • Distinctive road design • Prioritise cyclists, walkers, joggers, wheelchairs • 30kph limit • Blocks to motor traffic when necessary • Use Signage, intersection paint, planters, benches • Pedestrian-friendly features • Benches, drinking fountains • Arterial crossing help, e.g.: • Signals, roundabout, crosswalk

8. Safety Benefits • Lower motor traffic volumes, speeds • Low speed differential with motorists • Less injury potential • Easier to avoid accidents • Less conflict at intersections • Safer arterial crossings

9. Efficiency Benefits • Fewer stops or delays than current local streets • Signals/roundabouts reduce delays at arterials • Continuous network - go anywhere --result in-- • Reduced cyclist fatigue, especially when using trailers for goods or children • More continuous protected jogging routes • Reduced travel time & effort for cyclists

10. Benefits to pedestrians • More pleasant environment for walking or sitting • Less noise from acceleration or braking • Less pollution from acceleration • Safer and more pleasant street crossings • Lower volume & speeds • Crossings protected by 2-way stop sign • Signals or roundabout at arterial crossings

11. Joggers support

12. Benefits to neighbourhood • Reduced through motor traffic • Safer, more pleasant environment • “Locality” improvements • more sense of a neighbourhood centre, focus • more pedestrian interaction • Less stop sign usage reduces acceleration, deceleration, resulting in • Less noise • Less pollution from brakes, acceleration • Less fuel usage

13. Cyclist Increase

14. Choosing a street • Residential street • Community routes in Ottawa Cycling Plan • Access to destinations • Schools, parks, shopping, community centres • Connections to • other bike streets, bike lanes, paths • Avoid • truck, transit routes - big vehicles, blind spots • retail shopping streets - many stops, parking • Create a network of connected routes

15. Slowing or Diverting Motor Traffic • Sometimes not a problem • Prevent or slow throughuse of street by cars using • Intersection diverters • Street obstructions • Roundabouts • Other methods

16. Car/truck Obstructionswhich let cyclists, walkers through

17. Woodpark Active Through Street Gives easy access to the Western Parkway path, Woodroffe, and Carlingwood

18. Extends Dovercourt bike route Blue/Green______Paths Red________Bike lanes Dashed lines are Ottawa Cycling Plan routes: Black - - - - - Community Red - - - - - - Spine Woodpark

19. Active through streets • Through street for cyclists, joggers, walkers • Largely residential streets • Low speed, low traffic volume • Use distinctive signage, paint, planters • Shared with motor vehicles • Signals/roundabouts at arterial intersections

20. Active Through StreetBenefits • Provide healthy, sustainable, efficient, and quick routes for cyclists and joggers • Faster, easier for cyclists and joggers • Encourage pedestrian & cyclist trips • Safer for all at intersections • Provide a pleasant community axis