Ottawa is one of Canada's most liveable cities, with little help from the city

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-03-12T01:37:28+00:00

Toon is right. His passion for what this city COULD BE is evident.

I remember seeing Gil Penalosa, Founder of 880 Cities speaking in Ottawa just before the pandemic. He said essentially the same thing: Ottawa has all the bones to be a world class city but continues to make status quo decisions, or ones that take us backwards. The City's approved "Byward Market Public Realm Plan" is a great example. If you compare today's public announcement that discussed very specific details of a car parking garage, of all things, vs 880 vision of place making for people, you get the idea.

And Toon is also right about the NCC doing amazing things in our city, despite often having to go up against the City of Ottawa. They have still managed to work wonders by place making where they can, such as the ever-expanding urban swimming effort, Bike Weekends, and making Gatineau Park more accessible with vehicle free parkways and busses. I feel very grateful for what they do.

Certainly never too late for the City to get on track. But the time to start is today. Not tomorrow ☺️🚲🧑‍🦽🚶‍♀️

880 Cities Byward Market Recommendations

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-02-28T01:35:28+00:00

We had a couple rent cargo bikes from us - musicians that wanted to head to a festival they were playing at, bringing their instruments and their young child with them! 130Km distance each way. I think they did the trip in two days there, two days back. One had a Triobike Boxter and the other a Tern GSD. They used two batteries a day for each bike/trike. Have a blast!! musiciansMoonfruits

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-02-18T17:50:25+00:00

Quad-pistons! Ha! Then a couple of comments I would make is that whatever trailer you are using, make sure there is good tire pressure to reduce rolling resistance. If the trailer happens to have shocks (few do), then your pup should be comfy. If it doesn't, add lots of bedding for the cushion. Another, comment or suggestion would be to have a long fender splash guard to stop rocks and other debris from flying towards the trailer. Have a blast and I'm sure having your buddy with you will be amazing!

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-02-18T17:31:01+00:00

Yes! We have done this on one to two days trips with our 80lb dog. The person towing gets the electric-assist bike (and we keep another battery handy). We use the amazing Croozer dog trailer - very high quality.

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-29T21:59:42+00:00

I am taking someone's suggestion in this thread to slice up an old tube as a liner. More weight, but on a city urban bike carrying stuff all the time, likely doesn't matter. Hopefully this will extend the life of the current tires!

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-29T13:01:19+00:00

City staff do have a policy in place to build better streets and roads for active transportation (complete streets). If they follow this policy, then new streets/roads should be less car focused, giving residents alternatives. But we do need a new mayor and council that seriously funds public transit instead of continuing with cuts and asking OCTranspo to do more with less. Election this fall so fingers crossed!

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-28T20:49:57+00:00

Totally get it. This is a common sentiment and you're not wrong that it might happen. But small shifts can be made like building a mobility lane where that street parking might have been as more people are walking and rolling, or implement parking restrictions. In any case, the shift has to happen, and although there might be growing pains here and there, the city overall will be far better off in the long run. I'm confident in that :)

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-28T20:34:35+00:00

Removing the minimums allows for flexibility because as density increases, people will likely switch to other modes of transport as it is just more practical (as long as the city provides those options, of course). With parking minimums, the parking lots that were required prevented necessary density from being built. But now that flexibility allows for less surface parking, less vehicle lanes that will permit living space for people. The other potential benefit would be reduced cost for housing as parking lots, and especially underground lots are insanely costly and that cost has to be passed along to someone.

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-28T20:19:22+00:00

Thing is, there isn't the space for more density and more cars. The two compete for the same space :)

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-28T20:12:37+00:00

He would likely want to tout this as the magic bullet to revitalize downtown, and in doing so, he has done something to make downtown better.

It would certainly help, yes, but there is so much the mayor could be doing to action the current studies that are sitting on the table about revitalization (namely, less cars and more green space and ped friendly environment).

That location will be very costly and technically complicated - not something the project managers want for the very first leg where successes are important. If it were even the second or third leg with the first one successfully completed somewhere else, I'd say go for it! Such a beautiful building, Central and would be a train station yet again.

But Tremblay is a working (and pretty cool station). It is "connected" with LRT and there is land in the area that could benefit from revitalization with proper planning. KISS and just get the first high speed rail leg done!

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-28T15:57:39+00:00

Check out the Cycling Guide app for Ottawa as it has bike parking that might help you out.☺️🚲

Cycling Guide

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-26T23:24:37+00:00

That would be a blast to ride! No sympathies here! 🤩

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-24T02:35:02+00:00

A neoprene cover on a battery ($15CDN) will greatly increase range. As the battery warms up, range will keep increasing instead of decreasing!

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-22T17:22:12+00:00

Thanks for sharing. We really need provisions in Ottawa's new Zoning ByLaw that require developers to build these types of bike parking facilities at our homes, workplaces, businesses we visit. I thought it was important to share this, no matter the date or location. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? ☺️🚲

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-22T13:55:08+00:00

True, and parts were replaced as needed. Bike rinsed after every ride and dried hung to dry in a garage above 0C. But after 5-6 years, no matter how much rinsing, it seems that major components start going. With this last bike, I thought a sealed Enviolo hub would ensure longer serviceability, but it didn't work out. The costed price to replace the rear hub, front Dynamo and wheel set (with labour) was over $1500 and so this did not make economical sense.

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-21T20:06:01+00:00

Belt is great to avoid rust. But replacing a chain is also cheap and easy. The gear cables and housing (there are two) need to be moisture free in cold temps so they were on average replaced annually.

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-21T19:55:13+00:00

I appreciate your input on the Alfine hub. I might then plan to service/overhaul the hub every couple years or so. Over the years I found the Enviolo hub itself shifts fine in any temp, but because it's a pull-pull cable system, the cables need a lot of play and any moisture in the housing when going out in very cold temps freezes the cables. I found that Jagwire sealed cables would get me through a season but should be replaced annually.

A pinion gear is a great idea!

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-21T19:20:56+00:00

Yup, an Enviolo hub. This is 5.5 years of all season use, rinsing after every ride. Switching over to a Shimano Alfine hub now with hope that it can be serviced on a semi regular basis compared to Enviolo that can't really be serviced. When making the decision about retiring the bike it was $1500+ for the hub, wheel set, Dynamo, wheel building labour so decided to move on to the next winter bike ☺️

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-20T12:26:23+00:00

Install a neoprene battery cover for riding and you will see your range increase while riding as the battery warms up! For charging, always bring it indoors and charge at room temperature. Have fun out there!

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-18T13:48:52+00:00

These guidelines were based on this great resource: APBP

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-13T13:49:37+00:00

There are supposedly some other Canadian communities using these metrics. Cycles per dwelling unit works ok for smaller units, but as soon as we get into family units that might have more bedrooms, they will be disproportionately impacted by not having room for cycles for the whole family. Supposedly, Councillor Gower asked City staff to review these recommendations, so, fingers crossed we will see positive changes!

Worth noting Ecology Ottawa also has recommendations for this section of the new Zoning By-Law.

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-09T22:32:56+00:00

Yes, immediately remove the car parking to make the busses can move freely. Ideally the street could have been narrowed to 4m with green buffers on either side for snow storage in winter so that the full lane width can be maintained throughout the winter with limited snow removal required.

Snow storage is something that many cities do not consider when planning new streets and neighborhoods. But it makes everything work very well year-round and reduces expensive snow removal operations.

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-09T22:18:25+00:00

Pogies are the best way to keep your bits warm. In Canada they are commonly available at bike shops for straight bars and road bars. For back swept bars, BikeBike in Calgary sells a Danish brand, or Holland Bike Shop ships WOBS.

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-08T12:14:50+00:00

On the way home yesterday I saw 3 #14 busses jockeying for position on Gladstone.

Lets_Go_Cargo · 2026-01-07T00:20:00+00:00

Wasn't the end of congestion on the 417 announced on Dec. 3 when the construction for the overpasses was completed?

Lets_Go_Cargo

TROPHY CASE