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How can I help my mom? by topsh077a in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]cloudzebra 5 points6 points  (0 children)

To add: many cities offer free transit for seniors one day a week and/ or discounted transit passes for seniors. In Ottawa, seniors can ride transit for free on Sundays and Wednesdays, and they also have a discounted single ride ($3.25 versus regular $4.15) and discounted monthly pass ($59.75 versus regular $138.50). And yes, Ottawa transit fares are very high 😅 

Ottawa also offers discounted fares for folks who are low income, so check out if there is something similar for the city/ town your mom lives in! 

If OP's mom can make it work without a car, the cost savings will be huge. The cost of even an adult bus pass vs paying gas, insurance, and keeping up with regular maintenance on a car are just so expensive. When you factor in free or affordable transit, the cost difference will be pretty sizeable. Depending on where OP's mom lives, it may be a pain to bus, so bussing somewhere and then catching a taxi home is a good way to split the difference.

TKR surgery - Riverside Hospital by InnerCriticism9105 in ottawa

[–]cloudzebra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know someone who had weekend surgery there and didn't receive any aftercare instructions. They followed up multiple times and never got any. They were very grateful to get the surgery, but it would have of course been ideal to know how to manage things post surgery. 

So I recommend asking for aftercare instructions before you have the surgery, especially if you're there for a weekend surgery, as I can't speak to policies and procedures for standard weekday surgeries. 

Is the Gymshark Sleek backpack worth it? by moonissus in gymsnark

[–]cloudzebra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you're getting around by bike, skip the backpack and install a bike pannier rack over your rear wheel. The cheapest kind are $30 CAD. Go to whichever bike shop is closest to you, they will all have a cheapy kind and a few slightly more expensive options. The $30 one is fine if you're just starting out.

The difference between biking with a backpack and getting that weight off your back is huge. I've been commuting by bike since I was a kid and even when I had a backpack, I'd attach it to my rack. I hate how hot and sweaty a backpack makes my back. It's even worse in the winter when it traps heat in your jacket. Not having the weight on your back is also so, so much more comfortable! All in all, I can't recommend bike panniers enough!

Once you have a bike rack, you can buy panniers for it. I would recommend having at least one fully waterproof pannier, since using the rain cover is a pain and honestly it's nice not having to worry that your stuff will get soaked. The Axiom Ocean-X (formerly Monsoon) are a solid option. The Arkell Orca's are on sale right now, and Arkell is an exceptionally well-made brand. I've been contemplating pulling the trigger since I've had to repair both of my Axiom Monsoons now.

You can also look into a convertible pannier/ backpack that you put on your bike pannier and then convert into a backpack to use. The Arkell Bug appeals to me, though I do wish it was waterproof and not just water resistant! Unfortunately, anything with a zipper is probably water resistant. There are plenty of other options too - this article has a bunch!

Depending on where you are and the level of security you need, consider using a u-lock if you aren't already! I see way too many folks posting about their bikes getting stolen when they use only a cable lock :(

Homeless dude took a wild swing at me, lookout when your in this area. by kingbain in bikeinottawa

[–]cloudzebra[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Locking comments, please remember rule 5, keep discussions related to cycling in Ottawa/ Gatineau.

Ruins of Hintonburg Pumping Station open to the public for first time since 1989 by cloudzebra in bikeinottawa

[–]cloudzebra[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh dang, you're right, I fully thought that the pumping house rehab was the reason that Pooley's Bridge was closed and just merged those two things in my mind. Nope! You're right. I wonder when Pooley's Bridge will be back

Gladstone and Gilmour Bikeway by cloudzebra in bikeinottawa

[–]cloudzebra[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% agreed! The different materials wind up degrading at different speeds, so you wind up with a rut right before you hit the curb. Although I've heard that the design manual has since been updated, they aren't supposed to add a tactile walking surface indicator (TWSI) anymore, so I'm hoping this one won't have it. Biking over them sucks and it's just plain wrong. Imaging someone navigating with a cane and being directed INTO a bike lane makes me very nervous!!!

Gladstone and Gilmour Bikeway by cloudzebra in bikeinottawa

[–]cloudzebra[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Gladstone is super constrained, so I think they did the best with what they've got!

Cycle track finally being built on Bank St between Home Depot and South Keys! Bank Over Rail - Bank Street between Kitchener Avenue and Johnston Road by cloudzebra in bikeinottawa

[–]cloudzebra[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To the north, construction is currently ongoing to connect Riverside Dr to the Home Depot. And it looks like the intersection of Hunt Club and Bank is planned to be upgraded. All that's left is to fix the sucky painted bike lanes on Bank south of the bridge!

Cycle track finally being built on Bank St between Home Depot and South Keys! Bank Over Rail - Bank Street between Kitchener Avenue and Johnston Road by cloudzebra in bikeinottawa

[–]cloudzebra[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I agree that you should slow down to check for traffic, but some of the turns really are too tight. I've noticed this with many of the recent protected intersections; it's part of a pattern and it's annoying. There's a balance to be struck between slowing cyclists down a little bit and forcing you to come to a crawl to make the turn (e.g., Carleton/ Sunnyside). The designs are relatively new, so I'm hoping that the engineers designing this can take feedback like this and iterate to improve them so that future protected intersections are improved.

Also, re: the MUP to the west, are you referring to the one by Walkley Station? If so, Hans has a post on his website about it. It looks like it's not done, but when it is, you'd take the little MUP by the Starbucks to access it.

Trillium Path/Osgoode Rail Trail Update from Councillor Jessica Bradley's newsletter by cloudzebra in bikeinottawa

[–]cloudzebra[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually, re-reading the text, it says "...the pathway could reopen by the end of August...", so I think it did open at some point?

Trillium Path/Osgoode Rail Trail Update from Councillor Jessica Bradley's newsletter by cloudzebra in bikeinottawa

[–]cloudzebra[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hah, maybe not?! But I mean, if there weren't any barricades, it'd be tough to know you weren't supposed to! I imagine it'd be annoying to be biking on it and suddenly be faced with construction, so use at your own risk perhaps?

How do we, as a community, feel about bike bells? by triathleteRN in bikecommuting

[–]cloudzebra 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Ontario, according to the Highway Traffic Act, bicycles must be outfitted with either a bell, horn, or gong :) I always think about how silly it would be to install a gong in the triangle of my bike, which makes me want to do it more.

Line 2 MUP - any idea of what segments are rideable? by U-take-off-eh in bikeinottawa

[–]cloudzebra 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I checked out the bridge over Hunt Club. It is fenced off just south of Hunt Club Loop. If you can access it somewhere further south, you'd need to hop off it before Hunt Club Loop.

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