Article content continued

But I also met many more residents concerned about the safety and speeding issues linked to cars going through our neighbourhoods. All expect the next city councillor to increase traffic-calming measures for a more pedestrian- and business-friendly experience.

People expect the next city councillor in Rideau-Rockcliffe to increase traffic-calming measures for a more pedestrian- and business-friendly experience.

Car travel times inside Ottawa are bound to increase in the future. First, because of safety concerns and residents’ desire to improve the quality of life in their neighbourhoods. The advance signal for pedestrians or the “no turn on red“ in some intersections slow down traffic of course, but these measures also reduce the number of car-pedestrians incidents and are necessary for the safety of the most vulnerable users: pedestrians.

Car travel time will also increase because of the population growth of Ottawa, soon to be more than one million. That growth will bring more car traffic that cannot be accommodated anymore in urban wards. Cities worldwide know that increasing the car capacity of main arteries only brings more cars to neighbourhoods, which always spill over to more traffic on residential streets.

If Ottawa aspires to become the most liveable mid-sized city in North America, as stated in the current review of the new Official Plan, it must present an ambitious plan for alternative modes of transportation as a real choice for more people. This plan must start with public transit that is reliable, accessible and affordable for everyone. OC Transpo and the city have a lot of progress to make in these three directions.