Story and photos by Steve Konkle

My commute is 5 km, and takes approximately 20 minutes. I am blessed with Ottawa's infrastructure. Of the 5 km, 1.5 km is on a quiet, traffic calmed street that is busy with runners and cyclists year round. 1.5 km is on the Rideau Canal Western Pathway – plowed and salted in the winter, and much safer than the roads. 500 m is down the Laurier Segregated Bike Lane, which is also plowed in the winter, and treated with a non-salt deicer to help prevent rusty drivetrains. That leaves only 1.5 km of road riding, which is shared between downtown streets and quiet residential streets.

With such a great commute, I try to bike it year round.

Why Commute?

It allows for an easy 40 minutes of daily exercise, fresh air, and sunshine, saves money, and decreases environmental impact.

Best Part of your Commute?

Riding alongside the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO heritage site.

The Rideau Canal Western Pathway

Worst Part of your Commute?

Areas that aren't cleared well of snow in the winter.

There's a bike lane under there somewhere!

What Infrastructure Change Would Make Your Commute Better?

Expanding the Laurier SBL east to connect with the Rideau Canal pathways.

The Laurier Segregated Bike Lane

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Related on the dandyBLOG:

dandyCommute: London, Ontario

dandyCommute: the Junction to Ryerson and York

dandyCommute: Vaughan and St. Clair to the Annex