Strong Towns Ottawa
@strongtownsottawa.ca
https://linktr.ee/strongtownsottawa
We're an urbanist group, focused on safer streets, giving citizens more options, and creating a more financially responsible city.
Help us support bus lanes on Bank St: strongtownsottawa.ca/Bank
We're an urbanist group, focused on safer streets, giving citizens more options, and creating a more financially responsible city.
Help us support bus lanes on Bank St: strongtownsottawa.ca/Bank
Pinned
With all of the talk about Lansdowne 2.0, and improving transit access to the location, this is the perfect opportunity to get fully dedicated 24/7 bus lanes, not just during "peak" hours.
Delays for buses are almost constant throughout the day.
strongtownsottawa.ca/2025/11/08/a...
#Ottawa #Bank
Delays for buses are almost constant throughout the day.
strongtownsottawa.ca/2025/11/08/a...
#Ottawa #Bank
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
The broken watermain is from 1957.
For reference, Carling is from 1913, Catherine is 1899, Slater is 1875!
We are FAR behind on replacing our aging pipes, and council just this past summer voted to defer $2 billion in recommended replacements. Expect much more of this!
For reference, Carling is from 1913, Catherine is 1899, Slater is 1875!
We are FAR behind on replacing our aging pipes, and council just this past summer voted to defer $2 billion in recommended replacements. Expect much more of this!
January 13, 2026 at 1:38 PM
The broken watermain is from 1957.
For reference, Carling is from 1913, Catherine is 1899, Slater is 1875!
We are FAR behind on replacing our aging pipes, and council just this past summer voted to defer $2 billion in recommended replacements. Expect much more of this!
For reference, Carling is from 1913, Catherine is 1899, Slater is 1875!
We are FAR behind on replacing our aging pipes, and council just this past summer voted to defer $2 billion in recommended replacements. Expect much more of this!
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Orléans north of Highway 174 faces significant transportation challenges due to limited access routes, creating a car-dependent community. The infrastructure is designed for vehicles, neglecting safe options for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Island of Orléans: Life North of the 174
Orléans north of Highway 174 faces significant transportation challenges due to limited access routes, creating a car-dependent community. The infrastructure is designed for vehicles, neglecting safe options for pedestrians and cyclists. To improve livability and economic sustainability, the area needs mixed-use developments and diverse housing options, fostering a more connected and efficient neighbourhood.
theneworleans.ca
January 12, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Orléans north of Highway 174 faces significant transportation challenges due to limited access routes, creating a car-dependent community. The infrastructure is designed for vehicles, neglecting safe options for pedestrians and cyclists.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
And this one touching on street safety, the evolving nature of Major Park (like all post-war subdivisions over the coming decades with Zoning changes etc), and financial argument for building complete streets as part of integrated renewal
@visionzeroottawa.bsky.social @strongtownsottawa.ca
3/
@visionzeroottawa.bsky.social @strongtownsottawa.ca
3/
January 12, 2026 at 12:33 AM
And this one touching on street safety, the evolving nature of Major Park (like all post-war subdivisions over the coming decades with Zoning changes etc), and financial argument for building complete streets as part of integrated renewal
@visionzeroottawa.bsky.social @strongtownsottawa.ca
3/
@visionzeroottawa.bsky.social @strongtownsottawa.ca
3/
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
The #ManorPark sidewalk issue is not over yet…. still signs up in the snow!
It will come to @en.ottawa.ca Public Works &Infrastructure Committee in Feb - a staff report is expected.
@ecologyottawa.bsky.social @cafesottawa.bsky.social @horizonottawa.bsky.social @cafesottawa.bsky.social
1/
It will come to @en.ottawa.ca Public Works &Infrastructure Committee in Feb - a staff report is expected.
@ecologyottawa.bsky.social @cafesottawa.bsky.social @horizonottawa.bsky.social @cafesottawa.bsky.social
1/
January 12, 2026 at 12:17 AM
The #ManorPark sidewalk issue is not over yet…. still signs up in the snow!
It will come to @en.ottawa.ca Public Works &Infrastructure Committee in Feb - a staff report is expected.
@ecologyottawa.bsky.social @cafesottawa.bsky.social @horizonottawa.bsky.social @cafesottawa.bsky.social
1/
It will come to @en.ottawa.ca Public Works &Infrastructure Committee in Feb - a staff report is expected.
@ecologyottawa.bsky.social @cafesottawa.bsky.social @horizonottawa.bsky.social @cafesottawa.bsky.social
1/
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Thank you, Ottawa Citizen, for publishing my op-ed today on the financial crisis that municipalities across the country are facing due to aging infrastructure.
To read the story, please visit the Ottawa Citizen web site and look for the Opinion section.
@OttawaCitizen.com
To read the story, please visit the Ottawa Citizen web site and look for the Opinion section.
@OttawaCitizen.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Thank you, Ottawa Citizen, for publishing my op-ed today on the financial crisis that municipalities across the country are facing due to aging infrastructure.
To read the story, please visit the Ottawa Citizen web site and look for the Opinion section.
@OttawaCitizen.com
To read the story, please visit the Ottawa Citizen web site and look for the Opinion section.
@OttawaCitizen.com
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
One week away!
Save the date:
🎈Speed Gun Party on King Edward
📆 3:30-4:30pm January 15th
👉 Losing Speed Cameras made our communities considerably less safe.
📣 Cheer drivers respecting the speed limit and our community (and jeers to those who don’t.)
visionzeroottawa.ca/events/
🎈Speed Gun Party on King Edward
📆 3:30-4:30pm January 15th
👉 Losing Speed Cameras made our communities considerably less safe.
📣 Cheer drivers respecting the speed limit and our community (and jeers to those who don’t.)
visionzeroottawa.ca/events/
Events
Events Join our upcoming events and learn how you can make Ottawa streets safer for everyone through advocacy and action. january action lab Featured Guest: The Biking Lawyer David Shellnut 📅 Janua…
visionzeroottawa.ca
January 8, 2026 at 11:58 AM
One week away!
Reminder we have an e-mail template on our site that you can use for inspiration to contact your councillor!
Here are some other ways you can get involved too. If you're interested in delegating, don't hesitate to reach out, we'd love to help you with it!
strongtownsottawa.ca/bank_street_...
Here are some other ways you can get involved too. If you're interested in delegating, don't hesitate to reach out, we'd love to help you with it!
strongtownsottawa.ca/bank_street_...
January 9, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Reminder we have an e-mail template on our site that you can use for inspiration to contact your councillor!
Here are some other ways you can get involved too. If you're interested in delegating, don't hesitate to reach out, we'd love to help you with it!
strongtownsottawa.ca/bank_street_...
Here are some other ways you can get involved too. If you're interested in delegating, don't hesitate to reach out, we'd love to help you with it!
strongtownsottawa.ca/bank_street_...
Thank you to everyone who came to our monthly meeting last night to work on our push for Bus Lanes on Bank Street. What a great turnout!
If you haven't been, anyone is welcome to join us for our monthly meetings! You can find info for the next one on our website, strongtownsottawa.ca
If you haven't been, anyone is welcome to join us for our monthly meetings! You can find info for the next one on our website, strongtownsottawa.ca
January 9, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Thank you to everyone who came to our monthly meeting last night to work on our push for Bus Lanes on Bank Street. What a great turnout!
If you haven't been, anyone is welcome to join us for our monthly meetings! You can find info for the next one on our website, strongtownsottawa.ca
If you haven't been, anyone is welcome to join us for our monthly meetings! You can find info for the next one on our website, strongtownsottawa.ca
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
You’ve probably noticed this too. In fresh snow tire tracks show that drivers use a small portion of the road. But the overall width contributes to drivers feeling like they have lots of room to speed. It’s dangerous as well as a waste of space. Fixing it will make urban streets safer. #ottawa
If we can't have speed cameras, Ottawa needs narrower streets | Opinion
Brigitte Pellerin: If we add more curb extensions and roundabouts, it will make speeding feel unsafe.
ca.news.yahoo.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:57 AM
You’ve probably noticed this too. In fresh snow tire tracks show that drivers use a small portion of the road. But the overall width contributes to drivers feeling like they have lots of room to speed. It’s dangerous as well as a waste of space. Fixing it will make urban streets safer. #ottawa
People often complain about bikers not following the laws when it comes to stopping, but in my experience It's honestly the rare driver that comes to a full stop at a stop sign or right turn on red unless they're forced to by traffic in the other direction - Marko
Sometimes to pass time while I wait for the bus in the morning, I count how many vehicles come to a complete stop at the intersection. This morning, 27 of 60 drivers came to a full stop in 5 minutes. Most of the others rolled the stop and at least 8 or 9 of those just ran the stop sign completely. 😯
January 7, 2026 at 1:20 PM
People often complain about bikers not following the laws when it comes to stopping, but in my experience It's honestly the rare driver that comes to a full stop at a stop sign or right turn on red unless they're forced to by traffic in the other direction - Marko
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
If you're not aware, we have our first monthly meeting of 2026 coming up this Thursday, 6:15-7:45 pm, at St. Peter's Church (400 Sparks), where we'll be discussing our final push for Bus Lanes on Bank Street!
Come get involved with fellow Strong Towns members!
luma.com/gxt9qt3u
Come get involved with fellow Strong Towns members!
luma.com/gxt9qt3u
Monthly Meeting—January · Luma
Join us for our January monthly meeting, meet new people, learn about our priorities, and consider taking that first small step to get involved. All experience…
luma.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:08 PM
If you're not aware, we have our first monthly meeting of 2026 coming up this Thursday, 6:15-7:45 pm, at St. Peter's Church (400 Sparks), where we'll be discussing our final push for Bus Lanes on Bank Street!
Come get involved with fellow Strong Towns members!
luma.com/gxt9qt3u
Come get involved with fellow Strong Towns members!
luma.com/gxt9qt3u
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Great session of outreach today ahead of the charge game at Lansdowne for bus lanes on Bank!
Lots of people taking the 6 and the 7 to come support this fantastic team! Imagine if they had a reliable and efficient way to get here without having to sit in traffic or try to find parking!
Lots of people taking the 6 and the 7 to come support this fantastic team! Imagine if they had a reliable and efficient way to get here without having to sit in traffic or try to find parking!
January 3, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Great session of outreach today ahead of the charge game at Lansdowne for bus lanes on Bank!
Lots of people taking the 6 and the 7 to come support this fantastic team! Imagine if they had a reliable and efficient way to get here without having to sit in traffic or try to find parking!
Lots of people taking the 6 and the 7 to come support this fantastic team! Imagine if they had a reliable and efficient way to get here without having to sit in traffic or try to find parking!
If you're not aware, we have our first monthly meeting of 2026 coming up this Thursday, 6:15-7:45 pm, at St. Peter's Church (400 Sparks), where we'll be discussing our final push for Bus Lanes on Bank Street!
Come get involved with fellow Strong Towns members!
luma.com/gxt9qt3u
Come get involved with fellow Strong Towns members!
luma.com/gxt9qt3u
Monthly Meeting—January · Luma
Join us for our January monthly meeting, meet new people, learn about our priorities, and consider taking that first small step to get involved. All experience…
luma.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:08 PM
If you're not aware, we have our first monthly meeting of 2026 coming up this Thursday, 6:15-7:45 pm, at St. Peter's Church (400 Sparks), where we'll be discussing our final push for Bus Lanes on Bank Street!
Come get involved with fellow Strong Towns members!
luma.com/gxt9qt3u
Come get involved with fellow Strong Towns members!
luma.com/gxt9qt3u
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
My new documentary THE TRAIN TO NOWHERE has just pulled into the station.
It's an exploration of Ottawa's rail history, and having hope in bleak times for transit.
Watch it here: youtu.be/wLD0L63QgxU
🚄🚃🚃
#Ottawa #Ottcity #Octranspo
It's an exploration of Ottawa's rail history, and having hope in bleak times for transit.
Watch it here: youtu.be/wLD0L63QgxU
🚄🚃🚃
#Ottawa #Ottcity #Octranspo
January 6, 2026 at 4:03 PM
My new documentary THE TRAIN TO NOWHERE has just pulled into the station.
It's an exploration of Ottawa's rail history, and having hope in bleak times for transit.
Watch it here: youtu.be/wLD0L63QgxU
🚄🚃🚃
#Ottawa #Ottcity #Octranspo
It's an exploration of Ottawa's rail history, and having hope in bleak times for transit.
Watch it here: youtu.be/wLD0L63QgxU
🚄🚃🚃
#Ottawa #Ottcity #Octranspo
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Here's how packed the QED was yesterday during the lead-up of the Charge game.
All of the occupants of these cars could have comfortably fit into a single bus.
There's no need to force everyone to get here by car, it doesn't scale and leads to frustration for everyone.
We need 24/7 bus lanes.
All of the occupants of these cars could have comfortably fit into a single bus.
There's no need to force everyone to get here by car, it doesn't scale and leads to frustration for everyone.
We need 24/7 bus lanes.
January 4, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Here's how packed the QED was yesterday during the lead-up of the Charge game.
All of the occupants of these cars could have comfortably fit into a single bus.
There's no need to force everyone to get here by car, it doesn't scale and leads to frustration for everyone.
We need 24/7 bus lanes.
All of the occupants of these cars could have comfortably fit into a single bus.
There's no need to force everyone to get here by car, it doesn't scale and leads to frustration for everyone.
We need 24/7 bus lanes.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Here's how packed the QED was yesterday during the lead-up of the Charge game.
All of the occupants of these cars could have comfortably fit into a single bus.
There's no need to force everyone to get here by car, it doesn't scale and leads to frustration for everyone.
We need 24/7 bus lanes.
All of the occupants of these cars could have comfortably fit into a single bus.
There's no need to force everyone to get here by car, it doesn't scale and leads to frustration for everyone.
We need 24/7 bus lanes.
January 4, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Here's how packed the QED was yesterday during the lead-up of the Charge game.
All of the occupants of these cars could have comfortably fit into a single bus.
There's no need to force everyone to get here by car, it doesn't scale and leads to frustration for everyone.
We need 24/7 bus lanes.
All of the occupants of these cars could have comfortably fit into a single bus.
There's no need to force everyone to get here by car, it doesn't scale and leads to frustration for everyone.
We need 24/7 bus lanes.
Our January newsletter is coming out tomorrow. Make sure to subscribe to catch it fresh in your mailbox.
It features our upcoming events, calls to action, and advocacy highlights!
strongtownsottawa.eo.page/newsletter
It features our upcoming events, calls to action, and advocacy highlights!
strongtownsottawa.eo.page/newsletter
Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter
for the latest on our advocacy wins, events, and ways to help build a stronger, more livable Ottawa.
strongtownsottawa.eo.page
January 4, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Our January newsletter is coming out tomorrow. Make sure to subscribe to catch it fresh in your mailbox.
It features our upcoming events, calls to action, and advocacy highlights!
strongtownsottawa.eo.page/newsletter
It features our upcoming events, calls to action, and advocacy highlights!
strongtownsottawa.eo.page/newsletter
Gio did a great job putting those pins together, if you haven't checked out his stuff, highly recommend it!
Dude where's my bus did a great job covering our transit system and he's coming out with a new documentary on the O-train this year!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPaO...
Dude where's my bus did a great job covering our transit system and he's coming out with a new documentary on the O-train this year!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPaO...
January 4, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Gio did a great job putting those pins together, if you haven't checked out his stuff, highly recommend it!
Dude where's my bus did a great job covering our transit system and he's coming out with a new documentary on the O-train this year!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPaO...
Dude where's my bus did a great job covering our transit system and he's coming out with a new documentary on the O-train this year!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPaO...
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Nat and I are on our way to see our @pwhlcharge.bsky.social take on the Frost! Another OTW, maybe?!
January 3, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Nat and I are on our way to see our @pwhlcharge.bsky.social take on the Frost! Another OTW, maybe?!
Great session of outreach today ahead of the charge game at Lansdowne for bus lanes on Bank!
Lots of people taking the 6 and the 7 to come support this fantastic team! Imagine if they had a reliable and efficient way to get here without having to sit in traffic or try to find parking!
Lots of people taking the 6 and the 7 to come support this fantastic team! Imagine if they had a reliable and efficient way to get here without having to sit in traffic or try to find parking!
January 3, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Great session of outreach today ahead of the charge game at Lansdowne for bus lanes on Bank!
Lots of people taking the 6 and the 7 to come support this fantastic team! Imagine if they had a reliable and efficient way to get here without having to sit in traffic or try to find parking!
Lots of people taking the 6 and the 7 to come support this fantastic team! Imagine if they had a reliable and efficient way to get here without having to sit in traffic or try to find parking!
Same thing here on Bank Street! Yet study after study shows that other modes of transportation are typically bringing in much more business on a regular basis!
The easier we make it for those other people to shop there, the better the businesses will do!
The easier we make it for those other people to shop there, the better the businesses will do!
“Survey after survey has shown that business owners overestimate how many customers drive to their stores vs walking or biking. In a 2012 Los Angeles study, more than half of the store owners on the bike-laned part of the boulevard thought most of their customers drove. The actual number was 15%.”
I read all the studies on the economic impact of bike lanes. Here's what I learned.
Research proves that bike lanes are good for business. So why do so many stores and restaurants still oppose them?
www.businessinsider.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Same thing here on Bank Street! Yet study after study shows that other modes of transportation are typically bringing in much more business on a regular basis!
The easier we make it for those other people to shop there, the better the businesses will do!
The easier we make it for those other people to shop there, the better the businesses will do!
We're unfortunately in for a looooot of these unless we manage to get our city finances in order.
Building more efficiently will help ensure the infrastructure we have is kept in good condition, helping our citizens avoid disasters like these!
Building more efficiently will help ensure the infrastructure we have is kept in good condition, helping our citizens avoid disasters like these!
I’m very sympathetic for the residents in my colleague’s ward. River Ward has experienced a lot of water main breaks since the Fall, as has my own ward (Knoxdale-Merivale). There’s a lot of aging infrastructure in our wards, much of it overdue for replacement.
Watermain break...
Near 60 Forest Hill Ave (between Prince of Wales and the cul-de-sac)
Local households may experience interruptions in water service.
Water service is expected to be restored by 6am, Friday morning.
Near 60 Forest Hill Ave (between Prince of Wales and the cul-de-sac)
Local households may experience interruptions in water service.
Water service is expected to be restored by 6am, Friday morning.
January 2, 2026 at 3:06 AM
We're unfortunately in for a looooot of these unless we manage to get our city finances in order.
Building more efficiently will help ensure the infrastructure we have is kept in good condition, helping our citizens avoid disasters like these!
Building more efficiently will help ensure the infrastructure we have is kept in good condition, helping our citizens avoid disasters like these!
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
The scary thing is that this pipe is only from 1959 and failed prematurely, a growing trend. There are still pipes downtown from the 1870s to be replaced. We currently replace about 20km of pipe each year, but we laid down 1800km of pipe in the 50s and 60s. 5X our current replacement rate.
January 2, 2026 at 2:16 AM
The scary thing is that this pipe is only from 1959 and failed prematurely, a growing trend. There are still pipes downtown from the 1870s to be replaced. We currently replace about 20km of pipe each year, but we laid down 1800km of pipe in the 50s and 60s. 5X our current replacement rate.