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
In 2021, council made a motion to restrict future bus purchases to battery electric buses. While this sounded nice at the time, it caused us to only be able to buy smaller 40 foot buses due to there not being a market for high capacity battery electric buses yet.
November 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
In 2021, council made a motion to restrict future bus purchases to battery electric buses. While this sounded nice at the time, it caused us to only be able to buy smaller 40 foot buses due to there not being a market for high capacity battery electric buses yet.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Despite some opposition, transit committee voted YES to re-open the door to more high capacity buses at transit commission yesterday following our support
We welcome this first step, while still pushing council to buy more buses sooner, instead of delaying our next order until 2027
We welcome this first step, while still pushing council to buy more buses sooner, instead of delaying our next order until 2027
November 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Despite some opposition, transit committee voted YES to re-open the door to more high capacity buses at transit commission yesterday following our support
We welcome this first step, while still pushing council to buy more buses sooner, instead of delaying our next order until 2027
We welcome this first step, while still pushing council to buy more buses sooner, instead of delaying our next order until 2027
Simple changes like this make such a huge difference.
Unfortunately dangerous decisions from our provincial government make things like this impossible, grinding our cities to a half and destroying local control.
Bill 60 is a huge mistake and will have lasting negative impacts for decades.
Unfortunately dangerous decisions from our provincial government make things like this impossible, grinding our cities to a half and destroying local control.
Bill 60 is a huge mistake and will have lasting negative impacts for decades.
The 14th Street Busway has been a smashing success: faster commutes, fewer crashes, calmer streets.
So why is Eric Adams blocking a similar plan for 34th Street?
So why is Eric Adams blocking a similar plan for 34th Street?
November 25, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Simple changes like this make such a huge difference.
Unfortunately dangerous decisions from our provincial government make things like this impossible, grinding our cities to a half and destroying local control.
Bill 60 is a huge mistake and will have lasting negative impacts for decades.
Unfortunately dangerous decisions from our provincial government make things like this impossible, grinding our cities to a half and destroying local control.
Bill 60 is a huge mistake and will have lasting negative impacts for decades.
It only makes sense to give people amenities near where they live. The food basics downtown that recently opened is exactly this.
We need to make this more possible in all parts of our city. Suburbanites shouldn't be forced to drive 10 minutes to pick up food.
We need to make this more possible in all parts of our city. Suburbanites shouldn't be forced to drive 10 minutes to pick up food.
@arieltroster.com @toondreessen.bsky.social @shawnmenard.bsky.social @brenttoderian.bsky.social @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social Housing over Loblaws stores would be excellent. Great locations and lots of parking. @mayormarksutcliffe.bsky.social @strongtownsottawa.ca Complete communities could be built.
Almost every Safeway in San Francisco is planning a total rebuild into "housing over grocery." At least three recent proposals. Meanwhile, zero proposals from Safeway in the East Bay. sfyimby.com/2025/11/prel... sfyimby.com/2025/11/perm... sfyimby.com/2025/11/bern...
November 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
It only makes sense to give people amenities near where they live. The food basics downtown that recently opened is exactly this.
We need to make this more possible in all parts of our city. Suburbanites shouldn't be forced to drive 10 minutes to pick up food.
We need to make this more possible in all parts of our city. Suburbanites shouldn't be forced to drive 10 minutes to pick up food.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
When much the City’s self-described “savings and efficiencies” include deferrals of capital investments as well as reduced fuel costs resulting from the elimination of the Carbon Tax, it’s more accurate to call it “cost avoidance” and “blind luck”.
#OttBudget 2026 invests in the services we rely on every day. We have realized more than $252 million in savings during this Term of Council through service reviews and continue to improve services for our residents.
One example is @octranspo.com’s safety strategy.
1/5
One example is @octranspo.com’s safety strategy.
1/5
November 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
When much the City’s self-described “savings and efficiencies” include deferrals of capital investments as well as reduced fuel costs resulting from the elimination of the Carbon Tax, it’s more accurate to call it “cost avoidance” and “blind luck”.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
A bad day for Canada, and therefore the world.
Ontario (population 16 million, 40% of the country) has passed new legislation prohibiting bike lanes that take a lane from cars.
An escalation from Bill 212, which required municipalities to get approval.
Ontario (population 16 million, 40% of the country) has passed new legislation prohibiting bike lanes that take a lane from cars.
An escalation from Bill 212, which required municipalities to get approval.
November 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
A bad day for Canada, and therefore the world.
Ontario (population 16 million, 40% of the country) has passed new legislation prohibiting bike lanes that take a lane from cars.
An escalation from Bill 212, which required municipalities to get approval.
Ontario (population 16 million, 40% of the country) has passed new legislation prohibiting bike lanes that take a lane from cars.
An escalation from Bill 212, which required municipalities to get approval.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
A sad day for cyclists. Bill 60 - which prohibits the conversion of motor vehicle lanes to bike lanes (or any other prescribed purpose) - has passed Third Reading this morning which will kill various cycling projects in Toronto & across Ontario. #shame #BikeTO #BikeSky #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero
November 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Transit commission day
November 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Transit commission day
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Great post on how our unsafe trucks (they’d never be allowed in Europe) kill so many pedestrians, and how our governments and companies do almost nothing about it despite endless safety theatre.
open.substack.com/pub/lloydalt...
open.substack.com/pub/lloydalt...
A crossing guard dies in Hamilton, Ontario, due to regulatory failure and bad design
Meanwhile, in London, the government says, "safe vehicles save lives."
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Great post on how our unsafe trucks (they’d never be allowed in Europe) kill so many pedestrians, and how our governments and companies do almost nothing about it despite endless safety theatre.
open.substack.com/pub/lloydalt...
open.substack.com/pub/lloydalt...
November 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
WATCH: If you really STILL don’t understand how car-dependent suburbia is HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED by downtown & all the urban parts of your city, please watch this EXCELLENT video by #NotJustBikes helped by #UrbanThree & @StrongTowns.org. And then please SHARE it as much as possible. youtu.be/7Nw6qyyrTeI
November 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
WATCH: If you really STILL don’t understand how car-dependent suburbia is HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED by downtown & all the urban parts of your city, please watch this EXCELLENT video by #NotJustBikes helped by #UrbanThree & @StrongTowns.org. And then please SHARE it as much as possible. youtu.be/7Nw6qyyrTeI
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
And yet we’re expecting that traffic will flow smoothly when the new arena and stadium are holding events simultaneously at Lansdowne 2.0, as per the project’s rationale.
It’s absolute car f*ckery on Bank Street (Christmas Market and Santa Claus parade (along QED) convergence at Landsdowne)
November 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
And yet we’re expecting that traffic will flow smoothly when the new arena and stadium are holding events simultaneously at Lansdowne 2.0, as per the project’s rationale.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
At Strong Towns Ottawa we're always looking for ways to expand our options when it comes to housing!
That's why we wrote a letter in response to ERO 025-1100 in support of reducing lot size minimums to help support more diverse housing types!
This will help combat our housing shortage
That's why we wrote a letter in response to ERO 025-1100 in support of reducing lot size minimums to help support more diverse housing types!
This will help combat our housing shortage
November 22, 2025 at 4:03 PM
At Strong Towns Ottawa we're always looking for ways to expand our options when it comes to housing!
That's why we wrote a letter in response to ERO 025-1100 in support of reducing lot size minimums to help support more diverse housing types!
This will help combat our housing shortage
That's why we wrote a letter in response to ERO 025-1100 in support of reducing lot size minimums to help support more diverse housing types!
This will help combat our housing shortage
At Strong Towns Ottawa we're always looking for ways to expand our options when it comes to housing!
That's why we wrote a letter in response to ERO 025-1100 in support of reducing lot size minimums to help support more diverse housing types!
This will help combat our housing shortage
That's why we wrote a letter in response to ERO 025-1100 in support of reducing lot size minimums to help support more diverse housing types!
This will help combat our housing shortage
November 22, 2025 at 4:03 PM
At Strong Towns Ottawa we're always looking for ways to expand our options when it comes to housing!
That's why we wrote a letter in response to ERO 025-1100 in support of reducing lot size minimums to help support more diverse housing types!
This will help combat our housing shortage
That's why we wrote a letter in response to ERO 025-1100 in support of reducing lot size minimums to help support more diverse housing types!
This will help combat our housing shortage
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
It's amazing to see all of the positive downstream outcomes of investing into public transit. Reduced congestion, lower emissions, quieter and safer streets, improved access to jobs, there's just so many reasons to make our transit better, everyone benefits!
#Ottawa #PublicTransit
#Ottawa #PublicTransit
@strongtownsottawa.ca Inspiring story about free transit in Iowa City of all places!
Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air.
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
It's amazing to see all of the positive downstream outcomes of investing into public transit. Reduced congestion, lower emissions, quieter and safer streets, improved access to jobs, there's just so many reasons to make our transit better, everyone benefits!
#Ottawa #PublicTransit
#Ottawa #PublicTransit
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Bill 60 rally alert!
Housing advocates will protest Bill 60 tomorrow at 11am. How about joining them and protesting against the anti bike lane provision or any other part of the bill as well? Bring your protest signs. 🪧
Housing advocates will protest Bill 60 tomorrow at 11am. How about joining them and protesting against the anti bike lane provision or any other part of the bill as well? Bring your protest signs. 🪧
November 21, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Bill 60 rally alert!
Housing advocates will protest Bill 60 tomorrow at 11am. How about joining them and protesting against the anti bike lane provision or any other part of the bill as well? Bring your protest signs. 🪧
Housing advocates will protest Bill 60 tomorrow at 11am. How about joining them and protesting against the anti bike lane provision or any other part of the bill as well? Bring your protest signs. 🪧
If there are any youth ages 16-23 that are interested in getting involved in Ecology Ottawa's Youth Summit, we highly encourage you to sign up to their event later this month! Info in the eventbrite link :)
Join youth from across Ottawa on November 29th, 2025 for a day of climate leadership, learning, and action. 🌿💚
Here’s the link to RSVP and be part of the change. www.eventbrite.ca/e/ecology-ot....
Here’s the link to RSVP and be part of the change. www.eventbrite.ca/e/ecology-ot....
November 20, 2025 at 6:35 PM
If there are any youth ages 16-23 that are interested in getting involved in Ecology Ottawa's Youth Summit, we highly encourage you to sign up to their event later this month! Info in the eventbrite link :)
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Fund transit: If you do, you get less traffic.
If you don't, you get endless construction and road expansions that costs more than funding transit and doesn't reduce congestion.
If you don't, you get endless construction and road expansions that costs more than funding transit and doesn't reduce congestion.
It's amazing to see all of the positive downstream outcomes of investing into public transit. Reduced congestion, lower emissions, quieter and safer streets, improved access to jobs, there's just so many reasons to make our transit better, everyone benefits!
#Ottawa #PublicTransit
#Ottawa #PublicTransit
@strongtownsottawa.ca Inspiring story about free transit in Iowa City of all places!
November 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Fund transit: If you do, you get less traffic.
If you don't, you get endless construction and road expansions that costs more than funding transit and doesn't reduce congestion.
If you don't, you get endless construction and road expansions that costs more than funding transit and doesn't reduce congestion.
It's amazing to see all of the positive downstream outcomes of investing into public transit. Reduced congestion, lower emissions, quieter and safer streets, improved access to jobs, there's just so many reasons to make our transit better, everyone benefits!
#Ottawa #PublicTransit
#Ottawa #PublicTransit
@strongtownsottawa.ca Inspiring story about free transit in Iowa City of all places!
Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air.
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
It's amazing to see all of the positive downstream outcomes of investing into public transit. Reduced congestion, lower emissions, quieter and safer streets, improved access to jobs, there's just so many reasons to make our transit better, everyone benefits!
#Ottawa #PublicTransit
#Ottawa #PublicTransit
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Over the last 30 yrs, #OttCity has seen inner greenbelt neighbourhoods move the suburbs. Probably for more affordable housing. As Ottawa considers changes to its zoning bylaw, we should be increasing densities and housing options in these struggling areas.
Inspired by: bsky.app/profile/alex...
Inspired by: bsky.app/profile/alex...
November 18, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Over the last 30 yrs, #OttCity has seen inner greenbelt neighbourhoods move the suburbs. Probably for more affordable housing. As Ottawa considers changes to its zoning bylaw, we should be increasing densities and housing options in these struggling areas.
Inspired by: bsky.app/profile/alex...
Inspired by: bsky.app/profile/alex...
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Another reminder that a 13-year study found that protected bike-lanes led to a drastic decline in fatalities for all road users.
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
Separated Bike Lanes Means Safer Streets, Study Says — Streetsblog USA
Cities that build protected lanes for cyclists end up with safer roads for people on bikes and people in cars and on foot, a new study of 12 large metropolises revealed Wednesday.
usa.streetsblog.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Another reminder that a 13-year study found that protected bike-lanes led to a drastic decline in fatalities for all road users.
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
WATCH: Seriously, if you’re following ANY bike-lane debate, you HAVE TO WATCH this news story. You actually can’t make this up. Ford claims without evidence that bike-lanes are bad for small business, and THE ACTUAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION obliterates him with data.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Annex businesses tell Ford to back off Bloor bike lanes
Stores in the Annex say the Bloor bike lanes have been a big boost to business. As Michelle Mackey reports, the neighborhood's BIA wants the province to back off its new bill that could see the lanes ...
toronto.citynews.ca
November 8, 2025 at 3:13 PM
WATCH: Seriously, if you’re following ANY bike-lane debate, you HAVE TO WATCH this news story. You actually can’t make this up. Ford claims without evidence that bike-lanes are bad for small business, and THE ACTUAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION obliterates him with data.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Safe bike-lanes mean business.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
With quite the busy week we forgot to post about the People's Summit we were invited to, Nov 1st. Tons of people were interested in seeing our property tax visuals, long-term city financials, hearing about bus lanes on bank, or the Ottawa Urbanism Book Club.
Such a great energy to push for better!
Such a great energy to push for better!
November 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
With quite the busy week we forgot to post about the People's Summit we were invited to, Nov 1st. Tons of people were interested in seeing our property tax visuals, long-term city financials, hearing about bus lanes on bank, or the Ottawa Urbanism Book Club.
Such a great energy to push for better!
Such a great energy to push for better!
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Bill 60 kneecaps municipal Councils and councillors seeking to make our streets safer as we intensify, and will worsen congestion for everyone. Thanks to residents who came to City Hall this morning to protest.
November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Bill 60 kneecaps municipal Councils and councillors seeking to make our streets safer as we intensify, and will worsen congestion for everyone. Thanks to residents who came to City Hall this morning to protest.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Please tell your local MPP and Councillor that removing these cameras is unacceptable and will unequivocally lead to more deaths and injuries on our roads, often times for the most vulnerable users of those roads!
🚨 @mayormarksutcliffe.bsky.social - we expect you to stand up to Doug Ford and fight for our Speed Safety Cameras
🧑🧑🧒🧒Our kids and families deserve safe school zones - ASE cameras work! Speed humps and roundabouts won’t fit on arterials
📝Sign our petition today
schoolstreetsottawa.ca/get-involved...
🧑🧑🧒🧒Our kids and families deserve safe school zones - ASE cameras work! Speed humps and roundabouts won’t fit on arterials
📝Sign our petition today
schoolstreetsottawa.ca/get-involved...
November 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Please tell your local MPP and Councillor that removing these cameras is unacceptable and will unequivocally lead to more deaths and injuries on our roads, often times for the most vulnerable users of those roads!