Cycling audit aims to improve commuting routes in Ottawa

Cyclists riding on 20 of Ottawa's major routes will be doing more than commuting to work this morning they'll also be mapping safety and the state of infrastructure along the way as part of a city cycling audit.

More than 50 cyclists are taking part in the audit, includingDon Grant, head of the Ottawa Centre EcoDistrict, a group that aims to makethe downtown core more sustainable.

Grant wasa guest on Ottawa MorningMonday to talk about the project.

"We want them to make sure they take note of what's good because the city does have a lot of good infrastructure in place, but we want to make sure we're noting where there's a lack of a connection or where we may need some paint or signalization, or the big things like this branch is dangerous or there's no bike path here and there should be," Grant said.

The information gathered by cyclists, including potholes, trouble intersections and issues surrounding bike lanes, will be presented in a meeting at City Hall with officials from thecity and the National Capital Commission on Sept. 22.

Improving bike routes will help theOttawa Cycling Plan achieve its goal of having eight per centof people in the Greenbelt cycle to work by 2031, Grant said.

Currently, four per cent of people cycle to work in the area, he said.

Poll question

Vote on whether it's safe to cycle in Ottawa.