Stretches of Bank Street, Rideau Canal driveway to be closed to vehicles

Good morning commuters!

I haven't done one of these for a while, but holy smokes there's something significant to write about!

Afterweeks of lobbying, and examples set in Montreal and other cities, officials are moving to "pedestrianize"some of Ottawa's streets for people out on essential trips.

That should includebikes and all sorts of active transportation.

Here in Ottawa, Coun. Shawn Menard has been one of the leading voices in favour of closing lanes and streets to vehicles in to create more space for pedestrians and cyclists to pass each other at a safe distance.

Last week the six-foot Capital ward councillor even posted a video of himself lying across a Bank Street sidewalk to demonstrate thedifficulty ofphysical distancing.

Yesterday hetook to Twitter again to announce the city's plans to close both curbside lanes of Bank Street over the Rideau Canal.

The NCC hashas also announced it intends to close a section of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway to motor vehicles.

Sowe don't know where exactly or when, but it seems like it will happen.

And then, maybe more: the NCChas been saying it is also looking at its Sunday Bikedays program that closes more parkways to vehicles Sunday mornings in the spring and summer.

It said it's not considering closing parts of theSir John A. Macdonaldor Sir George-tienne Cartier parkways because of challenges including staffing it and access for buses and emergency vehicles.

I'll keep an eye on it.

Have a great day!