With upcoming announcement on Ottawa’s #RoadSafetyActionPlan at Gladstone and Bay by @JimWatsonOttawa and @AltaVistaWard18 thought I’d do a thread on this dangerous intersection for #OttPed and #OttBike. I walk, cycle and drive it many times a day. @cmckenney 1/
Gladstone is a major connector and important E/W route for #Autowa and @OC_Transpo and also a City “suggested route” for cycling. 2/
Bay, a one-way N side street, is major active transport route to/from DT. It’s the *only* N bound bike route between O’Connor & Trullium MUP. Also a lovely and busy #Ped route from W part of Centretown and Glebe (via Percy under 417). Highlight is access to Dundonald Park 3/ 
Looking forward to hearings city’s RSAP plans incl how will solve problems of this dangerous intersection. I see problems daily and regularly help elderly and children navigate it. But first my thoughts on the problems... 4/
N bound cars on Bay have 🛑 but no stop or lights on Gladstn. No crosswalk for peds. During rushhour peds & cyclists on Bay have to wait for car coming E on Gladstn turning N onto Bay to stop 1/2 traffic. (But watch for right-turning cars fm Bay who use same traffic break) 5/
Sight lines for cyclists and peds are horrid. Here’s view for ped trying to walk south on Bay. Have to walk into traffic to see and be seen. Imagine what’s its like at night or in rain. Notice the sign facing into traffic ... 6/
That dangerous sign which blocks both ped’s view of traffic and traffic’s view of peds is to warn #Autowa about the curb (I guess). Not safe or smart. 7/
Gladstone is a “suggested route” for cycling but this sign is all city seems to have done to make it desirable or safe for cyclists. 8/
This “suggested route” goes past McNabb community centre, Bowins skatepark and is close to schools but city has done nothing to make it safe for vulnerable cyclists. 9/
Street parking in neighbourhood is part of problem as regularly impacts sight lines (recent construction on McLeod has temporarily exacerbated issue). 10/
Another growing problem are delivery trucks parking illegally on bike lanes and sidewalks. “Last mile” enviro costs are huge. @canparshipping does so on Bay almost daily even tho there is loading zone on Gladstone 20 m away. @OttawaBylaw needs to take action. 11/
Solution must focus on ped and cyclist safety. Signaled crosswalk like at Bay and Somerset would be start (but does little for cyclists). At same time if City wants to promote safe cycling on routes like Gladstone it needs to do more than putting up green street signs. 12/
City also needs to pay a lot more attention to sightlines for all users particularly vulnerable older and younger peds. 13/
Pleased to see City is moving forward with RSAP and looking forward to hearing details. We need to make all our streets safer for all users. Convenience for #Autowa should no longer trump needs of all other users. 14/x
Realized somewhat late that this thread tagged the wrong councillor - should have been @StephenBlais Chair of Transportation Committee who I hope to meet on Monday.
Update after presser and convos I had with staff. City recognizes importance of intersection for peds and #Ottbike. May do neighbourhood survey on best solutions.
Have plans to instal signal for the interesection but what type not yet clear.
I took a video and uploaded to YouTubeo most of today's announcement by Mayor Watson and Councillor Blais. Video of Q & A not really useable.
