Brian Patterson July 2013 Infuse Conference

1. Ottawa's First Segregated
Bicycle Lanes
Laurier Avenue Pilot Project
The Process from Planning to
Implementation and Monitoring
Robin Bennett, MCIP RPP
Transportation Planning, City Of Ottawa
July 9, 2013
CIP/PIBC Conference, Vancouver

2. 2
Presentation Overview
• Rationale
• Cycle Track Design
• Public Engagement Process
• Lessons Learned
Laurier

3. 3
Background
Ottawa Cycling Plan Vision (2008):
Develop a visible and connected cycling network of on and off-
road facilities that is used by all types of cyclists to identify Ottawa
as the premiere cycling capital of Canada and as one of the most
sustainable transportation cities in the world.
Goals :
• Triple the number of person-trips made by bicycle
• Make cycling safer for cyclists of all skill and age levels
• Link, connect, and expand existing cycling facilities
Vancouver NYC

4. 4
65 km
70 km
2758 km2
Cycling Infrastructure in Ottawa
• Unpaved Pathways: 105 kms
• Paved Pathways: 235 kms
• Bicycle Lanes: 141 kms
• Paved Shoulders: 205 kms
• Cycle Tracks 2 kms
TOTAL: 688 kms

5. 5
Mode Choice
Distance Travelled
0-5km 5-10km 10-15km >15km
Auto 34,800 27,100 10,900 15,800
Transit 16,400 16,000 6,500 11,300
Bicycle 3,500 800 100 100
Walk 51,200 400 0 0
Total 105,900 44,300 17,500 27,200
% of All Trips 54% 23% 9% 14%
Background
Daily Trips to Downtown Ottawa
2005 OD Survey

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Corridor Selection Process
 Stage 1 – 33 east-west downtown streets analysed
Screening Criteria: Traffic Signals at Major Intersections, Route Continuity,
East-West Connections, Ottawa Cycling Plan
 Stage 2 – 12 remaining streets analysed in more detail
Screening Criteria: Safety, Traffic Impacts, Transit Operations, Business
Impacts, Pedestrian Impacts, Urban Design, Costs, etc.
Route Selection Process

7. 7
Laurier
Bike Lanes
Laurier Bike Lanes- A critical cross-town link
East-West
Bikeway
(12 km)

8. 8
Informational Video
<Run Laurier_FINAL_ mp4 video>
Runtime:4:45 min.

9. 9
Background
Laurier Avenue West (2009)

10. 10
Background
Laurier Avenue West (2012)

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Background
Laurier Avenue West (2009)

12. 12
Background
Laurier Avenue West (2012)

13. 13
Communications
• Website: www.ottawa.ca/bikelane
• Informational Video
• Flyers / Postcards / Radio / Newspaper
• Public Service Announcements
• On-street Ambassadors
• Wayfinding Signage / Maps
• Targeted Key Stakeholders

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Public and Technical Advisory Committees
• Approximately 30 people who live and/or work on Laurier West, including local
community and condominium associations, businesses, and city advisory committees
• City staff from various departments (Public Works, Accessibility Office, By-Law, Fire, etc.)
• To contribute and review monitoring indicators, survey questions, and materials being
presented to Transportation Committee and Council
Monitoring Objectives
• Provide a framework for Council to decide the outcome of the pilot project
• Identify areas in the corridor requiring design refinements
• Identify potential gaps or limitations in the City policy/standards related to cycling facilities
Pilot Monitoring / Public Engagement

20. 20
Pilot Monitoring Indicators
1. Cycling Volumes, Demographics & Modal Share
2. Traffic Operations/Road Safety Review
3. Parking/Loading/Delivery
4. Maintenance Operations
5. Accessibility
6. Vehicle Access (in/out of private driveways)
7. Emergency Services
8. Cycling Operations
9. Pedestrian Operations
10. Business Operations
11. Effect on Residences
12. User Clarity Cambridge

21. 21www.ottawa.ca/bikelane

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Pilot Monitoring Indicators:
Before and After Bicycle Volumes
(Peak Periods, Both Directions)

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Pilot Monitoring Indicators:
Downtown Cycling Mode Shares
Source: Annual Cycling Index of 65 downtown intersectionsSource: Origin-Destination Surveys

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Pilot Monitoring Indicators:
Reported Collisions

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Pilot Monitoring Indicators
Video Safety Evaluation
• 44 days of video
• 50,000 motor vehicles
• 18,500 bicycles
 Laurier segregated lanes improve cyclist safety

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LESSONS LEARNED - SUMMARY
Select Key Indicators
• Physical separation resulted in tripling of cycling volumes and increased modal share
• Safety for all modes improvement based on reported collisions before/after
• Motorist travel time across corridor not significantly affected despite loss of travel lanes
• Higher % of female cyclists compared to city average
• Intersections functioning at acceptable levels
• Separation with precast curbs has operational, maintenance and aesthetic limitations
• Overall before / after maintenance costs the same
• Parking revenues to city down slightly; parking changes had negative and positive results
• Fire service response times not adversely affected

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Next Steps
Transportation Committee July 5, 2013
Council July 17, 2013
Immediate Changes Summer / Fall 2013
Short-Term Changes 2014 – 2018
Long-Term Changes Post 2018

31. 31
Design Mitigation Recommendations
Immediate (2013)
• Minor pavement markings and signage adjustments, mainly between Bronson
Avenue and Bay Street to provide 22 additional on-street public parking spaces.
Short-Term (2014 - 2018)
• Construct raised cycle track in 2014 on north side of Laurier between Bronson
Avenue and Bay Street and a new multi-use pathway through the OCDSB lands
• Study the use of cycling signal heads along Laurier Avenue
• Implement a voluntary signage program for private property owners as part of
on-going Cycling Safety Awareness Program
Long-Term (Post 2018 when Laurier Avenue West is reconstructed)
• Convert remaining segregated bicycle lanes to a raised cycle track

32. Thank You
www.ottawa.ca/bikelane
Colin.Simpson@ottawa.ca