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
Imagine congestion pricing in #OttCity: even just, say, just the urban area shown below, or a concentrated area bound by Bronson, 417, Rideau River… imagine how much better our city could be. Imagine a #BetterOttawa
@strongtownsottawa.ca
@bettertransitottawa.ca
@strongtownsottawa.ca
@bettertransitottawa.ca
December 23, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Imagine congestion pricing in #OttCity: even just, say, just the urban area shown below, or a concentrated area bound by Bronson, 417, Rideau River… imagine how much better our city could be. Imagine a #BetterOttawa
@strongtownsottawa.ca
@bettertransitottawa.ca
@strongtownsottawa.ca
@bettertransitottawa.ca
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
What’s on our team’s reading list?
Our Comms Coordinator, @etiennelefebvre.bsky.social, shares the five books that most influenced his thinking on cities in 2025.
parkingreform.org/2025/12/18/f...
Our Comms Coordinator, @etiennelefebvre.bsky.social, shares the five books that most influenced his thinking on cities in 2025.
parkingreform.org/2025/12/18/f...
Five Great Books I Read in 2025 - Parking Reform Network
Here are five books that shaped my thinking, challenged my assumptions, or simply captivated me this year. This isn’t a definitive “best of” list for everyone, but it’s a personal record of the works ...
parkingreform.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
What’s on our team’s reading list?
Our Comms Coordinator, @etiennelefebvre.bsky.social, shares the five books that most influenced his thinking on cities in 2025.
parkingreform.org/2025/12/18/f...
Our Comms Coordinator, @etiennelefebvre.bsky.social, shares the five books that most influenced his thinking on cities in 2025.
parkingreform.org/2025/12/18/f...
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
These traffic cameras are a great tool to see how inefficient cars are on Bank Street, and how much extra traffic parking adds.
This single intersection is clogged with a total of what is probably 15-20 people in cars. All while a bus with easily over 2x that sits stuck in traffic.
This single intersection is clogged with a total of what is probably 15-20 people in cars. All while a bus with easily over 2x that sits stuck in traffic.
December 20, 2025 at 12:40 AM
These traffic cameras are a great tool to see how inefficient cars are on Bank Street, and how much extra traffic parking adds.
This single intersection is clogged with a total of what is probably 15-20 people in cars. All while a bus with easily over 2x that sits stuck in traffic.
This single intersection is clogged with a total of what is probably 15-20 people in cars. All while a bus with easily over 2x that sits stuck in traffic.
These traffic cameras are a great tool to see how inefficient cars are on Bank Street, and how much extra traffic parking adds.
This single intersection is clogged with a total of what is probably 15-20 people in cars. All while a bus with easily over 2x that sits stuck in traffic.
This single intersection is clogged with a total of what is probably 15-20 people in cars. All while a bus with easily over 2x that sits stuck in traffic.
December 20, 2025 at 12:40 AM
These traffic cameras are a great tool to see how inefficient cars are on Bank Street, and how much extra traffic parking adds.
This single intersection is clogged with a total of what is probably 15-20 people in cars. All while a bus with easily over 2x that sits stuck in traffic.
This single intersection is clogged with a total of what is probably 15-20 people in cars. All while a bus with easily over 2x that sits stuck in traffic.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Rideau Street McDonald's reopens by honouring predecessor's viral raccoon ottawacitizen.com/news/rideau-...
December 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Rideau Street McDonald's reopens by honouring predecessor's viral raccoon ottawacitizen.com/news/rideau-...
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Here's just 2019 and 2024 side by side.
There were no speed cameras in 2019.
There were no speed cameras in 2019.
November 15, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Here's just 2019 and 2024 side by side.
There were no speed cameras in 2019.
There were no speed cameras in 2019.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Here’s the link for online version if it makes reading easier, a great piece: www.newedinburgh.ca/new-edinburg...
New Edinburgh News – New Edinburgh
www.newedinburgh.ca
December 19, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Here’s the link for online version if it makes reading easier, a great piece: www.newedinburgh.ca/new-edinburg...
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
I've filtered Ottawa's traffic collision data to show only collisions with injuries for each year, and then added the speed camera locations present in those years.
It looks like speed cameras have made the roads much safer.
It looks like speed cameras have made the roads much safer.
November 15, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I've filtered Ottawa's traffic collision data to show only collisions with injuries for each year, and then added the speed camera locations present in those years.
It looks like speed cameras have made the roads much safer.
It looks like speed cameras have made the roads much safer.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
A small speed camera (ASE) update: Staff are collecting speed data at former ASE sites to compare driving behaviour before, during, and after camera enforcement. All data collected will be publicly available on OpenData and posted on a monthly basis beginning in January 2026.
December 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
A small speed camera (ASE) update: Staff are collecting speed data at former ASE sites to compare driving behaviour before, during, and after camera enforcement. All data collected will be publicly available on OpenData and posted on a monthly basis beginning in January 2026.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
🚨No loss of life or serious injury on our roads is acceptable.
📣Join our Action Lab with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
👉Holding policy makers accountable
👉Using stories of road violence for good
Featured Guest: David Shellnutt
📆January 6th 7:00-8:30pm
👇Details and RSVP
wp.me/PgXcP6-2t
📣Join our Action Lab with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
👉Holding policy makers accountable
👉Using stories of road violence for good
Featured Guest: David Shellnutt
📆January 6th 7:00-8:30pm
👇Details and RSVP
wp.me/PgXcP6-2t
December 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
🚨No loss of life or serious injury on our roads is acceptable.
📣Join our Action Lab with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
👉Holding policy makers accountable
👉Using stories of road violence for good
Featured Guest: David Shellnutt
📆January 6th 7:00-8:30pm
👇Details and RSVP
wp.me/PgXcP6-2t
📣Join our Action Lab with @thebikinglawyer.bsky.social
👉Holding policy makers accountable
👉Using stories of road violence for good
Featured Guest: David Shellnutt
📆January 6th 7:00-8:30pm
👇Details and RSVP
wp.me/PgXcP6-2t
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
@mayormarksutcliffe.bsky.social @shawnmenard.bsky.social @davidmoscrop.com @bikeottawa.bsky.social @strongtownsottawa.ca @arieltroster.com Let’s go Ottawa. Make biking normal for every age for three seasons.
“Dutch people cycle an average of 2.6km each per day. If this pattern was replicated worldwide, annual carbon emissions would drop by 686 million tonnes.
This mammoth figure exceeds the entire carbon footprint of most countries, including the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Australia.” @euronews.com
This mammoth figure exceeds the entire carbon footprint of most countries, including the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Australia.” @euronews.com
Cycling like the Dutch would slash the world’s carbon footprint
If everybody cycled like the Dutch, we could offset the UK or Australia’s entire carbon footprint.
www.euronews.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:47 PM
@mayormarksutcliffe.bsky.social @shawnmenard.bsky.social @davidmoscrop.com @bikeottawa.bsky.social @strongtownsottawa.ca @arieltroster.com Let’s go Ottawa. Make biking normal for every age for three seasons.
This wonderful piece, about new incremental housing going up, written by Sharon Nyangweso was shared in our group. We really think this couldn't have been said better.
We cannot lock our neighbourhoods into stasis if we want them to thrive. We need to be adaptable and allow for incremental growth.
We cannot lock our neighbourhoods into stasis if we want them to thrive. We need to be adaptable and allow for incremental growth.
December 14, 2025 at 2:21 AM
This wonderful piece, about new incremental housing going up, written by Sharon Nyangweso was shared in our group. We really think this couldn't have been said better.
We cannot lock our neighbourhoods into stasis if we want them to thrive. We need to be adaptable and allow for incremental growth.
We cannot lock our neighbourhoods into stasis if we want them to thrive. We need to be adaptable and allow for incremental growth.
Another wonderful monthly meeting in the wraps! Great to see so many come out despite the poor weather last night!
We discussed where we've come over the last couple years as a group, our plans for 2026, the upcoming municipal election, and more!
Our next meeting is in January, info on our site!
We discussed where we've come over the last couple years as a group, our plans for 2026, the upcoming municipal election, and more!
Our next meeting is in January, info on our site!
December 12, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Another wonderful monthly meeting in the wraps! Great to see so many come out despite the poor weather last night!
We discussed where we've come over the last couple years as a group, our plans for 2026, the upcoming municipal election, and more!
Our next meeting is in January, info on our site!
We discussed where we've come over the last couple years as a group, our plans for 2026, the upcoming municipal election, and more!
Our next meeting is in January, info on our site!
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Yesterday, Ottawa City Council approved the 2026 budget.
Councillors were good about pointing out the fundamental problems with our bus reliability, but they still voted in support of a budget that will not solve the bus shortage.
Our full response: bettertransitottawa.ca/blog/budget-...
Councillors were good about pointing out the fundamental problems with our bus reliability, but they still voted in support of a budget that will not solve the bus shortage.
Our full response: bettertransitottawa.ca/blog/budget-...
December 11, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Yesterday, Ottawa City Council approved the 2026 budget.
Councillors were good about pointing out the fundamental problems with our bus reliability, but they still voted in support of a budget that will not solve the bus shortage.
Our full response: bettertransitottawa.ca/blog/budget-...
Councillors were good about pointing out the fundamental problems with our bus reliability, but they still voted in support of a budget that will not solve the bus shortage.
Our full response: bettertransitottawa.ca/blog/budget-...
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
it was months and months of pushing, but line 1 is almost back to 5-minute all day frequencies.
huge shoutout to our members at BTO as well as @strongtownsottawa.ca for getting 6-minute frequency back during midday.
huge shoutout to our members at BTO as well as @strongtownsottawa.ca for getting 6-minute frequency back during midday.
Yesterday, Ottawa City Council approved the 2026 budget.
Councillors were good about pointing out the fundamental problems with our bus reliability, but they still voted in support of a budget that will not solve the bus shortage.
Our full response: bettertransitottawa.ca/blog/budget-...
Councillors were good about pointing out the fundamental problems with our bus reliability, but they still voted in support of a budget that will not solve the bus shortage.
Our full response: bettertransitottawa.ca/blog/budget-...
December 11, 2025 at 10:39 PM
it was months and months of pushing, but line 1 is almost back to 5-minute all day frequencies.
huge shoutout to our members at BTO as well as @strongtownsottawa.ca for getting 6-minute frequency back during midday.
huge shoutout to our members at BTO as well as @strongtownsottawa.ca for getting 6-minute frequency back during midday.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
With the TTC board meeting wrapping up today, it’s as good time as any to post one of my favourite Venn diagrams.
December 10, 2025 at 10:17 PM
With the TTC board meeting wrapping up today, it’s as good time as any to post one of my favourite Venn diagrams.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
We've worked together with our partners at the Peoples Official Plan coalition to touch on a very important aspect of our yearly budget process, that of affordability.
We strongly recommend reading the letter, and providing your thoughts to your councillor!
strongtownsottawa.ca/2025/12/09/i...
We strongly recommend reading the letter, and providing your thoughts to your councillor!
strongtownsottawa.ca/2025/12/09/i...
December 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM
We've worked together with our partners at the Peoples Official Plan coalition to touch on a very important aspect of our yearly budget process, that of affordability.
We strongly recommend reading the letter, and providing your thoughts to your councillor!
strongtownsottawa.ca/2025/12/09/i...
We strongly recommend reading the letter, and providing your thoughts to your councillor!
strongtownsottawa.ca/2025/12/09/i...
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
We did it- 18 and Under Youth Pass is coming to #Ottawa as of July 1st, 2026. It will bring free transit for youth on weekends, holidays, after 5pm on weekdays and all day every day in the summer (July and August)!
December 11, 2025 at 2:59 AM
We did it- 18 and Under Youth Pass is coming to #Ottawa as of July 1st, 2026. It will bring free transit for youth on weekends, holidays, after 5pm on weekdays and all day every day in the summer (July and August)!
Let's get this in Ottawa ASAP!
So many more types of housing would be unlocked by this.
We need to learn from the rest of the world, rather than being stuck in outdated building practices.
So many more types of housing would be unlocked by this.
We need to learn from the rest of the world, rather than being stuck in outdated building practices.
BREAKING TODAY: Vancouver Council finally passed UNANIMOUSLY building bylaw changes allowing single-stair buildings up to 6 storeys, with a @lucymaloney.bsky.social amendment for corresponding zone changes. Congratulations to all who’ve championed this including @lanefab.com & @holz-bau.bsky.social.
Single stair code changes coming to @cityofvancouver.bsky.social council today.
It’s been several years of work getting to this point.
It’s not everything that I’d want but it’s a good first step, with external single stairs and low/mid rise scissor stairs as entirely new housing options.
It’s been several years of work getting to this point.
It’s not everything that I’d want but it’s a good first step, with external single stairs and low/mid rise scissor stairs as entirely new housing options.
December 11, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Let's get this in Ottawa ASAP!
So many more types of housing would be unlocked by this.
We need to learn from the rest of the world, rather than being stuck in outdated building practices.
So many more types of housing would be unlocked by this.
We need to learn from the rest of the world, rather than being stuck in outdated building practices.
We've worked together with our partners at the Peoples Official Plan coalition to touch on a very important aspect of our yearly budget process, that of affordability.
We strongly recommend reading the letter, and providing your thoughts to your councillor!
strongtownsottawa.ca/2025/12/09/i...
We strongly recommend reading the letter, and providing your thoughts to your councillor!
strongtownsottawa.ca/2025/12/09/i...
December 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM
We've worked together with our partners at the Peoples Official Plan coalition to touch on a very important aspect of our yearly budget process, that of affordability.
We strongly recommend reading the letter, and providing your thoughts to your councillor!
strongtownsottawa.ca/2025/12/09/i...
We strongly recommend reading the letter, and providing your thoughts to your councillor!
strongtownsottawa.ca/2025/12/09/i...
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
The report suggested Ottawa limit parking downtown and encourage pedestrian movement. This didn’t pan out. Ten years after the bylaw was adopted, the core was littered with surface parking—producing the “dead areas” Bacon warned about.
December 9, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The report suggested Ottawa limit parking downtown and encourage pedestrian movement. This didn’t pan out. Ten years after the bylaw was adopted, the core was littered with surface parking—producing the “dead areas” Bacon warned about.
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
The City of Ottawa is nearing the finish line on its new zoning bylaw. Did you know Ottawa's zoning is only two degrees from Kevin Bacon? 🧵...
December 9, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The City of Ottawa is nearing the finish line on its new zoning bylaw. Did you know Ottawa's zoning is only two degrees from Kevin Bacon? 🧵...
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Pushing the "make it worse" button on a $3.5B project sounds insane, right?
While I'm always excited for more transit in Canada, the Finch West LRT is showing #Ottawa something NOT to do for our future rapid lines like the Baseline Transitway.
Let's talk about two crucial words: Signal Priority.
While I'm always excited for more transit in Canada, the Finch West LRT is showing #Ottawa something NOT to do for our future rapid lines like the Baseline Transitway.
Let's talk about two crucial words: Signal Priority.
December 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Pushing the "make it worse" button on a $3.5B project sounds insane, right?
While I'm always excited for more transit in Canada, the Finch West LRT is showing #Ottawa something NOT to do for our future rapid lines like the Baseline Transitway.
Let's talk about two crucial words: Signal Priority.
While I'm always excited for more transit in Canada, the Finch West LRT is showing #Ottawa something NOT to do for our future rapid lines like the Baseline Transitway.
Let's talk about two crucial words: Signal Priority.
Housing and transportation go hand in hand! As we shared earlier today, there is lots of housing going up on Carling, which is GREAT! But where are the investments into transit?
No bus lanes, no BRT, nothing... Even though hundreds of new residents are being added.
Housing needs good transit!
No bus lanes, no BRT, nothing... Even though hundreds of new residents are being added.
Housing needs good transit!
We desperately need better public transport, for new and existing housing. @strongtownsottawa.ca @freetransitottawa.bsky.social @shawnmenard.bsky.social @arieltroster.com @jleiper.bsky.social @forourkidsog.bsky.social @otttransitriders.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Housing and transportation go hand in hand! As we shared earlier today, there is lots of housing going up on Carling, which is GREAT! But where are the investments into transit?
No bus lanes, no BRT, nothing... Even though hundreds of new residents are being added.
Housing needs good transit!
No bus lanes, no BRT, nothing... Even though hundreds of new residents are being added.
Housing needs good transit!
Reposted by Strong Towns Ottawa
Stroad parking lot with single story restaurant transforms into ➡️ 213 new homes and 4 new ground floor businesses in Ottawa, Canada
December 8, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Stroad parking lot with single story restaurant transforms into ➡️ 213 new homes and 4 new ground floor businesses in Ottawa, Canada