Local advocacy group calling for continuation of NCC’s Queen Elizabeth Driveway active use program

Ottawa Mayor Sutcliffe voiced concerns over NCC’s active use program, related to low usage and added traffic on adjoining streets

But a local advocacy group, Bike Ottawa told The Sam Laprade Show that the Queen Elizabeth Driveway (QED)is part of a small percentage of roads in Ottawa closed to traffic, where pedestrians and cyclists can feel safe.

Dave Roberston, vice president of Bike Ottawa, said while the majority of roads in the city are used by cars, it’s important some are dedicated exclusively to other road users.

According to Roberston, 36.8 per cent of the QED’s length is reserved for the NCC’s active use program – adding, this is a relatively small portion of the driveway and an estimated 6,000 km of roads in Ottawa are still available to cars.

it was a plan that was drawn up so that people could essentially could drive along the canals , view nature – it was a very 1950s mentality where they enviosioned the future as everyone getting around by car, so if you want to enjoy nature, you enjoy it in your car- i think thats a very outdated view

“It was a plan drawn up so people could drive along the canal and view nature, but the road (QED) was never intended for commuter use,” said Robertson.

NCC’s active use program first began during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, in efforts to provide more outdoor public space while maintaining physical distancing.

Both lanes of the QED are closed to cars, between Fifth Avenue and Somerset Street for active use from 8 a.m to 8 p.m, every day from July 1 to Sept. 4.

Program hours will be reduced to weekend and holiday Monday closures from Sept. 9 to Oct. 9.

The QED is closed to cars for a total of 12.6 per cent of the total hours in one year – and based on data collected by NCC, an overwhelming number of residents are satisfied with the program, he pointed out.

But it’s important to note – some community members are opposed to the active use plan due to less road accessibility.

Mayor Sutcliffe is opposing plans already approved by city council, Roberston explained. There’s an official plan that says Ottawa should be re-imagining the QED and Colonel By Drive to reduce the road’s importance as a commuter route, in favour of pedestrian activity.

“City council declared a climate emergency back in 2019, so these statements are quite regressive and are opposing the already approved plans.” he added. “It’s perplexing that so many people support this yet the mayor is saying this is not an appropriate use of the parkway.”

Opposing the QED active use plan means fewer options for people using alternative ways to commute. Not everyone can drive and not everyone owns a car, especially in the downtown area where many walk and cycle, said Roberston.

While Bike Ottawa has not reached out directly to Mayor Sutcliffe, Robertson explained they have not received a response related to their blog posts in support of the NCC’s parkways program.

“Most of our roads are dedicated to cars so people tend to be quite reliant on them,” he added. “We need better options in the city and I think people see that with our LRT system shutdown.”

Montreal has dedicated some major commercial districts exclusively for pedestrian use, boosting foot traffic and benefitting businesses. said Roberston. The neighboring city is setting an example and we can learn a lot from them, he added.

“Our official documents say this is the direction we’re supposed to be heading in so the fact that we’re going backwards is regretful, but it’s never too late,” said Roberston.