Four cyclists, 10 pedestrians taken off Highway 417 by police this past weekend

According to the Ottawa detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) there have been multiple instances where cyclists and pedestrians have found themselves on Highway 417.

The “multiple reports” have not resulted in any injuries, although police are concerned that they could have.

Over the course of this past weekend, four cyclists and 10 pedestrians were reported on the highway, Michael Fathi, Media Relations Officer for Ottawa OPP, told CityNews in an interview.

“This is an all over thing,” Fathi said. “I’ve had them (calls) as far west as Kinburn, so almost to Arnprior, I’ve had them out east by Walkley (Road), and a lot of time you’ll get calls for them all over the city.”

According to Fathi, police get “multiple calls” a day for pedestrians or cyclists on Highway 417, noting it’s more common that people think.

“Walking and cycling along the highway is incredibly dangerous and could result in a person being seriously injured or worse,” OPP wrote in a post on X.

The post was met with many people asking why pedestrians and cyclists weren’t charged and commenting on the incidents.

Fathi said police use discretion when issuing the $50 ticket, but it does happen. However, he said that “quite often” pedestrians found on the highway are newcomers to the city.

“Maybe where they come from walking on a major highway is not unheard of,” Fathi said. “A lot of them are still just following their GPS, and not actually physically paying attention to where they are, but also a lot of them genuinely don’t realize that they’re not allowed to walk on a 400-series highway because they’re new…they don’t necessarily know all our laws.”

Pinecrest Road is one area where police are finding pedestrians on the highway. Fathi said it could have to do with a station being close by so officers catch people frequently. He also mentioned an instance on the Nicholas Street overpass that he experienced.

Fathi was driving back from downtown when he saw a pedestrian on the side of the highway, after stopping the older man and his dog — not leashed — he discovered the man was homeless and trying to walk back to Carleton Place.

“What benefit is there for me to give this individual a $50 ticket when he’s homeless and he can barely afford food,” Fathi said.

In the end the OPP officer gave the man and his dog a ride back to the government-run residence in Carleton Place.

Cyclists, Fathi said “often know what they’re doing.”

“I’m not speaking of it in general. It’s not ‘Joe Public’ that’s on a bicycle and trying to get to his friend’s place,” he said. “The majority of the time it’s actually cyclists who are passing through the city and instead of taking the long way that they should be taking, they decide to take the 417.”

Police are reminding the public that walking or cycling on a 400-series highway is illegal, and they can be charged under the Highway Traffic Act.

Part of the confusion around the highway could also be due to signage.

“It’s not that it’s poor, but there is a lot of construction, and it can definitely be confusing…especially for people that aren’t familiar with all the signage,” Fathi said. “I would 100 per cent agree that better signage is necessary.”