Getting Creative to Support Bus Lanes on Bank Street
Strong Towns Ottawa is running ads before movies at the Mayfair Theatre until June 15 to encourage support for Bus Lanes on Bank Street. With the study delayed and additional consultations not yet announced, we’re encouraging people to submit feedback to the city to speed things up.
We’re also taking over the marquee (the movie sign) on May 29 until 2pm with a message encouraging people to support bus lanes on Bank Street. I’d encourage you to stop by and take a picture on May 29 to show your support for bus lanes on Bank Street. If you have connections with any journalists or writers, please consider sharing this with them.
I’ve been involved with Strong Towns Ottawa for about 2 years now. I run the Ottawa Urbanism Book Club through their group, and they do a great job of connecting and including suburban residents in city building conversations. Last year, Strong Towns Ottawa took over parking spots in the Glebe to promote bus lanes and active transportation.
Bus lanes would be a huge benefit to Bank Street and OC Transpo, which I’ve written about many times in the past. I’ve also spoken with the media about it, and the Centretown Community Association has sent a letter in support of bus lanes on Bank.
The Bank Street Active Transportation and Transit Feasibility Study has been delayed, with the 2nd consultation round originally scheduled for Fall 2024 still not having happened yet. We’re hoping the ads may put some pressure on the city to keep the consultation moving and select bus lanes as the preferred option.
If you’d like to see bus lanes on Bank Street as well, please considering emailing your councillor.
I am in favour of removing parking on Bank street to allow buses and bikes to use that lane exclusively.