City of Ottawa - Cycling in the City - May 2026

 

Welcome to the May edition of Cycling in the City. This issue highlights upcoming cycling project consultations, newly opened pathway connections, construction updates and ways residents can get involved in cycling across Ottawa this season.  Kanata Rail Trail Consultation

The City has launched a public consultation period for a proposed multi-use trail along a section of the decommissioned Beachburg rail corridor in Kanata. The trail would extend from Carling Avenue to Cameron Harvey Drive, approximately seven kilometres in length. The project proposes a multi-use trail with a compacted stone dust surface to be built on the existing railway bed, with a parkette and numerous rest stops. Further details are available on the project webpage. The consultation period will run until Friday, May 22 and residents are invited to send any comments or questions to the project manager, Mazen Shuhaibar (mazen.shuhaibar@ottawa.ca).      Leitrim Station to Findlay Creek In March, City staff hosted a public consultation session on a project to improve connectivity between the Findlay Creek neighbourhood and the Leitrim Station, located at the west edge of the community. Albion Road is one of the most direct routes to the station. It is an arterial road with a posted speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour, adjacent drainage ditches and no separated active transportation facilities.   This project proposes a multi-use pathway parallel to Albion Road between Bunchberry Way and Quinn Road. The path would be separated from the roadway and would include a new signalized crossing of Albion Road at Quinn Road and use the existing pedestrian and cycling connection at the west end of Quinn Road to access the station.   The project would also provide better access to the Osgoode Pathway, which provides long-distance off-road connections to destinations between Osgoode Village and downtown Ottawa. Residents can view the consultation materials on the project webpage.  New Pathway Segments in Stittsville East, Osgoode, and Copeland Park This spring, residents in Stittsville East, Osgoode, and Copeland Park will be able to take advantage of new segments of pathway that were constructed in late fall 2025. These small-scale projects addressed missing links along established desire paths (shortcuts people already use) and provide important connections for local communities. These projects include:   Two segments of multi-use pathway adjacent to Terry Fox Drive between Westphalian Avenue and Cope Drive. These segments complete a continuous route between these streets, connecting the pathways around the stormwater ponds (map) and providing off-road links to neighbourhood destinations.   A 160-metre pathway segment through Ainsley Park (map), addressing a community desire path through the park between Ainsley Drive and Baseline Road.   Two connections to the Osgoode Pathway in Osgoode Village from Cuddy Street and from MacTavish Place (map). Together, these new connections provide a shortcut for cyclists and pedestrians within the neighbourhood and provide an alternative to travelling on Osgoode Main Street.   Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street protected intersection Construction has ramped up for the Laurier Avenue cycling modifications project between Elgin Street and Queen Elizabeth Drive. Key elements of the project include upgrading the westbound on-road bike lane by separating it from the adjacent travel lane and adding a protected intersection at Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street. Construction will affect travel through the area, with lane and turn restrictions in place. A portion of the westbound bike lane is closed during the construction. An alternate route via the Corktown Bridge is identified on the project webpage. Cyclists can choose to take the alternate route or dismount and travel through the construction zone as a pedestrian.   Residents can visit the project webpage for further information, see a map of the alternate route, and sign-up to receive regular project updates.    Belfast Road and Trainyards Drive Intersection  Construction will start later this month on improvements at the intersection of Belfast Road and Trainyards Drive. The project will include a crossride on the south leg of the intersection to improve the safety of cyclists travelling between the multi-use pathways along both Belfast Road and Trainyards Drive (map).  The project also includes adding missing segments of sidewalk on the north side of Belfast Road between Trainyards Drive and St-Laurent Boulevard. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2026.    Let's Bike Month 2026  This June, join thousands of Ottawa residents participating in Let’s Bike Month. The City of Ottawa has been partnering with EnviroCentre to support this annual cycling campaign for 17 years. Let’s Bike Month is one of the largest and longest-running cycling campaigns in Canada.  Ways to participate this year include:  Sign up as an individual  Join or start a team to encourage your community or colleagues to join in  Log your bike rides and see the impact you make by choosing to bike  Join one of our exciting events or workshops! Note that some activities require registration and space may be limited.  Thanks to the amazing community sponsors, Let’s Bike Month will be giving away thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to participants throughout the month of June, just for riding their bike. To be entered into the prize draws, participants just need to have logged a ride during the month of June. Residents can see a list of prizes and sponsors on the Let’s Bike Month website! For more information about the campaign, please contact transport@envirocentre.ca.    Bruce Timmermans Cycling Awards Nominations   Do you know someone or an organization who has been a local champion for cycling in Ottawa? The City of Ottawa is once again accepting nominations for the Bruce Timmermans Cycling Awards. Two awards will be presented in June to recognize outstanding contributions to cycling in Ottawa.  EnviroCentre is coordinating the 2026 awards. All nominations are treated confidentially, and the deadline for submissions has been extended to May 15. Complete the survey form to nominate an individual or organization you believe deserves recognition!  More information about the Bruce Timmermans awards and a list of past winners can be found on the City’s website.  Cycling Skills and Safety Workshop  The City of Ottawa is running a cycling skills and safety workshop at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility on June 13. These workshops are intended to enhance participants' cycling confidence and road awareness. Topics covered include bike inspections, gear shifting, lane positioning, proper braking techniques, signaling, intersection navigation, and effective communication with other road users. Visit the city's webpage for more information and to enroll.