The cyclist got hit at the exact same intersection I was about to bike by, it could have been me. We need to consider banning right on red in all downtown intersections. You shouldn’t be taking your life in your hands every time you walk or cycle. A woman got killed crossing the street a block away.
Not just ban it, but enforce it as well. There's a segment of our population who think laws and bylaws don't apply to them.
I live in Somerville MA right now, and it and neighbouring Cambridge have banned red on right and it makes such a difference.
Its scary out there. I see drivers whip through pedestrian crossings all the time, often to turn without signaling so I dont even know theyre going that way till they brake an inch from me and mean mug me OR OPEN THE WINDOW AND YELL AT ME for getting in front of their car at a *pedestrian* cross
I am still super shaken after seeing this poor man in shock and agony, splayed out on the road. And I will never forget the faces of Saloni’s dozens of coworkers who came to mourn her when we placed white shoes in her honour at City Hall. Everyone deserves to make it home at the end of the day.
I'm sorry you witnessed that and you're right about it all.
This sucks. I hope they make a full recovery. There are so many changes that the city could make quickly that will save lives and life-altering injuries. I want to see those as a person who drives bikes, walks, and cares for children. It benefits us all. #OttawaNeedsVisionZero
super shocking when witnessing someone get hurt like that :(
I reminded the taxi driver about the young woman killed last week; he was driving behind me along the sidewalk in front of the Lord Elgin. The drive through to the hotel door was blocked by SUV’s arriving to register. So other drivers see no reason not to drive along sidewalk. Reported to 311
Now aim to avoid walking in front of the big hotels downtown for this very reason.
My husband was hit on his bike by a driver turning right on red recently. His injuries were minor fortunately. A friend of mine was hit a year earlier during her morning walk. She was in a crosswalk. This happened on an a neighborhood street. She died.
I am so sorry
More than in any other city, I've been nearly hit while crossing when I had the right of way in Ottawa — by cars, SUVs, and city buses Drivers are *exclusively* watching for other cars, not cyclists or pedestrians; that needs to change
Sorry you had to see and deal with that. And yes, no right on red in urban areas should be a given.
Right on red was only introduced during the 1970s OPEC crisis as a fuel-saving measure. Turns out it doesn't save fuel, and instead is SUPER dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians! We should get rid of it everywhere! Source: www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/right-t...
It existed in California in the 1960's. It was such an interesting novelty to us when we visited my uncle there.
Know what actually DID save fuel--and lives as well? The 55 mph federal speed limit! BRING IT BACK!
honestly, we also need designated right turn signals - less ambiguity makes it safer for everyone...
it really should be mandatory for all bike lanes. recently in a bike accident so have to drive, and it's incredibly stressful as a driver to have to turn right at the same time I have to cross a bike lane to do so. in @cityofvancouver.bsky.social the intersections on Hornby have the right signal...
@seanorr.bsky.social
Rather than banning right on red, why aren’t we enforcing cyclists not to run red lights? Aren’t you going after the wrong group?
If I understand correctly the main issue with right on red is pedestrians getting hit, not cyclists. Motorists don't look for pedestrians crossing an intersection before they turn. And the right turn takes them right across the path of a pedestrian stepping off the curb to cross.
She said cyclists in her post.
Could be intersections where cyclists have a bike lane and a separate light.
That doesn’t make sense unless it’s an advance walk, otherwise it is people/cyclists crossing on reds
Well, yeah. Sometimes there are advance walks.
But even then, we don’t know if these accidents are from drivers ignoring advance walks, or cyclists running reds. Until we do, calling for no right on reds is premature
I don't think there are a lot of cases of pedestrians brazenly jaywalking at a busy intersection when they have the red light. It would be very strange if that was the explanation. And even if it was: jaywalking should not carry a death sentence.
Sit for 2 minutes on Bank st and you would be hard pressed not to see a cyclist running a red and pedestrians playing Frogger. Which is why I would like to know who is at fault before calling for new rules to drivers. (Notably, drivers weren’t charged in this latest string of accidents)
Drivers are the ones driving a potentially lethal weapon around. The greater onus of safety should be on them. If we wait to study this to death before taking action, more people will die.
🙄 cars are driving on pathways designated for their use. Ideally cyclists would have their own designated and safely defined pathways, but when they are forced to share roads, they need to abide by the same laws. To blame people obeying the law rather than those who don’t makes zero sense.
We have not established that this is caused by anyone disobeying the law. That's your assumption. Ending right on red downtown is a pretty minor imposition on motorists. If it saves even one life, it's worth it.
Personal responsibility has to count for something. And I agree, a careless person doesn’t deserve to die. Nor does someone who doesn’t wear a seatbelt. Or a helmet. Or speeds. Etc But in the end, the simple solution is not to tempt fate
I had a close call today at Scott and Bronson when a car turned right onto Bronson cut me off during the advance green for pedestrian/bike. There is a no right on red at that intersection. I had to ring my bell at two more drivers about to cut me off turning right across the Laurier bikelane.
YIKES!
Also saw 3 cars go through after the advance left turn at Elgin and Laurier. The third being a cop and well after the advance bike/pedestrian light turned green.
Elgin is full of signs that say "30km/h", "No U-turn" & "No Left Turn 7am–7pm"; they're routinely ignored by motorists, and they get away with breaking the law because there's zero enforcement. Banning rights on red is great, but until OPS gives a shit and actually does its job, bans mean nothing.
What is the path to arrive at a ‘no right on red’ at least on ward 14? This is something I’m sure @strongtownsottawa.ca would have a deep interest in working with your office on