Chief William Commanda Bridge (former Prince of Wales Bridge)

[phil235]

I see why active use of the QED may be a bit lower lately. Every cyclist in town is apparently on this bridge.

I didn’t encounter any issues with it being too narrow - it’s actually quite wide. Beautiful skyline views from the Quebec span.

[SL123]

Originally Posted by phil235

I see why active use of the QED may be a bit lower lately. Every cyclist in town is apparently on this bridge.

I didn’t encounter any issues with it being too narrow - it’s actually quite wide. Beautiful skyline views from the Quebec span.

I biked on it today! its definitely popular. I would say the bridges are wide enough but the island portion is too narrow they could really add a segregated portion for pedestrian on that section. There’s enough space between the MUP and the rails to do that i would say.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by SL123

I biked on it today! its definitely popular. I would say the bridges are wide enough but the island portion is too narrow they could really add a segregated portion for pedestrian on that section. There’s enough space between the MUP and the rails to do that i would say.

I'm hoping they left that 2-meter wide shoulder for that purpose and will pave it before the official opening. Unlikely though.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by SL123

I biked on it today! its definitely popular. I would say the bridges are wide enough but the island portion is too narrow they could really add a segregated portion for pedestrian on that section. There’s enough space between the MUP and the rails to do that i would say.

Yeah, I thought that there was enough crushed stone that you could pull off without much trouble, but there is definitely enough space to widen the island portion. That’s also the spot with one of the best views, so people are going to stop.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by SL123

I biked on it today! its definitely popular. I would say the bridges are wide enough but the island portion is too narrow they could really add a segregated portion for pedestrian on that section. There’s enough space between the MUP and the rails to do that i would say.

As a pedestrian, I very much appreciate how the island portion being narrower, and dog-legged to the west as compared to the spans, forces People of Wheel to slow down for a bit.

[Uhuniau]

Anyone know if stats are being kept on trips across the bridge? It would be interesting to see "wow it's popular", only in numbers.

[Kitchissippi]

I wish there would eventually be a pedestrian path along the water’s edge on the island with benches and picnic tables to enjoy the view from.. A floating swimming facility similar to the one at River House with views of the city skyline would be spectacular.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I wish there would eventually be a pedestrian path along the water’s edge on the island with benches and picnic tables to enjoy the view from.. A floating swimming facility similar to the one at River House with views of the city skyline would be spectacular.

Yes, great idea, plus a café, if such things are permitted in proximity to water treatment plants.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by phil235

Yes, great idea, plus a café, if such things are permitted in proximity to water treatment plants.

It shouldn't be a problem downstream of the water intake (which is behind/downstream of the floating yellow berm on the west side of the bridge), but then you're also upstream of the hydro plants.

A River House style floating thing might not work as well, given that safety constraint, but something more robust and dumbass-proof might.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I wish there would eventually be a pedestrian path along the water’s edge on the island with benches and picnic tables to enjoy the view from.. A floating swimming facility similar to the one at River House with views of the city skyline would be spectacular.

I don't think they will want to encourage swimming in the area. While it is calm on the lee side of the island, I gather the current picks up rapidly once you get too far out, and people can quickly get themselves in trouble without warning.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

I really don't understand how it is so hard for other human beings to not be dicks, to be aware of their surroundings, and to stay out of one another's way. Maybe that's just me.

You're right. It's very frustrating how unaware people are. On the O-Train, you see people stopping in the stairs or at the top of the stairs when there's plenty of room to go on the side and do whatever they are doing, people standing in the middle of the escalators (basic subway ediquet), cars randomly stopping on the road or in a parking lot, no flasher to explain what they are trying to do, people hanging out in the middle of MUPs instead of the side...

There was a Shifter video (guy with a cycling channel on YouTube) talking about the REV in Montreal (Réseau Express Vélo), and some of his footage of those super wide one way lanes, and all the cyclists sticking to the right instead of the middle, or all over the place, to, you know, let people pass. People in Ottawa could never figure that out.

It's sort of ironic all the signs the city put up. To read them, people would have to stop, get off their bikes and take a minute to check them out up close, creating more of a hazard than the perceived hazard they are trying to prevent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiPKDfBNoVU

Originally Posted by zzptichka

I'm hoping they left that 2-meter wide shoulder for that purpose and will pave it before the official opening. Unlikely though.

My hope as well. Good opportunity to create more space for passing, a proper view point OFF the path and a small dinning area to enjoy the views.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

There was a Shifter video (guy with a cycling channel on YouTube) talking about the REV in Montreal (Réseau Express Vélo), and some of his footage of those super wide one way lanes, and all the cyclists sticking to the right instead of the middle, or all over the place, to, you know, let people pass. People in Ottawa could never figure that out.

It's sort of ironic all the signs the city put up. To read them, people would have to stop, get off their bikes and take a minute to check them out up close, creating more of a hazard than the perceived hazard they are trying to prevent.

People in Montreal also queue up in single file to board the bus, so it may be that they are just more evolved than us in Ontario.

On the signs, I don't understand why there aren't best practices which include simple messaging and a limit on how many signs you can put in one spot. There are so many places in Ottawa where the signage is completely useless due to volume. This bridge is the latest terrible example.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by phil235

People in Montreal also queue up in single file to board the bus, so it may be that they are just more evolved than us in Ontario.

I gather that came about because at one point STM had a policy that if the people weren't queued up nicely at the stop, the bus wouldn't stop for them. That policy is long gone, but the behaviour has remained. People are like sheep and will do what everyone else does. That's why we also get long lineups at airport gates, or VIA Rail stations prior to boarding, instead of people waiting until it is time to board.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by roger1818

I don't think they will want to encourage swimming in the area. While it is calm on the lee side of the island, I gather the current picks up rapidly once you get too far out, and people can quickly get themselves in trouble without warning.

That's why it would have to be something structural and probably fixed in place, but who knows what you can do with some bushplane docks, fencing, and duct tape.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

There was a Shifter video (guy with a cycling channel on YouTube) talking about the REV in Montreal (Réseau Express Vélo), and some of his footage of those super wide one way lanes, and all the cyclists sticking to the right instead of the middle, or all over the place, to, you know, let people pass. People in Ottawa could never figure that out.

Some nicely-worded, vaguely British in their passive-aggressiveness signs, might not be such a bad thing:

PLEASE KEEP RIGHT
BE AWARE OF OTHERS
ENJOY THE VIEW

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by roger1818

That's why we also get long lineups at airport gates, or VIA Rail stations prior to boarding, instead of people waiting until it is time to board.

I am very much in the "Wait for the 'all remaining passengers' announcement" camp.

[SidetrackedSue]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Pedestrians?

On a cycling bridge?

I thought it was another multi user path. My mistake. I'll cancel my plans to walk it.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by SidetrackedSue

I thought it was another multi user path. My mistake. I'll cancel my plans to walk it.

Not sure if you're joking or not.

It is a multi-use pathway for any active form of transportation, be it foot, bike, scooter or whatever.

[Fading Isle]

Originally Posted by roger1818

I gather that came about because at one point STM had a policy that if the people weren't queued up nicely at the stop, the bus wouldn't stop for them. That policy is long gone, but the behaviour has remained. People are like sheep and will do what everyone else does. That's why we also get long lineups at airport gates, or VIA Rail stations prior to boarding, instead of people waiting until it is time to board.

Toronto does this too. It was the weirdest thing to get used to when I moved there.

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Not sure if you're joking or not.

It is a multi-use pathway for any active form of transportation, be it foot, bike, scooter or whatever.

I do wonder how scooters got added to "active transportation". I've not seen one person on a traditional kick scooter getting some exercise, but plenty of passive people on the electric ones.

Sure, e-scooters are fun for some, and certainly more enviro-friendly than a motor vehicle, but "active" they are not.