Ottawa’s Adàwe Crossing for cyclists, pedestrians needs barriers to keep out cars: councillor

A new bridge spanning the Rideau River in Ottawa, opened in December 2015, has proven to be a hit with riders in the nation’s capital, offering a dedicated crossing connecting key parts of the city.

Unfortunately, it’s proven to be popular with drivers, too, the CBC reported.

That’s the word from city officials, after details about a particular incident over the Christmas holidays were disclosed. After the bridge was opened, connecting Ottawa’s Vanier and Overbrook neighourhoods, Sandy Hill, the University of Ottawa and downtown, at least one car has been reported to have sneakily used the Adàwe Crossing, which is intended for the exclusive use of riders and pedestrians.

According to Rideau-Vanier city councillor Mathieu Fleury, such incursions are simply unacceptable—for reasons all too obvious to Ottawa cyclists.

“We have to find a mechanism by which we can’t allow cars to go through. It is a pedestrian and cycling-only cossing,” Fleury told the CBC. “Unfortunately, a small car does fit if we don’t put up the appropriate barriers.”

The installation of those barriers is a likely remedy to the situation, reports said, and users of the Adàwe Crossing may soon see them erected at either end of the bridge, keeping cars from trying to squeeze through the space. No information has yet been provided for what a possible time frame for that installation process might be.