Location
Location of the intersection
Cyclists lined up, waiting for the light. Photo by Alex deVries, August 2010.
This NCC path crosses various intersections, and the one at Booth St. needs attention.
The Problem
There is no way for cyclists to cross this intersection without dismounting.
Technically, the path ends on a side walk, and the crossing is only on a crosswalk, so cyclists are supposed to dismount and walk their bicycles across this intersection. To trigger the signal, they also have to push the button intended for pedestrians.
While this is a common situation in Ottawa, this is such a busy intersection for cyclists that it deserves special attention.
The solution
- extend the path into the intersection so cyclists can remain cyclists
- install a signalling loop as cyclists approach the intersection so the lights will have changed
There ARE bicycle-activated sensors (the three yellow dots in a row) on the westbound NCC path (on the side of the road opposite the Museum).
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=45.41838,-75.715971&spn=0,0.027874&z=16&layer=c&cbll=45.418158,-75.715747&panoid=6G1-NffgX3CLgDkyyOme1g&cbp=12,18.9,,1,13.65
It’s just that there is absolutely zero signage for them and I would have never recognized them had I not seen them at the Percy/Catherine intersection.
This is the main delay on my commute to work. It often takes a long while for the light to change so you can cross and it doesn’t help that often cyclists don’t push the cross-walk button when they get to the intersection.
However, the real and only issue with this intersection is simply the delay in waiting to cross, which is significant.
There is a way for cyclists to trigger the cross-walk, it’s the same one for pedestrians (why would they install a separate one as it would be a waste of money).
There is a place to cross the road, it’s the same one as for pedestrian (again, why would they make something unique for cyclists… all bike paths that involve crossing a road do so [pretty much] at an intersection so you take advantage of the existing infrastructure).
And, yes, a cyclist will stop (not dismount) when they get to the intersection (you have to as the light is pretty much always red) and if you are the only one there, you stop by the cross-walk button to press it. If there are a lot of cyclists, then, yes, some will stop near the path.
Again, yes it is a trouble point as the timing for the cross-walk doesn’t reflect the high amount of bikes that go through this intersection, but that is really the only issue, not the other ones flagged in red in the graphics.
The sections indicated are sidewalks, not the NCC multiuse paths. There are quite a few pedestrians in this area.
It is illegal to bicycle on sidewalks. It is dangerous for pedestrians, and cyclists do get tickets for it.
And I appreciate your comments!
- A
One thing you’ve pointed out here is that there’s no definition on this site as to what is a problem. I’ve updated that in the FAQ. I know that this definition is debatable, but we’re lost without one.
- A