It was a real pleasure to sit down with Ben Durham on the “Wheels and Beyond” podcast. The conversation started off with the interesting way we connected through his sister, Jamie, who happens to be a colleague of mine. It was reassuring to learn I wasn’t the only one doing the daily commute without a car; finding that shared experience with Jamie was what sparked this whole conversation.
I got to share my “mobility story,” starting from my university days in Ottawa and how, even after moving to the suburbs in 2019, I’ve tried to maintain a lifestyle that doesn’t revolve around a car. We sold our second car during the pandemic, and honestly, I haven’t missed it. My cargo bike has been completely life-changing. It’s not just for my 20km commute; it has just plain become our second vehicle. I talked about how it’s the “minivan of bicycles”, perfect for hauling everything from kids and groceries to cases of Girl Guide cookies.
A big part of our discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities of suburban living. I explained how moving to Orleans with young kids opened my eyes to how car-centric design can make it difficult to build community and access amenities without driving. It was rewarding to share how my own kids are noticing the benefits of biking—the friendly interactions with neighbours, the freedom from traffic jams—things they just don’t experience from the backseat of a car.
This experience is what motivated me to start LessCar.ca about a year ago. I explained to Ben that the core idea isn’t about being “anti-car,” but about embracing “less car”. Cars are a powerful tool, a “superpower” as I called them, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to use and rely on them for every single trip. By making conscious choices to walk, bike, or take transit more often, we save money, get exercise, and build a stronger community.
I was particularly keen to discuss the structural issues that hold our neighbourhoods back. We delved into how outdated zoning bylaws in many suburban areas prevent the evolution of our communities, making it illegal to build the kind of mixed-use, walkable places that so many people want (even if they may not realize it). This is a topic I’m passionate about, and I mentioned the “modernizing Orleans” package I’ve been working on to advocate for changes to our local transportation and zoning regulations. It’s crucial that we allow our neighbourhoods to adapt and grow incrementally.
We ended on a hopeful note. I’m genuinely optimistic about the future, especially with the LRT extension coming out east to Orleans, which will be a game-changer for connecting the suburbs to downtown without as strong a compulsion to drive. The City of Ottawa has some excellent high-level plans, like the 15-minute neighbourhood concept outlined in the Official Plan, but the real challenge is overcoming public resistance and NIMBYism at the local level to actually get it done.
My main takeaway for listeners was a call to action: get involved. Go to your local community association meetings, talk to your neighbours, and advocate to the people in your community and elected leaders for the kind of neighbourhood you want to live in. The idea of “less car” is a positive one that benefits everyone through cleaner air, quieter streets, and safer, more connected communities. Even people stuck in traffic on the highway are wishing for less car.
Overall, it was a fantastic conversation, and I’m grateful to Ben for providing a platform to share these ideas. It reinforces the importance of continuing to push for more resilient, human-scaled communities across Canada and the world.
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