Author: Rob Attrell
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A Weekend in the Suburbs With No Car
For many suburban parents, reading the title of this article might send shivers down your spine. For a lot of families, one car per adult in the household is pretty typical, unless a car is in the shop or out of commission for some other reason. In my case, one of the reasons we are…
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Bike Commute and Errands – August 7, 2024
In a single, normal day, I biked over 41 km on my ebike. Starting in Orleans, I went downtown for work, then from downtown to the Ottawa Hospital (main campus), and finally from the hospital home. This trip was absolutely made possible (and was much cheaper and less physically demanding) by my ebike. And the…
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Orleans Blvd Overpass Design
I am writing today about the Orleans Blvd overpass design updates (Stage 2 LRT Station Connectivity Enhancement Study | Convent Glen Station (Orléans Boulevard)) which sort of came and went quietly since last year (and I was even trying to pay attention!). I understand that the solution proposed last year had its issues (namely conflict…
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Movement: how to take back our streets and transform our lives | Book Recommendation
I just finished this book, it’s a great read on the reasons why reducing car dependency and designing streets for people and not cars is so important for society. Highly recommended. Movement: how to take back our streets and transform our lives Thalia Verkade, Marco te Brömmelstroet
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Third Places and Their Role in the 15-Minute Neighbourhood
In the bustling rhythm of modern life, where screens dominate our attention and digital connections often replace face-to-face interactions, the concept of “Third Places” emerges as a beacon of community resilience. These spaces—whether a cozy cafe, a vibrant park, or a welcoming library—play a pivotal role in shaping the 15-minute neighbourhoods of tomorrow. Let us…
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What My Kids See and Do Aboard My Ebike
My older kids are 6 and 3 (coming up on 4 now), and they absolutely love spending time on the back of my cargo ebike. In past years, we would go for rides together, but they were in a trailer behind my hybrid bike, and it wasn’t really a family ride since my wife didn’t…
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Jeanne d’Arc Blvd Pedestrian Crossing
Creating a new pedestrian crossing to get across a certain problematic section of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard is something I’ve been mulling over and wanting to talk about for literal months. My version of this story contains some aspects of government bureaucracy, car-friendly transportation rules, and common-sense safety and accessibility changes. The exact spot I’m describing…
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Bike Trip to the Library – July 17, 2024
I’m wrapping up 4 weeks of parental leave from work (going back Monday), and so for the last few month I have been spending all day every day with kids. Since I got the new bike (which can carry the older two on the back), the kids have been wanting to run errands and do…
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Vineyard / Voyageur Community Bus Loop
I’m a big fan of efficient, convenient, and frequent bus routes that access or connect common amenities. Growing up in Calgary, I made frequent use of what that city calls ‘community shuttles’, basically smaller buses that tend to run shorter closed loops in a community connecting riders to transit hubs or nearby amenities. A Tangent…