SAFETY CORNER

byDon Kelly, Director

Bike Safety

The temperature is warming up and soon our streets and pathways will be filled with people of all ages enjoying the spirit of recreational activity. Of course, with this activity comes the responsibility for everyone to act safely, whether it be with your bicycle, skateboard or other personal device. The Ottawa Police, the Ottawa Safety Council and Bike Ottawa websites offer a wide variety of valuable tips that you can follow to ensure your riding experience is safe. The BCA encourages everyone: motorists, cyclists, and even pedestrians, to visit these sites and follow the safety principles highlighted.

NOTE: Anyone under the age of 18 must, by law, wear a helmet in Ontario when cycling.

The increase in cycling also means more opportunity for bike thefts. According to the Ottawa Police, 1,413 bicycles were reported stolen in 2024 and an equal number in 2025, although exact stats are not yet available. To help combat these thefts the Ottawa Police have a program called Project 529, whereby when you register your bike with them, and it is stolen or lost, an alert is sent across the city to other cyclists about the incident to be watchful for your bike. This networking program has resulted in many bikes being recovered. Detailed information on Project 529 can be found on the Ottawa Police website. The BCA encourages cyclists to register their bikes.

Neighbourhood Watch

In 2024 there were 4,300 Provincial Criminal Offences related to the Ottawa LRT. The number for 2025 was even higher. The LRT extension to Orleans is expected to be in service by June 30, 2026, and has the potential to affect criminal activity in every east end community.

The East Ottawa Neighbourhood Watch Committee (EONWC) will be hosting an event on Thursday, April 16 at the Ray Friel Center, Fallingbrook Room, starting at 7:30 pm, to discuss “Enhancing LRT Crime Prevention and Public Safety”. The EONWC is comprised of 17 east end Ottawa Community Associations that work in partnership with Ottawa Police Services and other partners to enhance public safety and increase crime prevention. It is recognized that EDUCATION AND AWARENESS are key components of the Neighbourhood Watch Program (NWP) and is one of the objectives for this event.

The speakers for this evening event will be Peter Scislowski, Chief Special Constable, OC Transpo, Sergeant Stephane Fournier, Ottawa Police Services, and Jonathan Walden, City of Ottawa Bylaw Services. The discussions will address encampments, assaults, theft, drugs, and other related crimes. Discussions will include looking at what actions communities can take in the reduction and prevention of crime in their community. A report on the proceedings of this event will be posted in the next Banar.

Another objective of this event is to highlight the important role your Neighbourhood Watch has towards public safety and crime prevention in your community. If you have not yet joined the Blackburn Hamlet Neighbourhood Watch we encourage you to think about strengthening our community and become a member. You can find the details on the NWP and how to become a member on the BCA website, under Safety, or contact Don Kelly at safety@blackburnhamlet.ca.

Crossing Guard Safety

In recent months there have been significant incidents involving Crossing Guards in Ottawa. The role of the school crossing guard is to direct and supervise the movement of persons across public roads (as defined in the Highway Traffic Act) by creating necessary gaps in vehicular traffic, to provide safe passage for pedestrians. Motorists and cyclists must stop and yield the entire roadway for pedestrians at designated pedestrian crossovers, school crossings and intersections with crossing guards. Where there is a Crossing Guard displaying a Stop Sign, all drivers (including cyclists) must STOP and yield to the pedestrians.

The BCA encourages all users of our roads to display utmost caution at our crosswalks and always respect the dedicated work of the Crossing Guards.