Transportation

Priorities

• Supporting community groups to audit neighbourhood walkability and pedestrian safety
• Addressing gaps in Rural Transportation
• Advocating for changes in OC/Para Transpo services that support seniors and persons with disabilities
• Advocating for changes in hospital parking that increase accessibility & affordability
• Supporting the Gotta Go Campaign to ensure access to washrooms in public spaces
• Reaching seniors with information about options

Current Highlights

Snow Mole Report 2019: Winter Walking in Ottawa

In the winter of 2019, the Age-Friendly Pedestrian Safety and Walkability Committee launched the Snow Mole project—a winter walkability audit program that encourages seniors and other residents to report on winter walking conditions. This report contains a description of the project and its implementation and promotion, a summary of the collected data and an analysis of common trends. It discusses what we learned and  provides a list of recommendations to the City and others for improving winter walkability in Ottawa.

Concerned about winter walking? Be a Snow Mole

We are looking for volunteers to report on what it is like to walk outside on a winter day. We will use the information to inform the City and others of ways that winter walking can and should be improved.

It is easy to be a snow mole!

1. Pick a day and a destination (e.g. bus stop, library, seniors centre, store, bank, school.

2. Use the snow mole questionnaire to audit your walk. 

3. Fill in the questionnaire online or mail/drop off a completed paper copy at our office.

Tips for Winter Walking

There is nothing like taking a walk to enjoy the beauty of the season – and walking is one of the best ways to keep healthy. On the other hand, winter can be a challenging time of year to get out an about. Here are some tips for safer walking outdoors in winter.

Sub-Committees

• Pedestrian Safety and Walkability – audits in areas within the city and advocates for changes to make walking safer for seniors and people with disabilities or mobility issues
• Older Drivers – provides information about safe driving for seniors through brochures, information sessions and education
• Rural Transportation – identifies innovative approaches to respond to rural seniors’ transportation needs
• Community Transportation Information Events – plans, promotes, organizes and participates in events to raise awareness of seniors’ transportation choices & challenges

Committee Membership

• Chaired by the COA
• Canadian Cancer Society (Ottawa Unit)
• Champlain Dementia Network
• City of Ottawa: OC Transpo & Para Transpo;  Ottawa Public Health, Strategic Community Initiatives, Safer Roads Ottawa
• Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre
• Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre
• HelpAge Canada
• MS Society of Canada, Ottawa Chapter
• Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization
• Jewish Family Services
• Champlain Community Support Network; Champlain Community Transportation Collaborative
• Seniors and interested members from the community representing rural and urban Ottawa
• South–East Ottawa Community Health Centre
• Stroke Survivors Association of Ottawa
• Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
• Walk Ottawa
• Unitarian House