The City of Ottawa is currently experimenting with something totally revolutionary—a pedestrian intersection. Yes, I’m being sarcastic. In this car culture country, it’s rare. In Ottawa, I can only think of two, Sparks Street, which is usually very dead because there is absolutely no reason to hang out there, and William Street at Rideau, which is about twenty-meter long.
So, for the past few weeks or so, William Street at York Street has been closed, no cars at all. Local businesses are complaining and so are motorists—apparently the traffic around the Byward Market is horrendous. Well, excuse me, but I don’t think you should be driving around here in the first place. Between the market stalls, the small streets and the steady flow of tourists, we really don’t need more cars getting in the way. Park further and do like the rest of us: walk or bike!
On the positive side, since the corner of the street is closed to traffic, it’s hosting various performances. The other day, I spent quite a while watching these drummers from Burundi. This is the last picture I snapped of the show, two curious kids looking at the drums.
I love street performances like that. It makes the city more lively.
Hey Zhu,
I like this shot with the kids in the background. I’m sure by now you’re realized that car owners rule the world. Most people in cars avoid William Street. It’s just too busy around the old market building. Good for Ottawa for closing the street.
Have great weekend,
Rick
I would never drive in the market, there is always parking by the university or even downtown (on WE). I can never understand why people bring their pickup trucks and SUVs here!
Hopefully the experiment will turn out to be permanent. I miss having pedestrian streets: I had the impression that they are popular in Europe but not here in North America. Copenhagen’s Stroget, Budapest’s Vaci Utca, Vienna’s Mariahilferstrasse are just three examples that I have visited in the past. And since people utilize them, the shops are actually booming. In Buffalo, there is one street downtown that is car-free, but then there aren’t anything there, as downtown Buffalo is pretty much a ghost town.
It’s funny because in Ottawa, the only real pedestrian street, Sparks, really sucks. Businesses are overpriced, close early and aren’t exciting at all. This is probably because Sparks is right besides the Parliament.
Lovely! Happy to know they are trying to change. I like our little city as it’s small enough to avoid the traffic and much of it is one way. Most people do walk down town, including me even when I want to walk in and by something! We even walked down town to our passport office across the bridge here because I didn’t want to pay for parking down town. It was a nice stroll for sure!
Yes, I like street events as well, any type.
Do you remember Bertrand, the singer with his guitar? He used to often be across from the Mc Donald’s, place du Commerce, so you must know him!
What’s the name of that street in Ottawa with a few cafe-bistros, where they had the rib stalls last year? Is that William Street?
It doesn’t ring a bell but again, there were a lot of people hanging out at Commerce!
The street you are thinking about is Sparks Street. Except for the Ribfest, nothing ever happens there… pretty dead street.
That’s actually where I had my lunch, on a terrace.
Good place! The market is nice in the summer.
Can we get this experiment in Paris too? I’m sick of seeing cars everywhere!
Oh oh… I think Parisians will get mad if they were banned from driving!
We are so lucky here in Quebec city! We have an excellent public transportation service that is used by the population for many events. Our summer festival is just starting – Elton John concert tonight!
Oh, that’s cool! Are you going?
I’m abusing the comments to say I love the new menu bar. Its even more nicer! 🙂
Thank you! I wanted to make it easier to read.
Indeed it brings the city to life… I saw quite a few shows in Old Montreal. Toronto only has these occasionally.
I saw a few on Dundas Square!