Warmer days, busier streets: summer road safety reminders

Whether you’re driving, cycling or walking, a few simple actions can help prevent serious collisions and keep our communities safe.

The days are longer, the air is hotter and the flowers are blooming – summer is here. With it comes a familiar shift across our streets and pathways, as more people are out walking, cycling and enjoying the outdoors. As activity increases, so does the risk of collisions, particularly at intersections, crosswalks and in school zones. 

Whether you’re driving, cycling, riding a motorcycle or walking, a few simple actions – like staying aware of your surroundings by putting away your phone and headphones – can help prevent serious collisions and keep our communities safe. The sections below highlight what matters most in different shared spaces. 

 

On the roadway 

Busier roads mean more interactions between drivers and cyclists, making it important for all road users to stay alert and give each other space. 

Drivers 

• Always check carefully for vulnerable road users, especially before turning.
• Give cyclists plenty of room when passing.
• Never drive or park in designated bicycle lanes.
• Expect cyclists to use the full lane when it is too narrow to share safely.
• Give motorcycles the same space all around as you would a car or truck.
• Check your mirrors and blind spots frequently for cyclists and motorcycles, especially before changing lanes.  

Cyclists 

• Where possible, ride in a predictable straight line.
• Ride on the road or in cycling facilities, not the sidewalk.
• Avoid vehicle blind spots. 

Motorcyclists 

• Put yourself in the best position to always be visible to drivers.
• Avoid vehicle blind spots.
• Use your horn to alert other road users who might not see you or if you suspect a driver hasn’t seen you. 

 

At crosswalks, crossovers and school crossings 

Crosswalks and crossings are where pedestrians, cyclists and drivers most often meet. Awareness and patience are essential for everyone’s safety. 

Drivers 

• Be prepared to yield to pedestrians and cyclists at all intersections and crossings.
• At all crossings, stop and wait until the pedestrian has fully crossed before proceeding.
• At pedestrian crossovers, obey all “stop for pedestrians” signs and stop behind the yield line.
• Never stop in a crosswalk as this forces pedestrians into traffic. 

Cyclists 

• Dismount and walk your bike when using a crosswalk.
• Make eye contact with drivers to ensure you are seen before crossing.
• Obey the same rules as drivers if you’re on the roadway. 

Pedestrians 

• Wait for vehicles to come to a full stop and make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the road.
• At traffic signals, begin crossing at the start of the “Walk” signal. Do not begin crossing when the “Don’t Walk” signal is flashing or solid. 

 

At intersections 

Intersections bring together drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, creating busy places where extra attention can help prevent serious collisions. 

Drivers 

• Make full stops at stop signs and red lights prior to turning right – no rolling stops.
• Always use your vehicle’s signals to indicate turning.
• Proceed only when the way is fully clear and you have enough time to complete your movement.
• Be especially aware of vulnerable road users in your vehicle’s blind spots. 

Cyclists 

• Signal your intentions when turning or stopping.
• Avoid stopping beside trucks or large vehicles where you are not visible to the driver.
• Before proceeding through an intersection, make eye contact with other road users who may not see you, especially if they are turning your way. 

Pedestrians 

• Cross only at marked crosswalks or traffic signals.
• Stay within marked crosswalks and remain alert to turning traffic.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing, especially at multi‑lane intersections. 

 

On multi‑use pathways 

Ottawa’s multi-use pathways are popular shared spaces where people walk, run and cycle at different speeds. Courtesy and awareness help everyone travel safely. 

Pedestrians 

• Keep to the right when possible.
• Stay alert for cyclists approaching from behind. 

Cyclists 

• Always yield to pedestrians.
• Slow down when pathways are busy or visibility is limited.
• Use your bell when approaching others and give plenty of notice before passing. 

 

E-scooters  

E-scooters are a reliable and fun way to get around the city, but like any ride, they come with rules to keep everyone safe. 

E-scooters can only operate on the City’s multi-use pathways, bike lanes or on roads with a speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour or lower. They are not allowed to operate on sidewalks.  

To support safe use, shared e‑scooter providers use geofence technology to create “no ride,” “no park,” and “slow zones.” These include areas such as transit stations, National Capital Commission pathways, the ByWard Market (with the exception of York Street), and City of Ottawa parking garages. 

Before you ride, keep these key safety rules in mind: 

• Riders must be 16 years or older.
• For riders under 18, a helmet is required to ride the e-scooter. Ottawa Public Health strongly recommends all users wear a helmet to reduce the risk of injury.
• Each scooter is allowed a single rider at a time.
• Follow proper riding and parking behaviour. 

By following these simple rules, you can enjoy the ride while helping keep Ottawa’s streets and pathways safe for everyone.  

Learn more about e-scooters and e-scooter safety. 

 

This summer, road safety starts with all of us. By slowing down, paying attention and following the rules of the road, we can all help prevent serious injuries and save lives. 

 

The City of Ottawa continues to make improvements to the safety of our roads and pathways with an emphasis on protecting vulnerable users – pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. The City’s Road Safety Action Plan guides these engineering, education and enforcement initiatives. But even the safest transportation network requires that everyone follows the rules of the road for their mode of transportation.