We need common sense on NCC’s open pathways

When self-isolation is relaxed, space to exercise is suddenly at a premium in the new world.

At least that’s the way it seemed on the weekend for everyone who ventured out to cycle, stroll or rollerblade on the NCC pathways along the Ottawa and Rideau rivers. As an example, we take you to below the Parliament Buildings just before noon on Sunday.

As a jogger hugged the right side of the path heading east, a cyclist pulled out from behind him, taking a middle line because of a fellow cyclist bearing down in the opposite direction.

“Too close,” the runner yelled to the cyclist who was too far gone to hear.

How close? Forget about physical distancing. It was only centimetres away from an ugly collision. But it was hardly an isolated incident. There were near-misses everywhere.

A few necessary points here, in light of social distancing.

Generally speaking, the NCC’s pathways are three metres wide. In theory, people passing each other could be two metres apart.

On the weekend, though, the outpouring of people either chose to forget where we are or chose to say they’ve had enough of the restrictions.

As for the use of the paved trails, they’re “multi-use paths,” designed to be shared by young and old, cyclists, pedestrians, in-line skaters and skateboarders.

Let’s consider a small cross-section of the crowd.

The oblivious crowd: The casual cyclists and walkers, riding (or strolling) abreast, eating up half to two-thirds of the width of the pathway, making it difficult for faster cyclists to pass. A personal pet peeve: please turn down the volume on the iPhones.

The family cycling unit: Father in front, mother in back, two or three kids, occasionally straying from left to right like the wandering Canada geese. Please be aware.

The racing cyclists: This isn’t the place to be training for the Tour de France. Weaving in and out of traffic puts them and everyone around them at risk. Slow down.

(There may have been more or less traffic on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, but it wasn’t something people from Ottawa were allowed to experience on the weekend. The Quebec police barricade barring Ontario residents from entering extended to cyclists and walkers crossing the Champlain Bridge on Sunday.)

On Monday, the NCC offered up its own series of reminders.

“The increase in popularity of active transportation and outdoor recreational activities has led to a sharp increase in the number of people sharing the capital pathway network,” NCC spokesperson Corey Larocque told Postmedia. “Pedestrians, runners, cyclists, in-line skaters and people with mobility impairments who share the pathway should follow the rules to help keep the pathways safe and fun for everyone.”

The NCC also suggests users refresh themselves with pathway regulations. The speed limit of 20 km/h might come as a shock to some. In general, cyclists, in-line skaters and skateboarders must yield to pedestrians and all cyclists must ride in single file.

There are times and places where the NCC has and will open up the roads.

Motor vehicles are barred from driving on a stretch of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway between Laurier and Fifth Avenue during the day. At this point it runs until May 10, but will likely be extended.

On May 17, Sunday Bikedays begin again on the Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway.

With the northbound lanes closed to motor vehicles, there’s plenty of room for cyclists and inline skaters to ride and roll.

Until space opens up, though, awareness, common sense and an understanding of shared community is needed to prevent accidents. It’s not fun when people are looking over their shoulders for fear of being hit.