If your sitting on the fence about the possibilities of what can become of our rail trail initiative, check out what is going on in Ottawa-Gatineau.
The area is famous for disallowing automobile traffic on the parkways around Ottawa and environs every Sunday during the summer months.
And with all of the bike paths that interconnect with the parkway,s you can just about ride out your back door, cycle from the east-end at Orleans, all around and through Ottawa, to Bells Corners and Shirley’s Bay on the Ottawa River in the west.
There are kilometres upon kilometers. Bike paths are everywhere, and many families make good use of them together.
You can ride along the Ottawa River, the Rideau River, the Rideau Canal, right by the Chateau Laurier and Parliament Hill, all the river and canal parkways, even right by the prime minister’s house and through the governor general’s residence and beautiful grounds.
Then cross the Ottawa River and ride about the river parkways on the Quebec side, go into Parc Gatineau and the beautiful Gatineau Hills. You can bike all day and not ride it all.
And all of those riders spend lots of money during these trips. I lived in Ottawa and have spent many a beautiful day riding the paths. I was so very grateful that the powers that be had taken steps to ensure such a priceless legacy.
Just Google, “Ottawa bike paths” to look at all the web sites dedicated to informing you of this national treasure.
Our children, their children, and their children will be thankful we took those same steps. So let’s take the first ones.
John Raikes
Vernon
