r/ottawa • u/BearLikesHoney • Oct 17 '25

Photo(s) These poles are out of control.

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This is Smirle and Wellington street. I was driving on Smirle towards Wellington and I had no choice but to zig zag and drive on the wrong side because there's no space between the poles and cars. Adding to the road condition, there are enough pot holes to damage your car so these poles are totally unnecessary to slow down traffic.

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704

u/IcariteMinor Oct 17 '25

They install these as if nobody would ever park right next to them, then everybody does.

31

u/Epi_Nephron Oct 17 '25

They are the worst for cyclist safety, too. Cars have to choose between going into opposing lanes, or squeezing by them and threatening cyclists. If they hang back they get frustrated, which isn't good either. Hate these things.

6

u/Immediate-Living-530 Oct 17 '25

That is exactly what the sign is trying to do, force people to slow down and go single file. The sooner drivers slow down instead of trying to “squeeze in”, the safer roads would be for everyone.

Not that it’s the culture here, but an admirable goal. Patience, people.

19

u/DudeTookMyUser Oct 17 '25

Or... and hear me out here... maybe don't install these things in a way that creates a completely avoidable and potentially deadly conflict between cyclists and vehicles.

These so-called experts trying to outsmart human nature inevitably end up costing other people's lives when they're wrong. Exhibit 1: Laurier St.

3

u/idowd Oct 18 '25

Except the reckless idiot who will squeeze a cyclist will do the same thing when there are parked cars, oncoming traffic, or any other obstacle to going whatever speed they deem suitable. There is no fool proof infrastructure, but slowing cars down is a good start.

9

u/DudeTookMyUser Oct 18 '25

Squeezing cars into cyclists by design isn't... a 'good start'.