Ottawa's cyclists are looking forward to a future where it's easier to co-exist with cars as they shared ideas for safer roads Saturday.
The gathering at City Hall was to brainstorm suggestions for Ontario's coroner, who is reviewing cyclist deaths in the province from 2006 to 2010.
"I'm here hoping to push for a bit of a focus on cycling education, for driver education as to interaction with cyclists," said Doug van den Ham.
"That he tension between cyclist and motorist is unproductive but something that we need to work on," said Michael Powell of the roads and cycling advisory committee. "That people need to follow the rules, that people need to be as aware and educated as possible in terms of what they can do to keep themselves safe."
Ottawa's most recent cycling death came in October, when Danielle Nacu was hit by a car door and knocked into the path of an oncoming vehicle on Queen Street.
The coroner said he was launching his review after cycling deaths increased across the province.
"We're looking at regulatory issues," said cyclist Diane Dupuis. "So we're looking at the one-metre rule for passing for instance, side guards on trucks which was an issue in the recent tragedy in Toronto."
If the City of Ottawa's 2012 budget is approved, it will fund six kilometers of new multi-use pathways, 12 kilometres of new on-road cycling facilities and 70 kilometres of new bike lanes.
"It gives us (a chance) on a much broader level to take a look at some of the challenges that cyclists face and areas that we can improve," Powell said. "Take a look back and look to what we can do better."
"Downtown is getting busier and busier and the buildings are there already so we have to share the space with more cars," said Hans Moor of Citizens for Safe Cycling. "We can't do that."
Cyclists said that while they face dangers every day, cycling is mostly safe.
The coroner's report is scheduled to be released in 2012.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Katie Griffin
