How safe are Ottawa streets for seniors and other valuable people?

_ (via The Council on Aging Ottawa) _ The Council on Aging Ottawa (COA) and Ecology Ottawa will host a special event on

February 25

to launch _ An Age-Friendly Walkability Report: Safe Streets for Seniors and Other Valuable People in Ottawa _ .

The report summarizes a two-year project carried out by the COA’s Pedestrian Safety Committee involving walkability and pedestrian safety audits in three Ottawa communities – Hintonburg, the Glebe and Kanata-Beaverbrook in the winter, spring and fall of 2014-15. Residents from age 2 to 85 (and several dogs) carried out the walkability audits in sunny, rainy and snowy weather.

“To our knowledge we are the first city in Canada to carry out walkability audits in all seasons,” says Peggy Edwards, a member of the Pedestrian Safety Committee. “Snow, ice and cold winds impose serious challenges to seniors and people with disabilities, which need to be prioritized for attention in a winter city like Ottawa.”

The report also provides information on:

 * 
the factors that put older adults and other vulnerable pedestrians at risk

 * 
city policies and plans that affect pedestrian safety and walkability

 * 
an age-friendly walkability audit checklist that other communities can use

 * 
how to improve pedestrian safety and walkability, especially for seniors and other vulnerable road users, such as young children and people with mobility problems.

On

February 25

, a panel will discuss the realities of safe, walkable streets in Ottawa. Panelists include: Dr. Louise Plouffe, Age-Friendly Ottawa; Graham Saul, Ecology Ottawa; Karen Scott, the MS Society; and a representative from the City of Ottawa Public Works Department.

“We continue to work with city council and staff to make Ottawa streets safe and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities and for all modes of travel, including pedestrians, cyclists and transit users,” says Graham Saul, Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa. “Street audits are an effective way to identify barriers and suggestions for improvements.” ** What: ** Safe Streets for Seniors & Other Valuable People in Ottawa ** When: **

Thursday, February 25, 2016, 3:30-5:00

** Where: ** The Council on Aging – 1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa, K1H 6K9