Ottawa's cycling infrastructure plans face significant setbacks as three major bike lane projects may be cancelled under new provincial legislation. The City of Ottawa has identified multiple planned cycling routes that cannot proceed if Ontario's Bill 60 becomes law, according to a staff report presented to city officials.
Projects Facing Cancellation
City staff have confirmed that three key bike lane projects will not move forward under the proposed provincial legislation. Bill 60, an omnibus bill currently moving through the legislative process, would prohibit the construction of new bike lanes if it means removing a lane of vehicle traffic.
The affected projects include the conversion of former transitway lanes on Albert Street into bike infrastructure, along with planned cycling facilities on O'Connor Street and St. Joseph Boulevard. These projects represent significant components of Ottawa's active transportation network expansion.
Financial and Planning Impacts
The cancellation of these projects comes with substantial financial consequences for the city. Ottawa has already invested approximately $1.7 million in design concepts that cannot be used if Bill 60 passes. This represents wasted taxpayer money and significant planning effort that must now be redirected.
Despite these setbacks, there is some positive news for cycling advocates. More than 70 active transportation projects throughout Ottawa comply with the provincial legislation and can proceed as planned. However, city officials anticipate numerous challenges in building out the cycling network, particularly in the downtown core where space constraints are most severe.
Specific Project Details
The O'Connor Street bikeway phase 2 project represents one of the most significant losses for Ottawa's cycling network. This project was designed to extend existing bike infrastructure on O'Connor Street from Laurier Avenue north to Wellington Street, using one of the major north-south arteries heading into downtown Ottawa.
City plans envisioned repurposing one general-purpose traffic lane to create a bi-directional, winter-maintainable, separated cycling facility along the east side of O'Connor Street. The project also included coordinated underground watermain rehabilitation and sidewalk improvements, which staff now indicate will be deferred.
The staff report, presented to the public works and infrastructure committee on Thursday, November 29, 2025, provides the clearest picture yet of how Bill 60 will impact Ottawa's transportation planning. Unless the city can find alternative ways to incorporate bike lanes off the street, future bike infrastructure on these key routes is no longer feasible under the proposed legislation.
