We are reaching out to ask for your support in starting a Vision Zero Team for Ottawa. This will be our Day Zero—the first step toward building a safer city for everyone.
What is Vision Zero?
Vision Zero is a global movement that started in Sweden and has been adopted by cities worldwide. Its core principle is simple: no loss of life or serious injury on our roads is acceptable. Through better design, policy, and community engagement, Vision Zero aims to make streets safer for all.
What is Day Zero?
It’s a kickoff meeting to:
- Stand up a core group of volunteers
- Brainstorm what a Vision Zero Ottawa project should look like
- Commit a small amount of time to make it happen
Our Goal:
To push for zero deaths or serious injury on Ottawa roads. We want those who govern our transportation systems to fully adopt, fund and implement Vision Zero principles. That includes: not accepting tragedy as inevitable; human life and health over all other objectives; emphasize a safe systems and design approach to safety. We aim to start with lead time ahead of the 2026 municipal elections so we can hold candidates accountable.
Some campaign ideas to get us started:
- Fight to reactivate Automated Speed Enforcement and keep hardware in place
- Sidewalk YIMBYs! Advocate for sidewalks in all communities
- Host a “playoff” series to vote on Ottawa’s most dangerous intersection
- Organize “Councillors as Crossing Guards for a Day” in partnership with Ottawa Safety Council
- Make 30 km/h community safety zones the default in all residential areas
- Re-Fund OSTA walking school buses, fund a School Street program
- Organize School Bike Bus Outreach
- Prioritize policy and funding for Active School Travel
- Ban right turns on red inside the Greenbelt
- Mark World Day of Remembrance with an event and messaging
- Partner with Rovelo Creative for a Vision Zero advertising campaign
- Partner with Ottawa advocates for 24/7 bus lanes on arterials
- Hierarchy of Responsibility Campaigns – Start of school years, Halloween.
- Partner with Ottawa advocacy groups to leverage city data
- Tactical urbanism – messaging at dangerous intersections
- Conduct a cycling origin-to-destination survey – but for places we want to walk or cycle but cannot
- Host an expert panel on the road to Vision Zero
Mark your calendar:
If these ideas interest you and you want to be a part of making Ottawa a more livable city, please join Day Zero for Vision Zero Ottawa!
Tuesday December 2nd 6:30-8:30pm at the New Edinburgh Field House, 203 Stanley Ave.
Volunteer opportunities can be as much or little time as you have to spare. Contributions can be high or low profile to fit with your professional life.
Foot note: This begins the close out the School Streets Ottawa chapter as we pivot to a new effort and branding for 2026 and beyond.
Schools Streets Ottawa 