It was a real pleasure to sit down with Ben Durham on the “Wheels and Beyond” podcast. The conversation started off with the interesting way we connected through his sister, Jamie, who happens to be a colleague of mine. It was reassuring to learn I wasn’t the only one doing the daily …
Permanent link to this article: https://lesscar.ca/2025/07/25/rob-on-the-wheels-and-beyond-podcast-with-ben-durham/#new_tab
Jul 25
Crave Paradise? Hide all the Parking Spots
First: St Joseph Boulevard Parking Lots. Second: Preston Street no Parking Lots Let’s take a hypothetical drive down any of Orleans’ commercial strips โ in particular I usually focus on St. Joseph Boulevard. What often strikes me first isn’t the vibrant shops, services, and local businesses, but instead I can’t help but focus …
Permanent link to this article: https://theneworleans.ca/2025/07/25/crave-paradise-hide-all-the-parking-spots/#new_tab
Jul 24
Taking Transit in Orleans From a Drag to a Dream
Today, we’re going to talk a bit about local buses in Orleans. With the LRT extension just starting to peek over the horizon, it’s a great time to investigate how we can make sure our transit system is actually a viable alternative to driving for enough people that it’s worth making it great. For a …
Permanent link to this article: https://theneworleans.ca/2025/07/24/taking-transit-in-orleans-from-a-drag-to-a-dream/#new_tab
Jul 19
A Simple Solution to Safely Cross Orleans Blvd: Let’s Experiment
I often find myself talking with friends and neighbours about simple, temporary solutions for the rather, ahem, uninspiring active transportation routes we frequently find in Orleans. Look, I get it. There are grand plans, often tucked away in some corner of the city of Ottawa website, to eventually build safe and accessible infrastructure. But “eventually” …
Permanent link to this article: https://theneworleans.ca/2025/07/19/a-simple-solution-to-safely-cross-orleans-blvd-lets-experiment/#new_tab
Jul 16
Beyond the Backyard Oasis: Why Community Pools Could Be Orleans’ Next Big Splash
Photo by Clรฉment Proust on Pexels.com Take a glance at your favourite digital map of Orleans, especially areas like Convent Glen North, and you’ll notice a distinctive backyard feature: the private swimming pool. Our community is brimming with them, each a personal aquatic fiefdom. While the allure of your own private oasis is …
Permanent link to this article: https://theneworleans.ca/2025/07/16/beyond-the-backyard-oasis-why-community-pools-could-be-orleans-next-big-splash/#new_tab
Jul 15
Beyond the Pump: How a Less Car-Dependent Life Could Boost Your Happiness (and Your Wallet) in Orleans
Photo by Alex P on Pexels.com In Orleans, the car is king. Itโs the default mode of transport for groceries, school runs, and even that quick trip for coffee. We often focus on the big-picture issues of car dependency โ traffic, land use, emissions. But what if shifting away from the car, even …
Permanent link to this article: https://lesscar.ca/2025/07/15/beyond-the-pump-how-a-less-car-dependent-life-could-boost-your-happiness-and-your-wallet-in-orleans/#new_tab
Jul 10
How Orleans’ Sidewalks Shape Our Community (and Our Car Dependency)
We often talk about grand urban plans and multi-million dollar transit projects when discussing how to make Orleans a better place. But sometimes, the biggest impact comes from the most fundamental elements of our built environment โ like the humble sidewalk. For many residents of Orleans, the daily reality of walking isn’t a pleasant stroll; …
Permanent link to this article: https://theneworleans.ca/2025/07/10/how-orleans-sidewalks-shape-our-community-and-our-car-dependency/#new_tab
Jul 03
Our Neighbourhood’s Next Chapter: Why a Little Change is a Good Thing
The Nebula | Home-based Business Rentals | Evospace | 845 Champlain A new multi-unit apartment building is currently being built in our neighbourhood, and itโs a frequent topic of conversation among locals. Itโs not the first infill development, and it wonโt be the last, but this one is right at the intersection of two …
Permanent link to this article: https://cgow.ca/our-neighbourhoods-next-chapter-why-a-little-change-is-a-good-thing