As the days get shorter and temperatures get cooler, many of us are still out on our bikes and walking after dark. To keep everyone safe when the sun sets, drivers need to be extra cautious and cyclists and pedestrians can help by making themselves more visible.
Annual ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ campaign
Every October, Ottawa Fire Services, in partnership with Safer Roads Ottawa, hosts a month-long education campaign and this year it kicks off with an in-person event. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of motorists watching out for other road users and of cyclists and pedestrians staying visible.
Date: Tuesday October 3
Time: 4 to 5pm
Location: Ottawa Fire Station 13, 530 King Edward Drive
A large City vehicle will be on display with bicycles and life-sized pedestrian cut-outs situated around it. Some are in the safe areas visible to the driver through the windshield or side mirror. The rest are in the large and dangerous blind spots.
Visitors are invited to climb into the driver’s seat or position themselves outside to understand why it’s safer to stay out in front or well behind large vehicles. This should help everyone make safe decisions on the road whether driving a vehicle, walking or cycling.
At the event, City staff will answer questions and hand out free safety gear, such as reflective bands and lights.
Other pickup locations
Throughout October, Ottawa Fire Services will be distributing the reflective bands and lights at select fire stations. Dates, times and locations of the stations are available on our website. Note that if all station staff are responding to an emergency, the items will not be available so please return at another posted time.
This event is presented as part of the City of Ottawa's 2020-2024 Road Safety Action Plan which delivers education, enforcement and engineering efforts where they can have the greatest effect on reducing collisions that result in major injury or death. If you have questions about the event, please contact sro@ottawa.ca.
Whatever your mode of travel, let’s all look out for each other and enjoy the change of seasons out on our roads safely.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.