What to know about the motorcyclists’ demonstration in Ottawa

The program of the motorcyclists’ event

On Friday, a gathering of Freedom Fighters Canada and a march are scheduled on Parliament Hill at 6 p.m.

At the same time, Solidarité Ottawa is planning a counter-demonstration at 5 p.m. in Strathcona Park.

Most of the activities of the rolling thunder is scheduled to be held Saturday with a ceremony at the National War Memorial at 10 a.m. followed by a motorcycle rally scheduled to begin at 10:45 a.m. According to the latest information from the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), there are expected to be 400 to 500 motorcyclists. In the afternoon, a new rally is planned on Parliament Hill.

Finally, on Sunday, a mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Capital City Bikers Vhurch, in Vanier. Participants are expected to leave Ottawa after this event, according to Ottawa police.

The route of the convoy on Saturday

Saturday’s route begins on the way Coventry, then heads north on the Vanier Parkway, takes Montreal Road before converging on Rideau Street. From Rideau Street, participants will head south on Rue Wallerthen cross the bridge Mackenzie Kingbefore heading south on Rue Elgin, then east on Laurier Avenue West. The convoy should finally leave in a southerly direction, on Nicholas Street, in order to converge on Highway 417, around noon.

Motor vehicle exclusion zone

An area has been marked off and will be closed to motor vehicles participating in a demonstration, event, protest or rally, the City of Ottawa says.

The area stretches from Avenue Bronson and from the portage bridge, to the west, to the rue Waller to the east and goes from the street Wellington and Rideau Street on the north to Laurier Avenue and Nicholas Street on the south.

Barricades, heavy equipment or police officers and vehicles will be placed at various access points surrounding the exclusion zone to screen legal traffic on these streets.

This exclusion zone will be in effect Friday and Saturday.

Traffic

Roads will not be closed and normal traffic will be allowed for motorized vehicles not participating in the event. Pedestrians and cyclists will also be able to enter and leave the area.

Parking

Parking or stopping is prohibited on all roads within the area designated in purple on the City of Ottawa map.

On-street parking is possible in the yellow designated area for vehicles not participating in the event, such as shop customers and residents.

Any motorized vehicle that does not respect the road signs will be given a ticket and/or will be towed, warns the Municipality.

In the city center, parking inside the zone is available in parking lots and garages.

The City of Ottawa also advises that a number of exceptional parking restrictions will be in effect outside of the exclusion zone. They will be mainly located in the neighborhoods surrounding the city center and where congestion is expected, particularly in the Côte-de-Sable district and in Vanier. Motorists are advised to watch for signs and move their vehicle accordingly.

Public transport

The use of public transit is recommended to get to and from downtown from April 29 to April 1^er May, warns the City. OC Transpo plans to operate on its regular schedule.

For its part, the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) indicates that the public transport service, to and from Ottawa, is maintained on Friday and this weekend, even if slowdowns are to be expected. The STOOutaouais Transit Company reminds that due to works, the lines that usually pass by the street Lyons will be diverted by the street bank.