Rob Attrell

Author's posts

An Update on the Future of Orleans Boulevard: A Choice We Can Make for a Safer Community

To my neighbours in Orleans and the elected officials representing us, I am writing to you today as a resident, a parent, and a community advocate to give an update on the status of the Orleans Boulevard active transportation project. I also want to talk a little more about the future I want and see …

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Permanent link to this article: https://bikeottawa.ca/2025/07/29/an-update-on-the-future-of-orleans-boulevard-a-choice-we-can-make-for-a-safer-community/#new_tab

The “10-Minute Errand” Test: Why My Neighbourhood Fails and How We Could Start Fixing It

It happened again this week. The moment of discovery that we were out of milk, a minor crisis for a family with three young children. The solution, in theory, was simple. But in practice, for most families that means finding keys, jumping into a vehicle, and undertaking a 15-minute return trip for a single common …

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Permanent link to this article: https://theneworleans.ca/2025/07/27/the-10-minute-errand-test-why-my-neighbourhood-fails-and-how-we-could-start-fixing-it/#new_tab

Rob on the Wheels and Beyond Podcast with Ben Durham

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: https://lesscar.ca/2025/07/25/rob-on-the-wheels-and-beyond-podcast-with-ben-durham/#new_tab

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 – 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 …

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Permanent link to this article: https://theneworleans.ca/2025/07/25/crave-paradise-hide-all-the-parking-spots/#new_tab

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: https://theneworleans.ca/2025/07/24/taking-transit-in-orleans-from-a-drag-to-a-dream/#new_tab

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” …

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Permanent link to this article: https://theneworleans.ca/2025/07/19/a-simple-solution-to-safely-cross-orleans-blvd-lets-experiment/#new_tab

Beyond the Backyard Oasis: Why Community Pools Could Be Orleans’ Next Big Splash

swimming pool in a traditional resort

Photo by Clément 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 …

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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

Beyond the Pump: How a Less Car-Dependent Life Could Boost Your Happiness (and Your Wallet) in Orleans

sports car toy beside the pile of coins

Photo by Alex P on Pexels.com In Orleans, the car is king. It’s 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 – traffic, land use, emissions. But what if shifting away from the car, even …

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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