Councillor calls on Ottawa to consider banning right turns on red lights at downtown intersections

An Ottawa city councillor is considering a ban on right turns on red lights downtown after another cyclist was struck by a car. CTV’s Peter Szperling reports.

A city councillor suggests the City of Ottawa needs to consider banning right hand turns on red lights in the downtown core after a cyclist was struck by a vehicle at an intersection near Ottawa City Hall.

The Ottawa Police Service is investigating after a cyclist was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Elgin and Lisgar streets at approximately 3:50 p.m. on Wednesday. The man was transported to hospital in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

Coun. Ariel Troster said in a social media post that she witnessed the aftermath of the crash, adding the cyclist was struck by a driver turning right at the intersection. Police have released no details about the crash.

“This needs to end, we need Vision Zero now,” Troster said in a post on Bluesky.

“The cyclist got hit at the exact same intersection I was about to bike by, it could have been me. We need to consider banning right on red in all downtown intersections. You shouldn’t be taking your life in your hands every time you walk or cycle.”

In an interview on Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal, Troster said she’s been asking for three years whether the city can ban right hand turns on red in the downtown core.

“We do it on a case-by-case basis at major intersections, and the more the I look into the data from other cities, it shows it could have a significant impact and save a lot of lives,” Troster said Thursday morning.

Coun. Sean Devine said he is “100 per cent ready” to join Troster’s “ban right on red” movement, adding it should be an election issue.

“Montreal has this, but only because that’s the way it always was. Other cities elected to allow right turns on red, to allow for greater traffic flow. And look who’s paying the price,” Devine said on Bluesky.

“Day after day, another tragedy.”

The Highway Traffic Act allows motorists to make a right turn on a red light.

“Unless a sign tells you not to, you may turn on a red light only after coming to a complete stop and waiting until the way is clear,” the Ontario government’s website says.

Troster says she wants staff to look at the data on collisions linked to right turns on red lights at intersections.

“I think if we seriously consider asking drivers to wait a few more seconds to turn on the green and not on the red, that could save hundreds, potentially, thousands of people from injuries or accidents or near misses. It’s something I’m personally willing to consider,” Troster said, noting right turns on red are prohibited in Montreal.

Troster is wondering if the City of Ottawa could conduct a pilot project to ban right turns on a red light.

“I think sometimes you have to try something and then take a look at the data,” Troster said.

Cassie Smith, vice-president of Bike Ottawa, says she believes the idea is a good one.

“I think that’s, really important solution to keep people safe. It’s safer for people who are biking, people who are walking, even people who are driving,” she told CTV News Ottawa.

Genevieve Labelle, an Ottawa driver who grew up in Montreal, is also on board.

“I think it’s a great idea. It just helps the people who are driving to be more careful and be aware of cyclists,” she said.

Coun. Tim Tierney, the chair of Ottawa’s public works and infrastructure committee, told Newstalk 580 CFRA he is not in favour of banning right turns on red lights.

“Do I think there’s a couple of intersections, 100 per cent, that have to be looked at even further and we continue to do that; but, to say across the city, no one’s turning right on red,” Tierney told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron.

“It’s already confusing enough for people. Right now, we’ve blocked right hand turns in specific areas. Let’s use the targeted approach where there’s actually an issue and keep the traffic flowing.”

Ottawa’s manager of traffic operations says decisions to restrict right turns on reds are made on a case-by-case basis, “guided by local councillors.”

“The City of Ottawa remains deeply committed to the safety and well-being of all road users. We recognize the serious impact incidents like this can have on individuals and the community, and we continue to prioritize the safe and efficient operation of our roads and intersections,” Stuart Edison said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

“Decisions to restrict right turns on red are made on a case-by-case basis, guided by local conditions. When considering such changes, staff assess a range of factors, including traffic and pedestrian volumes, signal operations, road design, and visibility at the intersection.”

There were two collisions involving cyclists in the downtown core on Wednesday.

The Ottawa Paramedic Service says a man in his 50s was struck by a vehicle while cycling on Bank Street near Gladstone Avenue.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Peter Szperling