News

NOKIA Sunday Bikedays are back in Ottawa/Gatineau on May 21 with a Canada 150 special loop to kick off the season!

The 47th season of NOKIA Sunday Bikedays kicks off on Sunday, May 21. To celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary, Confederation Boulevard will be car-free for a one-time event from

9 am to 1 pm, which includes Wellington Street in Ottawa, Laurier Street in Gatineau, as well as Portage and Alexandra bridges. This special loop will connect to Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway and Colonel By Drive, allowing residents and visitors to take in the heart of the Capital Region's rich history and natural beauty.

Canada 150 special loop launch event

Join us on May 21 as we kick off the Canada 150 special loop festivities.

Date: Sunday, May 21, 2017

9:00 am

Location: Major's Hill Park (close to Murray Street)

Ottawa, Ontario

Festivities: 9 am to 1 pm

Family-friendly activities: buskers, DJ, face painting, inflatable structures, bike repairs, food kiosks, water station and community partner booths.

Regular season: car-free parkways

NOKIA Sunday Bikedays, the Capital's popular program, is presented by the National Capital Commission, in collaboration with 18-year title sponsor NOKIA, volunteers from Gowling WLG, the Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario, and new sponsor the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).

Every Sunday morning, from May 21 to September 3, 2017, outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of more than 50 kilometres of scenic parkways in the heart of the Capital Region. Parkways in Ottawa–Gatineau are car-free and open exclusively to cyclists, in-line skaters, runners, walkers and people with mobility aids.

Car-free Ottawa parkways

Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway (9 kilometres ): 9 am to 1 pm

The westbound lanes of the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, located on the south side of the Ottawa River just west of the downtown core, from Booth Street to Carling Avenue. The parkway is monitored by NCC volunteers.

Colonel By Drive (8 kilometres): 9 am to 1 pm

Both lanes of Colonel By Drive, located on the east side of the Rideau Canal, from Daly Street to the Hog's Back Bridge. The parkway is monitored by volunteers from Gowling WLG.

Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (8 kilometres): 9 am to 1 pm

Both lanes of the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, running along the south side of the Ottawa River, just east of the downtown core, from the Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard in Orléans. The parkway is monitored by volunteers from the Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario.

* NOKIA Sunday Bikedays will not be held on Colonel By Drive, Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway and Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway on Sunday, May 28, for the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.

Car-free Gatineau Park parkways

The Gatineau, Champlain and Fortune Lake parkways, which are ideal destinations for cycling enthusiasts who enjoy steep hills, are closed to motor vehicles from 6 am to 11 am. One section (3.5 kilometres), to the north of Chemin du Lac-Meech, is ideal for families with young children, and is closed for two additional hours, from 6 am to 1 pm. (Length: 30.5 kilometres)

Clinics: Summer 2017

Once again this year, representatives from the NOKIA Switchbacks will be on hand to offer free bike checks.

Clinic: NOKIA Switchbacks free bike checks

Location:Colonel By Drive (near Clegg Street)
Date & time:Most Sundays*, from May 21 to September 3, 9 am to 1 pm

*With the exception of May 28.

NEW THIS YEAR: Water stations

Take advantage of three roving water stations for Sunday Bikedays participants on the Ottawa parkways. This service is offered for the first time this season by PIPSC. Water stations were a popular request received by the NCC through public feedback and consultations.

The NCC is still looking for volunteers who are available to help with traffic intersection monitoring. Please contact the Volunteer Centre at 613-239-5373 or volunteer_benevoles@ncc-ccn.ca.

The NCC is proud of its association with the following media partners of NOKIA Sunday Bikedays: Metro Ottawa, Le Droit, KISS FM, Rouge fm, CHEZ 106, and ÉNERGIE.

QUOTES

"What better way to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary than to launch NOKIA Sunday Bikedays with the first-ever car-free day on Confederation Boulevard! We are grateful to the NCC's many partners and volunteers whose dedication supports this 47-year summer tradition in the Capital."

—Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission

"Sunday Bikedays are a wonderful opportunity for families and sports enthusiasts to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Canada's Capital Region. NOKIA is proud to support the 47th edition of this program, and to be part of the Canada 150 celebrations."

— Mr Andy Thompson, VP Procurement, NOKIA

LINKS

NOKIA Sunday Bikeday