NOKIA Sunday Bikedays are back in Ottawa-Gatineau

 The 48th season of NOKIA Sunday Bikedays kicks off Sunday with a new "Fast Lane" and a cycling celebration at the CycloFusion bike fair.

NEW THIS YEAR

The Fast Lane will be offered on the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, between 7 am and 9 am, for cyclists who would like to ride at a faster pace. This new initiative allows faster riders to use the parkway without the presence of leisure riders.

NOKIA Sunday Bikedays / CycloFusion launch event

Join us on Sunday, as we kick off the 48th season of NOKIA Sunday Bikedays.

Date: Sunday, May 20, 2018, 9 am to 1 pm

Location: Champlain Bridge parking lot, Ottawa, Ontario

Festivities: Celebrate the start of NOKIA Sunday Bikedays at EnviroCentre and MOBI- O's CycloFusion event for "Bike to Work Month." Over 30 community partners and organizations will be on-site, with demos, bike repairs, music, information and much more.

Regular season: car-free parkways

NOKIA Sunday Bikedays, the Capital's popular program, is presented by the National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with long-term title sponsor NOKIA and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).

Sundays mornings, from May 20 to September 2, 2018, outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of more than 50 kilometres of scenic parkways in the heart of the Capital Region. Parkways in Ottawa and Gatineau Park 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.

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.

Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (8 kilometres): 7 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 Fast Lane will also be offered between 7 am and 9 am for cyclists who would like to ride faster.

* NOKIA Sunday Bikedays will not be held on Colonel By Drive, the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway and the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway on Sunday, May 27, because of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, or on Sunday, July 1, because of Canada Day.

CAR-FREE GATINEAU PARK PARKWAYS

The Gatineau, Champlain and Fortune Lake parkways (30.5 kilometres), which are ideal destinations for cycling enthusiasts who enjoy steep hills, are closed to motor vehicles from 6 am to 11 am.

The Gatineau Parkway's "North Loop" (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.

FREE BIKE CLINICS

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 and time: Sundays,* May 20 to September 2, 9 am to 1 pm
* Except May 27 and July 1

WATER STATIONS

For a second year, you can take advantage of three water stations on the Ottawa parkways. This service is offered by PIPSC. Water stations were a popular request received by the NCC through public feedback and consultations.

Location: Colonel By Drive (corner of Rosedale street), Sir John A. Macdonald
Parkway (Champlain Bridge parking lot entrance), Sir George-Étienne
Cartier Parkway (corner of Airport-Marina Road)

Date and time: Sundays,* May 20 to September 2, 9 am to 1 pm
* Except May 27 and July 1

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM

In partnership with JA Ottawa, our pilot Young Entrepreneurs Program will return for a second year as part of NOKIA Sunday Bikedays. Interested children and youth between the ages of 5 and 17 are invited to apply to operate a kiosk on select NCC parkways during NOKIA Sunday Bikedays.

The program includes a fun, hands-on educational workshop by JA Ottawa to introduce children and youth to the world of entrepreneurship, followed by an opportunity to set up a stand for three Sundays during the summer. All young entrepreneurs are invited to sign up for these workshops by registering on our website.

VOLUNTEERS

The NCC is always looking for volunteers who are available to participate every Sunday with the team to contribute to the success of the program. 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: Ottawa Citizen, Le Droit, 105.3 KISS FM, 94.9 Rouge, CHEZ 106.1 and Énergie 104.1.

QUOTES

"Each year, thousands of cyclists, in-line skaters and pedestrians enjoy the NOKIA Sunday Bikedays, which are now in their 48th season. This program is a unique and safe way for residents and visitors to discover the natural and cultural attractions of Canada's Capital."

— The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"Sunday bike rides are a tradition for many families in our community, and I am excited to join them this summer on the network of car-free routes supported by the NCC. The National Capital Region has so many sights to see, and I encourage everyone to get out on their bikes and enjoy everything our region has to offer."

— Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier

"Take in the heart of the Capital Region National Capital Region on more than 50 kilometers of scenic car-free parkways on Sunday mornings during the NOKIA Sunday Bikedays! We are grateful to the NCC's many partners and volunteers whose dedication supports this 48-year summer tradition in the Capital."

—Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Chief Executive Officer, NCC

"Sunday Bikedays is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery and landscapes of Canada's Capital Region. NOKIA is proud to contribute to an event that motivates so many people to get outside and be active. NOKIA has been a long-term partner of this program and plans to continue in this role for years to come."

—Andy Thompson, Vice-President, Procurement, NOKIA

"As public service professionals, our union members work hard every day to make Canada safer, healthier and more prosperous. We're proud to be a partner in Sunday Bikedays to promote cycling and community engagement."

—Debi Daviau, President, PIPSC

LINKS

Source : NCC