Enjoy the parkways: Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays is back

The 45th season of Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays kicks off on Sunday, May 17. This well-attended program is presented by the National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with 16-year title sponsor Alcatel-Lucent and volunteers from Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP and the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario.

Every Sunday morning until the Labour Day weekend, outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of over 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.

“I encourage everyone to enjoy the National Capital Commission’s picturesque parkways on Sunday mornings — an active way to explore the Capital’s shorelines, green spaces, and symbolic landmarks,” said Dr. Mark Kristmanson, chief executive officer of the NCC. “This popular 45-year program continues to attract more cyclists and adds to the quality of life in the region.”

“Sunday Bikedays are a wonderful way to exercise while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Canada’s Capital Region,” said Andy Thompson, vice-president of procurement at Alcatel-Lucent. “We congratulate the Sunday Bikedays program for 45 years of traffic-free Sunday activities, and Alcatel-Lucent is proud to have supported the program for 16 of those years.” _ 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 Vimy Place (Canadian War Museum) ** 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 the Laurier Bridge to the Hog’s Back Bridge. The parkway is monitored by volunteers from Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP. ** 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. _ _ * Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays will not be held on the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, Colonel By Drive and _ _ _ Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway _ on Sunday, May 24, due to the 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. This section will be available for Sunday Bikedays until mid-June due to road work in the Park. (Length: 30.5 kilometres) ** _ CLINICS: SUMMER 2015 _ ** Once again this year, representatives from the Alcatel-Lucent Switchbacks will be on hand to offer free bike checks.

Organization:              Alcatel-Lucent Switchbacks

Clinic:                          Free bike checks

Location:                     Colonel By Drive (near Clegg Street) Date and time:            Most Sundays*, from May 17 to August 30, 9 am to 1 pm _

• With the exception of May 24. _ ** ** ** _ CITY OF OTTAWA: ROAD SAFETY _ ** ** ** For the first time this year, the City of Ottawa will be present on the parkways during Sunday Bikedays to build road safety awareness.

- Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, June 7

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- Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, July 5

 * 
- Colonel By Drive, August 2

Starting Sunday, sign up for our “Cycling” newsletter for a chance to win a Mountain Equipment Co-op midtown bicycle! Follow us on our social media for more information.

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

The NCC is proud of its association with the following partners of Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays: KISS FM, Country 101.1 the _ Ottawa Citizen _ , Rouge fm, NRJ, _ Le Droit _ and Mountain Equipment Co-op.

For more information about Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays, the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000 , 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free), 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), follow us on Twitter @NCC_CCN or Facebook|National Capital Commission , or visit the website at www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/biking .