NOKIA Sunday Bikedays is back!

_ (press release) _ The 46th season of NOKIA Sunday Bikedays kicks off on Sunday, May 15. This well-attended program is presented by the National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with 17-year title sponsor NOKIA and volunteers from Gowling WLG, the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario and Velofix.

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. _ 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 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 29, 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 2016 _ ** 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:            Most Sundays*, from May 15 to September 4, 9 am to 1 pm _

• With the exception of May 29. _ ** ** 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 NOKIA Sunday Bikedays: Metro Ottawa, Le Droit, KISS FM, Rouge fm, CHEZ 106, and ÉNERGIE.

For more information about NOKIA 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 .