What are some bike-friendly businesses in Ottawa?

Lots of bike business at Union Street Kitchen Cafe. Photo/@HansontheBike via Twitter.

Just look at the trails, bikeways and main streets of Ottawa and it’s pretty clear that we live in a cycling city. Although many people bike even in the winter, the warmer months are definitely when most people get out and explore their community on two wheels.

Although it’s sometimes perceived in the public forum (and sometimes by businesses themselves) that car-centricity is good for local business, the evidence shows that cyclists are active consumers. The purchase tracker ibikeibuy.ca was launched a few years ago by Coun. Jeff Leiper to collect hard data on this. Since then, users have logged over 4,700 transactions totalling $237,000, with an average purchase value of $49.74.

So, we asked around and also got the good folks at Bike Ottawa to put a call out for tips on what the best bike-friendly businesses are. Here’s a list of what we heard back:

Kichesippi Beer Company Taproom — 2265 Robertson Rd.

One of the latest additions to the city in terms of bikeable businesses is kbeer’s new taproom on Robertson Road in Bells Corners. It’s right by the Trans-Canada Trail so anyone cycling from further west or from Nepean (the trail’s eastern termination is at Moodie Drive, although there are connections to other trails) would be able to get there easily.

A Stittsville group had a mass ride out to the taproom in July.

Quitters Coffee — 1523 Stittsville Main St.

Also located next to the Trans-Canada Trail, right in downtown Stittsville, Quitters is basically the model for a bike-friendly business. Just check out their bike parking around back if you want to understand why (it’s probably full, that’s why.)

Alice’s Village Cafe — 3773 Carp Rd.

The popular Carp cafe is a popular destination, especially for cyclists in the far west-end. Eric Lamorueux tweets: “Very bike friendly with a fantastic menu. Weekend breakfast is a popular bike pit stop for cyclists in Kanata North.”

Glebe Meat Market — 869 Bank St.

“They have great bike parking, and a proactive approach to bike security,” says Chris Begley.

Union Street Kitchen Cafe — 42 Crichton St.

Dave Garand says most staff here bike and they often have many more bikes parked in front than the single post-and-ring rack can accommodate.

Hintonburg Public House — 1020 Wellington St. W.

The HPH says on their website that their goal is to be a truly public “public house” and to be welcoming for all — judging by comments we’ve heard, that goes for those who get there by bike too.

Any other suggestions? Tweet us** @OttawaStart**.