The NCC just updated all the Weekend Bike Days on their Parkways for 2024. There are once again slight differences.
Kichi Zībī Mīkan
The good news is that the Kichi Zībī Mīkan opens the entire day until 4 in the afternoon, rather than noon, so you can now sleep in. However, it can be hot later in the day so remember to bring water, which I am still not used to after 26 years in Canada.
Queen Elizabeth Driveway
The Queen Elizabeth Driveway closes for motorised vehicles between 8 and 8 on weekends and holiday Mondays between Somerset and 5th Ave, and closes 24 hours a day every day between July 1 and September 2 for motorised traffic 24 hours a day. See schedule below.
Eastern Parkway (SGEC)
There are no changes for the Eastern Parkway
Gatineau Park
Note that you can always bike in the park when it is open to motorised traffic (a bike is a private vehicle after all too); the table below only refers to exclusive access for active transportation.
You will be sharing the road in the Park with
Shuttle buses: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fr (from 9:30 – 14:00) and Sat, Sun (from 9:00 – 18:00)
Cars: Wed (8 am – dusk) and Sat, Sun (noon – dusk)
Best time to go to Gatineau Park
It looks like the best time to bike in Gatineau Park are weekdays (except Wednesday) before 9:30 am or after 2 pm and weekends before 9 am. If I was a retired avid cyclist I’d stay away in the weekends.
Exceptions
Also be aware that during certain event nights, the opening times for the Ottawa Parkways might change so that avid drivers can get to the parking garage at Lansdowne.
Here is the schedule
I should mention again you can obviously always cycle in Gatineau Park both on the road and on the pathways as long as the parkway is not closed.
Sources from these 3 different NCC web pages:
NCC Weekend Bikedays – National Capital Commission (ncc-ccn.gc.ca)
Queen Elizabeth Driveway Active Use Program – National Capital Commission (ncc-ccn.gc.ca)
Gatineau Park Parkways Schedule – National Capital Commission (ncc-ccn.gc.ca)
More Cycling in Ottawa posts
- November 7: opening new bike lanes with Ariel Troster
Reading Time: 3 minutesThursday November 7 at 11 am, ride with councillor Troster in Ottawa - Off the Couch: Protest Ride Today
Reading Time: 5 minutesToday, we’ll protest against the new law that forces municipalities to ask permission to build a bike lane if it hinders drivers. And worse, to remove existing bike lanes. - Inaugural Ride in Almonte for 200 km CycleMORE route, June 29, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutesCycleMORE, the Mississippi and Ottawa Rivers Experience will hold a short ceremony to launch the region’s newest 200 kilometer cycle route at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 29th. Cyclists will begin an inaugural ride from the parking lot of Hummingbird Chocolate in Almonte. - New Rideau River foot bridge is finally open
Reading Time: 6 minutesIt has been a long time coming and part of the time the bridge was just sitting there in place. But since yesterday we can now enjoy a shortcut across the Rideau River at Carleton University, avoiding Billing’s bridge. Read the full story. - The new pathway at the historic Hartwells Locks
Reading Time: 4 minutesLate 2023 a new pathway opened near the Hartwells Locks, but not everyone appears to know about it yet. - Looking for some social, local cycling events this weekend?
Reading Time: 2 minutesIf you feel like going out and socialise on your bike this weekend without donning a jersey and spandex for a ride to Toronto and back, here are some local ideas for casual rides and events.
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