October 18, 2026 - Ottawa continues to make excellent progress as one of Canada’s leading cycling cities. It was the first in the country to receive a Gold Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) design- ation and, in September 2026, became one of the first two municipalities in Ontario to achieve Platinum BFC status at the Ontario Bike Summit, hosted by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition.

Since the 2013 Transportation Master Plan was approved, Ottawa has delivered approximately 260km of cycling facilities, including 22km of physically separated cycling facilities along roadways, and 70km of off-road pathways and links.

Over the past decade, Ottawa has seen rapid growth in cycling trips. The cycling modal share more than doubled between 2011 and 2022, from 1.9% to 3.9%, and reached over 7% in the downtown and inner urban transects.

Currently, the city boasts almost 1,500km of cycling infrastructure, including 56km of protected bike lanes, 243km of painted bike lanes, 819km of multi-use pathways, and 356km of paved shoulders. Ottawa shares responsibility for the network with the National Capital Commission, which manages a large portion of it, including high-profile elements such as the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River Pathways.

A signature cycling attraction is the Capital Pathway network: more than 200km of off-road, multi-use pathways that connect parks, waterways, and communities in Ottawa and Gatineau, QC. The pathways are open to walkers and cyclists, including those using e-bikes.

A popular initiative is the NCC Weekend Bikedays, which run every weekend from May to October and let residents take advantage of car-free roads along the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal.

Since the creation of a 40km winter cycling network in 2015, Ottawa has seen significant growth. Now at 60km, the target is to double the total kilometres by 2030.

Safety is another important factor. The city offers the Cycling Safety Awareness Program, its Strategic Road Safety Action Plan, an expanded Be Safe Be Seen initiative, cycling safety campaign blitzes at schools, and additional measures.

The City’s online mapping system, called “GeoOttawa”, is the primary source for the most up-to-date information about the cycling network.

Bike Ottawa is a local, not-for-profit, volunteer-based advocacy group that plays an important role in ensuring residents can enjoy vibrant, equitable year-round mobility. In addition, thousands of people have been introduced to cycling through the EnviroCentre’s “Let’s Bike Month” initiative, part of the city’s annual Let’s Bike Ottawa in June.