Get out and play: NCC launching ‘Weekend Bikedays’ program this weekend

The NCC's newly announced Weekend Bikedays program is launching this weekend, an event formally known as Sunday Bikedays.

Every weekend from May to October, NCC parkways in Ottawa will be open for active use, including cycling, running and walking, in the morning and afternoon.

The 2021 program will run from Saturday, May 1 to October 11:

Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway: Both 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 to Carling Avenue. The parkway has so far seen an average of 2,502 visits per day.
Length: 9 kilometres
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway: Both lanes of the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, running along the south side of the Ottawa River, just east of the downtown core, between the Aviation Parkway and St. Joseph Boulevard in Orléans. The parkway has seen an average of 1,949 visitors per day so far. 
Length: 8 kilometres
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Queen Elizabeth Driveway: Both lanes of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway, located on the west side of the Rideau Canal, from Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street. According to the NCC, the driveway has seen an average of 4,944 visits per day.
Length: 2.4 kilometres
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The NCC has also announced that from Monday, May 3 to Wednesday, June 30, this section of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway will be open exclusively for active users from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Additionally, from Friday, July 2 to Monday, September 6, Colonel By Drive will be open for active use only:

Colonel By Drive from Daly Avenue to Canal Woods Terrace.
Length: 5 kilometres
Hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week

The NCC has also launched a Summer activities interactive map.

Gatineau Park has its own pilot, with parkways open exclusively for active use most of the time, except on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays after 1 p.m. 

The NCC is asking all residents to be COVID-safe by following all directives from local and provincial public health authorities while enjoying outdoor space.