NCC announces 2026 Weekend Bike Days schedule

People go for a bike ride along the Kichi Zibi Mikan in Ottawa during the NCC's Weekend Bike Days. (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)

The National Capital Commission has announced its 2026 Weekend Bike Days schedule.

The annual event sees some of Ottawa’s scenic parkways closed to motor vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays in the spring, summer, and early fall, to prioritize active transportation.

This year’s Weekend Bike Days begin May 9 and run until Oct. 12.

Parts of the Kichi Zībī Mīkan, the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway and the Queen Elizabeth Driveway will become active transportation corridors each weekend.

Westbound lanes of the Kichi Zībī Mīkan will be closed to cars from 8 a.m. to noon every weekend between Vimy Place and Carling Avenue.

Both lanes of the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway between Aviation Parkway and St. Joseph Boulevard will be part of Bike Days between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. each weekend.

The Queen Elizabeth Driveway will be closed to vehicles from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every weekend between Fifth Avenue and Somerset Street.

During NCC Weekend Bikedays, the parkways are available for all active users, not just cyclists.

Drivers are asked to wait approximately an hour after the scheduled time that active use ends to give crews time to safely clear the parkways and restore vehicle access.

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