Public bike parking strategy
For information about the City of Ottawa’s Public Bike Parking Strategy, please visit Parking Strategy and Studies.
Bike parking
The City of Ottawa offers several options for parking your bike:
- At city-owned parking lots and garages
- Various Transitway and LRT stations, City of Ottawa Client Service Centres, community and recreation centres and parks
- Roadside ring and post bike racks
- Bike Corral Program provides seasonal from April to November at the following locations:
- Centretown
- MacLaren and Bank streets
- Gloucester and Bank streets
- Cooper and Bank streets
- Glebe
- Second Avenue and Bank Street
- Glebe Avenue and Bank Street
- Fourth Avenue and Bank Street
- Westboro
- Golden Avenue and Richmond Road
- Wellington West
- Wellington Street West and Fairmount Avenue
- Hamilton Avenue North and Armstrong Street
- Centretown
- OC Transpo offers secure bike parking at Greenboro, Strandherd, St-Laurent, and Fallowfield stations.
Where to park your bike in the winter
The City of Ottawa is currently piloting an initiative where bike racks in close proximity of essential services (such as grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) will be maintained, allowing cyclists to use them throughout the winter months. This winter, bike parking will be available at the following locations:
- 111 Albert Street
- 174 Bank Street
- 276 Bank Street
- 296 Bank Street
- 326 Bank Street
- 375 Bank Street
- 386 Bank Street
- 455 Bank Street
- 702 Bank Street
- 738 Bank Street
- 754 Bank Street
- 778 Bank Street
- 869 Bank Street
- 264 Elgin Street
- 280 Elgin Street
- 225 Preston Street
- 50 Rideau Street
- 200 Rideau Street
- 306 Rideau Street
- 322 Rideau Street
- 363 Rideau Street
- 298 Richmond Road
- 300 Richmond Road
- 410 Richmond Road
- 170 Second Avenue
- 712 Somerset Street West
- 752 Somerset Street West
- 760 Somerset Street West
- 793 Somerset Street West
- 794 Somerset Street West
- 1057 Wellington Street West
- 1069 Wellington Street West
- 1085 Wellington Street West
- 1101 Wellington Street West
- 1130 Wellington Street West
- 1188 Wellington Street West
- 1308 Wellington Street West
- 1355 Wellington Street West
- 1399 Wellington Street West
Bike repair stations
Instructional videos
*Guitar strumming*
How to change a tire
Place seat onto stand
Remove wheel from bicycle
Deflate the tube by pushing valve
Break the seal between the tire bead and the rim
Use the leaver to pull tire bead over the rim
Slide lever around the wheel
Remove the tube and hang safety off the ground
Remove tire, and inspect tire and wheel for debris and damage
Re-mount one tire bead mount tube at valve hole
Tuck the tube into the tire
Starting at the valve stem mount the other bead hook
Apply pressure evenly with both hands around to the opposite side of the valve stem inflate your tire (see “how to pump a tire” video)
Remount wheel into frame
*Guitar strumming*
How to patch a tire
Before you watch this:
complete steps 1 to 7 of “how to change a tire”
Inflate tube as full as possible (see ‘How to pump a tire’ video)
Maneuver tube to listen and feel for air escaping
Identify the puncture and circle it with a marker
Open your patch kit
Choose the sandpaper, sand an area larger than the patch, until darker
Apply glue
Spread glue to a larger area than the patch
Wait 3-5 min for glue to dry
Test by touching edge (glue should be tacky)
Select patch from the kit
Firmly place the patch
Roll finger to make sure the full surface area is covered
Now, refer back to ‘how to change a tire’ at the appropriate step:
If the tire may be damaged, proceed to Step 8. Otherwise, go to step 9.
Perform a visual inspection before riding
*Guitar strumming*
How to pump a tire
Remove valve cap
Presta valve and Schrader valve
Loosen Presta valve and press to release air
Unscrew Schrader cap, and place pump chuck
Place the correct style of pump chuck onto the valve and lock into place.
Note: there are 2 different slots in the pump head depending on which type of valve you have
Pump and monitor the gauge.
Inflate to recommended PSI, and defer to lower range on tire
Close lever to unlock
Screw in Presta valve, install valve cap and tighten lock ring
Preform a final visual inspection before riding
Troubleshooting the pump:
*guitar strumming*
Requesting new or replacing existing bike racks on City property
Are you aware of a location in the public space where bike parking is unavailable or insufficient? Please submit requests for new or replacement bike racks to parking.operations@ottawa.ca. Please include an address or intersection of the request and any relevant details, including pictures (optional). We will respond to all inquiries within five (5) business days.
We will assess all requests to identify the bike parking solution that is best supported. The outcome may be influenced by space constraints or other factors, such as visibility, accessibility and sidewalk conditions. Where a need for bike parking is identified, locations will be prioritized for installation.
As part of the City’s Public Bike Parking Strategy, we plan to offer more types of bike parking services in the future.
Report a damaged bike rack or an abandoned bike
If you notice a damaged bike rack on the public right of way, or you want to report an abandoned bike, please call the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1. Please be ready to provide an address or intersection, and any relevant details.
Bike racks on private property
Does your organization require bike parking for its staff or patrons? Hello Vélo – a new initiative by Parking Services – incentivizes private organizations (such as local businesses) by subsidizing 50 per cent of the cost when purchasing a bike rack from the City’s inventory.
Only while quantities last! Black 4-ring “hanger” bike racks can be purchased for $400 plus tax, which is 50% off our bulk purchase cost. A fantastic deal!
Interested in getting a new bike rack for your organization? Please email hello.velo@ottawa.ca and Parking Services will help you place your order. Please note that we only accept payments via e-transfer and that your organization will be responsible for pick-up and installation.
For bike parking zoning requirements, please visit Bicycle Parking Space Rates and Provisions or OntariobyBike.ca to help make your business more bicycle friendly.