Get Your Wheels On

Spring has sprung, and all around you the neighbours’ kids are dusting off their bicycles. Meanwhile, your kids’ bikes are too small, too rusty, missing a chain or sporting a flat tire.

Stop feeling sorry for your kids and get them some new (to you) used bikes instead. All you need is five minutes and a phone to call these shops and check for what’s in stock.

The re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op downtown on Bronson Avenue is a not-for-profit shop that accepts donated bicycles, then repairs and sells or donates them. This place won’t repair your bike for you, but always has a ‘Head Mechanic’ on hand to help you do it yourself. Children’s bikes are safety checked before sale, and sometimes donated to family shelters. Staff are volunteers and hours are irregular, so check the website before you make the trip.

With two locations on Bank Street and one in Kanata, Kunstadt Sports is a family-run business that sells both used and new bicycles, including children’s. Let them add you to their client directory—you’ll get discount coupons in the mail that may lead to some very good deals on ski accessories next season.

Don’t forget to check out Tim’s Used Sports Equipment, also in Wellington Village. They have some good deals on used bikes as well. 

Now that you’ve got your new ride, where you go with it is the next question. Did you know that Ottawa has more than 180 kilometres of bike paths, many of which run alongside the canal or rivers? Check them out on this cool interactive map site.

But the real news we can use when planning a family cycle is that starting May 23, certain parkways are closed to motor vehicles on Sundays. Here’s the low down on times and places:

• The Ottawa River Parkway’s westbound lanes, on the south side of the Ottawa River and west of downtown, are closed from 9 am to 1 pm from the Canadian War Museum to Carling Avenue, a distance of 5.5 kilometres.
• Colonel By Drive, along the east side of the canal, has both lanes closed from 9 am to 1 pm from the Laurier Bridge to the Hogs Back Bridge, a distance of 7.6 kilometres.
• On the Rockcliffe Parkway, both lanes on the south side of the Ottawa River, just east of downtown, are closed from 9 am to 1 pm from the Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard in Orleans, a distance of 8.4 kilometres.
• And don’t forget Gatineau Park on the Quebec side. There are 90 kilometres of trails open for mountain biking from May 15 to November 30, suitable for beginner to intermediate mountain bikers. For families towing bike trailers and catering to toddlers and training wheels, the section north of Lac Meech Road (use parking lot P8) is ideal, and is closed to traffic from 6 am to 1 pm.

Ditch the housework and get out and ride while the sun is shining. It’s a short enough season in Ottawa, so you’d better make the most of it!

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