HomeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NCCN-09-05-13-PR
May 15, 2009
Canada’s Capital Region – The National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with title sponsor Alcatel-Lucent and volunteers from KPMG LLP, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP and NAV Canada, is pleased to present the 39th season of Sunday Bikedays, which begins this Sunday, May 17 until Sunday September 6, 2009. Every Sunday morning from Victoria Day to Labour Day, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy more than 50 kilometres of scenic parkways that are closed to motorized traffic in the heart of the Capital and Gatineau Park.
“The National Capital Commission is proud to partner with Alcatel-Lucent, the title sponsor of Sunday Bikedays for the past 10 seasons, as well as the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who make this program possible,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “Alactel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays allows residents and visitors to experience Canada’s Capital Region in a fun and environmentally friendly way.”
“Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays provides a unique opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Canada’s Capital uninterrupted by motor traffic. It’s also a good reminder of the benefits of going green,” said Alex Giosa, President of Alcatel-Lucent Canada. “As one of Ottawa’s top employers, and one of Canada’s leading R&D companies, we take great pride in supporting our community through Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays. We hope that everyone has the chance to enjoy the experience this summer.”
PARKWAYS RESERVED FOR ALCATEL-LUCENT SUNDAY BIKEDAYS: OTTAWA
Ottawa River Parkway — 9 am to 1 pm
The westbound lanes of the Ottawa River Parkway, located on the south side of the Ottawa River just west of the downtown core, will be closed to motorized traffic from 9 am to 1 pm, from Vimy Place (Canadian War Museum) to Carling Avenue. The Parkway is monitored by volunteers from Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP. (Length: 9 kilometres)
Colonel By Drive — 9 am to 1 pm
Both lanes of Colonel By Drive, located on the east side of the Rideau Canal in the heart of the Capital, will be closed to motorized traffic from 9 am to 1 pm, from the Laurier Bridge to the Hog’s Back Bridge. The Parkway is monitored by volunteers from KPMG LLP. (Length: 8 kilometres)
Rockcliffe Parkway — 9 am to 1 pm
Both lanes of the Rockcliffe Parkway, running along the south side of the Ottawa River, just east of the downtown core, will be closed to motorized traffic from 9 am to 1 pm, from the Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard in Orleans. The Parkway is monitored by volunteers from NAV Canada.
(Length: 8 kilometres)
PARKWAYS RESERVED FOR ALCATEL-LUCENT SUNDAY BIKEDAYS: GATINEAU PARK
Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays runs in Gatineau Park from 6 am to 11 am on Gatineau, Champlain and Fortune Parkways (30.5 kilometres), which are ideal destinations for cycling enthusiasts who enjoy steep hills. One section, to the north of Lac-Meech Road (parking lot P8), is ideal for families with young children and is closed for two additional hours, 6 am to 1 pm.
CLINICS – SUMMER 2009
Once again this year, representatives from the Alcatel-Lucent Switchbacks and the Ottawa Inline Skating Club will be on hand to offer free bike checks and inline skating clinics.
Club: Alcatel-Lucent Switchbacks
Clinic: Free Bike Checks
Location: Colonel By Drive (south of Pretoria Bridge)
Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays participants can get their bikes checked free of charge by members of the Alcatel-Lucent Switchbacks every Sunday, from 9 am to 1 pm.
Club: Ottawa Inline Skating Club
Clinic: Free Inline Skating Lessons
Location: P8 parking lot of the Rockcliffe Parkway
Members of the Ottawa Inline Skating Club will offer free one-hour instructional sessions on braking, turning and stride improvement every Sunday, from 9 am to 1 pm.
All summer long, patrollers from the Club will be out and about on Rockcliffe Parkway, ready to provide inline skating tips and advice, with special emphasis on safety.
Club: Ottawa Public Health, EnviroCentre and the Pathway Patrol
Clinic: Helmet fitting services
Members of the Ottawa Public Health and the Pathway Patrol will offer instructional sessions on helmet fitting for the whole family from 9 am to 1 pm on Colonel By Drive and Rockcliffe Parkway throughout the summer.
For more information about the Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bikedays activity, please contact the NCC at
613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/biking.
Information:
Marilyne Guèvremont
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5735