OTTAWA – No need to travel to enjoy the great outdoors.

“Explore the nooks, crannies and vistas of Ottawa, and venture out on the bike paths to enjoy the city in a whole new way,” city staff released in a statement. “This summer, the Ottawa Public Library and Envirocentre are teaming up to offer an online cycling series geared to people of all ages and abilities. “

This joint initiative is aimed at helping families, beginners, and regular cyclists safely plan their trips. 

The first session, Urban Cycling, is offered in both languages on Thursdays, July 9 and 16,  at 12:30 p.m. and will cover bike basics, urban infrastructure, tips, and suggestions for having a safe and comfortable ride.  

The second session, Discover your City by Bike, will take place on Thursday, July 23 at 12:30 p.m. and will cover some interesting destinations in Ottawa that are easily accessible by bicycle: heritage sites, nature areas and public art!  Route planning resources will also be shared to help you plan your adventure. 

In addition to the sessions above, the OPL has a full range of online resources and material on cycling ranging from inspirational cycling travel stories to documentaries about bike-friendly cities.  

“We are pleased to partner with EnviroCentre to not only share cycling tips and resources, but also contribute to the promotion of cycle-tourism,” the OPL said. “EnviroCentre, co-organizer of Bike to Work Month, is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to provide people, communities and organizations with practical solutions to lighten their environmental impact in lasting ways.  “

Stay tuned this summer for interesting staycation activities! For more information about the cycling series and registration, please visit biblioOttawalibrary.ca.