Ottawa is the latest city to offer safe lockers in which to park your bike. Whether you are an eco-conscious commuter, a fitness enthusiast, or simply looking to take a meandering ride through Ottawa’s downtown core, bike lockers make possible a level of convenience and security that cannot be beat.
The City of Ottawa has installed three bike lockers thus far. The first is near ByWard Market inside 141 Clarence Street’s parking garage, the second is in the Glebe on 170 Second Avenue, and the third is in Centretown at 234-250 Slater Street. The lockers can hold up to six bicycles each and are available first-come, first-serve.
To use the lockers, cyclists must first create an account on the Vélo-Transit app (available for download on Android and Apple mobile devices). The app will then ask users to confirm the location of their desired locker and will handle payment for the rental.
To get into your locker—whether to store your bike or to retrieve it—you can use the app as your key. An “open door” button will allow you to unlock your locker. The door will lock automatically whenever closed and can only be opened by your Vélo-Transit account, ensuring maximum security for your bike. Finally, remember to click “end rental” on the app when you are finished with your locker. The first two hours of rental are free, and additional hours go for $0.50/hour.
Bike lockers offer a level of security that personal bike locks simply cannot rival: they are bolted to the ground and completely enclose bicycles, making it impossible for thieves to use cable or bolt cutters to swipe your cycle. In addition to preventing theft, bike lockers also offer an innovative form of protection against bicycle tampering, vandalism, and wet weather that threatens to rust your precious wheels. Both commuters and tourists can now enjoy the sights and sounds of Ottawa stress-free, knowing that their bike is secure and dry.
The installation of secure bike lockers is the next step in a series of bike-friendly decisions that the City of Ottawa has made to encourage cycling. The City has built well-connected bike lanes through the downtown core and implemented Dutch-inspired protected intersections to make cyclists and pedestrians more visible to drivers. With three ready-to-use bike lockers and more on the way, Ottawa is becoming a prominent cycling city.
Before testing the new bike lockers out for yourself, watch the City of Ottawa how-to video!
Header image: The City of Ottawa bike locker inside the parking garage at 141 Clarence Street. (PHOTO: OLM STAFF)
