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Cycling history |
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Ottawa's affair with the bicycle is over a century old. Much has changed
since Canadians imported their first velocipede around 1869, but the
bicycle scoots down city streets today in greater numbers than ever. |
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The current popularity of the bicycle is not the first boom by any means - Ottawa
has witnessed two before.
Late nineteenth century Ottawa saw the bicycle as both a social pastime and a
social force, and the years just after WWI also brought many new cyclists to
the roads. The bicycle's popularity has fluctuated with skirt length, the state
of roads and the influence of the automobile |
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In
Ottawa, the bike predates the car by 20 years. The Ottawa Bicycle
Club was founded August 1882 with a ride of ½ mile down Bank St by 10 wheel men on Premiers, 60 inch front wheels with no
gears, chains or brakes.
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The popularity of bikes had its up and downs through the Twentieth Century.
Hard hit by the discovery of oil and the growth of the automobile,
pedestrians and cyclists had to fight long and hard for their rightful
place on the roads. Of necessity, bikes were popular in the 1920's
and 1930's, however the post WWII boom saw their numbers decline.
Gradually by the 1960's environmental concerns arose and the bicycle
got a new lease on life. |
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Creative
ideas prevailed back then with urban design too. Ottawa's National
Capital Commission (Douglas Fullerton) had the brains to create
a network of urban pathways throughout the nation's capital for
locals and visitors to enjoy. By 1980 Ottawa/Hull could boast
one of the best cycling infrastructures in North America.
In 1996, Bicycle Magazine awarded the Ottawa/Hull region a top ten place
for cycling in North America
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Norco Avanti circa 1982 |
Gradually
the Japanese and later the Tiawanese mass produced quality bicycles
at attractive prices. The 10 speed road bike became the norm,
followed by the introduction of bicycles capable of being ridden
off-road. The mountain bike took the western world by storm. |
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RentABike first
carried MTB's in 1984 (a Norco Bush Pilot) and gradually the 10
speed lost ground. |
Norco Bush Pilot circa 1984 |
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Giant TCR 2, '06 |
Ah
yes, carbon road bikes. Nothing quite like it and Giant models,
which we feature, are some of the best for quality and price
on the market. Road bikes now rent in greater numbers than off-road.
Who would have thought it? |
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2004:, after over 25 years at the Chateau
Laurier Hotel, RentABike moved into a unique 'underground' site, a wonderfull adaptation by the NCC of
the railway/streetcar tunnel* on the the Canal. Bike rentals and tours
have really arrived and are accepted as part of Canada's capital key
recreational attractions.
*Canada Atlantic Railway/Hull Electric Railway |
2007: The Rideau Canal;
a National Historic Site of Canada, a Canadian Heritage River becomes
a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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RentABike, founded in 1976, is proud to be part of this tradition. We are one of the few
bicycle companies on the continent that offers city bicycle tours.
Our quipment and service is second to none |
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