Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Ottawa

Picture cruising past Parliament Hill in the early evening, the Peace Tower catching the last light, then peeling off toward the Rideau Canal to ride alongside a UNESCO World Heritage waterway on your way to Dow's Lake. On two wheels, Ottawa opens up in a way the bus routes never quite manage — you can be downtown by the Château Laurier one hour and winding through the forests of Gatineau Park the next.

Ottawa's downtown core is compact and easy to navigate, but it also sits right against Gatineau Park's parkways, just across the river in Quebec — genuinely excellent motorcycle roads with lookouts, curves, and forest all the way through. That combination of walkable city centre and real riding terrain minutes away is exactly why a motorcycle rental in Ottawa makes sense: you get to skip the parking headaches near Parliament Hill and ByWard Market, then be on a scenic road within twenty minutes. Riding season here runs roughly May to October, so demand — and traffic — concentrate hard into the warmer months.

Top 10 things to see in Ottawa by motorcycle

1. Parliament Hill — the iconic seat of Canada's government and the city's must-see landmark, with easy parking for a quick ride into downtown.
2. Rideau Canal — a UNESCO World Heritage waterway; ride the streets alongside it from downtown out toward Dow's Lake for classic Ottawa scenery.
3. ByWard Market — a historic district of cobblestone streets, food stalls, and nightlife, a natural stop after a day of riding.
4. Gatineau Park Parkway — a winding scenic road through forest and lookouts just across the river in Quebec, the region's best motorcycle route.
5. Champlain Lookout — a sweeping viewpoint over the Ottawa Valley reached via the Parkway, a favourite sunset stop for riders.
6. Château Laurier — the landmark castle-like hotel beside the canal locks, one of the best photo stops downtown.
7. Ottawa River Pathway — a riverside route with views across to Gatineau, ideal for an easy scenic cruise along the water.
8. Mer Bleue Bog — a unique boardwalk wetland east of the city, a quieter, nature-focused ride out of the downtown buzz.
9. Wakefield, Quebec — a popular day-trip village north of Gatineau Park with a covered bridge and cafes, a classic loop destination.
10. Luskville Falls Lookout — a panoramic overlook along the Eardley Escarpment, reached via one of the Parkway's best stretches.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Ottawa?

You'll need a full motorcycle-class licence — Class M in Ontario — and rental companies generally expect the full licence stage, not a learner's permit, along with some riding experience behind you. Expect a minimum age of 21, often rising to 25 for larger bikes. A deposit is standard, usually taken as a pre-authorisation hold on a credit card in your own name. An International Driving Permit isn't a strict requirement for most visitors, but it's worth carrying if your licence isn't in English or French.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Ottawa?

Expect roughly 55–75 CAD per day for a standard motorcycle or scooter during peak summer demand, with larger touring or premium models running 100–150 CAD per day. Outside the busiest weeks, prices drop meaningfully.

• July and August are the priciest months, when demand peaks.
• April–May and September–October offer better shoulder-season rates.
• Many operators pause or heavily discount from November through March, once the snow sets in.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Ottawa?

High season runs June through August, stretching into early September, when nearly every rental operator is open and the Gatineau Park roads are busiest — book ahead if you want a specific model. Low season is November to March, when riding is effectively unavailable and many companies close for winter entirely. If you'd rather skip peak crowds and prices, late May or September hit a sweet spot: warm days, thinner traffic, and in September, the added bonus of fall colour along the Parkway.

Local traffic rules in Ottawa

Canada drives on the right, and helmets are mandatory for every motorcycle and scooter rider and passenger, no exceptions. City speed limits are typically 50 km/h unless posted otherwise, rising to 80–90 km/h on rural highways. The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.08%, but Ontario imposes roadside penalties starting well below that, so it's simplest to treat riding and drinking as mutually exclusive. Lane splitting is illegal everywhere in Canada, and motorcycles are expected to run headlights at all times.

If you want to rent a motorcycle in Ottawa, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!