Cycling along the pathway that curves behind the National Gallery of Canada, I approached the incline heading up to Kìwekì Point with trepidation. It was my first time on an e-bike, and I wasn't sure how the hefty two-wheeler would handle a steep hill, even with electric battery assistance. With my luck, it would run out of juice halfway up and need to be pushed.
Summoning the spirit of The Little Engine That Could, I pressed a button on the handlebar and left trepidation in the dust as I sailed up the hill, gaining elevation with every pump of the pedal. Clear the tracks, we had liftoff.
This moment of superpower took place during a group bicycle excursion organized by Escape Tours and Rentals, an Ottawa company founded by Maria Rasouli more than a decade ago and still growing. Her story is inspiring.
From Iran to Ottawa: a passion for cycling
Born in Iran, Rasouli was a grad student who came to Ottawa in 2002 for doctorate studies at Carleton University. Before landing in the nation's capital, she had been on a bicycle exactly once.
“I come from a country where women could not bike, and there was never a concept of a bike path,” Rasouli said, recalling her delight at learning the extensive network of dedicated multi-use pathways in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. “I was like a kid in the candy store,” she added. “For me, it was such a novel and intriguing concept.”
Over the years, Rasouli saw the number of tourists who flocked to Ottawa every year and spotted a business opportunity in showing them another side to the government town.
“I used to travel a lot and do bike tours and I was feeling like we really needed something like that in Ottawa,” she said. “It's a really bike-friendly city, yet a lot of people don't know that. I saw so much room to introduce the green side of Ottawa to travellers.”
Building a bike tour empire
She started small, at first renting a few bicycles from a downtown bike shop to give tours. A business loan the following year allowed her to set up a trailer of bikes on Sparks Street. In 2017, the company leased its current storefront/headquarters at 65 Sparks St.
The latest chapter of business also involves water-based activities; 2026 marks the third season Escape has provided kayak and paddleboard rentals at the National Capital Commission Riverhouse.
Rasouli added e-bikes to the fleet eight years ago in response to growing demand from clients. Today she has an inventory of about 200 items in all, including e-bikes, regular bikes, seats for children, tag-along attachments and even a cargo bike to accommodate a person with mobility challenges.
The e-bike experience
Our tour started on the sidewalk in front of the Sparks Street headquarters, where we were fitted with bikes and helmets, and e-bike riders were given quick rundowns on how to drive them. Thankfully, the control panel was simple, with an on/off switch and plus/minus buttons for speed.
The two-hour journey took us along both sides of the Ottawa River, crossing the Corktown Footbridge and exploring scenic pathways. With the e-bike's assistance, even the longest stretches and steepest hills felt effortless, allowing me to focus on the stunning views of Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, and the vibrant downtown core.
For anyone hesitant about cycling in a city known for its government buildings and formal reputation, the e-bike tour offers a refreshing, no-sweat alternative. It's a chance to see Ottawa from a different perspective—green, active, and surprisingly accessible.
