Ottawa is a city of bicycle paths, which many citizens choose over cars. Cycling is a good way to get around Ottawa. There are dedicated bike paths through downtown and paths along both sides of the Canal and the nearby Ottawa and Rideau rivers. The Gatineau Hills across the Ottawa River are also an excellent cycling destination (in years past there have been pre-church rides on Sunday to the highest point of the Hills and back – approximately 40 km or 18 miles).