A bicycle control device 100 is disclosed having a control lever 150 that is operable in a first direction to operate the brake control mechanism 102, a second direction to operate the shift control mechanism 300 in the pulling direction and a third direction to operate the shift control mechanism 300 in the release direction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, when viewed from the perspective of a rider on the bicycle, the first direction is the direction of movement of the lever 150 toward the handlebar. The second direction is the direction of movement of the control lever 150 downward and the third direction is the direction of movement of the control lever upward. In a more preferred embodiment, the second and third directions are perpendicular to the first direction.