A bicycle operating device includes a base member, a positioning ratchet, a positioning member, a pulling member, a pulling pawl and first and second release members. The positioning ratchet pivots in first and second directions. The positioning member moves between a holding position that prevents pivoting of the positioning ratchet in the first direction, and a releasing position that releases the positioning ratchet in the first direction. The pulling member pivots the positioning ratchet in the second direction as the pulling member is moved by the pulling pawl. The first release member moves the positioning member from the holding position to the releasing position. The second release member moves the pulling pawl away from the pulling member. The second release member extends between opposite axial sides of the positioning ratchet. The first release member and the pulling member are positioned on opposite axial sides of the positioning ratchet.