A bicycle drive unit includes a motor, a second electronic controller and a communication circuit. The motor is configured to assist in propulsion of a bicycle. The second electronic controller controls the motor. The communication circuit is configured to communicate with an operation device that operates a bicycle electric component. The second electronic controller is operable in a third state, in which the motor is drivable, and a fourth state, which consumes less power than the third state and does not drive the motor. The second electronic controller is configured to switch an operation state from the fourth state to the third state upon the communication circuit receiving an input signal while the second electronic controller is operated in the fourth state.