A bicycle operating device includes a base, a positioning ratchet, a positioning pawl and a release. The base includes a base plate having first and second oppositely facing surfaces. The positioning pawl is movable between holding and releasing positions. The positioning pawl engages the positioning ratchet to selectively establish predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet while in the holding position. The positioning pawl disengages from the positioning ratchet to permit the positioning ratchet to move in one direction while in the releasing position. The release is movable between first and second positions. The release moves the positioning pawl from the holding position to the releasing position as the release moves from the first position towards the second position. The release contacts the positioning pawl at a contact area disposed between the first and second oppositely facing surfaces while the release is in the second position.