A bicycle operating apparatus is provided with a base member, a ratchet, a pawl member and an operating member. The ratchet is rotatably disposed around a ratchet axis, and biased in a first direction about the ratchet axis. The operating member moves the pawl member from a first position to a second position. The pawl member has a pawl portion and first and second support portions. The pawl portion engages with the ratchet teeth while the pawl member is in the second position to regulate rotation of the ratchet in the first direction. The first support portion pivotally supports the pawl member around a first axis as the pawl member moves from the first position to the second position. The second support portion pivotally supports the pawl member around a second axis while the pawl member is in the second position.