A bicycle shifter operating device for operating a shifting mechanism via a transmission element includes a control body for mounting to a bicycle in close proximity to a handlebar for controlling a pulling and releasing of the transmission element. A first lever is mounted to the control body for movement which causes the control body to effect pulling of the transmission element, and a second lever is mounted to the control body for movement which causes the control body to effect releasing of the transmission element. One lever may be pivotally coupled to the control body, and the other lever may be coupled for linear movement relative to the control body. The lever structured for linear movement may be coupled to a transmission mechanism for operating the control body in such a way that very little linear movement is needed to operate the control body. The transmission mechanism may include a plurality of ratchet teeth disposed in a common plane, where the path of movement of the linear operating body is parallel to the plane of the ratchet teeth. With such a structure, the finger contacting part associated with the linearly moving lever may be placed in front of the handlebar (by curving the body of the lever, if necessary) so that the finger contacting part moves toward the handlebar in operation without striking the handlebar. As a result, both levers may be operated by the cyclist's thumb without movement of any other fingers or the palm from the handlebar.