Best Cities in Canada for Cycling

In Canada, outdoor recreation is a fundamental part of life, even in the bigger cities. While some Canadians enjoy cycling for recreational purposes, many use their bike to commute to work for much (if not all) of the year, depending on the location. Locals enjoy the numerous bike lanes, trails, races and the active mountain biking culture of Canada.

Mountain bike enthusiasts come from all over the world to check out the trails, specifically in the mountains of Alberta and British Columbia.

Cycling offers a wide range of benefits to your health, your wallet and the planet:

• Cycling is a low-impact exercise that reduces strain and injury risks while working all major muscle groups.

• Cycling builds strength, stamina, and fitness, and balanced mental health.

• Bicycles consume zero fossil fuels

• Low maintenance costs and zero fuel requirements make cycling the second most cost-efficient mode of transport, after walking.

Fun Fact! Studies show that if we used bikes instead of cars for trips under 8 kilometers in cities, we could cut over 7 million tons of CO2 emissions each year.

Canada is home to many cycling-friendly cities, where you can find unique bike routes, infrastructure, and scenic trails that cater to all levels of cyclists. Keep reading to learn all about some of the best cities in Canada for cycling.

Vancouver

Vancouver offers over 450 km of dedicated cycling routes in the form of bike lanes, protected paths, and shared roadways. Certain bike paths are separated from the roads, including Burrard Bridge, the Seawall and the Central Valley Greenway.

The outdoor recreation culture in Vancouver is strong, being a city surrounded in every direction by rainforest, beaches and mountains. The city has a high number of cyclists per capita and has over 50 bike stores where you can get advice, gear and parts from experts. Since the roads don’t freeze in the winter, Vancouver cyclists offer year-round cycling–a rarity in Canada.

Mobi by Shaw Go is Vancouver's public bike-sharing program, where users can pick up and drop off bikes at various docking stations across the city. The service offers pay-per-use and membership options.

Vancouver’s most popular cycling routes include:

• Stanley Park Seawall

• Central Valley Greenway

• Arbutus Greenway

• False Creek Loop

• UBC Loop

• Kitsilano Beach Path

• Pacific Spirit Regional Park Trails

• Richmond's Dyke Trail

• Adanac Bikeway

• Point Grey Road

Montreal

Montreal is a top cycling city in North America due to its extensive dedicated bike lanes, cyclist-friendly infrastructure, and its bike-sharing program. With over 800 km of bike paths, It’s a safe, convenient city for cyclists, and easy to navigate.

BIXI is Montreal’s public bike-sharing system. It features thousands of bikes available for rent at docking stations spread across the city. The system is accessible via a mobile app, allowing riders to easily locate bikes and pay for rentals.

Montreal's annual cycling events include the Tour de l'Île de Montréal which is a car-free city ride, and the evening Tour la Nuit. Both are part of the Go Bike Montréal Festival.

Montreal’s most popular cycling routes include:

• Lachine Canal

• Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit on Île Notre-Dame

• Mount Royal Park

• Parc Jean-Drapeau

• Maisonneuve Park to Olympic Park

Ottawa

Ottawa has a reputation for being one of the most bike-friendly cities in Canada. Its 600+ km of bike paths include paths along the stunning Ottawa River, adding scenic views for commuters to enjoy.

Ottawa’s cycling culture is integrated with public transit; OC Transpo allows bikes on all of their buses.

On weekends, Ottawa offers four car-free cycling routes:

• Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway

• Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway

• Colonel By Drive

• Queen Elizabeth Drive

Ottawa’s most popular cycling routes include:

• Rideau Canal Pathway

• Ottawa River Pathway

• Central Experimental Farm Pathway

• NCC’s Capital Pathway network

• Eastern Pathway

Victoria

Victoria has a reputation of being Canada’s cycling capital. 10% of locals commute by bike, which is double the amount of commuter cyclists in Vancouver. Both cities have climates that are perfect for year-round cycling, just don’t forget your rain gear from October to May! Victoria has a higher number of sunny days annually, which makes cycling even more appealing.

The city actively promotes cycling as a primary mode of transportation, by providing expansive bike infrastructure, including protected bike lanes.

The infamous Galloping Goose Trail stretches 55 kilometers from Victoria to Sooke, where cyclists get to ride through rainforests, open fields, and along the historic rail corridor.

The Lochside Trail runs approximately 30 kilometers from Victoria to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, winding through farmland, forests, and coastal views.

Beach Drive/Dallas Road is a stunning waterfront route in Victoria, known for its views of the Salish Sea and Washington’s Olympic and Cascade Mountains, including Mt. Baker. The path runs along the coast, connecting parks and beaches in Oak Bay, Fairfield, Cook St. Village, Beacon Hill Park, and James Bay.

Fun Fact! Mount Baker is an active stratovolcano located in Washington State, part of the Cascade Range. The most recent significant eruption was in 1975.

Victoria’s most beautiful and popular bike routes include:

• Galloping Goose Trail
• Lochside Trail
• Dallas Road
• Inner Harbour Pathway
• Beacon Hill Park Loop

Canada’s commitment to creating bike-friendly urban spaces

In an effort to make sustainable transportation methods more accessible to citizens, Canada has dedicated a lot of resources to create, enforce and maintain bike-friendly urban spaces. Continual investments in bike lane networks promotes cycling as a realistic and enjoyable option for commuting. Local governments in various cities have created community cycling programs, bike-sharing initiatives, and events that celebrate cycling culture and lifestyle.

Whether you're just starting out or have been cycling for years, know that Canadian cities support and encourage cycling as a sustainable and healthy way to get around.>