Canada has some terrific destinations for bicycle touring whether for one day or a week or more. It's wide open spaces are crisscrossed by a variety of roads and bike trails. However, roads in some areas may have too much traffic and lack paved shoulders to make for pleasant cycling.
Regional Bicycle Pages
Visit one of our regional pages for more info on bicycling in each province, including major cities:
Canada: British Columbia | Alberta | Yukon | Saskatchewan | Manitoba | Ontario | Quebec | New Brunswick | Nova Scotia | Prince Edward Island | Newfoundland
Recreation Paths
Development of recreation paths for biking, walking and--in certain cases, snowmobiling, skiing and horseback riding--is proceeding at a fast pace in all regions of Canada. See our Trans Canada Trail section for more info on bike paths and multi-purpose trails.
Canadian Bicycle Laws
In Canada cyclists must follow the same laws as drivers of motor vehicles. Each province and territory is responsible for enacting the laws for their region. Some of the more specific laws that usually apply to cyclists are:
- Cyclists must ride in single file on the paved shoulder or as far to the right of the paved part of the roadway as possible.
- Bicycles are not permitted on roads that have signs posting such restrictions.
- No biking on sidewalks.
Helemt laws are in effect in a several provinces, though in some cases they apply only to kids under 18. Requirements for bike lights and reflectors vary from province to province. See each of our provincial biycling pages for specifics.
Bicycling Resources
If you are travelling with your bike, see our Bike Transport Info.
Bicycling Organizations
Canadian Cycling Association - promotes all forms of cycling in Canada and oversees the operations of the Canadian national cycling teams.
CanBike - CCA's bike programs for kids, adults and instructors held in several provinces.
Pedalheads Bike Camps - commercially operated organization offers learn-to-cycle programs for children in several provinces www.pedalheads.ca
Bike Clubs - there are dozens of recreational and racing clubs across the country that offer trips and assistance to their members (see our Canadian Bike Club listings).
Tours and Events
Bike Events - whether you're interested in a race or a easy-going tour, there's a wide selection of non-profit cycling events to choose from (see our Canadian Bike Events listings).
Guided Cycling Tours - several companies offer fully-supported multi-day cycling trips, usually with a guide and sag waggon (see Canadian Guide Services).
Cycling Magazines
Atlantic Pedaler - online coverage of Eastern Canadian bicycling news www.atlanticpedaler.com
Canadian Cyclist - covers the Canadian bicycling scene. www.canadiancyclist.com
Momentum - BC-based magazine about cycling and eco-friendly transport has a complete online version momentummag.com
Pedal - Canadian and international mountain biking, road & track cycling (7 issues per year) www.pedalmag.com
Velo Mag - a French-langauge magazine that concentrates on biking in Quebec. www.velomag.com
Velodromes
Atlantic Canada Cycling Centre, Dieppe, NB - offers training in road, track and mountain biking www.atlanticcyclingcentre.com
Centre national de cyclisme de Bromont, Bromont, Quebec - training for five biking disciplines, including track cycling on an outdoor 250-metre wooden track. www.centrenationalbromont.com/ (French, Translate it)
Forest City Velodrome, London, Ontario - training programs and racing on a 138-metre indoor track. www.forestcityvelodrome.ca
Burnaby Velodrome - indoor bike racing track located in the Vancouver BC area. www.burnabyvelodrome.ca
Juan de Fuca Velodrome is an outdoor track on Vancouver Island. www.gvva.bc.ca
Parks
Travel info
Weather