Canadian cities offer cyclist a diversity of urban adventures along rivers, canals, oceans and inlets. All cities have downtown bike rentals, from bike shops as well as on the street.

Everyday Tourist Tip: In the summer Canadian cities are very sunny so prescription sunglasses Canadaare becoming the preferred choice for not only for cyclists but for all outdoor activities. UV rays can cause lasting harm to your eyes, leading to cataracts and other vision issues over time. Quality outdoor prescription sunglasses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, ensuring your eyes are safe even on the brightest summer days or if skiing in the reflective winter snow.

Vancouver

The Stanley Park / Seawall Loop in Vancouver is perhaps one of the great urban cycling experiences in the world. The paved 10 km loop at the West End of downtown Vancouver takes you around the edge of Stanley Park. It offers spectacular view of the ocean, mountains and skyline. You can stop off and visit a collection of totem poles, or venture into the park itself to experience a temperate rain forest. Vancouver’s Mediterranean climate means you can cycle year-round although the winter can be very rainy.

Montreal

Montreal’s Lachine Canal Path follows the historic Lachine Canal from the Old Port to Lac Saint-Louis. It is an easy rise (due to the flat terrain) that takes you past historic industrial buildings, marinas and green spaces. The path is about 13 km long so designate a couple of hours to ride there and back, with stop for coffee, lunch or maybe even have a picnic. While the pathway is open year-round, Montreal has cold snowy winters, so this is really an April to October adventure.

Calgary

Calgary boasts 1000+ multi-use pathways city-wide. If you are downtown and don’t have a lot of time you can cycle along the Bow River west from downtown to Edworthy Park or east to Harvie Passage. You will be rewarded with spectacular views of the city skyline, the iconic Peace, Centre Street and Skipping Stone bridges, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and glimpse of Calgary Zoo.

More adventurous cyclist might want to cycle around the Glenmore Reservoir 16 km loop that includes some elevation changes, but you will be rewarded with view of the Rocky Mountains and the Bow River estuary. And if you are a serious cyclist you might want to challenge yourself to cycle the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway a 138 km network of trails that encircles the city.

Ottawa

The Rideau Canal Path in Canada’s capital city Ottawa is a picturesque ride along the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal. Highlights include the Parliament Buildings, Dow’s Lake, Commissioner’s Park (especially during the spring tulip festival), the canal itself and the rushing Ottawa River. The 13 km return pathway from downtown’s Parliament Hill links to a broader network of paths including the 387 km Rideau Trail.

Victoria

Victoria BC on Vancouver Island boast the Galloping Goose Trail and the Lochside Trail. These connected multi-use trails are converted railway lines that take riders from the urban center through parks, rural countryside, and along coastal views. The Galloping Goose Trail stretches 55 km, offering a diverse cycling experience. Like Vancouver, cycling can be a year-round activity, but winter is very rainy.

Last Word

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cycling in Canada’s cities. Every city will have multi-use pathways shared by cyclist, scooter walker and runners along their waterfront and connecting to parks. And bike rentals are common in every downtown. So, bring your helmet and plan on spending a least a day cycling our cities.

Canada’s Top Five City Cycling Travel Adventures