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.
Helmet 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.

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.

Mountain Biking in the Yukon

Cyclists in the Yukon should be prepared for a wilderness experience. Towns are quite far apart--even along the Alaska Highway--so be prepared to be self-sufficient. A few roads are paved but many are not, including the Dempster Highway, a 700-km leg of the Trans Canada Trail.

Mountain Biking in British Columbia

British Columbia is a land of contrasts, from the islands and rainforests of the coast to the arid valleys and snow-capped peaks of the interior. They all add up to interesting and scenic cycling destinations. Hop aboard one of the many ferries to visit some of the Gulf islands for short cycling tours of 25 to 50 km each or try Vancouver Island for longer trips. There is plenty of cycling elsewhere in the province. Combine your cycling with some wine-tasting (in moderate amounts of course) in the Okanagan wine region. Two routes to try in the east are the Golden Triangle on the Alberta border and the Silver Triangle in the Kootenays. In the northeast, the Trans Canada Trail will follow the Alaska Highway for about 1,000 km.

Mountain Biking in Alberta

Southeastern Alberta's rolling prairies are crisscrossed by a grid system of secondary and gravel roads. Many paved roads have the wide shoulders that cyclists adore.
One of Western Canada's most popular tours is the scenic and challenging 300-km Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff. Kananaskis Country also has some scenic routes. Try to time your visit outside the peak tourist season when the roads are not jammed with cars and the campsites are more readily available.

Mountain Biking in Saskatchewan

The rolling prairies of southern Saskatchewan are crisscrossed by dozens of country roads that can make an infinite variety of cycling routes. The northern half of the province is on the Canadian Shield where there are many trees and few roads. The Saskatchewan Cycling Association publishes a series of 13 sheets with maps and descriptions of about 30 cycling tours in the province ranging in length up to 170 km. The descriptions are also available on their Web site, but without maps.

Mountain Biking in Manitoba

Southern Manitoba's rolling prairies and country roads offer a choice of routes for cycle tours. The eastern and northern regions of the province are part of the more rugged and forested Canadian Shield.

Mountain Biking in Quebec

Much of southern Quebec is easy cycling. Along the Saint Lawrence River there is fairly flat farmland for about 50 km on each side of the river. The land gradually rises up to the hills of the Laurentians to the north and the Appalachians to the south. One of the most scenic and challenging bike tours in Quebec is the 900-km route around the Gaspé Peninsula. Two interesting island destinations are the Iles de Madelaine located east of Prince Edward Island and Isle d'Orléans (a 65-km loop) near Quebec City. Some highways in Quebec can be unpleasant for cycling due to unpaved shoulders, potholes and heavy traffic. Along the Saint Lawrence Valley, however, there are plenty of side roads with less traffic. The Trans-Canada Trail and La Route Verte are two projects that will greatly improve bicycle touring. By the year 2005 the Route Verte will provide about 4,000 km of long-distance bicycle paths and road routes throughout Quebec. Many of the bike paths are being developed from abandoned railroads. Road routes will either be along the paved shoulder of highways or on quiet country roads. The project is an initiative of Vélo-Québec and funded by the Quebec government. Dozens of cycle tours are organized throughout Quebec each year. Foremost among them is Montreal's Tour de l'Ile. In the late 90s the number of participants peaked at about 45,000, making it the world's largest tour. Several other day-long tours are offered by non-profit groups to raise money for charity.

Mountain Biking in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has long been a destination of choice for cyclists. Cape Breton Island's Cabot Trail is probably the most popular bicycle touring route in Eastern Canada. Mainland Nova Scotia is less hilly than the Cape but there are still plenty of rolling hills to test your stamina. Secondary roads in Nova Scotia are of generally good quality pavement with gravel shoulders.

Mountain Biking in Newfoundland

Newfoundland's remoteness, rugged terrain and inclement weather can be a challenge for visitors, especially of the cycling persuasion. However, those hardy souls who meet that challenge will find the rugged beauty of the island makes for a rewarding experience. When cycling around Newfoundland bear in mind that the distances between towns that offer services is often quite far, so be prepared with food and a tent when cycling. A major advantage for those who want to cycle across Newfoundland is that there are two ferries routes connecting the island to Cape Breton. One serves the east end of the island and one the west, eliminating the need for cyclists to retrace their route.

Mountain Biking in Ontario

Southern Ontario has plenty of country roads that are suitable for bicycle touring. The terrain is mainly gently rolling and services are an easy cycling distance apart. Northern Ontario (north of Peterborough) has few secondary roads, sparse population and more rugged terrain. Note: Ontario legislation stipulates that cyclists under the age of 18 must wear a bike helmet.

Mountain Biking in Canada

Many of Canada's provincial parks allow mountain biking on specific trails. National parks have placed restrictions on most trails allowing biking only on fire roads. A lot of ski centres---both downhill and cross-country--are open for mountain biking in the summer. Some downhill ski resorts operate chair lifts to get you and your bike to the top of the mountain. Centres such as Bromont and Mont-Sainte-Anne in Quebec have recently held World Cup and World Championship races.