As Zygg is scheduled to take their Subscription E-bikes “on the road”, so to speak, expanding to more Canadian cities in 2022, it is a terrific time to check out what is happening in cycling news across the country. One way of staying connected to the Canadian cycling network is to follow the movements of Vélo Canada Bikes (CanadaBikes.org) whose mission is:
“To encourage Canadian residents and visitors of all ages to cycle more often for transportation, recreation and touring by making cycling attractive, safe, accessible and convenient across the country.” With a mandate:
“To significantly increase cycling infrastructure and ridership across Canada by providing a strong national presence and a reasoned voice for cycling.”
This past September, Vélo Canada Bikes’ tireless advocacy contributed to the Federal Government’s new Active Transportation Strategy. Learn more about the details.
Let’s take a look at cycling highlights from West to East:
VANCOUVER
Boasting some of the most extensive cycling infrastructure in Canada, (450 km of lanes!!!) commuting via bike or e-bike in Vancouver has grown exponentially over the past decade. The mild weather and breathtaking beauty make it a natural fit for those wanting to embrace an active, healthy lifestyle. Destination Vancouver has the pulse of cycling culture in Vancouver with key trips / tours, maps, and events.
Pleasure riders are delighted with the recently completed, separated-cycling-lanes in the massively popular Stanley Park. The new (seasonal) lanes provide for physically separated lanes on the main roadways into & out of the park, allowing for loops throughout for experienced riders and a more casual, slower-paced cycling lane for cyclists and pedestrians along the Seawall. Maps of the new routes are posted as well as a call-for-feedback from those presently using the lanes so improvements can be designed for next year with the hopes of becoming permanent.
HUB Cycling is an organisation dedicated to cycling education, events and action to facilitate improvements to cycling culture in Metro Vancouver. To elevate confidence, safety and knowledge in adults new to biking, they are presently offering a Streetwise Cycling Online course. Visit their website to register: They are also very active on Instagram @hubcycling
EDMONTON
The City of Edmonton has just launched an addition to their “Room to Move” mandate which, earlier this year, dedicated an additional 10 km of streets for pedestrian and cyclists’ use. As of September 30th, motorists must move over at least one metre on roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less and 1.5 metres on roads over 60 km/h when passing cyclists. Failure to do so could result in a fine of $250. For Alberta Cycling Coalition co-chair Aaron Schooler, this distance requirement will make him feel safer while riding on city streets and is encouraged that it will boost the comfort level of other cyclists. Schooler said he has been brushed by vehicles on his way home many times, a scary situation he hopes to now avoid.
“I think it will make a big difference in the confidence that cyclists have in getting around the city and where they need to go because bike lanes don’t take you everywhere. It’s important to increase ridership and for people who may be choosing whether to cycle or not on the roads, maybe they choose not to because they think it’s unsafe. So I think this will make a big difference in that,” Schooler said in an interview with Postmedia.
For workshops, advocacy, repairs, sales (new and used bikes and ebikes) check out Bike Edmonton, a non-profit that was formed way back in 1980!
WINNIPEG
Bike Winnipeg’s motto is ”More People Biking More Often!”. They envision a city “ where every road is safe for cycling, all bike paths are connected, and riding a bike is commonplace and always fun.” They have an excellent calendar of events for historical rides, self-guided tours and volunteering opportunities. They also offer this cool service called “Bike Valet”, whereby they transport and install temporary bike-racks for parks, concerts, festivals, private and corporate parties etc., so more people will choose biking as their preferred mode of transportation.
MONTRÉAL
Zygg is very proud that our most popular e-bikes in our fleet are made in Canada by Velec whose headquarters are based in the Montréal suburb of Verdun.
Montréalers have always been serious and à la mode mode about cycling the city. It is in their DNA. BIXI Montréal, launched in 2009, was the first-ever, large-scale, bike sharing system in North America. With 680 docking stations, 8400 bikes, Bixi has an annual ridership of nearly 6 million!
When not hosting the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix Canada (since 1978), The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is 4,361 m of well-maintained, smooth asphalt, where inline skaters, road- cyclists, and runners come to train. The Cycle B repair truck is set up at the “hair-pin” turn offering free service on all bike repairs.
À la mode: Vélo Lifestyle has a flagship store called Allo Vélo Café & Boutique in Griffintown, with an ultra-hip espresso bar, repair shop, bike store (including cargo bikes and ebikes) and chic clothing sales. They have a sister outpost in the Grandview-Woodland area of Vancouver.
If you are cycling in La Belle Ville, access resources and maps of the 350 + km of lanes the city has to offer from Ça Roule Montréal If you are cycling via e-bike, and able to travel faster and further, get inspired by the over 3000 km of bikeways in the Greater Montréal area highlighted by Vélo Québec.
OTTAWA
Ottawa is considered to be one of the most bike-friendly cities in Canada, with over 800 km of recreational pathways in the Nation’s Capital and out into the environs, lined with bakeries, wineries, breweries and gorgeous nature. If you are only in Ottawa for a visit, there are several bike rental companies in place which offer rentals by the hour, day or week. The Sight-Seeing Cycling Route is a relatively flat, leisurely ride through downtown, passing parts of The Rideau Canal, The Bytown Museum, Parliament Hill, The Canadian Museum of History and The National Gallery.
WATERLOO
In 2018, Waterloo became the first mid-sized city in Ontario recognized as a Gold Bicycle Friendly Community. The City of Waterloo has cycling programs, bike parking, bike share & e-scooter links, and maps of Waterloo’s 230 km of bike lanes, trails and signed bike-routes.
HALIFAX
The cool thing about cycling in Halifax (as a local or a tourist) is that the city’s compact layout makes it accessible, safe, dynamic and fun to explore by bike. They do not have a bike share nor ebike subscription program like Zygg (yet!). However, there are established rental outlets, like I Heart Bikes Halifax, which offer cruisers, gear, and tours, including those via e-bike. Although much of the focus is on the fabulous waterfront, Point Pleasant Park in the city’s southern point, is a great picnicking destination. Further afield, across the MacDonald Bridge (or via ferry) to Dartmouth, cycle down to Cole Harbour and then meander through the jewel of The Salt Marsh Trails which are teaming with wildlife.
What are your favourite places to bike in your own city or when visiting others? Post a comment and tag #BikeFriendlyCanada or #NationalCyclingStrategy with highlights.