Top 10 Reasons Why Biking is Our Favourite Way to Get Around

In a world that's constantly on the move, finding the ideal mode of transportation is key to navigating the hustle and bustle of daily life. Among the myriad options available, biking stands out as a favorite for many. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a casual rider, the benefits of biking extend far beyond mere transportation. In this blog post, we'll explore the top ten reasons why biking has become our favorite way to get around.

1. Eco-Friendly Commuting: Biking is an eco-conscious choice that reduces your carbon footprint. Unlike traditional vehicles, bikes produce zero emissions, making them a sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. By choosing to pedal instead of drive, you contribute to cleaner air and a healthier planet.

2. Physical Fitness and Health: Biking isn't just a means of getting from point A to point B; it's also an excellent form of exercise. Regular cycling helps improve cardiovascular health, build muscle strength, and enhance overall fitness. Plus, it's a low-impact exercise, making it suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.

3. Cost-Effective Transportation: Owning and maintaining a bike is considerably more affordable than maintaining a car. With minimal fuel costs, no parking fees, and fewer maintenance expenses, biking is a budget-friendly alternative that puts more money back in your pocket.

4. Avoiding Traffic Jams: One of the most frustrating aspects of daily commuting is getting stuck in traffic. Biking allows you to weave through congested areas, avoiding gridlock and reaching your destination faster. It's a time-efficient way to navigate urban landscapes and beat rush hour woes.

5. Exploration and Connection with Surroundings: When you bike, you're not just getting from place to place; you're actively engaging with your surroundings. Biking enables you to explore your neighborhood, city, or scenic routes at a pace that allows you to appreciate the beauty around you, fostering a deeper connection with your environment.

6. Reduced Stress and Improved Mental Health: The physical activity of biking releases endorphins, reducing stress and improving mental well-being. Whether it's a leisurely ride through nature or a quick commute to work, the fresh air and rhythmic motion of biking have a positive impact on your mental health.

7. Flexibility and Convenience: Biking offers unparalleled flexibility in terms of routes and parking. With bike lanes, trails, and the ability to lock up your bike nearly anywhere, you have the freedom to choose the most convenient and direct path to your destination.

8. Community Engagement: Cycling has a way of bringing people together. Whether it's joining a local cycling group, participating in community events, or simply waving to fellow cyclists on the road, biking fosters a sense of community and shared enthusiasm for a healthy, active lifestyle.

9. Minimal Environmental Impact: Compared to motorized transportation, biking has a minimal environmental impact. The manufacturing and disposal of bikes result in significantly fewer pollutants and waste compared to the production and disposal of automobiles.

10. Joy of Riding: Last but certainly not least, biking is downright enjoyable. The feeling of wind in your hair, the freedom of the open road, and the joy of propelling yourself forward create a sense of liberation and happiness that's hard to match with other modes of transportation.

In a world that often rushes past, biking emerges as a simple yet profound way to enhance our lives. Beyond the practical benefits of cost savings and eco-friendliness, biking offers a unique blend of physical activity, mental well-being, and community engagement. So, next time you contemplate how to navigate your daily routine, consider the simple pleasure and myriad advantages that come with embracing the ride on two wheels.

A Tale of Toronto's Tapestry: A Journey from Bloor Street to Danforth Avenue

In the heart of Toronto, a city that breathes history and culture, lies a 16-kilometer bike lane from Runnymede and Bloor Street to Danforth Avenue and Victoria Park. This journey is not just a physical exploration but a narrative unfolding through the diverse neighbourhoods that make up this vibrant tapestry. We can’t recommend enough becoming a tourist in your own city and picking a stretch of bike lane to rediscover your own city.

Bloor West Village: Where Change Crafted a Legacy

Our adventure begins in the west, where Bloor West Village weathered the storm of subway construction in the 1960s. As the city burrowed its way through Bloor Street, the community was concerned with a decrease of foot traffic from the street cars as it was replaced by the subway. This led to the creation of Canada's first Business Improvement Area to revive the area and make it more pedestrian friendly. We now get to reap the rewards of their efforts and have many shops and cafes to enjoy including Buck's Hard Goods, a shop filled with fashion and home décor.

Bloordale Village: A Treasure Trove of Vintage Finds

The journey continues to Bloordale Village, a thrifter's paradise with Lucky Tiger, Re-Life Vintage and Siberia Vintage you almost have too many spots to choose from. Though Bloordale Village is only 10 blocks it holds a treasure trove of unique finds.

Dovercourt Village: A Funny Stop

The neighbourhood's first residents were poor immigrants from England, and the early houses were one and two bedroom made with tar and paper earning Dovercourt the nickname "Shantytown." Yet, within these humble beginnings, a community flourished and Dovercourt Village became home to Comedy Bar, an amazing spot to see both established and up and coming comedians. Stop by and catch a show!

Koreatown: A Culinary Mosaic

As we step into Koreatown, the aroma of walnut cakes from Hodo Kwaja and fish-shaped taiyaki from Kevin's Taiyaki fills the air. The neighbourhood as we know started in the 1960s as Canada’s immigration laws changed and brought a wave of Korean immigration, shaping the cultural mosaic that defines Koreatown today.

The Annex: Literary Escapades

Our next chapter unfolds in The Annex, a literary haven with the BMV, Seekers Books, and Thunderstruck Books. Here, stories come alive, and you can choose your adventure from a collection that spans popular titles, rare books, and whimsical comics.

Yorkville: Sweet Retreats and Historic Echoes

A sweet retreat awaits in Yorkville at Eataly, grab yourself a hazelnut torte and go upstairs to see pasta getting made under your eyes. Did you know that Yorkville’s name is a nod to the Town of York that preceded modern Toronto.

Prince Edward Viaduct: A Bridge Through Time

Crossing the Prince Edward Viaduct is a journey through time. Constructed in 1918 with visionary foresight, it accommodated both streetcars and rail transport. A bridge that stood the test of time, anticipating the Bloor-Danforth subway that would arrive decades later in 1966.

Riverdale: A Neighbourhood Shaped by Bridges

Riverdale unfolds as a neighbourhood shaped by the construction of the viaduct as it linked it to the west side of Toronto and brought about its growth. While you’re in the neighbourhood you might as well fill up on organic and sustainable groceries at the two mainstays of Riverdale, Rowe Farms and The Big Carrot.

Danforth Village: Culinary Delights

In Danforth Village, we're welcomed with the enticing aroma of baked goods from Athens Pastries and North Pole Bakery. The north side of Danforth was land once held by the Church of England still has street names reminiscent of this time but the land to the south of the Danforth was originally owned by families engaged in either farming or in the brick making business. Danforth

East Danforth: Sustainably Yours

As we approach Victoria Park, The Re Place calls us to embrace sustainable living and offers baked goods and warm drinks. Vintage goods from the Handwork Department weave a narrative of conscious choices, culminating our journey with a commitment to a greener tomorrow.

Our journey from Bloor Street to Danforth Avenue is not just a physical traverse but a storytelling odyssey through Toronto's varied neighbourhoods. Each stop whispers tales of resilience, innovation, and the vibrant cultural mosaic that defines this incredible city. So, wander, discover, and immerse yourself in the enchanting narratives that weave the fabric of Toronto's rich history and ever-evolving present.

Get Suited & Booted, Canada: The Winter Cycling Congress is Cruising Our Way!

What is The Winter Cycling Federation?

Since its inception in 2014, The Winter Cycling Federation is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to “create opportunities for inspiration, research and collaboration. We help cities and countries around the world foster bicycle-focused transportation year-round.” The Federation aims to normalize winter cycling, everywhere, for everyone.

They tackle this vision on many fronts by:

• Sharing stories, images and other examples of where cycling in winter is already normalized.

• Hosting fun, meaningful and inspiring international events aimed at all ages.

• Sharing the best design and techniques that currently exist.

• Foster innovation where needed.

• Measuring winter cycling rates and trends around the world.

• Fostering a community of practitioners and interested experts.

• Keeping everyone informed and excited while involving the public meaningfully.

• Supporting our partners in business, art, health, and all other sectors.

Of the nine members on The Board of Directors at The Winter Cycling Federation, 3 are Canadian! (Impressive, eh?).

Anders Swanson

Anders is a multimedia artist and expert on transport policy and design who works in his hometown of Winnipeg and around the world. He is the current Chair of Canada's national transportation cycling organization Vélo Canada Bikes and works as the executive director for a dynamic multimodal nonprofit called Winnipeg Trails. 

Isla Tenaka

Isla is a planner and urbanist who loves all things winter. She is the Winter City Planner for the City of Edmonton. She has given presentations on winter life and design in North America, Asia and Europe, and helped plan four international winter cities conferences. 

Bartok Komorowski

Bartek is an urban planner who is currently leader of the Design Practices Team in the Sustainable Mobility Strategies Division at the City of Montreal. He has worked in the field of active mobility for 15 years. Prior to joining the City, Bartek was a Project Leader in the Research and Consulting department at Vélo Québec. He is a coauthor of Vélo Québec's 2020 design manual, Aménager pour les piétons et les cyclistes (Planning and Design for Pedestrians and Cyclists).

The Winter Cycling Congress is being held in Edmonton

Every February, The Winter Cycling Federation plays host to The Winter Cycling Congress. Canadian biking enthusiasts take note: this year’s Congress “A Bridge to a Healthy Future” will be held February 22nd - 24th, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta! In recent years, Edmonton has adopted the moniker of “Winter City“ and residents are excited to welcome the world to this snowy, urban wonderland.

You can register online for the Conference, now, with special discount rates for students and non-profits. The schedule is packed with key-note sessions, active workshops and winter-riding explorations led by the world’s top experts through the city’s Cycling Infrastructure and along awesome wintry-trails. Topics range from : Ebike Commuting Year Round; Bixi’s (Montreal Bike Share) Expanded Winter Cycling Pilot; Climate Resilience and Channeling a Youth Cycling Culture. 

Plan ahead; check out the complete schedule, with details of topics and featured participants.

So far this season, the moderating effects of El Niño has made winter cycle a breeze in places like Vancouver and Toronto. However, to keep our food delivery and commuter riders safe, warm and prepared, Zygg Ebikes has added studded “snow” tires, pogies / handlebar mitts, and winter helmets to our list of available accessories.

As part of its all-season cycling strategy, Edmonton is dedicated to top-notch maintenance and snow-clearing of the downtown bike lanes in tandem with its roadways and pedestrian routes. Montreal saw an 83% increase in winter cycling in 2020 than the previous year due to the addition of more and improved cycling bikeways. With the expansion of Bixi’s Bike and Ebike Rental into the winter season for the first time, this number should increase!

Winter Cycling Learnings

Although Canadian cities are making some great strides with winter cycling awareness strategies, there is definitely room for improvement. If you want to take a deeper dive into all things winter cycling, check out the best practices of Oulu, Finland, considered to be the “Winter Cycling Capital of the World”. Oulu has had a cycling master plan since 1971 with a cycling network of over 950 km of separate cycleways. These cycleways are groomed and maintained all year round to create excellent, safe routes for cyclists. Colourful, illuminating images are projected on the snow and ice paths to guide cyclists in the lengthy, dark days and nights of winter. Snow plows are designed just to groom the cycling bikeways, with “teeth” on the snow-blade to make non-slip conditions on the snow to aid riders.

In Oulu, 22% of all modal trips year round are biking trips. 77% of  the population cycles. 52% of all trips to school and University are taken by bicycle. Why can’t this be the case in Canada?

“Not Just Bikes”, (who is originally from London, Ontario) created an informative, satirical video highlighting the differences in Finland’s and Canada’s approach to winter cycling: “Why Canadians Cannot Bike In The Winter, But The Finns Can”.

One of the video’s main takeaways: “Research reveals that temperature and weather conditions do not change how people cycle, even in winter, it is the maintenance of the cycling infrastructure”. Furthermore: 

• There is a need for a network of safe bicycle paths, like in Oulu with over 4m of bicycle path for every resident, also shortcuts that encourage people to cycle even more (300 overpasses that pedestrians and cyclists can use to avoid major roads without traffic lights forcing one to stop, for example). 

• Winter maintenance and snow removal is key: this is an issue with places in Canada like Toronto, whereby many bike paths are simply painted and snow is dumped in the lanes. Toronto is getting better with clearing paths…more work needs to happen. In Oulu, for example, bike paths are plowed within three hours of a 2 cm snowfall! 

Canadians love to embrace wintry activities, like snowboarding, skating and cross-country skiing. If you are dressed properly and have the right gear, what’s not to love? Cycling in colder conditions is very invigorating! Give it a try: #getoutside #gobybike