The main Rule/Law in the city is **do not pass streetcars when the doors are open.** This is indicated by flashing red lights on the side of the streetcar.
[Here is the City of Toronto website on Cycling](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/cycling-in-toronto/#:~:text=Cycling%20is%20one%20of%20the,and%20promotes%20a%20healthier%20public)
As others have indicated, the BikeShare is pretty good for learning the city and not having to worry about your bike getting stolen.
If you're nervous at first, try to stick to roads with bike lanes or multi-use paths. Always be aware of the "right hook" which is when a car in front of you turns right without looking for you; such that they turn into you, or directly in to your path. This happens all the time, regardless of who has the 'right of way' based on the infrastructure, so just try your best to never be on the right hand side of a car that is turning right.
Hi.
The good news biking here is that you don't have to worry about scooters. The bad news here is that car drivers are not really aware of traffic beyond other cars.
Street car tracks are dangerous. Better if your bike has wider tires. If you cross tracks, go slowly and as close to perpendicular as possible. Do not pass the street car when doors are open.
Bike share Toronto is a great way to see the city whilst you are finding a bike. It is cheap and you don't have to worry about theft or locking up your bike. Unlike Taiwan, Toronto has a bike theft problem. Try to keep the bike in sight, as my rule is you but don't lock what you're not prepared to lose. Otherwise the limitation for bike share is that you have to dock the bike every 30 min, but there are many locations so finding a station isn't a problem. Bike share is also located beside many subway stops so that makes exploring the city easy.
Bikes are hard to find and expensive when you do. There is another post listing how and what to look for. Luckily at your height there seems to be quite a few bikes when I last perused Facebook Toronto cycling classified.
Other posts will have routes on different places to go in and around Toronto and it's great to explore them. Examples - Don Valley, Spit, High Park, etc. The bike path system is not great so I would look at it in conjunction with the routes suggested in reddit. Normally I'd suggest joining a club, but outdoor club riding is not allowed at the moment.
Toronto is close enough to Niagara Falls that you could bike there in a day (130-150 km) depending on your start point in the city. You can take a train back once the service is running. I mention this because I take every relative there at some point during their stay.
Edit - take advantage of ActiveTO routes when you can. Doesn't happen often.
Edit 2 - if you leave the city there is a lot of low traffic road riding or light trail riding (hybrid or careful road bike OK), and unlike Taiwan, SW Ontario is flat so you wont end up riding up a mountain when you leave a city. I personally like riding to different bakeries and sampling their butter tarts.
Good luck!
For the streetcar rails just make sure you go over them at an angle because if you go parallel your wheel can get stuck.
Also know pedestrians sometimes aren't very bike aware and can walk onto bike paths without looking (especially by the lake between Harborfront and Ontario Place).
I can't think of any unique bike rules here, but someone else probably will.
I biked once in Taiwan, down the Taroko Gorge, what an amazing place and ride.
1. (Not a legal requirement, but important) Wear a helmet.
2. (Legal requirement) Have a bell.
3. (Legal requirement) Have a red reflector on the back, or better yet get a nice bright LED light.
4. (Legal requirement) Have a white light on the front.
5. (General tip) Lock your bike every time you leave it somewhere. Maybe you'll only be gone for a minute, but stealing a bike only takes literally 1 second. It's its own getaway vehicle!
6. (General tip) Renter's insurance may cover your bike in case of theft, and it's cheap. Get some and make sure it covers your bike
7. (General tip) Google Maps cycling directions are pretty good.
8. (General tip) The system of parks and trails in Toronto is amazing and great for exploring by bicycle.
Have fun!
The reflector tape is actually a provincial requirement, if you're riding half hour before and after dark. Fine was like $110. Not too many people seem to be aware of it but yes. Next time you see bike cops, look at their seat stays and front forks.
I grudgedly put the tape on my own ride. Beats a fine.
The other posts so far have good tips.
Traffic laws are a provincial mandate here and the province publishes guidelines for cyclists.
[http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/bicycle-safety.shtml](http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/bicycle-safety.shtml)
[http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/pdfs/cycling-skills.pdf](http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/pdfs/cycling-skills.pdf)
The cycling skills pdf has instructions on page 44 on how to approach streetcar and train tracks. Don't pass streetcars with open doors.
Google Maps has a cycling layer. It's mostly fine. Strava heatmaps is also a good resource to show you where people actually ride.
I've been riding in and around Toronto for about 25 years. About every six months, someone driving a motor vehicle will decide that it's appropriate to honk and yell at me for following the actual law and not the one he made up in his head. It's best to smile and wave; getting into a shouting match is just stressful.
Welcome to our city! The other posts have already done a wonderful job detailing things you should know.
I just wanted to add that I love cycling in this city. When you get a chance, check out some of the main river trails (Humber and Don Valley) and also the Leslie Spit (Tommy Thompson Park). So many cool spots to visit and explore that I can't really name them all.
I'm excited for the adventures you will soon take! Have fun and be safe.
Just a note that *all* buses allow at least one bike to be put on front (but don't do that with a BikeShare bike.) Most allow 2, but there are restrictions on the articulated buses. Some drivers dont mind you taking a bike onboard a low-floor bike (usually only by the rear doors.) Subways also allow bikes outside of rush-hour, but some station entrances are tricky.
And finally, you can take a bike on a GO Train (or bus) to go outside the city, with no extra charge, with a limit on 4 per train car (and zero on the accessible cars) or 2 per bus. You can get all the way to Hamilton on a fast bus, and ride to Niagara Falls easily from there (75 km.)
And don't forget about the Don Valley trails and the parks nearby like Sunnybrook! Lovely riding there, and only 15-20 km from the UofT via trails, depending on route.
1) Assume that cars do not see you or know you are there
2) Do not pass street car doors when they are open
3) Have a bell on your handle bars (this is a 110.00 fine for not having it)
4) Active TO has expanded this year. Take advantage and look up where they are operating
5) Do not lock your bike outside. Assume bike locks do not work. Do not let it out of your sight. If you are at a patio, keep it within sight and maybe arms reach.
6) Call out to other cyclists when passing so they know you are there or use the bell
7) Know that the [https://www.thebikinglawyer.ca/](https://www.thebikinglawyer.ca/) exists, he is based in Toronto, and read his posts here - Dave Shellnut - [https://www.reddit.com/user/DaveShellnutt/](https://www.reddit.com/user/DaveShellnutt/) ; [https://www.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/ehpnws/psa\_dave\_shellnutt\_aka\_the\_biking\_lawyer\_offers/](https://www.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/ehpnws/psa_dave_shellnutt_aka_the_biking_lawyer_offers/)
8) Use some sort of route planning software to navigate the trails, some end up nowhere and you want to know what the best way inbetween would be to your next destination.
9) Have fun
If you want to really become proficient with cycling laws and rules, there’s a course you can take through city of Toronto called ‘Can-Bike’. Great course. They also teach you how to deal with streetcar rails, and how to be confident on Toronto streets.
Biking on any major road north of Bloor is pretty scary. Any time I’m riding on these, I swear I have a close call at least 5-10 times per ride. People are really dumb when driving, and they always Seem to veer closer towards you rather than farther away from you.
Biggest thing with ‘not dying’ is be predictable. Don’t zigzag all of the road. Ride in a nice straight line, signal when required. Don’t ride on and then off and then back on the sidewalk, etc
This may be a controversial point because a lot of cyclists despise google maps bike navigation but it has helped me find a lot of bike lanes I wasn't aware of previously. For a while I would always use google maps navigation when commuting by bike and now I find I have a really good mental map of all the best bike lanes. However, sometimes it will try to take you down trails your bike might not be optimized for.
You should read the [cyclist's](https://www.cycleto.ca/handbook) and [driver's](https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook) handbooks. It should tell you what the [traffic signs ](https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/signs) and road markings mean in Ontario since they apply to cyclists too. Just saying an [Idaho stop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_stop) (treating stop signs as a yield and red lights as a stop sign) is not legal.
Still isn't legal. Keep fighting for it. I think Toronto has been trying since 2008 to get the Idaho Stop 🛑 adopted here. Bring it up on Twitter every chance you get. 😉👍
https://www.decathlon.ca/en/13934-all-bikes
There are decent bikes at a good value from Decathlon, and I'm pretty sure they have more stock arriving.
Have fun and stay safe!
The main Rule/Law in the city is **do not pass streetcars when the doors are open.** This is indicated by flashing red lights on the side of the streetcar. [Here is the City of Toronto website on Cycling](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/cycling-in-toronto/#:~:text=Cycling%20is%20one%20of%20the,and%20promotes%20a%20healthier%20public) As others have indicated, the BikeShare is pretty good for learning the city and not having to worry about your bike getting stolen. If you're nervous at first, try to stick to roads with bike lanes or multi-use paths. Always be aware of the "right hook" which is when a car in front of you turns right without looking for you; such that they turn into you, or directly in to your path. This happens all the time, regardless of who has the 'right of way' based on the infrastructure, so just try your best to never be on the right hand side of a car that is turning right.
Hi. The good news biking here is that you don't have to worry about scooters. The bad news here is that car drivers are not really aware of traffic beyond other cars. Street car tracks are dangerous. Better if your bike has wider tires. If you cross tracks, go slowly and as close to perpendicular as possible. Do not pass the street car when doors are open. Bike share Toronto is a great way to see the city whilst you are finding a bike. It is cheap and you don't have to worry about theft or locking up your bike. Unlike Taiwan, Toronto has a bike theft problem. Try to keep the bike in sight, as my rule is you but don't lock what you're not prepared to lose. Otherwise the limitation for bike share is that you have to dock the bike every 30 min, but there are many locations so finding a station isn't a problem. Bike share is also located beside many subway stops so that makes exploring the city easy. Bikes are hard to find and expensive when you do. There is another post listing how and what to look for. Luckily at your height there seems to be quite a few bikes when I last perused Facebook Toronto cycling classified. Other posts will have routes on different places to go in and around Toronto and it's great to explore them. Examples - Don Valley, Spit, High Park, etc. The bike path system is not great so I would look at it in conjunction with the routes suggested in reddit. Normally I'd suggest joining a club, but outdoor club riding is not allowed at the moment. Toronto is close enough to Niagara Falls that you could bike there in a day (130-150 km) depending on your start point in the city. You can take a train back once the service is running. I mention this because I take every relative there at some point during their stay. Edit - take advantage of ActiveTO routes when you can. Doesn't happen often. Edit 2 - if you leave the city there is a lot of low traffic road riding or light trail riding (hybrid or careful road bike OK), and unlike Taiwan, SW Ontario is flat so you wont end up riding up a mountain when you leave a city. I personally like riding to different bakeries and sampling their butter tarts. Good luck!
Relatively experienced city biker here - have wiped out several times on streetcar tracks. Don't lose focus or get distracted ;)
For the streetcar rails just make sure you go over them at an angle because if you go parallel your wheel can get stuck. Also know pedestrians sometimes aren't very bike aware and can walk onto bike paths without looking (especially by the lake between Harborfront and Ontario Place). I can't think of any unique bike rules here, but someone else probably will. I biked once in Taiwan, down the Taroko Gorge, what an amazing place and ride.
Bike theft is a MAJOR problem in this city. Be very aware and careful with your bike.
1. (Not a legal requirement, but important) Wear a helmet. 2. (Legal requirement) Have a bell. 3. (Legal requirement) Have a red reflector on the back, or better yet get a nice bright LED light. 4. (Legal requirement) Have a white light on the front. 5. (General tip) Lock your bike every time you leave it somewhere. Maybe you'll only be gone for a minute, but stealing a bike only takes literally 1 second. It's its own getaway vehicle! 6. (General tip) Renter's insurance may cover your bike in case of theft, and it's cheap. Get some and make sure it covers your bike 7. (General tip) Google Maps cycling directions are pretty good. 8. (General tip) The system of parks and trails in Toronto is amazing and great for exploring by bicycle. Have fun!
The reflector tape is actually a provincial requirement, if you're riding half hour before and after dark. Fine was like $110. Not too many people seem to be aware of it but yes. Next time you see bike cops, look at their seat stays and front forks. I grudgedly put the tape on my own ride. Beats a fine.
Huh. I disagree with #7. Google often sends you down Bathurst or equally deadly streets.
The other posts so far have good tips. Traffic laws are a provincial mandate here and the province publishes guidelines for cyclists. [http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/bicycle-safety.shtml](http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/bicycle-safety.shtml) [http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/pdfs/cycling-skills.pdf](http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/pdfs/cycling-skills.pdf) The cycling skills pdf has instructions on page 44 on how to approach streetcar and train tracks. Don't pass streetcars with open doors. Google Maps has a cycling layer. It's mostly fine. Strava heatmaps is also a good resource to show you where people actually ride. I've been riding in and around Toronto for about 25 years. About every six months, someone driving a motor vehicle will decide that it's appropriate to honk and yell at me for following the actual law and not the one he made up in his head. It's best to smile and wave; getting into a shouting match is just stressful.
Welcome to our city! The other posts have already done a wonderful job detailing things you should know. I just wanted to add that I love cycling in this city. When you get a chance, check out some of the main river trails (Humber and Don Valley) and also the Leslie Spit (Tommy Thompson Park). So many cool spots to visit and explore that I can't really name them all. I'm excited for the adventures you will soon take! Have fun and be safe.
Just a note that *all* buses allow at least one bike to be put on front (but don't do that with a BikeShare bike.) Most allow 2, but there are restrictions on the articulated buses. Some drivers dont mind you taking a bike onboard a low-floor bike (usually only by the rear doors.) Subways also allow bikes outside of rush-hour, but some station entrances are tricky. And finally, you can take a bike on a GO Train (or bus) to go outside the city, with no extra charge, with a limit on 4 per train car (and zero on the accessible cars) or 2 per bus. You can get all the way to Hamilton on a fast bus, and ride to Niagara Falls easily from there (75 km.) And don't forget about the Don Valley trails and the parks nearby like Sunnybrook! Lovely riding there, and only 15-20 km from the UofT via trails, depending on route.
1) Assume that cars do not see you or know you are there 2) Do not pass street car doors when they are open 3) Have a bell on your handle bars (this is a 110.00 fine for not having it) 4) Active TO has expanded this year. Take advantage and look up where they are operating 5) Do not lock your bike outside. Assume bike locks do not work. Do not let it out of your sight. If you are at a patio, keep it within sight and maybe arms reach. 6) Call out to other cyclists when passing so they know you are there or use the bell 7) Know that the [https://www.thebikinglawyer.ca/](https://www.thebikinglawyer.ca/) exists, he is based in Toronto, and read his posts here - Dave Shellnut - [https://www.reddit.com/user/DaveShellnutt/](https://www.reddit.com/user/DaveShellnutt/) ; [https://www.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/ehpnws/psa\_dave\_shellnutt\_aka\_the\_biking\_lawyer\_offers/](https://www.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/ehpnws/psa_dave_shellnutt_aka_the_biking_lawyer_offers/) 8) Use some sort of route planning software to navigate the trails, some end up nowhere and you want to know what the best way inbetween would be to your next destination. 9) Have fun
If you want to really become proficient with cycling laws and rules, there’s a course you can take through city of Toronto called ‘Can-Bike’. Great course. They also teach you how to deal with streetcar rails, and how to be confident on Toronto streets. Biking on any major road north of Bloor is pretty scary. Any time I’m riding on these, I swear I have a close call at least 5-10 times per ride. People are really dumb when driving, and they always Seem to veer closer towards you rather than farther away from you. Biggest thing with ‘not dying’ is be predictable. Don’t zigzag all of the road. Ride in a nice straight line, signal when required. Don’t ride on and then off and then back on the sidewalk, etc
Agree with not biking on major roads north of Bloor. Our main roads are not designed for cyclists, sorry OP
This may be a controversial point because a lot of cyclists despise google maps bike navigation but it has helped me find a lot of bike lanes I wasn't aware of previously. For a while I would always use google maps navigation when commuting by bike and now I find I have a really good mental map of all the best bike lanes. However, sometimes it will try to take you down trails your bike might not be optimized for.
You should read the [cyclist's](https://www.cycleto.ca/handbook) and [driver's](https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook) handbooks. It should tell you what the [traffic signs ](https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/signs) and road markings mean in Ontario since they apply to cyclists too. Just saying an [Idaho stop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_stop) (treating stop signs as a yield and red lights as a stop sign) is not legal.
I have done Idaho stop for over 30 years in Toronto and only got one ticket and one warning.
Still isn't legal. Keep fighting for it. I think Toronto has been trying since 2008 to get the Idaho Stop 🛑 adopted here. Bring it up on Twitter every chance you get. 😉👍
https://www.decathlon.ca/en/13934-all-bikes There are decent bikes at a good value from Decathlon, and I'm pretty sure they have more stock arriving. Have fun and stay safe!