Join bike-themed events and activities all month long!

Get ready to ride! Bike Month is here, and the City of Vaughan is encouraging you to grab your bike, be active and ride around your neighbourhood.

Bike Month is an annual community-driven celebration that promotes cycling. It is recognized by many municipalities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) – including Vaughan and York Region. The City has celebrated Bike Month every June since 2014, when it was formally proclaimed. It provides an opportunity to get out on your bicycle, learn new skills and have some fun. 

Take part in the following bike events and activities this June:   

Attend the Bike Month Bonanza event

On Saturday, June 15, attend the Thornhill Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP)’s Bike Month Bonanza event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Garnet A. Williams Community Centre (501 Clark Ave. W.). You’ll learn about how to safely use the new cycle tracks along Clark Avenue, partake in family-friendly, active transportation-themed activities, and go on a guided five-kilometre bike ride. Note: bring your own bike and helmet. Register to attend at vaughan.ca/environment.

This event is part of the Thornhill SNAP, an ongoing project to transform Thornhill into a greener, healthier and more vibrant place.

Join a community ride 

Check out the Bike Month Event Calendar for cycling events for all ages and abilities happening throughout Vaughan and the GTHA. You can also explore cycling facilities using the York Region Cycling Map.

Ride on your own

Vaughan is home to a large network of sidewalks, cycle tracks, bike lanes, multi-use paths and recreational trails, which include the following:

• In-boulevard cycle tracks: designated spaces for people riding bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters separate from those walking or driving by a curb and buffer. These areas are marked with an arrow, bicycle symbol and a diamond.
• On-road bike lanes: designated spaces on the road for people riding bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters. Bike lanes are located on both sides of the roadway and users travel in the same direction as those driving. These lanes are separated from motor vehicle lanes by a white painted line. 
• In-boulevard multi-use pathways: shared spaces for people walking, riding bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters separate from those driving by a curb and buffer. These areas are within the boulevard along a roadway.
• Multi-use recreational trails: shared spaces for walking and riding bikes found within parks and open spaces. Powered/motorized micromobility devices are not permitted on multi-use recreational trails.

Log your rides to win prizes

This month, log your bike rides with SmartCommute – a program that connects users with like-minded people to explore commuting options, such as carpool partners, transit, walking and cycling routes, finding a mentor and planning trips. Once registered, you can also log your trips and track calories burned, fuel and money saved, and distance and duration travelled. You will also be entered for a chance to win prizes. 

Tune into a webinar 

Throughout June, tune in to cycling webinars streaming from BikeMonth.ca. The following upcoming webinars are presented by York Region:

• Basic Bike Maintenance – Wednesday, June 19 from noon to 1 p.m.
• Destination Bike: Welcoming Cyclists in York Region – Tuesday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Most important of all – be safe 

Whether you are an experienced cyclist or riding for the first time, bike safety protocols apply to all. People riding bikes under the age of 18 years are required to wear a helmet – but everyone, regardless of age, are encouraged to do so. In addition, riders must have the following on their bike: 

• white reflective tape on the front forks
• red reflective tape on the rear forks 
• a white front light 
• a red rear light or reflector
• a working bell or horn 

Remember, a bicycle is considered a vehicle under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, and riders have the same rights and responsibilities to obey all traffic laws as other road users. Visit vaughan.ca/cycling to learn more about safety requirements and rider etiquette.

What about micromobility devices? 

At this time, micromobility devices – such as e-scooters, golf carts, Segways, electric skateboards, hoverboards and other motorized personal vehicles – cannot be used on sidewalks, cycle tracks, shared pedestrian and bike paths or recreational trails in Vaughan. Exemptions apply to residents who require motorized wheelchairs and medical devices to get around. However, as micromobility use continues to grow in popularity, the City is currently working on how to best accommodate these devices on public property and permit their use. Visit vaughan.ca/micromobility to learn more.

What about e-bikes? 

An e-bike is a power-assisted bicycle. It is a bicycle that has a handlebar for steering, working pedals, two or three wheels, an electric motor and a braking system. E-bikes are considered micromobility – however, they are allowed to operate on roads like bicycles if they meet certain requirements (including weight and speed limits) set out by the Ministry of Transportation. Learn more about provincial e-bike requirements and where they can operate.

For more information on cycling in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/cycling. 

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