Ride your way into Bike Month
Join bike-themed activities taking place throughout June!
Get ready to ride! Bike Month is here, and the City of Vaughan is encouraging you to grab your bike, be active and cycle through 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 – including Vaughan. Vaughan 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.
Cycling events and activities are taking place all month long. Here’s how you can get involved:
Choose a route
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 cyclists separate from pedestrians and motorists. These areas are marked with a bicycle symbol and diamond.
- On-road bike lanes: designated spaces for cyclists that are separate from pedestrians but run along the same road as motorists. These areas are made visible with pavement markings.
- In-boulevard multi-use pathways: shared spaces for pedestrians and cyclists separate from motorists. These areas are within the boulevard along a roadway.
- Multi-use recreational trails: shared spaces for pedestrians and cyclists found within parks and open spaces.
You can also explore Vaughan’s cycling facilities using the York Region Cycling Map.
Vaughan’s cycling and trails network continues to grow. Learn more about projects completed and initiatives underway in Vaughan’s Active Transportation Programs - Third Annual Update (PDF).
Join a community ride
Check out the Bike Month Event Calendar for cycling events for all ages and abilities happening throughout Vaughan and the Greater Toronto Area.
Log your ride
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.
Play Bike Bingo
Offered through BikeMonth.ca, you can have fun online with others and play Bike Bingo. If you get five numbers in a row, your winning card will be entered into a draw to win prizes.
Tune into a webinar
Throughout June, tune in to cycling webinars streaming from BikeMonth.ca. These webinars are presented by Cycle Toronto and focus on cycling safety, road rules, trail riding, bike maintenance, family cycling, cycling in all weather conditions and more.
Books on Bikes!
Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) is hosting Books on Bikes! throughout June. This family-friendly initiative features stories, songs, rhymes and more – all about bikes. Visit the Events Calendar to find a date and time at your local library branch.
Specialty-curated Bike Month book displays will also be featured at all VPL branches. Topics include bike safety, bike maintenance, learning to ride for kids and more. Explore all books via the Bike Month Reading List. Printed copied of the York Region Cycling Map and Trails Guide will also be available for pick up.
Bike to school
The City launched Active School Travel, a pilot program to promote active, accessible and sustainable modes of transportation, such as walking, wheeling (by using assistive mobility devices), cycling, scootering, rollerblading and skateboarding when travelling to and from school. This pilot program is currently underway in eight schools across the city.
Most important of all – be safe
Whether you are an experienced cyclist or riding for the first time, bike safety protocols apply to all. Cyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet – but all cyclists, 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 cyclists 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 micomobility 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. To report unsafe sightings, contact Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or service@vaughan.ca and provide the date, location and nature of the incident. You can also report concerns to York Regional Police through the non-emergency phone line at 1-866-876-5423 or complete the online form at yrp.ca. 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 braking systems. 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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