Family Cycling

In Toronto

As a father and an avid cyclist, I have spent many hours "in the saddle" exploring our fine city with my two young kids: my goal is to set them up to be lifelong cyclists. On this page you will find helpful links as well as some fundamentals for Family Biking. Enjoy!

*For the best in-depth look at Family Biking in Toronto look no further than Cycle TO's Family Handbook.

What you Need to Have

It always surprises me when I meet a bike-less Torontonian: there are very few barriers to owning one and countless advantages. It is rarely necessary to purchase a brand new bike as the used market in Toronto is plentiful. Prepare to pay $50 to $200 for a used kids bike and $200+ for a used adult bike.

For an enjoyable outing you will need bikes that are sized properly. Fine-tuning a perfect fit can be challenging, but the charts in the links below will get you in the ballpark. Children's bikes are sorted by wheel-size, adults by frame size (seat-post length). I always bring a wrench (or allen key) with me when riding a bike for the first few times to adjust the seat height.
By law, every Toronto cyclist under age 18 must wear an approved helmet. Helmets are susceptible to UV damage and generally have a life of about 5 years from the time of sale. Helmets are designed to crumple on impact and any helmet that is cracked or compacted is not safe for use. That being said, getting a second-hand helmet can can be entirely safe if you know it's history. A helmet is a good fit if it does not rattle around when you shake your head, it sits 2 fingers-widths above the eyebrow, and the straps form a "V" directly under the earlobe.
Appropriate clothing. It's not necessary to wear expensive "cycling attire", but temperatures in Toronto chill as you get closer to Lake Ontario and wind can be a factor as well, so pack extra layers for everyone, sometimes mitts too. Right-side leg cuffs will rip in your chain; roll that side up or better yet wear shorts or tight leggings. Avoid sandals.
Whenever I forget to bring water and snacks for my kids, I pay the price! Crackers and fruit make a mini-picnic and a small treat (or bakery-stop) is a great incentive. Remember hand sanitizer.
It's a sad reality that you need a good lock. Abus or Kryptonite U-locks are the best although I've learned the hard way that there is nothing that a committed thief can't break through in under 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on your unlocked bike or lock it next to a more expensive one! If your front wheel has a quick-release skewer consider looping a cable through it.
Lights are required in Toronto if you riding anytime between dawn and dusk (white front, red rear). They are meant to make you visible so I always use the "flashing mode" and I buy the brightest on the market.
A bell is also required in the city and I make good use of mine: it's not a "Get outta my way!" ring but more of a "Just letting you know I'm here!".
A positive attitude. Biking with young kids can be frustrating, scary and exhausting as well as exhilarating, peaceful and fun. Your first trips together should be short and on car-free paths. Toronto Island is a terrific learning place because it's like a city, only there are no fast-moving vehicles. Plan on many snack breaks along the way and have a destination in mind (ice cream?). Go over the main safety rules and be very strict about enforcing them (no ice cream?). Rein in the instinct to over-coach: kids will respond best to short reminders rather than constant chatter.

Extras

A rack and pannier are not essential: a backpack will suffice, but carrying your load on a rack is easier and less sweaty. Kids like collecting things, so a small handlebar bag, seat bag, or basket is a nice option.
A tire repair kit is optional and seldom used. If you wish to be self-sufficient on a long ride away from car-help (e.g. Leslie Spit), carry a spare tube, 2 levers, a mini-pump and watch Lance Armstrong fix a flat.
If you own a car, a bike rack can be extremely helpful for shuttling family + bikes. We have a tiny car and yet manage to fit 2 bikes on top and up to four on the back (all racks were purchased second-hand on Kijiji).

What you Need to Know

Rules of the Road

The City of Toronto has a great resource for Cycling Laws in the city: be aware of what your responsibilities are as a cyclist.

Click here for "Types of Bike lanes in Toronto".

NOTE: Riders UNDER age 14 may ride a bicycle on a sidewalk. Quite often I will ask my children to ride on the sidewalk while I ride next to them on the road. Use your best judgement: if they approach a pedestrian from behind, they typically slow down, ring their bell, and say "thank you" as they pass.

Bike Maintenance

A properly maintained bike will last decades and is a pleasure to ride. With a few tools and some basic know-how you will be able to save yourself time and money. Before going on a family bike ride, it is essential that you conduct a thorough safety check including a short ride and brake test.

Park Tools is the name-in-the-game for tools and videos. Their Home Tool Kit provides all the basic tools (although you will be able to put together a much cheaper set from garage sales and Canadian Tire).

Start with these great tutorials

How to remove your wheel

How to Install a tire and tube

How to fix a flat

How to clean and lubricate your chain

How to wash a bike

Next Steps

How to Adjust handbrakes

How to Adjust derailleurs (Front, Rear)

How to Replace a chain

Where you Need to Go

Learn about Toronto's Cycling Infrastructure here.

See Toronto's Network Map here.

My Top 10 Toronto Family Bike Routes (in order)

10) West Toronto Rail Path (soon to be extended)

9) Trillium Park

8) High Park Loop

7) Humber Bay Park - Colonel Sam Smith Park - Marie Curtis Park

6) Kay Gardner Beltline Trail through Moore Park to the Brickworks (it's a long descent. I would recommend starting at the North end and finishing at Brickworks. An adult can bike back up to pick up a car if required, or take bikes on the TTC up to Davisville to begin).

5) Martin Goodman Trail (Humber up to Spadina. Queen's Quay is a mess.)

4) Lower Don Valley Trail

3) Leslie Street Spit to the lighthouse and back

2) Toronto Islands

1) Weston Station down the Humber River (Take the U.P. Express Train to Weston for a great downhill ride to the Lake).

On our "To Do" List

Morningside Park to Bluffers Park Beach

Taylor Creek

Humber Arboretum

Here's a good resource for GTA rides.

Leslie Spit

High Park

Humber River Trail

Trillium Park

Humber Bay Park

Bike Touring with Kids

Are your kids decent bikers? Are you ready to up your cycling game to the next level? You might be ready for... Cycling Touring!

Tips

Stick to Canada's extensive system of Rail-Trails (old railroad tracks converted to gravel or asphalt paths). For younger cyclists, most of Ontario's rural roads are totally unsafe due to speeding vehicles. Bikes with gears are not necessary for Rail-Trails: these former railway lines have very few inclines.
You'll definitely want some "Power Pellets" (candy, timbits, etc). We often have Kilometer goals when we stop to "power up". Bike trips are not the time to clamp down on your Healthy Eating rules, LOL.
Go with another family. The other kids will distract each other with banter, and fuel each other.
Keep your distances within reason. For 6-10 year olds, a 40km day will be about the max.
Start early to avoid any sense of being rushed. Break often, as those are likely the moments your kids will remember most.
You'll need a way to carry your gear. Bike panniers or some type of bike chariot are better than backpacks.
Bring a kit with basic bike tools, a pump, and watch the tutorials listed in the section above.
Camping is a lot of fun, but you'll need to carry a lot of extra gear. Staying with friends, at motels or AirBnB's, is way more convenient.