Montreal: Cycling Activity Holiday

Bicycling in Montreal can be an enjoyable experience. The city was voted the best cycling city in North America in 1999. As cycling is often quicker than travelling by car, you can take in the best views of the city by finding several designated cycling tracks; Montreal boasts over 300 km of bike routes and paths located on the island and more than double that in the surrounding region. The city offers bikes for rent from self-service Bixi kiosks, modelled on Paris' successful Velib system.

Bicycles are permitted on the Metro except during rush hour, or speical event days such as the Tour de l'Ile and Fireworks Festival. The Deux-Montagnes and Rigaud lines of the commuter trains permit bicycles. Bike repair shops can be found throughout the city such as Right to Move which provides assistance for do it yourself repairs at a lower cost. Bicycles in Montreal can be rented at the Maison des Cyclistes on Rachel Street East, the Old Port, and Parc Jean Drapeau. Maps of cycling paths in Montreal can be found at tourist bureaus.

One of the most popular Montreal bike rides is along the Lachine Canal, a paved-15 km recreation path between Old Montreal and Lachine. It forms part of the Pole des Rapides cycling route in southwest Montreal. Parc de Mont Royal is another favourite biking spot. Each year the Women's Cycling World Cup takes place on Montreal's streets that climb over the mountain.