Cycling in Toronto 2025

Jenny:

Riding a bicycle in Toronto has turned out to be much easier than I expected. Coming from the neatly organized cycling infrastructure of Northern Europe, I pictured chaos: endless traffic, nonexistent bike lanes, and reckless drivers.

To my surprise, the reality has been far more welcoming. While the city is far from perfect—some major bike lanes are actually about to be dismantled (can you believe that?)—Toronto has proven to be a better place for cyclists than its reputation suggests.

We live downtown and regularly bike to most places within a 30-minute radius. The urban core has a growing network of bike lanes, and while they can be patchy and poorly connected in some areas, the system overall allows for relatively smooth and safe commuting.

What’s also been encouraging is the sheer number of people on bikes—especially in the warmer months. There’s a visible and growing cycling culture here. I’ve even started recognizing some regulars along my route.

Still, there’s room for improvement. Infrastructure is inconsistent, and political will around cycling seems shaky at best. The threat of removing protected bike lanes is a reminder that progress isn’t guaranteed.

But for now? I’m pedaling happily—and often.