Family Events

Bike with Your Family All Summer Long

(6-minute read)

June 2025

By K. Karbasy, Family Care Office/ Faculty Relocation Services Education and Communications Coordinator, University of Toronto

June is Bike Month in Toronto—a perfect time to explore the city on two wheels with your family! Cycling together not only promotes physical activity but also strengthens family bonds and instills road safety habits in children. With numerous family-friendly trails and events, Toronto offers ample opportunities for enjoyable family biking experiences.

Blue sky with one cloud off to the left side. Silhouettes of 3 children with their bikes on a grassy trail.

Family Bike Safety: Tips for Parents and Kids

Before setting out, ensure each bike is in good condition. Check the brakes, tire pressure, bells, and lights. Equip every family member with a properly fitted helmet. Anyone under 18 must, by law, wear a helmet. For adults, helmets are not legally required but are highly recommended. Each bike is required to have a working bell, as well as front and back lights if riding 30 minutes before sunset or 30 minutes after sunrise. For the little ones, consider adding a flag to their bike to make them more noticeable to cars. Read more details about helmets, lights, and other safety equipment.

For young toddlers and older infants, explore options to cycle with them on your bike in a bike seat or in a visible trailer. Check out the City of Toronto’s Cycling with Children information.

Educate your children on essential biking skills:

  • Always wear a helmet.
  • Use hand signals to indicate turns.
  • Obey all traffic signs and signals.
  • Stay alert and watch for pedestrians and vehicles.

Practicing these habits in a safe environment builds confidence and prepares children for more complex riding situations. Learn more about safely cycling with your children and register for the Family Care Office’s upcoming event – Family Bike Safety Check on Friday, June 6th (a TDSB PA Day) from 1:00 – 4:00 pm with U of T’s Bikechain.

Bikechain is a community-focused bicycle repair space located at the University of Toronto, open to both students and the general public. They empower individuals to learn bike maintenance through a do-it-yourself model, offering access to tools and support from knowledgeable staff. As opposed to completing drop-off tune-ups, visitors at Bikechain are provided tools and affordable parts and supported by mechanics who diagnose issues and teach you to complete the repair on the spot. University of Toronto students can rent bikes for free and keep them for up to 2 weeks at a time. Bikechain also runs inclusive programming, such as Women, Trans, and Non-Binary repair nights, and promotes cycling through rentals, workshops, and events.

Family-Friendly Bike Trails in Toronto

Toronto boasts several trails suitable for families:

  • Martin Goodman Trail: Stretching along the waterfront, this trail offers scenic views and a flat path ideal for all ages.
  • Taylor Creek Trail: A 6 km mostly paved trail following the Don River, perfect for a peaceful ride amidst nature.
  • Humber Bay Park East/West: Features beautiful lakefront paths and spots for picnics and relaxation.
  • Sunnybrook Park: Offers expansive green spaces and connects to other trails like Taylor Creek, providing extended riding options.

Celebrate Bike Month with Exciting Events

Bike Month 2025 in Toronto is packed with events catering to families:

  • Bike to Work Day Group Commute: Join fellow cyclists on Wednesday, June 4th, for a group ride to Nathan Phillips Square, culminating in a community celebration.  
  • Bike to School Week: From June 2–6, 2025, schools across Ontario celebrate active transportation. Encourage your child’s school to participate and promote biking as a fun way to travel to and from school.
  • Learn to Ride in Scarborough: Cycle Toronto and Scarborough Cycles offer programs at AccessPoint on Danforth Avenue and Victoria Park in May/June 2025, teaching new riders the basics of cycling.
  • CampTO Plus: Bike Camp (Ages 10-12): This camp offers youth aged 10 to 12 an opportunity to enhance their cycling skills through activities like bike maintenance, safety education, and group rides, fostering both confidence and independence.
  • CampTO Plus: Bike Camp (Ages 13-16): Designed for teens aged 13 to 16, this program focuses on advanced cycling techniques, road safety, and hands-on bike repair, encouraging leadership and self-reliance in a supportive environment.
  • Pedalheads Summer Camps and Jack of Sports Learn to Bike Camp: Although costly, these camps provide bike lessons for kids aged 2-12, focusing on safety and skill development in a fun environment.

Embrace the joy of cycling this June by exploring Toronto’s trails and participating in Bike Month events. Prioritize safety, educate your children, and make the most of the resources available to create lasting family memories on two wheels.