Toronto: Bike to Work Day Group Commute!

Join us on Thursday June 1 for the Bike to Work Day Group Commute kick off to Bike Month 2023! 

The Bike to Work Day group commute is an annual tradition that brings people from across Toronto together for the largest FREE group bike ride in the city. There are four starting locations across the city that all lead to Nathan Phillips Square at City Hall for a community celebration.

Whether you ride every day or haven’t ridden in years, this event is for you. Each of the four official group rides will have well trained Cycle Toronto Ride Guides to ensure riders arrive safely.

Self-supported group rides are highly encouraged as well and encourage you to post your feeder ride in the events calendar.

When and where is the ride?

Choose from the four different starting points and respective start times below. We coordinate the ride times so that we arrive at Nathan Phillips Square at approximately 8AM for the group celebration. We ride rain or shine!

Interactive map of group commute routes 

Central Meetup *New location for 2023*

Location - Bay Street & Charles Street - Southwest corner (south of Bloor Street)
Departure time: 7:30AM
Route: Bay Street > NPS
Distance: ~2 km
TTC Access: Bay Station (elevator access)

Western Meetup

Location: Bloor Street & High Park Avenue - Southeast corner
Departure time: 7:10AM
Route: Bloor Street > Bay Street > NPS
Distance: ~9 km
TTC Access: High Park Station (no elevator) or nearby Runnymede & Keele Stations (elevator access)

Northern Meetup *Note route change*

Location: Davisville Avenue & Yonge Street - Southwest corner
Departure time: 7:20AM
Route: Yonge Street > Charles Street > Bay Street > NPS
Distance: ~5.5 km
TTC Access: Davisville Station (elevator access)

Eastern Meetup

Location: East Lynn Park (Danforth Avenue west of Woodbine Avenue)
Departure time: 7:10AM
Route: Danforth Avenue > Bloor Street > Bay Street > NPS
Distance: ~9 km
TTC Access: Woodbine Station (elevator access)

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Don’t own a bike? No problem!

Our partners at Bike Share Toronto will be providing a LIMITED NUMBER OF COMPLIMENTARY bikes at the Central Meet-up Location at Bay & Charles. We also encourage participants to ride Bike Share from any station in the City to participate in the Group Commute (see here for passes and membership information). Bike Share will also be onsite at Nathan Phillips Square to collect bikes at the end of the ride — so no need to find a station to dock your bike.

Planning to arrive by TTC?

While all start points have been planned with nearby subway stations in mind, it is important to note that the TTC prohibits bicycles on the subway between 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

What will the ride be like?

Our Ride Guides try to keep a comfortable pace for all riders; that means no matter your fitness, age, style of bike, you should be able to keep up a conversation. People are encouraged to have fun, bring along music, and wear what you’re comfortable in.

One Ride Guide will take the lead and navigate while the other rides in the back to make sure all riders are safe and they can assist with any mechanical issues.

Will the roads be closed for the ride?

No. Since the last edition of this ride, Cycle Toronto has taken steps towards an Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism Commitment that includes finding alternatives to police escorted rides. We have opted not to invite uniformed police officers* to this year’s ride and will take advantage of newly installed/improved cycling infrastructure where possible.

All riders will be expected to follow all traffic laws, including signals such as stop lights, during the ride.

*We have informed Toronto Police Service of our intent to hold the ride and cannot prevent them from arriving of their own accord.

Will the four groups meet and ride together?

No. To manage the size of each group they will not wait for each other at the central group start point.

Is there a rain date?

No. We ride rain or shine. Dress according to the weather forecast. 

What can I expect at Nathan Phillips Square?

Visit our pals at Stage 21 to grab a free coffee from their mobile cafe at Nathan Phillips Square. Once you’ve got your caffeine fix, bite your hunger with some free snacks from the Cycle Toronto team. Toronto Water will also be onsite with HT0 To Go, so you can fill up your water bottle before you head to work!

Visit Live Green Toronto for a chance to win prizes; learn more about E-bikes from Cycle Toronto’s Business Member, Zygg Mobility, who is working to replace car trips with bike rides through their affordable E-bike subscription service; and check out the soft goods and accessories available from On the Road Bags.

The Cycle Toronto team will also be onsite offering free tune-ups, Cycling Handbooks (available in 14 languages!), and Toronto Cycling Maps, and selling Bike Month t-shirts.

Washrooms: Gendered, accessible washrooms are located onsite at Nathan Phillips Square, beside Hero Certified Burgers.