Welcome to Victoria, the cycling capital of Canada.
With an expanding network of trails, rural routes and urban roads with bike lanes, it’s no wonder thousands of cyclists hit the road every day. In fact, Victoria boasts more cyclists per capita than any other Canadian city.
The Galloping Goose Trail and Seaside Touring Route are popular places to bike and are perfect for casual cyclists and families. The Saanich Peninsula and the West Shore offer great rides for roadies.
Mountain bikers can ride 50-plus trails at Mount Work, just outside Victoria. Vancouver Island is also home to many other great mountain biking and cycling routes.
Galloping Goose Trail
Victoria’s most popular cycling route is a relatively flat 55-km/34-mi route that runs west from Victoria to the abandoned mining town of Leechton. The Galloping Goose Trail begins as a busy urban commuter route, but soon becomes a quieter recreational trail that meanders through Douglas fir forests, farmland, marshes and along rocky outcrops and waterways.
Seaside Touring Route
The Seaside Touring Route was designed for visitors. Stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and Pacific Ocean entrance cyclists. Many spend all day exploring this route, which goes right by many of Victoria’s most popular attractions, including The Fairmont Empress, the Royal BC Museum and Beacon Hill Park.
Lochside Trail
The Lochside Trail connects Victoria to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (Sidney) via a popular 29-km/18-mi route that combines off-road paths and roads with bike lanes. Heading out of the city, cyclists are soon rewarded with tree-lined lanes, plus views of agricultural land, beaches, marshes and suburban yards with stunning gardens.
Saanich Peninsula and The West Shore
The roads of the Saanich Peninsula and the West Shore are shared by touring cyclists and recreational cyclists looking for a challenge. The quiet back roads of the Saanich Peninsula, many of which have bike lanes, are relatively flat and criss-cross through parks, beaches and bays. Visitors may want to stop at the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Don’t worry, they have lots of bike parking!
Those wanting to do some hill training head to the back roads of the West Shore, just west of Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Hills slope up from the ocean and climbs are rewarded with stunning views.
Mountain Biking on Mount Work
Victoria offers more than cycling. At Mount Work, mountain bikers can climb single-track or fire roads to reach the summit, which provides sweeping views of the Malahat, Olympic Mountains and Saanich Peninsula.
Intermediate cross-country riders can tackle rocky, forested and twisting single-track. Downhillers enjoy steep, challenging trails loaded with skinnies, gap jumps and extreme drops. Check out Mount Work’s technical training area.
Bike Tours and Group Rides
Visit Victoria’s 30-odd bike shops for information on group rides or guided tours. Numerous cycling organizations offer races and free recreational group rides. Ask about where to play bike polo!
Bike Events
From the Esquimalt Lagoon to the farms of Saanich, the annual Tour de Victoria (June) offers a wonderful way to see Greater Victoria while riding with upwards of 1,300 fellow cyclists. Created by Tour de France veteran Ryder Hesjedal, the Tour de Victoria has two distances: 140km/87mi and 90km/56mi. Enjoy the traffic-controlled course, from roads to bike paths.
Both elite riders and casual cyclists can race in the Bastion Square Grand Prix in May. Boisterous crowds surround the 900-m/2,952-ft track to watch the competition. “Crash Corner” is at Yates and Wharf streets.
Practical Points
- Bike helmets are mandatory in BC.
- Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers.
- Bicycles are permitted on many transit services.
- Many cyclists bike year round, but the peak season is from April to October.
- Obey all trail signs and respect trail closures.
- Bike and equipment rentals are available.
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