Bikes & e-Bikes

The use of bicycles is strongly encouraged in Kingston. The city has a large network of cycling lanes on many routes that allow cyclists to travel side by side with motorized vehicles. Many more cycling lanes are planned in the coming years.

A number of bicycle lock-ups are available throughout the city. To encourage year-round cycling, the city provides special racks for parking bicycles at 28 locations in the downtown. Half of the racks are removed during the winter to make it easier for snow removal and the other half are in use year round. Many schools and businesses also provide bicycle racks.

All city buses are equipped with steel racks on the front end that are specially designed to carry bicycles. This "Rack and Roll" feature is available from the first of April to the end of November.

Electric bicycles or e-bikes are growing in popularity in Kingston. E-bikes (also called power-assisted bicycles) must not weigh more than 120 kilograms (265 pounds) or reach a speed higher than 32 kilometres per hour (20 miles per hour).

Tips for cycling in Canada:

• Cyclists ride on the right-hand side of the road, not on sidewalks, and must stop for red lights and stop signs.
• Cyclists under 18 years of age must wear a helmet or face a possible fine. Cyclists over 18 are encouraged to wear helmets for their health and safety.
• Operators of e-bikes must wear a helmet at all times.
• For safety reasons, cyclists should avoid riding on icy or snow-covered roads. Roads covered with leaves can also be slippery and dangerous.