If there is one city that truly embraces life on two wheels, it is Montréal. As someone who has spent more than three decades introducing visitors to this remarkable city, I have watched cycling become part of our identity. Whether you are an experienced cyclist, a leisure rider or simply curious about Montréal’s unique culture, cycling offers one of the best ways to discover our neighbourhoods, parks, waterfront and hidden treasures.
When you join one of my bespoke private tours, I love sharing the stories behind the places we pass. Montréal’s cycling story is every bit as fascinating as its architecture, food and history.
Where Montréal’s Cycling Story Began
Montréal’s love affair with bicycles began more than 150 years ago.
In 1869, the city’s first velocipedes arrived, creating enormous excitement. Purpose built training tracks soon appeared, along with Montréal’s earliest bicycle races. Only a few years later, in 1874, the impressive penny farthing bicycles became a familiar sight on the island.
A defining moment came in 1878 with the creation of the Montréal Bicycle Club, Canada’s very first cycling club. Cycling quickly became fashionable, attracting people from every walk of life.
By the 1890s, Montréal was hosting international cycling competitions, including a World Bicycle Meet. Bicycles were no longer simply for recreation. Companies such as Dominion Express used them for deliveries across the growing city. As electric trams expanded throughout Montréal during the early twentieth century, cycling’s rapid growth slowed, although it never disappeared from city life.
A Modern Cycling Renaissance
The modern era began in 1967 when Vélo Québec was founded. The organisation became one of the strongest advocates for cycling infrastructure, education and safety anywhere in North America.
Montréal stepped onto the world stage again in 1974, becoming the first city outside Europe to host the UCI Road World Championships, a landmark event that helped establish Montréal’s international cycling reputation.
Another milestone arrived in 1985 with the inaugural Tour de l’Île de Montréal. Today it remains one of the largest recreational cycling events in the world, attracting thousands of riders every year.
In 2009, Montréal once again became an international leader with the launch of BIXI, one of the world’s first successful large scale public bicycle sharing systems. Cities across the globe have since adopted similar programmes inspired by Montréal’s success.
North America’s Premier Cycling City
Today Montréal is widely recognised as North America’s leading cycling city.
The city now offers more than 1,000 kilometres of cycling infrastructure, including protected lanes, neighbourhood greenways, recreational trails and the expanding Réseau Express Vélo (REV), making cycling safer and more accessible than ever before. Montréal has also earned the prestigious UCI Bike City designation in recognition of its commitment to cycling and its world class events.
One of the things visitors find most surprising is that cycling does not stop when the snow arrives.
Yes, We Cycle Throughout Winter
Winter cycling has become part of everyday life in Montréal.
Hundreds of kilometres of cycling routes are maintained throughout the winter months, allowing commuters and recreational cyclists to ride safely even after a snowfall. Winter tyres, excellent maintenance and dedicated snow clearing have helped make Montréal an international model for year round urban cycling.
It is one of the many reasons why visitors are often amazed by just how active Montréal remains during every season.
International Cycling Events in Montréal
Throughout the year Montréal welcomes cyclists and spectators from around the world.
Some of the highlights include:
- Tour de l’Île de Montréal, one of the world’s largest recreational cycling rides.
- Go Bike Montréal Festival, celebrating cycling culture for all ages.
- Montréal Night Ride, offering a magical evening through the city streets.
- Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal, featuring many of the world’s top professional riders on the UCI WorldTour calendar.
- Various Gran Fondo events, family rides and charity cycling events held across Greater Montréal.
The 2026 UCI Road World Championships
The biggest event in decades arrives from 20 to 27 September 2026, when Montréal welcomes the UCI Road World Championships, returning to the city for the first time since 1974.
This spectacular eight day championship will welcome around 1,000 elite cyclists from more than 75 countries, competing in 13 world championship races across Montréal and the surrounding region. The event is expected to become the city’s largest international sporting event since the 1976 Olympic Games.
Even better, much of the championship can be enjoyed free of charge, giving visitors the opportunity to watch the world’s finest cyclists tackle the legendary climbs of Mount Royal and experience the electric atmosphere throughout the city.
Experience Montréal Like a Local
Some of my favourite cycling routes include the Lachine Canal, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Mount Royal, Parc Jean Drapeau, the Old Port, the Saint Lawrence River waterfront, and many of the colourful neighbourhoods that make Montréal so unique.
Whether you prefer history, architecture, local markets, street art, food, photography or simply enjoying the city’s relaxed atmosphere, cycling allows you to experience Montréal from a completely different perspective.
As Montréal’s Original Montréal Expert and a licensed professional guide since 1992, I create bespoke private Montréal tours designed around your interests. Every experience is personal, flexible and completely tailored to you. Together we can explore Montréal’s famous landmarks alongside the hidden neighbourhoods and local stories that most visitors never discover.
Book Your Private Montréal Experience
If you are planning a holiday in Montréal, visiting during the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, arriving on a cruise, travelling for business, or simply looking for an authentic local experience, I would be delighted to share my city with you.
Visit rubyroy.ca to book your private Montréal tour, luxury bespoke city experience, walking tour, cycling discovery, food tour, or custom private itinerary. Discover why Montréal is recognised as North America’s cycling capital, and experience the city through the eyes of someone who has proudly called it home and introduced it to visitors from around the world for over thirty years.
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See you soon
Ruby
Rubyroy.ca
