This week is not only the start of June but also the start of Bike Month. Some things are better on two wheels, like exploring a new place and appreciating the beauty of mother nature. Beginning your morning by cycling boosts your mood and offers a sense of accomplishment to go along with your day. No matter whether you are new to biking, a seasoned rider, or a daily cycle commuter, downtown Victoria is a great place for all to enjoy riding!

This June, let’s ride around downtown Victoria together!

Gearing up for hitting the road with the help of the following downtown bike shops!

Ride the Glide

307-1208 Wharf St | Website 

If you would like to rent or buy electric bikes, Ride the Glide will be the place worth visiting. This family-owned shop can make your e-bike experience affordable and comfortable with their comprehensive test rides and their passion for green personal transportation!

Broad Street Cycles

1419 Broad St | Website 

Bike more with Broad Street Cycles! As a full-service bike shop downtown, it carries unique and high-quality brands like Cervelo, Factor, Mosaic, Pinarello and Santa. The shop also organizes the rides every Thursday night and some Friday nights, a great chance for you to connect with other riders and enjoy the riding together!

Bishop’s Family Cycles

730 Pandora Ave | Website 

Cycling with your family is not a dream! Bishop’s provides a wide assortment of family bikes (children’s, e-bike, cargo, bucket, and longtail bikes), as well as accessories, and high-visibility clothing to make family biking safe and easy. Shop with your kids and let them pick their favourite ones!

Fort Street Cycle

1025 Fort Street | Website 

Looking for a place to custom build your bikes? Check out Fort Street Cycle! Their professionally trained fitter and superb team of mechanics will help you find the perfect fit. They also have a wide range of services from simple adjustments to full overhauls to get you ready on the road!

However long you would like to spend cycling downtown, there are some spots along the riding to enjoy!

Short Route

From Legislative Assembly of British Columbia to Merchant Quarters General Store | Full Route Map

If you just want to spend an afternoon riding downtown, try out this route! Before hitting on the road from the Parliament Buildings, take a few minutes walking around the buildings and if possible, take a free tour inside. After the short visit, head toward Belleville Street, turn left onto Government Street and keep left onto Wharf Street. Along this route, you can enjoy the beautiful coastal view.

Keep going on Wharf Street, you will pass Store Street and turn right onto Fisgard Street, where you will have the chance to visit the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Stop by any store or restaurant and spend a couple of minutes exploring the unique Asian community. After Chinatown, head toward Blanshard Street which has many choices for a quick stop to grab a refreshing drink.

Keep going on Blanshard and turn right onto Burdett Ave, and continue onto Humboldt Street. You will see the Maritime Museum of BC on your left side. The museum now is holding an exhibition about the 2SLGBTQ+ community worth visiting and learning about. The route will end before heading into the Wharf Street again. Shop at Merchant Quarters General Store or have treats/dinner at 10 Acres Commons, before heading back home.

Long Route

From Legislative Assembly of British Columbia to Emily Carr Statue | Full Route Map

Spending a whole day on two wheels is great fun! Referring to the short route on the left side, this longer route also starts from the Parliament Buildings, goes along Belleville Street, and turns left onto Government Street/Wharf Street/Store Street to enjoy the coastal scenery.

To lengthen the route, turn right onto Pembroke Street and turn right onto Blanshard Street to explore the northern area of downtown. The adventure continues on Pandora Avenue and Cook Street to explore the eastern side. Before turning left onto Douglas Street, hunt for the restaurants you are going to have lunch or dinner that day or add to the bucket list to try.

The route takes you down Douglas St before turning right back to Belleville St and ending the trip. Some spots worth visiting are outlined in the short route such as the Maritime Museum of BC. I encourage you to continue the downtown exploration by appreciating the Emily Carr Statue and the gorgeous Empress Hotel!

Here are some helpful information and resources to help you engage more in riding!

Victoria’s Cycling Network

The following map shows the All Ages and Abilities (AAA) bike routes that you can plan ahead. As there are more protected bike lanes and hared-use neighbourhood bikeways, your riding journey will be more safe and more fun! While enjoying cycling, keep in mind to watch out for signals and pedestrians and keep your distance so that everyone gets where they are going safely.

Bike Parking

Looking for a place to park your bikes? The following map can help you with that! There are bike racks in City parkades located close to each parkade entrance for convenience and visibility and the public bike parking lot at the Bay Centre. Remember to lock your bike using a bike rack and take all personal stuff with you!

Free rides for Victoria cyclists during Go By Bike Week (May 30 – June 5)

In order to ride for free in the Victoria Regional Transit System, Go By Bike Week participants must use the bus bike racks or show their bike helmet when boarding the bus. The bus can provide cyclists in Greater Victoria with a good transportation alternative if the weather takes a significant turn between their planned cycling trips. Please be advised that bike racks on community buses and smaller fleet buses cannot be used after dark, as they obstruct the headlights.

Agency Cycling Festival – Agency Grand Prix

7 a.m. – 5 p.m., June 5 | BC Legislature | Website

The AGENCY CYCLING FESTIVAL celebrates the bicycle in the areas sport, arts, and culture. Bicycle Racing Action will draw hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators in a 3 day stage race featuring the disciplines of Time Trial, Road Race, and Criterium. The 2022 event marks the return of the BC Criterium Championships, which will feature thrilling downtown racing around the BC Legislature. The event is the continuation of over 20 years of hosting bicycle race events in Victoria, BC. Since 1992, Victoria has hosted the 1994 Commonwealth Games Cycling events, World Cup Track, Provincial Road and Track Championships, Bastion Square Grand Prix, and Robert Cameron Law Cycling Series, which have spearheaded the carriers of some of Canada’s best cyclists and Olympians. The event is proudly supported by Cycling BC and Cycling Canada as a means to nurture and grow grass roots cycling, engage with the community, and act as a platform for the champions of the sport.