2026 Ontario Bike Summit Returns to Toronto
Canada’s Largest Cycling Conference Will Showcase Progress and Opportunities in Toronto and in Cities Across North America

(Burlington – April 9th , 2026) – The Share the Road Cycling Coalition (The Coalition), Ontario’s cycling
advocacy and policy organization, is pleased to announce that Canada’s largest annual cycling and active
transportation conference, the Ontario Bike Summit, is returning to Toronto from September 22-24, 2026 at the
Novotel Toronto Centre.

Every year, the Ontario Bike Summit brings together government policy and decision makers, industry leaders,
affiliate principals and community advocates from across Canada and internationally to share innovations,
practical solutions and opportunities for progress in cycling and active transportation. The event is organized by
the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, Ontario’s province-wide cycling policy and advocacy organization, based
in Burlington.

“We are absolutely delighted that the Ontario Bike Summit is returning to Toronto this year. As Canada’s largest
city, Toronto continues to innovate with its embrace and implementation of cycling networks and facilities,
offering opportunities for daily commuters that mitigate congestion, enhance their health and lower their cost of
living. Cities around the world, including Toronto, know that investing in cycling infrastructure has a multiplicity of
benefits for people who want affordable, safe options for daily travel – to work, to transit and to recreate,” said
Eleanor McMahon, Founder and Board Chair, Share the Road Cycling Coalition.

“With cycling’s growth in popularity, it is an exciting time for important conversations as cities continue to seek
innovative ways to grow their networks and their knowledge of best practices. Our conference attendees will
have the opportunity to attend mobile workshops that showcase Toronto’s network – and at the same time, will
benefit from the knowledge-sharing of other municipalities and partners from across Ontario and North America,”
McMahon noted.

“This year’s Summit will showcase how integrated cycling networks contribute to cities and towns that are safe,
prosperous, active and more connected. Our event’s theme, Inspiring the Future: Building Liveable Cities
Through Cycling explores how cycling serves as a catalyst for urban transformation. By focusing on smart
design, infrastructure, and innovation, we can help Ontario municipalities build cities that are more liveable,
resilient, and economically vibrant,” McMahon said.

The Coalition also announced for the first time, a partnership with the Ontario Traffic Council. The Ontario Traffic
Council (OTC), formerly the Ontario Traffic Conference, was established in 1950 to improve traffic management
in Ontario by drawing on the knowledge and expertise of those in the fields of enforcement, engineering, and
education.

Today, the organization provides leadership to the industry through education, guidance, best practices,
research, innovation, data, and other resources and information to address multi-modal transportation issues,
challenges, and opportunities.

Beginning this September, the OTC’s Active Transportation Symposium will take place on the eve of The
Coalition’s Ontario Bike Summit, creating a three-and-a-half-day gathering dedicated to advancing active
transportation across Ontario.

This coordinated event will offer attendees a seamless experience featuring informative sessions, hands-on
mobile workshops, and inspiring keynote speakers. By aligning the two conferences, both organizations aim to
provide municipal leaders, planners, advocates, and industry professionals with practical tools, real-world
insights, and shared learning opportunities that support safer, more accessible, and more sustainable
transportation networks.

“Bringing our events together reflects the growing momentum for active transportation in communities across
Ontario as well as the synergies between our two organizations. This partnership allows us to deepen
collaboration, broaden our reach, and equip attendees with the knowledge and inspiration they need to advance
cycling and active transportation in their communities,” said McMahon.
For more information, visit sharetheroad.ca

About the Share the Road Cycling Coalition
The Share the Road Cycling Coalition is a provincial advocacy and policy organization committed to advancing a
Bicycle Friendly Ontario. We work to create safer, more accessible, and more equitable cycling environments for
people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Grounded in education, evidence-informed policy development, and collaborative partnerships, the Coalition
supports communities across Ontario in strengthening their cycling networks and road safety initiatives. The
Coalition’s work is guided by a broad network of local experts, municipal leaders, public health professionals, law
enforcement partners, business and tourism representatives, and community advocates.

Together, we champion the development of connected cycling infrastructure, inclusive mobility policies, and
community programs that encourage more people to choose cycling as a safe, healthy, and sustainable mode of
transportation.

For information and interviews:
Samantha Clark
Share the Road Cycling Coalition
519-221-3466
[email protected]

Share the Road Announces Partnership with the Ontario Traffic Council

Dear friends,

We’re excited to announce a new partnership between the Share the Road Cycling Coalition and the Ontario Traffic Council (OTC).

The OTC has been a long-time collaborator, and this partnership builds on a strong foundation of shared values and relationships. Both organizations are committed to building municipal capacity and creating opportunities to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to support active, healthy, and safe communities across Ontario.

Beginning this September, this partnership will bring our flagship events together for the first time—creating a three-and-a-half-day gathering dedicated to advancing active transportation across Ontario.

Bringing Learning Opportunities Together

The OTC is well known for delivering best-in-class training events, seminars, and conferences for transportation professionals across the province. This year, we’re especially excited to align our programming:

• OTC Active Transportation Symposium: September 21

• Ontario Bike Summit: September 22–24

• Location: Novotel, Toronto

By coordinating these events, we’re creating a seamless experience for attendees, with opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate across multiple days of programming.

Participants can expect:

• Expert-led sessions on infrastructure, policy, safety, and community engagement

• Hands-on mobile workshops showcasing real-world projects and applications

• Inspiring keynote speakers shaping the future of active transportation

• Networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across sectors

Together, these events will bring municipal leaders, planners, advocates, and industry professionals into one shared space—supporting practical learning and real-world impact in communities across Ontario.

Registration Incentive

Participants who register for both the OTC Symposium and the Ontario Bike Summit will receive a 15% discount on registration.

Stay tuned for more information on:

• Ontario Bike Summit registration

• Speaker announcements

• Full program details

Looking Ahead

This partnership reflects the growing momentum for cycling and active transportation across Ontario, as well as the strong alignment between our organizations.

By working together, we are strengthening the connection between policy, planning, and on-the-ground implementation—helping communities build safer, more accessible, and more sustainable transportation systems.

We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at the OTC to deliver an outstanding few days of programming at a critical time for cycling and active transportation.

If you have any questions about this partnership or our work, please reach out via [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you in September! 

Share the Road Cycling Coalition Announces Annual Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) Awards

More than 10.8 million Ontarians Now Live in a Designated BFC

BURLINGTON, ON — December 19, 2025 — The Share the Road Cycling Coalition, (The Coalition) Ontario’s cycling policy and advocacy organization, is proud to announce the recipients of its annual Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) awards. The awards recognize municipalities across Ontario that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to creating safe, accessible, and vibrant cycling environments.

The Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) program, an initiative of the Washington-based League of American Bicyclists, was launched in Canada by The Coalition in 2010. The organization, Ontario’s leading cycling advocacy and policy organization, worked to develop BFC designations for the province of Québec with our colleagues at the Montreal-based cycling policy and advocacy organization Velo Quebec, which administers the program under the name VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE.

At the heart of the BFC program is a rigorous application process through which a community’s cycling progress and investments are measured. The applications are reviewed by a panel of experts and with the input of citizens.

Recognition is awarded and in-depth guidance provided. The award categories are Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Ontario currently has no Platinum communities, and 4 Gold Bicycle Friendly communities (Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo, & Kitchener). Communities must re-apply at least every 4 years to hold a designation.

These latest award winners bring the total number of BFCs in Ontario to 61, representing more than 10.8 million Ontario residents or nearly two thirds of the provincial population. Award highlights include Ontario’s first Regional government designation – Durham Region.

Award Recipients: The following communities have been recognized for their achievements:

• Town of Caledon – Silver
• Town of Collingwood – Silver
• Region of Durham – Bronze
• City of Kitchener – Gold
• City of Mississauga – Silver
• City of Peterborough – Silver
• City of Sarnia – Bronze
• City of Waterloo – Gold

“This award celebrates the municipalities across Ontario that are making significant strides in promoting cycling as a safe, accessible, and sustainable mode of transportation. They exemplify a commitment to innovation and a dedication to cycling through their critical investments in cycling infrastructure, cycling education programs, and community engagement initiatives,” said Eleanor McMahon, Founder and Board Chair Share the Road Cycling Coalition. 

“And they join a burgeoning network of Bicycle Friendly Communities across Ontario that are working to improve cycling for their residents who, in growing numbers, are choosing cycling as an affordable and healthy option for daily travel,” McMahon added.

“We know from our province-wide polling research that 68 per cent of Ontarians (9.8 million people) ride their bike at least monthly, with 22 per cent of Ontarians (3.2 million) saying they ride a bike frequently (daily or almost daily). The growing popularity of the program aligns with that of cycling itself, as municipalities look for increasingly innovative and effective ways to accommodate the increasing number of cyclists in their jurisdiction,” noted McMahon.

“We congratulate all of the municipalities who have applied for the Award, and salute them for their commitment to continuous improvement. We look forward to working with our growing BFC network and those municipalities looking to join them, as together we work to enhance the safety and wellbeing of Ontarians in communities across the province,” McMahon added.

About the Share the Road Cycling Coalition 

The Share the Road Cycling Coalition is Ontario’s cycling advocacy and policy organization created to unite cycling organizations from across the province, work with and on behalf of municipalities to enhance their ability to make their communities more bicycle- friendly and advocate for investment and engagement by provincial and municipal governments. Core to the organization’s mission and mandate are safety, education and awareness campaigns

For information or interviews:

Eleanor McMahon

Founder and Board Chair

Share the Road Cycling Coalition

[email protected]

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Exciting Partnership Announcement
Share the Road Cycling Coalition is thrilled to partner with Ontario Cycling to officially launch the Share the Road Cycling Club Program — a new, province-wide initiative designed to support cycling clubs, champion safer roads, and strengthen grassroots advocacy efforts across Ontario.

As cycling continues to grow in popularity as both a sport and a sustainable mode of transportation, this program comes at a critical moment. It represents a collaborative, forward-thinking step toward making our communities safer, more connected, and more cycling-friendly for everyone.

Through this new program, participating clubs will gain access to a suite of resources and opportunities, including:
Comprehensive advocacy toolkits tailored to local needs
Safety education webinars and in-person workshops
Access to the Share the Road Pledge and Ambassador Program
Opportunities to participate in municipal and provincial-level road safety initiatives

We’re calling on all cycling clubs across the province: If you’re passionate about creating safer roads and growing the cycling movement, we want to hear from you!

Interested clubs or individuals can contact [email protected] OR [email protected] to learn more about how to get involved or join the program’s working group.

Let’s ride together toward a safer, more inclusive future.