Biking
Biking is not only a healthy and social mode of transportation, it is also part of building a sustainable city.
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Biking in London
Bikes are fun, are more affordable than a vehicle, improve our health, and are good for our community.
The City provides over 350 km of pathways, bike lanes and cycle tracks. Our Cycling Master Plan and Transportation Master Plan outline the City’s plans toward a fully connected, accessible network that is safe for all users.
If you have questions about London's bike map, please contact cycling@london.ca for assistance.
Bike lockers
As part of a pilot program, the City of London has installed enclosed bike lockers at three locations downtown to help provide cyclists a new, secure space to park their bike.
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These bike lockers are located at the corner of Dundas and Wellington Street, the north end of Clarence Street (between the former Williams Café and Victoria Park), and in the underground parking garage at the Covent Garden Market.
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The banks of lockers are made of a fibreglass shell and feature six secure, weather-protected lockers large enough to hold one standard adult-sized, two-wheel bike. Lockers are not large enough for a trike, cargo bike or long-tail bike.
Watch a video that shows how to use the bike lockers
Bike locker FAQs
What is a bike locker?
A bike locker is a large locker (box) in parking lots or in the public right-of-way that you can rent to store your bike. Each locker is accessed by a locked door. The locker protects your bike from the weather and is more secure than locking to a bike rack, post or corral.
More secure bike parking downtown has been identified as a need by downtown residents, workers and visitors.
Where are the bike lockers located?
As part of a one-year pilot project, the City of London is installing three banks of lockers (each bank has a capacity for six bikes) in three locations downtown:
- Covent Garden Market underground parking garage – P1 level around the corner from the entrance/exit ramps
- North east corner of Dundas and Wellington Streets
- North end of Clarence Street (between former Williams Café and Victoria Park)
Four lockers in each area are hourly rentals accessed by the free Movatic smartphone App, and two of the lockers are monthly rentals accessed by completing a rental agreement at City Hall.
You do need a smartphone to access the hourly rentals. This is identified as a barrier to some, and will be part of the pilot project analysis.
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How do I rent a locker?
For short-term rentals (1+ hours), users can access four of the six the lockers by using the free Movatic smartphone App. The App can be downloaded from the Apple App store or Google Play. Cyclists can also download the App on site by scanning a QR code on each locker.
A user's smartphone should be held 4” from the door lock. It will make a popping sound before opening.
You can also reserve a locker from home using Movatic. When you get to the locker, it is waiting for you. To note that the clock starts ticking when you reserve it.
To rent a locker on a monthly basis, email cycling@london.ca. City staff will first let you know if a locker is available or add you to a wait list. The Clerks Department at City Hall is where you will then complete a Rental Agreement.
How much does it cost to rent a locker?
During the one-year pilot project (ending in Fall, 2022), the hourly Movatic rate is free for the first 2 hours; then $0.50 per hour for a maximum of 24 hours. Then, this resets for a new rental period of 24 hours.
The monthly rental fee is $20/month (plus HST). In addition, the Applicant shall pay $100 as a security deposit. A key to the locker will only be provided upon full payment of the fee and security deposit.
During the first three months of the pilot project (September-November 2021), the City will be offering a partial rebate on the monthly rate if the participant chooses to engage in a survey regarding their bike parking experience.
How long can I rent a locker?
You can unlock the locker at any time using the Movatic App. The first two hours are free.
Please don't forget to click on "End Rental" when you retrieve your bike.
The maximum amount of time a locker can be rented during this pilot phase is one month before completing a new monthly rental agreement.
How big is the bike locker?
A locker is large enough to hold one standard adult-sized, two-wheel bike. It is not large enough for many bikes with tall handle bars, many e-bikes, trikes, cargo bikes or long-tail bikes.
The locker door opening is 45" tall and 30 3/4" wide.
The interior of each locker is a triangle shape with the narrow end at the back. The cyclist can back their bike into the locker.
The locker has enough space for a helmet, jacket or other outer clothing, a pack, and other related cycling gear ordinarily used by cyclists.
Who do I speak to if I have more questions about the bike lockers?
For more information, please call the City of London at 519 661-2489 (x 5389) or email cycling@london.ca
Who do I contact in case of an emergency related to the lockers?
Please contact the City’s Corporate Security at 519-933-3929.
Bike paths and cycling tracks
There are a number of local areas to explore on your bike.
Thames Valley Parkway
Situated on scenic park lands across the Thames River, the Thames Valley Parkway is the City’s primary multi-use pathway system. The current path is 40 kilometres in length, offers scenic river crossings and is linked to over 150 kilometres of additional pathways connecting all corners of London.
Boler Mountain
Boler Mountain has 120 acres of property, offering a beginner loop and an advanced loop for cyclists.
Fanshawe Conservation Area
Fanshawe Conservation Area offers 20 km of biking and hiking trails along three stretches of roadway where cyclists can enjoy the forests and open meadows.
Forest City Velodrome
The Forest City Velodrome is the world's smallest permanent indoor cycling track in the world at 138m.
Future cycling infrastructure projects
As our cycling network continues to grow and more people choose to ride bikes to move through London, we are working to connect more neighbourhoods, business districts, and destinations with cycling infrastructure improvements.
Current and upcoming Road and Cycling Construction Projects
E-bikes
E-bikes offer energy efficient transportation with many physical and health benefits much like a conventional bicycle.
What is an e-bike?
An e-bike is a power-assisted or motor-assisted bicycle.
They can look like a conventional bicycle and can also be used just by pedaling.
You do not need a driver's licence, vehicle permit, or licence plate to ride an e-bike, but you do need to:
- be 16 or older
- wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet
- follow the posted speed limit (Along the Thames Valley Parkway the speed is 20km/h unless otherwise posted)
Riding e-bikes
E-bikes are different than kick-style e-scooters, large cargo e-bikes, or mopeds. In London, you can ride your e-bike on most roads, multi-use pathways, and highways where conventional bikes are permitted.
Where you can ride bikes, e-bikes, and scooters
|
|
Roadway (vehicle lanes) |
Bike lanes and cycle tracks |
Multi-use pathways (including the Thames Valley Parkway) |
Sidewalks |
|
Bicycle |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No* |
|
E-bike with working pedals |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, but only when pedaling |
No |
|
Power assisted scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
|
Kick style e-scooters |
No |
No |
No |
No |
*Children under the age of 14 can ride on sidewalks in London.
You can review the City’s Streets By-law or the City’s Parks and Recreation Bylaw online.
Bike parking
You can find bike racks at City facilities, such as community centres and arenas. Bike racks and bike rings are also installed along many streets for short-term parking.
The City continuously installs more bike racks throughout London as resources permit.
For more information or to request bike parking be installed near you, please contact Allison Miller at amiller@london.ca or call 519-661-2489 x 5389
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about biking in London
What are those green boxes I see painted on the road at intersections?
These are bike boxes. Their purpose is to assist cyclists to turn left at intersections. These vivid green painted areas located at signalized intersections are part of the City's Mind the Green safety campaign.
This designated green area significantly increases the visibility of cyclists, making drivers more aware of their presence.
Bike boxes also help to prevent drivers from making right turns in front of cyclists approaching from behind, alleviating the “right hook” effect.
What kinds of bike lanes are available and where?
Bike lanes are marked with solid white pavement markings, diamond symbols and designated with regulatory signs designating the lanes for cyclist's use only.
The City is currently building new bike lanes that will improve connections into and throughout the city’s core
Why won’t the traffic signal change for me on my bike?
The traffic signals in London include different forms of detection to know when to change phases. The technology available to detect bicycles continues to improve and the City is actively upgrading individual signals to include cyclist detection. If you are at a signal that you don’t think is detecting you, you may need to dismount and push the pedestrian button.
Large black outlined squares on the pavement are sometimes a form of vehicle detection; a cyclist has the best chance of being detected when located near the corners of these squares.
What are the white chevrons and cyclists I see painted on roads?
These are share-the-lane pavement markings (or “sharrows” for short), reminding drivers and cyclists to share the road. They are often located at pinch points where a bike lane is not possible. Sharrow markings are designed to help motorists look out for cyclists and highlight the best position for cyclists on the road.
Where is new cycling infrastructure being built?
There are several new cycling projects that have been completed recently including the Dundas Cycle Track, Colborne Cycle Track extension, and Dundas-Thames Valley Parkway connection.
Construction in 2022 includes:
- adding in-boulevard bike lanes on both sides of Ridout Street between Fullarton and King Street, as part of the Downtown Loop.
- improving cycling on Queens Ave between Quebec Street and Maitland Street by switching the location of the bike lane and the on-street parking area, to provide a smooth road for all users and a more comfortable walking and cycling experience.
- replacement of the existing Victoria Street Bridge on Ridout Street next to Thames Park with a new “through arch” structure that includes a widened deck surface to better accommodate bicycle traffic, pedestrians, and improved connectivity with the Thames Valley Parkway.
Where can I bike if I’m interested in a longer trip just outside the city?
Want to take a longer trip? Explore surrounding communities on two wheels.
Where can I rent a bike?
For bike rental opportunities in London, visit any of the following websites:
Can I bike on the sidewalk?
According to London's Streets by-law, adults should not bike on sidewalks. Only children under the age of 14 can ride on sidewalks.
A bicycle is a vehicle, according to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. This means that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities to obey all traffic laws as other road users. Ontario's Ministry of Transportation also produces a cycling skills handbook and safety guide to explain this information.
For more assistance, please contact cycling@london.ca