Upcoming Events

World Car-Free Day is a global movement to encourage people to leave their cars parked and discover healthier, more sustainable, and affordable ways to get around. Despite the Ontario Ford government adopting legislation that curtails the implementation of new bike lanes, and worse, plans to remove 19 km of Toronto’s busiest bike lanes, it has never been a better time to bike in Toronto.  

We are partnering with Chosen Chain and the Bicycle Mayor of Toronto. They will be guiding us along a 15 km route through the heart of the city to discover some amazing car-free spaces which are connected to bike lanes and transit. Thanks to our sponsor Leone Murray LLP, food and refreshments will be provided. 

Spots are limited: participants must register on Eventbrite to secure a spot.

What: 3rd Annual World Car Free Day bike ride and picnic.

The group will be riding in central Toronto along a range of bike lanes and public spaces that are revitalizing the city:

1. King’s College Circle
2. Grange Park
3. The Well
4. The Bentway
5. Love Park
6. The New Biidaasige Park West – where we will have food and refreshments

When: Tuesday, Sep 22, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Schedule: 

-5:45 pm gather at the side entrance to the ROM (100 Queen’s Park)

-6:00 pm Welcome remarks and overview of the route and how to ride safely as a group

-7:00 pm Arrive at Biidaasige Park West for dinner and refreshments overlooking the Toronto skyline – please bring your own eating utensils to reduce the amount of waste being produced.

-7:45 pm depart for Union Station

– 8:00 pm arrive at Union, ride ends

View the 15.2 km route (note: we will finalize the route in advance, pending any road construction).

Note: ALL participants MUST have working front and back lights, and a bell. We encourage all participants to wear a helmet; however, they are mandatory (and the law) for people 16 years and under, and for those riding e-bikes. 

Good to know: Dress for the weather. Bring water, and please bring your own eating utensils to reduce the amount of waste being produced.

Disclaimer:

While the safety of participants will be prioritized, every rider is responsible for their own actions, decisions, and well-being. Riders are expected to follow the rules of the road, ride defensively, stay alert to any hazards, bike safely at all times, and listen to direction provided by the ride leaders. Bicycling, as with any activity conducted over public pavements and facilities open to the public, comes with risk.

By participating in this ride hosted by Femmes and Friends, you acknowledge and agree that you will be riding at your own risk. Femmes and Friends, along with its ride leaders and organizers, does not assume responsibility for any injury, loss, damage, or incident that may occur before, during, or after the ride, and does not assume a duty of care for participants. You further agree and warrant that if, at any time, you believe conditions to be unsafe, you will immediately discontinue further participation, and will let the organizers know prior to departing.

Femmes & Friends partnered with The Bicycle Mayor of Toronto and the Friends for Life Bike Rally to celebrate International Women’s Day by advancing gender equality in the cycling community. Biking was a form of radical resistance early feminists (the Suffragettes) used to advance their right to vote and own property.

When: Sunday, March 8th, 2025, between 3 p.m and 6 p.m

Where: 163 Queen St E (corner of Queen St and George St)

What: A joyous (FREE) community event where women and their friends can learn everything they need to try biking this spring in Toronto and connect with the support and encouragement they need.   

• Learn how to ride a bike 
• Route planning and safety tips
• Basic bike maintenance
• Test ride a range of bikes
• Indoor bike rides and cycling skill building activities
• Arts and crafts for kids
• Refreshments

-> To support local women in need, please bring clean socks (not white), menstrual products (ideally individually wrapped) and toileteries.

You don’t have to identify as a woman to participate. Our friends and allies are welcome!

For more information contact bicyclemayortoronto@gmail.com or femmesandfriendsbike@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram or Facebook. 

Co-creators and sponsors: 

The Toronto Bicycle Mayor network is a global initiative coordinated by BYCS to accelerate the changes municipalities need to build livable and sustainable cities under the simple premise that bicycles transform cities, and cities transform the world.

Friends for Life Bike Rally (#F4LBR) is the only volunteer-led bike ride that brings people together for an inclusive, supportive, and life-changing challenge that inspires much-needed help for people living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto, Kingston and Montréal.

8 80 Cities is an organization dedicated to creating healthy, happy, and sustainable cities that are designed for active mobility for people for people of all ages and abilities. Guided by the simple premise that if our urban spaces are accessible and inclusive for 8 year olds and 80 year olds, everyone benefits.

Cycle Solutions is a local bike shop situated in Cabbagetown since 2000.  All new bikes come with two years of free tune ups and they give 10% discount off bikes and up to 15% off on parts and accessories to participants of the Friends for Life Bike Rally.

Pedaal is a vibrant bike shop and cafe in Harbord Village specializing in Bromptons, cargo bikes and exceptional coffee since 2024. It has fast become a community gathering place.

Saddle Sisters is a network of women who organize bike rides with speeds ranging between 20-30 km/h and aim to be inclusive for Women, Trans, Femme, and Non-Binary cyclists.

Bike Brigade is a group of 1000+ volunteer cyclists delivering food and other essentials by bike across Tkaronto (Toronto). 

bikeSauce is a volunteer run DIY bike repair space and community hub located in Chinatown East.

Celebrate World Car free day with us and discovering the magnificent Biidaasige Park, a car-free destination that is designed for people to interact with nature and each other. What better way to celebrate entering into Fall?

It’s never been a better time to get out and enjoy Toronto’s public parks, and no better way to get there than by biking with femmes and friends.

What: A picnic followed by a leisurely social bike ride suitable for adults and children. We invite you to join us for the picnic, the ride, or both. The choice is yours. We will meet at Corktown Common for a picnic and then ride to the new (as of September 2024) Leslie Lookout Park and then head to the St. Lawrence Market to enjoy the pedestrianized Market St where we will end our ride. We will be riding on cycling infrastructure the entire way.

When and where: Sunday, June 22nd, 2025, between 1 p.m and 4 p.m

1pm – Picnic at Corktown Common (Bayview and Mill St)

• If you’re joining us the picnic, bring a blanket or towel and some food to eat or share. There are lots of great restaurants and bakeries nearby if you don’t feel like packing your lunch.
• Note: there are 3 Bike Share stations nearby for those requiring access to a bike.

2pm – Depart for Leslie Lookout Park

2:30 pm – Arrive at Leslie Lookout Park where we can climb the tower to take photos of Toronto

3:00 pm – Depart Leslie Lookout Park via Unwin Ave to Market St

3:30pm – Arrive at Market St and enjoy time outdoors on a pedestrianized street or pick up groceries at the St. Lawrence market.

To RSVP on Facebook click here

A Femme-Friendly Bike Fair for the Bike-Curious

Femmes & Friends partnered with The Bicycle Mayor of Toronto and the Friends for Life Bike Rally to celebrate International Women’s Day by accelerating action for gender equality and learning how to bike. Did you know that biking was a form of radical resistance early feminists (the Suffragettes) used to advance their right to vote and own property?

When: Sunday, March 9th, 2025, between 2 p.m and 5 p.m

Where: Studio 163 – located at 163 Queen St E, 4th floor (corner of Queen St and George St)

What: A joyous (FREE) community fair where women and their friends can get all the support and encouragement they need to try a bike in a welcoming and supporting environment:   

• Meet a supportive community of women & femmes with bike skills
• Learn what you need to get biking this spring
• Icebreaker activities
• Try a range of bikes
• Small group rides
• Arts and crafts for kids (and adults too!)
• Picnic style refreshments

For more information contact bicyclemayortoronto@gmail.com or femmesandfriendsbike@gmail.com 

To support local women in need, please bring clean socks (not white), menstrual products (ideally individually wrapped) and empty pill bottles.

Meet our co-creators and co-organizers: 

The Toronto Bicycle Mayor network is a global initiative coordinated by BYCS to accelerate the changes municipalities need to build livable and sustainable cities under the simple premise that bicycles transform cities, and cities transform the world.

The Friends for Life Bike Rally is the only volunteer-led bike ride that brings people together for an inclusive, supportive, and life-changing challenge that inspires much-needed help for people living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto, Kingston and Montréal.

Community groups that will be participating and supporting this bike fair:

Bike Brigade, Kidical Mass, Bike Sauce and Charlie’s Freewheels.

• 1h30pm – Gather to get our glitter on, shake it off, exchange friendship bracelets and eat cookies at the Equestrian statue of Edward VII (39 Queen’s Park Crescent)
• 2h00 p.m. – We ride to Queen’s Park to join hundreds of others to protest Bill 212 by telling the Premier to CALM DOWN and leave our bike lanes alone! (ripping out bike lanes will be particularly devastating to achieving gender parity among cycling enthusiasts).
• 2h30 p.m. – We ride down University Ave with the bigger group before heading to Taylor Nation and spreading positive vibes on Toronto’s stressed out roads.
• 5h00 p.m. – We arrive at Love Park and the world is ours to do and go where we want

Bike Curious? Join us for a fun family friendly ride to celebrate World Car free day.

What: A social bike ride suitable for people of all ages and abilities followed by a community potluck and crafting. We invite you to join us at any point during the mobile event and to dress however you want! 

When: Sunday, Sep 22, 2pm to 5pm

Where and when:

• 2pm – Gather at the King Edward VII Equestrian statue at Queen’s Park
• 2h30 – Ride departs
• 3pm – Social water break at Garrison Common
• 3h15pm – Depart for final destination
• 3h45pm – Arrive at Sherbourne Common for a social potluck and crafting station (we invite you to bring food to share)

Saturday June 15 2-5pm

• 2:00pm – Meet at Christie Pits Park (northwest corner: Crawford St & Barton Ave).
• 2:30pm – Ride departs.
• 3:00pm – Stop at Queens Park for a short break.
• 4:00pm – Arrive at Corktown Common for a social picnic.

To RSVP on Facebook click here