Martin Goodman Trail Cycling

The Martin Goodman Trail is a paved waterfront cycling path running about 22 km across Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from the Beaches in the east to Humber Bay in the west. The route passes Harbourfront, Queens Quay, Exhibition Place and Sunnyside, with views of Lake Ontario, the Toronto Islands and the downtown skyline, and a convenient starting point is at Queens Quay W and Bay St. Bike Share Toronto docks are found along most of the trail, so visitors without bikes can ride about CAD 3.50 per 30 minutes, and the trail itself is free. The activity is easy, with a mostly flat, paved surface that suits families, casual riders and commuters, and a one-way ride or a shorter section can take two to four hours with stops. Participants need only basic cycling ability, and riders typically bring a helmet, water and a bike lock for stops. Age limits apply to bike share use, so families with children should confirm the current rules at bikesharetoronto.com. The City of Toronto maintains the trail, and Bike Share Toronto provides the dockable bikes. The path is shared with walkers, runners and rollerbladers, and some sections run alongside roads or cross busy intersections, so riders are expected to keep right, use bells when passing and stop at crossings. There are no staffed rescue services along the trail, but it passes through busy urban areas where emergency services can be reached quickly, and visitors in difficulty can call 911. The best season is May to October, with warm weather and long days, and summer weekends can be crowded around Harbourfront and Sunnyside. Conditions to avoid include ice and snow in winter, when sections are not cleared consistently, and thunderstorms. Early mornings give quieter paths and softer light on the water, and the route has many stopping points, including parks, beaches, cafes and the Humber Bay Arch Bridge, so the ride can be broken into shorter sections. Visitors can also ride only part of the trail and return by transit.