May 17 is Bike to Work Day. Biking to work is a great way to commute to work and get some exercise. And of course, we’ve got the stats. Let’s cycle through them.
Commuting by bike down in 2021 from 2016
The 2021 Census of Population surveyed Canadians in detail about their commutes, including mode of transportation and time.
Over 811,000 Canadians commuted by active transportation (walking or cycling) in 2021. Of those, nearly 139,000 hopped on their bikes, down from 222,130 in 2016. Much of the decrease can be explained by a major shift in working arrangements, including higher rates of telework, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The average nationwide commute time by bicycle was a tidy 20.0 minutes in 2021, compared with 12.5 minutes by foot, 16.5 minutes by motorcycle, scooter, or moped, 22.8 minutes by car, truck or van, and 42.9 minutes by public transportation.
About one in five Canadians (20.4%) who cycled to work lived in the Montréal census metropolitan area (CMA), followed by the Toronto CMA (13.5%) and the Vancouver CMA (13.1%).
Cycling up in 2022
In May 2022, the number of bicycle commuters increased to 209,900, amid a gradual return to workplaces after pandemic-related restrictions were loosened. By May 2023, this number had decreased to 182,900, alongside an uptick in those commuting by car and public transit.
More than a billion bucks on bikes
In 2023, there were over $1.7 billion in retail sales of bicycles and biking equipment and accessories in Canada. This category also includes electric power-assisted bicycles, as well as bags, racks, pumps, and cycling clothing for all seasons.
Cycling infrastructure and road safety
Statistics Canada partnered with three postsecondary institutions in a 2022 study, with the goal of developing a national dataset for comfort and safety metrics. It found that about one-third (34%) of neighbourhoods across Canada have no cycling infrastructure.
A study on cycling fatalities in Canada from 2006 to 2017 found that collisions with a motor vehicle made up nearly three in four (73%) fatal cycling events, while road safety rules may have not been respected in about one in three (32%) cycling fatalities.
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For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).